While Tao Hua Ying and the others absorbed the spirits, Yan Shou Yi and Lin Zi Tong went to the suite's balcony.
Looking out over the cultural ancient capital of Chang'an, both of them likely knew they would be leaving in a few days.
It had been a month since they visited Longhu Mountain after the Qingming Festival, and Yan Shou Yi had almost forgotten what Rong Cheng looked like.
With the matters in Chang'an coming to an end, it meant they would soon return to Rong Cheng. After all, there were still many acquaintances in Rong Cheng, and that was their home.
Lin Zi Tong suggested, "Big idiot, why don't you call Dad and report that you're safe?"
The father Lin Zi Tong referred to was naturally Yan Chou.
Yan Shou Yi nodded, "I was busy before and only now have the time. I'll call him right away."
When they entered the imperial tomb, Yan Chou had been very concerned. Especially after learning about the human-skin letters, Yan Chou had even advised Yan Shou Yi not to enter the imperial tomb.
Now that they had returned safely, they had to give their father this good news and put his mind at ease.
So Yan Shou Yi took out his phone and called Yan Chou.
The call was answered instantly.
Every time Yan Chou's call was answered instantly, Yan Shou Yi couldn't help but think of Zou Xia Zi, and his heart ached faintly.
He said, "Dad, we're alright now."
A long sigh came from the other end of the phone, indicating how worried Yan Chou had been.
Yan Chou composed himself, his voice slightly lighter, "Are you and Zi Tong both safe?"
"Everyone is safe, but there were many casualties among Senior Li Chong Xi and the local folk cult inheritors in Chang'an," Yan Shou Yi paused, then continued, "Zi Tong's crisis has been resolved. I also saw the soul of Qin Shi Huang. Additionally, many people from the Twenty-Eight Mansions died in Chang'an, including Jiao Mu Jiao Chu Wu."
The information from the imperial tomb expedition was too vast. If he were to explain everything, it would probably take half an hour.
Therefore, Yan Shou Yi extracted some key points to tell Yan Chou first.
Yan Chou was silent for a moment, seemingly digesting the news.
Then he praised, "Well done. Tell me in detail."
Yan Shou Yi smiled, organized his thoughts, and prepared to start from the ghost market.
However, just as he was about to speak, Yan Chou's gasp of surprise came from the phone.
"Hiss..."
Then came the dog Taoist's voice, "The wound is deep. It must be treated. You'll get through it if you endure for a moment."
Yan Shou Yi heard it clearly and immediately guessed that his father might be injured.
The smile on his face vanished instantly, "Dad, are you injured?"
Lin Zi Tong, hearing this, also showed concern, her violet eyes fixed on Yan Shou Yi, silently inquiring about the situation.
Yan Shou Yi shook his head at Lin Zi Tong while holding her hand, signaling her to remain calm.
Yan Chou took a few deep breaths before explaining, "We were dealing with Li Gen Miao's last stronghold just now and encountered a tricky fellow. Although I took care of him, I also got injured."
"Is it serious?"
Yan Shou Yi blurted out, but then he had already guessed the answer.
Given his father's stubborn personality, no matter how serious the injury, he would downplay it as a superficial wound.
So Yan Shou Yi immediately changed his question, "Where are you now?"
Yan Chou knew that explaining might not be useful, so he simply handed the phone to the dog Taoist, "Dog Taoist, you explain to Shou Yi."
The dog Taoist's frivolous and lewd voice came through, "Haha! Shou Yi, actually your dad isn't that badly injured. He was just almost split in half! ... Cough cough! Why are you glaring at me? You asked me to say it! Idol!"
Then came two thuds from the phone, as if Yan Chou was hitting the dog Taoist.
Hearing this commotion, Yan Shou Yi actually felt a little relieved. His father still had the strength to hit someone, which meant his injuries were likely not life-threatening.
The voice of the monk Miao Ji sounded, "Your dad is fine. He just got a cut on his back, and the wound is a bit deep. He's still full of energy and is currently pinning the dog Taoist under him and beating him."
"Phew... Then I'm relieved. Thank you, Uncle Miao Ji."
After a while, Yan Chou took the phone back, his tone nonchalant, "Tell me in detail what you saw and heard in Chang'an."
"Okay."
Yan Shou Yi began to recount his experiences in Chang'an.
From encountering Zhu Ling and Zhu Huan Si of Feng Yi Xuan at Xiaodongmen, to meeting Ma Xing Ping at Master Qin Liu's place.
From subduing Tao Hua Ying in the ghost market, to being pursued by Shi Jing and escaping safely.
From entering the imperial tomb to deal with the four great masters, to the bronze coffins on the mercury river in the inner city...
As he spoke, Yan Shou Yi felt a sense of realization, discovering how dangerous his experience in Chang'an had been.
If it had been someone else, they would have probably died already.
Yan Chou listened quietly, occasionally grunting, as if the dog Taoist had aggravated his wound.
However, he soon quieted down and signaled Yan Shou Yi not to mind him and to continue speaking.
By the time Yan Shou Yi finished his story, it was already half an hour later.
"That fellow Shi Jing indeed had a grudge with your grandfather back then. Fortunately, General Qing Jiang within you intervened, and now the trouble is completely eliminated."
"When I asked the Ma siblings to retrieve the Ancestral Dragon Sword, it was only to cooperate with the use of the Dragon Tiger Secret Script. I didn't expect you to accidentally inherit Qin Shi Huang's legacy. Very good, very good."
"Chu Wu was a master. The Xin Xuan Mountain Sect lost many people this time. I'm afraid Li Gen Miao will be dormant for a while."
"As for the Zi Yu Guan and Sui Hou Zhu, do not touch them for now... The stories behind them are extremely sinister. We will study them together when we return to Rong Cheng."
Yan Chou gave Yan Shou Yi quite a few suggestions.
Yan Shou Yi listened attentively, remembering everything.
Finally, Yan Shou Yi asked, "Dad, how are things on your end?"
"Li Gen Miao's strongholds have been almost completely cleared by us. He suffered heavy losses this time and will not surface for a while."
Yan Chou paused, then added, "After you finish your business in Chang'an, return to Rong Cheng as soon as possible. Do you remember your plan with Wang Ji Wang?"
Yan Shou Yi's heart tensed.
Before going to the imperial tomb, he had discussed with Wang Ji Wang their plan to establish a folk cult force in Rong Cheng.
Initially, Yan Shou Yi was a little hesitant, but after he told Yan Chou about this idea, he found that Yan Chou had already been paving the way for him.
The buildings on West Lake in Rong Cheng were Yan Chou and Lin Ruo Fu's plan. Once Yan Shou Yi decided to establish a force, that would become their stronghold!
Now that Yan Chou mentioned it again, Yan Shou Yi felt that this matter should be put on the agenda.
He nodded slightly, feeling the cool breeze of Chang'an, and said, "Understood. In a few days, when Senior Li's injuries improve and he can be transferred to a hospital room, I will take everyone back to Rong Cheng."
Yan Chou: "Okay."
The conversation between father and son seemed to be drawing to a close.
However, Yan Shou Yi added one last sentence, "Oh right, Dad, just so you know, you're going to be a grandfather."