Chapter 252 - 250: A Welcome at the Door, a Warm Meal Awaits

In terms of structure, "Yang’s Disciples" was a fairly conventional and moderate organization.

My Yang Clan began on the principles of a model student, so it was only natural for our style to be a bit more wholesome.

This was more or less the first time Yang Shen had truly met these "Named Disciples."

Regardless of whether they were all for show or genuinely dedicated, the small monthly stipend wasn’t the main draw. What truly attracted them was the promise of mutual support.

In a high-pressure environment like Jiangti, the sense of security that came from having someone watching your back was desperately needed.

This was especially true when their spiritual leader was the top-ranked student in their year.

The top-ranked student who had twice defeated the Legitimate Son of a Martial Arts Family—an Innate-level prodigy. The same student who, as a freshman, had already surpassed many graduates by reaching the Middle Stage of the Innate realm.

Besides, compared to students from ordinary families, the Jianghuai Yang Family was already considered a powerful force with manpower, money, and a grand residence.

Yang Shen didn’t have high expectations for them. They were simply a means to acquire more resources and prestige.

At the very least, the Yang Family’s influence had now gained a firm foothold on campus.

’Right, now that I’m back, I need to further refine the Yang Family’s rules. Things like the distinction between Named Disciples and True Disciples, and over at Changshen Biotechnology, between the Yang family’s distant relatives and the Yang Family’s Direct Lineage.’

’Titles, rules, and a system of rewards and punishments all need to be established.’

Yang Shen offered a few words of encouragement to the group. He didn’t actually commit a single name to memory, but he still gave a compliment or two as Yuan Rui introduced each person.

"Not bad. A fine, upstanding young man!"

"We’ll all be family from now on."

"Those are some well-developed pecs. Keep up the hard work."

After that, he wasted no more time. From now on, Yuan Rui could manage Yang’s Disciples. He just needed to communicate his needs to his disciple.

"While I was gone, I need you to collect and summarize all the advanced and rare Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques available at Jiangti. Focus on the ones that require specific honors or special agreements to obtain. Compile it all into a table for me."

Yuan Rui’s eyes darted. He knew his master must have had some great success in the Exotic Realm. "I’ll get people on it right away."

"Also, I was gone for a month and missed my classes. Are there any notes? Have everyone pool them together so I can catch up."

Yuan Rui chuckled. "Don’t you worry, sir. We have video lectures and written notes. They’ve been ready for you for a while now."

Yang Shen nodded.

’Having people to command at the university really makes a difference...’

"I’m heading back to the Yang Residence, then. I don’t have classes this afternoon. The rest of you martial brothers, remember to come back tomorrow. I’m going to test your Cultivation progress."

The Named Disciples watched with envious eyes. They had heard that True Disciples were taught the Martial Arts Clan’s Secret Transmission Cultivation Techniques.

’Damn it... I just have to work harder and get better.’

’I have to admit, Yuan Rui has a real knack for motivating people...’

’It’s only been a month, and they’re already showing signs of being brainwashed with devotion.’

——————

「An hour later」

Yang Shen was back at Cangwu Garden. He hadn’t returned in a long time, and the changing of the seasons had given the place a more settled atmosphere, no longer as restless as it was when he first moved in during the summer.

The main gate of the Yang Residence stood as grand and imposing as ever, awaiting the return of its Patriarch.

The entire Yang Residence was enveloped in an Array. As soon as Yang Shen entered the vicinity, he felt a connection to it without needing to open the gate. He knew who was inside and what they were doing.

After briefly taking it all in, an idea occurred to Yang Shen, and he headed toward the backyard.

...

In the backyard, a few children, just home from school, were busy working in the Spirit Field.

Yang Mo and Yang Man stood hand in hand, each forming a Finger Technique.

A small amount of Spiritual Qi was guided to their fingertips, but its release was smooth as they pointed toward the Spirit Field before them.

A wispy cloud appeared above the Spirit Field, covering an area of about ten square meters and hovering only three meters off the ground.

Raindrops, coalesced from the air and rich with Spiritual Power, fell and watered the fertile soil.

The Ganlin Curse.

Giggling, the two girls pushed with their hands in unison, directing the cloud forward to expand the watered area.

Pushing a cloud around was perfectly suited to the little girls’ tastes; it felt more like a game than a chore.

The moment the cloud moved, Xiaolei Yi came charging in boisterously. He also seemed to have mastered the Ganlin Curse, pushing the cloud around as he ran wild. This saved Yang Mo and Yang Man the trouble; they just directed Lei Yi to do all the hard work from a distance.

