Five hundred Black Armored Army sergeants marched along the main street of Yicheng, their movement vast and perfectly synchronized. The dense aura of killing intent silenced the surrounding commoners and vendors; the only sound echoing through the entire street was the rhythmic thud! thud! thud! of hooves. The City Lord of Yicheng, leading a contingent of guards, spotted them from a distance and immediately rode forward to meet them.

"Halt!" Du Hong commanded.

The entire Black Armored Army stopped in unison.

"Dismount!" Du Hong barked, followed by the clang of heavy armor plates as the five hundred soldiers dismounted.

"Haha, you've finally arrived!" City Lord Yang Ke greeted them warmly.

"City Lord!" Tian Dan and the four centurions leading the formation bowed their hands.

"Where is your Commander?" Yang Ke asked with a puzzled look.

Du Hong lowered his voice, "City Lord, our Commander has temporarily separated from us and returned to his hometown." Yang Ke understood immediately, nodding with a smile, "Qingshan is a native of Yicheng; yes, he ought to go home for a visit. Very well, you have all traveled far and are tired; let's get you fed and rested quickly. Leave the warhorses with us."

"We thank the City Lord," Du Hong replied.

Instantly, the five hundred sergeants, under unified direction, were distributed among four inns.

"Did you hear that?" Yang Ke glanced at Liu San beside him. "That Teng Qingshan has gone home! Since you won't see Teng Qingshan, you might as well get acquainted with those centurions. It will only benefit you."

"Yes," Liu San replied with a smile, though a tinge of disappointment lingered in his heart. "I heard that Brother Teng Qingshan has become a Commander, yet I didn't manage to see him! Who knows when I will have the chance to meet him next."

...

Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu galloped onward, raising clouds of dust in their wake.

"Qingshan, look!" Teng Qinghu exclaimed joyfully, pointing into the distance.

Teng Qingshan gazed where his cousin pointed, discerning the faint outline of a manor—it was the Teng Family Manor where he had lived for over a decade!

"We're finally here!" Teng Qingshan couldn't contain the surge of elation within him. "It's been less than half a year, and I already miss home this much!" He felt a slight surprise mixed with deep contentment. In his past life, he had no home at all. But in this life, the Teng Family Manor held his parents, his sister, and countless clansmen who cared for him.

This was his root!

"We're back!" Teng Qinghu shouted excitedly from a distance. "Open the gates! Open up!"

...

The Teng Family Manor continued its usual peaceful and quiet existence. The two clansmen guarding the main gate watched the two rapidly approaching riders with suspicion.

"What cavalry is that? Bandits? But there are only two."

"They seem to be wearing heavy armor! Even the horses are armored. Not like ordinary horse bandits."

The guards were deeply perplexed. Just then—"We're back! Open the gates, open up!"—the familiar voices reached their ears. The two guards froze, peering closely outside as the warhorses hurtled toward the gate. "Is that... Ah! It's Qinghu, and Qingshan! Quickly, go open the gate."

"Qingshan is back!"

"Qinghu is back!"

Loud, excited shouts echoed throughout the training grounds. Immediately, the clansmen practicing there rushed toward the main gate.

"Haha, Second Uncle! Uncle Lian!" Teng Qingshan jumped off his horse. Removing his helmet, he began greeting the surrounding clansmen.

A large crowd surrounded Teng Qingshan and Teng Qinghu.

"Ah, Qingshan is back! My, my, is this the heavy armor of the Black Armored Army?"

"Qinghu, what kind of horse is that? Its coat is completely black."

The entire training ground was bustling with activity.

"Yongfan, your son Qingshan is back!"

"Sister Lan, Qingshan is back!"

These calls swiftly spread throughout the Teng Family Manor. Even Yuan Lan and Qingyu, who were cooking in the house, dropped their spatulas the moment they heard the news. Ignoring the food, they sprinted toward the training grounds, calling out as they ran, "Is my Qingshan truly back?"

They ran the entire distance!

When Yuan Lan and Qingyu rushed into the training grounds, they already saw the figure of Teng Qingshan in his Crimson Iron heavy armor. Teng Qingshan turned his head and spotted his mother and sister.

"Mother!" Teng Qingshan called out instinctively.

Mother Yuan Lan managed to hold herself together, but his sister, 'Qingyu,' rushed into Teng Qingshan's embrace, crying out, "Brother!" as her eyes reddened.

"Xiaoyu, don't cry, don't cry," Teng Qingshan soothed her.

"Mmm, I missed big brother so much," Qingyu looked up at him. She had grown up under Teng Qingshan's doting care, and being suddenly separated for nearly half a year was something she truly wasn't accustomed to.

"Qingshan, Qinghu!"

Teng Qingshan turned to see Clan Leader Teng Yunlong and his father, Teng Yongfan, approaching. Teng Yunlong looked at the two cousins and chuckled, "It's great that you're back! Qingshan, you've done well. It hasn't even been half a year, and you're already a Commander in the Black Armored Army. Our entire Teng Family Manor has honor!"

"Qingshan, well done," Teng Yongfan clapped his son's shoulder.

"Grandfather, Father... you, how did you know?" Teng Qingshan was somewhat surprised. Did the entire Teng Family Manor already know about him becoming a Commander?

"Li Er pays respects to Commander," a stout man wearing a jade thumb ring and sporting a large belly bowed with a beaming smile.

