Free Web NovelChapter 128: Chapter 92: Resuming the Old Profession
RUMBLE!
The Centipede Demon thrashed wildly. It was the strongest of the three.
The ground of the village square cracked and split under the force of its struggle.
The sheer power on display was astonishing.
"What is that? What a huge Centipede!"
"It’s a Demon!"
"Who is that Demon Subduer?"
"How can someone so young be so powerful?"
"Are Demons real?"
"And are Cultivators real too?"
"Is that what he is? Wait, is he a Cultivator? Or is he pursuing Buddhist Cultivation?"
All thoughts of sleep vanished as the villagers stared, wide-eyed, at the scene.
Xu Lei’s family in this life were among them, utterly dumbfounded and shocked.
"Withdraw!"
Of course, Xu Lei had no intention of prolonging the fight with the Centipede Demon.
BUZZ!
His black alms bowl radiated light, enveloping the Centipede Demon. A moment later, the light sucked the demon inside.
And with that, it was over.
"Second Brother!"
"Second Brother!"
"It’s our second brother!"
By now, Xu Lei’s father, mother, and eldest brother had all recognized him.
After all, Xu Lei had already used his influence to help them, so they knew he was in the area.
They had naturally heard about the nearby villages hiring a Daoist master to catch a demon a few days ago.
They hadn’t thought Xu Lei would be involved back then, but now, everything clicked into place.
’I can’t believe I ended up right on my family’s doorstep!’
Xu Lei sighed to himself. ’I could have avoided seeing them, but under these circumstances, it would be wrong not to say a few words.’
Some truly dedicated ascetics, after leaving their secular lives, would even deny their own family if they met them.
They do this to avoid all worldly attachments and sever all karmic ties.
But Xu Lei thought for a moment and decided not to deny them. After all, he had already done what he could to help his family.
Their situation was quite good now, so there were no negative karmic entanglements to worry about.
Besides, with his ability to accumulate merit across multiple lifetimes, he wasn’t in a rush to achieve enlightenment in this one.
So, Xu Lei simply shook the Bell, commanding the two Human Puppets to carry him. They flew swiftly into his family’s courtyard—it was faster and consumed less Magical Power.
Inside the house, his parents, eldest brother, third brother, third sister, and fourth sister all stared with wide eyes as Xu Lei was carried swiftly toward them by two Puppets.
Every one of them was in a state of utter disbelief and shock.
His two sisters-in-law, the wives of his eldest and third brothers, were also at home.
They too wore expressions of sheer incredulity.
"Father, Mother, it’s me,"
Xu Lei said. "It’s been a long time. I apologize. I left home for many years to pursue my cultivation and have been unable to fulfill my filial duties."
Tears immediately welled up in his father’s and mother’s eyes.
"Good, good."
His father quickly added, "You’re all grown up. Good, good! It seems your cultivation has been successful, Second Brother. Sixteen years have passed. Your father has grown old, but you’re still so young! You look like a teenager!"
"Good, good!"
His mother also said, "As long as you’re successful, that’s what matters. As long as you’re doing well!"
"Eldest Brother!"
Xu Lei then turned to his eldest brother. "Thank you for taking care of Father and Mother all these years."
"It’s nothing, it’s nothing. It’s what I should do."
His eldest brother said, "If it weren’t for the money you left behind, Second Brother, I wouldn’t have been able to provide a good life for our parents! Second Brother, have you really become one of the Immortals? You’re still so young, you even look younger than our third brother!"
"I wouldn’t say I’m an Immortal yet,"
Xu Lei replied. "I am merely on the path of Cultivation."
He continued, looking at his third brother. "Third Brother, do you still remember me? You were little when I left home, so you probably don’t!"
"Second Brother!"
His third brother replied, "I... I don’t remember it very clearly, but I have a vague memory that you were very good to me back then. You used to give me candy."
Xu Lei smiled.
"Greetings, sisters-in-law."
Xu Lei then addressed the young women. "I’ll have to trouble you to continue taking good care of our parents in the future."
The women naturally waved their hands in dismissal, saying it was their duty and that he was being too polite.
Faced with such a godlike figure, they felt as if they were in a dream.
"So you’re our second brother?"
His fourth sister spoke up. "Second Brother, since you’re a Monk, does that mean you can’t get married or have children?"
His third sister also stared up at him with wide eyes.
"Not exactly. I’ve achieved a certain level in my practice, so the restriction on intimacy no longer applies."
Xu Lei explained, "Although I haven’t taken a wife, a woman has already borne a child for me.
But because of my status, it’s inconvenient to have deep ties to the family, so my child is also living under a different identity.
I won’t be able to let you dote on your grandchild."
"What?"
Xu Lei’s father was stunned. "Second Brother, you already have a child? Good, good, that’s wonderful!
It’s alright, it’s alright! Just knowing you have a child puts our minds at ease. We’re so happy!
As for doting on grandchildren, your eldest and third brothers have given us plenty.
We’re fine, really."
"Good, good, good!"
Xu Lei’s mother was also pleasantly surprised. "Hearing you say that, Second Brother, puts my mind at rest.
It seems we were right not to stop you from leaving home to pursue your path!
Now you’re still so young, and you’ve become so capable.
And you even have a child! Now, Mother can truly be at ease!"
"Second Brother!"
Just then, his third sister, who had been staring at Xu Lei with wide eyes, said, "Can you take me with you? I want to be as amazing as you, Second Brother!"
"My dear sister."
Xu Lei replied, "I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t want to take you, but you don’t have the aptitude for it. If you did, I would have come for you long ago."
In the blink of an eye, Xu Lei was gone from his family’s home.
He had only stayed for a brief conversation.
As parting gifts for his sisters-in-law and two younger sisters, he left some valuable necklaces and Jade Pendants.
Each piece was worth a fortune, but this was all he could give; he couldn’t leave behind any Extraordinary items.
