The Immortal Path Is Crowded

Jin found himself in a spacious courtyard surrounded by lush, meticulously cared for vegetation. Plants with glossy leaves, vibrantly colored flowers, and shrubs that released a soft, refreshing fragrance grew in perfect harmony, arranged with an elegance that could only come from expert hands.

His gaze swept the area attentively. This is not just any garden.

Some plants emitted a faint spiritual glow, others seemed to absorb the surrounding qi in an almost imperceptible way. These..., Jin thought, swallowing, I suspect they are spiritual plants. His expression turned serious. How much would this whole courtyard be worth?

Before he could continue calculating how many lives he would have to sell to pay for even a corner, thwack! Something hit his leg. Huh? Another impact, and then another.

He lowered his gaze and froze. A group of three children had clung to his legs, hugging him tightly like little koalas to their favorite tree. One coiled around his left calf, another around his right, and the third was practically hanging from his thigh, looking up at him with bright eyes.

"Big brother!"

"Hero brother!"

"You're really alive!"

Jin blinked. Since when did I become a tree?

Before he could move one aside without looking like the heartless villain from a novel, he felt something else. An invisible pressure descended over the courtyard. It wasn't aggressive, nor hostile. It was simply overwhelming.

Jin's muscles tensed by reflex. He slowly raised his head.

A few steps away stood an old man. He kept his back straight, his hands clasped behind him, and a calm, almost indifferent expression. He wasn't doing anything in particular. And yet...

What...

Jin's heart skipped a beat. The pressure emanating from that old man was stronger than that of Senior Sister Mei. Much stronger. It even reminded him of that outer elder who appeared once when someone tried to set a trap for him. The same feeling of standing before someone who could erase his existence with a single gesture, if he so wished.

Jin swallowed. The children remained clinging to his legs, completely oblivious to the tension.

The old man observed him for just an instant before a faint smile appeared on his face. He broke the silence with a calm voice that conveyed unexpected warmth.

"So you are the young man who saved these little ones."

As he spoke, his gaze briefly rested on the three children still hugging Jin's legs, and sincere gratitude shone in his eyes.

Jin's eyes opened slightly. Ah. That explains it.

The situation was becoming clear. With a modest smile, perfectly practiced after years of reading novels, he cupped his hands and performed a martial salute.

"Senior, your words of gratitude are too heavy for this young disciple. I simply did what I had to do."

The old man watched him for a moment and then let out a soft laugh.

"I could accept those words if you hadn't killed a first-rank beast possessed by demonic energy."

His smile faded just a little.

"You should know that even a cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment would face great difficulty against such an enemy."

The words resonated strongly. Jin maintained his composure outwardly, but inside only one thought surfaced: Seriously? Was it really that exaggerated?

The old man fell silent, watching him intently, as if trying to see beyond the injured body and youthful appearance. Finally he spoke again.

"But that is not the real reason I wanted to meet you."

He turned naturally.

"Follow me."

Without waiting for a reply, he began walking toward an elegant hall that rose on the other side of the courtyard. The children, reluctant to let him go, took a moment longer to separate, though they continued looking at him with eyes full of admiration.

Jin took a deep breath. Well... looks like the classic important plot twist moment has arrived.

Without many options, he followed him. As he walked behind him, with the children trailing close like chicks, Jin quickly noticed the change in scenery. The garden faded behind them, replaced by smooth, polished gray stone paths, arranged with elegant symmetry. For some reason, they reminded him of the corridors of ancient Roman halls he had seen in books and images from his past life.

The atmosphere was quiet, solemn.

Shortly after, the old man stopped in front of a large hall and opened the doors effortlessly. Jin followed him.

The instant he crossed the threshold, his senses sharpened. The interior was luxurious without being ostentatious: fine wooden furniture, sober decoration, delicate scents of incense and aromatic plants. Everything was arranged with a balance that conveyed authority and good taste.

This is not just any place, he thought.

Two other people were already inside. A hunched old man, fragile-looking, with a serene and profound presence. Beside him, a middle-aged man, upright, with a serious face and a firm gaze. Someone clearly used to giving orders.

When Jin arrived beside them, the old man who had guided him stopped and turned around. His expression softened.

"Once again, allow me to express my gratitude," he said sincerely, "both as the clan's protector elder... and as a grandfather."

As he spoke, he made a small gesture with his hand. The smallest girl stepped forward and approached the middle-aged man. He leaned down slightly and, with a surprisingly gentle gesture, stroked her head. The girl smiled, clutching his sleeve.

The other two children, more reserved, positioned themselves next to the hunched old man, as if that were their place.

Everything clicked into place immediately.

I see... Jin thought, as the situation became clearer and, at the same time, more concerning.

The old man looked at him again.

"I'm sure you have questions. I will gladly answer everything I can."

Silence took over the hall. Jin remained still for an instant, processing the scene: the implied identities, the weight of their gazes, the hidden meaning behind those words of gratitude.

Things got serious quickly.

Of course, he had questions. Too many. But he chose to start with the most important ones. After taking a deep breath, he asked in a respectful but firm voice:

"Senior, if you don't mind... how long was I unconscious? And where exactly am I?"

The old man observed him attentively. For an instant he seemed genuinely surprised. Then a faint smile appeared.

"What a surprise! I thought your first question would be about some kind of reward."

He let out a brief laugh before continuing.

"Not only are you strong, but also intelligent and wise. Very well."

Jin remained silent, listening.

"You were unconscious for only one day, although according to our doctors... you should have slept at least five. As for your location, you are in the Feng Clan, in the heart of Blue Cloud City."

Upon hearing those words, Jin's mind raced.

Feng Clan... Blue Cloud City...

In a matter of seconds a mental map formed. To his surprise, he was only two days' travel from the city that was listed as the target of his mission.

Wow... that explains everything.

As he absorbed what had happened, another thought struck him immediately.

My things!

Unable to contain himself, Jin lowered his gaze and began instinctively checking his body, patting himself down as if searching for a lost limb: his bag of pills, his gold, his spirit stones... and his spear.

The scene was so sudden that the three children couldn't hold back.

"Hahaha!"

"Big brother looks like he's searching for something!"

Their laughter echoed through the hall. Jin froze for a second... then sighed, relieved, though with a hint of resignation.

Barely had silence returned when the middle-aged man stepped forward.

"Perhaps this is what you're looking for," he said calmly.

From inside his sleeve he pulled out a small bag. Jin's eyes opened slightly. It was identical. No, it was his.

Before Jin could speak, the man continued:

"Qin Er, come here."

The girl who was beside the old man raised her head upon hearing her name. Her eyes lit up and, without hesitation, she hurried over. The man handed her the bag, and she accepted it with both hands as if it were a treasure.

With a radiant smile, Qin Er ran toward Jin.

"Look, big brother! This is the bag that Qin Er recovered when we brought you back to the clan!"

Jin was speechless for an instant. Then he reacted. He smiled warmly and took the bag carefully, as if it were fragile. Raising his gaze to the girl, he spoke with an expression only an experienced older brother could manage, a perfect mix of gratitude, approval, and closeness.

"Thank you, Qin Er. You did an excellent job. You helped me a great deal."

The girl's eyes shone. Her smile widened instantly, overflowing with pride and joy. She nodded energetically before turning around and trotting back toward the old man, her grandfather, drawing close to him as if nothing in the world could be better.

Jin let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

After all, he wasn't a rich man. Everything he owned was in that bag.