Indeed, if they were exactly as I imagined, that would be truly strange.

In Zhang Xiaohua’s thoughts, his mother should have grayish-white hair, her face lined with wrinkles. His father should have even whiter hair and a bent waist from years of labor. The large hands that had held him as a child ought to be rough and calloused. His eldest brother would already show signs of premature graying, his face marked by suffering and exhaustion from endless farm work. His sister-in-law should have taken on the worn appearance of a typical village woman, having lost the vitality of youth long ago.

But now, how was it in reality? Earlier, when he had thrown himself into his mother’s embrace, her hair seemed unusually black, her skin surprisingly smooth. Though there were faint crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes, they were not prominent. His father, who had grasped his hand earlier, seemed to have softer and more delicate hands than when he had left home—there wasn’t the slightest hint of coarseness. Moreover, when his father walked back with him earlier, his posture was straight and upright, without any sign of a bent back.

As for his eldest brother and sister-in-law, he hadn’t gotten a clear look at them yet, but they didn’t seem to match his imagined versions either.

Why was everything so different from how he had pictured it?

Under the light of the oil lamp, Zhang Xiaohua stared at Zhang Cai, his father, whose head of hair was full and black. His face had hardly changed since two years ago when Zhang Xiaohua had left. Curious, he asked: “Father, why is your hair so black? I remember when I left, your hair was graying.”

Zhang Cai instinctively touched his head and chuckled: “Who knows? Last year, my hair started gradually turning black again, from gray to this. By this year, it’s completely black. The villagers asked me about it, and I didn’t know what to say, so I just told them the town doctor dyed it with herbal medicine. Oh, and your mother’s hair has changed too. Even Mr. Liu, who lives behind our house, has experienced the same. According to him, it’s likely because of the water from the well on the South Slope. But I don’t think that’s the reason—how could well water be so miraculous?”

A thought struck Zhang Xiaohua, and he asked: “Father, you didn’t tell anyone in the village about the spring water, did you?”

Zhang Cai shook his head and replied: “Mr. Liu and your sister-in-law repeatedly warned me not to say anything. Even if it isn’t due to the well water, just the fact that crops grow so well on South Slope is reason enough to keep quiet.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded solemnly and said: “Father, you absolutely must not let word of this get out. The villagers might not mean any harm, but there are too many ill-intentioned people outside the village. If someone gets wind of this, it could bring disaster upon our family.”

Zhang Cai smiled and said: “I understand, Xiaohua. Now, drink some water before you get too thirsty.”

Zhang Xiaohua suddenly remembered that he needed to verify his earlier discovery.

Sure enough, as the tea went down his throat again, he experienced the same reaction. The Yuan Qi of Heaven and Earth was undeniably present.

Realization struck Zhang Xiaohua. This spring water of theirs was indeed extraordinary. As Mr. Liu had said, the unusual changes in his family were truly thanks to this spring water.

However, Zhang Xiaohua had no idea how to explain these matters to his family.

After drinking a few more cups of tea, Zhang Xiaohua finally quenched his thirst, and his True Qi had slightly increased. Amused, he thought to himself: “Even drinking tea can aid in cultivation. How interesting! Does this mean I’ll have to drink tea every day from now on?”

Just as he was pondering this, Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu returned. An idea came to Zhang Xiaohua, and he poured a cup of water for Zhang Xiaohu, saying: “Second Brother, you must be thirsty. Have some water.”

He then observed Zhang Xiaohu’s reaction closely. Unfortunately, Zhang Xiaohu drank it all in one gulp, just like before, without showing any unusual response. Holding up the empty cup, Zhang Xiaohu exclaimed: “What great tea. So delicious! Pour me another!”

Not long after, Guo Sufei also returned, and Liu Qian stir-fried two more vegetarian dishes. Only then did the family begin their meal. During the meal, Zhang Xiaolong asked: “Qianqian, should we call Father over?”

Zhang Xiaohua was momentarily confused but quickly realized they were referring to Mr. Liu.

Sure enough, Liu Qian smiled and said: “At this hour, he must have already eaten. There’s no need to call him now. After we finish eating, we can invite him over for tea. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see Xiaohu and Xiaohua.”

At this point, Zhang Xiaohua carefully observed his elder brother and sister-in-law under the lamp’s light. As he had suspected earlier, they showed none of the changes he had imagined. His sister-in-law was as beautiful as ever, with an even more restrained and refined aura, lacking any resemblance to a rural farmwife. His elder brother, too, exuded a dignified and elegant demeanor. Compared to before, he now carried a scholarly air. If someone didn’t know their background, they would never guess he was a farmer from the countryside.

Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Could the spring water even enhance one’s intellect? His elder brother’s refined aura was truly reminiscent of Li Jinfeng’s!

The Zhang family enjoyed a warm and harmonious meal together. While the dishes might not have been as exquisite as those Zhang Xiaohua had eaten at Huanxi Villa, the warmth and sense of belonging made it incomparable. Zhang Xiaohua relished every bite, eating several bowls of rice, reluctant to stop.

This left Liu Qian nibbling on only a small portion of rice, afraid to eat more. At the rate Zhang Xiaohua was eating, there wouldn’t be enough rice left for the evening.

Once the meal was over, Guo Sufei and Liu Qian began tidying up. Just as everyone was about to sit down, a voice called from outside: “Brother Zhang, is the tea ready for today?”

Liu Qian’s face lit up with joy. “Father, you’re here! We were just about to call you over. Xiaohu and Xiaohua have returned.”

The person who pushed the door open and entered was none other than Mr. Liu.

Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua immediately stood up, walked into the courtyard, and bowed respectfully.

