General Zhen Nan Mansion was located in the north of Qujiang City, near the Imperial Palace.

Yuan Ming, escorted by the city guards, proceeded through the streets where the crowd of common folks gradually dispersed. The wide road was flanked by luxurious, sparse residences, everything appeared just as Yuan Ming had seen during Wang Shun's possession.

From afar, the sight of a five-story tall Eight Treasures Pointed Gray Tower entered Yuan Ming's view, stirring an impatient excitement inside him.

Suddenly, the city guard leading the way paused; Yuan Ming instinctively looked up and saw many people standing in front of the mansion gate.

Leading the group were a man and a woman. The man had a tall, robust frame, standing motionless like a mountain stele, though his temples were grey and his eyes misty.

The woman was graceful and majestic, her face as lovely as a lotus flower emerging from water, though her silk clothes were wet with tears. On seeing Yuan Ming, she was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Yuan Ming felt a lump in his throat and his vision suddenly blurred; his lips moved without sound for a moment before a somewhat raspy voice emerged.

"Dad, Mom, your child has returned..."

Hearing Yuan Ming's voice, his mother could no longer hold back her emotions and rushed forward to embrace him tightly, "Ming'er, my Ming'er, you've finally returned. Let Mom take a good look at you."

Yuan Ming felt the warm embrace he had missed for so long and looked towards his father.

The father he remembered, who rarely smiled or spoke much, now seemed to brush away a tear and walked up to Yuan Ming, expressing his relief, "It's good that you've returned, it's good."

Witnessing this scene, the stationed guards and soldiers including Fu Qing sighed continuously, while the mother's personal maids cried even harder.

"Enough, my lady. Ming'er has just returned. Let's not keep him standing outside any longer." Yuan Zuochong patted the shoulder of Yuan Ming's mother.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming's mother finally stopped her tears. Yuan Zuochong then gave a signal to the maids, indicating they should take her and Yuan Ming inside the mansion.

Next, he called over Fu Qing and turned to the guards who had escorted Yuan Ming, "Thank you, brothers, for escorting my son home. Fu Qing, give each of them ten taels of silver, and prepare some more for those at the city gate."

Hearing they would receive silver, the guards expressed their immense gratitude.

Meanwhile, Yuan Ming, led by his mother, entered the General Mansion and saw a spacious courtyard just beyond the gate.

At that moment, almost all the servants and maids of the mansion were gathered there, watching their Young Master with a mix of curiosity and anticipation they could hardly hide.

Yuan Ming scanned the crowd and saw many familiar faces, including Wang Shun.

Feeling Yuan Ming's gaze, Wang Shun looked over instinctively.

Yuan Ming smiled internally, recalled how Wang Shun had cared for his horse, their good relationship, and the time he had borrowed Wang Shun's eyes to observe the Mansion. He winked and nodded at him as a gesture.

Wang Shun seemed startled at first but then displayed a flattered expression. Yuan Ming approached and gently clapped Wang Shun on the shoulder, reminiscent of his time during the possession, chuckled, and continued walking forward with his mother.

The two walked to the northern building in the courtyard where they stopped. Yuan Zuochong also followed and joined Yuan Ming, gesturing for him to face the many servants below.

Father and son shared an understanding. Yuan Ming realized what was expected, stepped forward and cleared his throat.

Looking at those familiar and unfamiliar servants, Yuan Ming declared loudly, "Lift your heads. You must all know, over three years ago, I unfortunately went missing at the Southern Border. Now, by the grace of Heaven, I have luckily returned to see my parents, which is indeed a joyous occasion."

"To celebrate, I announce that from today, whether high or low, every servant in the mansion will receive one tael of silver, and this year's salary will increase by thirty percent!"

Instantly, the servants of the courtyard erupted in cheers, their hearts already overjoyed by Yuan Ming's return, now thrilled even more, their gazes filled with undisguised enthusiasm.

"Thank you, General, and congratulations, Young Master!"

Amidst the chorus of voices from servants and maids, Yuan Ming smiled and waved his hand, then entered the house with his parents, leaving the excited crowd to turn the entire General Mansion into a place of celebration.

...

Inside the house, his mother pulled Yuan Ming down to sit and caressed his face, tears falling anew, "Ming'er, you look so strong, yet so dark. I barely recognize you. How much did you suffer in the Southern Border?"

Yuan Ming felt a choking sensation but didn't want his mother to worry, "It's alright, Mom. I'm well. Besides, I'm back now, aren't I?"

His mother wiped her tears, still heartbroken, "Your hair is such a mess. When I was there to look after you, it was never like this."

As she spoke, she suddenly ordered the servants to bring a copper mirror and started to redo Yuan Ming's hairstyle herself.

Yuan Ming could not resist her, so he obediently sat in front of the copper mirror, letting his mother fuss over him.

The reflection of his mother's face appeared in the mirror. He quietly observed her, noting that she had become much thinner compared to three years ago, with fine lines on her forehead and at the corners of her eyes. Her temples had more white hair than when he last used possession on his father, and the tear stains on her cheeks were still fresh. However, her lips curved in a smile, as if combing her son's hair was a joyous occasion.

His father also silently approached. He watched Yuan Ming with a highly complex expression, mingling relief, heartache, perhaps guilt, and worry.

