The master is inhuman; he beat up his senior brother, destroyed the sect, and then left.

Chapter 39 Returning Home

Han Yi stood at the entrance of the Prince's Mansion, looking up at the high-hanging plaque, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

That horrific scene was like a deep scar, deeply imprinted on his heart, one that he could never erase in this lifetime. For the rest of his life, it would be a constant warning bell hanging over his head, reminding him to walk steadily on the right path and not to stray even a little from the right.

In just a short while, he felt as if his state of mind had been turned upside down, completely changed.

He then suddenly realized the true meaning of cultivation. Cultivation is not about developing fancy skills or showing off one's abilities, but about having real skills to protect everything that one cares about most!

Han Yi stood there blankly for a while. The guards on both sides saw this and didn't dare to breathe. They quietly sent someone to run and report to the prince and princess that the young master had returned.

After a long while, Han Yi finally came to his senses, took a deep breath, and stepped into the Prince's Mansion.

Upon entering the Prince's Mansion, the familiar scenery rushed towards him, and a surge of warmth immediately filled Han Yi's heart.

When the maids and servants saw the young master return, they all curtsied and greeted him in crisp voices.

Han Yi nodded slightly, his eyes showing a gentle expression, which was his response to everyone.

Without delay, he strode towards the Jingyangzhai, where the princess resided.

Upon seeing his mother, Han Yi was overwhelmed with emotion.

He knelt down with a thud, leaning slightly forward, his throat choked with emotion, as if something was stuck in it: "Mother, your son has come back to see you."

The princess's eyes immediately reddened when she saw her son. She hurriedly helped Han Yi up, her eyes filled with love and relief, and she kept saying, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

The princess gently stroked Han Yi's face, her eyes glistening with tears: "My son has lost weight!"

Han Yi lowered his head, just like when he was a child and had been wronged and sought comfort from his mother, and moved closer to his mother, wanting to bask in this long-lost warmth.

The mother and son sat down facing each other. The princess looked Han Yi up and down as if he were a rare object, her eyes full of concern and longing. She would reach out to straighten Han Yi's clothes from time to time.

"Yi'er, are you getting used to life on the mountain?" the princess asked softly, her gentleness melting one's heart.

Han Yi grinned, revealing a warm smile: "Mother, don't worry, I'm doing well on the mountain. My master and fellow disciples are taking good care of me."

The tradition of Hanxia children is to report good news and not bad news. He didn't want his mother to know the hardships he suffered on the mountain, and he didn't want his mother to worry about him.

The mere mention of life on the mountain stirred up another wave of emotions in Han Yi.

The mother and son chatted back and forth about the past six months, filled with emotion. He recounted the unusual things that had happened on the mountain with great enthusiasm.

The princess sat there, listening intently, nodding and smiling every now and then, or gently patting Han Yi's hand and offering a few words of advice.

The old mother's eyes were full of pride, yet also tinged with heartache. She was proud that her son had made something of himself, but heartbroken that he was not as successful outside as he was at home.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door, and then the Prince of Zhenbei strode in. The Prince of Zhenbei's face was beaming, and his eyes were overflowing with affection.

"Yi'er, I heard you're back! You brat, I've spoiled you all these years for nothing. You didn't even come to pay your respects to your father first, but ran straight to your mother's place!"

The Prince of Zhenbei's loud voice echoed throughout the room. Han Yi quickly stood up, took a few steps to his father, and respectfully bowed, saying, "Father."

This completely baffled the old prince. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as if he had seen something extraordinary. Pointing at Han Yi, he turned to the princess and asked, "This...is this still my naughty son? Look at him, when has he ever been so polite to me? I thought I had mistaken him for someone else!"

The old prince knew perfectly well that it was dishonest of him to have tricked his son into going up the mountain.

From the moment Han Yi entered the mansion, he had been having a lot of worries. He thought that his son would definitely make a big scene with him because of this matter when he returned. He had been thinking about how to deal with his son's anger all the way, and he had even rehearsed his response several times in his mind.

Unexpectedly, this scene was completely beyond his expectations. The Prince of Zhenbei clicked his tongue, his face full of surprise. It took him a while to recover his senses before he couldn't help but exclaim to his princess, "That old fellow Xuan Kongzi is really something! In just half a year, he's transformed our troublemaking young master into such a well-mannered and knowledgeable man, almost like a completely different person. It's truly miraculous!"

The Prince of Zhenbei walked up to Han Yi and, like a judge of horses, looked him up and down, nodding his head repeatedly as he did so, at a frequency comparable to a chick pecking at rice. He kept muttering, "Good, good! It's only been half a year since I last saw him, and my son has completely transformed, like a cicada shedding its shell. He's grown into a capable adult, radiating energy and spirit!"

As he spoke, the Prince of Zhenbei stretched out his large, fan-like hand and slapped Han Yi's shoulder heavily with a "smack," as if injecting a burst of energy into Han Yi.

Han Yi straightened his back, feeling the strength in his father's hand, and a determined light suddenly ignited in his eyes.

"Sit down quickly! Tell your father about what happened on the mountain."

The family of three sat together, their joy at reunion like boiling water, bubbling and bubbling. Their faces were filled with happy smiles, and the warmth of their family affection was like the warm spring sun, making their hearts bright and cheerful.

To be honest, this was the first time in Han Yi's memory that the three of them had sat down and chatted so formally as a family.

After chatting for a long time, Han Yi reluctantly got up to say goodbye and prepared to return to his residence, Tingfeng Pavilion.

As soon as he stepped out of Jingyangzhai, he stared blankly at the huge palace, feeling a bit disconnected from it. It was as if he had been away for half a year, and the place had become both familiar and strange.

He even missed his little nest on Qingluan Peak. Although it wasn't big, it was a comfortable place to stay.

Once outside, Han Yi embarked on his journey back to his residence, a journey that was far from short.

He first passed by the magnificent Baoyue Tower, which was as tall as a small mountain. The tower was more than ten stories high and stood there like a large fortress. The treasures and martial arts manuals hidden inside were countless.

Next, we arrived at the serene and elegant Qiushui Lane, so tranquil that it instantly soothed any restlessness in our hearts. The lane was also home to several beautiful and talented young women, all stunning beauties sent by officials from various regions, each one exceptionally beautiful.

After passing Qiuyue Lake, walk along the bluestone path by the lake for about a kilometer and you will see Miaoxiang Pavilion.

Behind Miaoxiang Pavilion stands Dule Peak, perpetually shrouded in mist and clouds, facing Baoyue Tower across the distance. At the summit is Lingyan Pavilion, where a legendary figure named Zhou Yinzhi resides.

This man was Han Yi's teacher, and back then he was the strategist for the old Prince Han Yunfan. Facing Dule Peak, Han Yi respectfully bowed to Lingyan Pavilion, then walked around it.

After walking for a while, he finally saw Yingyue Lake. The Yaoyue Pavilion in the lake used to be his favorite place.

After walking a short distance from the Inviting Moon Pavilion, you will reach his residence, Listening to the Wind Pavilion.

Han Yi walked slowly, followed by several servants.

As soon as I approached Yingyue Lake, a melodious zither tune drifted over, its gentle sound capable of penetrating into one's heart.

Han Yi paused, his ears perked up, and he looked in the direction of the sound.

Inside the Inviting Moon Pavilion, a woman in green robes sat intently playing the zither.