320: The descendants of the Lu family! Accident!

Deep within the backyard was a secluded paradise.

The pavilions and towers were exquisitely elegant, their upturned eaves half-hidden among ancient, verdant trees.

A winding path of green bricks led to a stone table that time had treated gently.

Several towering ancient trees stretched their branches, their dense canopies filtering down fragmented golden light onto the lush green grass.

A gentle breeze rustled, and the tree shadows danced.

Suddenly, a series of clear, bell-like laughter broke the tranquility.

Beside the stone table, six innocent and adorable children were playing around a spirited middle-aged man.

Two sturdy boys, one tugging at the middle-aged man's sleeve and shaking it, the other standing on his tiptoes, trying to burrow into his arms.

Four delicate and lively girls, some with pigtails, some with red hair ties.

They were like a flock of chattering little sparrows, vying to get close to the middle-aged man.

"Great-Grandpa—"

A little girl with pigtails looked up, her round, dark eyes full of anticipation, her small hand gently tugging at his clothes.

"Yingying wants to be lifted high!"

"Me too!"

"Me too!"

Another girl with a red hair tie, seeing this, immediately jumped up.

Her rosy cheeks were flushed with excitement, and her chubby little hands were raised high, as if to grasp the clouds in the sky.

The remaining two little girls, like mischievous bear cubs, tightly hugged Great-Grandpa's legs.

They both looked up with their adorable little faces and asked in a childish voice.

"Great-Grandpa, why is your hair black?"

"But Grandpa An's hair is white?"

The middle-aged man surrounded by the children was Lu Jiahe.

Lu Jiahe, questioned by his great-granddaughter, felt a smile instantly spread to the corners of his eyes, even the faint crow's feet were bathed in a soft glow.

"Hahahahaha…"

Lu Jiahe burst into laughter, and with a sweep of his long arm, he steadily lifted one of his great-granddaughters over his shoulder.

The great-granddaughter, in Lu Jiahe's palm, kicked her chubby little legs, and her bell-like laughter startled the birds on the branches.

"Hahahaha, our little Xue's eyes are truly observant!"

Saying this, Lu Jiahe rubbed his sparse stubble against Lu Ruoxue's flushed cheek, his voice wrapped in honey-like fondness.

"This full head of black hair, it's all thanks to your Grandpa Xuan's miraculous healing."

Upon hearing Lu Jiahe mention these three words, six childish voices rang out simultaneously, finally converging into exclamations of awe, their bright, sparkling eyes seemingly holding a sky full of stars.

"Grandpa Xuan—!"

"It's Grandpa Xuan!"

Lu Ruoxue shook her pigtails, the red string at the ends brushing Lu Jiahe's neck like a small butterfly.

She lifted her rosy little face, her bright eyes filled with anticipation: "Great-Grandpa!"

Lu Ruoxue's childish call carried an undisguised excitement.

"Grandpa An said that Grandpa Xuan can step on clouds to pick the moon, and he can even turn branches into candied hawthorns!"

As she spoke, she unconsciously licked her lips, as if she had already tasted the sweet flavor.

A glistening trickle of saliva was faintly visible at the corner of her mouth, and her small hands tightly clutched Lu Jiahe's clothes, afraid of missing any story about the magical Grandpa Xuan.

The other children, hearing this, also began to speak, asking Lu Jiahe in a flurry of questions:

"Grandpa Xuan, can he really turn branches into candied hawthorns?"

"Then can he make osmanthus cakes?"

"I don't want candied hawthorns, I don't want osmanthus cakes, I want to see him pick the moon, pick the stars!"

...

For a moment, the courtyard was filled with the innocent questions of the children, and even the sparrows on the treetops stopped chirping, seemingly waiting for Lu Jiahe's answer.

However, before Lu Jiahe could answer his great-grandchildren's questions, light footsteps were heard on the bluestone path ahead.

Lu Jiahe's fingertips suddenly tightened, and the teacup clinked against the stone table, sending a ripple across the amber tea in the cup.

He looked up, and the tall figure outside the moon gate was slowly approaching, stepping through the fragmented tree shadows.

The hem of his dark Xuan-colored brocade robe swayed gently with each step, flowing through the dappled light and shadow, as if an immortal had descended to the mortal world.

In a trance!

Lu Jiahe's pupils trembled slightly, observing the tall figure drawing closer.

He perfectly overlapped with the memory of the young man who always wielded a saber in his courtyard.

The same uprightness like a pine, the same picturesque features, even the arc of his flowing robes was exactly the same.

"Father."

This call was as clear as ever, yet it carried the winds and frosts of over a hundred years, rushing forth.

Lu Jiahe's throat tightened for a moment, and he felt a bit bitter.

He looked at the face so close, yet seemingly a world away, and his myriad words finally condensed into a soft sigh.

"Lu Xuan, you've returned."

These simple six words carried the heaviest attachment in the world, expressing the deepest affection between father and son.