"Uncle Li Er," Teng Qingshan greeted back with a smile.

This Li Er was a minor executive at a large merchant firm; the Teng Family Manor usually bought ores and supplies through him. Next to him, Teng Yunlong laughed, "Qingshan, it was Li Er who just told us the news. During a recent transaction, Li Er only charged us eighty percent of the silver; the other twenty percent was waived."

"This was ordered by my Master," Li Er said with a smile. "From now on, the Teng Family Manor will receive a twenty percent discount on all material purchases."

"And what is your Master's name?" Teng Qingshan still didn't know the identity of this powerful figure.

Li Er replied, "My Master resides in Jiangning Prefecture City! His surname is Lan, his given name is Shanhhu!"

Teng Qingshan nodded. He would remember this Lan Shanhhu for showing his family favor and would offer assistance if the opportunity arose.

"Heh heh, then I shall not keep you any longer!" Li Er gave a slight bow and departed with his merchant contingent.

"Qingshan and Qinghu have rarely returned! And since the Teng Family Manor has produced a Black Armored Army Commander, this is a moment of ancestral glory! Prepare a feast!" Teng Yunlong announced with great laughter. "Qingshan, Qinghu, the banquet won't be prepared instantly; you must wait an hour or two. You must drink heartily with the clansmen then!"

Teng Qinghu looked at Teng Qingshan.

"Grandfather, Cousin and I can only stay for lunch. We must rush to Jiangning Prefecture City shortly after," Teng Qingshan immediately explained. "Therefore, there's no need for a banquet."

"Ah, just lunch and then leaving?"

The surrounding crowd expressed surprise.

Teng Yunlong also nodded and smiled, "The Black Armored Army has pressing duties, and Qingshan is a Commander now! Everyone, let's not bother Qingshan; we mustn't delay his important affairs. Very well, Qingshan, Qinghu, you two should go home first. Spend time with your parents!"

...

At home.

There was no one else present, only the four members of Teng Qingshan's immediate family.

"Qingshan, eat!" Yuan Lan kept piling food into his bowl. "Mother, that's enough, enough." Teng Qingshan looked at his mother, then at his father beside her, and his demure sister. A warm current flowed through him.

"Qingshan," Teng Yongfan asked, "When can you return next time?"

"I should be able to come back before the year ends, perhaps staying for two or three days," Teng Qingshan replied. Serving in the Black Armored Army meant one could not easily leave. Only high-ranking officers received brief leaves. The higher the rank, the longer the vacation. And even a Commander needed approval from his leader to take a short trip home to visit family. Commanders, however, enjoyed more freedom, as they rarely had assignments.

"Not until the end of the year," Qingyu sounded disappointed.

"Father, Mother, Xiaoyu is of age now. Many families must be sending matchmakers these days, right? Has Xiaoyu taken a liking to anyone?" Teng Qingshan asked with a smile. He cared deeply about his sister's marriage prospects.

"Hmph, Brother, don't mention it," Qingyu scoffed. "Those suitors—forget comparing them to you, Brother; they can't even measure up to Cousin Qinghu."

Yuan Lan next to her smiled helplessly, "There's nothing to be done, Qingshan. Qingyu has high standards and hasn't favored anyone."

"Mother, why rush? I'm only fourteen. It's fine to marry in a few more years," Qingyu retorted. Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she looked at Teng Qingshan. "Brother, you're going to Jiangning Prefecture City—can I go with you? I've never been to Jiangning Prefecture City in my life."

"Nonsense!" Teng Yongfan chastised.

"Don't bother your brother," Yuan Lan added.

Teng Qingshan, however, felt a stir in his heart and quickly said, "Father, Mother! Actually, the Black Armored Army permits families to live on post! Of course, the accommodations for the regular sergeants are poor. But the Centurions have very good quarters. Now that I am a Commander, I should be assigned a very nice residence! You all can come live with me! Xiaoyu can come too, and you can visit the Prefecture City when you have time."

Teng Yongfan and Yuan Lan exchanged glances; they were tempted. Living with their son was certainly a good thing.

"Ah ah, I want to go, I want to go!" Qingyu jumped up excitedly.

"Father, Mother, what about you?" Teng Qingshan looked to his parents.

Yuan Lan looked at Teng Yongfan; as the woman, she deferred to the man. Teng Yongfan pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No, Qingshan, you know your maternal grandfather is old, and I am expected to inherit the position of Clan Leader. That's actually a minor matter. The most important thing... I must teach the clan disciples weapon forging! That ancestral skill is known only by your maternal grandfather and me. Can your grandfather teach in his old age? Therefore..."

Yuan Lan nodded in agreement.

Teng Yongfan continued, "Going to the Prefecture City, your mother and I could enjoy comfort. But I cannot ignore the clan's needs! Here is the arrangement: you take Xiaoyu with you. She is a girl; going to a big city will broaden her horizons. Your mother and I will have plenty of company here at the Teng Family Manor. When you have time in the future, you can return to visit us old folks."

His father's decision was made, and Teng Qingshan could only agree.

"Alright, Xiaoyu will come with me to the Guiyuan Sect. Whenever you wish to visit, you can stay for a month or two. After all, the Prefecture City is only about three hundred li from here. Father, have someone send word, and I will personally come to pick you up!" Teng Qingshan stated.