Soon enough, his mother finished combing Yuan Ming's hair. Standing awkwardly, he got up and, under his mother's urging, reluctantly turned left and right to show her his current appearance.

"Ming'er has grown up," Yuan Zuochong said.

His mother nodded, but her gaze suddenly fell on Yuan Ming's clothes.

She stepped forward a few paces and touched the hem of Yuan Ming's garment, suddenly exclaiming, "Did you buy this clothing in Southern Border? This inferior material, you've never worn such clothes before! No, the new clothes are ready; I will get someone to fetch them immediately."

Yuan Ming gave a wry smile and stopped her, "Mother, please don't bother, I've gotten used to these clothes."

"My child, how can you wear these clothes out to meet people? Listen to your mother, don't be stubborn."

As she spoke, she started to scold him again, "I advised you not to go on that diplomatic mission, but you insisted on going out to achieve something. As a result, you encountered disaster in Southern Border. I've always said, not only Chang Chun Temple exists in the world, your grandmother's Sect is also not bad. I told you to take the White Jade Ring from your grandmother, but you refused. If you had taken it, you wouldn't have suffered this disaster."

Listening to his mother's nagging, Yuan Ming usually would have retorted, but today her nagging felt exceptionally affectionate.

Suddenly, Yuan Zuochong coughed twice, "Let's discuss these matters later. Wife, you've still not fully recovered from your illness the past few days, go rest for now, and let me have a word with Ming'er alone."

"Mother, how is your health?" Although Yuan Ming had learned of his mother's illness during his last possession of his father, he hadn't expected that she had still not fully recovered.

"Don't listen to your father's nonsense, I'm fine," she replied.

Yuan Zuochong's interruption finally put a stop to her scolding. Although she wished to talk more with Yuan Ming, she knew her husband needed to discuss important matters with him, so she didn't stay much longer. After giving a few simple instructions to Yuan Ming, she left the room.

Seeing this, Yuan Zuochong glanced around and said, "You all may leave as well. Fu Qing, stay outside with the others, don't let anyone in."

Seeing him treat the matter with such confidentiality made Yuan Ming nervous, wondering what had happened in the Capital during this time.

Once the others had left the room, Yuan Ming released his soul crow to monitor the entire Prince Manor, causing Yuan Zuochong to look mildly surprised.

"Fu Qing mentioned that Ming'er, your strength has far surpassed his already?" Yuan Zuochong asked.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming gave a slight smile, and with a flip of his hand, he took out the Cold Star Sword, activating the Frost Rune upon it. Instantly, a chilling cold filled the space, and the room's temperature dropped significantly.

He also summoned the Green Cloud Crane, making it stand still in the room.

"Father, please look, these are the Magic Artifact and the flying spirit pet I acquired in Southern Border. It is with their help that I could return to Da Jin," Yuan Ming said. His current level of Cultivation was masked by Hidden Element Technique, showing only about mid-stage Qi Refinement Realm.

Yuan Zuochong, knowing valuable items when he saw them, his eyes lit up upon seeing the two items, "Good, it seems Ming'er has indeed gained some fortune in Southern Border, relying just on this sword and this crane, even I am no match for you. Well done, well done!"

As the General of the South of Da Jin, Yuan Zuochong was also a cultivator, his Cultivation being significantly higher than that of Fu Qing, yet only around Qi Cultivation Seventh Level.

"The secret letter you had Fu Qing bring back, I have read it. You have truly suffered these past three years, it's just a pity that with the current political situation at court, I can't even take revenge for you," Yuan Zuochong sighed.

Yuan Ming puzzled, "Father, why do you say this?"

Yuan Zuochong shook his head, "Lin Junsheng is now a disciple of Chang Chun Temple, and with the Lin Family now favored by Eighth Imperial Uncle, they have gained influence and gradually taken control over the court. The situation has solidified, and I can't touch him now."

"I remember, Lin Junsheng's talents were no better than mine, why would Chang Chun Temple accept him? How is the Emperor now?" Yuan Ming inquired further.

Yuan Zuochong explained, "It all started with the diplomatic mission. After your disappearance, Lin Junsheng took it upon himself to continue the mission in Southern Border on your behalf. Upon his return, he used his achievements from the mission, and somehow found a connection to directly join Chang Chun Temple. As for the Emperor, he has been engrossed in Cultivation in recent years and gradually neglected state affairs, handing them over to Eighth Imperial Uncle, which gave the Lin Family their chance."

Yuan Ming recalled, the young Emperor, Liu Tianming, ventured into the Immortal Path, originally because the incense used for his first possession was that initial Black Incense, which probably contributed not only to controlling his actions but also affecting his thoughts considerably.

Looking at the current political situation at court, ultimately, it still somewhat related to him.

Yuan Zuochong, unaware of Yuan Ming's thoughts, continued with a sigh, "Speaking of which, it was also due to the late Emperor's wishes that I chose to assist the Emperor initially. Seeing the Emperor focusing entirely on Cultivation and ignoring the government, I gradually handed over my powers, thinking of improving my own Cultivation, possibly even attempting Foundation Establishment if fate allowed..."

He paused, then continued, "But then I received your secret letter, learning that it was Lin Junsheng who had harmed you. I thought of dealing with him, but since he's now a disciple of Chang Chun Temple, and he rarely comes out, alas... the opportunity is hard to find."

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