Upon hearing this, Nangong Mian didn’t say anything, instead burying his head into Nangong Yan’s shoulder.
Nangong Yan remained silent as well, gently patting him on the back.
After a while, Nangong Mian finally lifted his head, then abruptly pushed Nangong Yan away, saying, “Nangong Yan, just wait! I’ll settle the score with you later!”
With that, Nangong Mian walked back toward the Ling Academy’s Eight Courtyard without even looking back, as if he hadn’t just been clinging to Nangong Yan moments ago.
Watching him leave, Nangong Yan smiled helplessly and asked, “Quan Quan, do you think I’m really in for it this time after what A’Mian said?”
Huang Quan nodded and smiled, “You really are in trouble.”
“Sigh…” Nangong Yan let out a long sigh, though his face remained smiling. He wasn’t truly worried—he was happy.
He had reunited with Quan Quan and A’Mian.
After three years of separation, how could he not be overjoyed to see his family again?
There would be a rest day after returning from the training grounds, meaning no class tomorrow.
After saying a few words, the teacher dismissed everyone to go rest.
Nangong Mian came back over, looking at them and saying, “Alright, let’s head back to the courtyard.”
Then he turned to Nangong Yan and added, “Once we’re back, we’ll have a proper talk!”
Nangong Yan nodded, “Alright.”
…
Once they were back at the courtyard, Nangong Yan retold what he had already shared with Huang Quan and the others to Nangong Mian.
When he finished, Nangong Yan said, “A’Mian, Second Brother knows he was wrong. Don’t be mad. I promise I won’t do something like this again.”
Although Nangong Mian had made a bold statement earlier, he wasn’t actually angry.
After not seeing his Second Brother for three years, he was too happy to be angry.
After listening to Nangong Yan, Nangong Mian replied, “Second Brother, I don’t blame you.”
“You were looking for our parents too,” Nangong Mian said as he looked at him. “It’s just good that you’re back.”
Seeing that Nangong Mian wasn’t angry, Nangong Yan said, “A’Mian, you’ve had it tough these past few years.”
Nangong Mian shook his head. “It wasn’t tough.”
“Second Brother, all of that is in the past now,” Nangong Mian said. “It’s enough that you’re back.”
Nangong Yan nodded in agreement.
After chatting for a while longer, with Nangong Mian knowing he didn’t have class the next day, Feng Jiuyuan suggested, “Why don’t we go out for dinner tonight?”
Jing Chen nodded. “Agreed.”
“Sounds good,” Huang Quan and the others said as well.
Since everyone agreed, the group left the academy and went to a nearby restaurant.
When the waiter asked what they wanted to order, Nangong Mian didn’t mention food but instead ordered several jugs of wine.
Nangong Yan asked, “A’Mian, why are you ordering so much wine?”
“You just came back from training; you should be resting!”
“Today is a good day,” Nangong Mian said. “I finally get to see you, Second Brother. We brothers should celebrate properly.”
After hearing this, Nangong Yan didn’t stop him.
As a result, Nangong Yan ended up getting tricked.
Huang Quan, meanwhile, just smiled and shook her head.
Seeing her reaction, Feng Jiuyuan and Jing Chen immediately knew something was up, so they didn’t touch the wine at all.
In the end, all the wine ended up in Nangong Yan’s stomach.
At first, Nangong Yan didn’t realize what his younger brother was planning. But by the time he did, he had no choice but to finish it all, successfully getting drunk.
“Hmph.”
Looking at the now-drunk Nangong Yan, Nangong Mian was finally satisfied.
He thought, *Let him be drunk for one night, and I’ll forgive him.*
But then…
“Third Brother, if I were you, I wouldn’t have chosen to get Second Brother drunk outside,” Huang Quan said with a smile. “Now you’re responsible for carrying him back.”
379
Nangong Mian: “…”
He hadn’t considered that while getting his brother drunk.
There was no way around it—he was the one who got Nangong Yan drunk, so naturally, it was up to him to carry him back.
And so, Nangong Mian carried Nangong Yan on his back while Huang Quan, Feng Jiuyuan, and Jing Chen walked beside him.
Even though Nangong Mian had gotten Nangong Yan drunk out of a little anger, the dinner had been joyful. Seeing a family member again was genuinely a reason to be happy.
…
The next day.
When Nangong Yan woke up, he stared at the ceiling and sighed while lying in bed.
*A’Mian has gotten harsher.*
In the past, when A’Mian wanted to give him and their elder brother a hard time, he would just cry.
Now, instead of crying, A’Mian made sure he really suffered.
After lying in bed for a while, Nangong Yan got up to wash and dress. When he opened the door after getting ready, Huang Quan was already there.
“Quan Quan!” Nangong Yan greeted as soon as he saw her.
“Second Brother!” Huang Quan smiled at him and said, “Qin Qin has returned. We have news!”
As soon as Nangong Yan heard that, he immediately said, “Let’s go see him.”
“Mm,” Huang Quan nodded.
The two quickly reached the front courtyard, where everyone had already gathered.
Emperor Qin had returned to the capital late the previous night, but knowing that Huang Quan and the others would already be resting, he decided to wait until early the next morning to visit.
“Prince Qin,” Nangong Yan greeted him, then asked, “Is there really news about my parents?”
“There’s some information,” Emperor Qin replied, looking at him, “but it’s not easy to investigate.”
“Any news is better than no news,” Nangong Yan said. “What did you find out?”
“According to the Spirit Clan leader, a former leader of the Spirit Clan once attempted to take a fragment of the Underworld King’s Token to Haiwaitian, but was stopped by the elders. Despite their opposition, the leader still went, though he couldn’t bring the fragment with him and left alone,” Emperor Qin explained. “When he returned, he continued to research the Underworld King’s Token fragment, but in the end, it caused his death.”
“Haiwaitian is a lead provided by the Spirit Clan leader.”
“Haiwaitian?” Feng Jiuyuan frowned. “How could it be in that place?”
Nangong Mian immediately asked, “Do you know where Haiwaitian is?”
“I’ve heard of it,” Feng Jiuyuan replied. “It’s a legend.”
“A legend?” Nangong Mian was surprised. “How can it be just a legend?”
“It’s simply a legend,” Feng Jiuyuan explained. “People have only heard about it; no one has ever been there.”
Due to the complex powers in Jiuyuan City, Feng Jiuyuan knew a lot, but for a place no one had ever found, even knowing more wouldn’t help.
Emperor Qin turned to Huang Quan. “Quan Quan, don’t worry. The fact that we have information about Haiwaitian at least gives us a direction. Based on what the Spirit Clan leader said, Haiwaitian does exist.”
“As long as it’s real, we’ll find it,” Huang Quan said. “Haiwaitian… Haiwaitian. Places like this usually have names related to their location.”
“We should focus on investigating coastal areas,” Huang Quan speculated. “Haiwaitian might be a continent on the other side of the sea or perhaps an island.”
“Mm,” Emperor Qin nodded. “I’ve already sent people to investigate. As soon as we get any news, I’ll inform you immediately, so don’t worry. You can focus on your training.”
The group wasn’t surprised that Emperor Qin knew about their upcoming training.
However…
“Quan Quan,” Emperor Qin called out to her seriously.
“Hmm?” Huang Quan looked at him.
He smiled at her and said, “When you return, I’ll take you to meet the Emperor Father.”