111: Chapter 111 Returning Home

Qinling, Liu Village.

The quiet village suddenly became lively.

The reason was simple: the two sons of the Ye Family had returned in glory after two years of warfare, having received official titles from the Emperor.

Under the old willow tree at the village entrance, villagers who had heard the news had already gathered in a crowd.

As for the Village Chief, Qian Wang, he had long since moved away out of fear and no longer appeared in Liu Village.

The current new Village Chief was beaming with joy as he led the villagers to welcome the two sons of the Ye Family.

Some villagers brought home-dried fruits to offer congratulations, some held children to watch the excitement, and several elderly folks leaned on their canes, peering incessantly toward the end of the small path at the village entrance.

The elders muttered, "It's good that they're back, it's good that they're back."

Before long, the crisp sound of horse hooves echoed from afar, and soon after, two tall, upright figures appeared at the bend in the road.

The man in front wore silver soft armor with a longsword hanging at his waist; his face was handsome, and his brow carried a hint of the steadiness gained from long experience on the battlefield.

That was precisely the eldest son of the Ye Family, Ye Xuan, who had been titled General of Mingwei by the Emperor.

Following behind him was the second son of the Ye Family, Ye Yi, dressed in black martial attire paired with silver armor; he was sturdy, with a spirited and hearty expression, and had also been titled General Zhenwei.

Both sons held high-ranking general positions, commanding great respect.

Behind them were the soldiers who had returned home with them; upon seeing their familiar kinsmen, their eyes instantly reddened with emotion.

"The two Ye boys are back!"

"What do you mean 'boys'! You should call them 'My Lords' now!"

Someone shouted, and the village entrance instantly erupted into a commotion.

Ye Xuan and Ye Yi pulled their reins and dismounted, cupping their hands to the surrounding villagers. Their voices were resonant: "Fellow villagers, it has been a long time. Thank you all for your concern!"

"Young Ye! Well done! You've both become generals!" the village elders praised incessantly.

After so many years of warfare, both Ye brothers had enlisted; everyone knew the dangers of the battlefield, and whether they could return alive was always uncertain. Now, not only had they returned safely, but they had also been granted official titles. This was an honor Liu Village had not seen in a hundred years!

Ye Xuan responded with a smile, his gaze sweeping through the villagers until he spotted the members of the Ye Family.

Ye Jing, with his jet-black hair, still looked aged, but his face was full of energy.

Beside him were Wu Guiyun and Liu Xianglan; the moment they saw their husbands return, their eyes turned red.

The several small children following them were also full of excitement.

Seeing their Family had arrived, Ye Xuan and Ye Yi put on no airs at all. They dismounted and strode forward, shouting in unison, "Father!"

Ye Jing looked at his two high-spirited sons with gratification and smiled kindly. The grandchildren beside him all rushed forward, calling out "Daddy! Daddy!" incessantly.

Wu Guiyun wiped her tears and took Ye Xuan's hand, looking him over carefully. "Brother Xuan!"

As soon as she spoke, the tears she had been holding back began to fall again.

Wu Guiyun, who had always been strong while managing the household, could not help but feel a sense of longing and grievance now that her husband had returned.

Ye Xuan wiped her tears and said softly, "Gui Yun! Haven't I returned? Thank you for the hard work of taking care of Father and the children!"

"Brother Xuan, what's so hard about it? As long as you're both safe, that's all that matters!" Wu Guiyun sighed.

On the other side, Ye Yi also had to coax his wife. Liu Xianglan had a soft temperament; seeing her man, she was filled with worry, and seeing the scars on his face, she began to sob quietly.

Ye Yi quickly grasped her soft hand and comforted her, "Wife, don't cry. Hasn't your man returned in one piece? Look, I'm now the General Zhenwei. From now on, our Family can walk with heads held high!"

These words made Liu Xianglan laugh through her tears, and she reached out to pinch him. "Pah! You and your glib tongue!"

