Chapter Eleven: Changes in the Mountain Village

On the way home, Tang Wei kept her eyes fixed on the two children. Tang Mother thought she was simply marveling at them, but in truth, Tang Wei’s mind was wandering far afield. She was thinking, "Since these two children were brought as conduits for the formation by Old Man Ziyang, I wonder if they are really mine. I must ask and find out as soon as we get back. If I raise them only for them to run off with someone else, I won’t even know who to cry to!" With that thought, Tang Wei longed desperately for their arrival home.

She didn’t even hear Tang Mother’s questions, not until Tang Father, unable to bear it any longer, gave her a gentle push. Startled, she returned to herself and asked, "Dad, why did you push me?"

"Didn’t you hear your mother just now?" Tang Father replied.

"What? Did Mom say something to me? Oh, Mother, I’m sorry, I was just lost in thought. What was it you wanted?" Tang Wei said, her tone playful and apologetic.

Tang Mother shook her head in resignation. "Child, what were you thinking so deeply about? I was asking how you’re feeling—there’s still quite a walk left to the village. Are you up for it? Should we find someone to carry you in?" Without waiting for Tang Wei’s answer, she continued her litany: "I told you to rest more at the hospital or stay at your elder sister’s house, but you insisted on coming home so soon, not even considering your health. You don’t take care of yourself. You’re young now and don’t know any better, but when you’re older you’ll regret it…" And on and on, her words flowing without end.

Tang Wei, unable to listen anymore, quickly interjected, "Mom, I get it! I’m really fine, there’s no need for anyone to carry me. We’ll just walk slowly. And next time, I promise I’ll do as you say, alright? Honestly, I never noticed how much you nag!"

Tang Mother rolled her eyes at Tang Wei, exasperated. "You’ve learned nothing good, only how to talk back like your elder sister!"

Tang Father stepped in, "Alright, old woman, enough chatter. We have to get out of the car soon. Save your strength for carrying the two little ones." Then he turned to He Jianjun, "Jianjun, just head back directly—it’s getting late, no need to walk us in. Leave the things at your brother’s shop, I’ll come get them tomorrow. Get home early; you’ll be busy at your own shop tomorrow, so finish up quickly and come back for the New Year!"

He Jianjun didn’t mind and replied, "Alright, Dad, Mom, take care on your way! I’ll head off now."

Tang Wei’s hometown had a narrow concrete road, just wide enough for one person, constructed by government order from the riverside town. It stretched straight to the next town, with no buses running between. If two vehicles met, one would have to pull aside so the other could pass, though such encounters were rare—the road saw little traffic. Even as living standards improved, most families simply bought a motorcycle to keep at home. The road itself was lined with entrances to small villages, never passing through the village centers.

He Jianjun parked his car at the entrance, and from there, it was a half-hour walk to reach home. Tang Father moved their belongings into a small shop by the roadside, run by Tang Wei’s cousin, so it was common to leave things there for any length of time.

As He Jianjun departed, Tang Father reminded him, "Make sure to settle things early at your shop so you can come home for the New Year. No need to worry about earning a little extra these few days!"

He Jianjun agreed and started his car. Before leaving, he called back, "Dad, I understand. Take care on the road, I’ll be off now!"

Dusk was settling. Tang Wei, carrying her younger sister, walked at the head, not at all like someone recently discharged from the hospital. Perhaps she truly was well. Tang Mother carried the older brother, and Tang Father followed last, lugging their belongings. The family of five made their way slowly into the village.

The village comprised barely a dozen households, the rest being rice fields. Tang Wei’s village was surrounded on all sides by mountains, with only a narrow muddy path winding along the slopes to connect them with the outside world. The handful of houses nestled at the base of the mountain, with terraced fields stretching between them. The slopes near the village had been turned into vegetable plots.

At the farthest mountain corner lay two ponds, but they were merely spots for villagers to fish at leisure. Raising fish there would be futile—the water was cold spring-fed and unsuitable. Their main purpose was to provide water for the rice fields during the dry seasons.

The village was populated entirely by relatives within five generations. Tang Wei’s grandfather had eight brothers, with Tang Wei’s grandfather being the fifth. The whole village was made up of their descendants. Each brother had one or two sons, and those who prospered moved to the provincial capital, though most remained.

News of Tang Wei’s return traveled without need for announcement. Aunties, sisters-in-law, and cousins brought gifts to her door. The village was harmonious, with no unpleasant gossip—only congratulations and compliments on how fine the children looked.

After finally seeing off the visitors, Tang Wei fed the two children and was eager to find Xiao Ling in her space to get answers. It was a question that had troubled her all night, and she’d nearly asked people to leave earlier. Now, with peace at last, just as she was about to enter, Tang Mother came in, intent on sleeping beside her, worried Tang Wei wouldn’t know how to care for the children at night. Tang Wei was startled—she still planned to enter her space. She had to coax Tang Mother away, promising, "How could I not know how to care for children? Didn’t I raise Niu Niu when she was young, making milk for her every night?"

Tang Wei knew she would have to be careful in her space; Tang Mother was sure to check on her during the night, as she had done before. When she’d cared for Niu Niu, Tang Mother’s concern would bring her into the room two or three times a night. Tang Wei, a deep sleeper, would only wake when Tang Mother reached her bedside, and after being startled several times, she soon didn’t want to care for Niu Niu anymore—she simply couldn’t rest.

Hurrying into her space, Tang Wei entered the study in the main hall and called for Xiao Ling. Xiao Ling appeared, holding a fragrant fruit whose aroma instantly soothed Tang Wei.

Tang Wei, abandoning her previous questions, asked eagerly, "Where did you get that fruit? It smells wonderful—give me one!"

Xiao Ling spun away, dodging Tang Wei, and said, "That won’t do. You can’t eat this right now—it would kill you!"

Tang Wei protested, "Nonsense! Isn’t this the immortal fruit that cleanses the body and channels the veins? You can eat it, so why not me? Besides, I am your master—you must obey me!"

Xiao Ling hurried to explain, "Master, if you wish for cleansing, there’s a whole sea of spiritual spring water here, any of which can do that. But this fruit is from the Immortal Realm; you can smell it, but eating it would make you explode. I am only a spiritual being, so it doesn’t affect me."

Tang Wei relented, "Fine. Since I am your master, you must never eat anything in front of me that I can’t have!" She was still annoyed. "Anyway, I have something important to ask you!"

Xiao Ling quickly finished eating the fruit, as if eager to avoid further trouble, and struggled to swallow before asking, "What is it?"

"It’s about the array core in my body. Where did my two children come from? I don’t want to raise them only for them to leave me someday."

"Master, they are definitely your children. Don’t worry—they’re no different from other children, only their foundations are better. Why don’t you bring them in here? The environment is very beneficial for their bodies," Xiao Ling replied with certainty.

"I’m afraid if they come in, they’ll grow too quickly and be seen as monsters. By the way, didn’t I tell you to call me ‘Sister’?"

Xiao Ling whispered, "Can I really call you ‘Sister’?" After Tang Wei nodded, Xiao Ling continued, "Sister, bring them in. In here, their bodies won’t grow quickly—only their minds will develop faster. They’ll just be smarter than other children."

"In that case, I’ll go get them now. Wait right here, I’ll be back soon." With that, Tang Wei went out to fetch the children.