A Meal With The Parents

The morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow over the room. Su Kang woke up feeling refreshed.

Bai Yunxi was nestled in his arms, her warm breath brushing against his chest. He shifted slightly, trying to pull his arm free from under her head.

But the moment he moved, her delicate eyelashes trembled, and her grip instinctively tightened around him, as if unwilling to let go.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

'Still afraid of the dark?'

The remnants of her trauma from her physical reconstruction hadn't fully faded.

Not wanting to disturb her rest, he activated the Illusionary Dream Art. A soft pink glow shimmered at his fingertips as he gently caressed her forehead.

Almost instantly, Bai Yunxi's breathing deepened, slipping into a peaceful, undisturbed slumber.

Carefully, he withdrew his arm and pulled the silk sheets over her exposed skin.

Leaning down, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and pressed a tender kiss on her cheek.

"Sleep well, my love," he whispered.

After dressing in a navy-blue and white robe, he adorned his usual black-and-blue earrings and left the room quietly.

His first destination was Su Ting's residence.

Before long, Su Ting stepped out, dressed in a simple light green robe. He raised an eyebrow at Su Kang's unexpected visit.

"Come with me. Mother wants to talk." Su Kang's tone was calm but firm.

Su Ting blinked. "What's this about?"

"I don't know. Let's go."

Though puzzled, Su Ting didn't question further and followed Su Kang to their parents' residence.

Inside, the maids and servants had already arranged the table in the hall. Plates of fresh fruits and spiritual dishes were neatly placed, their fragrant aroma filling the air.

Su Ting casually picked up a golden-red emberberry, its spiritual energy faintly flickering as he bit into it, savoring the sweet, slightly spicy taste.

Meanwhile, Su Kang sat silently, closing his eyes as he waited.

A few moments later, Su Chen and Dong Yue entered the hall.

Su Chen, their father, wore a loose brown robe, while Dong Yue was dressed in an elegant white and light-green ensemble.

Su Ting, always the energetic one, greeted them first. "Good morning, Father, Mother! Did you rest well?"

Dong Yue's gaze shifted to Su Kang at those words, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Su Kang, pretending not to notice, calmly turned his attention toward Su Ting.

Dong Yue's lips curved slightly. "Yes, after receiving a wonderful gift from your elder brother, I was so happy that I rested well." Her tone was gentle, but her eyes betrayed a different story.

Su Kang let out an inaudible sigh. Mother, you don't have to be so obvious…

They took their seats at the table, and Su Ting beamed.

"Hahaha! I knew it! Mother must really like Sister-in-law!" he laughed heartily, already picturing Bai Yunxi winning their mother's favor.

Dong Yue arched a delicate brow, her interest piqued. "Oh? You seem quite familiar with her already. Tell me, what do you know about her?"

Su Ting puffed out his chest confidently. "Of course! Sister-in-law is very mature. She handles difficult situations with ease—sometimes it even feels like she can read our thoughts!"

He paused, trying to think of more compliments, but then… a realization hit him.

"Wait… where is she from again? What family is she from?"

A faint awkwardness crept onto his face. "Ahem....and she's very beautiful! She and Brother are a perfect match!" He finished his sentence hastily.

Dong Yue's lips curled into a knowing smile as she observed Su Ting's awkward expression. "I see. Well then, let's begin our meal."

With that, they took their seats, and the servants swiftly brought out the morning dishes.

Su Ting, eager to lighten the mood, began animatedly recounting his recent adventures near the Hundred Beast Mountain Range.

Since he wasn't allowed to venture into truly dangerous zones yet, most of his stories revolved around roaming the outskirts and visiting a few minor secret realms.

Su Chen listened patiently, nodding occasionally, while Dong Yue sipped her tea, her gaze drifting back to Su Kang now and then—her thoughts unreadable.

Su Kang, unfazed, focused on his meal, waiting for his mother to reveal the true reason for this sudden gathering.

After listening to Su Ting's words, Su Chen finally spoke.

"Ting'er, your mother and I want to meet Yue Mei."

Su Ting's breath hitched. He had expected this, but now that it was happening, his heart pounded.

'They won't let this matter slid.'

Yue Mei's true cultivation realm was a dangerous secret. If their parents discovered that they had been sheltering a Core Formation cultivator in the family without informing anyone, he wouldn't just be scolded—he would be beaten up and down.

Maybe even grounded.

Unconsciously, his gaze flickered toward Su Kang, hoping his elder brother would step in.

Su Kang met his eyes and immediately understood his distress. However, he was also wary of this situation.

After all, he had taken action on his own when he decided to bring Yue Mei back.

But with the artifact concealing her true realm, there was little to fear. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.

"Hmm… Su Ting, it's better to do this sooner. She is our guest, and it's only right for our family to know her well."

Dong Yue watched everything unfold with a soft smile, as if she had noticed nothing.

Su Ting had no choice but to nod. "Alright. I'll inform her."

"Good." Su Chen sighed, his sharp gaze lingering on his sons.

Then, Su Chen turned toward Su Kang.

"Su Kang, you will attend the next family meeting with us."

Su Kang, who had spent most of his recent years in Qingyun City, had largely distanced himself from family affairs.

Dong Yue's voice was calm but firm. "Now that you are back, it's time for you to take part in the family's development."

Su Kang nodded. "Yes, I understand."

With that, the meal ended.

Just as Su Kang was about to leave, his mother called out.

"Su Kang, wait."

Su Ting glanced at him but didn't ask any questions. He simply gave a nod before excusing himself.

Once his younger brother left, Su Chen turned to Su Kang.

"Follow me."

Without hesitation, Su Kang followed his father into the study room.

Inside, the scent of aged parchment and ink lingered in the air. Scrolls and books were neatly stacked on a nearby table, filled with records of the family's affairs.

Su Chen took a seat, his expression unreadable as silence stretched between them.

Finally, he spoke.

"Have you truly decided to be with her, despite the danger?"

There was no need to clarify. He was talking about Bai Yunxi.

Su Kang met his father's gaze without hesitation.

"Yes, Father." His voice was firm.

Su Chen studied him for a moment before sighing. "It may sound foolish and reckless to me… but I assume you have given this serious thought."

Su Kang nodded. "I have. I know this decision might seem impulsive in your eyes, but I assure you, I have thought deeply about it."

He didn't want his parents to be constantly worried about his relationship with Bai Yunxi.

Su Chen closed his eyes, leaning back slightly in his chair.

"I see."

Another moment of silence passed.

Su Kang considered speaking further, hoping to reassure his father. But before he could, Su Chen's voice broke the stillness.

"I want you to undergo the Seal Engraving Ceremony."

Su Kang frowned slightly. The Seal Engraving Ceremony?

He had never heard of such a thing.

"Father, what is this ceremony?" he asked, puzzled.

Su Chen opened his eyes, his gaze thoughtful.

"It is a tradition that was abandoned in my generation. The family deemed it meaningless in our current times."

He paused before explaining further.

"When a man takes a woman, he takes her burdens as his own. He vows to protect her, to build a home with her, and to stand against any obstacles that threaten their home. The seal symbolizes this oath."

Su Kang listened intently, absorbing every word, sensing the weight of the tradition his father was about to reveal.