There was a Lu Family Clinic there; its interior was simple, featuring one counter backed by a row of apothecary cabinets.

“Next,” Dr. Lu called out, taking a sip.

Dr. Lu’s medical skills were only mediocre, at best.

However, Donglin Town was small, with only two doctors in total, and the other practitioner was much the same as Dr. Lu, resulting in the Lu Family Clinic managing a reasonably decent business.

The next patient was a cunning youth of sixteen or seventeen, clad in a garment of some unknown, remarkably smooth fabric, suggesting he was either wealthy or noble: “Extend your hand.” Diagnosis required observation, listening, feeling the pulse, and questioning. Dr. Lu was not skilled enough to discern an ailment by sight alone, so a pulse check was necessary.

But Dr. Lu found this cunning youth oddly familiar.

The cunning youth smiled faintly, “Father.”

The moment the word “Father” left his lips, Dr. Lu froze.

He had three sons and one daughter.

The eldest son, Lu Fang, was already married and had a son and a daughter of his own.

The second son, Lu Ye, had also married last year, and his wife was visibly pregnant.

Then there was the third son, Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan had always been quite mischievous, unlike his elder brothers. At the time, they hadn't worried, assuming he would settle down after marriage later in life. Who knew that, by some twist of fate, the third son had left to cultivate immortality with an immortal master?

Such promise for their third son was naturally a blessing, but seven years had passed without a single visit, causing the father inevitable worry.

This cunning youth looked familiar, and upon hearing the address, Dr. Lu finally grasped the reality after a long pause: “You are… Yuan’er?”

“Yes.” The cunning youth, Lu Yuan, nodded now. He hadn't expected to be emotional, but seeing his father again brought forth genuine feeling. He thought seven years wouldn't age his father much, yet here he was, showing signs of graying hair.

...

The reunion between father and son was rather subdued. When he met his mother, Madam Lu Zhang, their meeting brought forth deep emotion; she held Lu Yuan’s head and wept profusely until she finally composed herself.

A while later, his elder brother Lu Fang, second brother Lu Ye, and third sister Lu Ye all returned.

The Lu family was quite large now.

Dr. Lu and Madam Lu Zhang were the first generation.

The second generation comprised seven people: the eldest, Lu Fang, and his wife; the second, Lu Ye, and his wife; the third, Lu Ye, and her husband—though married and moved out, she rushed back with her husband upon hearing her younger brother had returned—and the fourth, Lu Yuan. All were married except Lu Yuan.

The third generation included Lu Fang’s son and daughter, and Lu Ye’s son.

It had become quite a substantial household.

The other six members of the second generation had rushed home so eagerly because they desperately wanted to see if the brother who left with the immortal master seven years ago had now become one of those legendary immortals. The common folk held great curiosity for such legendary figures. Tales of immortals descending to the Great Jin Kingdom were frequent, and every household paid homage to the Three Pure Ones of Taoism.

Seven years ago, Lu Yuan’s encounter with immortality had sparked envy in countless onlookers.

Now that Lu Yuan was home, everyone was eager for a proper look.

However, it was Lu Fang’s son who voiced what everyone was thinking first: “Fourth Uncle, they say you went with an immortal master. Are you an immortal now? If you are, could you show us some immortal arts?” This boy shared some of Lu Yuan’s sharp, clever nature from years past.

Lu Yuan looked around and saw almost every eye fixed upon him with expectation. It seemed he had no choice but to perform today. With a flick of his hand, a ball of flame materialized on his fingertip—igniting the air through mana manipulation, a relatively simple feat. The flame danced brightly.

“Ah!”

“Little brother truly has become an immortal.” Exclamations of astonishment filled the room.

Lu Yuan felt like an exhibitionist performing parlor tricks. He noted that Elder Brother Lu Fang was sturdier, Second Brother Lu Ye had also bulked up and darkened from the sun, and Third Sister Lu Ye had grown much more beautiful—marriage seemed to agree with her. Observing the affection between his sister and her husband, Lu Yuan felt relieved.

As they were family, they spent time catching up on the events of the past seven years. Lu Yuan offered vague accounts of his life on the North Peak of the Huashan Immortal Sect, details that filled his family with envy—this was the legendary life of immortals. Lu Yuan, in turn, inquired about home. The eldest brother, Lu Fang, didn't want to inherit the clinic and had become a constable in the county seat—a fine career, better than being a doctor. Second Brother Lu Ye also shunned medicine and sought work alongside his older brother at the county office. Dr. Lu was devastated: the eldest became a constable, the second a bailiff, and the third son... had become an immortal.

When he had three sons, he had always hoped at least one would continue the practice, but now, none of them would. This brought tears to Dr. Lu’s eyes, leaving him utterly crestfallen.

As for Third Sister Lu Ye, her husband was the manager of a rice shop—a clear case of filial succession.

The family gathered together, exchanging stories, creating an atmosphere of warm harmony and deep affection.

Lu Yuan deeply cherished this feeling.

Comfortable. Tender.

—————— Donglin Town was not large.

When anything unusual occurred, the entire town would buzz with excitement.

The little devil from the Lu family, who had gained his immortal connection seven years ago and left with the immortal, had returned—this naturally shocked the whole town, and Donglin Town immediately became lively.

“Did you hear? That kid from the Lu family is back.”

“Which one?”

“The one who left seven years ago with the white-haired immortal.”

“Oh, that one. I remember, that kid was incredibly lucky.”

“Shh, keep your voice down. I heard he actually became an immortal and even demonstrated a fire-from-finger technique at the Lu house.”

“That’s what you call luck, becoming an immortal overnight.”

“Speaking of which, Mrs. Xie, that kid stole a peek at you bathing all those years ago. Now that he’s an immortal, perhaps you’ll become an immortal consort!” Someone teasingly mentioned this, causing Mrs. Xie’s face to flush bright red. She still had the same bashful nature as seven years prior; thin-skinned and easily flustered.

“Let’s go! We should go see the immortal!”

“Lu Yuan becoming an immortal—if a large crowd like us goes to see him, will he get angry?”

“Tch. That little devil Lu Yuan—I even bathed him when he was naked back then, I held him when he was born. Now that he’s an immortal, what’s the big deal if we take a look?” This was a formidable auntie speaking.

“Let’s go see, let’s go! I’ve truly never seen an immortal up close.”

“Right. Generally, immortals only show up in the prefectural seats; they are rare even in the county town. We never thought Donglin Town would produce an immortal of its own.” Curiosity overwhelmed them. Finally, this throng of people coalesced into a single force, surging toward the Lu Family Clinic. Even the red-faced Mrs. Xie couldn't resist her curiosity and followed the crowd toward the clinic.

(Circuit maintenance continues. No electricity during the day, very little stored material left—a tragedy.)