When Yao Zixuan called out his name, 'Jiuyang,' Chen Jiuyang felt a subtle realization in his heart.
He glanced towards the far west. Zixuan was there.
He also understood something. Since Zixuan was not in mortal danger in the hands of those old monsters from the Five Pseudo-Dao sects, and was also cultivating the immortal path, why should he continue to worry?
The path ahead was clear.
Within ten years, he would definitely bring Zixuan home.
"Esteemed Daoist brothers, I have delayed your time. I shall take my leave from this Second City first," Chen Jiuyang said courteously, like a scholar gentleman, gentle as jade.
However, he wore a black dragon-embroidered robe, his face was handsome, and a peculiar mark adorned his brow. Who would dare to treat him as an ordinary person?
"If fate allows, we shall meet again on the Human King's path."
With that, Chen Jiuyang walked towards the city gate.
"Creak—"
The ancient, grand, and massive city gate slowly opened. Outside lay a bustling and dense market, teeming with people like a tide, a mixture of dragons and snakes.
Chen Jiuyang's exit from the Second City drew many gazes.
However, unlike last time, no old monsters emerged, wanting to abduct him and bring him back to their own forces.
Such phenomena as "wild heavenly prodigies" only appeared at most in the First City; it was not the turn of people from the Second City to pick up such bargains.
"Swish!"
Space tore open.
Patriarch 'Wumian' emerged from the spatial rift. He looked at Chen Jiuyang for a long moment, his expression shifting slightly, and praised, "The younger generation is formidable, truly remarkable. Have you gained greatly this time?"
Chen Jiuyang's expression remained normal, a faint smile on his face. "Not particularly. I have merely rectified some previous shortcomings and loopholes."
Patriarch 'Wumian' gave him a deep look and then asked, "What do you plan to do next? According to the schedule, will you return to the mortal world of red dust first?"
On several occasions, after Chen Jiuyang gained some harvest in the Small Immortal Realm, he would return to the mortal world of red dust to attack a sect of the demonic path.
"Yes, I will return to the mortal world of red dust first. However, this time, there will be some changes."
"I intend to visit some old acquaintances and see some new scenery."
Patriarch 'Wumian' waved his hand, tearing open space, and brought Chen Jiuyang back to a teleportation array beneath a mountain range in the Central Continent.
...
The Mortal World of Red Dust.
Deep within the True Demon Sect.
The ancient teleportation array flickered with light, and Chen Jiuyang and Patriarch 'Wumian' appeared.
Chen Jiuyang did not alert anyone, nor did he, as was his usual practice, first check on the sect members. Instead, he returned to the Han clan territory.
Now, when Chen Jiuyang went into seclusion, it was often for a month. In reality, this was much better compared to others.
Many immortal cultivators' secluded cultivation periods started from years.
"Husband, you're out of seclusion." Qiu Yihan was tending to the child when she saw Chen Jiuyang appear. A soft and charming expression graced her exquisite face.
Their son, Chen Han, was the result of his and Qiu Yihan's union. He was not an ordinary mortal, and would only begin to be exposed to cultivation at the age of three. However, he was healthy and incredibly clever, able to speak within a few months of birth. The little body often caused mischief within the Han clan territory.
Apart from Qiu Yihan, his biological mother, no one dared to discipline him.
Therefore, Qiu Yihan had to manage the child in addition to her own cultivation.
Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang, Chen Han's small face showed a mixture of reverence and curiosity. He respectfully called out, "Father!"
Chen Jiuyang smiled and nodded, looking at Qiu Yihan. "How has the child been recently?"
Qiu Yihan's eyes flickered, and she seemed to hesitate before speaking. "He's been good, just a bit mischievous. Only I am raising him myself."
"It's normal for boys to be mischievous when they're young," Chen Jiuyang said with a smile. He gently beckoned, and Chen Han fell into his arms.
"Let him do as he pleases, as long as he doesn't harm anyone's life. When he reaches the appropriate age, he can begin practicing martial arts."
Upon receiving his father Chen Jiuyang's words, Chen Han's small face immediately lit up with joy.
After chatting with his son for a while longer, Chen Han became hungry. A servant of the Han clan immediately prepared delicacies. After feeding the child, Chen Han grew sleepy and fell asleep.
Chen Jiuyang said, "In a few days, I'll have Mom and Dad look after the child at home. You sisters will accompany me out to see some scenery."
Qiu Yihan felt that Chen Jiuyang had changed significantly. She smiled and replied, "Okay."
"Put aside the matters of the sect for now."
"You decide, my Sect Master husband," Qiu Yihan giggled charmingly.
Chen Jiuyang smiled and left Qiu Yihan's courtyard. With a flicker of his body, he arrived at Ji Lengyue's courtyard.
Compared to the other women, Ji Lengyue was more diligent and hardworking. Their daughter, Chen Xingran, was very well-behaved, like a porcelain doll, neither crying nor making noise.
"Husband." Ji Lengyue was practicing when she sensed Chen Jiuyang's presence. She stopped her practice, picked up their child, and walked towards Chen Jiuyang.
In terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities, the three women were treated identically, with no disparity. Only Qiu Yihan's cultivation was slightly higher than theirs.
"Daddy, hold me!" Chen Xingran saw Chen Jiuyang and her clear black and white eyes immediately opened her small hands.
Chen Jiuyang took Chen Xingran, putting his arm around Ji Lengyue's waist. "My good daughter and wife are truly beautiful."
In recent years, Ji Lengyue had rarely seen Chen Jiuyang smile. Seeing him so approachable, it brought back memories of a few years ago when Chen Jiuyang was just an ordinary university student.
Ji Lengyue asked, "Husband, is there some good news?"
"No major good news, just that I won't be going into seclusion for a while. I plan to take you sisters out for a trip. The children will be looked after by Mom and Dad," Chen Jiuyang said with a smile.
"Okay, I'll tell Mom later," Ji Lengyue replied.
Chen Jiuyang left Ji Lengyue and then went to Lin Yuexian's courtyard.
Lin Yuexian came from a scholarly family, and every move she made was methodical. Their son, Chen Jile, was naturally intelligent and curious about everything in the world. After learning to recognize characters, he began to enjoy reading.
Chen Jiuyang's seeds were excellent; his daughters were all very intelligent and possessed extraordinary talent.
For the Chen family to truly flourish and become a great clan, it would depend on them. He likely would not have any more children.
Chen Nianxuan lived with Chen Jianmin, Zhang Xiuzhen, and her maternal grandfather, Yao Deyun.
After the Yao family was annihilated, only Yao Deyun remained of the Yao family. Fortunately, Chen Nianxuan was there; otherwise, the ordinary old man, who was past fifty, would have lost the will to live.
Lin Yuexian said, "Congratulations, Chen Lang, on your further progress in martial arts."
"Dad." Chen Jile called out, then lay on the expensive carpet and continued reading.
Among the children, apart from the somewhat troublesome Chen Han, the other three were very easy to manage.
After a brief exchange, Chen Jiuyang sighed.
"It's good that you all have your own things to do. I was actually quite worried that you might not have had a good time these past few years. My mind was not entirely focused these past few years, and I neglected you all somewhat."
"Where did you get that idea, Chen Lang? Chen Lang is now in a high position, managing a vast sect, and every move is closely watched by many. We sisters are all doing well. If we were bored, we would find ways to pass the time."
Chen Jiuyang was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's wonderful to have you all."
At this moment, Chen Jiuyang had truly returned to simplicity, like an ordinary mortal.