Yin Yang Soul Searcher

On the way back, Bai Jueming didn't buy any vegetables, but just bought five candied hawthorns, one for everyone and two for his sister.

As for grocery shopping and cooking, I can leave that to my younger brother when we get back. He knows how to do all that; he's practicing at the Taoist temple, and washing clothes and cooking are part of his spiritual practice.

Although my younger brother's cooking isn't as good as mine, why should I cook for myself when I can use my own brother? It would be foolish not to use a slave.

With this thought in mind, Bai Jueming's steps became much lighter, and he returned home after half an incense stick's time.

The gate to the courtyard was unlocked, so it seems my younger brother has already returned.

Bai Jueming pushed open the door, and a picturesque scene came into view.

The young man had delicate features, red lips and white teeth, and wore a simple white robe, looking like a celestial being descended from heaven.

Because of years of cultivation, his face has lost some of the childishness that his peers should have, but gained a bit more determination and a touch of maturity.

At this moment, the little brother gently closed his eyes and sat cross-legged in the shade under the big willow tree. The flowers and plants around him were beautiful, and the branches and leaves of the big willow tree were lush and green.

A gentle breeze blew by, causing the willow branches to sway gently. It also stirred the young man's snow-white clothes and ruffled his hair, creating a scene reminiscent of a beautiful painting.

The little brother looks almost exactly like me, both incredibly handsome. Why do I not look as young? We're not that much older, are we? Bai Jueming wondered to himself, could it be because of his involvement in the black market?

The boy with rosy lips and white teeth opened his eyes, his clear gaze carrying a hint of naiveté, just like Bai Jueming's eyes when he first entered society.

The moment he opened his eyes, his naivety was completely exposed. Bai Jueming sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

Bai Jueyu's lips curled into a slight smile upon seeing his elder brother, making the beautiful scene seem to come alive.

"Big brother, you're back so early today?"

Bai Jueming, adopting the tone of an elder brother, nodded: "Knowing you were coming back today, I specifically asked the hall master for leave."

"Brother, there's no need to rush. I'll be staying for two more days after I get back." Bai Jueyu felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"Are you back this time to travel the world?" Bai Jueming skipped over the previous topic.

"Yes, I have almost mastered the thunder magic. My master told me to go home for two days to visit my elder brother and sister, and then I will go out to travel the world."

As they spoke, the two sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard. Bai Jueming placed the wrapped candied hawthorns on the table.

"Why did you buy so many candied hawthorns, brother?"

Bai Jueming patted his head: "It's rare for you to come home. I know you've loved candied hawthorns since you were little, but you couldn't get them at Wutai Temple, so I bought some extra." Bai Jueming's expression was just like that of a kind old father, but unfortunately, he was in the body of a young boy, with no wrinkles on his face and no signs of vicissitudes in his eyes.

"Then I really have to thank you, big brother." Bai Jueyu twitched the corner of his mouth. When have I ever liked candied hawthorns? Isn't this what Little Tang likes to eat? Do you still think I'm a three-year-old?

"I'm your older brother, don't be so polite with me... By the way, where do you Taoist priests usually travel?"

"Big brother, your words are really harsh." Bai Jueyu curled his lip: "When we Taoist disciples advance to the seventh rank, we need to travel the world. We can enter the mortal world and see all kinds of people. We can also travel all over the world to experience the beauty of nature."

"Isn't that enough? What's the difference between this and going on a trip?" Bai Jueming shrugged. Was it really necessary to be so formal?

Bai Jueyu twitched the corner of his mouth. Hearing his older brother say that, it seemed there wasn't much difference...

"Have you decided where to go for your trip? Just stay in Jingzhou? Or maybe visit other places as well?"

The center of Jingzhou is the capital city where Bai Jueming lives. Bai Jueming thought that since his younger brother rarely came out, he probably wouldn't just wander around the capital city.

To everyone's surprise, Bai Jueyu shook his head: "I won't tell you, brother. But I've decided to experience both realms, first entering the mortal world, and then traveling across mountains and rivers. I'll see which path suits me best."

"Isn't this a waste of time?" Bai Jueming frowned. "Why not just choose one path and keep going? Why try both?"

You should know that wanting everything will result in getting nothing.

"The best path is the one that suits you best." Bai Jueyu raised his chin, his tone tinged with pride. "Besides, my master said that with my talent, I don't need to worry about time at all. Even if I experience both paths, my cultivation speed will be faster than the average person."

"If my eldest sister hadn't thought I was too young and hadn't been reluctant to let me travel the world a couple of years earlier, I would definitely be... hmph."

Bai Jueyu didn't say much, afraid of discouraging his elder brother's confidence. His brother's rank was already lower than his own, and his cultivation talent was also poor. No good background, no renowned teacher to guide him...sigh...

Bai Jueming's insight was incredibly sharp; he saw right through his little brother's thoughts. "That brat's trying to show off in front of me."

Bai Jueming casually slapped his younger brother's scalp, then sternly reprimanded him, "Thirty years west of the river, thirty years east of the river. On the path of cultivation, you must always maintain a humble attitude. Only in this way can you go further on the path of cultivation, do you understand?!"

Bai Jueyu nodded without refuting, but inwardly scoffed, "My older brother is of a lower rank than me, yet he's lecturing me."

Bai Jueming narrowed his eyes, knowing from his younger brother's expression that he was just giving him the runaround. His younger brother had cultivated at Wutai Temple since childhood, receiving guidance from renowned masters and having no shortage of resources. His talent was also exceptional, making his path smooth and successful. Lacking the harsh realities of life, he had become somewhat arrogant and ignorant.

