Two days later, early morning.
East Sea Martial Academy, Sword Valley.
Xia Dong ended her morning meditation, slung her sword over her shoulder, and prepared to attend class.
Compared to last year, she had grown considerably taller, and her martial arts strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. She had broken through to the Nine-Star Warrior realm and was currently the most famous martial arts prodigy at East Sea Martial Academy!
Many even believed that Xia Dong was the most monstrous genius in Dragon Country after Jiang Wuming!
"Come back early after school this afternoon, we're going to Aunt Liu's for dinner."
As Xia Dong was about to leave, Xia Xueqin suddenly spoke from the doorway.
The Aunt Liu she referred to was Liu Guifang.
Ever since the bloody incident in Suzhou, Liu Guifang and her daughter Su Shiyun, following Jiang Wuming's advice, had moved to East Sea and were living in Jiang Wuming's separate courtyard at East Sea Martial Academy.
That courtyard was formerly known as the Dragon Slaying Hall, now renamed Dragon Slaying Courtyard.
"Okay."
Xia Dong nodded, then couldn't help but sigh, "Mom, when will I get to see Brother Wuming again?"
"There will be opportunities," Xia Xueqin smiled. Da Feng Novel Network.
"Really?"
Xia Dong's spirits immediately lifted, her big dark eyes sparkling.
"Mhm."
Xia Xueqin smiled and nodded. She had already learned that Jiang Wuming was about to return quietly.
This was also why she wanted to take Xia Dong to Dragon Slaying Courtyard for dinner tonight, but she wanted to give Xia Dong a surprise.
Ever since Jiang Wuming left East Sea Martial Academy, Xia Dong had been pining to see him every day, like a monk reciting scriptures.
...
Tan Gong Rich Neighborhood, Villa No. 9.
"Weiyang, finish your work early this afternoon and come with me to East Sea Martial Academy for dinner," Chu Wansong said.
"Dad, why are we going to East Sea Martial Academy for dinner?" Chu Weiyang was taken aback.
"Wuming is coming back today, we're going to his place for dinner," Chu Wansong said with a smile.
"Ah—"
Chu Weiyang was stunned, then somewhat excited, "Brother Wuming is coming back? Why didn't Weixia tell me?"
"According to Wuming, Weixia isn't coming back this time," Chu Wansong said.
"Is that so..."
"Weiyang, don't tell your brother. I'll call him later. Otherwise, with his big mouth, he'll definitely blabber everywhere, which won't be good for Wuming," Chu Wansong reminded her. Jiang Wuming's current identity was special, and his whereabouts could not be easily exposed, or it would cause trouble for Jiang Wuming.
"Okay."
Chu Weiyang nodded excitedly.
After the Mount Everest War began last year, she had written a song for Jiang Wuming but never had the chance to give it to him, nor even a chance to see him.
Today, she could finally see Jiang Wuming, how could she not be excited?!
...
Five o'clock in the afternoon, Divine Immortal Residence, Dragon Slaying Courtyard, East Sea Martial Academy.
Liu Guifang, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen, while Su Shiyun helped her.
They had already learned of Jiang Wuming's return today and had bought ingredients early to prepare a sumptuous dinner.
"Shiyun, Xueqin and the others are here, go out and greet them. I can manage by myself," Liu Guifang said to Su Shiyun through the window as she was stir-frying. She saw Xia Xueqin entering the courtyard with Xia Dong.
"Okay, Mom."
Su Shiyun nodded, washed her hands, and left the kitchen.
"Aunt Xia, Little Dong, you're here."
Su Shiyun walked to the courtyard and met Xia Xueqin and Xia Dong.
"Sister Shiyun, I heard from Brother Feng that he, his dad, and his sister are also coming for dinner today. Is it a special occasion?" Xia Dong asked curiously.
"You'll know in a bit."
Xia Xueqin spoke first, signaling Su Shiyun with her eyes.
Su Shiyun understood and smiled, nodding.
More than ten minutes later, Chu Wansong, Chu Weiyang, and Chu Feng's family also arrived.
"Brother Feng, Aunt Liu is making over a dozen dishes today. Do you know what day it is?"
Xia Dong saw Chu Feng and asked her lingering question again.
"You don't know?"
Chu Feng looked surprised. He had already learned about Jiang Wuming's return from Chu Wansong.
"I don't know," Xia Dong shook her head.
"Brother Wuming is coming back," Chu Feng said.
"Wh... What?"
Xia Dong was stunned at first, then turned and roared at Xia Xueqin, "Mom, you're so mean! You kept such important news from me!"
Xia Xueqin smiled without saying a word.
"Brother Feng, let's go wait at the courtyard entrance. No, let's go wait at the entrance of the Divine Immortal Residence. That way we can see Brother Wuming sooner."
Xia Dong turned back to look at Chu Feng, her pretty face filled with excitement.
"Wuming is returning secretly this time, and we can't let the news leak. It's better for you not to go out and just wait in the courtyard," Xia Xueqin stopped her, sighing inwardly.
"Alright."
Xia Dong nodded with a hint of grievance.
Although she really wanted to see Jiang Wuming sooner, she also knew that the Dragon Country Military Department had not withdrawn the investigation into Jiang Wuming.
