Despite being monks, they also admired the soldiers' perseverance and dedication.

In this era, soldiers are the backbone of the nation and a strong force protecting the people.

Elder Li smiled and said, "Military families must have strict traditions, and you must have been influenced by them since childhood."

Rong Jiaojiao nodded, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes.

Although she did not grow up in a military camp, her faith in soldiers seemed to be naturally ingrained in her bones.

Subconsciously, one will learn from their good conduct and sense of responsibility.

"We're almost there, get ready," Elder Li reminded him.

"Alright!" Rong Jiaojiao nodded, straightened her thick cotton robe, and prepared to draw her sword at any moment.

Soon, the two arrived above the 56th Division's barracks. The military camp's buildings were neat and uniform, appearing exceptionally solemn and dignified.

The sound of bugles echoed in the distance, inspiring awe.

Elder Li landed outside the military camp with Rong Jiaojiao. In order to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, he concealed his presence and landed on the main road outside the camp.

Rong Jiaojiao said, "Elder Li, it's getting late. Why don't you stay at my house for the night and leave tomorrow?"

Elder Li shook his head: "No, I'll come again when I have the chance."

Rong Jiaojiao took out a spatial talisman and gave it to Elder Li, saying, "Elder Li, you have taken care of me during this time. I have nothing to repay you with. Here are some fruits from the Snow Region. Please take them back and let the younger generation in your family try them."

Upon hearing that it was a spiritual fruit, Elder Li did not refuse, accepted the spatial talisman, and flew away on his sword.

Rong Jiaojiao slowly made her way to the military base gate through the snow. When she arrived at the gate, by sheer coincidence, she found the two soldiers who had been on guard duty when she returned home last year.

As soon as Rong Jiaojiao showed her face, the gossipy young soldier recognized her at a glance. He really had sharp eyes; Rong Jiaojiao hadn't even bothered to cover her face with black paint today.

Before Rong Jiaojiao could speak, he said, "Oh, Commander Rong's little daughter is back?"

"Hello, brothers. It's me. I'm back. You've worked hard."

The two soldiers smiled and said it wasn't hard work. Rong Jiaojiao saw that the two soldiers' noses were red from the cold, but they were still smiling. She couldn't help but secretly put a cold-proof talisman on them.

She assumed the soldier meant the deputy regimental commander, so she didn't ask any further questions. Since she knew him, she didn't need to wait for her father to pick her up; she could just register at the gate and go home.

It was a freezing cold day, and there weren't many people outside, but everyone she encountered stared at her like she was a spy when they saw her covering her face, forcing him to greet them.

Like now: "Hello, Auntie!"

"Oh, alright, but whose kid are you? You're quite handsome!"

"Hello, Aunt Li, I'm Ronglianhu's son!"

"Oh my, it's true! You've grown a lot taller this year, and your skin is fairer too. I didn't recognize you."

"Hehe, I didn't get to sunbathe this year, I'm off now, goodbye Auntie!"

"Goodbye, goodbye. Oh my, girls really do change a lot as they grow up. I wonder which lucky boy will be born in the future."

Rong Jiaojiao...

She stopped covering her face from the beginning, so they probably don't need to keep an eye on her anymore, right?

A dozen meters later: "Hey, isn't this little girl Dr. Fu's daughter, Jiaojiao?"

"Yes, hello Aunt Zhang!"

"Oh, it really is you..."

Rong Jiaojiao...

When she got back to her own door, she was parched. Coincidentally, just as she knocked on her door, a small head popped out from next door. It was Yan Jianshe, the eldest grandson of Aunt Wang Ping.

"Huh, Aunt Black Monkey?"

Rong Jiaojiao...

Ignore the brat and keep knocking on the door.

A childish yet very loud voice rang out: "Grandma, Aunt Black Monkey is back!"

Rong Jiaojiao wanted to cover her face, but she wanted to climb over the wall even more, and that's exactly what she did. She lightly leaped into the yard and met her parents who were rushing out in a hurry...

Rong Jiaojiao...

Outside, "Wow, Aunt Black Monkey is amazing!"

"Hehe... Mom and Dad, I was scared by the little construction project next door."

Fu Ya was both annoyed and amused, wondering if Xiao Jianshe was a dog.

But then they heard footsteps next door and Wang Ping's loud voice: "What are you talking about, Aunt Black Monkey?"

"Grandma, Aunt Black Monkey climbed over the wall and went into Grandpa Rong's house."

Fu Ya could only roll her eyes at Rong Jiaojiao in annoyance and say, "Go home if you want to, stop causing trouble!"

Rong Lianhu stepped forward and ruffled her hair hard, asking, "You didn't tell me you were coming back so I could pick you up."

Rong Jiaojiao whispered, "Someone brought me back; I don't need to be picked up."

"real?"

"Really."

Rong Lianhu's eyes lit up; he was eager to see what it was all about.

Fu Ya pinched him and said, "You old man, don't think about things like that."

Wang Ping's voice came through: "Dr. Fu, is it really your Jiaojiao who's back?"

Fu Ya quickly raised her voice in response: "Yes, Sister-in-law Wang, Jiaojiao just got home! Come over for a visit tomorrow."

"Well, it really is true. I thought this kid was just talking nonsense."

Rong Jiaojiao stuck out her tongue and smiled mischievously. Rong Lianhu said, "It's cold outside, hurry up and come inside."

Once inside, Fu Ya looked around but couldn't see Zi Ling, so she asked, "Where's Zi Ling?"

Rong Jiaojiao whispered, "Zi Ling is in seclusion at the treasure site, but she should be out in a few days."

"Oh, I really miss it."

Then he asked, "Are you back for the Chinese New Year?"

The room was warm and cozy, with soup simmering on the stove, filling the air with a fragrant aroma that made one feel especially warm and cozy.

Rong Jiaojiao sat down and hesitated before saying, "I might only be able to stay at home for about half a month."

Fu Ya was taken aback for a moment, then said reluctantly, "Why are you only staying for half a month? It's almost Chinese New Year!"

Rong Jiaojiao smiled and said, "I just finished my mission and I'm not needed for the time being, so I came back to keep you company."

Fu Ya suddenly realized something and quickly moved closer to Rong Jiaojiao, looking her up and down anxiously, asking, "Are you injured? How serious is it? Where are you hurt?"

Rong Lianhu also looked tense, his brows furrowed, his eyes fixed on Rong Jiaojiao.

Rong Jiaojiao pretended to be relaxed and said, "I'm not injured. Have you forgotten that I just climbed over the wall to get in?"

Fu Ya was skeptical: "Are you really not injured?"

"No, I just had some free time, so I brought you some seafood."

After saying that, she tossed out two large lobsters. Fu Ya was attracted by the lobsters and clicked her tongue and said, "They really are seafood. I've lived half my life and I've never seen such big lobsters."

Rong Lianhu was not easily fooled. He glanced at Rong Jiaojiao and saw her smiling ingratiatingly at him, so he knew that the girl was hiding something.

But seeing that his wife had clearly believed him, he swallowed his words and decided to ask her again tomorrow.

He went up and picked up two large shrimp, saying, "Jiaojiao, put one away first, we'll eat the other one tonight."

“Great!” Rong Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up and she nodded quickly. “I’ve been craving it too.”

Although Fu Ya's attention was drawn to the lobster, she was still a little worried. She took Rong Jiaojiao's hand and carefully examined her complexion and body, saying, "My dear child, if anything happens, don't hide it from your mother. If you're really injured, you'll have to take good care of yourself."

Rong Jiaojiao chuckled inwardly: [If you can still tell I used a Qi and Blood talisman, then my talisman was wasted!]