Inside the small pouch were a few silver notes.
Sun Yingkui and all the guards felt a warmth in their hearts.
Not just because of the silver notes, but more importantly, someone finally recognized their efforts.
"No wonder Young Hero Zhao became famous in Commandery at such a young age. His conduct and dealings are indeed impressive!" A guard exclaimed in admiration.
Zhao Ya was unaware of all this. At the moment, he was urging the carriage to swiftly traverse the street, arriving at the entrance of Dingtai Martial Arts Hall.
Upon seeing him, the guard at the door was momentarily stunned, then immediately shouted in joy.
"Little Master is back!"
"Little Master is back!"
The shouts echoed repeatedly, leaving Zhao Ya a bit helpless.
Some of those calling him ’Master’ even had white beards.
If this continues for a few more years, wouldn’t someone start calling him ’Grandmaster’?
At this point, Miao Shaocheng and Xu De hurriedly arrived at the entrance. Seeing Zhao Ya and Meng Shiwen truly returned, they couldn’t help but rejoice.
"I was saying you’d only come back after the New Year. If it weren’t for Zui’Er tagging along, I’d even suspect you eloped with the senior sister!"
Miao Shaocheng spoke as uninhibitedly as ever.
Xu De tried to intervene but failed, and couldn’t help but steal a worried glance at Meng Shiwen.
But she wasn’t angry at all, as if she didn’t hear, and left with Zui’Er.
Seeing this, Xu De couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Fortunately.
The senior sister didn’t mind, or Old Miao might’ve been in for a rough time today.
Thinking of this, he glared fiercely at Miao Shaocheng.
Miao Shaocheng also felt he misspoke, scratching his head with a silly smile.
"Let’s go, let’s meet Master first. Master has been asking about you all these days!" Xu De said.
When they arrived at the back study, Lu Dingtai was writing.
After advancing to the Fifth Realm, Lu Dingtai’s imposing aura grew day by day, only slightly restrained when writing.
"Master!" Zhao Ya bowed respectfully.
"You’re back!" Lu Dingtai asked without lifting his head.
"Yes!"
"Handled all the matters well?"
"Reporting to Master, everything is settled!"
"Tell me about it."
Thus, Zhao Ya concisely recounted the events after returning to Wuxiang City to Lu Dingtai.
After hearing it, Lu Dingtai put down his pen and, while wiping his hands with a warm towel, looked at Zhao Ya.
"Refining World Sect? Heh, these evil ones have shown up. Seems like a true chaos is coming!" Lu Dingtai sneered.
"Master, you also know of Refining World Sect?"
"Of course I know. Did you think I, your master, only stayed in Commandery unaware of the outside world? Don’t forget, I, your master, once roamed the world with a sword in Jianghu." Lu Dingtai said proudly.
Zhao Ya was somewhat bemused.
Master’s proud nature is becoming increasingly evident.
So he dared not speak, only nodding continuously in agreement.
"When the Demon Sect was obscure, many had perished completely, but unexpectedly with Great Yan’s collapse, these descendants of the Demon Sect began to stir.".
"But you did well this time, actually wiping out Cyan Bamboo Ridge, and killing five Gu Masters from Refining World Sect, significantly damaging their Primordial Energy. They won’t recover their power anytime soon."
Upon saying this, Lu Dingtai glanced at Zhao Ya, "And when you entered, your footsteps seemed airborne, indicating your Lightweight Skill has improved!"
"Yes, Master, I’ve indeed gained some insights."
Zhao Ya didn’t conceal.
Because in front of Lu Dingtai, this little progress of his could never be hidden, nor did he intend to hide.
"Very good, your comprehension is indeed extraordinary." Lu Dingtai nodded with satisfaction, suddenly looking angrily at Xu De and Miao Shaocheng aside.
"Look at your junior disciple, then at yourselves, idling away without ambition?"
Xu De and Miao Shaocheng bowed their heads, unable to utter a word.
