Qin Clan Territory in Nanling.

Early in the morning, Luo Xian woke up excited and started directing the servants to clean and organize Qin Ruqing’s courtyard.

Everyone in the clan leader’s courtyard was busy following her orders, leaving barely any room to step.

Qin Deming was disturbed by all the noise and couldn’t focus on his work (really, he just couldn’t sit still).

He pulled his busy wife into a chair and poured her a cup of spirit tea.

He said slowly, “Qingqing just sent a message yesterday. She just crossed Duanmai Mountain, so it’ll take a few more days to get home. Why are you so busy right now? And her courtyard is cleaned every day—feel it, there’s not a speck of dust!”

Luo Xian shot him a fierce glare. “You mind your own business! I enjoy this! I’m happy because our daughter is coming home!”

Qin Deming was at a loss for words.

His wife’s “you mind your own business, I enjoy this” was her ultimate weapon.

Whenever she said those words, he had little chance to argue.

While Qin Deming was mumbling, Luo Xian took a big sip of the spirit milk tea and started talking again.

“Qingqing has been gone for over a year. When she was here, I didn’t feel it as much, but now that she’s gone, it feels like the whole house is empty! My heart feels so hollow.”

With another sigh, Luo Xian continued, “I wonder if she’s eating well and staying warm out there. I’ve heard that in Xiling, there are tough guys with bad tempers—those aren’t easy people to deal with.”

Qin Deming couldn’t help but complain, “It’s so hot in Xiling! If they’re eating well and dressed warmly, they must be suffering. And you know how your daughter is—she never lets herself be at a loss. She’s like a little troublemaker! If she’s not bullying others, it’s a miracle!”

Today was the second time Luo Xian was interrupted with complaints.

Her cheerful voice suddenly stopped, and she rolled her eyes, slowly turning to Qin Deming with a fierce look in her eyes.

“Come on… If you don’t talk, no one will think you’re mute!” With her daughter coming back, Luo Xian felt relieved and turned her annoyance toward her husband instead. “And you, as the clan leader, do nothing but enjoy your tea all day! Honestly, if you hadn’t gotten lucky and advanced in rank, the second in command would’ve taken your position long ago!”

Qin Deming was furious and huffed, his beard twitching in anger.

He threw his sleeves and stormed off.

Just as he left, Luo Xian was glad he was out of the way.

She resumed directing the servants, determined to keep this routine going every day until Qingqing returned.

Qin Deming headed to the Ancestor’s quiet retreat, where the Ancestor was standing by the edge of the lake with her hands behind his back.

After greeting the Ancestor, Qin Deming stood behind her.

The Ancestor seemed to know who had come without turning around and simply smiled slightly, saying, “Your daughter is coming back soon. I bet you’re very happy.”

Qin Deming chuckled, “That girl is bragging to me through the communication stone, saying she brought back a lot of good things from the Floating Island. She can’t wait to show us!”

The Small Floating Island.

The Ancestor looked at the misty lake surface, a strange emotion flickering in her eyes.

Only she knew about the secret message Qin Ruqing had sent on that day.

The message was vague, stating that if she didn’t send a safe message in two days, they would have to use the family seal, a rare item every clan possesses, to expose the Xiling’s Celestial Bureau’s wrongdoing.

The Xiling’s Celestial Bureau was privately occupying the secret realms of Xiling for personal gain.

Though the message was short, every word made the Ancestor’s heart race.

How did Qingqing get involved with the Xiling’s Celestial Bureau

and uncover such a shocking secret?

It was one thing to discover it, but she was asking the Qin family to use the family seal to make this known, which was clearly a threat.

If it weren’t for the urgent situation, which affected the whole clan’s future, she wouldn’t have forced the Qin family to act like this.

Doing so would directly offend the Fifth Celestial Family and put the Qin family in a tough spot.

After receiving the secret message, the Ancestor held the family seal and barely slept for two nights.

She didn’t dare tell anyone, fearing that if Qingqing’s mother found out, she would faint from shock, and the whole clan would be in uproar.

Fortunately, despite her bold actions, that girl was always reliable.

