Sheng Ba

As Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun gazed upon the familiar village before them, a wave of nostalgia washed over them. It had been a year since they departed from their homes, venturing out into the world beyond. Now, returning home, they couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and familiarity enveloping them.

The winding streets, the quaint houses, and the serene atmosphere of the village all greeted them like old friends. Memories of a childhood, shared moments with family, and the simple joys of life flooded their minds, filling them with a sense of longing and belonging, coming back to their roots brought a sense of comfort and reassurance.

As Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun stepped down from the carriage, handed the coachman a pouch of coins. The coachman, understanding their predicament, nodded in understanding as they handed him a pouch of coins, payment for his services, and an assurance to wait for their return.

With the carriage now stationed in the village for a couple of days, Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun set off on foot towards their house.

The warm greetings and curious inquiries from the villagers added to Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun's sense of belonging as they made their way through the familiar streets. The genuine smiles and friendly chatter served as a reminder of the community they had grown up in.

As they reached their small house, nestled among the others in the village, Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun felt a rush of nostalgia and affection. The sight of their humble house brought back a flood of memories.

With a shared glance, they approached the door and raised their hands to knock. The anticipation of reuniting with their family fueled their excitement, and their hearts swelled with warmth at the thought of seeing their parents again.

"Coming!" a woman's voice was heard from the inside before she opened the door. The warmth of their mother's voice and the sight of her holding an infant filled Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun with a mix of joy and surprise. 

"Mom, it's good to see you" Sheng Jun said warmly, his voice tinged with emotion.

"Yeah, we missed you guys" Ma Hongjun added, his eyes shining with happiness.

Their mother ushered them inside, her smile radiant as she led the way. Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun followed, their steps light with anticipation.

Inside, they were greeted by the comforting aroma of a home-cooked meal and the sight of their father busy at work in the kitchen. His warm greeting only added to the sense of homecoming that enveloped them.

"Thanks, Dad" Sheng Jun said gratefully as they took their seats at the table.

...

Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun exchanged surprised glances at the news of their new sibling. They couldn't hide their joy at the revelation.

"A little sister?" Ma Hongjun exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement.

Sheng Jun smiled warmly, his heart swelling with affection. "That's amazing, Mom, Dad. What's her name?"

Their mother's smile was radiant as she cradled the infant in her arms, her eyes sparkling with maternal pride. "Her name is Sheng Ba, she's 34 days old" she added, her voice tender as she gently brushed a strand of hair away from the baby's forehead.

Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun couldn't contain their excitement as they leaned in to get a closer look at their baby sister. With wide smiles plastered on their faces, they gently poked her cheeks, marveling at how tiny and delicate she appeared. However, their playful antics were quickly interrupted by their mother's cautious admonition.

Sheng Yu, with a tender smile, scooped the baby back into her arms, mindful of not disturbing her peaceful slumber. "Be careful not to wake her up" she cautioned softly, her maternal instincts kicking in as she held her daughter close.

Sheng Fu, joining the conversation, couldn't help but express his amazement at their new addition. "It's strange how different she is from you Sheng Jun" he remarked, a hint of wonder in his voice. "You were such a quiet child, lost in your thoughts most of the time. But she seems to have a set of lungs on her, crying day and night. Thankfully, we both have our cultivation to keep up with her!"

As Sheng Jun looked at his baby sister, a surge of warmth and protectiveness washed over him. He couldn't help but feel a sense of duty to guide her on the path of cultivation. However, he knew that the Heavenly Dao Sutra was a profound technique, one that required a certain level of mental maturity to comprehend.

Remembering his own experience with the Heavenly Dao Sutra, Sheng Jun hesitated. He knew that the information had manifested in his mind when he was two years old, indicating that the infant brain might not be ready to process such complex knowledge. With a thoughtful expression, he decided to hold off on imparting the sutra to Sheng Ba for the time being.

Sheng Jun conveyed his intention to wait until Sheng Ba reached the age of two before teaching her the Heavenly Dao Sutra. His parents nodded in agreement, recalling their own skepticism when Sheng Jun had first revealed the technique to them. However, witnessing the depth of the cultivation technique after Sheng Jun imparted the technique to them, they had come to trust in his judgment completely, so they agreed that it would be best to wait until Sheng Ba was older and her mind more developed before introducing her to such profound teachings.

As the dinner progressed, Sheng Jun learned that his parents had reached level 10 in their cultivation journey. Despite not awakening soul power during the martial soul awakening, they had diligently practiced their skills over the past five years. This achievement was remarkable for ordinary humans and spoke volumes about their dedication and talent.

Feeling proud of his parents' progress, Sheng Jun decided to go on a hunting trip for spirit beasts the following day. Ma Hongjun readily agreed to join him, eager to contribute to the family's well-being and share in the joy of their success.

After dinner, the family spent the rest of the evening chatting and enjoying each other's company. Laughter filled the air as they reminisced about old memories and shared stories of their experiences over the past year.

...

Under the serene glow of the moon, a shadowy figure slipped out of bed within the confines of a small house. The sudden voice from the darkness startled him, prompting a surprised yelp before recognition set in. "Going somewhere?" The inquiry came from across the room, breaking the silence like a whisper in the night. Ma Hongjun, now composed, replied in a hushed tone "Brother Jun, yes, I am planning to go see them"

Sheng Jun nodded in understanding "Then be careful" With those words, he returned to his meditative state.

Outside, beneath the starlit sky, Ma Hongjun found himself standing before two gravestones. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he knelt before them, his voice trembling with emotion. "Mother, Father, I'm back" he whispered, his words carried away by the gentle night breeze.

In the quiet of the night, Ma Hongjun began to recount the tales of his time at the Nuoding Academy.