Seeing this, Zhao Ya quickly mediated.
"Whoa, I haven’t seen Second Brother for a while?"
"Him? Hmph! Married and forgotten home, hasn’t shown his face at all these days, who knows what he’s been up to!" Lu Dingtai said.
At this moment, Shen Dao’s laughter came from the courtyard.
"Master, you’re wronging me. Didn’t I visit you yesterday?"
With the words, Shen Dao and Shi Qingqing, the couple, entered the room.
Originally displeased, Lu Dingtai’s expression softened upon seeing his disciple and his spouse arrive, even nodded to Shi Qingqing.
"Qingqing, what do you think of this calligraphy I just wrote?"
Shi Qingqing approached, looked it up and down, and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Master, your calligraphy is truly improving. From my view, even those esteemed in Capital City aren’t any better!"
"Oh?"
Lu Dingtai looked pleased but felt awkward admitting it, so he asked, "What’s good about it, tell me."
"Look, the script is grand and imposing with hidden vigor, yet not overtly sharp, possessing a restrained brilliance, truly impressive!"
"Hahahaha, it’s not as good as you say, just casually writing!"
Though saying so, Lu Dingtai’s pleased smile betrayed him.
From afar, the four brothers watching couldn’t help but feel moved.
"Second Brother, I feel that in Master’s heart, Junior Brother ranks first, then it’s sister-in-law!" Miao Shaocheng said.
"No need to feel, it simply is!" Xu De affirmed.
Shen Dao smiled and said, "But it’s good, Master’s temper grows stronger, writing helps soften it, Qingqing has practiced calligraphy since young, smartly speaks to please Master, why not?"
Saying this, Shen Dao patted Zhao Ya’s shoulder, "Little Brother, when heard you returned, your sister-in-law specially bought many dishes, tonight at mine, let’s indulge!"
Seeing the slightly pudgy Second Brother, Zhao Ya thought marriage indeed is a man’s best fattening pill, then smiled and nodded.
"Even if you hadn’t said, I’d have come anyway!"
That evening, Zhao Ya brought Zui’Er, with Miao Shaocheng and Xu De, to Shen Dao’s for drinks.
To host them, Shi Qingqing personally cooked a table full of dishes.
Meanwhile, as the brothers indulged heartily.
Meng Shiwen met Lu Dingtai in the study.
"Master!"
"Hmm, honored ancestors?"
Despite showing indifference to Miao Shaocheng and others, Lu Dingtai was extraordinarily gentle with Meng Shiwen.
"Yes!"
"It’s well that you’ve paid respects, the past grievances should be let go. He was your father after all." Lu Dingtai sighed.
Meng Shiwen hesitated briefly, then asked quietly, "Master, what happened between you and my father back then to create such a rift?"
Hearing this, Lu Dingtai was initially shocked, then sighed deeply, "It’s all past now, no need to ask. But I can tell you your father was a good man, albeit somewhat extreme."
"Now, time’s late, your Second Brother there must have started dining, go join the fun!"
Lu Dingtai waved for Meng Shiwen to leave.
Meng Shiwen lingered momentarily, then bid farewell and left.
Once she departed, Lu Dingtai sat silently for long without a word, finally sighing lightly.
"Junior Brother, honestly don’t know whether hiding this from her is good or bad, when one side is you... and she’s... her mother!"
In words, Lu Dingtai’s face turned somber, seemingly aged.
After December 23, the New Year arrived promptly.
This was Zhao Ya and Zui’Er’s second New Year in Commandery, vastly different from last.
Because too much transpired this year.
And Zhao Ya became the absolute focal point naturally drawing much attention.
Invitations piled like snow, most of which Zhao Ya politely declined, accepting only a few close relationships.
Even so, he spent over ten days wrapping up the New Year.
After celebrations, everything gradually returned to normal.
Zhao Ya promptly resumed training, without the slightest laxity.
One day, amidst intense training, an invitation quietly arrived, signed with only three words.
Shang Luoluo.