Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint

Chapter 437: Chapter 197: Top Secret

Chen Qing’s days in Gaolin County flowed by like a deep, calm river, stable and serene.

On this day, the faint light of dawn filtered through the window lattice, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow inside the room.

Chen Qing pushed open the door, and the aroma of cooking rice mixed with the familiar smell of pickled vegetables wafted over him.

Ms. Han was busy at the stove, where a pot was bubbling away and steaming.

"Mom, didn’t I say you could just let Xiaocui and the others handle this?"

Chen Qing walked over and took the bowl from her hands.

Xiaocui was a maid Wu Manqing had arranged to come and serve them.

Ms. Han wiped her hands on her apron, an irrepressible smile on her face that smoothed out the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. "It’s rare for you to be back. Mom can still get around, so what’s the big deal about making you a few hot meals? You can’t get this flavor anywhere else, can you?"

She was referring to the braised pork with dried bamboo shoots simmering in the pot, served with a side dish of crisp pickled cucumbers and a few pieces of fermented bean curd in sesame oil.

It couldn’t compare to exotic delicacies, but it was Ms. Han’s specialty. Moreover, it was a feast she wouldn’t have even dared to dream of back on the boat in Mute Bay.

Chen Qing said no more and quietly dished out the rice.

The mother and son sat facing each other at the small table, quietly eating their meal.

The rich, familiar aroma of the glistening, reddish-brown braised pork and dried bamboo shoots filled the small house.

"Eat up!"

Ms. Han kept placing large pieces of meat into Chen Qing’s bowl with her chopsticks, her eyes full of affection. "You’re out there facing the elements, so you need to build up your strength. No matter how expensive restaurant food is, it’s never as flavorful as what I make at home."

This was the dish Chen Qing had looked forward to most as a child.

In the past, they could only afford a taste of meat during festivals, and every time, he would eat until his bowl was spotless, not willing to waste even a drop of the sauce.

These days, Ms. Han made it for him every few days.

Chen Qing ate with concentration. After a while, he spoke. "Mom, I plan to head back in a couple of days."

He had already been back in Gaolin County for a month, and it was about time for him to return to the Wutai Sect.

The hand Ms. Han was using to serve food paused for a moment. Then, as if nothing had happened, she placed a prime piece of pork belly into his bowl. Her smile didn’t fade, but the light in her eyes dimmed almost imperceptibly.

"Alright. Your duties are important. Mom understands."

She lowered her head and picked at the rice in her bowl, her tone as normal as ever. "You’re a man with a great future now. You can’t stay cooped up in this little town forever. Mom’s doing fine. I don’t need anything, and the neighbors are all friendly..."

She rambled on, as if trying to convince Chen Qing, and perhaps herself as well.

But in the end, her voice couldn’t hide a trace of loneliness.

But she knew she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, be the thing that held him back.

Chen Qing noticed his mother’s subtle sadness. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and smiled. "Mom, even the best chefs out there can’t compare to your cooking."

"The only reason I can work out there with peace of mind is because I know everything is fine at home. This place is my roots. No matter where I go, I’ll always come back in the end."

Hearing Chen Qing’s words, the bitterness in Ms. Han’s heart was instantly soothed.

She looked up, the dimness in her eyes fading as her smile returned. "You always know how to make your mother happy. I know my son is destined for great things."

She no longer dwelled on his departure. Picking up her chopsticks again, she enthusiastically placed some crisp pickled cucumber in his bowl. "Try this. It’s a new batch I pickled. See if you like it. Alright, alright, hurry up and eat before your food gets cold."

The atmosphere at the table became relaxed and warm again, and the mother and son continued to enjoy their home-cooked meal.

The next day, Chen Qing arrived at the Zhou Institute.

He handed two small Jade Bottles to Zhou Liang.

"Master, these two bottles of Essence Stabilizing Pills can help solidify one’s foundation. Please keep them."

Zhou Liang accepted the Jade Bottles. He knew well that anything from Chen Qing was far from ordinary. In the end, he just clapped Chen Qing heavily on the shoulder, everything understood without a word.

He then handed another, slightly different Jade Bottle to Sun Shun. "Brother Sun, these Barrier-Breaking Pills might help you break through your bottleneck to the Transformation Realm."

Sun Shun took the Jade Bottle, his hands trembling slightly.

He had been stuck at the Peak of Dark Force for a long time; to him, this Elixir was like a welcome rain after a long drought.

His eyes grew warm. Without a hint of false modesty, he gave a deep bow. "Junior Brother Chen... I have no words to thank you for this great kindness! I... I will not let you down!"

’He knew this might have been a simple gesture for Chen Qing, but for him, it was a monumental opportunity.’

Chen Qing smiled. "You’re too kind, Brother Sun."

After all, they had been fellow disciples, and back in the day at the institute, Sun Shun had been the kindest of the senior brothers and the most willing to look out for him.

Afterward, Chen Qing chatted with the two of them for a long time before openly telling them he would be leaving in a few days.

Neither Zhou Liang nor Sun Shun was very surprised to hear this, and their words were filled with concern for him.

After Chen Qing left, Zhou Liang sat in his usual spot in the study of the Zhou Institute’s rear courtyard, gazing absently at the figures of the disciples outside the window.

Mrs. Li moved about quietly, slowly tidying up the teacup Chen Qing had used. Finally, she couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

The sigh broke the room’s silence. Zhou Liang came to his senses and looked at his wife. "What’s wrong?"

Mrs. Li put the teacup away and sat down beside Zhou Liang, her eyes filled with a mix of complex emotions: gratification, pride, but above all, a deep sense of regret.

"It’s nothing."

She shook her head, her voice tinged with emotion. "It’s just seeing Ah Qing now... so... so incredible. It gives me such mixed feelings. And it looks like he still hasn’t married yet."

She paused, then looked up at Zhou Liang, her tone filled with unconcealable regret. "Tell me... back then, with our girl Yu’Er... Sigh... if only Ah Qing had really become our son-in-law, how wonderful would that have been? It would have truly strengthened our family ties, a joyous blessing indeed."