Chapter 26 Return to Zhongzhou

  Ten days later...

  "Xiao Mu, Xiao Mu, something's wrong! Come quick, Xiao Tang An has gone mad..." Little Xie rushed in from outside the door, bursting into Miao Hongyu's room. But when she looked up, she was suddenly stunned, her big eyes full of curiosity.

  "Xiao Mu, what are you doing? What is that thing that looks like a duck? Why does it look so strange?"

  Xiao Xie saw that Mu Hongyu was holding an embroidery needle in her hand, and she was actually doing some embroidery. Moreover, what she was embroidering was a picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water. At that moment, Xiao Xie forgot about her original purpose, and instead sat down beside Mu Hongyu with a plop, tilting her head to curiously watch Mu Hongyu.

  Muhong's needle and thread danced in her hands, the red, blue, green, and multicolored silk threads fluttering about. Before long, half of the mandarin duck playing in water embroidery was complete. Xiao Xie watched with excitement, clapping his hands: "Wow Muhong, you're so amazing! With just a few quick strokes, you've already embroidered one duck... You're so great... Can you teach me? I want to learn too..."

  Muhong Jade put down the embroidery in her hand, poked Xiao Xie's forehead with her finger, and her face was slightly red. She said with a somewhat shy tone: "You're still so young, what do you know? This isn't something to play with." As she spoke, her face turned even redder, and she felt embarrassed in her heart. Seeing Xiao Xie still looking curious, Muhong Jade suddenly felt that she was too shameless, so she took the embroidery and said: "I won't tell you now, wait until you grow up, then you'll understand..."

  But looking at Xiao Xie's suddenly pouting mouth, Mu Hongyu suddenly remembered that Xiao Xie seemed to never grow up. She may never be able to understand her current mood, and she couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Xiao Xie.

  Muhongyu stroked Xiaoxie's head and coaxed: "Xiaoxie, don't be angry, I'll teach you."

  Xiao Xie heard this, and a smile appeared on her face again. She began to giggle and started learning embroidery. But in less than a moment, Xiao Xie couldn't bear it anymore, she remembered the purpose of coming here earlier.

  "Xiao Muo, I think we should go check on Xiao Tang'an. Ever since he got into a fight with that white-haired scoundrel, it seems like his brain has been messed up too."

  Xiao Ye stopped his actions and started imitating Tang An's movements.

  "Little Mu, just now when I went to Xiao Tang An's room to find him, Xiao Tang An was lying on the ground drawing a little man... that little man was only that big, even smaller than the greedy little fatty from next street." Little Xie said, and after comparing and describing, finally made Mu Hongyu understand.

  Mu Hongyu furrowed her brow and was immediately dragged by Xiao Xie towards Tang An's room.

  In less than a moment, the two of them arrived at Tang An's door, and they also saw that Tang An was currently crouching on the ground, painting. His expression was serious, but his face had a rare smile. The corners of his eyes had already formed a faint crescent moon.

  Xiao Xie covered her mouth in surprise, unbelieving, and pulled at Mu Hongyu's sleeve, whispering: "Little Mu, I must not have woken up yet, I'm still dreaming, right? Is Little Tang An really smiling? I always thought Little Tang An was that 'Death God Who Doesn't Smile' from the story Master told me before."

  She didn't bother with Mu Hongyu, so Xiao Xie tilted her head and leaned against the door to observe. Her body was leaning forward, and her big eyes were rolling around. As she looked, she suddenly muttered to herself: "Tang An looks good when he smiles." But after saying that, she suddenly thought of Tang An's cold face, which looked like a block of ice, and hesitated again. "But, he also looks good when he doesn't smile."

  Xiao Xie thought about it, and in her little brain, it seemed like two little people were fighting. She slightly lowered her head, touched her chin with her left hand, pouted: "Then when does he look the best?" After thinking for a moment, Xiao Xie suddenly felt frustrated: "Can't think of it... um... this question is too complicated, I'll study it later."

  Mu Hongyu looked at Tang An, who was lying on the ground with a paintbrush still in his hand. They had been living together for eight years, but she had never known that Tang An could also paint. Moreover, what he painted was actually so good and vivid.

  Mu Hongyu looked at this painting, she seemed to feel that she had already understood Tang An's heart. "He misses home again..."

  Xiao Ye stood at the door, feeling that this scene was indeed a bit strange. Tang An obviously knew they had entered, but didn't speak or greet them.

  "Didn't you see? Since it's like this... Hehe"

  The little devil smiled mischievously and suddenly intentionally knocked heavily on the door, shouting loudly: "Xiao Tang An, are you really not here? If you're not here, then I'll come in!"

  After she finished speaking, she giggled and jumped onto Tang An's back. Suddenly, she saw the painting on the ground clearly.

