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Liu Clan, A Family Reunited
Lan An and Mu Zi Yin emerged from the Spirit Realm Pearl, leaving Bai Su Mei and Li Zhu Luan to cultivate their new techniques. Before departing, Lan An dual-cultivated with Ji Bing via the Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon, stabilizing her soul injuries. Despite his soul power reaching Late Golden Core, fully healing her remained distant.
As they exited, the chubby Liu Clan steward approached. "Did Young Master and Lady rest well?" he asked respectfully.
"Thanks to the Liu Clan's care," Lan An nodded.
The steward smiled wryly. "We owe you a debt we can't repay. No need for formalities."
"Alright, what brings you?" Lan An prompted.
The steward exhaled. "The Patriarch wishes to discuss matters with you."
"No problem. Lead the way," Lan An said, taking Mu Zi Yin's hand.
They arrived at an isolated wooden room, nestled in a fragrant flower garden, apart from the clan's main quarters.
"Patriarch, the Young Master and his wife are here," the steward announced.
The door creaked open, and Liu Shi Qin, clad in simple white robes, stepped out. "Sorry to trouble you. Please, come in," she said softly.
"No trouble, Patriarch Liu," Lan An replied, guiding Mu Zi Yin inside.
The room was modest, crafted entirely from wood, adorned with vibrant flowers. "Please, sit," Liu Shi Qin said, pouring tea.
"This was my elder sister's room," she added abruptly.
Lan An and Mu Zi Yin exchanged puzzled glances.
"Since meeting you, I've felt an inexplicable closeness," Liu Shi Qin said, gazing at Lan An warmly.
Mu Zi Yin's eyes flickered. Her intuition told her Liu Shi Qin spoke truthfully.
"To be honest, I feel the same," Lan An admitted, smiling wryly. The system's mission to aid the Liu Clan wasn't random.
"May I ask boldly—are you seventeen this year?" Liu Shi Qin inhaled deeply, pressing forward.
Lan An and Mu Zi Yin froze, stunned.
"Is it true?" Liu Shi Qin's eyes sparked with hope.
"It is," Lan An said, his heart racing, sensing a pivotal moment.
Liu Shi Qin trembled, her voice quivering. "What's your surname? Forgive my rudeness—this matters to the Liu Clan."
"Luo," Lan An said gravely.
Liu Shi Qin's body shook, her pupils contracting, chest heaving.
"Patriarch, please calm yourself," Mu Zi Yin said, grasping her hand, channeling spiritual energy.
Liu Shi Qin steadied herself, producing a painting and unrolling it. It depicted a breathtaking woman, her gentle smile radiating warmth, like a spring breeze.
Mu Zi Yin's brows furrowed, then widened as she glanced at Lan An. Despite gender differences, his features echoed the woman's.
The painting's age was undeniable—no recent forgery could fool them.
Lan An's heart surged with an indescribable feeling. "Who is she?" he asked, voice trembling.
"My elder sister, Liu Yu Qing, married to Luo Clan Patriarch Luo Po Lei eighteen years ago," Liu Shi Qin replied softly, her words crashing like waves in Lan An's mind.
Mu Zi Yin felt Lan An's hand shake.
Liu Shi Qin produced a round bowl filled with swirling crimson liquid. "Blood Spirit Water—verifies kinship, near-perfect accuracy," Kim Nhi informed Lan An.
Mu Zi Yin recognized it from Tian Mu Sect, knowing its power.
Liu Shi Qin's eyes reddened, her voice a murmur. "Eighteen years ago, Luo Po Lei fancied my sister and sent betrothal gifts. A year later, she bore a son, named Luo Nam—born without a spirit root, deemed a waste by the Luo Clan. My sister was branded a sinner, eventually cast out, torn from her child. To save him, she faked her death. The Liu Clan held a grand funeral. One rainy night, she left, seeking strength to reclaim her son. Seventeen years… no word."
