388: It's back, and it's very appealing.

Sifang Street, with its bustling crowds, was as prosperous as ever.

This was a residential hub in the Great Qi Imperial City, where surrounding houses were connected to the streets, mostly single-entry courtyards with shops in the front and living quarters in the back.

Among the many residences, a three-entry courtyard stood out prominently.

The surrounding area had been cleared, and two military guards stood watch at the gate. Although adjacent to the street, it appeared quite distinct.

Because this was the residence of Shen Tianxing, the Grand Minister of Justice of the Great Qi Imperial Dynasty!

"I'm back."

After a year and a half of wandering, Shen Tianxing finally returned here.

The Great Qi Imperial Dynasty might not hold special affection in his heart, but this ordinary three-entry courtyard was where he had lived for five years after coming to this world.

It was also the only memento his Master, Shen Nian, left him.

"Big Brother Shen, is this your home?"

Xu Muyan looked at the courtyard before her with great curiosity, finding it hard to imagine that Shen Tianxing could have come from such a seemingly modest place.

Shi Linglong, Xu Muqing, and Yaochi beside her were also very curious.

Only Ye Qingyu was very familiar with this place, not a stranger at all.

During the year and a half that Shen Tianxing was away, Ye Qingyu often came here, treating it no different from her own home.

For these favored daughters of heaven, it was unimaginable that Shen Tianxing would live in such a humble environment; it was simply too ordinary.

"After Tianxing left the Great Qi Imperial Dynasty for the Sea of Buried Demons, this place was designated a protected area by His Majesty. The houses were meticulously renovated, and soldiers were stationed here daily."

Ye Qingyu said this to Shen Tianxing.

"How thoughtful!"

Shen Tianxing nodded and walked towards the main gate.

The soldiers outside the gate immediately recognized Shen Tianxing and quickly saluted respectfully.

"Greetings, Minister of Justice Shen!"

Shen Tianxing's prestige in the Great Qi Imperial Dynasty was very high. Not only the Southern Border War a year and a half ago but also this recent Western Border War had spread throughout the Great Qi Imperial Dynasty.

It was no surprise that these soldiers knew him.

"No need for formalities."

Shen Tianxing nodded, his gaze sweeping over the few houses on one side of the main gate.

Those were once the homes of good neighbors; now they were all empty.

Clearly, Yan Yuzhu had ordered them to be relocated, leaving this area independently cleared for easier management.

Creak!

The heavy gate pushed open, and Shen Tianxing stepped into the courtyard.

The inner courtyard hadn't changed much; it still looked as it did when Shen Tianxing left, but the items were neatly arranged.

The rooms were spotless, as if someone had been living there all along.

Ye Qingyu and the others entered the courtyard, following him and observing the scene inside as they walked.

In the courtyard, there was a training area with a wooden stake and several stone plinths. Beside the stone plinths was a row of wooden objects resembling dummies, though each dummy was badly damaged.

"Shen Tianxing, is this where you used to practice martial arts?"

"The conditions are quite simple!"

Shi Linglong looked at Shen Tianxing and asked, somewhat surprised.

"Indeed! My Master taught me martial arts and Qi cultivation here. Every day I had to hit the wooden dummy, and every day I used these stone plinths to train my strength. The knife marks on those wooden dummies were to make my blade strikes more precise!"

Such methods were actually very common.

However, they tested one's patience greatly!

This was a way to hone one's foundation, not uncommon in the Great Qi Imperial Dynasty, but in the eyes of people like Shi Linglong, it was too monotonous and boring.

Sect Disciples like Xu Muqing and Xu Muyan practiced methods far superior to this!

They simply didn't need to endure such hardship.

Yaochi listened, almost unable to believe her ears.

Such a place could actually cultivate a Golden Body Realm expert like Shen Tianxing?

It was simply too incredible!

Seeing their expressions, Shen Tianxing knew they couldn't understand.

But Shen Tianxing didn't explain too much either.

Such a training method indeed seemed very monotonous, but Shen Tianxing had no choice at the time.

He was to inherit the profession of Executioner; if he didn't Master these basic skills, any mishap during a beheading could lead to accountability.

Therefore, Shen Tianxing learned these fundamental skills extremely thoroughly.

Looking back now, it was a rare experience, one he would probably never forget.

"There's a grape arbor, and so many grapes!"

Shi Linglong delightedly discovered that upon entering the second courtyard, on a prominent trellis in the corner, clusters of ripe grapes hung, crystal clear and luscious!

They were very appealing!

"Everyone, come and try them. I planted these myself, and this is the only harvest each year."

Shen Tianxing smiled as he picked clusters of grapes from the arbor.

Each grape was large, and they were deliciously sweet and sour, with an excellent flavor.

He had specifically planted them in his second year after arriving here, yielding a good harvest every year.

Shen Nian and his wife particularly loved this place. Every time the grapes were ripe, the Shen family would gather under this grape arbor to drink fine wine and enjoy the grapes Shen Tianxing had grown.

"There's a kitchen ahead. How about we cook here?"

Ye Qingyu suggested.

"Great, I'll show you what I can do!"

Shi Linglong clapped her hands, looking full of confidence.

"Oh? Besides eating, you can cook?"

Shen Tianxing teased.

Shi Linglong loved wine and even more, food. She was very skilled in matters of taste, and no food that entered her mouth could escape her discernment.

She was a complete foodie!

Shen Tianxing knew she loved to eat, but he really hadn't expected her to be able to cook.

"Who are you looking down on? I've eaten all over the world, cooking? Who hasn't learned that!"

Shi Linglong pouted unhappily, rolled up her sleeves, and headed towards the kitchen.

"Then I'll have someone send the ingredients. Today, we'll see Linglong's great skill!"

Ye Qingyu smiled and left.

There was naturally no need to worry about ingredients; just instruct the soldiers outside the gate, and someone would quickly deliver them.

The Shen family was rarely this lively, with all the beauties gathered.

Xu Muqing, Xu Muyan, Yaochi, Liu Xianyun, and Liu Yueying were all visiting for the first time.

Except for Xing Yao, who had returned to the palace to see Yan Yuzhu, everyone wanted to see more of this courtyard and deepen their understanding of Shen Tianxing.

Everything in the house remained tidy, and all items were usable, so not much effort was needed for tidying.

Once the soldiers outside delivered the ingredients, the kitchen, which hadn't been used for over a year, became Shi Linglong's exclusive domain.

Suddenly, the crisp sounds of pots, bowls, and ladles, along with the 'thud-thud-thud' of a knife on the cutting board, filled the kitchen.

Soon, wafts of fragrance emanated from the kitchen.

Just smelling the aroma, Shen Tianxing's appetite was whetted.

"Impressive, I didn't realize this girl had such a hidden skill? It's a pity it wasn't unlocked before!"