Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

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Han Mansion.

The mess left by the daytime battle has been cleaned up; broken bricks and tiles have been removed, bloodstains have been wiped away, and even the few flowers and trees that were broken by the force of the battle have been replaced with new seedlings.

The main hall was brightly lit.

Han Chengzong suppressed the hidden pain in his dantian, his face looking slightly ashen, but he still mustered his spirits, changed into a neat robe, and invited Master Xuangu to take the seat of honor.

The old man personally served a freshly brewed cup of spiritual tea, his posture respectful and showing no sign of negligence.

Even without saying a word, the invisible pressure emanating from a Golden Core cultivator sitting at home is enough to make the entire room solemn.

Han Liyan and several elders of the clan stood guard inside the mansion gate, frequently looking towards the end of the street where dusk was gradually falling.

As the sun dipped further below the horizon, the orange-red sky gradually turned into a dark gold, and a cool evening breeze began to blow.

The expressions of some of the younger members of the clan under the corridor grew increasingly uneasy.

They began to exchange glances discreetly, their lips moving slightly, but they dared not make a sound.

Finally, a young member of the tribe couldn't help but whisper among himself:

"That high priest... has been gone alone for so long? And there's been no movement from the palace, could it be...?"

Before he could finish speaking, he was stopped by a stern look from an elder in the clan.

But doubts spread through everyone's minds like twilight.

The Imperial Preceptor, Master Yu Jin, has been stationed in the palace for a long time and possesses great supernatural powers. Can this unseen immortal truly be assured of victory going alone?

This thought, like a cold, sinister snake, quietly crept into the hearts of some people.

Inside the main hall, Han Chengzong's gaze swept across the dim twilight outside the hall before returning to the Xuan Gu Shang Zhen, who remained calmly drinking tea.

Seeing that he remained unmoved, I felt somewhat relieved, but I dared not ask any more questions.

Han Liyan noticed the subtle commotion behind her. She pursed her lips slightly, crossed her hands in front of her, and unconsciously clenched her sleeves.

The girl simply focused her gaze more intently on the silhouette of the palace, now shrouded in twilight.

Inside and outside the courtyard, only the evening breeze passing through the corridor brought a touch of coolness.

The sky gradually darkened in this anxious silence.

The sunset glow sank into the distant mountains, and the twilight, as dark as ink, quietly permeated the world.

A figure in black, stepping on the shattered twilight, drifted gracefully from the end of the long street.

With unhurried steps, his dark robes seemed to absorb the last light of the world in the deepening night.

The Han family members, who had been waiting for a long time, perked up and craned their necks to look.

As he drew closer, the crowd was able to see him clearly by the dim light of the lanterns that were just beginning to light up under the eaves.

The newcomer was a young man with black hair and dressed in black robes. His face was calm and his eyes were deep.

He seemed quite young, completely unlike the ancient ancestor with white hair and a youthful face, who was described as an immortal and otherworldly figure by the Han family.

An elder from the Han family, seeing that he was young and his aura was not prominent, assumed he was just an ordinary cultivator passing by.

A hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, and he quickly stepped forward, politely cupping his hands in greeting:

"Fellow Daoist, we have matters to attend to today and are unable to receive guests. Please..."

Before she finished speaking, Han Liyan, who was standing in front of the crowd, suddenly felt a jolt in her heart.

She looked at the handsome young man in black robes standing before her.

An indescribable tremor arose in my mind, like a stream encountering the sea, naturally inspiring awe.

Without a second thought, she stepped forward from the crowd, curtsied, and bowed gracefully, her voice clear yet filled with unmistakable respect:

"Junior Han Liyan pays respects to the Supreme Immortal."

Upon hearing this, the area in front of the door fell silent instantly.

The elder, who was about to politely decline, looked astonished, while the other members of the Han family exchanged bewildered glances.

His gaze darted between the young man in black and the girl bowing, filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Chen Jiao's gaze fell on the girl.

Seeing that although her body trembled slightly, her posture of bowing was upright and steady, he couldn't help but feel a little moved.

This woman was able to discern the truth from falsehood with a sliver of intuition when everyone was hesitant, and was not deceived by appearances. She was indeed a woman with some intuition and good fortune.

At this moment, a dark blue figure strode out from inside the mansion gate; it was none other than the Mysterious Bone Master.

