Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

After getting rid of that clown Yu De, Jishantang finally returned to tranquility, leaving only some broken furniture marks as a testament to the danger that had just occurred. Sunlight streamed through the doors, casting dappled shadows, and the aroma of medicine in the air seemed even stronger.

"Come on, let's go, don't stand here anymore, let's go back to the back room." Wang Yunniang pulled Zhang Kui and Gao Lanying's hands, her face beaming with a satisfied smile. The conflict just now was just a minor incident.

She led the two through a small door connecting the pharmacy to the back room, and suddenly the view opened up before them.

Only then did Zhang Kui truly see his "new home." It was a typical two-courtyard house facing south, not luxurious, but clean and tidy.

The front yard facing the street is the pharmacy, and passing through a small gate leads to the back yard. There are two side rooms on the east and west sides, bright and clean; on the north side are three main rooms, with blue bricks and gray tiles, looking quite sturdy. In the center of the yard is an old well, its mouth worn smooth; an old walnut tree with lush branches and leaves casts a large shade in the yard, under which are placed stone tables and benches; next to it is a small, carefully tended vegetable garden, planted with some seasonal vegetables, lush and green.

Everything here seemed so peaceful and reassuring, full of the warmth of everyday life, which softened Zhang Kui's heart after years of fighting.

This is home!

"Mom, the house is so nicely tidied up," Zhang Kui said sincerely, his gaze gently sweeping over everything in the yard.

Wang Yunniang smiled and said, "Aying helped with all the tidying up. That girl is so diligent." As she spoke, she looked at Gao Lanying with affection.

Gao Lanying was a little embarrassed by the praise and said in a low voice, "Aunt Yun, this is what I should do."

As noon approached, Wang Yunniang went into the kitchen in the east wing and began to busy herself. Gao Lanying wanted to help, but Wang Yunniang pushed her away, saying, "Go and talk to Shitou. I'll manage in the kitchen! It'll be ready soon!"

Gao Lanying blushed and returned to the courtyard, where she sat opposite Zhang Kui on a stone bench. For a moment, both were silent, the atmosphere subtle and slightly awkward.

Zhang Kui coughed lightly, making conversation: "Miss Gao, your golden needle magic weapon just now was incredibly powerful. I wonder what its origin is?" He was indeed very curious about the golden needle that could threaten his Wolf Fang Wind-Breaking Blade.

Gao Lanying looked up and saw that Zhang Kui's gaze was clear, purely curious, so she replied softly, "General, you flatter me. That is the 'Sun God Needle' passed down by my sect, which I usually nurture in this gourd." She pointed to the crimson gourd still hanging at her waist, "It is made by extracting the essence of the sun's true fire and refining it with Western refined gold. It is specially used to break through evil spirits and their protective energy, but... but Lanying's cultivation is too shallow, and I was unable to unleash even a fraction of its power. I apologize for making you laugh, General." She thought of how Zhang Kui had easily blocked her full power, and her cheeks flushed again.

"The Sun God Needle... truly amazing." Zhang Kui praised, "It's extremely rare for a young lady to have already reached the level of an Earth Immortal." He wasn't just being polite; Gao Lanying's aptitude and cultivation were definitely among the best of her peers.

The two chatted casually about cultivation for a while, and the atmosphere gradually became much more natural. Zhang Kui noticed that although Gao Lanying was somewhat shy, she had a clear mind and unique insights when talking about Taoist cultivation, which clearly showed that she had an extraordinary teacher and extremely high comprehension.

Before long, Wang Yunniang came out carrying a tray. The meal was simple yet had a homey feel: three large bowls of steaming hot mutton stew noodles, the noodles were chewy, the soup was rich, and the meat was tender; plus a plate of pickled radish shreds drizzled with sesame oil and a plate of bright green shepherd's purse salad.

"Quick, eat it while it's hot! Shitou, these are all your favorites!" Wang Yunniang called out, her face beaming with happiness.

The three sat around the stone table, enjoying a simple yet incredibly heartwarming home-cooked meal. Zhang Kui ate his noodles with gusto, finding them sweeter than any delicacy. Wang Yunniang kept piling food onto his plate, asking about the sights and sounds of Beihai, and listening to him recount interesting anecdotes from his military service, sometimes exclaiming in surprise, sometimes bursting into laughter.

As they ate, Wang Yunniang suddenly put down her chopsticks, looked at Zhang Kui with reluctance in her eyes, and softly asked, "Shitou, how long will you stay this time?"

