The ox cart took another two hours to return to the village, where children were already waiting at the entrance.
As soon as the children saw their parents, they leapt off the cart before it even came to a full stop, rushing into their parents' arms like birds returning to the forest.
In front of everyone, Chu Wangshan announced the results of the test. The villagers congratulated the village chief, having already expected that Chu Shaoye and Chu Qingyao would have potential. However, they were pleasantly surprised that Chu Qingyu could also become a Spirit Master, and with such high talent.
"Congratulations, Qingyu's mother! With Qingyu being so accomplished, you've finally made it."
Liu Qian hugged Chu Qingyu tightly, her eyes red, "Good child, you won't have to suffer with your mother anymore."
Chu Qingyu took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, "Being with you isn't suffering, our days will only get sweeter."
At that moment, Lan Fang was holding a child under each arm, grinning from ear to ear, "These kids I raised are truly something. How did I get so good at this?"
Chu Qingyao turned her head to avoid her hand, "Mom, you're messing up my hair."
Lan Fang gave both of them a good rub before letting go, "You must be hungry. Let's go home and eat. I've prepared a big table of delicious food for you."
Chu Qingyao clung to her arm, acting spoiled, "Mom, if my brother and I hadn't shown potential, would you still have made such good food?"
Lan Fang tapped her nose, "I've already made it. Even if you two didn't show potential, would I throw the food away?"
Chu Wangshan caught up and exchanged a few words with Lan Fang, who nodded.
She walked over to Liu Qian and her daughter, "Qian, come to our house for dinner tonight. Let's celebrate the three children together."
Liu Qian hurriedly said, "Sister-in-law, you've already helped us so much. We won't trouble you further. I've prepared food for Qingyu at home."
Seeing Liu Qian's reluctance, Lan Fang took her hand, "There's no need to be shy. Wangshan told me that Shaoye's opportunity at the Chixiao Sect is thanks to Qingyu's help. I need to thank Qingyu."
Chu Qingyu blushed, "It's nothing. Brother Chu is excellent on his own."
Chu Qingyao linked arms with her, "Qingyu, come eat at our house. My mom's cooking is amazing."
Unable to refuse further, Liu Qian and Chu Qingyu agreed.
Chu Wangshan invited everyone to sit, while Lan Fang brought out the chicken soup that was still simmering on the stove.
She gave the two large chicken legs to Chu Qingyao and Chu Qingyu. Chu Qingyu hesitated, "The chicken leg should be for Brother Chu. I can't eat it."
"You silly child, why can't you eat it? There are chicken wings too, and your Brother Chu loves those."
Lan Fang gave both chicken wings to Chu Shaoye, who silently accepted them with his bowl, as he indeed preferred chicken wings.
Both Liu Qian and Chu Qingyu were shy and didn't eat much, so Lan Fang kept serving them food. It was the first time in years that the mother and daughter had eaten their fill of meat.
After the meal, Chu Wangshan said, "Qian, this year, only our children in the village showed potential. I was thinking we could hold the banquet together, make it more lively."
Liu Qian knew Chu Wangshan was helping her, only saying it this way to save her face. With just the two of them, it was hard enough to make ends meet, let alone host a banquet for the entire village.
Tears welled up in Liu Qian's eyes as she pulled Chu Qingyu to kneel, but Lan Fang quickly stopped her, "Qian, what are you doing?"
Liu Qian said, "Sister-in-law, you and the village chief have helped Qingyu and me so much. Without you, we wouldn't have survived. Now you're even worrying about Qingyu's future. I have no way to repay you."
Lan Fang helped her back to her seat and wiped her tears, scolding gently, "Why say such things? We're from the same village and should help each other. Besides, Wangshan is the village chief; it's his duty to help you."
Chu Wangshan nodded in agreement.
Lan Fang decided, "We'll prepare the food tomorrow and hold the banquet the day after, a three-day feast. What do you think, Qian?"
Liu Qian naturally had no objections, expressing her gratitude once more before taking Chu Qingyu home.
On their way back, Liu Qian turned the Zhuyu Academy jade token over in her hands, sighing, "Qingyu, we owe our fortune to the village chief's family. At the academy, you must support Yaoyao like a sister, understand?"
Chu Qingyu nodded seriously, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll study hard at the academy, become a powerful Spirit Master, and give you a good life, repaying the village chief's family." Get faster updates on novelping(.)com.
Liu Qian hugged her, "Good child, I haven't loved you in vain. It's a pity your late father isn't here to see this."
...
At the Chu household, night had fallen completely. Chu Qingyao, exhausted from the day, had gone to bed.
Chu Wangshan lit an oil lamp in the main hall and called Chu Shaoye over.
He scratched his head, unsure how to start. Though a loving father, he rarely had heart-to-heart talks with his children.
The main hall was silent for a while until Chu Shaoye spoke first, "Dad, I'm fine. Being able to go to the Chixiao Sect is already great."
Chu Wangshan slapped his thigh, "I knew my son was a sensible person."
This child had always been different, mature beyond his years, handling things more steadily and methodically than adults. Handsome and with an extraordinary demeanor, he was unlike the village ruffians, more like a young master from a noble family in the city.
As he thought about it, Chu Wangshan recalled the past. That year, Lan Fang was pregnant with Chu Qingyao and craved a type of wild fruit that only grew in the forest. Chu Wangshan, not wanting his wife to suffer, went into the forest to pick some.
However, it was past the season for wild fruits, and the ones on the forest's edge had been picked clean. Only deeper in the forest might there be some left.
To satisfy his wife's craving, Chu Wangshan ventured deeper into the forest. When he finally found a wild fruit tree, he saw a giant wolf lying beneath it.
Even crouched, the wolf's massive body was evident, its fur stained with blood, indicating severe injuries. It was unclear if it was dead or alive.
At the sight of the giant wolf, Chu Wangshan nearly lost his soul in fright. Instinctively holding his breath, he carefully retreated, but accidentally stepped on a dry branch.
Chu Wangshan's heart sank, fearing he wouldn't make it out of the forest, only worrying about how Lan Fang and their unborn child would manage.
The giant wolf opened its eyes at the sound, its icy blue pupils fixing on the trembling Chu Wangshan.
His mind screamed to run, but under the wolf's gaze, his body was petrified, unable to move.
The giant wolf slowly stood, blood dripping from its unhealed wounds, pooling on the ground.
The thick scent of blood nearly knocked Chu Wangshan over. He swallowed hard, his mind wandering to how this wolf was more formidable than all the Spirit Beasts he'd ever seen combined. He wondered what kind of person or Spirit Beast could have injured it so severely.