Chapter 136: The Return of Wang Lin?

Wang Zen walked into the dining room with Shibi on his shoulder. He had to take a breath of relief. He was still home. He had not eaten dinner in the dining room in a long time. The last time was a few months after his brother’s death.

He walked into the dining room and could immediately felt awkward as his father and grandfather sat in the room in silence at the opposite sides of the dining table. Zen found his place in the middle of the two, looking at the food laid out before them.

“Wang Zen?” Wang Ton, still in his black, demon face iron mask, looked at him. “What are you still doing here? I gave the order that you should return to Goixi Academy.”

“Yes… I was about to leave when Grandpa came.” Zen said. “He said Mother might come back home.”

Wang Ton threaded his fingers as he rested his elbows on the table. “Mr. Jao, why would you think Wang Lin would come back now? Is her quest over?”

“Although it has been 2 years since Lin Lin went away on the quest, I’ve heard that her group has reached its end and will be making their way home soon.” Jao said. “I was so proud of my daughter and son when they went on the Imperial mission to find the legendary treasure of Bu Tao So. Those two, really they are the only ones who bring honour to their families.”

There was silence that followed and Zen gingerly reached out for a pear and chewed, the sound filling the quiet.

“But we’ve only been able to scarcely contact them.” Zen’s father said. “How did you hear word of their long quest coming to an end.”

“For now it is a rumour, but if it is true, I’m sure she’ll want to rush over here… I mean, she probably heard that you were so badly defeated that you got bedridden. So she’ll probably want to make sure that all she’s built is still standing.” The old man smirked. “But not too worry, I will receive confirmation of whether my daughter is coming back tomorrow, until then, we can enjoy the meal. You should take off that silly thing off your face at the dinner table though. It’s not like any of us here have never seen your face.”

“You’ll have to forgive my rudeness,” Zen’s father said as he rose to his feet, “but I will not be eating with you. I am still injured and am going to rest.”

Jao frowned in annoyance. “You are forgiven, after all, I can’t expect a former commoner to fully act like a noble.”

Zen’s father left without saying another word. The old man looked at Zen.

“So, how is school… grandson.”

“Wang Zen,” Zen reminded the man of his name.

The stars were out in full, giving Zen a ceiling of beauty as he practiced the cultivation technique, the Half Step to Fullness. He was disappointed. The pace at which he refined ki was slower than the last time. He was trying to figure out why. The only difference between then and now was location everything else was the same and he doubted the place he had practiced at had any special properties for that was where he usually trained.

He sighed, looking at Shibi as he meditated. He decided to continue with his training because although he wasn’t refining as much ki as before, his progress was still a lot better than using Cracked Earth. Unaware of the eyes that were on him, from Ding Wu, who was serving a night guard’s man, and his grandfather, who returned to meditating and his father, watching from the window above. Zen continued until the sun began to rise, which was when he decided to take a short rest.

The messenger arrived. Zen saw the woman make her way across the yard of his home and decided to follow her inside the house. He found his grandfather sitting down and his father enter the room. The woman knelt by Jao and offered him two small scrolls.

Zen’s grandfather dismissed the messenger and read the two scrolls. After some time he sighed and placed the scrolls on the table.

“I have bad news and good news,” the old man said.

“Is it Mother?” Zen said in excitement.

“Yes,” Jao said. “Your mother is not coming home. Seems my sources were mistaken and will be punished for their mistake.”

Zen deflated.

“Now, for the good news.” Jao said. “In light of recent events, the royal family has decided to show you great favour, Wang Ton.”

“How so?” Zen’s father said, tilting his head in wonder.

“You will be entertaining three important dignities from the Red Dragon Sect.”