Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 668 - 331: Return_2

""What does this gentleman look like?" Chenxiang pressed eagerly, feeling a premonition that he had definitely seen this man somewhere before.

"He was wearing a green robe, and he looked very handsome."

"He had a beautiful ebony hairpin on top of his head and a treasured sword at his waist, which was quite imposing."

Through the descriptions of the two little ones, Chenxiang gained a preliminary understanding of this person's image and suddenly recalled the mysterious man in green he had met above the Azure Wave Ocean, who had deceived him into practicing a wrong cultivation technique.

"Could it be the same person?" Chenxiang muttered to himself. He was eager to meet this person, so he took the hands of the two little ones and pressed, "Do you know where this gentleman went?"

"Chenxiang brother, don't you know? But it seemed like that gentleman knew you," the two naive little ones asked.

Chenxiang gently held his forehead; he shouldn't have held any hopes for these two little ones. If that being wanted to meet him, he could find him wherever he was, and if he didn't want to meet him, Chenxiang would not recognize him even if they met face to face.

Thinking of this made it all seem pointless. He gently tousled the heads of the two little ones, messily their hair, which sparked a round of complaints from them, and then led the two little ones on the way home.

Before leaving, he looked back at the towering Mountain Hua once more, thinking to himself that one day he would return here and unravel all the mysteries and know the truth.

When Chenxiang last looked towards Mountain Hua, the Third Holy Mother also couldn't help but look back at her child, not knowing when they would next meet.

Seeing his sister crying continuously, Yang Jian's severe face showed a trace of heartache as he gently comforted, "A jade does not become a tool unless it is carved. Since fate has chosen Chenxiang, he cannot afford to be weak or to retreat. Now, he must face everything on his own."

"Brother, I know, but I just can't bear to let him go. Thinking about how old he is, and how I haven't fulfilled a mother's duties, it really hurts, but fortunately, Yanchang has taken good care of him, and that puts my mind at ease," she replied.

After hearing the name Liu Yanchang from the Third Holy Mother, Yang Jian became furious and said, "Don't mention that profligate's name in front of me. If not for him, you would still be a carefree immortal, not here under Mountain Hua suffering, not knowing when you might leave. I wish I could tear him to pieces."

The Third Holy Mother, seeing her brother in a rage, did not mention Liu Yanchang again. She knew her brother had never forgiven her husband, but fortunately, he felt good about Chenxiang.

When Chenxiang, dragging his weary body with the two children, returned to the village, the villagers all looked at them as if they had seen ghosts. Having been gone for many days, the villagers had given up hope and had even prepared memorials for them. Little did they expect to see the three return.

Old Man Wu at the village entrance was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, continuously pleading for the three not to take him to the Underworld, claiming he wasn't ready to die. It was only when Chenxiang showed him their shadows that he realized they indeed had come back alive.

Suddenly, the whole village was astir, everyone rushing over as if mad. These were people who had escaped from a demon—it was like a myth.

The two little ones chattered away at the events, and the surrounding people intermittently gasped. The vicious demons, the deep and terrifying caves, the elegantly dressed immortal, and the cloud-riding abilities mesmerized many of the children listening.

Chenxiang, however, stood aside, subdued and not as lively as before. Noticing something was off, someone comforted, "Chenxiang, why so down? Haven't you fought demons before? At your age, it's normal not to win, but having the courage to save the two little ones makes you fantastic."

As soon as this statement was made, it immediately won the approval of those around, for adversity reveals true character. In such a critical moment, only Chenxiang had stepped forward—a rare quality indeed that even the most severe critic couldn't denounce.

And the parents of the two children looked at Chen Xiang with faces full of gratitude, for through the children's words, they had discovered that the immortal in green robe seemed to know Chen Xiang, which was indeed a remarkable matter.

After declining everyone's proposals for a celebration, an utterly exhausted Chen Xiang returned to his own home, collapsed onto the bed, and fell into a deep sleep, as the journey had been extraordinarily taxing, especially with two children in tow. Chen Xiang felt that his experiences in these days outshone those of his entire life.

However, the prolonged intense concentration had already drained his mental strength, and had it not been for the continuous strength provided by the Nameless Technique, he would have already collapsed, unable to return to reality.

Thus, the moment his body touched the bed, he fell into the deepest sleep.

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As he slept, Liu Yanchang quietly walked in, looked at his son lying on the bed, and revealed a proud smile. He gently smoothed Chen Xiang's slightly furrowed brow and took the blanket to cover him.

All these days, to claim he hadn't worried about Chen Xiang's safety would be a lie. However, with the Third Holy Mother in charge of Mount Hua, even though she was captured, his great uncle was no ordinary man. With him present, Liu Yanchang was certain of Chen Xiang's safety, but as a father, he instinctively worried about his child. At times, he deeply despised his own helplessness, unable to protect his wife nor shield his son from the hardships of the world.

"Third Mother, I truly am useless. There's a common saying, 'A Scholar is good for nothing,' and I have finally understood it today," Liu Yanchang murmured softly as he patted the sleeping Chen Xiang, his words filled with desolation and resentment.

When Chen Xiang woke from his sleep, it was two days later, and a rich aroma hit his nose, causing his mouth to water. Following the smell to the kitchen, he saw his father struggling to prepare a meal.

When had that scholar, who once held that a true gentleman keeps clear of the kitchen, willingly gone into the kitchen, just to prepare a sumptuous meal for his child?

Seeing the bleary-eyed Chen Xiang, Liu Yanchang revealed an indulgent smile and said, "Wait just a little longer, the chicken soup will be ready soon. Have a good taste. This is from Aunt Wang thanking you for bringing her two children back. Don't let her kindness go in vain."

Chen Xiang looked at his father's face, marked with splotches, and felt a sourness in his heart. His mother was trapped under Mount Hua, and he could only imagine how painful it must be for his father.

"I met mother!" Chen Xiang softly declared.

With a clang, the spatula fell from Liu Yanchang's hand to the ground, his eyes misting over, yet he tried hard not to let the tears fall. After a long while, he finally managed to ask, "Is she doing well? I bet she is as beautiful as ever."

Scenes of their first meeting flashed through his mind, that smiling face as if still before his eyes. Unknowingly, so much time had passed since they had been apart. The Third Holy Mother might not even recognize me anymore, Liu Yanchang thought as he looked at his reflection in the water, and he sighed softly.

"Mother is trapped under Mount Hua, and you know it, Father," Chen Xiang assertively said, craving to know everything.

Seeing the resolve on Chen Xiang's face, Liu Yanchang realized he could no longer stop his son. It was time for him to learn the truth, letting him decide how to move forward on his own.

So, he sat down slowly with Chen Xiang and began to recount his past, those treasured memories that had been deeply buried in his heart for years, not dulled by time but rather made more unforgettable as the years passed.

Liu Yanchang quietly narrated, sharing his courtship, acquaintance, and vows with the Third Holy Mother.

"I naively thought that we could be together forever, henceforth," Liu Yanchang painfully said. "Later, I realized what it means to differ between humans and gods, perhaps I should never have agreed in the first place."