444: Chapter 454 Returning Home

Leaving the Zhou Residence, Su Ming did not linger in Qingshi Town for a moment longer, heading straight down the dirt road that led to Su Family Village.

In the past, he had walked this road countless times to take the imperial examinations and seek a way for his family to survive. Even with his eyes closed, he could remember every pothole and every earthen ridge.

But now, the road had changed.

The dirt road, which used to be a muddy mess where rainwater would reach one's knees, had been pressed flat and smooth. Near the entrance of the village, a layer of fine gravel had even been laid down, clearly showing tracks from heavy carriages that frequently rolled over it.

Su Ming's pace was neither fast nor slow, but Zhou Wenhai's words involuntarily surfaced in his mind—

“Your family moved back to Su Family Village two years ago.”

Su Ming remembered how his hand holding the spoon had paused slightly when he heard those words.

“Your second brother is a proud young man. He lived in town for two years, and although life was stable, he always felt like he was living under someone else's roof, which made him feel unsettled.” Master Zhou had stroked his beard at the time, his tone carrying a hint of emotion. “Plus, the rumors regarding Marquis Yongchang haven't been as tense these past few years, so he took it upon himself to move the whole family back.”

Su Ming had remained silent for a moment then, but he already understood.

He knew his second brother Su Yang's character all too well. He looked honest and simple on the outside, but in his bones, he possessed the most stubborn pride of a farmer. Living long-term while relying on others' favor—even for a benefactor like Master Zhou—was more painful to him than death. Moving back was only a matter of time.

Master Zhou had paused then before adding: “The Papermaking Workshop you left behind is still running, and it's grown larger and larger. Now, thanks to the workshop, every household in Su Family Village has benefited, and the villagers all respect your family. That kid, your second brother, has more influence in the village than the Village Head; no one dares to bully them.”

Thinking of this, a slight curve appeared at the corner of Su Ming's mouth.

Second Brother was still the same Second Brother; he wouldn't let himself be disadvantaged wherever he went.

It's just...

Su Ming looked up at the silhouette of the village growing closer, a complex surge of emotions rising in his heart.

Five years.

He didn't know what his second brother, who once dared to risk his life in the deep mountains for him, looked like now. He didn't know if his parents were still healthy and strong. He didn't even know if returning with his current status would instead bring them trouble.

Once a Cultivator intervenes in the lives of Mortals, it often brings disaster rather than blessings.

Su Ming took a deep breath and quickened his pace.

The old tree at the village entrance was still there, though it was thicker than he remembered from five years ago. Although the leaves were withered and yellow, the gnarled trunk exuded a robust vitality.

Beneath the tree, several elderly men sat on smooth bluestone slabs, basking in the sun and chatting while smoking dry tobacco.

Su Ming did not stop, walking past them at a steady pace.

“Hey, this young man looks unfamiliar. Which village is he from?” an old man tapped his pipe, squinting his dim eyes to study Su Ming's back.

“Who knows? Probably a Waiter working for some merchant who came to the village to buy paper. Have we seen few enough new faces in our village these past few years?” Another old man waved his hand dismissively and continued puffing on his pipe.

No one recognized him.

Su Ming adjusted his bamboo hat, a very faint smile touching his lips.

Su Family Village really had changed.

Walking into the village along the gravel road, the sight that met his eyes caused Su Ming's breathing to slow down slightly.

The main village road was no longer the dirt path of the past, but was paved with neat bluestone slabs. Along the road, more than half of the dilapidated thatched cottages from back then were gone, replaced by a dozen or so new houses with fresh blue tiles. The courtyard walls were also much taller and more imposing than before, and the sounds of chickens and ducks, along with the hearty laughter and scolding of women, could faintly be heard from within.

The air was filled with the faint scent of fermenting paper pulp.

Everything silently told him: over these five years, the villagers were living much better than before.

And the source of all this was the Su Family. It was the Papermaking Technique he had left behind, and the brilliant method of binding the entire village's interests together.

Su Ming headed east, toward the direction of the old residence in his memory.

The old residence was at the easternmost end of the village, next to a lush bamboo forest. From a distance, Su Ming came to a halt.

The originally low earthen walls had been torn down and replaced with tall, sturdy blue-brick courtyard walls. Two thick, black-lacquered wooden doors were tightly shut, and a brand-new plaque with gold characters on a black background hung above the lintel, bearing the two large words 'Su Residence'. The calligraphy was balanced and peaceful, clearly the work of some scholar in town.

Su Ming stood ten paces away from the courtyard gate and took a deep breath.

That aura belonging to a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator experienced a brief moment of turbulence at this instant.

From within the courtyard walls came the sound of a child's running footsteps, accompanied by clear, bell-like laughter—giggling, full of carefree happiness.

Following that was a young woman's voice, tinged with a bit of anxiety and doting: “Shitou! Don't run so fast, watch your step, be careful not to fall!”

“Let him run. It's better for boys to be a bit tough; they need to be knocked around a bit to grow strong bones.”

This was a man's voice, gruff and full of vigor, with the heavy resonance characteristic of years of manual labor.

Su Ming's body stiffened slightly.

Second Brother.

That was Su Yang's voice.

The young man in his memory who dared to risk his life in the deep mountains to scrape together travel expenses for him now spoke with such abundant confidence.

Su Ming slowly lifted his feet, taking one step, then two, until he reached the two black-lacquered wooden doors.

He reached out his hand, which was trembling slightly at this moment.

Knock, knock, knock.

His knuckles struck the wooden door, producing a dull sound.

“Who is it?”

The woman's voice sounded from the courtyard, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching from a distance.

Creak—

The heavy wooden door was pulled open a crack.

The person who opened the door was a young woman. She wore a clean, floral-patterned cloth jacket, and her hair was tied in a neat bun without any jewelry, yet she appeared very brisk and capable. A kind smile was on her face, but when she saw the grey figure wearing a bamboo hat standing outside the door, she couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

“Are you... a merchant here to talk business with my husband?” the woman asked tentatively.

Su Ming looked at her without speaking, only slowly raising his hand to take off the bamboo hat on his head.

Lean, fair, and well-defined. Those eyes were as deep as an ancient well, yet they reflected the courtyard before him.

She didn't immediately recognize who this was, only feeling that the face before her... was somewhat familiar. Certain details between the brows and eyes were indescribably similar to the person she spent every day with.

She stared blankly at Su Ming, a thought suddenly popping into her head.

This... could this be...

The woman suddenly turned her head and let out a sharp, high-pitched cry into the courtyard:

“Husband! Husband, come quickly! Come here!”

“What's wrong? Why all the shouting? You'll scare the child!”

Accompanied by a burst of hurried and heavy footsteps, a tall figure strode out from the main hall.