Chapter 496: Chapter 114 Shendu Peak
After leaving Qingcun Mountain, Zhang Yan cautiously searched for a secluded spot to land. He retrieved the Thousand Illusion Atlas, dismissed Li Yuanba’s guise, then circled the area. Seeing no one following him, he turned back towards Baofeng Temple.
He traveled swiftly like the wind and lightning, and within a few days, he caught sight of the shape of Jurong Mountain. Following the surging, white ribbon-like river southward, he reached a spot marked previously within an hour. Leaping into the river, he parted the waves and dove underwater, heading towards a Cave Mansion.
This place was his sanctuary carved out three years ago, housing the Chen Family mother and son. Surrounding the Cave Mansion was the "Zhu Yunying Star Three Qi Palace Array," a formation he personally created, which naturally posed no obstacle for him. He formed the hand seals for the spell and proceeded unhindered through the mansion’s doors to its deepest underground chamber.
As soon as he entered the cave, Zhang Pan, who had been meditating inside, sensed his arrival and leaped out to check. Upon seeing Zhang Yan, he cried out in delighted surprise, "Could it be the master has returned?"
Zhang Yan halted his stride, clasped his hands behind his back, and smiled. "It’s me," he said.
Zhang Pan hurriedly stepped forward and knelt, saying, "This humble servant greets the master."
For a spirit monster like Zhang Pan, with his simple and patient nature, three years felt like no more than an instant. Thus, the time spent apart brought him little sense of longing.
Zhang Yan nodded and asked, "I have a question for you. During this separation, have you cared for Mrs. Chen and her son well?"
Zhang Pan respectfully answered, "Master, this humble servant would not dare neglect them. For the past three years, I have served them diligently, and both mother and child are safe and sound."
Ordinarily, for a servant, Zhang Yan’s words alone would suffice to prompt them to bring Mrs. Chen and her son out. But Zhang Pan simply stood there woodenly even after hearing Zhang Yan’s request.
Zhang Yan understood his character and did not take offense. To him, subordinates with such a demeanor were ideal—no need for excessive cleverness, as long as they were loyal and obedient. Thus he said in an authoritative voice, "I wish to meet them. Go summon the mother and her son."
Zhang Pan hastily acknowledged the instruction and turned to head deeper inside.
Zhang Yan then began examining the furnishings within the cave. He noticed numerous Bright Pearl Colored Stones embedded in the walls, illuminating the space as bright as daylight, creating an atmosphere where one scarcely felt they were in an underground chamber. The cave contained stone tables, stone stools, and a light floral fragrance subtly refreshed the lungs.
When he initially carved out this Cave Mansion, it was done in haste, with only a few crude chambers created. As Zhang Pan was straightforward and clumsy in manner, such detailed arrangements were clearly the handiwork of Mrs. Chen.
After waiting only a moment, footsteps echoed. Upon turning to look, Zhang Yan saw Zhang Pan leading Mrs. Chen, who held a child with long bangs in her hand. The boy appeared stout and sturdy, resembling a child of seven or eight years in appearance. However, his expression was dull and honest, lacking the liveliness typical of children.
Mrs. Chen’s brows were shadowed with a layer of worry. She forced a smile at Zhang Yan and said, "This humble woman pays respects to Zhang Daoist. Three years have passed without seeing you, and yet your grace remains unchanged."
Gently pressing the boy’s back, she chastised, "Why are you still standing there idly, my son? Hurry and pay respects to your master!"
Her heart was filled with conflicted emotions. Her son had walked within a month of being born, growing rapidly in stature. Yet there was one glaring flaw: he was dull-witted, entirely devoid of spiritual nature. Every task had to be taught a dozen times before he could manage it. For these three years, she had been plagued with anxiety, fearing Zhang Yan might refuse to take her son as his apprentice.
The boy dared not disobey his mother’s orders and promptly stepped forward to kneel, knocking his forehead to the ground. "Disciple greets Master," he said.
Zhang Yan smiled, his demeanor gentle. "No need for formalities. Rise," he replied.
"Oh." The boy obediently stood up and quietly moved to the side.
Zhang Yan studied him carefully for a few moments, nodding slightly before turning to Mrs. Chen. "Mrs. Chen, have you given him a name?" he asked.
Mrs. Chen sighed, "As a mere woman, such a task should fall to my husband. Yet he has gone off to pursue Immortal Dao and seemingly abandoned us. This humble woman is merely a commoner with the surname Tian. Since Zhang Daoist has accepted my son as your disciple, with the saying ’one day as a teacher, lifelong as a father,’ I kindly ask you to name my son."
After speaking these words, Mrs. Chen was short of breath, softly coughing a few times.
Since giving birth to this child, her health had steadily declined. Standing for long periods left her feeling drained, and despite taking many Elixir Pills provided by Zhang Pan, her condition showed no improvement.
The boy noticed her weariness and quickly ran forward to gently massage his mother’s back. Mrs. Chen furrowed her brows and scolded, "I don’t need you to attend to me, child. Go fetch a chair for your master instead."
The boy responded with an "Oh," ran to the side, and with his small hands, lifted an adult-sized stone stool with ease. He walked steadily a few steps and placed it before Zhang Yan. Raising his head, he spoke in a crisp, clear voice, "Master, please sit."