129: Chapter 129 Home and Family

It was his mother, Su Wan, and his younger sister, Qin Jian.

They stood there, looking at Qin Ce, who was surrounded by the crowd, their faces filled with proud smiles.

But within that pride, there was also a hint of awkwardness.

They were commoners, the most ordinary residents of Yuntai Town, and had never been surrounded by so many military officers and leaders before.

They wanted to come over, to see Qin Ce, and to feel if he was injured.

But they were also afraid of disturbing him, afraid of affecting his conversation with those important figures.

So they just stood where they were, standing on their tiptoes, looking at Qin Ce through the gaps in the crowd.

Qin Ce looked at his mother's slightly reddened eyes and his little sister's bright eyes filled with admiration.

His heart suddenly softened.

Then, he did something that no one expected.

He let go of Mike's hand, turned around, and walked directly toward his mother and little sister.

The leaders who were exchanging pleasantries with him were stunned for a moment, but seeing the direction Qin Ce was heading, they all smiled.

They tactfully made way for him.

Qin Ce rushed to his mother in a few quick steps and pulled her into a hug.

"Mom, I'm back."

Just those few words.

Su Wan's tears instantly welled up.

She hugged her son tightly, one hand constantly patting his back, her lips trembling, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word.

She just cried.

Crying silently.

All the scenes she had seen on the surveillance footage.

Her son being besieged by the Raven Flock, hunted by Gold Rank fierce beasts, and then suddenly appearing to kill the Raven King.

These scenes all flashed through her mind, and her emotions seemed to return to that moment—tension, despair, and then a resurgence of hope.

She didn't dare think about it.

She didn't dare think what would have happened if that ambush hadn't been her son's scheme, but had been real.

Then her son would never have come back.

A hero?

What hero? She just wanted her son!

"Mom..." Qin Ce felt his mother's body trembling and held her even tighter. "It's okay now, I'm back."

Qin Jian also rushed forward and tightly hugged her brother's waist.

"Big brother! You're so amazing!" She looked up, her eyes watery, but her smile was brighter than anyone's. "I saw you kill that big crow! Just one hit! Whoosh—and it fell down! Everyone says you're the best! Even the City Lord isn't as amazing as you!"

Qin Ce rubbed his sister's head, caught between laughter and tears. "The City Lord is much more powerful than me."

"No, he's not!" Qin Jian pouted defiantly. "The City Lord also fought that big crow and couldn't kill it, but you killed it in one hit! You're the most amazing!"

The surrounding crowd broke into a wave of good-natured laughter.

...

At this moment.

Only then did his mother, Su Wan, realize there were so many people around. She hurriedly wiped her tears and let go of Qin Ce, feeling a bit embarrassed.

But she didn't let go of Qin Ce's hand, holding it tightly as if her son would fly away if she let go.

Mike stepped forward and said with a smile, "Big Sister Su, you've raised a fine son! If it weren't for him this time, it's hard to say if Fengling City could have been held!"

Su Wan quickly waved her hands. "Oh no, it's everyone's credit. It's also thanks to his teachers' good instruction and the army's efforts..."

"Don't be so modest!" Mike waved his hand grandly. "Tonight's late-night snack is on me! Let's welcome our hero back!"

He turned and shouted to the crowd, "Cafeteria! Bring out the best of everything! We won't stop until we're drunk tonight!"

"Alright!!!"

Cheers rang out once again.

The crowd surrounded Qin Ce's family and headed toward the cafeteria.

---

Inside the cafeteria, the lights were brightly lit.

Mike indeed kept his word, bringing out the best items in the base.

Fierce beast meat, energy fruits, special-supply wine, and various dishes Qin Ce couldn't name filled the table.

Qin Ce was seated at the head of the table, with his mother and little sister beside him.

Mike sat on his other side, constantly serving him food and pouring wine.

"Eat! Eat more! Look how thin you've become!"

Qin Ce looked at the mountain of food in his bowl with a wry smile and could only lower his head and eat.

Tianlu poked its head out from his arms, sniffed the fierce beast meat on the table, and let out a 'meow-woo' sound.

Qin Ce picked up a piece of meat and handed it to it.

