Divine Transcendence

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The Southern General’s Mansion was located to the north of Qujiang City, near the imperial palace.

Yuan Ming, escorted by the city guards, made his way forward, the common folk gradually dispersing to the sides. The broad road was flanked by sparse, luxurious residences, all as Yuan Ming had seen through Wang Shun’s eyes.

In the distance, a five-story pagoda with a spire adorned with eight treasures rose into view, stirring a sense of urgency and unease in Yuan Ming’s heart.

Suddenly, the city guard escorting him halted. Yuan Ming instinctively looked up to see many people standing in front of the mansion gate.

Leading the group were a man and a woman. The man was tall and imposing, standing still like a mountain-stele, his temples graying and eyes misty. The woman was dignified and graceful, her face as fresh as a lotus flower, though her silk dress was damp with tears. Upon seeing Yuan Ming, she could no longer hold back her sobs. Yuan Ming felt a lump in his throat, his eyes blurred, and after struggling for words, he finally spoke with a hoarse voice.

"Father, mother, your child has returned..."

Hearing Yuan Ming’s voice, his mother could no longer contain her emotions and rushed forward, embracing him tightly, "Ming’er, my Ming’er, you’ve finally returned. Let me have a good look at you."

Yuan Ming basked in the long-missed warmth of her embrace, turning his gaze towards his father.

His father, who was usually so reserved, now wiped his face and approached Yuan Ming, saying with relief, "It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back."

Witnessing this scene, the city guards, including Fu Qing and his soldiers, were all moved, and the mother’s personal maids wept even more.

"Alright, madam, Ming’er has had a hard journey back. Let’s not have him stand outside any longer," Yuan Zuochong patted the shoulder of Yuan Ming’s mother.

At his words, Yuan Ming’s mother finally stopped her tears, and Yuan Zuochong signaled the maids to lead her and Yuan Ming inside the mansion.

Then, he called over Fu Qing and turned to the city guards who had escorted Yuan Ming, "Thank you, brothers, for bringing my son back. Fu Qing, reward each of them with ten taels of silver, and prepare some more to send to the city gate."

The city guards were overjoyed at the prospect of receiving silver and expressed their heartfelt thanks.

***

Meanwhile, Yuan Ming was led by his mother into the general’s mansion, where they entered a spacious courtyard.

At this moment, almost all the servants and maids of the mansion had gathered there, their eyes on their young master, unable to hide their curiosity and anticipation.

Yuan Ming scanned the crowd and saw many familiar faces, including Wang Shun.

Feeling Yuan Ming’s gaze, Wang Shun looked over instinctively.

Yuan Ming smiled inwardly, remembering the past when Wang Shun took care of his horses and their good relationship. Recalling the time he had borrowed Wang Shun’s eyes to observe the mansion, he winked and nodded at him.

Wang Shun was initially startled, then showed a flattered expression. Yuan Ming patted Wang Shun’s shoulder gently, smiled, and continued walking forward with his mother.

They stopped in front of the main house in the northern part of the courtyard, and Yuan Zuochong also came over, standing beside Yuan Ming, signaling him to address the many servants below.

With an unspoken understanding between father and son, Yuan Ming stepped forward and cleared his throat.

Looking at the familiar and unfamiliar faces of the servants, Yuan Ming announced loudly, "Raise your heads, everyone. As you may know, over three years ago, I unfortunately went missing in the southern borderlands. Now, by the grace of heaven, I have returned home, and seeing my parents again is a joyous occasion."

"To celebrate, I declare that every servant in the mansion, no matter their rank, will receive a reward of one tael of silver, and this year’s annual allowance will be increased by thirty percent!" Instantly, the courtyard erupted with excitement. The already jubilant hearts of the servants swelled with even more enthusiasm, their gazes towards Yuan Ming filled with undisguised warmth.

"Thank you, General, and congratulations, Young Master!"

Amidst the cheers of the servants and maids, Yuan Ming smiled and waved his hand, then turned and entered the house with his parents, leaving behind the excited crowd that filled the entire mansion with celebration.

***

Inside the house, Yuan Ming’s mother pulled him to sit down, touching his face and shedding tears again, "Ming’er has grown strong, but become so tanned, I barely recognize you. What hardships did you endure in the southern borderlands?"

Yuan Ming choked up but didn’t want to worry his mother, "It’s nothing, mother. I’m fine, and I’ve returned, haven’t I?"

His mother wiped her tears, still heartbroken, "Your hair is such a mess. When I was looking after you, it was never like this." She then suddenly ordered the servants to bring a bronze mirror and started to comb and tie Yuan Ming’s hair herself.

Unable to resist her, Yuan Ming sat obediently in front of the mirror, letting his mother fuss over him.

Reflected in the mirror was his mother’s face, which he silently observed. She had grown thinner than three years ago, with fine lines on her forehead and around her eyes. Her temples had more white hair than when Yuan Ming had last inhabited his father’s body, and the tear stains on her cheeks were not yet dry. But now, she smiled as if combing her son’s hair was a matter of great joy.

His father also came over silently, looking at Yuan Ming with a complex expression that seemed to mix relief, heartache, and perhaps guilt and concern.