The next day, they received a safe message, and the Ancestor finally breathed a sigh of relief, though her worries weren’t completely gone.

The Ancestor was worried about whether that girl had handled everything properly.

Did she get hurt, and what price did she pay?

The Ancestor had no idea.

Qin Deming noticed the Ancestor’s serious expression and felt a moment of doubt, wondering if something was happening that they didn’t know about.

Just as he was about to speak, a servant excitedly knelt at the edge of the island, shouting:

“Ancestor, Clan Leader, the Fifth Miss and the others have returned!”

Qin Deming’s eyes widened, quickly replaced by overwhelming joy.

Even the Ancestor, who had been standing with her hands behind her back, turned around with excitement in his eyes.

Qin Ruqing looked at the familiar gates of Nanjing City and sighed with a sense of accomplishment, “Finally back.”

It had been more than a year since they left.

So much had happened during that time—first collaborating with the Yang family and the Xiling Celestial Bureau, then seeking revenge for Tang Zifeng, and facing dangers in the Floating Island.

Fortunately, everything turned out fine.

Most importantly, she returned with bags full of valuable items!

She couldn’t wait to see the elders’ reactions when they saw all this—it would be spectacular.

Qirong took a deep breath, saying, “The air in Nanjing is so refreshing.”

“Before going out, I wanted to leave; now that I’m back, I realize home is the best,” Lu Wei sighed.

Qin Ruqing smiled as she approached the city guard and handed over her identity badge.

The guards at the city gates were from the Celestial Bureau, and upon seeing her badge, one of them became unusually respectful, standing straight and saying:

“Ah, it’s Elder Qin returning home. We apologize for not welcoming you properly.” He then shouted to those behind him, “Open the city gates!”

Qin Ruqing tucked her badge away and strolled into the city, commenting, “The attitude is quite respectful! It seems the Qin family has been doing well in Nanjing while I was away, without any major issues.”

Since they were back in Nanjing, the three of them took their time, wandering through South Street and the markets to check out the situation before heading back to the Qin family estate.

“Not bad! Before I left, the Qin family was just starting to become the top family in Nanjing, and now, a year later, the situation has stabilized completely. We’re now the undisputed leaders, recognized by everyone.”

“With my management in Xiling, the Qin family’s reputation there is now greater than some local families. Plus, we’re an official partner of the Celestial Bureau. In another ten or eight years, taking control of Xiling shouldn’t be a problem at all.”

“Right, the next step is to head north. I heard from Mom that my brother went to Beiling to manage the family’s branch? That’s a good position! If he manages it well, his role as the young clan leader will be solidified.”

As Qin Ruqing murmured this, Qirong and Lu Wei listened calmly, as they were used to her busy thoughts.

When they reached the entrance, they found a crowd gathered outside.

Someone in charge was shouting:

“Those applying for positions, stand to the left; those bringing gifts, stand to the right!”

“But gift-givers can go home for now; we don’t accept gifts outside of festivals.”

“For those applying, the positions for weapon masters, talisman masters, sword masters, and formation masters can pick up numbers in advance. Please line up quietly!”

A simple-dressed sword master, who looked like he came from a modest background and was at the back of the line, thought he was at the bottom.

However, when he turned around and saw three more people coming in, he felt hopeful and called out:

“Are you all here to apply too? You need to line up! Sword masters go first, so stand behind me!”

Qin Ruqing raised an eyebrow.

Did she really need to line up? Qirong, eager to get home, pushed past him and said, “Move aside; we need to get in.”

The sword master thought to himself, I’m the strongest sword master here!

You think you can cut in line?

But before he could even draw his sword, Qirong slapped him to the back of the line.

He was shocked by the strength!

But he wasn’t one to back down.

Even if you’re stronger, rules are rules.

He immediately shouted, “Hey, what’s the matter with you three?!”

Hearing the commotion, the person in charge frowned.

Who dares cause trouble at the Qin family’s door in Nanjing?!

He turned to see what was happening and, before he could shout, his eyes widened in disbelief.

After rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn’t mistaken, he quickly stepped down and called out to the crowd:

“Fifth Miss! You’re back!”