He walked past the still-stunned members of the Han family, quickly approached Chen Jiao, and a rare look of respect appeared on his gloomy face as he cupped his hands in a salute:

"Xuan Gu respectfully welcomes fellow Daoist."

The voice wasn't loud, but it sent a jolt through the hearts of the Han family members standing in front of the door, completely confirming the identity of the young man in black.

Night finally settled completely outside the door.

…………

The main hall was brightly lit.

The light made Chen Jiao's black robes appear even more somber.

He sat down at the head of the table, and Xuan Gu naturally sat down beside him.

The Han family members filed in, all standing with their hands at their sides, holding their breath. The hall was so quiet that the faint crackling sound of the lamp wick popping could be heard.

Han Liyan stood beside her great-grandfather and quietly looked up.

The young man in black sat upright in the lamplight, his face calm and expressionless, yet he possessed an aura of profound composure that made people dare not look him directly in the eye.

The last trace of doubt in her heart vanished, replaced by a strange sense of peace.

Despite his injuries, Han Chengzong led his clansmen to prostrate themselves in a grand salute, his voice trembling with excitement:

"The entire Han clan thanks the Immortal for saving our lives! We will go through fire and water, even at the cost of our lives, if ever needed!"

Chen Jiao flicked his sleeves slightly, and a gentle yet irresistible force supported the crowd's kneeling posture.

"Let's skip the formalities."

His gaze fell on Han Chengzong. The old man's face was ashen and his breathing was disordered, clearly indicating that he was seriously injured. Yet he was still able to hold on and preside over the meeting, which showed some resilience.

Chen Jiao shifted his gaze slightly, glancing at Xuan Gu beside him.

Xuan Gu was smiling.

Chen Jiao was well aware of this, but he simply raised his hand and pressed down lightly.

A gentle and pure water-elemental magical power, like a stream thawing in early spring, silently entered Han Chengzong's body.

Han Chengzong shuddered, feeling a cool sensation quickly soothe the burning pain in his body. His churning blood and qi immediately calmed down, and even the hidden pain in his dantian dissipated.

Chen Jiao spoke calmly, and with a flick of his finger, a green pill the size of a longan, emitting a faint fragrance, fell into Han Chengzong's arms.

"This pill can strengthen the foundation and nourish the vital energy, and clear away hidden injuries. This time, after breaking through, one may have a chance to step into the mid-stage."

Han Chengzong held the pill in his hand, feeling the pure medicinal power within and the gentle magical power slowly circulating in his body, and his heart was filled with excitement.

He bowed deeply to the ground again, but this time he dared not utter the word "kneel," and only said in a trembling voice:

"The Emperor's bounty is truly immense; the Han family will never forget it!"

Xuan Gu, standing to the side, couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly.

The candlelight flickered softly inside the hall, illuminating the varied expressions on the faces of the people present.

After Han Chengzong's breathing had stabilized somewhat, Chen Jiao turned his gaze to Han Liyan, who was standing quietly to the side, and spoke in a calm and composed voice:

"I have come here on the behalf of the True Man Li Yang, to look after the Han family and this woman."

"The True Man of Liyang?"

The members of the Han family below looked at each other, whispering amongst themselves, all showing bewilderment.

Only Han Chengzong trembled violently, his hand gripping the pill he hadn't yet swallowed tightly.

He looked up at Chen Jiao, his lips trembling slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief and belated realization.

Finally, it turned into a very soft sigh, and he murmured:

"Yes, yes, Uncle Jinyang, so you've achieved the Golden Core Realm..."

Chen Jiao turned to look at the deep night outside the window, his tone still calm:

"As for that Jade Brocade Immortal, you need not worry about him anymore. He will not cause any more trouble for the Han family."

Upon hearing this, even Xuan Gu, who had been bowing his head to the side, slightly raised his eyes.

Han Chengzong looked up in astonishment, his face still showing a mixture of joy and sorrow, when a new question arose.

Chen Jiao lightly tapped the table, producing a soft knocking sound:

"Not only will he not cause trouble, but in the future, we can actually interact with him more and cooperate more."

The hall was completely silent, except for the faint crackling sound of the candle wick popping.

Han Chengzong and the elders exchanged surprised and uncertain glances; the meaning behind his words was far too profound.

Han Liyan quietly raised her eyes and looked at the calm and composed profile of the man in black robes.

A glimmer of light seemed to flash in the girl's heart, as if she had glimpsed an invisible net silently spreading out in the night.

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