The six little children surrounding Lu Jiahe were completely oblivious to the emotional fluctuations of the elders.

Instead, they all simultaneously turned their gaze to Lu Yunan, who stood quietly to the side.

"Oh!"

"Grandpa, how did he come!"

"Hello, Grandpa An~"

Amidst the rising and falling childish greetings, the most mischievous Lu Ruoxue blinked her big eyes.

She stared intently at Lu Xuan's handsome face and asked in a clear voice.

"Grandpa An, Grandpa An, who is this handsome big brother?"

Lu Ruoxue tilted her little head, her red string gently swaying with the movement: "This big brother is much more handsome than Brother Huaichen and Brother Huaiming!"

Lu Yunan's expression instantly stiffened upon hearing this, his face full of black lines, feeling very helpless.

This little girl, Ruoxue, actually called his elder brother "big brother"?

This generation order was so messed up it was headache-inducing!

Lu Yunan only felt his temples throbbing and his vision darkening.

"Pfft—hahahaha…"

Lu Jiahe was the first to lose his composure, his hearty laughter ringing out like a great bell.

His broad, warm hand gently ruffled Lu Ruoxue's fluffy little head, laughing so hard his beard trembled: "Good girl, you have good taste!"

"Hahahaha!"

Lu Xuan also couldn't help but laugh, his clear laughter intertwining with his father's, echoing in the courtyard.

The sternness in his brows and eyes completely melted away, revealing a hint of his youthful vigor.

Lu Yunan stood frozen on the spot, watching this scene of a loving father and filial son.

He felt as if his worldview was about to collapse!

Lu Yunan stared in disbelief at his elder brother, whose eyes were now filled with a smile.

Was this still the stern, dignified, and unsmiling elder brother he remembered?

At least, Lu Yunan had never seen his elder brother show such an expression in front of others before.

Lu Ruoxue was still curiously examining Lu Xuan, completely oblivious to the shocked expression on Lu Yunan's face.

She tilted her little head, her red hair tie swaying gently with her movements: "Big brother looks even better when he smiles!"

Lu Ruoxue's innocent words finally made Lu Yunan unable to hold back.

He felt that he could no longer remain silent; he had to correct the shortcomings of these six grandchildren.

"Little Ruoxue, this is not some big brother, but your..." Lu Yunan was about to correct her when he was interrupted by Lu Jiahe's hearty laughter.

"Hahaha!"

At this moment, Lu Jiahe put down Lu Ruoxue, who was sitting on his shoulder, and lovingly ruffled Lu Ruoxue's little head.

"Little Ruoxue, this is not some big brother."

Saying this, Lu Jiahe looked around at his six great-grandchildren, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"This is the all-powerful Grandpa Xuan you've been pestering Great-Grandpa about every day!"

As soon as Lu Jiahe finished speaking, the six little children's eyes widened in unison.

Lu Ruoxue's small mouth formed a perfect "O" shape, and she even forgot to swing her red hair tie.

"Xuan... Grandpa Xuan?"

Lu Ruoxue stammered, repeating the words, her round, dark eyes filled with disbelief.

The other children also looked at each other.

They clearly couldn't connect the handsome, immortal-like "big brother" in front of them with the image of a white-bearded old man "Grandpa Xuan" they had imagined.

Lu Jiahe watched the scene before him, his eyes and brows tinged with a loving smile.

He slowly squatted down, his rough but warm hands gently stroking each child's soft hair in turn, his voice filled with undisguised fondness: "My dear grandchildren, why aren't you calling Grandpa Xuan?"

Lu Jiahe deliberately lowered his voice, winking mysteriously: "Aren't you always pestering Great-Grandpa, asking if Grandpa Xuan can turn branches into candied hawthorns?"

Upon hearing this, the six little bundles of joy's dark eyes instantly lit up.

The red string tassel on Lu Ruoxue's head swayed gently with her sudden upward movement, her rosy, jade-like face filled with anticipation.

"Now!"

Lu Jiahe deliberately drew out his words, watching the children's small bodies unconsciously lean forward, "Your long-awaited Grandpa Xuan—"

He suddenly raised his voice: "Is right here!"

Before he finished speaking, the six small figures had already eagerly taken steps.

Their little feet, wearing tiger-head shoes, stumbled forward, their chubby little arms outstretched, like a group of newly hatched chicks learning to walk.

"Grandpa Xuan!"

"Grandpa Xuan—"

Childish calls rose and fell, startling the swallows under the eaves.

Just as they were about to pounce on Lu Xuan, a golden Spiritual Qi, warm as the morning sun, suddenly appeared.

The children were surprised to find their small feet leaving the ground.

As if supported by gentle clouds, they floated lightly in mid-air.

As the golden Spiritual Qi flowed, the six little children were steadily brought to Lu Xuan's side, surrounding him like stars around the moon.

