Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 433: Chapter 196: The Return Journey

A fine drizzle silently soaked Gaolin County.

A passenger boat slowly approached the dock.

Chen Qing was dressed in green robes, holding a common oil-paper umbrella.

He stood at the bow, gazing at the county’s skyline—a sight both familiar and strange. A wave of emotion washed over him.

Several years had passed. It felt like another lifetime.

The boat shuddered gently as it came to a stop, and the gangplank was secured.

Chen Qing followed the few other passengers off the boat, drawing no attention. Like an ordinary traveler returning home, he slowly melted into the county seat’s misty rain.

Following the address Wu Manqing had left in a previous letter, he passed through streets and alleys, arriving before a quiet and elegant courtyard in the Inner City.

White walls, black tiles, and a vermilion gate left ajar—a world apart from the dilapidated, interconnected fishing boats of Mute Bay he remembered.

This was the residence Wu Manqing had arranged for Ms. Han in the Inner City.

Chen Qing took a deep breath of the air, fragrant with damp earth and plants, and gently pushed open the courtyard gate.

The courtyard wasn’t large, but it was arranged in perfect order.

In a corner grew several early summer flowers, glistening with raindrops, which made them look even more delicate and vibrant.

The main house’s door was open, and he could see a familiar figure with her back to the entrance. She was sitting on a low stool by the window, using the daylight to focus on mending a piece of clothing.

The way she moved was exactly as he remembered.

As if hearing the sound of the gate opening, Ms. Han’s needle and thread paused, and she turned her head with some confusion.

When her gaze fell upon the tall, upright figure in the doorway, she froze for a moment. Then, the sewing basket in her hands fell to the ground with a CLATTER, spilling needles and thread everywhere.

"Ah... Ah Qing?"

Ms. Han’s voice trembled with disbelief. She shot to her feet, her eyes instantly turning red.

"Mother, I’m back."

Chen Qing quickly stepped forward, a warm, genuine smile spreading across his face.

Ms. Han grabbed his arm, looking him up and down, as if to confirm this wasn’t a dream.

Her hands trembled slightly as she felt Chen Qing’s firm arm, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. "It’s really you... You’re back, you’re really back... You’re taller, and stronger... Good, that’s good..."

She spoke incoherently, a thousand words caught in her throat.

"Mother, I’m doing well."

Chen Qing took his mother’s hand in his and gently soothed her. "See? I’m back now, aren’t I?"

"As long as you’re back, that’s all that matters..."

Ms. Han wiped her tears with her sleeve. After finally calming down a little, a sudden thought struck her, and she said hurriedly, "Quick, come inside! The rain isn’t heavy, but it’s not good to be in it for too long. Have you eaten? I’ll go make you something right now!"

She pulled Chen Qing toward the house, her words a constant stream of concern.

"Mother, I’m not hungry. I ate on the way."

Chen Qing replied with a smile, letting his mother pull him inside to sit down. "Don’t go to any trouble. Sit down and rest."

The furnishings inside were simple but comfortable. The table and chairs were clean, and a tea set was laid out on the table.

Ms. Han couldn’t sit still. She hurried to pour a cup of hot tea and pressed it into Chen Qing’s hands. "Here, drink some hot tea to warm yourself up. These past few years... how have you been over there?"

She fired off a series of questions.

Holding the warm teacup, Chen Qing felt a warmth spread through his heart.

He picked out the things he could talk about and gave her a general account.

"I actually guessed it long ago. My son must have made something of himself out there."

Ms. Han dabbed the corners of her eyes with her sleeve again, trying to contain her excitement, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve upward. "At first, the Wu Family arranged for two young maids to come and take care of me. But I’m used to a life of hard work, how could I get used to that? I was so uncomfortable."

As she spoke, as if recalling her initial predicament, she gently patted her knee. "But not long after, maybe... a little over a year after you left? Madam Wu came in person. She said she’d received word from you and insisted on moving me to a new place. I told her the other courtyard was fine, but she wouldn’t have it. She said it was damp and dilapidated, and that you... you would worry while you were away."

Ms. Han’s voice grew softer, filled with endless emotion. "So we moved here. This courtyard is wonderful—quiet and bright. And of the two maids, only one was left to come help out occasionally. Madam Wu is very considerate; she knew I wasn’t used to being waited on hand and foot."

Finally, she lowered her voice. "Then, later, even the Lord Captain of the county himself came to visit! Such a high-ranking official, and he was so polite. He even brought some nourishing supplements, saying they were a token of his esteem. Even someone as unworldly as me understood what was happening then."

She reached out and stroked Chen Qing’s arm, her eyes welling up again. "My Ah Qing, you’ve truly become successful! In my heart... in my heart, I’m just so..."

She couldn’t continue, merely patting the back of Chen Qing’s hand firmly. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but they were tears of relief and pride.

Chen Qing didn’t interrupt Ms. Han, letting her pour out all the worries and assumptions she had held onto for years.

Although his mother had a few more fine lines around her eyes, her complexion was rosy and her eyes were clear and bright.

The clothes she wore were made of soft cotton, clean and tidy, with immaculate cuffs and collar. It was clear she was living a stable and comfortable life.

At this, the last trace of worry in his heart finally vanished.

"Knowing you’re living well gives me peace of mind, Mother."

Chen Qing took Ms. Han’s hand and patted it gently.

"Your grandfather’s health is still fairly robust,"

Ms. Han sighed, her tone complicated. "That boy, Chen Heng... sigh... After failing the Martial Arts Examination several times, his spirit just broke. Your second aunt and uncle emptied their savings to support him, and now he can only manage a menial job at the County Yamen, earning a pittance. They’re barely scraping by."

"Your grandfather doesn’t say it, but I’m afraid he regrets it deeply... Sigh... but let’s not talk about that."

She shook her head, seeming unwilling to dwell on the sad, frustrating affairs of the old family home.