Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 66

“Big Brother!”

A graceful figure suddenly appeared inside the gates of the Shen Residence, rushing toward Lu Xuan.

The young woman before him was around eighteen years old, standing at roughly five and a half feet tall. Her slender frame was draped in a light green dress, her raven-black hair pinned up with a jade hairpin. Her delicate features carried an air of elegance and poise.

When Lu Xuan saw that it was his younger sister, Lu Qingqing, a rare, gentle smile appeared on his face.

Only when she reached him did he speak in a calm, measured tone:

“Little Sister, have you been well? Has that brat Shen Yuan been giving you any trouble?”

“Not at all, Big Brother. Everything has been fine here.”

“Big Brother, why didn’t you tell me you were coming to Dengfeng County? And how is Father? Have Qing-ge and Feng-ge been taking good care of him?”

Lu Qingqing chattered excitedly, her bright, clear eyes shimmering with joy. It was clear that Lu Xuan’s sudden arrival had thrilled her.

“Father and Qing are both doing well.”

Lu Xuan gazed down at his sister, whose head barely reached his shoulders, and spoke softly.

Though Lu Qingqing was only his half-sister, Lu Xuan had always doted on her. Since childhood, she had been the only one in the Lu family to receive such tenderness from him.

Before long, Shen Yuan and the Shen family patriarch, Shen Yunwei, appeared in the distance and made their way over.

“Qingqing, see? I wasn’t lying—it really is Brother Xuan!”

Shen Yuan strode forward eagerly, his face alight with excitement as his eyes locked onto Lu Xuan.

The moment he had received word from the servants that Lu Xuan had arrived, he had rushed to inform Lu Qingqing. The two of them had deliberately walked slowly to give the siblings a moment to reunite.

“Brother Xuan!”

Shen Yuan’s voice was thick with admiration, his respect for Lu Xuan genuine.

Back when he had first sought to marry Lu Qingqing, he had suffered more than a few humbling defeats at Lu Xuan’s hands. The man’s strength was unfathomable—Shen Yuan’s proudest skills couldn’t even match a single finger of Lu Xuan’s.

“Hmm. You’ve done well, kid. Qingqing clearly didn’t misjudge you.”

Lu Xuan nodded in approval. He could tell at a glance that his sister was living happily in the Shen household.

“Xuan, why didn’t you tell us you were coming? I would’ve prepared a grand feast to welcome you!”

Shen Yunwei, standing nearby, spoke up with a warm smile.

“Elder Shen, there’s no need for that. I’m actually on my way to Baidao Prefecture and just happened to pass through Dengfeng County. I thought I’d stop by to see Qingqing.”

Lu Xuan clasped his hands respectfully as he addressed the older man.

“Baidao Prefecture?!”

Everyone present gasped in surprise.

“Xuan, are you traveling there alone?”

Shen Yunwei stared at him in astonishment, clearly taken aback by the idea.

In these troubled times, the roads between cities were fraught with danger. Few could survive the journey to Baidao Prefecture without a sizable escort—unless they were exceptionally powerful martial artists.

At the very least, one would need to be at the peak of the Bone-Forging Realm to dare travel the perilous highways alone.

Shen Yunwei studied Lu Xuan, who was only a year older than his own son, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

No wonder my boy Shen Yuan has always idolized him.

In response to Shen Yunwei’s question, Lu Xuan replied simply, “Yes, Elder Shen.”

Seeing that Lu Xuan had no intention of elaborating, Shen Yunwei changed the subject.

“Xuan, since you’ve come all this way, you must stay for a few days. Spend some time with Qingqing—catch up with her.”

“That’s right, Brother Xuan! You should stay a while.”

Shen Yuan chimed in, then added with a grin, “Oh, and Brother Xuan… Qingqing is pregnant.”

Lu Xuan froze at those last words.

Then, his face lit up with unrestrained joy as he turned to his sister.

“Little Sister, you—?”

“Yes, Big Brother!”

Lu Qingqing leaned against Shen Yuan’s chest, her face glowing with happiness.

“Good!”

Lu Xuan’s voice was thick with emotion. “Then I’ll impose on your hospitality for a few days.”

The news had caught him off guard—he was going to be an uncle!

I’ll have to prepare a proper gift for the little one when the time comes.

Delighted that Lu Xuan would be staying, Shen Yuan immediately barked orders at the servants outside the gates.

“Take Brother Xuan’s horse to the stables—treat it well!”

Then, turning back to Lu Xuan, he said, “Brother Xuan, we’ve kept your old room untouched. Qingqing has had it cleaned daily, just in case you ever visited.”

“Here, let me take your bag.”

“Mn.”

Lu Xuan didn’t stand on ceremony and casually tossed his bundle toward Shen Yuan.

The moment Shen Yuan caught it, an unexpected weight nearly sent him stumbling.

“Whoa!”

“Brother Xuan, what’s in here? It’s heavy!”

“Just a few small things.”

……

Late at Night

Instead of sleeping, Lu Xuan sat cross-legged on the bed, meditating with his eyes closed.

As a warrior who had reached the Internal Qi Realm, the energy within his body circulated endlessly, nourishing his flesh and bones. He no longer needed sleep to restore his vitality.

Tomorrow, I’ll have Shen Yuan find me a blacksmith.

This blade won’t last more than a few more uses.

Opening his eyes, Lu Xuan murmured to himself.

Also, the Pure World White Lotus Sect mentioned something about a ‘ghostly entity’ awakening prematurely in Dengfeng County. And those Xuan Niao Guards—people like Li Yanran—are supposedly coming here too.

I’ll have to stay a few more days to investigate whether this ‘ghostly entity’ truly exists.

He couldn’t leave Dengfeng County without ensuring the threat was dealt with.

Besides, Lu Xuan had another reason for lingering—he was very interested in this so-called ghostly entity.

Just as he closed his eyes again to resume his meditation…

Elsewhere in Dengfeng County

A mere street away from the Shen Residence stood another imposing mansion.

Slightly smaller than the Shen family’s estate, it was still a place far beyond the means of common folk.

This was the residence of the leader of the Black Tiger Gang—the most powerful underworld faction in the county.

Deep within the mansion, inside an opulently decorated chamber filled with exquisite ornaments…