Seeing this, Ye Jing's eyes were full of smiles. He reached out and patted his two sons' shoulders, saying, "It's good that you're back! Come! Follow Father home. I've had Gui Yun and Xianglan stew meat and warm wine for you. Let's have a good drink together!"

He didn't forget to address the villagers who had come to welcome them: "Fellow villagers! My sons have returned today, so I'm treating everyone to wine! Thank you all for your concern!"

At these words, the villagers also laughed, "Oh, why so polite! Old Master Ye, your sons are both generals now; they've brought glory to our Liu Village!"

"That's right, they even brought back the men from the village! It's all thanks to their leadership!"

"No need for formalities! We all watched these boys grow up!"

The Ye Family got along well with the villagers. They had taken others from Liu Village to the battlefield, and having half the men return was enough to make many in the village happy.

Everyone was being extremely polite.

However, they wouldn't refuse a good meal.

Ye Jing led his two sons in front, while Wu Guiyun and Liu Xianglan followed behind with their children.

Some women they knew stuffed plenty of homegrown vegetables and cured meats into their hands.

The children circled around Ye Xuan and Ye Yi, their eyes sparkling as they stared at the swords at their waists.

As soon as they entered the house, a rich aroma of meat wafted toward them, making their mouths water.

The tables in the courtyard had already been set with bowls and chopsticks. Wu Guiyun, Liu Xianglan, and other female relatives laid out the fine wine and dishes.

The villagers and the returned soldiers ate together in the courtyard, while the Ye Family stayed inside the house.

The dinner was extremely sumptuous, filled with home-cooked flavors that tasted like delicacies to the soldiers and the two Ye brothers who had just come from the battlefield.

Ye Xuan was especially pleased that his son Ye Tianhao and daughter Ye Tianyao were now a Qi Refining Level 7 Cultivator and a Qi Refining Level 5 Cultivator, respectively; they were truly gifted.

Ye Yi was also incredibly affectionate toward his children, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

The Ye Family enjoyed a harmonious dinner together until it broke up after midnight, and the women went to clear the dishes.

Now, only the father and his two sons remained in the house; Ye Jing called them into the study.

After his smile faded slightly, he spoke up, "Regarding that Mad Blade Immortal Master you mentioned having ties with the Xuanyou Sect, I have already investigated the origins of this Xuanyou Sect!"

Hearing Ye Jing mention the Xuanyou Sect as soon as he spoke, the two sons couldn't help but turn serious.

Ye Jing continued, "This Xuanyou Sect is a rising sinister Demonic Path Sect in the Canggu Realm. Its core cultivation method involves refining the souls and flesh of Mortals to rapidly increase cultivation, but such methods are despised by orthodox Sects."

They even kidnap gifted Cultivators to either recruit them or refine them into Blood Pills, and as a result, they are wanted and hunted by many Sects."

"So that's how it is. No wonder they always hide in the shadows," Ye Xuan said, frowning.

Previously, he had found it strange that if the Xuanyou Sect had such powerful Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Cultivators, why would they have a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Cultivator invade the Yan State instead of simply destroying the country?

It turned out they had done so much evil that they had offended many orthodox Sects, fearing they would be hunted down the moment they showed their faces.

Ye Jing said solemnly, "I've received the information you sent about the Blood Soul Vein-Extinguishing Array. If that Foundation Establishment leader of the Xuanyou Sect truly wants to forge some devilish artifact, then this Formation is very likely the key!"

"Do you mean you want to dismantle this Formation as soon as possible, Father?" Ye Xuan asked.

Ye Jing nodded. This matter could not be delayed; it had to be done as soon as possible!

"By the way, if we are to break the Formation, our Family needs a backer—a backer that the Xuanyou Sect wouldn't dare touch!" Ye Jing mused.

Currently, no one in the Ye Family was at the Foundation Establishment stage; if they were truly targeted by that Foundation Establishment demonic Cultivator, it would be trouble!