Under the starlight, Li Pingcan leaped into his father's arms as the family wept with joy, embracing tightly.
"Husband." Lady Qin dropped the axe, wanting to wipe her tears with her sleeve when she realized holding the axe for too long had numbed her fingers with prickling pain.
"Wife, I made you worry." Seeing this, Li Rongzhou immediately put down his youngest son and tenderly took his wife's hand, gently massaging it to improve circulation.
Lady Qin clasped her husband's bloodstained hand, anxiously checking for wounds before sighing in relief. "You must be exhausted. I'll heat water for your feet when we get home."
The couple walked hand in hand.
Sandwiched between them, Li Pingcan watched his parents' affectionate display, feeling like an unwanted bonus item from a phone card promotion.
'So wives get true love while children are just accidents!'
"Big brother, how did you aim that slingshot so precisely earlier? Any tricks?"
Li Pingcan looked up. While his wind could alter projectiles' paths, he lacked precision for small targets—he only boosted power. His eldest brother's accuracy was truly remarkable!
If he could learn this technique to make every thorn wrap around stones for volley fire, imagine the terrifying rain of precisely targeted rocks! With his current lack of offensive options, it was worth trying.
Recalling the dying hunter's resentful glare, Li Pingfu suddenly felt nauseous. During their famine escape, he'd seen many corpses—not unafraid, but accustomed. Yet killing someone personally was new.
Not trauma, but tempering courage—just slight physical discomfort. Holding his churning stomach, he exhaled: "Didn't think much then. With boiling blood, the world froze—only the projectile's path and target existed."
"Perfect aim? Absolute focus?"
Li Pingcan marveled—his brother wasn't just a martial prodigy but also a sharpshooter! Using a mere rubber slingshot was beneath him.
Sighing, he realized this was pure talent—unlearnable!
Changing topics, Li Ping'an asked curiously: "Little brother, that strange wind earlier... was that you?"
Li Pingcan scratched his head awkwardly. He hadn't meant to hide it, but how could he explain Druid powers without being mistaken for a monster?
Before he could formulate an answer, Li Rongzhou interjected gravely: "Don't ask. Don't wonder!"
Stopping, he knelt to embrace his three sons, whispering: "Immortals are omnipotent—they can extract souls and read memories. The less we know, the safer Can'er is!"
Li Rongzhou always knew his youngest's talents would lead him to immortality. Mortal family would only hold him back. On the treacherous immortal path, they couldn't help—so they'd avoid burdening him however possible.
Tears welled in Li Pingcan's eyes. Prepared for rejection, he was instead met with paternal devotion considering every angle for his sake. Sniffling unsuccessfully, he wiped his nose on his father's filthy pants leg. "Then promise never to abandon us three again to face danger alone! Our family shares joy and sorrow—no abandonment!"
"Good! Well said!" Li Rongzhou laughed heartily, lifting Li Pingcan. "Sharing joy and sorrow with no abandonment—this shall be our Li family creed!"
Peach Blossom Village's simple folk dressed in mourning white. The village funeral chef profited handsomely while pretending grief, pinching his cheeks to maintain solemnity as he cooked.
Men set up tables while women served dishes in bustling activity—village tradition where neighbors helped send the deceased off properly.
After mourning, the feast began. Normally, the Lis wouldn't qualify to "sit at table," but today the Old Chief personally invited Li Rongzhou, who was immediately surrounded by grateful gazes upon seating.
"Brother Li, thank you for saving us! A toast!"
"Li Fang, no cutting in—I was first!"
"Stop arguing... Brother Rongzhou, my toast first!"
While men drank boisterously, young Li Pingcan sat properly at the women's table, eating neatly to impressed murmurs.
"What a well-behaved boy—eating by himself so young!"
"Unlike my unruly monkey-child!"
"So fair and adorable!"
With each compliment, Li Pingcan sweetly responded: "Sister is cute too!" "Auntie is beautiful!" charming all present.
"Lady Qin, you're blessed—such a good son and mighty husband," one woman said enviously.
Another teased: "Watch your man—that hussy Cuihua's eyeing him!"
Lady Qin spotted the green-clad woman staring but smiled gracefully: "We wives dare not control our husbands." Maintaining Li Rongzhou's public dignity while secretly vowing he'd sleep outside if he glanced back.
Finally free from chatter during dessert, Li Pingcan ate heartily, amazed by women's gossip stamina. A funeral had become their family's spotlight—they'd need more discretion henceforth.
Apart from grieving relatives, funerals were just social events after all.
As the feast concluded—
Nine majestic bell tolls thundered across the heavens as a golden scroll's phantom image blotted out the sky, casting vast shadows while radiating imperial glory.
"The Emperor's Edict!" The Old Chief exclaimed reverently. "Quick! All 351 villagers—kneel and kowtow!"
The Emperor?! Li Pingcan gaped—immortal realm decrees were announced this magnificently!
Only after everyone knelt did the edict reveal its contents:
[By Mandate of Heaven: Our beloved heir's birth was heralded by crimson dragons—auspicious celestial signs. Henceforth, we pardon 8,600 minor offenders (excluding unpardonable crimes). The Imperial Astronomers shall conduct rain prayers to bless the land.]
"The Emperor's sending immortals to bring rain—no drought!"
"Then Old Li's family died for nothing?" someone whispered, quickly shushed.
"Praise our wise Emperor!" Cheers erupted.
"Waaah! My poor husband—died before tasting the Emperor's mercy!" Wailing resumed.