In this way, it feels like the house will never be quiet.
And beside him, Han Yun City was speechless.
He had been full of fighting spirit, but a few words from Xu Lingjun had completely drained his enthusiasm.
This kid is so relaxed, it seems that the so-called Level 3 Civilization test is only a scare tactic for those Masters of Civilization.
Forget it, I'll just go home and sleep.
To be honest, watching Xu Lingjun being welcomed by family every time he returns home, he truly feels a bit envious... perhaps he should try finding a wife?
The same-tribe girl he once met years ago was pretty nice.
Xu Lingjun had no idea that because of him, Han Yun City also thought about starting a family.
Returning to his own home.
After two years away...
It seems like nothing has changed, Sister Yaya is still as graceful as ever. Noticing Xu Lingjun's return, she warmly helped him with his slippers... as if he had just gone on a short business trip.
Except now, there's another little master at home.
Two-year-old Xiaoxueyun looked timidly at this familiar face suddenly appearing in the house.
And Wang Qingrou, who was just a bit older than her, stood protectively in front of her, watching this person who instantly became the center of everyone's attention with equal wariness.
She had an instinctual feeling...
Always feeling like with this person's arrival, her status as everyone's little princess was dethroned.
Xu Lingjun, on the other hand, was exceedingly affectionate towards these two little girls, hugging them tightly and giving each a big kiss.
His handsome face quickly turned Wang Qingrou, who initially felt a tinge of hostility, into someone full of affection. She clung to his neck and refused to let go.
"This time, you're not going into seclusion again, are you?"
Su Huanqing worried that Xu Lingjun would say he was going into seclusion again, disappearing for years on end.
Even now, though she had achieved a decent cultivation level and had extended her lifespan through technology, she still retained ordinary values.
To her...
She always considered herself an ordinary person, and now nearly forty years old.
She worried a bit that one day, should Xu Lingjun suddenly go into seclusion for a century, he'd come out only to hold her ashes in sorrow.
Xu Lingjun gently hugged her and laughed: "No need for that. If I want to get stronger, I'll need to take something from my enemies, not just lock myself away to cultivate."
"That's good."
Su Huanqing patted her chest in relief and said with a smile: "I've been thinking, when it's time for me to go, you'd better be by my side, at least. You're my husband after all."
Her words brought laughter from everyone present.
"Don't worry, no one's going anywhere this time."
Xu Lingjun laughed: "With me here, you'll find it hard to die even if you want to."
Wang Qingya dispassionately pointed out: "Not necessarily... with Xiaoqing's laziness, even if you presented her with the best cultivation technique and resources, she'd still be too lazy to cultivate, and might die from excessive laziness."
"Just force it upon her, then."
Ji Roufeng quite rationally analyzed the situation: "I always feel that my cultivation benefits every time, and I've heard Xiaojun mention something about Dual Cultivation, maybe... uh... sorry, I spoke poorly..."
Halfway through, she realized what she was implying, blushed intensely, and stopped talking.
"Alright, no more talking, it's rare for Xiaojun to be back, everyone help set the table. Once the two of them return, we can eat."
Zhong Yuebai poked her head out of the kitchen...
As one of the only two elders in the house, especially with the other being the especially unreliable Wang Tiancheng, her authority was unquestionable.
Everyone began buzzing around, tidying things up.
After a little while...
Han Qingxue and Han Qingyue finally rushed in, clutching their bags.
They were probably the busiest; with the Great Xia Empire's territory suddenly spreading to cover the entire Blue Star, they were fully in charge of state affairs, running around every day.
Once everyone was seated.
Looking at Wang Qingya, Sun Lingli, and Su Huanqing sitting on the left, and Ji Roufeng, Han Qingxue, and Han Qingyue on the right.
Li Jingjun and Li Pingting were seated farther away...
After all, Zhong Yuebai was still busy in the kitchen.
Both of them cradled a child to prevent the two-year-olds from playfully grabbing everything, keeping them a good distance from the table.
Seeing this lively scene made Wang Tiancheng smile with satisfaction, embodying the contentment of an elder...
This grand commotion made Xu Lingjun reflect with emotion.
Thankfully I've strove hard for such a large foundation, otherwise, finding a spot for so many family members during meals would be an issue every day.
Then again, thinking back to when I was at my lowest, the 300 square meters flat in Qingzhou City would still easily fit everyone...
Thinking about it, he suddenly asked: "Why can't I remember, has the promise of the 300 square meters flat from City Lord Yue in Qingzhou been fulfilled or not?"
"Of course it was fulfilled."
Han Qingxue rolled her eyes at Xu Lingjun and said: "Didn't you consider your status now? He'd be eager to please you. I received his documents back then, your residence has been completely set up on a one-to-one basis and is waiting for you. He's even welcoming you to go stay in Qingzhou City for a while anytime."
"Should we go back to Qingzhou City tomorrow?"
Xu Lingjun laughed: "I don't know why, but I suddenly feel homesick. Although this is home too, isn't there a saying 'homebound rich is like wearing a brocade at night'? I want to go stay for a while..."
"I'm in no position to go."
Han Qingyue grumbled: "Brother Jun, you take no responsibility every day. I'm so busy my hands are aching..."
"Have your brother handle it then. Isn't he the Regent King? If he enjoys doing so much work, why don't you pass it on to him?"
Xu Lingjun was speechless: "Or are you, like your sister, fond of power?"
Han Qingxue hurriedly explained: "I'm not, I'm not anymore, it's too exhausting... When are we leaving? I won't even pack, I'll just buy new clothes when we arrive back home!"
Xu Lingjun laughed: "We'll leave tomorrow, Father Wang..."
"You all go on ahead, I'm too old and worn out to travel."
Wang Tiancheng pretended to stretch tiredly, sneaking a glance at Zhong Yuebai working in the kitchen, smiled and said: "Oh yes, remember to take Xiao Qingrou with you to see her hometown. As for me, I'll take these few days to properly rest."
Wang Qingya showed concern and asked: "Leaving in such a hurry, don't you have important matters to handle first?"
"What's there to handle?"
Xu Lingjun chuckled: "I'm not the same as before now. I'm essentially Blue Star itself, and anything that happens on Blue Star can't escape my eyes if I don't want it to, whether I'm in Star City or Qingzhou, it doesn't matter. Besides, if war doesn't arise, it won't be my call, and if it does, I'll need to head into the cosmos, and it doesn't matter from where I depart."
He looked around and said: "For a long time, Blue Star won't see any war, and naturally, I'll get to live how I want until when war comes, I can be well-prepared for the strong foes that await. But rest assured, no matter how strong the enemy, I'm confident I'll achieve ultimate victory."
"Xu Lingjun, you troublemaker, don't you dare forget me."
On the windowsill, a Forget-me-not flower swayed gently in the breeze.
"Rest assured, I won't leave anyone out. If I'm going home... naturally, I'll take all of you with me."
Xu Lingjun smiled warmly.
His gaze pierced through the window, looking into the boundless sky outside.
The sky over Blue Star.
His homeland, his family.
Perhaps he truly was getting old, having weathered so many years of war and hardship...
He no longer yearned for a life of grandeur.
What captivated him more was the tranquil, carefree days.
"But how could this life be complete without you all?"
He seriously enunciated each word.
Indeed...
A family reunion, children and grandchildren at one's knee.
This is the happiness he longed for.
What does it matter if he's bound to a star's destiny?
What of conflicts across worlds?
After a lifetime of struggle, enduring countless hardships, what people ultimately seek is tranquillity and peace, isn't it?
And so long as there's something to desire, there's nothing to fear. (The end)