Elsewhere, Lei Lv was bent over, carefully inspecting the condition of the Qi Gathering Vines. He had already acquired some knowledge of medicinal herbs and possessed the Spirit Plant Inheritance, so his judgment was nearly on par with that of a veteran herb farmer.

After confirming that this patch of herbs was nearing maturity, Lei Lv took out a notebook. It contained a grid diagram of the Spirit Field, and he made a mark in the corresponding section.

Then, with a point of his finger, he cast a small-scale Withering and Flourishing Curse.

He had researched and developed this magic himself from the Cultivation Technique his brother had left behind. It was the most important spell in the Spirit Plant Inheritance, but also the one that consumed the most energy. Since Lei Lv did not yet have a Qi Sea, he couldn’t cast it too frequently.

He treated every single casting with the utmost care.

Ever since his brother left, Lei Lv had felt like he was treading on thin ice every day. Fortunately, he had many "teachers" to consult.

He could ask Lin Yuebai about herbs, Zhu about Body Forging, Yuan Rui for external matters, and Mrs. Tao for internal affairs.

In just one short month, the 13-year-old boy had been forced to mature beyond his years.

Suddenly, Lei Lv felt a mental stir. The sensation was so unfamiliar that he froze for a moment before he realized what it was.

’The Array?! An intruder?!’

He quickly searched his mind, and after confirming the direction, he whipped his head around...

...only to find a finger already resting on his forehead, tapping it gently.

Yang Shen smiled. "Three seconds... Lv, your reaction time is a little slow."

Lei Lv’s eyes widened. "Brother! You’re back!"

Seeing the commotion, Yang Mo and Yang Man immediately came running over, their little arms and legs flailing.

"Brother!!"

His two younger sisters threw themselves into his arms, and Yang Shen caught them, spinning them around three times.

The commotion reached the inner courtyard. A tall figure leaped down from the fourth floor of the ancestral hall and crossed to the Spirit Field in just a few bounds. Upon seeing Yang Shen, she froze, her eyes filled with longing.

"You! How could you just show up without a word!?"

Yang Shen laughed heartily. "I wanted to give you all a surprise."

Xu Bamboo gazed at the all-too-familiar tall figure, feeling a pang of envy at how his little sisters could throw themselves into his arms without a second thought.

She wanted to do the same, but her sense of propriety held her back.

But then, a thought cleared her mind.

’After all these years of hard work, I’ve reached the Innate realm. My body is like jade, my skin is as smooth as cream.’

’I’ve attained such a beautiful body... what’s wrong with letting Shenzi have a hug?’

At this thought, she was already on the balls of her feet, about to copy Yang Mo and Yang Man and leap into his arms.

Just then, she heard Tao Ying’s voice from behind. "Is that Shen back?"

Xu Bamboo executed a silky-smooth change of direction. With the grace of a gazelle, she took a sidestep and squatted by the path. "Oh, what’s this? A little Sun Worm hiding here. Hello there."

The Sun Worm, which had been sleeping peacefully before being rudely awakened: ???

Yang Shen saw right through her but didn’t call her out, even teasing Zhuzi, "Nice footwork."

Xu Bamboo shot Yang Shen a look, biting her lip.

Tao Ying beamed as she watched her nephew return, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "We happen to be having your favorite pork ribs today. Go wash your hands and come eat."

Yang Shen swung the luggage off his back, grinning. "Okay, I’ll be right there!"

On the fourth floor of the ancestral hall, a figure melted back into the shadows. In truth, Long Jiu had been the first to notice Yang Shen’s arrival. The Yang Family Shadow Guard was never remiss.

Laughing and chatting, the group headed toward the inner courtyard. The children crowded around Yang Shen, asking their big brother if he had any stories from his travels.

Yang Shen laughed and said he had more than a few, but they would have to be told one by one.

Returning home from a long journey, all one really wants is someone to greet them at the door and a warm meal on the table.

Yang Shen temporarily pushed the chaos of the Noon Realm to the back of his mind. But as he passed the ancestral hall, he paused, his gaze falling on the neat rows of memorial tablets inside.

’One day, you’ll have your place here too, Uncle.’

....

The return of the Yang Family Patriarch was, of course, a matter of utmost importance.

Everyone gathered for a happy meal, during which Yang Shen selectively shared some stories from his trip.

That night, Yang Shen took a refreshing shower and sorted through the various items he had brought back. He put the Curiosities from the Dongying Remnant Island into storage for the time being, then went to the ancestral hall to offer three sticks of incense.

Only after finishing all his tasks did he finally sit down on the edge of his bed to rest comfortably.

’There are so many things to take care of now that I’m back.’

’But I’ll handle them one at a time.’

’First... let’s see what the reward for the main quest is.’