Volume One, Chapter Three: Our Village

At this moment.

Deep within the Burial Mountain in the Northern Territory.

After a day's relentless journey spanning thousands of miles, the carriage finally arrived at a village full of charm as dusk fell.

Nestled beside the mountains and water, the village was built against the hills.

At the village entrance hung a plaque inscribed with the name “Jiang Family.”

It seemed ordinary at first glance, yet no one could discern the subtle mysteries it concealed.

“Young master, we’ve arrived,” Old Chen pulled back the carriage curtain, waking Lin Mu from his slumber.

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Lin Mu rose lazily.

“Carriages in this world really are comfortable... but alas...” he stretched and mumbled instinctively.

Without much thought, Lin Mu stepped down from the carriage, and a grand village emerged before his eyes.

“Old Chen, is this the village where my family lives?” he asked, gazing at the majestic buildings sprawling along the mountainside.

He had expected a backward little village but was surprised by its unexpected splendor.

“Young master, this village is our family’s entire domain. There are no other villagers nearby,” Old Chen reported honestly.

“Our... family?” Lin Mu was momentarily stunned.

Though not vast, the village covered hundreds of square miles, rivaling even the Lin family in scale, the only drawback being its remote location.

“Indeed,” Old Chen replied just as the village gates were pushed open. A crowd poured out.

“Young master, young master! Where is our little young master?” A middle-aged man stepped to the forefront eagerly, his eyes landing on Lin Mu.

Lin Mu studied the man in return.

He was dressed in a black robe, sporting a long beard, with a refined appearance, though excitement shone plainly on his face.

After a moment, the man stepped forward, clasped his fists, and bowed.

“You must be the little young master! I am Liu Guandong, the family steward. If you don’t mind, you can just call me Uncle Dong.”

“Uncle... Dong...” Lin Mu hesitated.

Sensing something amiss, Liu Guandong frowned, suppressing his anger as he turned to scold the guards who stood frozen.

“What are you all standing there for? Hurry and greet him!”

The guards snapped to attention, dropping to one knee and calling out in unison,

“Welcome home, young master!”

Watching this scene, Lin Mu grew wary.

His true family was likely far from ordinary.

From the servants’ demeanor to the surroundings, everything gave off an unusual aura.

Especially the man calling himself Uncle Dong, who exuded an invisible but overwhelming domineering presence. Though Lin Mu’s cultivation was weak, his experiences in the Lin family had taught him to sense the aura of warriors.

The aura from this man was incomparably stronger than any Lin family member he had ever encountered.

“Don’t stand outside any longer. Let’s go home and talk, young master. The master, mistress, and the young ladies are all anxiously waiting!”

Surrounded by Liu Guandong and several servants, Lin Mu was pushed into a specially made sedan chair.

As they entered the village, Liu Guandong began a warm introduction.

“Young master, you have suffered outside.”

Liu Guandong sighed deeply.

“Today, the family members working outside have mostly returned. Six of the seven young ladies rushed back especially. However, the third young lady is still secluding herself in the sect’s cave dwelling, unable to leave for now. She sent her maid in her place, who was delayed on the road but should arrive by tomorrow...”

Damn.

When Liu Guandong mentioned this, Lin Mu was certain: this family was no ordinary clan.

The third sister was cultivating in the sect’s cave dwelling?

It was well known that only inner disciples of a sect could enjoy such seclusion.

Even the Lin family, honored as the top family in Jing’an, had only a dozen or so disciples in the kingdom’s best sects, and not all were inner disciples.

But none of that mattered to Lin Mu now. Even if his third sister had profound foundations, it likely bore no relevance to him—just like the Lin family served as ample proof.

Thinking this over, Lin Mu finally asked, “Uncle Dong, where are my parents now? I want to see them.”

“The master and mistress are tidying up the courtyard for you. The young ladies heard you returned today and are probably scrambling to cook for you!” Liu Guandong smiled wryly and shook his head.

Lin Mu felt a wave of dizziness. In his previous life, he was an orphan, abandoned by his parents, raised by the heavens and earth, scavenging and begging behind an old beggar.

He died from poisoning by accident, then mysteriously transmigrated here and was picked up by the Lin family...