Tears streamed down Liu Shi Qin's face as she dripped blood into the Blood Spirit Water.
Lan An closed his eyes, overwhelmed. He'd thought his mother dead, raised on servant gossip amidst Luo Clan's cruelty. Now, he learned she'd suffered silently for him, faking death, enduring agony.
His tears fell, a mix of joy and pain crushing his heart. He couldn't fathom her suffering, only the suffocating love binding him.
Seeing Liu Shi Qin curled up, trembling, Lan An stood, embracing her tightly, pressing her head to his chest. "Dear Aunt, it's my fault, making you and Mother suffer so long," he rasped, dripping blood into the water.
The drops merged instantly, as if one.
Liu Shi Qin froze, time halting around her. The joy was surreal, dreamlike. He'd saved the Liu Clan, restored order, and was her nephew—the family she'd longed for.
Lan An, who never cried, wept freely, holding her trembling form. He pressed her hand to his cheek, whispering, "It's like a dream… but it's real, utterly real."
"Is it true?" Liu Shi Qin looked up, her heart aching at his hollow eyes, caressing them gently.
"It's true. You're my aunt, my mother is Liu Yu Qing, and she's alive. I have family, haha!" Lan An laughed, childlike.
Mu Zi Yin's eyes brimmed, watching her man. His talent and treasures had made her assume a privileged past. Now, knowing his pain, her heart bled, her love deepening.
"Tiao Nan, tell me everything. Your eyes—what happened?" Liu Shi Qin urged, clinging to his cheek.
Seeing her resolve and Mu Zi Yin's anticipation, Lan An recounted his Luo Clan torment, his sight stolen for Luo Yu. "A master took me as a disciple, freed me, and gifted me treasures," he said, fabricating the system's role.
The women sobbed, Mu Zi Yin hugging him, weeping. The trio clung together, tears spent.
Lan An parted them, chuckling at their tear-streaked faces, wiping their cheeks. "My master's Kim Nhi, elusive even to me," he dodged.
"Tch, I'm no master," Kim Nhi huffed internally.
"A woman? Introduce us someday," the women said in unison.
"Fine, I'll bring you to her," Lan An surrendered.
"If Sister knows you've been aided, she'll be overjoyed," Liu Shi Qin smiled, her radiant teeth dazzling.
"Don't worry, Aunt, I'll find Mother at all costs," Lan An vowed.
"I've an idea," Mu Zi Yin said, gripping his hand.
"Speak, darling!" Lan An kissed her forehead, adding, "Don't tell Tuo Mei or Zhu Luan yet. Their fiery natures might drive them to vengeance against the Luo Clan. I don't want that."
"I understand," Mu Zi Yin nodded, suppressing her own Luo Clan hatred with maturity.
"Niece-in-law, how do we find Sister?" Liu Shi Qin asked warmly, pulling her arm.
Mu Zi Yin blushed but said seriously, "In a year, Tiao Nan will join Sacred Lotus Academy's recruitment. Top five rankings will broadcast his name across the continent. Mother will find him."
"Brilliant!" Liu Shi Qin praised.
Lan An nodded. Bing Tian Continent was vast; finding one person was like seeking a needle in the sea. Sacred Lotus's fame was the best beacon.
"My queen's a genius," Lan An gushed.
Mu Zi Yin beamed.
Liu Shi Qin raised a brow. "Tiao Nan, who're Tuo Mei and Zhu Luan?"
"My veiled companions—my wives," Lan An boasted.
"Such a charmer?" Liu Shi Qin laughed, unopposed to his harem, blushing as she realized she still clung to him.
"I'll introduce them to you, Aunt," Lan An promised.
"I look forward to it," she said, adding, "Only I and your late grandmother knew Sister's truth in the Liu Clan. She passed six years ago."
Lan An felt a pang but urged, "Keep it secret. My identity's sensitive."
They nodded.
As they reminisced, the steward's panicked voice rang out: "Trouble, Miss! Qing Yun Sect's at our gates!"