A leisurely life in the world of cultivation

Chapter 4 Going Home
Understanding the implication in Li Weizhou's words, Li Delong nearly exploded with anger. He roared, "Who else could have done this? Your father and I separated years ago. Your parents don't have a fortune, and the Li family has no mortal enemies. I'm a prison warden, not a judge or a jailer. I don't have direct contact with prisoners, so I don't have any mortal enemies. You yourself have investigated so many random people, and what have you found out?"

Although he was furious, he was secretly amazed to see his nephew had the courage to face him directly and remain so calm.

It seems that things are really different now.

Even the toughest guys in prison would find it hard to remain calm in his presence.

Of course, it's also possible that this wretched child knew he wouldn't do anything to him, and was therefore fearless!

Li Chang'an rubbed his temples. Even with his usually carefree nature, he found these kinds of family matters a headache. He said to Li Weizhou, "Third Brother, since ancient times, imperial power has not extended beyond the county level. Outside this county, even the yamen (government office) doesn't really care. My position as patrol inspector, responsible for patrolling outside the city, is just a nominal one. I can manage the villagers, but how can I manage the affairs of the martial arts world? So, it's really chaotic outside."

It's truly heartbreaking, really. When my second uncle and aunt went to visit relatives in Mingzhou, they hired about ten镖局 (security escort agencies) to accompany them. Logically, nothing should have happened. But an accident did occur, and none of the镖局 members returned…

Later, my father went to great lengths to persuade the instructors of the three major martial arts schools to join him in the search along the way. Finally, they learned from the people at various inns and taverns that my second uncle and aunt had been murdered. Many people had died, and fearing a plague, the locals burned everything down.

Upon returning, everyone shared a similar opinion: they all believed that Second Uncle and Second Aunt had been caught in the crossfire of a fight among martial arts practitioners. "Sanlang," said one of them, "if anyone had truly targeted Second Uncle and Second Aunt, or our Li family, we would have already fought them to the death. We're not cowards; we simply didn't even know who our enemies were."

Li Delong took a deep breath and looked at Li Weizhou, saying each word clearly: "The thing I regret most in my life is that I asked your parents to go to Mingzhou Prefecture in my place back then."

After a moment of silence, Li Weizhou asked, "Is it because of that side...? What kind of relatives are they?"

Li Delong was somewhat puzzled by this, looking at Li Weizhou with confusion, as if wondering how Li Weizhou could not know who his relatives in Mingzhou were...

Fortunately, Li Chang'an spoke up from the side, "Sanlang, don't you remember? They're not relatives of ours. Actually, it was Second Uncle and Second Aunt who met them. A few years ago, Second Uncle and Second Aunt were returning from Jinzhou when they encountered bandits blocking their way. They happened to run into Zhao Boxing, the Golden Knife Escort King from Mingzhou Prefecture, who was on his way to Qingzhou Prefecture. Seeing their injustice, they rescued them... Wait a minute, you were there too. Ximei wasn't even born yet, but you were already five or six years old, and you were still with Second Uncle. Have you forgotten everything?"

Li Weizhou didn't respond, but said, "Then why do you say that my parents went to visit relatives on behalf of my uncle?"

When he actually called him "Uncle," not only Li Delong and his father, but also Xi Mei's eyes widened in surprise.

This title hasn't been used by Li Weizhou for many years.

The shock made Li Chang'an momentarily speechless...

This time, Li Delong didn't let Li Chang'an answer for him. He hurriedly said, "Third brother, you've really grown up, so I won't hide it from you. Because fourth brother's physique is suited for martial arts, and the martial arts schools in our Qingzhou Prefecture aren't even third-rate, your father and I want him to become a disciple of the Golden Saber Dart King. If our Li family can really produce a true master of the Three Passes, then we won't even need to worry about the Wu family."

My original plan was for your parents to go first with the apprenticeship gifts to discuss the matter, and then I would bring the fourth brother over after things were settled, since it wouldn't be appropriate to go directly to their door. But I never expected… Third brother, this whole thing is your uncle's fault. Your uncle has let your parents down, and also your grandparents. If I ever find out who the enemy is, I will definitely take revenge myself! Even if I'm no match for them, I'll risk my life for it. Otherwise, I won't have the face to see your grandparents, or your parents, even after I die.

Third brother, come home. Think of Ximei, if not yourself. We're family. You know how close your father and I were back then!

After a moment of silence, Li Weizhou shook his head and said, "I can take good care of my sister..."

"You think you can take care of her? By using her as a teapot?! Last time you sold Ximei to the Wu family as a servant, what about next time, will you sell her to Zuixianglou? If that day ever comes, I'll kill you with one slap, then slit my own throat to apologize to your parents!"

Seeing that he was unmoved by reason, Li Delong could no longer suppress his anger and roared at him.

Xi Mei ran up from behind and stood in front of Li Weizhou, sobbing, "Don't hit my brother, don't hit my brother..."

