A pair of lanterns hung high in the small courtyard, casting a soft, whitish glow. A dining table was set out in the yard. Sister-in-law Zhao Yiyi, apron tied neatly, was arranging dishes with deft hands. Looking up when she heard him, she smiled brightly, "Little brother, you're finally back!"

"Sister-in-law seems in excellent spirits," Li Muzhan chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through him. Zhao Yiyi pursed her lips, smiling. "The methods you taught me are very effective. Now my energy is high and my body feels well—I have endless strength." Zhao Yiyi wore a thin, light-green blouse that lightly clung to her form, subtly revealing the curves of her delicate figure. Her fair, oval face broke into a charming smile; she was captivating. Li Muzhan laughed softly. "It's also because Sister-in-law has great understanding." He reached out, pinched a small, perfectly crisp-fried fish, tossed it into his mouth, and nodded while chewing. "As expected, Sister-in-law's cooking is still the best."

"Wash your hands first," Zhao Yiyi chided him with a glance. Li Muzhan laughed heartily and headed inside. Li Yurong came out carrying another dish. "Li Jian, are you alright?"

"Mm, it's nothing serious," Li Muzhan nodded, stepping inside. He unbuckled the bow and twin swords, changing into a loose, comfortable moon-white inner garment. He went to the well, drew a basin of water, and washed his face. Zhao Yiyi handed him a towel. "Did you tell Father and Mother?"

"Tell them what?" Li Muzhan asked, drying his face. Zhao Yiyi turned, glanced away, and huffed in a lowered voice, "You went into seclusion and then left for escort duty! Big Brother told them!" Li Muzhan shook his head, sighing. "Alas, I thought Big Brother was good at keeping secrets." Zhao Yiyi looked smug. "I just knew something was off. When you went into seclusion before, you always asked me to cook. Why was it different this time?"

"Mm, I did go out. I'll tell Father and Mother later," Li Muzhan said.

"I think it's better not to say anything," Zhao Yiyi quickly shook her head and whispered, "If you mention it, the next time you go into seclusion, Father and Mother won't be able to eat or sleep properly."

"That's fine too," Li Muzhan pondered for a moment and nodded. Everyone gathered in the courtyard for dinner, sitting around a round table. The lights were bright, and a gentle breeze occasionally drifted in, carrying the lingering scent of flowers, faint yet pervasive. Li Zhuzi, Qin Shi, Zhao Yiyi, Li Yarong, Qingsi, and Li Muzhan—six people in total. Eldest brother Li Mufeng was busy and couldn't return. 'Don't speak when eating, don't eat when speaking'—this was the adage of wealthy families. The Li family was different; they enjoyed talking during meals. Li Zhuzi took a few bites, turned his head, and snorted, "Son, did you cause trouble again?" Li Muzhan paused, shook his head. "Father, why do you say that?"

Li Zhuzi snorted. "It must be trouble you caused that dragged your mother and me down, otherwise why would your Second Sister stay home quietly all day?" Li Muzhan chuckled softly. "I offended someone with a very high standing. Second Sister is afraid that family will cause trouble and come knocking."

"Which family?" Qin Shi quickly asked.

"The Bai family in the city," Li Muzhan replied.

Li Zhuzi's face changed. He pointed his chopsticks at him and huffed, "You! You are truly a troublemaker. How can you afford to provoke the Bai family?"

"Father, don't worry. They won't dare do much," Li Muzhan consoled. Li Zhuzi glared at him and huffed, "Didn't the Bai family beat Li Jian? Was it because of you again?"

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile. "Perhaps."

"What do you mean 'perhaps'? It must be!" Li Zhuzi pouted and shook his head. "Li De, that child has always been well-behaved; he always takes the blame for you." Li Muzhan simply laughed, neither angry nor arguing. He glanced at Qin Shi with a knowing smile and gently pressed his father's pressure points. Mother Qin Shi immediately feigned anger. "Son! You just got home and you're scolding people! Are you letting anyone eat?"

"Eat, eat!" Li Zhuzi snorted, shooting Li Muzhan a sharp glare, but said no more, lowering his head to eat. Li Wurong bit her lip and smiled, glaring at Li Muzhan. She thought to herself, This trick never fails. Third Brother is too naughty. Qingsi kept her head down, tightly pressing her lips together, seemingly suppressing a smile. Li Yarong glanced at her. Qingsi secretly stifled a laugh. She truly hadn't expected that the Master, whose Buddhist teachings were rarely seen in the world—Zhanran—would be like this. He was so different from the high monk she had imagined! After dinner, everyone sat beside the flower beds, gazing at the bright moon overhead, chatting idly. Qin Shi talked most about Li Jian's wife, saying she was sharp and knew how to handle things, though not as outstanding as Yiyi within several surrounding villages.

They also brought up Li Jian's injury, repeatedly warning Li Muzhan to be cautious, not to compete with others, to take a step back in everything, and that minor losses were acceptable—not to lose the big picture over small matters. All those grudges and enmities were stirred up by trivial, petty issues. Li Muzhan engaged cheerfully, responding with smiles. Sitting here, chatting about mundane family matters with his parents, Li Muzhan didn't feel annoyed; instead, he felt a deep sense of belonging. This was true life! All his previous experiences, perilous and exciting, suddenly seemed distant, like a hazy, illusory great dream. After chatting for a while, Li Muzhan urged them to rest early; maintaining sufficient spirit was vital for the elderly, and their routines needed to be regular. Li Zhuzi and Qin Shi gave a few more reminders before heading to their room to sleep. Only the remaining four were left in the courtyard—Li Muzhan, Li Yurong, Qingsi, and Li Yarong.

