Family

As they walked out of the city, the sun slowly set and the weather became chilly. They left from one of the many big gates and entered the outskirts.

Here the roads were much smaller and buildings less grand, but a lot more people could be seen out and about.

They entered a small town which had a very homey feeling to it.

Hao Xuan was amazed by everything he saw. There were children running around chasing one another, old people sitting outside playing different kinds of games, young couples holding hands, women could be seen walking around with large baskets filled with different things.

There were folks with tails, large ears, some even looked like they were made out of wood and clay but everyone was getting along with one another.

This was a mortal town. Although the Beast world was rich with spiritual energy, not everyone chose to be a cultivator. Many spent their entire lives without even touching a manual, instead choosing to live a short mundane life with normal problems.

But no one looked down on such people. This was one of the many ways of living and everyone respected one another regardless of their cultivation levels.

Hao Xuan had never seen anything like that before. Even though he had lost his memories, there was still this lingering emptiness inside him. On earth, he lived one day at a time. Never planning for the future or caring about anything, he had always wanted a normal life with parents, siblings, a lover perhaps.

So seeing all that brought up those deeply buried feelings once more, feelings he never even knew existed.

He looked at the kids, the couples, the old people, and for the first time felt envious, but he didn't know why.

"That's so nice," he mumbled out without even realizing. First and Zhurong looked at him and saw how engrossed he was. Zhurong didn't know what was going through Han Xuan's head but first knew, although for different reasons.

First was the leader of the Red Legion and had read Hao Xuan's file which said that he had no living family members and couldn't even remember the ones he had lost. He really felt bad for him, that's why he went out of his way to help him out.

They walked for 5 more mins until they reached a small residential area. The houses here were far apart from one another with large front and backyards. Many fruits and vegetables could be seen growing in front of each house making it seem slightly magical under the moon and streetlights.

Houses weren't that big but were enough for a large family.

As they entered the street, First led Hao Xuan to a house on the right where there was an old lady sitting in the porch reading something.

Hao Xuan stopped outside the yard and First went in.

"Grandma, I'm back," First said with a smile as he approached the old lady. She looked up from the book and gave a huge smile in return when she saw him.

"You finally have time to come home for a visit?" she said trying to sound angry but her wide smile only made her look kinder.

"I've been unfilial," he said as he bent down and took out a blanket from his ring to cover her legs.

"It's getting cold now, you shouldn't stay out after the sunset," he said warmly.

"Its fine, I'm not that old yet," the old lady replied and patted his head.

"You should come back more often, or don't blame her for finding someone else," the old lady said as she pointed towards the house.

Just then the main door of the house opened and a pretty lady walked out while cradling a little baby in her arms.

"Oh, look who it is little Qiye, a strange man has come to our house," the lady said in an exaggerated manner to the newborn in her arms. The baby boy, of course, had no idea what she was saying so he just laughed while waving his little arms.

"I'm sorry," First said with an apologetic face as he went up to the lady. He looked at the little baby and tickled his chin which made him laugh even more.

Hao Xuan was still standing on the street looking at them. He didn't understand why First would leave all this to go train in isolation and fight monsters all year around. If he had the chance, he'd definitely choose this life over cultivation.

"What happened? You weren't supposed to be back for a few more days," the lady said as she fixed First's collar. With her reminder, he came back to his sense and looked back towards Hao Xuan.

"Brother, come on in, what are you waiting for?" he shouted.

Hao Xuan went up to the porch and greeted everyone with a bow.

"This is my Ninth brother. We were out on some errands and he had to get a haircut so I thought why not kill two birds with one stone," first said as he took the boy from the lady's arms.

"Brother, this is my wife Anya and that is my foster mother. She adopted me when I was a kid. She's also Anya's mother," he said pointing towards the lady and the old woman.

"Hello grandma, sister, I'm Hao Xuan," he said with another bow.

"Haha welcome little brother, come in come in," Anya said laughing as she gestured towards an empty seat to the side.

"Ninth brother needs a haircut," First said to Anya with a wink.

"Ohh, finally! I was getting a little rusty," she said with a smile.

"But its getting late. Let's have dinner first. You're staying the night right?" she asked First, who replied with a nod and a smile.

"Oh I almost forgot to introduce you guys, this is Qiye, my son," first pointed towards the little boy.

"Hold him for a second, I'll help mother move inside," then he handed him the baby and helped the old lady get up.

Hao Xuan stood there awkwardly with a child in his arms as Anya went inside to get started on dinner and First helped the old lady move in.

He looked at the baby who was looking at him with eyes wide open.

"H-hello," he said to the baby who laughed and started playing with his hair which were down to his shoulders.

"Brother, why are you just standing there? Come sit in front of the fireplace," First yelled from inside.

Hao Xuan walked in with Qiye. The front door opened up in a hallway. To the left was a door from where First's voice was coming. He went in and there was a fireplace to the right and two big sofas in front of it, one of which was occupied by the old lady.

There was a dinner table further behind it where First was standing.

"I'll go help Anya with dinner, have a seat and relax," he said to Hao Xuan and left from another door to the right which led to the kitchen.

"Hello," Hao Xuan said once more to the old lady and sat down on the other sofa.

"Hahaha, no need to be so nervous child. Relax relax," she said laughing at Hao Xuan who had greeted her for the third time.