Although Xia Xiao was bold and careful, he didn't want to cause trouble on his first day back, so he didn't just take the money and leave, nor did he take action. He just pressed down his bamboo hat and asked in a cold voice:

"Why, you won't change it?"

"That's not the case. It's just that the customer's method of winning money is a bit inappropriate, isn't it?"

"Don't give me that. You know how many practitioners are among your people, and you also know how many of those customers are yours. I will only come once. If you don't change, I guarantee that no one will come to your shop again in the future."

Xia Xiao did not give in, causing the boss to frown and reveal a murderous look. How dare you be so presumptuous in your own territory? Do you really think you are easy to bully? He had his vitality exposed, causing the door to close tightly, and his words were full of disdain. In his opinion, the person in front of him was no more than this even if he was a cultivator.

"This guest has a bad temper, doesn't he?"

"fine."

After that, a huge fire enveloped the boss, restraining him and making him unable to break free. The threat contained in it instantly made him lose the courage to speak again. The flash of fire was not surprising to other guests, but the temperature in the air was very high. Xia Xiao's tone was as cold as the wind outside.

"Is this all right now?"

The two practitioners beside the boss shook their heads secretly, indicating that they were no match for him. Although he was doubtful, he still signaled the front desk to change the money, and tentatively said:

"You are a very capable customer. If you are short of money, you can just tell me directly to avoid wasting so much time."

"No need, I said I'd only come once."

Xia Xiao took the banknote and walked out with Ah Zhu without saying goodbye. When the boss sent someone to chase him out, he was nowhere to be seen. He felt strange. When did such a strong practitioner come to Zhenxun? And which practitioner would be so short of money? He was confused and felt that he had suffered a great loss, but Xia Xiao and Ah Zhu had already entered the gold and silver jewelry store and began to carefully select.

Ah Zhu felt like she had escaped death. She didn't expect to make so much money so easily. Although she was still scared, she would not hesitate if Xia Xiao asked her to choose.

A jade swan pendant was placed in the most conspicuous position on the counter. Seeing that it was worth a lot of money, Ah Zhu asked Xia Xiao if it was possible. Upon asking this question, the clerk immediately called the boss. This seemingly ordinary customer was actually a big spender. Xia Xiao took a few glances, and under the extremely expectant eyes of the boss and the clerk, he said boldly:

"purchase!"

"You are such a discerning customer. I'll give you a discount, reduce your money, and give you some jewelry as a gift. What do you think?"

"Then please pack it for me, boss."

A banknote with the largest amount in Daxia blinded the two people's eyes. Xia Xiao didn't waste time talking and walked out directly with two bags. No one disliked such a big money sponsor. The boss and the teller were all happy. Xia Xiao also felt in a good mood. He hadn't been home for a long time, so it was time to buy some things.

Stopping at Xia's house, Ah Zhu asked Xia Xiao.

"How do we get in?"

"Of course you have to go through the front door to go home."

"How can it be possible with so many people watching?"

"If you still hide when you go home, can you still call me home?"

Xia Xiao walked towards the gate. Ah Zhu tried to persuade him several times, but it was useless, so she had no choice but to follow him. She was a little angry. If things got out of control, Xia Xiao would have to go to Yun Country and waste three weeks of time together. She would definitely not forgive him. But Xia Xiao's trust and understanding of the people in the Xia Mansion far exceeded Ah Zhu's, but there was one more person in the Xia Mansion at this time.

Xia Xiao was so excited to go home that he forgot to explore the house. He just made sure there were no ambushes and pushed the door open before walking in.

In the front hall of the mansion, Xia Jinghong and Lin Tian were drinking tea. The two great generals of the Great Xia sat together, thinking about how to deal with the enemy. Their conversation was like that of a general. However, the hot tea in Xiao Rong's hand fell to the ground, attracting their gazes, and then there was panic in their eyes. As Xiao Rong turned in the direction, Xia Jinghong and Lin Tian saw two familiar figures.

Immediately, Xia Jinghong and Lin Tian stood up and said in unison:

"Quick, close the door!"

Everyone in the hall couldn't help showing astonishment on their faces. The person they had been waiting for for a long time but didn't dare to see casually, was standing in the front yard with gifts and a bamboo hat on his head, like a scene in a dream. Seeing their smiles, Xiao Rong went forward earlier than Xia Jinghong. Everyone said that Xia Xiao had become a demon, but in Xiao Rong's eyes, he was just her little son.

Xiao Rong has aged very quickly during this period. Although she still has the charm and temperament of a lady from a noble family, the few strands of silver hair make Xia Xiao feel distressed.

"Xiao'er, you've grown taller."

Xiao Rong was in tears, and Xia Xiao couldn't help but shed tears as well. He hadn't been home for too long, and although his strength was improving quickly, it had to be faster than his parents' aging. Holding his mother's face with both hands, Xia Xiao replied softly:

"Mom, I'm back."

"It's good to be back, it's good to be back."

Xiao Rong kept repeating herself, looking at Ah Zhu beside Xia Xiao, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, and asked:

"You are Ah Zhu, right?"

"Hello, Auntie."

Ah Zhu wanted to hand over the gift, but she felt it was inappropriate. When she felt touched but a little embarrassed, Xiao Rong pulled her and Xia Xiao away. Xia Jinghong stood there and said to the housekeeper beside him:

"Call the whole government together."

The housekeeper nodded and went away. Lin Tianze looked in the direction where Xia Xiao and the others went, and his hand fell on Xia Jinghong's shoulder.

"I won't bother you anymore. Just be careful not to leak the news."