Soon, his mother finished combing Yuan Ming’s hair. He stood up awkwardly and, at his mother’s urging, turned this way and that to show her his current appearance.

"Ming’er has grown up," Yuan Zuochong said.

His mother nodded, but her gaze suddenly fell on Yuan Ming’s clothes.

She stepped forward, touching the hem of Yuan Ming’s garment and exclaimed, "Are these the clothes you bought in the southern borderlands? This poor quality fabric, you’ve never worn such clothes before! No, the new clothes are ready. I’ll have someone fetch them right away."

Yuan Ming smiled wryly and stopped her, "Mother, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I’m used to these clothes."

"You child, how can you go out and meet people in these clothes? Listen to your mother, don’t be stubborn."

As his mother continued to scold, she also lamented, "I advised you not to go on that diplomatic mission, but you insisted on going to make a name for yourself, and look what happened in the southern borderlands. I’ve always told you, it’s not just the Changchun Sect out there; your grandmother’s sect is also not bad. I wanted you to take the white jade ring she left you, but you refused. If you had gone there, you wouldn’t have met this disaster."

Listening to his mother’s nagging, which Yuan Ming would usually retort to, today it felt especially endearing.

Suddenly, Yuan Zuochong coughed twice, "Let’s talk about these matters later, madam. You’ve been ill these past few days and haven’t fully recovered. Go rest for now, and let me have a word with Ming’er alone."

"Mother, are you feeling well?" Although Yuan Ming knew from his last possession of his father that his mother was ill, he didn’t expect her to still be unwell after so long.

"Don’t listen to your father’s nonsense. I’m fine."

Interrupted by Yuan Zuochong, his mother finally stopped her scolding. Although she wanted to talk more with Yuan Ming, she knew her husband had important matters to discuss with him, so she didn’t stay long. After a few simple instructions, she got up and left.

Seeing this, Yuan Zuochong looked around and said, "You all may leave as well. Fu Qing, take your men and stand guard outside. Don’t let anyone in."

Realizing the secrecy of the matter, Yuan Ming tensed, wondering what had happened in the capital during his absence.

Once everyone had left the room, Yuan Ming released his Soul Raven to watch over the entire mansion, and Yuan Zuochong looked on in surprise.

"Fu Qing tells me that your strength now far surpasses his, is that so?" Yuan Zuochong asked. Yuan Ming smiled slightly, took out the Cold Star Sword, and activated the frost runes on it, immediately filling the room with an intense chill as the temperature plummeted.

He also summoned the Azure Cloud Crane, commanding it to stand still in the room.

"Father, please look. These are the magical artifacts and flying spirit pet I acquired in the southern borderlands. It’s with their help that I was able to return to the Great Jin." Yuan Ming said, his cultivation level appearing to be at the mid-stage of Qi Refining due to the concealment of his Hidden Yuan Art.

Yuan Zuochong, being a discerning man, recognized the value of these two items, his eyes flashing with admiration, "Excellent, it seems you’ve had quite the fortune in the southern borderlands. With just this sword and crane, even I am no match for you. Well done!"

As the Southern General of Great Jin and a cultivator himself, Yuan Zuochong’s cultivation was much higher than Fu Qing’s, but only around the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

"I’ve read the secret letter you sent through Fu Qing, and you’ve suffered greatly these past three years. It’s a pity that with the current situation in the court, I can’t even avenge you," Yuan Zuochong sighed.

Yuan Ming was puzzled, "Father, why do you say that?"

Yuan Zuochong shook his head, "Lin Junsheng is now a disciple of the Changchun Sect, and the Lin family is now favored by the Eighth Prince, gaining influence and gradually controlling the court. The situation is now set, and I cannot move against him."

"I remember Lin Junsheng’s talent was comparable to mine. Why would the Changchun Sect accept him? How is the Emperor now?" Yuan Ming asked, confused.

Yuan Zuochong explained, "It all started with the diplomatic mission. After you went missing, Lin Junsheng took it upon himself to continue the mission to the southern borderlands. Upon his return, he used his achievements from the mission and somehow found a connection to directly enter the Changchun Sect. As for the Emperor, he has been obsessed with cultivation in recent years, gradually neglecting state affairs and leaving them to the Eighth Prince. That’s how the Lin family got their chance."

Yuan Ming recalled that the young Emperor Liu Tianming’s involvement with the path of immortality was due to the incense he had used during his first possession, which was the initial black incense. It likely had more effects than just controlling his actions, including influencing his thoughts. Now, with the situation in the court as it was, it seemed to be somewhat related to him.

Unaware of Yuan Ming’s thoughts, Yuan Zuochong continued with a sigh, "Speaking of which, I was entrusted by the late Emperor to assist His Majesty. Seeing that His Majesty was focused on cultivation and neglecting state affairs, I gradually relinquished power, thinking of improving my own cultivation and perhaps even attempting to reach Foundation Establishment if the opportunity arose..."

He paused before continuing, "But then I received your secret letter and learned that it was Lin Junsheng who harmed you. I wanted to deal with him, but he’s now a disciple of the Changchun Sect and rarely leaves. Alas... opportunities are hard to find."

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