What a Picture of Parental Kindness and Filial Piety

"Elder Supreme!"

"Elder Supreme!"

Though Xuan Tianyu spoke with great authority, he had no idea how to find Chen Chang'an. Just then, someone suddenly called out to him from outside, making his heart skip a beat.

Had the Luo Shen Palace already come knocking?

In a flash, Xuan Tianyu appeared before the caller—only to find it was the current sect master of the Wuji Sect.

"Why have you come?"

"Are you here to plead for that brat?"

"None of his mess can be forgiven, no matter who begs for him."

"Even if I could spare him, the Luo Shen Palace won’t let him off."

"I know you two are close as brothers, but—"

Xuan Tianyu’s words left the sect master speechless. He hadn’t even stated his purpose yet—why jump to conclusions?

"Elder Supreme, I’m not here for Junior Brother Wudao."

"Someone has arrived."

"Someone’s here? Has the Luo Shen Palace really come?"

"No, it’s someone claiming to be Junior Brother Wudao’s friend. They say they’re here to help."

A friend? Here to help?

In these times, those who offer help in need are rare. What a good friend…

Wait—a friend?

"What’s their name?" Xuan Tianyu asked nervously.

Seeing Xuan Tianyu’s tension, the sect master was stunned. Why would a mere friend of Xuan Wudao make the Elder Supreme react like this?

"They said their name is Chen Chang'an."

Chen Chang'an?

It’s really Chen Chang'an?

He came on his own? Without needing to be sought out?

And he’s here to help?

Family!

Now this is what you call family!

"Was there a big yellow dog by his side?" Xuan Tianyu asked excitedly.

"That… I’m not sure. The person is still at the foot of the mountain."

The foot of the mountain?

"Outrageous!"

"How could you leave him waiting there?"

"Disrespectful!"

"This is beyond disrespectful!"

"You—gather the… No, never mind, there’s no time! I’ll greet him myself!"

With that, Xuan Tianyu vanished in a flash, heading straight for the mountain’s base.

Watching him disappear without a trace, the sect master was utterly dumbfounded.

What in the world?

Wasn’t this just Xuan Wudao’s friend? Why was the Elder Supreme so worked up?

"Truly… is it really you?"

"Master Chen?"

The moment Xuan Tianyu laid eyes on Chen Chang'an, his entire being trembled with excitement.

It was him—it really was him!

After all these years, Chen Chang'an looked exactly the same, unchanged by time. Even Da Huang was no different.

"Xuan Tianyu?"

"You’ve gotten so old?"

Though Xuan Tianyu now appeared elderly, Chen Chang'an recognized him at a glance.

"Master, you jest. After all these years, I’ve become the Wuji Sect’s Elder Supreme. How could I keep my youthful appearance forever?"

"That’s not true. Who says you can’t be young and still be the Elder Supreme?"

"Why let your appearance dictate your status and position?"

"You’re just limiting yourself."

Hearing Chen Chang'an’s words, Xuan Tianyu chuckled and nodded, then personally escorted him into the Wuji Sect.

"What… what’s going on?"

"Didn’t that person just say he was Senior Uncle Xuan Wudao’s friend? Why is the Elder Supreme personally welcoming him?"

"Even more shocking—the Elder Supreme called him ‘Master.’"

"Who… who exactly is this man?"

The disciples guarding the sect entrance were all wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were witnessing.

It wasn’t just them. The sect master and the elders were equally baffled.

Who was this Chen Chang'an, to make the Elder Supreme act like this?

"The Elder Supreme took him straight to the forbidden grounds?"

"That… the forbidden back mountain isn’t a place just anyone can enter."

"Though the Elder Supreme does have the authority to bring guests there."

"Should we go see what’s happening?"

"Uh… maybe we should wait."

"Right, best to wait."

Inside the Forbidden Grounds

When Xuan Wudao saw Chen Chang'an and Da Huang, his eyes lit up like stars.

Holy shit!

This is my savior!

"Brother Chen, you—"

SLAP!

"No respect! How dare you call the Master ‘Brother’?"

Xuan Tianyu struck without hesitation, sending Xuan Wudao flying into a wall.

"My foolish son lacks manners. Please forgive him, Master," Xuan Tianyu said apologetically.

"Uh… it’s fine. We really are friends. No need for formalities."

"No, no, no. Maybe before, but not anymore."

"How could this brat ever be worthy of being your friend?"

"That would only lower your status, Master!"

Xuan Tianyu shook his head vehemently. Clearly, he was dead set against Xuan Wudao being friends with Chen Chang'an.

After all, he himself had never gotten the chance to serve as a subordinate—so how could this brat become a friend? What did he have that Xuan Tianyu lacked?

"Dad, I get it now!"

"You’re jealous of me!"

"Look at that ugly, petty expression of yours—"

BAM!

"You unfilial brat!"

This time, Xuan Tianyu wasn’t holding back. A single punch sent Xuan Wudao flying so far that he crashed into a distant hillside, toppling it entirely.

"My apologies. Let me discipline this disgrace first."

"Master, please wait a moment."

With an apologetic smile to Chen Chang'an, Xuan Tianyu turned ice-cold and charged toward Xuan Wudao.

"AHHH!"

"Dad, I was wrong!"

The screams that followed were even more bloodcurdling than before.

The alternating wails of pain made the entire Wuji Sect gulp in unison. Why was the beating even worse now that his "friend" had arrived?

"Such a heartwarming father-son bond."

"Truly touching," Chen Chang'an remarked with a sigh.

"Yeah, very touching," Da Huang agreed.

This one-sided thrashing lasted a full hour. Finally, Xuan Tianyu returned to the forbidden grounds, dragging Xuan Wudao behind him like a dead dog.

"My apologies for the wait, Master."

"My son is unruly and disrespectful. I hope you can overlook it," Xuan Tianyu said humbly.

"Uh… no worries, no worries. Kids will be kids."

"Hahaha, as long as the Master doesn’t mind."

"Master, have you come because you’ve heard of the Wuji Sect’s current predicament?" Xuan Tianyu asked.

"Yes, I’ve heard a little, but I don’t know the details," Chen Chang'an admitted.

"Ah, it’s all this idiot’s fault."

Xuan Tianyu sighed deeply, then explained the entire situation from start to finish.

After hearing about Xuan Wudao’s blunder, Chen Chang'an could only shake his head in disbelief. Just how brainless did you have to be to mistake the Luo Shen Palace for a brothel?

"Hey, was that place really that good?"

Da Huang nudged the half-dead Xuan Wudao with a paw, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Good? It was amazing."

"The girls there—each one was a stunner."

"Nice, nice. So, wanna take me there sometime?"

"Huh? You want to go again?"

Chen Chang'an shot a helpless glance at Da Huang and said irritably, "That damn place isn't a real brothel!"