Zhang Kui paused in his eating, swallowed the food in his mouth, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to tell the truth: "Mother, I am on official business in Chaoge on the orders of the Grand Tutor. I can only come back to visit him because I am passing through Mianchi. The military situation is urgent, and I have to set off for Chaoge early tomorrow morning. My generals are still stationed outside the city waiting for me."

"Leaving first thing tomorrow morning?" Wang Yunniang's smile instantly faded, her eyes filled with disappointment. She murmured, "So soon..." She subconsciously looked towards the kitchen. "Then... what about your brothers' meals? How about... I'll make some more pancakes now, and you can take them? They can't go hungry..."

Seeing his mother's concerned yet helpless expression, Zhang Kui felt a mix of sadness and warmth in his heart. He quickly took his mother's hand, saying, "No, no, Mother, really no need! We all have military rations with us. Besides, there are over three hundred people; how can you possibly manage? Please don't worry about it."

He held his mother's rough hand, his tone softening as he gently comforted her, "But Mother, don't worry, my cultivation has greatly improved, and I'm different from before. From Chaoge to our Mianchi, it's only a little over a hundred li, which is just a matter of a little over an hour for me. In the future, if I miss home, I can come back to see you anytime. Once things in Chaoge are mostly settled, I will apply to the Grand Tutor to be transferred back to Mianchi to garrison. Then, our family will be together again, and we'll never be separated again."

He meant to comfort his mother, and his words were sincere. However, as soon as he finished speaking, a soft "clang" was heard from the side.

The two turned to look and saw that Gao Lanying's chopsticks had fallen onto the stone table. Her entire face and neck were flushed red, as if they were about to bleed. Her head was buried very low, almost into the bowl, and her hands were tightly gripping the hem of her clothes. Her body was trembling slightly.

"One family...never to be separated again..." These words exploded in her heart like a thunderbolt. Although Aunt Yun had recognized her as Zhang Kui's wife, it was ultimately not a legitimate relationship, and she was always uneasy. Now, hearing Zhang Kui say "one family" and "never to be separated again" in person, a huge wave of shyness and indescribable joy overwhelmed her, leaving her at a loss and flustered.

Wang Yunniang took in Gao Lanying's reaction, a knowing glint in her eyes. She patted Zhang Kui's hand, deliberately putting on a stern face, and said, "I'm content that you can come back to visit anytime. Official business is important, don't always worry about home." Then, she changed her tone, making it unquestionable: "However, there's one thing you have to do as I say."

Zhang Kui hurriedly said, "Mother, please speak."

Wang Yunniang pointed to Gao Lanying, who was too shy to look up, and said, "Let Aying go to Chaoge with you."

"Huh?" Zhang Kui was taken aback.

Gao Lanying also suddenly raised her head, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise.

Wang Yunniang continued, "I heard that Chaoge is in a lot of chaos right now. Although you are very capable, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. Aying is a very capable girl. With her by your side, I can feel at ease. She can also watch over you and take care of you. This is non-negotiable, and you can't refuse."

Looking at his mother's resolute expression, and then at Gao Lanying beside him, whose cheeks were flushed and whose eyes held a mixture of expectation and panic, Zhang Kui was filled with mixed emotions. He truly didn't dislike this suddenly appearing "wife," and even found herself quite fond of her for her spiritedness, kindness, and shyness. Having such a beautiful and accomplished woman by his side seemed... truly wonderful.

He gave a wry smile and nodded: "Alright, son will listen to his mother. Let... let Miss Gao come with me."

Hearing Zhang Kui's agreement, Gao Lanying's heart pounded even faster. She stole a glance at Zhang Kui, meeting his gentle gaze, and quickly lowered her head again, replying in a voice barely above a whisper, "Yes, Lanying... Lanying will protect the General..."

But there was a hint of sweetness in that voice no matter how you listened to it.

Looking at the "young couple" in front of her, Wang Yunniang finally smiled with satisfaction, her wrinkles smoothing out: "Good, that's right! Hurry up and eat, the noodles are almost soggy."

Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the walnut tree, falling on the stone table and the three people sitting opposite each other. A bowl of home-style noodles, two small dishes of side dishes, and the turmoil of the outside world seemed to be temporarily shut out of this small courtyard, leaving only a gentle warmth flowing between them.

As Zhang Kui ate his noodles, looking at his mother's relieved smile and then at his "wife" who was about to travel with him, he suddenly felt that although the road ahead might be bumpy, at this moment, the warmth of home and this unexpected fate made him feel more at ease than ever before.

Wife?

It seems...not bad either.