Under such circumstances, it would not be good if news of Jiang Wuming's return to Dragon Country spread.
At six o'clock, Jiang Wuming and Xing Tian appeared at the Divine Immortal Residence and walked towards the Dragon Slaying Courtyard.
Jiang Wuming had concealed his true aura.
"General Wuming!"
Just as Jiang Wuming and Xing Tian were about to reach the entrance of Dragon Slaying Courtyard, a figure flashed out and respectfully saluted Jiang Wuming, addressing him by his former title.
"Long Wu?"
Jiang Wuming's heart stirred, and he asked.
"General Wuming, it's me."
Long Wu nodded.
Originally, he and Long Qi were secretly protecting Liu Guifang and Su Shiyun under Li Rui's orders, but after they moved to East Sea Martial Academy, Long Qi had withdrawn.
After all, with teachers like Xia Xueqin at East Sea Martial Academy, it was far safer than outside.
"Long Wu, thank you for protecting my family during this time," Jiang Wuming returned the salute to Long Wu and expressed his gratitude.
"I was just following orders, General Wuming. You don't need to be so polite."
Long Wu lowered his arm, smiled, and shook his head, then asked, "By the way, General Wuming, does the Chief know about your return?"
"He doesn't, you can report it to him," Jiang Wuming said after thinking for a moment, knowing that the Chief Long Wu referred to was Li Rui.
"Okay, General Wuming."
Long Wu took his orders and then, after Jiang Wuming and Xing Tian had left, he dialed Li Rui's number.
"Chief, General Wuming has just arrived at Dragon Slaying Courtyard," Long Wu reported.
"Is he alone, or...?" Li Rui was slightly surprised upon hearing this and then asked.
"He's with Xing Tian," Long Wu replied.
"Understood."
Li Rui's heart stirred, and he vaguely guessed the purpose of Jiang Wuming's return this time.
"Chief, should I inform the East Domain Military Region's East Sea Branch?" Long Wu asked for instructions.
"No need. Just pretend you don't know about this," Li Rui instructed.
"Yes!"
Long Wu took his orders and ended the call.
On the other side, Jiang Wuming brought Xing Tian into Dragon Slaying Courtyard.
"Brother Wuming!"
In the courtyard, Xia Dong and Chu Feng had already been waiting. Seeing Jiang Wuming and Xing Tian walk in, they rushed towards Jiang Wuming.
Xia Dong directly threw herself into Jiang Wuming's arms.
"Little Dong has grown taller again, and her strength has also improved," Jiang Wuming smiled as he hugged Xia Dong, patting her head like a brother doting on his sister.
"It's all thanks to Gene No. 1 that Sister Shiyun gave me, that I managed to break through to the Nine-Star Warrior realm," Xia Dong said with a happy smile.
"Wuming!"
"Brother Wuming!"
As Xia Dong finished speaking, Xia Xueqin, Chu Wansong, Su Shiyun, and Chu Weiyang also walked out of the house.
Liu Guifang, however, stopped stir-frying in the kitchen.
Without time to wipe the sweat from her face, she leaned close to the window, tiptoeing and craning her neck, looking at the young man at the courtyard entrance with a face full of joy.
Although Jiang Wuming had no blood relation to her, in her heart, Jiang Wuming was like her own child, just like Su Shiyun.
At this moment, like all mothers in the world, she hadn't appeared the first moment her son returned, but her joyful smile conveyed everything.
The dinner was prepared by Liu Guifang, who made twelve dishes, all home-style dishes, exquisite in color, aroma, and taste.
Chu Wansong had brought a box of wine. Everyone except Xia Dong had a drink.
It was summer, and it got dark late. It wasn't until after several rounds of drinks and dishes that the sky outside began to dim.
"Brother Wuming, are you doing well in that city of sin?" Xia Dong suddenly asked, blinking her large eyes curiously.
As soon as she finished speaking, the dining room fell silent. Everyone looked at Jiang Wuming, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.
Because they all knew that Jiang Wuming had been forced to leave Dragon Country!
"Very well."
Jiang Wuming smiled, and just as he was about to say something more, he suddenly felt a violent energy fluctuation!
Hmm?
Jiang Wuming raised an eyebrow, immediately realizing that this was an energy fluctuation caused by the advent of extraterrestrial enemies, and the fluctuation came from the school's training grounds!
"Sister, Mr. Chu, Shiyun, Wuming, Xing Tian, you guys eat first. I'll go take a look." Xia Xueqin also sensed the energy fluctuation and put down her chopsticks, standing up.
"Mom, I'll go with you." Xia Dong also immediately stood up.
Now, as a prodigy of East Sea Martial Academy, she had an obligation to participate in the war against extraterrestrial enemies. Da Feng Novel.
"Dean Xia, I'll go too!" Chu Feng also volunteered, changing his address to Xia Xueqin.
He had also grown a lot since Jiang Wuming left.
"Okay."
Xia Xueqin nodded, not daring to look at Jiang Wuming, and directly led Chu Feng and Xia Dong away.
The young man lowered his head and drank, remaining silent throughout.
...