When Senior Brother Wants to Go Home

With the Tianyan Sect stepping in to conclude the matter,

the other sects suddenly realized and no longer focused their attention on Chu Xingchen and his group.

In all matters, what people fear isn’t your acknowledgment—it’s your refusal to acknowledge.

Now that the Tianyan Sect had vouched for them, they could no longer be considered rootless anomalies.

The banquet proceedings were rather simple, though Chu Xingchen had indeed read the etiquette notes prepared by Qiu Ling.

Mostly, they contained basic formalities—things like avoiding vulgar behavior, such as cursing in front of the palace.

Given the overly brazen impression they had made upon first entering the city, he couldn’t blame others for being cautious.

Dishes and performances took turns being presented, with Zhao Xuan occasionally raising a toast during the intervals. Beyond that, there was little conversation.

However, when it came to the sumptuous dishes, the only ones who actually picked up their chopsticks were Chu Xingchen’s group.

The other sects mostly just sipped their wine and left it at that.

Only Chu Xingchen remained entirely unbothered, even going so far as to serve food to his disciple.

The imperial chef’s skills were actually quite decent, especially when it came to pastries—just the right level of sweetness to suit Chen Baiqing’s tastes.

Chen Baiqing had initially been rather restrained, sitting quietly, but after her master deliberately fed her a few times, she completely let go.

As long as her master dared to put it in her bowl, she dared to eat it.

By the time the banquet ended, Chen Baiqing was likely the only one who had eaten her fill.

After Zhao Xuan raised one final toast and delivered the usual closing remarks, the evening’s festivities came to an end.

Zhao Xuan stood and cupped his hands in salute. "May all of you ascend the path of immortality with ease."

The crowd rose and returned the gesture before turning to leave the hall.

Chu Xingchen gave Chen Baiqing’s little head a gentle pat before standing and making his way out.

Just as he stepped beyond the palace doors,

he noticed a leader from the Tianyan Sect standing at the entrance, seemingly waiting for him.

The Tianyan Sect leader wore a faint smile and offered another respectful salute before finally departing.

Chu Xingchen found it odd but returned the courtesy nonetheless.

Li Yingling seemed to want to speak, but after glancing around, she held back.

Wen Qing and Qiu Ling, seeing that Chu Xingchen and his group had made it through the banquet without incident, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, this unconventional senior hadn’t chosen this critical moment to stir up trouble.

The two approached with cupped hands.

Chu Xingchen spoke first. "I’m tired. I’d like to return and rest."

Faced with such a simple and reasonable request, Wen Qing and Qiu Ling quickly agreed.

The next day,

Li Yingling stretched lazily in the courtyard.

Yesterday had thoroughly satisfied her curiosity—who would’ve thought that Yaoqin had such a background?

Chen Baiqing, however, looked eager. Her senior brother had mentioned that today was the sect’s private feast.

He had reserved a table at the capital’s finest restaurant.

Her gaze drifted to her master, who was lounging leisurely nearby. She trotted over to him.

"Master, why do you seem unhappy?"

Her master usually enjoyed the lively gatherings between disciples.

Chu Xingchen looked down at his little disciple and smiled.

"As long as Baiqing is happy."

Li Xingtian emerged from his room, fully prepared, and glanced at his master.

With a light chuckle, he said, "Master, let’s go."

Chu Xingchen also smiled, taking Chen Baiqing’s small hand before addressing his eldest disciple.

"Come on, Yingling. Your junior brother is treating us to a meal."

"Wouldn’t that still mean you’re paying, Master? Junior Brother doesn’t have any money."

"I’m broke right now. If your junior brother can’t cover the bill, we’ll leave you behind to wash dishes as payment."

Li Yingling caught up to her master, laughing.

"No way. Junior Brother invited us—if anyone’s washing dishes, it should be him."

Li Xingtian turned to his senior sister and, for once, played along.

"Fine. I’ll wash them."

Li Yingling blinked in surprise. Her usually wooden junior brother had actually responded to the joke.

But she didn’t dwell on it.

Their master’s influence was just too strong. She had a feeling even their little junior sister was picking up his habits.

As their master often said:

Learning good habits takes effort, but picking up bad ones happens in a snap.