Tianlu ate in small bites, looking extremely refined.

Mike saw Tianlu and asked curiously, "Is this your new Pet Beast? What breed is it? It looks like a lion, but has deer antlers and scales... I've never seen one before."

Qin Ce said casually, "I picked it up in the mountains; it's probably a mutant breed."

Mike nodded and gave Qin Ce a deep look, not asking any further.

Mutant breeds were rare, but they did exist.

However, a small beast as intelligent as this one, and the fact that he couldn't wait to form a contract despite the danger on the way back, meant it definitely wasn't simple. Had this kid grown again?

That would be too fast!

After several rounds of drinks and many dishes.

The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving the space to Qin Ce's family.

Mike stood up and patted Qin Ce's shoulder. "Kid, get some good rest. I'll find you tomorrow; I have some things to discuss with you."

Qin Ce nodded. "Alright, Uncle Mike. Thank you for the celebration."

Mike grinned and turned to leave.

Only Qin Ce, his mother, and his little sister remained in the cafeteria.

Once it grew quiet, Su Wan's first words made Qin Ce's nose sting with emotion.

"Xiao Ce, you've suffered."

She gently took Qin Ce's hand, turned it over, and looked at the scars left by Ink Feather's scratches. Although those scars had mostly been repaired by being Reborn, faint traces could still be seen if one looked closely.

Su Wan's fingers gently brushed over those scars, her eyes reddening again.

"Does it hurt?"

Qin Ce shook his head. "It doesn't hurt."

"Liar." Su Wan's voice choked up a bit. "I saw it on the monitor... those thousands of flying beasts and those five Gold Rank fierce beasts. I didn't even dare to think..."

She couldn't go on.

Qin Ce quickly held her hand. "Mom, those injuries are all healed. Look, I'm perfectly fine."

He moved his arm to show he was unharmed.

Su Wan didn't speak, but silently took Qin Ce's other hand, looking at the similarly faint scars.

Qin Jian also leaned in, mimicking her mother, gently touching the scars on Qin Ce's hand, her small face full of heartache.

"Big brother, don't fight so fiercely in the future..." she whispered. "When I saw you being chased by those big birds on the monitor, I was almost scared to tears..."

Qin Ce's nose stung, and he pulled his sister into his arms.

Seeing everyone's mood becoming more and more downcast, he hurriedly changed the subject.

He sat up straight, helped his mother and little sister up, and said seriously:

"Mom, Xiao Jian, I have some good news for you."

Su Wan and Qin Jian both looked at him.

"When this beast tide is completely over, we'll move to Fengling City."

Su Wan was stunned for a moment. "Move to the city?"

"Yes," Qin Ce nodded. "And not to the Outer City, but the Inner City. We'll have an independent courtyard with a garden and a yard, much larger than where we live now."

Su Wan opened her mouth, somewhat unable to believe it.

"Also," Qin Ce continued, "each of you will have top-tier social security. Pension, medical care, and education will all be the best in Fengling City. As long as Fengling City exists, these protections will never cease."

Qin Jian's eyes widened. "Big brother, you mean... Mom won't have to pay for doctor visits anymore? And I won't have to pay for school?"

"Yes!" Qin Ce smiled and rubbed her head. "And the hospitals and schools will be the best."

Qin Jian's eyes shone like stars. "Does that mean there will be many beautiful books? Will there be drawing classes? Dancing classes?"

"Everything."

"Wow—!"

Qin Jian was so excited she almost jumped up.

Su Wan wasn't quite as excited; she just quietly watched Qin Ce, the child who once acted spoiled in her arms, now grown into a man who could support his own world.

Her eyes reddened again, but this time, she didn't cry.

She just gently held Qin Ce's hand and said one word:

"Okay."

Just that one word.

It contained pride, heartache, relief, and all the deepest love a mother has for her son.

Qin Ce held his mother's hand in return and smiled.

"Mom, this is only the beginning." He said softly, "When all the military merit from this beast tide is settled, with my title as the number one in military merit below Bronze Rank, the benefits I can get might be far more than this."

He looked into his mother's eyes and said word for word:

"From now on, you won't have to worry about anything."

"Because you have me!"

...