The journey back for Lin Yan and her companions was smooth, with no unexpected incidents.
As soon as Lin Yan arrived at the sect, her father was already there to greet her.
Her father was a dignified middle-aged man. Although he had passed his prime and, in the context of this ancient world, was considered elderly, his body remained robust due to his martial arts training. However, years of internal injuries from his practice had left him visibly aged.
Despite his imposing demeanor, he couldn't maintain his stern, righteous facade when faced with his beloved daughter.
"Yan'er, you're back. Did you have a good time on your journey? How is your eldest senior brother?"
"Daddy, I wasn't playing!" Lin Yan walked up and linked her arm with her father's.
"Yes, yes, yes. Our Yan'er was doing important business." Her father patted Lin Yan's arm and then turned to the disciples behind her.
"Thank you for your hard work, senior disciples. Your martial mother has already arranged for hot water to be prepared for you. Please go and clean yourselves up first, then come to the main hall."
"Yes, Master!"
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
The senior disciples acknowledged in unison and then departed.
"Yan'er, let's go. Your mother has been worried about you; you've been gone for half a month," her father said, preparing to lead Lin Yan back.
"Is it only Mother who misses me? Don't you miss me, Daddy?" Lin Yan swayed her father's arm.
"Alright, stop shaking."
Although her father was refusing, his expression was filled with joy, clearly showing how much he cherished his daughter's closeness.
"Daddy was definitely worried about you too. Now that you're back safe, we can go. Your mother is getting impatient."
Satisfied, Lin Yan continued to walk with her father's arm linked, entering the courtyard.
Upon meeting her mother, the mother and daughter had another affectionate reunion. As the youngest child born late in life, Lin Yan had always been her parents' precious jewel.
Her departure for half a month had deeply worried them, especially after receiving a letter from their second disciple stating that she had been frightened.
Although she wasn't ill, they were still very concerned. Later, Lin Yan went to her eldest senior brother's place, where she was supposed to stay for a while.
However, they returned in haste after only a few days, which made her parents suspicious.
Had their Yan'er suffered some injustice, or was she unwell?
It wasn't until they saw Lin Yan standing before them, healthy and well, that their hearts finally settled.
Especially after receiving gifts from their daughter, they were deeply touched by her thoughtfulness.
Yet, they remained somewhat worried, concerned that their daughter might have truly suffered some mistreatment.
However, they kept these concerns to themselves, not wanting Lin Yan to notice. The family gathering was warm and harmonious.
Several tables were set up in the main hall, and everyone present at the黎山剑派 (Li Shan Sword Sect) gathered there, celebrating Lin Yan's return.
After the meal, Lin Yan went back to rest, while Li Chenxu proactively sought out her father.
"Master," Li Chenxu approached Lin Yan's father.
"Come with me!" Lin Yan's father nodded at him, and the two of them walked to a pavilion in the garden.
"Master, this disciple is incompetent. I allowed my junior sister to be frightened," Li Chenxu said with great guilt.
"Xu'er, this is not your fault," Lin Yan's father sighed softly. "You have done your best. Moreover, as members of the martial world, Yan'er will eventually have to face these things."
Lin Yan's father looked towards the distant peaks, his expression somewhat serious.
"Although I don't want Yan'er to experience these things, we cannot protect her forever."
"But Master..."
"There are no 'buts.' I am old now; how many more years can I protect Yan'er!
By the way, why did Yan'er return so quickly? Logically, with your eldest senior brother there, she shouldn't have been in such a hurry to come back?"
Lin Yan's father voiced his confusion. While he wanted his daughter back soon, he also understood that this was highly unusual.
"Eldest Senior Brother... When junior sister arrived, she found that Eldest Senior Brother was unharmed and therefore did not stay long."
Li Chenxu still gave Luo Yuxuan some face, not revealing everything.
"However, Master, I don't think Eldest Senior Brother is truly suitable for junior sister. If you truly intend to entrust junior sister's protection to someone else, Eldest Senior Brother is not the best choice."
"What happened?" Lin Yan's father's expression grew stern.
If nothing had happened, Li Chenxu would never have said this. After all, Luo Yuxuan was the most outstanding disciple in the entire 黎山剑派 (Li Shan Sword Sect).
While not the oldest, he possessed the best martial talent and would undoubtedly carry on the legacy of the 黎山剑派 (Li Shan Sword Sect). Lin Yan had always liked this senior brother, and Luo Yuxuan had always taken good care of her.
He had considered entrusting Lin Yan and the 黎山剑派 (Li Shan Sword Sect) to Luo Yuxuan.
He had watched Luo Yuxuan grow up and owed him a debt of gratitude for raising him; even for the sake of that kindness, he believed Luo Yuxuan would treat Lin Yan well.
"When I met Eldest Senior Brother this time, I noticed some changes in him. I don't believe he can take care of junior sister.
Junior sister is delicate and requires careful nurturing. But Eldest Senior Brother is still young and impulsive; I fear he cannot provide junior sister with meticulous care.
To prevent junior sister from being hurt, Master should consider this matter carefully!"
Li Chenxu bowed deeply to his master. His integrity prevented him from speaking ill of others, so this was the harshest statement he could make.
"You are right," Lin Yan's father helped Li Chenxu up. "You have gone to great lengths for your junior sister."
"Junior sister is innocent and kind; she is our sister, and of course, we should take good care of her. This disciple wishes her a lifetime of happiness."
"Master thanks you for your concern! Yan'er is my only daughter; how could I not wish her a lifetime of happiness!" Lin Yan's father sighed deeply.
He understood that his second disciple had softened the truth, and the reality might be more severe.
If he felt that Xuan'er was unsuitable for Yan'er, it must mean that Xuan'er had wronged Yan'er in some way.
Xuan'er had always been favored by the sect. This time, he had sent a message back saying he was severely injured and had no one to care for him, asking for someone from the sect to attend to him.
However, he had learned from others that it was because Luo Yuxuan had carelessly spent all the money he had taken with him, almost unable to afford medical expenses.
Of course, this was also due to his youthful pride, but he had not revealed the true situation, instead telling them he was injured.
This was also the reason why Lin Yan had rushed to his side. If this character of his did not mature in the future, how much suffering would Lin Yan endure if she married him?
"I will reconsider," Lin Yan's father sighed again.
Although he had watched Luo Yuxuan grow up and doted on him, in front of his only daughter, Luo Yuxuan would have to take a step back.
He had originally thought of matchmaking them since his daughter liked him, but since Yan'er had not mentioned him upon her return, this matter could still be negotiated.