Fortune Across the World

Chapter 192: Returning to the Palace, Meeting Old Friends (Part 2)

Since their parting in Yinzou, the old master, who stood behind the Palace Master Le, had not been seen. Dressed in a dark swordsman's outfit with a long sword casually held in his arms, his neatly trimmed beard and the increased streaks of silver in his hair betrayed his age and sorrow. Despite this, he appeared spirited, exuding an elegant heroic aura that made Ding Qiyu feel that calling him "old master" seemed somewhat inappropriate now.

Le Mengxiao was seated at the first position in the hall, reporting the latest battle developments from beyond the mountains to the Palace Master.

The Palace Master listened quietly to Le Mengxiao's report, her hand gripping the handle of the Lihuo Whip. After passing on the Qianling Lihuo to her daughter, she had taken to using a regular Lihuo Whip, gradually delegating sect affairs to her daughter. After months away, she returned not to a family reunion but to the devastating news of her daughter's loss. Faced with inexplicable doubts, the Palace Master refused to believe that the charred remains could be her daughter. Her only recourse was to eradicate the Zhenxiao Sect and uncover clues about her daughter's disappearance.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the hall, drawing the attention of those inside. They turned toward the entrance, hearing the female disciple guards calling, "Young Palace Master." Le Mengxiao's shoulder twitched, her brow furrowing as she clutched the battle report tightly.

Moments later, led by Le Zhuyi, the group entered the hall. The report slipped from Mengxiao's hands onto the table as she blinked, unable to make the "illusion" disappear. Le Zhuyi and Ding Qiyu were dressed in simple rural attire, yet to a guilty Mengxiao, they appeared imposing, like vengeful specters. Her face turned deathly pale, and she nearly collapsed from her kneeling position.

Upon recognizing the newcomers, the Palace Master stood abruptly, stepping around the long table toward them before halting, fearing the vision would shatter if she moved closer. Usually composed, her eyes were moist as she hesitated, finally calling softly, "...Zhiyi, is it you?"

As if sensing her presence, from the moment Le Zhuyi entered, the old master's gaze never left her. Emotions swirled within him—excitement, anxiety, and joy on the verge of eruption. The grip on his sword hilt was so tight his knuckles whitened. Hearing Qiuli's call confirmed his suspicion, and his eyes reddened—his daughter was alive! He stepped forward but suddenly faltered, worry overshadowing excitement, anxious whether his daughter would accept him as her father.

Upon seeing her mother's silver hair, Le Zhuyi, who had always admired and feared her mother, burst into tears. Disregarding her usual reverence, she rushed into her mother's arms, "Mother, mother..." This time, even before the crowd, she didn't care to address her as "master."

Her daughter returned safely, and the heartfelt call touched the Palace Master's softest spot. She embraced Zhuyi tightly, soothingly stroking her back, speaking with rare tenderness, "Zhiyi has returned... that's all that matters."

Master Huai and Aunt Jade, reunited with old friends after so many years, had tears in their eyes. They didn't want to interrupt Zhiyi and her mother's warm embrace, but Huai's excitement got the better of him, and he blurted out, "Brother!"

The old master, engrossed in seeing his daughter for the first time, hadn't noticed anyone else. Startled by the shout, he looked up to see his old friends! Without hesitation, he hurried down the hall, grasping Huai's shoulders, looking him over several times, and then glanced at Aunt Jade to confirm he wasn't mistaken. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "Ah Huai!" and embraced him, "Ah Huai, sister-in-law, it's really you!" His words were filled with astonishment.