The restaurant Li Xingtian had chosen was the Banxian Residence, renowned for its cuisine in the capital.

Whether it was his senior sister or junior sister, Li Xingtian felt that for them, taste mattered more than presentation.

Compared to elegance, deliciousness suited their personalities better.

That said, while it was Li Xingtian who had made the reservation, it was actually Wen Qing and Qiu Ling who had secured the table.

Li Xingtian had tried to book it himself but found it impossible.

So he’d outsourced the task to Wen Qing, who, true to his status as a royal envoy, had no trouble securing a spot.

The Banxian Residence was located in the Right Capital District,

not particularly close to where Chu Xingchen was staying.

Since they were spending money anyway, they might as well enjoy it to the fullest—so the exotic beast-drawn carriage was brought out once more.

Wen Qing served as the temporary coachman.

His crimson official robes stood out prominently—after all, in the Xuanwu Kingdom’s Central Continent, an envoy of his rank was considered quite high.

For the remainder of their stay in the capital, Chu Xingchen wanted to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

His reliable little "cotton-padded jacket" had already walked off on its own.

It had to be said—aside from himself, Li Xingtian was the most dependable person in the sect.

Any task assigned to him had never been bungled.

Inside the carriage, Chu Xingchen glanced at Li Xingtian’s calm expression.

Only the soft chatter between Li Yingling and Chen Baiqing filled the space.

"We’re here."

Wen Qing lightly knocked on the carriage door.

Chu Xingchen was the first to step out.

His gaze fell upon a two-story restaurant with understated decor.

The waiter at the entrance was enthusiastic, though his face paled slightly at the sight of the exotic beast.

Wen Qing cupped his hands. "I’ll wait outside for you."

Chu Xingchen smiled faintly. "Much obliged."

With that, he led his disciples into the Banxian Residence.

After confirming their reservation, the waiter guided them to a private room.

Li Xingtian kept his order simple—just a request for the chef’s specialties.

He also added some pastries and sweet dishes for Chen Baiqing.

Li Yingling stared at her junior brother in astonishment.

Had he secretly struck it rich while she wasn’t looking?

When the waiter handed over the menu earlier, she’d noticed that many dishes required spirit stones as payment.

Before the food arrived, the wine Li Xingtian had ordered was served first.

He poured himself a cup and stood, raising it to his master.

His expression was solemn, his tone sincere. "Master, I’m not good with words, but I can see how sincerely you care for me."

He paused, downed the wine in one gulp, and continued.

"A teacher for a day is a father for life."

Li Yingling’s eyes widened at her junior brother’s words.

A bad premonition rose in her heart.

Chu Xingchen drank with him but remained silent.

Li Xingtian poured another cup and turned to his senior sister.

"Senior Sister..."

"No need to say it. I understand."

Li Yingling raised her cup and drank it all.

Li Xingtian smiled faintly and finished his own drink.

He poured one last cup and looked at his junior sister.

"Eat well today."

With that, he drained the cup again.

Chen Baiqing, who had been waiting expectantly, silently lowered her head and resumed eating from her bowl.

Even Li Yingling, usually the life of the gathering, was unusually quiet.

Throughout the meal, only Chu Xingchen and Li Xingtian exchanged occasional words over wine.

The dinner ended earlier than usual, perhaps because no one was accustomed to such a stifling silence.

Li Xingtian settled the bill and stood at the entrance of the restaurant, watching as his junior sister was ushered into the carriage by their master.

His gaze remained fixed on Chu Xingchen.

The man merely waved a dismissive hand without turning around before stepping behind the carriage’s curtain.

"Let’s go."

Chu Xingchen’s voice came from within the carriage.

Wen Qing cast a surprised glance at Li Xingtian, who still hadn’t boarded.

Seeing the faint shake of Li Xingtian’s head, Wen Qing understood and urged the carriage forward without another word.

Inside, Chen Baiqing noticed the carriage moving—yet her senior brother hadn’t joined them.

"Master," she quickly spoke up, "Senior Brother hasn’t gotten on yet."

"Your senior brother has matters to attend to. He won’t be returning with us for now."

Chen Baiqing seemed to grasp something then. Lowering her head, she asked softly,

"Then… when will he come back?"

"When Baiqing misses him. When he misses home."

"That’s when he’ll return."