  The painting depicts a chubby little boy, less than three years old, still wearing open-crotch pants. The little boy is sitting on a small chair, staring blankly at the sky, surrounded by blurry human figures holding pots and pans, as well as various other objects, looking like they are running back and forth... Behind the blurry maids and servants, however, there is a woman with an extremely clear and elegant demeanor. The woman's face bears some resemblance to the little boy, with a warm and gentle expression.

  Xiao Xie looked at the woman in the painting with curiosity and suddenly said, "That aunt is very beautiful, she looks like Tang An. But why is she crying?"

  "Xiao Xie, this is my mother. You also think my mother is beautiful, right? Yeah, I think so too. Unfortunately, time is an enemy that can't be offended. It's been ten years since I last went back, I wonder if my mother will still recognize me?"

  Tang An finally stopped the movement of his hands, he had finished painting. He stood up and slowly placed the painting on the table. A smile hung from the corner of his mouth, a kind of smile that came from deep within, an expectation that had been satisfied for a long time.

  "It's time to go home. After ten years, I can finally go home." As he finished speaking, he suddenly furrowed his brow, as if feeling that something was still missing from the painting.

  "Right, at that time, it seemed like Dad was at another entrance..." Tang An thought, and immediately began to draw again, spreading the paper on the ground.

  Muhongyu didn't have time to speak, but Xiao Xie suddenly said: "Xiao Mu, I told you he's going crazy. Look, he could have put the painting on the table and painted it, why did he have to lie on the ground to paint? The ground is so dirty, when I used to play on the ground, Master would spank my butt."

  Muhong Yu was taken aback, and saw that Tang An's face also had a clear expression of being taken aback. She suddenly felt like laughing. Tang An was no longer the same as before, he had grown up now and was not that little kid anymore. Nowadays, he could be called the Heavenly Sword Tang An...

  The person who was drawing on the ground in front of her is now famous all over the world, a legend of the new generation of Jianghu, Tianjian Tang An.

  However, Mu Hongyu rarely saw Tang An's face turn red with embarrassment.

  This scene is really interesting.

  Muhong Yu finally couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing. Little Xie saw Muhong Yu's excitement and became even more serious, pointing at Tang An: "Little Tang An, from now on you have to call me sister! Otherwise, I'll tell others about this and they'll laugh at you like Little Mu did. When that happens, you won't be able to go out because people will mock you wherever you go. If you can't go out, you won't be able to play fun games or eat delicious food... it's really miserable! Hurry up and call me sister! If you do, I won't tell anyone else."

  Tang An's face also had a smile, and he didn't know why, but after fighting with Wang Ruitu, he suddenly found that his temperament had finally returned to normal. His originally heavy mood suddenly cleared up. He seemed to have found himself again. He could feel that in the past few days, his heart had been lighter than ever before, and even the air seemed to be filled with a lively atmosphere.

  Tang An has already understood his own state of mind, which is becoming more and more perfect. The perfection of the state of mind is to find oneself back, no longer being blinded by hatred.

  "Are you calling me sister? But, you're still so young. Wait until you grow up, and I'll consider it...” Seeing Xiao Xie pouting again, Tang An suddenly burst out laughing and said: "Don't be unhappy, next I'll get Li Guanjia to take you shopping. You can have anything you want."

  "Really, can you buy anything? Then I want to buy a dozen or so brothers and sisters too. I want them all to call me sister. Think about it, in the future when I go out with a dozen or so brothers and sisters, they'll all be shouting 'big sister' in unison, how cool would that be..."

  Tang An smiled and said to Mu Hongyu, "I've been away from home for ten years. I remember when I left Zhongzhou City, it was the end of July, before August arrived. Today is already June 13th, and in just one month, it will be the tenth anniversary. I promised my mother that I would return home within ten years. However, before going to Yangzhou, I want to go to Zhongzhou City first to retrieve something. I've never given you a gift before, but this thing has been buried underground for ten years, and I think you'll definitely like it. Let's leave here together tomorrow and head to Zhongzhou, then return home."

  …………

  Forbidden City

  Emperor Zhao Yuanhao stood with his hands behind him on the top of the building, gazing into the distance. In the distance, pavilions and buildings, jade towers and crystal palaces stretched as far as the eye could see.

  Yue Wu stood behind him, bowing his head and saying: "Your Majesty, why did you agree to let Tang An fight against Wang Ruitu that day? If Tang An really died, the secret technique of Qinglong Fashen would be lost forever."

  Zhao Yuanhao smiled and said, "If he can't even pass the test of Wang Ruitu, how can he condense the true form of the Green Dragon? Haven't you seen that ten days ago in that battle, his Green Dragon had already opened its eyes? When the Green Dragon opens its eyes, it will transform next. I am not as talented as my ancestors, and I cannot achieve the Nine Dragons' transformation into one, but I really don't want to give up. Can it be that the Nine Dragons' Qianyuan skill in my hands is fake?"

  Yue Wu lowered his head and didn't dare say another word at this moment.