Xia Jinghong bowed, said thank you, and saw Lin Tian off.

He closed the door, and his vitality spread around the Xia Mansion. Seeing that no one was watching, he hurried back to the front hall. He had something to tell the people in the mansion. As a member of the Xia Mansion, they must have the courage to cover the sky, and they must be united and not have two minds. Whether it was the servants or the cooks, they all knew what had happened on the way here. At this time, they all explained it, and then dispersed and went about their daily business.

Xia Xiao's fame was well-known, and the people in the palace were proud of him. Even if Xia Xiao was possessed by a demon, they were unwilling to believe it. Just as Madam said, no matter how powerful Xia Xiao was, he could not escape the pursuit of the academy and the Pope, but he had not been found until now, which was enough to prove that he had not completely fallen into darkness.

This statement was confirmed by the college's partiality, so everyone in the mansion was extremely excited and looked at the general's room from time to time. In that seemingly ordinary room, there was something special that could not be ignored.

Three months ago, everyone thought that Madam's move was useless, but she didn't expect it to be useful. She was immediately impressed again. She was indeed the woman behind Xia Jinghong. Such foresight was awe-inspiring.

When the news of Xia Xiao's possession spread to Zhenxun, Xiao Rong secretly built a dark room. She knew Xiao Er would definitely come back, but she couldn't let the news out, so she hid it. This was deceiving the emperor and betraying the Great Wilderness, and the crime was heinous, but Xiao Rong still did it. At this time, they embraced each other in tears.

The dark room was bright, with bookshelves, wooden tables, wardrobes, and large beds all in place. The four of them gathered in it and cried for a while before they calmed down. Before becoming a parent, it was difficult to understand the care for children. But when Xia Xiao saw his mother crying with red eyes and his father standing silently by his side, he realized his failure.

"Okay, everyone is back, stop crying and talk about business."

Xia Jinghong sat on the chair, and Xiao Rong held Xia Xiao's hand and was reluctant to let go. Ah Zhu was a little embarrassed, and was pulled by Xiao Rong again. Although she had never seen her before, she felt like she was meeting her daughter whom she had not seen for a long time, and she was very kind. She would treat Ah Zhu like she treated Shu Shuang, just to reassure Xiao Er.

"Tell me quickly, where have you been during this time?"

"Dad, these things are a long story, but you have to go to the palace."

"Report to His Majesty?"

Xia Xiao nodded. Mother was indeed Dad's military advisor and her guess was very accurate.

"If we don't tell His Majesty, it would be deceiving the emperor. Besides, it's better for us to cooperate with His Majesty instead of hiding it ourselves, so that we can act more effectively. And it's okay to tell His Majesty, I won't leave until three weeks later, during which time we can mobilize troops and prepare to resist the Southern Merchants. As for the credit for reporting me, it should go to Dad."

"If His Majesty knew, he would indeed let you stay in the Xia Mansion. As long as we don't tell anyone, this will be a win-win situation. Now half of the wilderness is open-eyed, and half of the wilderness is closed-eyed. But after three weeks, do you really choose to expose your location?"

No matter how rational Xia Jinghong was, he didn't want to hand his child over to Yunguo. Once there, they would never see each other again, and it was hard to predict whether he would live or die. Xia Xiao had suffered too much, more than they could imagine. During this period, since the withdrawal of Nanshang, Xia Xiao had become a sinner in Dahuang, but a benefactor in Daxia. They were almost unable to hold on, but something like this happened, which allowed them to take a breath and rest temporarily.

At this time, even if they were nervous, they had to spend it quietly. But Xia Xiao came back again, and after coming back, he gave a countdown. For them, the stone in their hearts had just fallen, but it was suspended again.

"Dad, I can't hide forever. I have to go there and make sure Yun Country has no reason to blame the Academy Church and Da Xia, and then escape. As long as you hand me over, it means you are willing to sacrifice your relatives for the sake of friendship. Yun Country can't keep me under control, which is a problem of their ability. If they come to us again, you can just refute them and tell them to get out."

Xia Xiao's idea was indeed feasible. Xia Jinghong and Xiao Rong were proud of his overall view and courage, but how could he escape? Xia Xiao had a lot to say, but the most urgent thing now was to report to the emperor. Therefore, Xia Jinghong changed his clothes first, in order to wait for his father, Xia Xiao said:

"Mom, your daughter-in-law didn't have enough for lunch. Can you prepare some of your specialty cakes?"

When Xiao Rong heard this, she quickly got up to prepare. Ah Zhu said no, but Xiao Rong insisted. Seeing her leave, Ah Zhu asked unhappily:

"What are you doing?"

"I finally came back, so I have to keep my mother busy, otherwise she will feel bad."

Ah Zhu didn't understand what it meant, so she took the gift and wanted to give it to her aunt later. Xia Xiao took the bag and handed the small jewelry inside to the maids outside the dark room, asking them to share it.

Looking at his generosity, Ah Zhu frowned. Xia Jinghong was iron-blooded and upright, Xiao Rong was gentle and generous, but looking at Xia Xiao, her temperament was completely different from theirs. No one knew how she was born, since she avoided all the advantages and inherited none of them.

"What are you looking at?"

"You didn't even remember to leave one for me."

"Those things are not good enough for you."

"I don't believe it!"

Ah Zhu had a bit of a temper, so she walked away as soon as Xia Xiao approached her. However, she still admired Xia Xiao's composure, and it was amazing that she could remain calm in such a depressing situation. When Xiao Rong came in, Xia Xiao just hugged Ah Zhu, and put his hands dishonestly on her chest.