"Wow—"

The two boys were the first to shout excitedly, their small hands and feet waving wildly in the air.

"We're flying! Great-Grandpa, Grandpa An, we're flying!"

The four girls were both surprised and delighted; Lu Ruoxue first closed her eyes in fear.

Then, her eyes darted around, and she threw her arms around Lu Xuan, clinging to him like a small koala bear.

"Grandpa Xuan~"

Lu Ruoxue looked up with her small face and said in a childish voice, "I want to see the branch turn into candied hawthorns!"

As she spoke, she even wiggled her little feet.

The other children, seeing this, also followed suit, clambering onto Lu Xuan with their hands and feet.

"Grandpa Xuan, I want to see you pick the stars!"

"Grandpa Xuan, I want a glowing little dress!"

"Grandpa Xuan, I want a sword that breathes fire!"

"Grandpa Xuan, I want sweet fruits!"

"Grandpa Xuan, I want a little dog!"

For a moment, Lu Xuan was covered in chattering little children.

Lu Yunan watched from the side, dumbfounded, while Lu Jiahe stroked his beard, laughing until his eyes disappeared.

Lu Xuan smiled upon hearing this, a gentle light appearing in his eyes.

He lightly raised his right hand, and a deep black-gold flame vortex suddenly appeared in his palm.

Within that flame vortex, thousands of stars seemed to flow, and mountains and rivers faintly appeared, as if he were holding a miniature great world!

In an instant, the sky above Qingyun County changed color.

Ten thousand miles of clouds, as if summoned, surged and gathered.

At the same time, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within a hundred-mile radius of Qingyun County suddenly boiled.

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi transformed into visible colorful auspicious light, circling above the Lu family courtyard.

A common branch was seen flying in mid-air, lightly passing over the mysterious flame vortex in Lu Xuan's palm.

To everyone's astonishment, the branch instantly transformed into a string of crystal-clear candied hawthorns.

The bright red hawthorns were coated in an amber sugar glaze, shimmering with an alluring luster in the sunlight.

The celestial phenomenon was far from over—

The sky ten thousand meters high suddenly darkened, and a brilliant purple star pierced through the clouds, hanging above the courtyard like a bright pearl.

A green silk dress, condensed from pure Spiritual Qi, danced gracefully in the air, its skirt flowing with wisps of mist and haze.

A long sword entwined with golden flames slowly descended, its blade inscribed with profound Heaven and Earth patterns!

A verdant, dripping spiritual fruit was born from the Void Realm, exuding a refreshing fragrance.

And there was even a small dog made of fire, wagging its tail lively...

The six little children clinging to Lu Xuan were dumbfounded, almost forgetting to breathe.

The entire courtyard was enveloped in a dreamlike seven-colored Spiritual Qi, as if they were in a fairyland!

No, Big Brother, you're doing this for real!

Lu Yunan stared at the scene before him, dumbfounded, his jaw practically hitting the ground.

He rubbed his eyes, then pinched himself hard, confirming he wasn't dreaming.

He saw the little flame dog affectionately rubbing against Lu Yingying's small hand, making the little girl giggle.

The light cast by the purple star illuminated the entire courtyard like a dream.

And that golden flame longsword, moreover, exuded a pressure that even he, an Outer Strength Grandmaster of Major Achievement, found heart-stopping...

"This... this..."

Lu Yunan stammered, unable to form a complete sentence, feeling as if his worldview had been completely overturned by Lu Xuan.

His usually serious elder brother was now smilingly distributing "toys" to the children, just like an ordinary elder doting on his grandchildren.

What reassured Lu Yunan the most was that Lu Xuan had even thoughtfully added protective Restrictions to each "toy," fearing they might harm the children.

After a long while, Lu Yunan finally cleared his throat and exchanged a knowing glance with his father, Lu Jiahe.

Then, he stroked his white beard and called out towards the courtyard entrance: "Someone."

Several maids in light green dresses immediately walked respectfully into the courtyard.

Lu Yunan said gently: "Take the Young Miss and young masters to play in the back garden."

"No way~"

Lu Ruoxue pouted, quickly taking the candied hawthorn out of her mouth.

"I still want to play with Grandpa Xuan!" The other children also hugged their newly acquired treasures tightly, their small faces filled with reluctance.

Lu Xuan couldn't help but laugh, squatting down and gently pinching the cheeks of Lu Ruoxue and the other five children: "Be good, Grandpa Xuan will play with you later."

Once the maids had led the reluctant children away, the courtyard suddenly became quiet.

Lu Yunan gradually sobered his expression, unconsciously straightening his back.

Lu Jiahe's benevolent smile also gradually faded, a persistent look of worry appearing between his brows.

The teacups on the stone table had long since cooled, reflecting the faces of the three.

"Lu Xuan..." Lu Jiahe took a deep breath, his aged voice trembling slightly.

"Minor Achievement and Yunqing, something has happened to them."

...