Mr. Liu was delighted. “No need for formalities! No need! When did you two come back? Why didn’t you send word ahead? I’ve heard the escort agency often has business involving sending and receiving messages—it wouldn’t have been difficult to send one.”

Zhang Xiaohu smiled wryly and replied: “Well, Mr. Liu, I’m no longer with the escort agency. Besides, things have been so hectic lately that I really didn’t have the time. Moreover, we didn’t even think about sending word home beforehand.”

“Haha.” Mr. Liu chuckled, stroking his beard. “Ah, young people—always so hasty and careless.”

Zhang Xiaolong chimed in: “Father, let’s head inside. The tea is ready. Xiaohu and Xiaohua just returned and only finished eating a moment ago.”

Zhang Cai ushered Mr. Liu into the house. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua took the opportunity to closely observe Mr. Liu. As expected, he too had a full head of jet-black hair and appeared brimming with energy. Compared to two years ago, he even looked a little younger.

Everyone settled in the house, and Zhang Xiaolong first poured the freshly brewed tea for Mr. Liu. Just as Zhang Xiaohu was about to speak, Mr. Liu raised his hand and said: “Xiaohu, hold on. Let’s wait for your mother to join us before we begin. Last time, Young Master Li from Lu Town visited during the New Year and didn’t explain things clearly. The whole family is eager to hear about your experiences outside, especially your mother. She has been going to the village entrance every evening lately, hoping to catch sight of you two. Who would have thought that today, her wish would come true?”

Zhang Xiaolong responded: “You all continue talking. I’ll go help Mother and the others.”

Zhang Xiaohua stayed silent and focused on drinking water. After all, it quenched his thirst and contributed to his cultivation—a win-win situation. Of course, the consequences of drinking too much water would catch up to him soon enough!

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Guo Sufei and the Zhang Xiaolong couple finished tidying up. After closing the courtyard gate, they joined everyone in the main hall.

Under the bright oil lamp, with everyone’s expectant gazes fixed on him, Zhang Xiaohu began recounting the story of their journey. He detailed how he and Zhang Xiaohua had left Guo Village two years ago, traveled to Lu Town, then to Pingyang City, and joined the escort agency to learn martial arts. He explained how he stayed with the agency while Zhang Xiaohua went to Huanxi Villa. He also described his later experiences as a caravan escort, including the hardships they endured. Zhang Xiaohu deliberately glossed over the tougher parts, but Guo Sufei couldn’t help shedding tears. A mother’s worry for her children never wanes, and how could she not her the difficulties in it?

Afterward, Zhang Xiaohu hesitated before continuing. He recounted how he had encountered Zhang Xiaohua in a small seaside town while escorting a caravan and how they returned together. Zhang Xiaohua, in turn, also spoke of the escort leader’s unreasonable behavior. Though reluctant to bring it up, Zhang Xiaohu knew he had to explain how he came to be accepted into the Piaomiao Sect. By mentioning the escort leader’s unfair treatment, he hoped to divert his family’s attention.

As expected, the family, curious about how Zhang Xiaohu had reunited with Zhang Xiaohua, became indignant upon hearing about the escort leader’s bullying. Zhang Xiaohu then narrated how Qiu Tong repaid the debt, causing the Lotus Escort Agency to lose face, and how he was ultimately accepted into the Piaomiao Sect, gaining a prestigious position.

This unexpected twist left everyone stunned.

Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaolong, still skeptical, asked: “Your master—he’s the same Wen Wenhai, the great hero who saved us in Lu Town all those years ago?”

Zhang Xiaohu confirmed with certainty: “Yes, it’s him.”

Zhang Cai remarked: “He doesn’t seem much older than you, though.”

Mr. Liu chuckled and said: “Brother Zhang, you don’t quite understand. In the martial world, the saying goes, ‘A master is anyone who surpasses you’. I’ve read some scattered accounts before, and it’s not uncommon for people to take someone younger than themselves as a master. It’s just how the martial world works.”

Zhang Cai nodded in sudden understanding.

At this point, Mr. Liu continued: “Ever since I learned that the two of you went to Pingyang City and were working at the Lotus Escort Agency, I made inquiries with some old friends of mine. That’s when I found out that the Lotus Escort Agency is far more formidable than our Lu Town’s Evil Tiger Gang, and it has an excellent reputation. Although working for an escort agency is somewhat risky, since you didn’t know martial arts at the time, I assumed your life wouldn’t be in too much danger.”

“But now, hearing what you’ve shared today—that you’ve joined the Piaomiao Sect and have even become the sect leader’s direct disciple—is truly a great stroke of fortune. However, let me tell you, the Piaomiao Sect is no small thing. The Lotus Escort Agency itself is just a branch under the Piaomiao Sect, and yet it wields such influence. The position and prestige of the Piaomiao Sect in the martial world are beyond what people like us can imagine. Remember what Brother Zhang said before? Just one token from Hero Wen was enough to make the Evil Tiger Gang retreat. That alone speaks volumes about his status. Forgive me for putting it bluntly, Xiaohu, but how exactly did you manage to latch onto such a towering figure?”

A direct question indeed!

Zhang Xiaohu, hearing this, glanced at Zhang Xiaohua and gave a bitter smile. “Mr. Liu is absolutely right. The Piaomiao Sect had no idea who I was. My entry into the sect as a disciple is entirely thanks to Xiaohua.”

“What?!” Everyone was shocked and turned their gazes to Zhang Xiaohua. Liu Qian even gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, her wide eyes fixed on the once seemingly frail boy.

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment, took a sip of tea, and savored the refreshing sensation of Yuan Qi flowing into his body. Then, with a smile, he said: “Well, here’s how it happened…”