He had thought he could feel the warmth of a home and so silently supported the family, enduring mistreatment without complaint. But in the end, fate had played a cruel trick.

Now, arriving at this village, he sensed a long-lost warmth.

Perhaps this was what they called family affection?

Lost in thought, Lin Mu was carried to a mansion’s entrance.

The courtyard walls were festively decorated with lanterns and streamers.

No sooner had Lin Mu stepped down from the sedan than two figures approached briskly.

One was a richly adorned woman who, upon seeing Lin Mu, immediately teared up and grasped his hand excitedly.

“Son, you’ve finally come home!”

Lin Mu knew then this was his mother.

Beside her stood a stern-faced man whose expression, despite its severity, was filled with paternal love.

Jiang Yuan and Su Rong—these were the names of Lin Mu’s parents.

“Father, Mother,” Lin Mu whispered, a bittersweet surge of emotion welling within him.

This was the first time he had felt such close parental care.

“You’ve suffered, child. It’s your parents’ fault...”

Seeing Lin Mu’s eyes redden, Jiang Yuan quickly interrupted, wrapping one arm around Su Rong’s shoulders and the other pulling Lin Mu into an embrace.

“Enough. No matter what, our son has returned safely. From now on, we’ll make it up to him together. Let’s head inside. Guandong, go tell those girls.”

With that, Jiang Yuan led the stunned Lin Mu into the house while Liu Guandong and the others departed.

Inside, the table was laden with delicious dishes, their aroma enough to whet anyone’s appetite.

Lin Mu felt dazed — was he still in a cultivation world or had he somehow returned to Blue Star?

The scene was far too familiar.

“Mu’er, sit down. Your sisters specially prepared these for you. They’ll be here soon,” his mother said.

Lin Mu nodded silently, saying little. But from his reddened eyes and tightly clenched fists resting in his lap, his unsettled mood was clear.

At that moment, Jiang Yuan lightly patted his shoulder.

“Mu’er, from now on, you’ll be called Jiang Mu, the son of Jiang Yuan. Let me see who dares bully you now!”

Jiang Yuan snorted knowingly, evidently aware of Jiang Mu’s past trials within the Lin family.

Jiang Mu pressed his lips, nodding faintly in agreement.

Having his parents so near gave him a surreal warmth.

If not for the terminal illness cursing him with only a year to live, perhaps he could be truly happy.

But fate was fate; one could not control even a fraction.

Just as he was lost in thought, a chorus of melodious voices came from the doorway.

Jiang Mu looked up to see six young women each carrying dishes, walking briskly. All were strikingly beautiful and elegant, each with her own unique charm, yet sharing the same visage.

Clearly, these were his sisters!

“Little brother... you finally came back!”

“Is this really little brother? I remember him as a little kid, how did he grow up so fast?”

“Big sister, little brother was missing for over ten years, of course he’s grown!”

“Quick, show fourth sister! Oh my, he’s so handsome—sister’s so fond of him.”

“Fourth sister, can you stop hugging eighth brother so tightly? You smell like makeup and perfume. It’s awful.”

“You, brat, don’t talk back to me or you’ll get beaten!”

...

As soon as the six entered the courtyard and set down their dishes, they surrounded Jiang Mu, chatting animatedly. Before he could respond, several sisters clamored to pull him into their embrace.

The atmosphere instantly brightened with warmth and laughter.

After much ado, only with Jiang Yuan’s helpless voice did they let Jiang Mu be, and all sat down at the table together.

“Today Mu’er is home, and you all rarely come back. It’s been so long since the Jiang family has had such a reunion!” Jiang Yuan said, serving Lin Mu some food as he spoke.

“By the way, where is the third sister? Little brother finally returned, and I traveled a thousand miles to see him; what’s going on?” Jiang Rong, the sixth sister, couldn’t help but ask.

“She’s secluded in the cave dwelling. Recently, the seals against the demonic path have loosened, and her burden is heavier than others’, so it’s understandable...” the eldest sister answered, then turned to the dazed Jiang Mu with a bright smile.

“But it’s okay, little Mu. Though your third sister isn’t here, we sisters will make it up to you. Whatever you want, just ask us!”