Before entering the world, such people have clear eyes, a sense of justice, and a passionate heart, always believing they can change the world. They look down on ordinary people who live aimlessly, unaware that many geniuses have died because of their own arrogance.

But preaching is useless to these people. They must experience the harsh realities of society themselves and only after hitting a wall will they truly understand.

Bai Jueming made up his mind that if he ever had the chance, he would definitely let his little brother experience the harsh realities of society.

......

As the sun gradually sets in the west, golden rays gently spill into the courtyard, as if draped in a thin veil, illuminating the willow branches and leaves with a golden glow.

Smoke rose from the chimneys of the surrounding houses, and the joyful laughter of children returning home drifted from outside the courtyard.

The setting sun slanted down on Bai Jueyu, who was dressed in white, casting a long shadow that covered Bai Jueming, who was dressed in black, supporting the two brothers in light and shadow.

Just then, the door creaked open. The two brothers turned to look at it simultaneously.

"You're both home."

Bai Wanfang opened the courtyard gate with a gentle voice. At that moment, she was holding Xiaotang's little hand, and a vegetable basket was hanging from her arm. She smiled at the two people in the courtyard.

Bai Wanfang was dressed in a gray cloth dress, her hair simply tied up with only a wooden hairpin. Although she had no fancy clothes or exquisite makeup, her natural beauty was still undeniable.

"Without makeup and delicate eyebrows, she is always beautiful in simple attire." This line of poetry perfectly describes Bai Wanfang.

"Big brother, second brother!" Xiao Tang called out in surprise when she saw the two of them, and then ran towards them with open arms.

The two older brothers stood up at the same time and stretched out their arms, ready to hug the little girl.

This action put Xiaotang in a dilemma. Her jogging slowed down, and she wondered which direction she should run towards.

Fortunately, Bai Jueming never did anything to embarrass others. He tilted his butt and pushed his little brother aside, then took two steps forward and picked up Xiaotang.

"Big Brother," Xiao Tang called out affectionately.

Bai Jueyu, standing to the side, glanced at his elder brother with some resentment. This guy is really unreasonable!

"Hey, did you miss your big brother today?" Bai Jueming chuckled and kissed Xiaotang on the cheek.

"Yes, I want to."

"Have you missed your second brother?" Bai Jueyu also chimed in.

Bai Jueming turned around and dodged Bai Jueyu's hands that were trying to hug Xiaotang.

"Yes, yes," Xiaotang blinked her big eyes innocently.

Is this guy crazy? Bai Jueyu cursed inwardly!

Bai Jueming didn't care what his little brother thought, and directly sat down next to the stone table with Xiaotang in his arms.

Watching her younger siblings enjoying each other's company, Bai Wanfang was suddenly lost in thought. Then she smiled gently and said, "It's so good that they've all grown up."

"Wait here for a bit, I'll go cook." Bai Wanfang weighed the shopping basket on her arm, which contained freshly bought meat and vegetables. It was a rare occasion for the family to get together, otherwise she wouldn't have been willing to buy so much.

Bai Wanfang turned to walk towards the kitchen, but Bai Jueming called out to her, "Big sister, don't bother with cooking. You've been working hard all day. Let Hongfei do it; he's been resting at home all day."

When did I ever rest at home for a day? I only got back a little earlier than you, okay? Bai Jueyu looked at her older brother in disbelief. This guy just spouts nonsense? Not only does he not let me hold my sister, but he also orders me around. Does he think I'm easy to talk to?

Enraged, Bai Jueyu slammed his fist on the stone table. He jumped to his feet, but after glancing at his older brother and sister, he still hesitated to rebel.

Then she flashed a bright, sunny smile: "Yes, big sister, you should take a rest. Leave the cooking to me."

Bloodline suppression.

"Never mind, you rarely come back, I'll do the cooking." Bai Wanfang said, then took the vegetable basket and went into the kitchen.

Bai Jueyu glared at his older brother, then sat down on the stone bench, sulking. Little Tang was clearly running towards me just now.

Bai Jueming, of course, didn't see his little brother's gaze. He was only focused on taking a candied hawthorn from the stone table and handing it to Xiao Tang in his arms: "Look what your big brother bought for you!"

Little Tang's eyes sparkled as she reached out and took the candied hawthorn. "Thank you, big brother." She then gave Bai Jueming a kiss on the cheek.

"Hahaha," Bai Jueming laughed like a tractor.

Bai Jueyu pursed his lips and reached for the candied hawthorn on the table.

Unexpectedly, Bai Jueming shoved his younger brother's hand away, rolled his eyes, and said irritably, "How old are you to still be eating this? This is for Xiaotang."

"No, didn't you just say you bought it for me?! Can't you be a decent human being?!" Bai Jueyu cursed inwardly.

Bai Jueming wrapped up the remaining candied hawthorns, placed them beside him, and then gently said to Xiaotang in his arms, "These candied hawthorns are for Xiaotang and Big Sister. Aren't you happy?"

"Happy." Xiaotang smiled sweetly, but still whispered, "If Xiaotang and Big Sister can't finish it, Big Brother and Second Brother can eat it too."

A look of emotion appeared in Bai Jueyu's eyes. She truly deserves to be my good sister.

Bai Jueming smiled and patted Xiaotang's head: "Xiaotang is such a good girl."

He then placed the candied hawthorn on the table and said with a disdainful tone, "Eat it, eat it."

Overwhelmed with sorrow, Bai Jueyu thought, "Am I being too superfluous here?" and turned to go help in the kitchen.

Bai Jueming smiled as he watched his little brother's dejected figure. "You brat, this isn't a Taoist temple. Let me show you what it's like to not be pampered."

After a while, the enticing aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.