  "Your Majesty, please calm your anger, the 30-year mark is almost here. This time, I will personally go and must find the Dragon Blood Dan for Your Majesty to help you return to your origin and achieve the supreme true dragon body."

  Zhao Yuanhao nodded: "I know your loyalty. However, this matter is not urgent for the time being, and there are still two years to go. Within these two years, I hope to have the opportunity to have a good talk with the two Ming brothers. As long as they are willing to agree to my request, I can give them all ten counties of Yangzhou. However, Ming You is easy-going and likes to speak nicely, but Ming Ruogu has always been unpredictable, and no one can guess what he thinks in his heart. This matter is indeed difficult to handle. But among the reliable people by my side, apart from you, I don't trust anyone else."

  "Please rest assured, Your Majesty," said Yue Wu, bowing his head. "I will do my best to take care of this matter and share the burden for you."

  Zhao Yuanhao waved his hand, helped Yue Wu up and said: "My dear, there's no need to worry too much. This time Tang An returns to Yangzhou, we can also try to probe a bit. Let's see what the two brothers of the Ming family are really thinking about. I don't believe it, those two brothers still want to overthrow my Zhao family's thousand-year imperial dynasty?"

  …………

  In June, the sun is like fire, but its flames cannot surpass the prestige of Tianjian's name.

  Tang An's brocade clothes returned to his hometown, and he should not let this brocade travel at night. Now that he is a noble marquis, there are 500 guards following him. These 500 guards, however, were said by the Emperor to be too few, so with a wave of his hand, he directly dispatched 800 Tiger and Leopard Troops from the Tiger and Leopard Camp.

  At this moment, Tang An wore a purple robe with a light gauze outer layer, gold trim on the sleeves and pearls and jade on top. A silk belt hung at his waist, with a piece of crystal flame jade inlaid in the middle, looking truly majestic and imposing.

  He rode a fine steed, which was also bestowed upon him by His Majesty the Emperor, a rare and excellent horse from the Western Regions.

  The horse's name was Treading Snow Lion, its entire body was pitch black, with only a streak of white on its four hooves, making it look like a black lightning bolt running in the snowy ground. At this moment, Treading Snow Lion also raised its head high, as if it had sensed its master's excitement, and let out a long, shrill whinny.

  Behind Tang An, there were over 800 tiger and leopard riders all wearing black clothes and armor, holding bright silver spears, and wearing bright curved knives at their waists. Over 800 people followed him, guarding his left and right sides, this majestic scene, few people in the world could have. As they passed by, everyone looked sideways, guessing which family's son this young man was, and how he could be so majestic.

  Muhongyu, Xiaoxie and Miao Miao, the three of them were sitting in an eight-horse carriage. This carriage was also a gift from the emperor, with golden carvings inside, like a small room. The hidden compartment was filled with all kinds of dried fruits and sweet pastries, making Xiaoxie eat to her heart's content.

  From Yanjing to the south, all the way, officials came to see him off, knowing that this was the current hot-handed Wu An Hou Ye, Tianjian Tang An, and even more bribery.

  Tang An didn't care, and the other two women weren't interested in the money and jewelry either. Only Xiao Xie wasn't fond of silver notes, but she had a strong craving for those jade and pearl decorations. As it turned out, everyone had their own preferences, and as they traveled south, their luggage grew heavier by the day. When they opened it up to take a look, most of what was inside were actually precious antiques and jade artifacts.

  Tan An and several others were shocked, only Xiao Xie was delightedly playing with the jade instrument, saying: "This is a gift for Little Tan An's father and mother. Xiao Xie likes it, they will definitely like it too. Little Tan An, don't you think so?"

  Tang An laughed. "Xiao Xie, you're right. My old man used to run a jewelry store, so he naturally loves jewelry very much. You did the right thing."

  It's getting even worse...

  On the third day of July, at dawn, the middle gate of Zhongzhou City suddenly opened wide. The high-ranking officials, including the governor and other officials who were rarely seen, as well as dozens of officials of various ranks, unexpectedly came out of the city gate for over ten miles...

  The sky was already bright, the horseshoes were rumbling, and suddenly a black dragon appeared gradually from the horizon. Those officials who had been waiting bitterly suddenly lit up their eyes and wanted to go forward to meet him. But when Tang An saw these people, he suddenly whipped his horse and galloped wildly, ignoring the dozens of officials, and continued to rush forward. In just a moment, he arrived at the gate of Zhongzhou City.

  On the city gate, the small seal characters are simple and ancient, just like ten years ago. He looked at the ancient characters on the city gate, suddenly his heart was moved, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh: "I've been back for ten years, I'm finally back"

  I have an exam tomorrow, so I'll be reviewing tonight and won't update anymore.

  Sigh... I really miss home too. When you're sick, all you want to do is go home and think about the good things at home. Living alone is just too painful.