The Immortal Clan begins with deductive intelligence.

Xu Changqing, carrying the piece of lightning-struck wood, didn't linger in the market and returned briskly to the Yunlai Inn.

Pushing open the door, I found Li Shan sitting in the lobby drinking tea.

When Xu Changqing returned, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and he didn't even ask where Xu Changqing had gone.

He simply told everyone to pack their bags and prepare to return home.

Although the Li family managed to gain at least one member on this trip, it was still better than those small families that gained nothing.

On the return journey, the atmosphere on the hearse was even more enthusiastic than on the way there.

The group of teenagers huddled together, chattering about just how big the Qinghe Sword Sect was and whether the outer sect members ate spirit rice every meal.

Xu Changqing stood at the bow of the boat, listening to the whistling wind in his ears, and pondering his plans for when he returned.

May your journey be smooth sailing.

When we arrived at the Cangwu Island ferry, the sun was just beginning to set.

After disembarking, the two families said their goodbyes, and Xu Changqing led his men back to his own mansion.

As soon as he entered, Xu Changqing asked Xu Dayou to take the children to wash up and rest, while he turned around and went to the west courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet.

Xu Changqing walked to the door of the closed meditation room, and without knocking, placed the jade boxes containing the talismans on the stone steps at the entrance.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, the medicine is ready."

There was a moment of silence in the room. For some reason, Wan Huaiyi did not go out, but instead used his spiritual power to lift the jade box on the ground and roll it inside.

Immediately afterwards, Wan Huaiyi's slightly hoarse voice came out.

Thank you.

I didn't ask the price, nor did I ask if it was too much or too little.

Xu Changqing smiled, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

This man was a sensible person; he knew that Xu Changqing's "hardship fee" must be included in those eight hundred spirit stones.

He didn't care, and Xu Changqing was naturally happy to play dumb as well.

into the night.

The main hall of the Xu family was brightly lit, with large red lanterns hanging high, making the accumulated snow appear reddish.

The kitchen was bustling with activity, and several women were working tirelessly, bringing out one main dish after another.

This was a victory celebration banquet, and also a farewell feast.

Seven days later, the four children will go to the Qinghe Sword Sect, and from then on they will be separated by the mortal and immortal realms, and it is unknown when they will meet again.

Xu Dayou broke his vow tonight and specially opened two jars of "Drunken Immortal Brew" that he had treasured for ten years, filling each table to the brim.

"Come on! For the sake of our Xu family's prodigy! Cheers!"

Xu Dayou held up his wine bowl, tears streaming down his face, which was flushed red.

Xu Yanfeng took the lead, leading the three younger ones to stand up, respectfully kowtow to the elders present, and then pick up their wine bowls and drink them in one gulp.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Xu Xining had drunk some fruit wine and was a little tipsy. He pulled Xu Xiwen aside to play a drinking game, shouting that when he became successful, he would come back and build a golden gate for his family.

Xu Xiyue, however, was reluctant to leave. She tugged at Jiang Rou's sleeve, whispering something to her, her eyes red-rimmed.

This meal was lively, but also somewhat bittersweet.

The banquet didn't end until the moon was high in the sky.

The clansmen helped the drunken men and women back to their houses. The once noisy main hall gradually quieted down, leaving only a mess on the floor and the lingering smell of alcohol.

The bedroom in the backyard.

Jiang Rou sat on the edge of the couch, holding a needle and thread, and was sewing a close-fitting garment for Xu Xiyue, which she was about to take away, by the light of the lamp.

Xu Changqing pushed open the door and brought in a blast of cold air.

He walked to the charcoal brazier to warm his hands and dispel the chill before sitting down next to Jiang Rou.

"Why aren't you resting yet?"

Xu Changqing glanced at the dress in her hand, which was clearly a bit too small.

"We're leaving soon, and the sect has its own robes. These old clothes are just a burden to carry around."

Jiang Rou paused in her movements, lowered her head, and spoke in a muffled voice.

"The sect's things belong to the sect. These close-fitting clothes are warm and will remind them of home."

She bit off the loose thread, folded the clothes neatly, and gently stroked them with her fingers, her eyes filled with desolation.

"Husband, time really flies."

Jiang Rou raised her head, her gentle eyes slightly moist.

"Just a few days ago, it was only knee-high, always hovering around me, asking for candy and stories... and now it's leaving."

Normally, these children are mischievous, but they are closest to Jiang Rou.

Especially Xu Xiyue, who was raised by Jiang Rou and was treated like her own daughter.

Now that four of the most boisterous kids are gone from this courtyard, it's likely to become quiet again.

Xu Changqing looked at his wife's somewhat desolate expression and felt a slight stirring in his heart.

He reached out and grasped Jiang Rou's slightly cool hand, enveloping it in his palm.

"Children always have to leave the nest, which is a good thing."

Xu Changqing spoke gently, and put his other hand around her shoulder.

"Besides, now that they're gone, the yard is empty, which gives us some free time to do something else."

Jiang Rou was stunned for a moment, then looked at him with some confusion.

"What are you doing?"

Xu Changqing looked at her face, which was still beautiful and charming even without makeup, and a smile appeared on his lips.

He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against Jiang Rou's ear.

"Since you find it too deserted..."

Xu Changqing gently pulled her into his arms and whispered:

"Why don't we just have one ourselves..."

........

The next morning.

The sun was already high in the sky.

The window paper was bleached white by the sun, and the light shining through made Xu Changqing's eyelids red before he slowly woke up.

I reached to my side and found that the blankets were no longer warm.

The fire in the charcoal brazier had long since gone out, leaving only a thick layer of white ash, but the room did not feel cold.

Xu Changqing opened his eyes and first heard a pattering sound.

The sound came in slowly and steadily from under the eaves.

That was the sound of melting snow dripping down the roof tiles.

He lifted the quilt and sat up, feeling that he had slept exceptionally soundly and felt completely comfortable. Even the flow of spiritual energy in his dantian was smoother.

The romantic thoughts from last night have faded, and my mind is now clear.

Pushing open the door, a wave of fresh, damp air, carrying the earthy scent of soil, rushed in.

It is indeed a beautiful day outside.

The long-awaited warm sun shone brightly on Cangwu Island, sweeping away the gloom that had shrouded it for months.

The snow in the yard melted at a visible rate, revealing the dark brown soil underneath.

Several gray sparrows, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, were perched on the damp branches, chirping and preening their feathers.

Jiang Rou was directing two rough-and-ready women to clean up the mess left over from last night.

Today she wore a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), her hair was styled in a high bun with a simple wooden hairpin inserted, and her face had a faint blush.

Seeing Xu Changqing come out, she paused in her actions, her eyes swept over her husband's face for a moment, and then quickly looked away.

"My husband is up."

Jiang Rou stepped forward, took the copper basin from the maid beside her, wrung out a handkerchief herself, and handed it over.

Xu Changqing took the warm handkerchief and wiped his face. The warm steam opened his pores, and the last bit of drowsiness disappeared.

He threw the handkerchief back into the basin, splashing a few drops of water.

"Once the snow melts, the road will be open, and from now on, our Xu family's life should go smoothly."

Jiang Rou smiled but didn't reply. She simply turned around to straighten his collar, her fingers deftly fastening the buttons with gentle movements.

From the other end of the courtyard came a series of loud shouts.

"Slow down! Slow down! Those are my new boots, don't step in the mud!"

Xu Yanfeng was carrying a large box as he ran past the side courtyard, his feet splashing mud as he stepped on the melted snow.

Xu Xining followed behind, carrying a pair of brand-new leather boots, hopping mad with heartache.