As soon as they entered the house, Li Yurong impatiently asked, "Third Brother, quickly tell us, what incredible encounters did you have this time?"

"Incredible encounters?" Li Muzhan smiled, feeling quite reflective.

Li Yurong asked, "Your inner force has greatly increased, and a vibrant purple aura surrounds you. What mental technique did you learn?"

Li Muzhan laughed. "That's a long story... Second Sister, what a coincidence, I met someone named Li Yuqi—only one character difference from you."

"There are countless people with the same name in the world; it's nothing," Li Yurong waved her hand, then suddenly laughed. "...Li... Yu... Qi. Is it a girl?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Yes, a disciple of the Jade Immortal Sect."

"Jade Immortal Sect?" Li Yurong frowned and looked towards Qingsi.

Qingsi’s fine eyebrows furrowed, and after exchanging a glance with her, she shook her head.

Seeing their peculiar reaction, Li Muzhan laughed. "Second Sister, you've heard of the Jade Immortal Sect too?"

"Third Brother, you had better stay far away from the Jade Immortal Sect," Li Yurong warned.

"Oh? Why?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.

Li Yurong said, "I once heard my Master speak of the Jade Immortal Sect. She said the people of the Jade Immortal Sect are White Bone Spirits, they are a scourge! Master wouldn't say such things without reason."

"White Bone Spiri..." Li Muzhan chuckled. He remained wary of Lin Qiongying, but Li Yuqi seemed a kind girl who wouldn't harm anyone.

"Aren't they all beautiful?" Li Yurong scoffed.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Although not as beautiful as Second Sister and Sister-in-law, they are certainly not inferior." Li Yurong immediately looked pleased, humming, "There are many beauties in the Jade Immortal Sect, but... they aren't pushovers either; their martial arts are incredibly potent."

"Indeed," Li Muzhan agreed.

Li Yurong eyed him sideways. "So, you learned martial arts from them?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "The Sect Leader, Lin, gifted me a jade pendant upon parting. Engraved on it is a set of mental techniques, incredibly potent, called the Purple Sun Tablet."

"Purple Sun Tablet..." Li Yurong murmured, shook her head, and looked at Qingsi.

Qingsi also shook her head. "We'll have to ask Master."

Li Yurong gave him a look and huffed, "Third Brother, you're usually clever, but you're foolish this once. Can martial arts techniques be cultivated casually?"

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile and sighed. "It was out of necessity." He had encountered nothing but masters. With his existing martial arts, surpassing them would take eons; only by learning from the best of a hundred schools was there a chance. Although he harbored suspicion toward Lin Qiongying, he possessed a sharp intuition that could discern fortune from misfortune, which is why he dared to cultivate it.

……………………………………………………’……………………

Li Muzhan said, "Oh, right, I also encountered people from Mount Luotuo and witnessed the Vajra Finger."

Li Yurong had intended to ask how he became acquainted with the leader of the Jade Immortal Sect and why she gave him the jade pendant, but hearing of Mount Luotuo immediately captivated her. She laughed. "Your journey was quite perilous! You didn't end up fighting the people from Mount Luotuo, did you?"

"We exchanged a few blows," Li Muzhan replied with a smile.

Li Yurong nearly jumped up, pouting in feigned anger. "Are you crazy? The Vajra Finger is no joke!"

Li Muzhan sighed deeply. "Yes... the Vajra Finger. Hah, what a formidable Vajra Finger..."

"You weren't injured, were you? How did you escape death when you met the Vajra Finger?" Li Yurong asked anxiously.

Li Muzhan said, "By sheer luck, relying on my movement techniques to evade, and then I ran for my life."

"Hmph. If it were so easy to evade, it wouldn't be Mount Luotuo's ultimate skill," Li Yurong didn't believe him. She gracefully stood up, extending her jade hand, intending to unfasten Li Muzhan's outer robe.

Li Muzhan quickly pressed down the hem of his robe, saying with a bitter smile, "Second Sister, there are still others here!"

"What does it matter? They aren't outsiders," Li Yurong smiled lightly, but she retracted her hand.

Li Muzhan recounted the course of events, omitting the part where he was injured, only telling of being thoroughly beaten and forced to flee by two Mount Luotuo men. He was open and unreserved. Li Yurong listened, frowning repeatedly. By the end, she huffed, "Those monks from Mount Luotuo are truly domineering. Next time I see them, I must have a proper word with them."

Li Muzhan smiled wryly. "Second Sister, Monk Xinjue is formidable. The power of his Vajra Subduing Demon Fist is astounding; I was no match for him at all."

Li Yurong said, "For this young monk to master the Vajra Subduing Demon Fist, his aptitude is indeed extraordinary! Few within Mount Luotuo ever achieve it."

"Second Sister has heard of the Vajra Subduing Demon Fist?" Li Muzhan asked.

"Mm, I heard my Master mention it," Li Yurong nodded. "According to Master, the Vajra Subduing Demon Fist demands extremely high aptitude—root bone, temperament, and understanding are all indispensable. Mount Luotuo produces one such person only every few decades... You lost to this technique, so it’s no disgrace."

Li Muzhan sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Li Yurong smiled and comforted him. "It's alright. If you stay in the insignificant Mei Residence, no matter how high your aptitude or how hard you cultivate, how far can you truly get?"

"The feeling of being utterly at the mercy of others is truly unbearable," Li Muzhan shook his head.

Li Yurong's delicate eyebrows furrowed. She mused, "The Mei Residence only has the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill; everything else is ordinary and useless to practice! This will not do. I will go ask Master to introduce you to a renowned teacher!"