Looking at the brother and sister who depended on each other for survival, and thinking of his younger brother who died because of him, Li Delong felt heartbroken and his eyes reddened.

There was a time when he and his younger brother also depended on each other for survival, and his unfortunate younger brother had once protected him in the same way...

Seeing his younger brother's two children living like this, and still regarding him as an enemy, how could he not feel heartbroken?

Seeing his father standing silently to the side, Li Chang'an frowned and advised, "Sanlang, we are family. You didn't understand before, but you should understand now. Come home, you can study if you want, and it's easy to find a job if you want. Besides, Ximei is grown up now and needs a female elder to teach her about life."

Upon hearing this, Li Weizhou hesitated for a moment, then asked Ximei, "Do you want to go to your uncle's house?" Ximei turned around and looked at her brother with teary eyes, asking in return, "Brother, are you going or not?"

Li Weizhou shook his head and said, "I need to earn money to buy back the old house. Let's wait a bit longer; maybe my parents will come back someday. Go to your uncle's house; your aunt will teach you manners."

Xi Mei shook her head repeatedly and said, "I only want to be with my brother. If my brother doesn't go, I won't go either."

Li Weizhou nodded and said, "Okay, then we won't leave."

After saying that, he didn't look up again.

Li Chang'an chuckled twice, then said to Li Delong, "Dad, forget it, he's still that stubborn little brat. Luckily, you got Uncle's house back from someone back then, so let's give it to Third Brother today." He then turned to Li Weizhou and said, "Third Brother, the day after you sold the house, I got it back at a high price. I was planning to return it to you when you grew up and got married. What, you don't really want to completely sever ties with us and not even take back your old house, do you? Let me tell you, not a single blade of grass or piece of wood in there has been disturbed. Not only your room, but also Uncle's, Aunt's, and Ximei's rooms are all neat and tidy, even the style of the bedding hasn't changed. Your sisters-in-law go over to clean it from time to time. You really don't want it?"

After a moment of silence, Li Weizhou bowed and said, "Thank you, Uncle, thank you, Second Brother."

Li Chang'an laughed heartily, stepped forward and put his arm around his shoulder, saying, "Thank me for nothing! We're real brothers. You should take your uncle's words to heart. If he had a choice, he would have chosen to go himself and would never have let your second uncle and aunt take his place. He hasn't had a single happy day in all these years... We're all family, so I won't say anything more. Let's go. Don't bother with these old, broken pieces of furniture. I'll take you and Ximei there now."

Ignoring Li Weizhou, the stubborn one, Li Delong forced a smile at Ximei and said, "My dear niece, come with your uncle! We have four sons in the Li family, and you're our only daughter. You're very precious!"

Xi Mei looked at her brother and saw that Li Weizhou hadn't refused and had nodded to her, and she immediately became happy. Actually, she also wanted some relatives, but she and her brother were too pitiful, and her brother had suffered too much…

The brother and sister took nothing with them, except for Ximei, who remembered to wrap the rice from the earthenware jar in an old cloth bag before leaving.

Of course, Li Weizhou will still have to come back later to clean up the mess.

Along the way, people greeted Li Delong and Li Chang'an from time to time. Li Delong looked around with the same majestic air as a victorious general, and it was clear that he was very happy.

However, as he walked to the gate of a two-courtyard house on Dongshi Street, looking at the familiar facade, Li Delong fell silent again, staring at the lintel for a long time without saying a word.

Li Chang'an knew his father was thinking about his second uncle again, so he comforted him, "Dad, what Sanlang said is right. Second Uncle and Second Aunt might come back someday. By then, Third Brother will definitely be married with children, and Ximei will be married and living a good life. Wouldn't that be perfect?"

Li Delong let out a long breath, paused for a moment, then turned to Li Weizhou and said, "Sanlang, I won't go in today. You were right to scold me all these years... Take good care of Ximei and be a good brother."

"Uncle..."

Li Weizhou wanted to say something, but Li Delong waved his hand and said, "No matter how you came to this conclusion, I'm very happy. Not for myself, but for you and Ximei. You are Dewang's son, so you must live well. Tomorrow, quit your job at Zuixianglou. If you don't want to go home, that's fine too. Your second brother will send you your living expenses every month."

Having said that, he turned and left without giving Li Weizhou a chance to refuse.

Li Chang'an sighed helplessly, looked around, and asked, "Shall I send some people over for you tomorrow?"

Li Weizhou shook his head and said, "No need."

Li Chang'an didn't insist. He patted Li Weizhou on the shoulder and said to Ximei, "Come find your second brother if you need anything." After saying that, he left, his back view looking much lighter.

This family matter has been troubling them for far too long.

After watching the two leave, Li Weizhou pushed open the door of the old residence. A chilly autumn wind from the north blew in, but the brother and sister felt as if a spring breeze was blowing on their faces.

After looking at her brother, Ximei cheered and rushed into the house. She was finally home!

……

(End of this chapter)