126: Chapter 126 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (Seventy-Four)

Hearing this, Patriarch Chu Hongyuan, who was standing nearby, was slightly stunned.

He quickly turned his head to look at Madam Liu, then hurriedly said:

"Sigh, what are you doing?

This is a grand and joyous moment for Chu Shi, with everyone's eyes upon him. What kind of appearance is this, weeping and wailing like a common woman? Quickly wipe away your tears."

Madam Liu rolled her eyes at Patriarch Chu Hongyuan upon hearing this. "I am, by nature, just a simple woman."

Nevertheless, she took out a handkerchief and followed his instructions, wiping the tears from her face.

She then impatiently embraced Chu Shi and began to inspect him from head to toe.

"Chu Shi, are you alright?

Just now, when I saw you facing the sword light without dodging or avoiding it, I was worried to death.

Thank goodness you aren't hurt.

However, since you are both of the same rank, how did you win so easily? Surely you didn't use some technique that harms your body, did you?

Don't be afraid, your father has some top-tier healing pills."

With that, she reached out a hand and nudged Patriarch Chu Hongyuan, who was beside her.

"Hurry and take them out. I recall you brought quite a few spiritual pills.

You even have an Earth-grade 'Life-Nurturing Spirit Pill'; quickly take it out for Chu Shi to consume."

Patriarch Chu Hongyuan was somewhat speechless. This was an Earth-grade low-tier healing pill, intended for those in the Silver Marrow Realm.

Not only could it recover the vast majority of physical injuries, purge external forces, and reattach severed limbs, but it could even slightly replenish a deficit in one's origin.

He had brought this one just in case, as the Chu family had brought an ancestor in the Silver Marrow Realm along for this trip.

However, he still followed her instructions and began rummaging through his storage bag, preparing to find other healing pills for Chu Shi to take.

After all, what Madam Liu said made sense. The opponent was, after all, a Core Disciple of a sacred ground at the same rank and a leading figure at that.

To win so cleanly and decisively—it really might have involved some technique that damaged his body. It was necessary to replenish him quickly to avoid any lingering aftereffects.

"Mother, I'm fine. Father, you don't need to look anymore."

Seeing this, Chu Shi felt a mix of amusement and frustration, but he proceeded to explain it once more.

He used the same reasoning he had given Zhou Xuan.

After finishing, he broke free from Madam Liu's embrace and spun around a few times on the spot to show that he was truly fine.

Madam Liu remained somewhat worried.

However, seeing him speak so firmly and appearing to have no major issues other than slightly disheveled clothes, she chose to believe him, and her worry instantly turned to joy.

She began to lavish praise on Chu Shi, occasionally turning to the surrounding Chu family members with a look of smug pride in her child.

Patriarch Chu Hongyuan, listening to this explanation from the side, felt a bit puzzled.

In his impression, this third son of his had never really engaged in any true combat.

Back in the Chu family, although he hadn't paid much attention to the mother and son, Chu Shi was still his child—the family patriarch's child—and the Third Young Master of the Chu family.

Furthermore, Chu Shi was still young; he was only thirteen now. What kind of battles could a little kid like him have fought?

Moreover, if his memory served him correctly.

When Chu Shi was nine, he and Li Hao of the Li family had both become infatuated with the daughter of a small family in the city. It seemed her name was... Yun Mengyao?

They spent their time wandering all over Canglan City, bickering and competing for her favor; where would they have found the time to fight?

It was precisely because of this that both Chu Shi and Li Hao missed the family's annual aptitude test when they were ten.

Consequently, their talents were only discovered two years later at the sect's grand recruitment ceremony.

(PS: Both Chu Shi and Li Hao were unfavored illegitimate sons, and furthermore, if one intends to enter a sect, it is best not to practice martial arts before entering.

This is to avoid having one's foundation contaminated by family techniques, making it difficult to start cultivating the sect's legacy from scratch.

Therefore, missing the aptitude test at ten was no great loss.)

After thinking for a long time without coming to any conclusion, Patriarch Chu Hongyuan had to set aside his doubts, reasoning that perhaps Chu Shi simply possessed an extraordinary talent for combat.

Afterward, having confirmed it carefully himself and even secretly asking the accompanying ancestor to verify that Chu Shi was indeed unharmed, he, like Madam Liu, began to show off his child.

The group enjoyed a warm moment for a while before the guests in the square began to disperse one after another.

The Chu family members also followed the crowd and began to head down the mountain.

As they walked, Li Hao suddenly squeezed over and gave Chu Shi a hard punch, saying joyfully:

"Not bad, Young Master Chu.

Not only are you cultivating so fast, but your combat power is also so strong. When I advance, I must find you to test my sword."

Seeing that it was Li Hao, Chu Shi didn't mind and instead laughed, saying:

"You have no sense of seniority. Do you understand the hierarchy of the cultivation world? What Young Master Chu, Young Master Li? Call me Brother Shi!"

"Hey, don't put on airs with me.

I'm older than you; if anyone is doing the calling, you should call me Brother Hao." With that, Li Hao wrapped his arms around, attempting to lock Chu Shi's neck.

However, lacking the strength, he failed.

He had to let go of Chu Shi while grumbling, and they continued walking down side by side.

Along the way, the two chatted and laughed, having a grand time, as if they had returned to their youth.

Soon, the group reached the foot of Lieyang Peak.

Here, Chu Shi exchanged pleasantries and bade farewell to his parents and the others; he did not accompany them all the way to Jinwu City.

This was because the Chu family had many affairs to attend to, and they would soon be returning to Canglan State.

Even his mother, Madam Liu, would accompany them back; she did not want her presence to cause Chu Shi to be distracted.

Chu Shi gazed at his mother's receding figure, feeling a bit melancholy.

Turning his head, he saw Li Hao standing motionless beside him.

He asked with some confusion: "Young Master Li?

Aren't you preparing to return to Canglan State with them? Inter-state flying boats aren't cheap."

Li Hao chuckled at this and did not answer his question. Instead, he countered:

"Young Master Chu, do you know what your master's surname is?"

Chu Shi was slightly stunned and began frantically searching his memory.

A moment later, he gave up on this futile effort because he truly did not know his master's surname.

All along, he had only known that his master was called the Lieyang Daoist, but this was clearly just a Daoist title.

Or rather, it was a hereditary Daoist title exclusive to the Peak Master Lieyang.

Whoever was the Peak Master Lieyang was the Lieyang Daoist.

However, clearly, looking at Li Hao's behavior and tone, Chu Shi instantly realized the truth and blurted out:

"Surname Li!"

"That's right, the surname is Li!" Li Hao said solemnly, confirming his guess.

Then, looking at Chu Shi's puzzled expression, he continued:

"Your master, Peak Master Lieyang, has the secular name Li Yang. According to seniority, he is my Great-Granduncle Li."

Chu Shi suddenly understood. Good heavens, the Li family's foundation was so deep.

It was truly worthy of being the family with the longest heritage among the three great families of Canglan State.

But soon, a new doubt arose in his heart.

Since this connection existed, why did Li Hao choose to go to the Lingxiao Sword Sect?

Although it is said that it is better to be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail, that applies to those without background or connections.

He looked at Li Hao and continued to ask the question that was on his mind.

Hearing this, Li Hao could only shake his head and smile bitterly.

"Young Master Chu, have you forgotten that we are just unfavored illegitimate sons?

Our original fate was simply to marry for the family's sake and expand the family line after reaching adulthood.

Who would have the time to tell me about such secrets?"