Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

The two boarded the carriage prepared for them by the academy, which, for their safety, was specially escorted by skilled guards.

Upon arriving at the Demon Suppression Bureau, the two went straight to Chu Jinghong's courtyard. Compared to last time, he looked much older, clearly indicating that the month-long disappearance of Chu Yunhe had been a significant blow to him.

"Father, your son is unfilial!"

Upon seeing the gray in his father's temples, Chu Yunhe could no longer hold back and knelt down with tears in his eyes.

Seeing his beloved son return safely and even improve his cultivation, Chu Jinghong's eyes lit up. He patted his son's shoulder hard, feeling extremely gratified.

"Good, good, it's good that you're back." Chu Jinghong helped her son up, looked him over, and said, "Your mother has cried so much for you that she almost went blind. You should go back and see her."

"yes!"

Mentioning his mother, Chu Yunhe's eyes reddened again, and he turned and ran away impatiently.

Looking at this heartwarming scene, Li Yuan felt a pang of envy. Having transmigrated from the 21st century to the Tang Dynasty, he learned that the original owner's mother had died early and his father was selfish and heartless, never giving him any warmth whatsoever.

"Come here, I have something to tell you."

Chu Jinghong led Li Yuan into the inner room, waved his hand to set up a soundproof barrier, and his expression was solemn.

"Li Yuan, it is truly fortunate that you were able to return safely this time. Yunhe is blessed to have a brother like you."

To Li Yuan's surprise, Chu Jinghong did not ask any questions about their disappearance.

"Uncle, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise. It was only through everyone's concerted efforts that we were able to return safely."

Li Yuan cupped his hands in a humble manner, which made Chu Jinghong even more satisfied. "His Majesty has also personally inquired about this matter. When the time comes, you can write a memorial, and I will help you submit it."

"Yes."

Li Yuan felt a chill run down his spine. This memorial was not easy to write; he needed to be careful and cautious.

"Hehe, alright, you don't need to worry too much. His Majesty is quite fond of you. You just need to report the truth."

Chu Jinghong first comforted him for a couple of minutes, then changed the subject, "There's a new lead in your father Li Chongwen's case; he might still be alive."

What? He's not dead yet!

Li Yuan was taken aback. This was truly a case of a scourge living for a thousand years. When he first saw that only a section of the thumb remained, he felt something was strange, but he never expected there to be more to the story.

However, since they were the original owner's blood relatives, he couldn't remain indifferent and immediately pretended to be greatly surprised.

"You mean my father might still be alive? That's wonderful! What happened? Where is he now?"

Faced with his barrage of questions, Chu Jinghong raised his hand to signal him to calm down: "These are just speculations, and have not yet been confirmed."

"This case involves a wide range of issues and is very complex, so it cannot be explained in a short time."

As Chu Jinghong spoke, he clapped his hands, and a man walked in from outside, bowing respectfully: "Greetings, Deputy Commander Chu."

Li Yuan turned his head and saw an old acquaintance, Chen Shuo, a captain in the Demon Suppression Division.

"This case has been handed over to him. He should have left long ago and has been waiting for your news."

Why?

Li Yuan was somewhat surprised.

"More than a year has passed since this case was filed, the leads have dried up, and it is extremely difficult to investigate. Therefore, the department is preparing to use secret methods to investigate by leveraging the blood ties between father and son."

So that's how it is. In other words, he needs to go on missions with Chen Shuo.

Li Chongwen is a cowardly, selfish, cold-blooded, and ruthless man. The original owner was abused to death by his stepmother, which was inseparable from his indifference.

That's why he collected evidence and reported Li Chongwen back then, all to avenge the original owner of the body. He thought that with his death, the cause and effect were over, but he didn't expect that this guy's ghost would not leave and would come back to life.

If Li Yuan were truly sincere, he would naturally wish for his early death, so as not to become a burden to him.

Unfortunately, he is currently in the Tang Dynasty, where the current emperor governs the country with benevolence and filial piety, and he pays great attention to the proper relationships between ruler and subject, father and son. If he ignores his own father, he will have no future.

Therefore, he had no choice but to clasp his hands in thanks and say, "Thank you for your trouble, Commandant Chen."

She turned to look at him anxiously, "When can we set off?"

His behavior perfectly embodied the image of a filial son who had heard of his father's miraculous return from the dead, which Chu Jinghong naturally understood.

"You've just returned from your tribulation in the secret realm, so there's no rush. Go back to the academy to make arrangements first, and then depart three days later upon Captain Chen's notification."

"Yes, thank you for your consideration, Uncle Chu."

After leaving the Demon Suppression Division, he realized that he hadn't seen Aji for many days. He didn't know how long it would be before he returned after leaving the capital. So he smiled apologetically at the escorting officer.

"Teacher Wu, I wish to go to the West Market to say goodbye to a childhood friend. Could I possibly have a moment of your time?"

"It's alright."

Instructor Wu, having been entrusted by Mo Wentian, naturally wouldn't care about such a trivial matter.

In a general store in the West Market, a young girl dressed in coarse cloth was minding the shop.

Li Yuan walked over and gently knocked on the counter: "Shopkeeper, I want to buy something."

The girl looked up at him, stunned for a moment before breaking into a delighted smile: "Brother Yuan, is it really you?"

As she spoke, she turned and shouted into the courtyard, "Aji, come out quickly and see who's back!"

"Who is it?"

Aji hurriedly walked in from the backyard. When he saw Li Yuan, he froze in his tracks, and tears streamed down his face.

"Big brother, I knew you weren't dead..."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Your older brother is alive and well, so stop crying."

Li Yuan walked over with a smile, reached out and hugged him, then patted his shoulder with a smile and looked him up and down.

"Yes, he's grown taller and stronger, he's like a real man now."

Aji couldn't help but laugh through his tears: "Sister Ahua, close the door quickly, let's have a proper get-together today."

Li Yuan quickly stopped him: "Aji, I have something to do. Someone is waiting for me outside. After this visit, I may not be able to come for a while."

"So urgent?" Aji couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but he knew that Li Yuan's identity was special and he couldn't go out casually.

Ahua stopped in her tracks as she was about to close the door, her face showing regret. She forced a smile and comforted Aji, "It's alright, Brother Yuan has important business to attend to. When we have time, the three of us can get together properly."

Since Li Yuan was diagnosed with a level nine talent, a huge gap has formed between them, making it impossible for them to return to their previous close relationship.

Aji understood perfectly well. He wiped away his tears and said, "Wait a minute, I have something for you."

After saying that, he hurriedly ran into the inner room, took out a bundle, and stuffed it into Li Yuan's hands.

Upon handling it, Li Yuan immediately sensed two pure demon core auras within, indicating that its quality was quite high.

He knew that such pure demon cores would be expensive, and for Aji, who ran a small business, these two demon cores were probably all he had.

Li Yuan quickly took out a silver note from his pocket and placed it on the counter: "Then I'll trouble you to collect some more for me."

"What money?" Aji's face hardened, unusually firm. "This shop is only kept going because of you. If you bring up money again, I'll really get angry."

Without a word, he picked up the silver note and stuffed it back into his hand. It is said that scholars are poor and warriors are rich, and Li Yuan is still cultivating, which is very expensive.

"Let's not talk about this between us. Just focus on your cultivation and stay safe and sound. That's more important than anything else."

Li Yuan felt a lump in his throat. He wasn't the original owner of this body. He helped Aji mainly to have a backup plan, but he didn't expect the other party to be so loyal and righteous.