Chapter 88: Homecoming

Chapter 88: Homecoming

The car erupted in a flurry of reactions—those whose names were called wore expressions of joy, while those who weren’t looked regretful and dejected.

Out of eighteen candidates, twelve had passed, a two-thirds success rate.

Compared to the Martial Apprentice Test or the Physical Fitness Test for Martial Artists, this ratio was undeniably high.

The Combat Test for Martial Artists focused more on one’s mindset in battle and their Willpower, with combat skills being secondary. As long as one wasn’t afraid to fight and didn’t perform too poorly, they generally passed.

Chen Shouyi had always thought he would remain calm.

But when his name was called, he still felt a ripple in his Mind Spirit, a surge of excitement welling up inside him.

A Martial Artist!

He had truly become a Martial Artist.

---

Back at the Martial Arts Assessment Center, those who failed left with disappointment.

The remaining twelve proceeded to take an oath and receive their certificates.

But it wasn’t over yet.

Seven days later, there would be a meet-and-greet session for the newly certified Martial Artists, where their future assignments would be confirmed.

---

Chen Shouyi walked back to the Hotel with Lu Weifeng, certificates in hand.

"I’m planning to go home for a bit," Chen Shouyi said.

"Same here! Returning home in glory is like wearing fine clothes at night—gotta show off a little," Lu Weifeng replied excitedly.

Chen Shouyi smiled but didn’t respond. It was only natural—he was no different.

He opened the door, checked on the Shell Woman inside his briefcase, grabbed his backpack, checked out of the Hotel, and then hurried straight to the High-Speed Rail Station.

---

Changmen Town, Pingqiu City.

"Your brother, honestly—it’s been seven days since he left, and not a single word. Who knows how he’s doing? At least before, we could call him on his phone, but now even that’s unreliable," Chen Mu grumbled as she mopped the floor with a frown.

Nearby, Chen Xingyue was folding clothes on the balcony. Hearing this, she said, "Mom, don’t worry. With my brother’s strength, he’ll definitely pass."

"I’m not worried about whether he’ll pass the test or not. It’s just that public safety isn’t great these days, and it’s been so long since he left…"

"You’re just being paranoid!" Chen Dawei snapped, lowering his newspaper to glare at her. "Your son already has the strength of a Martial Artist—what’s there to worry about?"

Hadn’t she seen how effortlessly their son could kill people? Who in their right mind would dare provoke him? Such a woman’s perspective.

Of course, he could only grumble about this in his heart.

"What’s wrong with me saying a few words? Huh? I’ve noticed your temper’s been getting worse lately! Have I been too lenient with you?" Chen Mu slammed the mop down angrily. "Look at you, reading the newspaper every day like it’ll sprout flowers. Come over here and mop the floor!"

Chen Dawei’s belly jiggled as he sighed and set the newspaper aside, standing up reluctantly.

"What did I even say? Fine, I’ll mop. It’s not that big a deal. I’m the one cooking every day anyway."

"And I’m the one buying the groceries!"

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Chen Mu immediately went to answer it.

It was the Landlady, holding a bowl of mulberries with a smile. "Oh, the house is lively today!"

"Ah, my husband’s gotten lazier and lazier. Won’t even look for work, just stays home all day. Isn’t it infuriating? Look at him—he’s gained another layer of fat," Chen Mu complained half-heartedly.

Chen Dawei chuckled, holding the mop. "Don’t mind her. Come in and have a seat."

"It's good to be family-oriented like Brother Chen. Jobs aren't easy to find these days, so there's no need to rush. I bought too many mulberries today—please have some too."

"You're too kind!"

"Last time my daughter passed the assessment, it was thanks to your son's help. By the way, hasn’t your son returned from Hedong City yet?"

"Ah, we were just talking about him. That rascal, who knows what he’s up to? It’s been so many days already."

"Oh, I haven’t asked—what’s your son doing in Hedong City?"

Chen Mu was just about to answer when— "Dad, Mom, I'm back!"

An excited voice rang out, followed by a figure stepping into the living room: "Auntie, you're here too?"

Chen Xingyue immediately turned to Chen Shouyi and asked eagerly:

"Brother, you’re back! Did you pass?"

"Of course I passed," Chen Shouyi said with a laugh, pulling out a certificate.

Chen Dawei couldn’t even bother with mopping anymore—he tossed aside the broom and hurried over. But Chen Mu was quicker, snatching it away: "Let me see!"

The certificate was clearly well-crafted. When opened, it bore the official seal of the Jiangnan Province Martial Arts Branch. The photo and name were accurate—this was indeed their son’s certificate.

"It’s real… he really earned it!" Chen Mu’s voice trembled slightly with emotion, her eyes glistening.

These past days, she had endured so much pressure, tossing and turning at night, even jumping at the sight of police outside, afraid of drawing attention. But today, the dark clouds had finally parted, and light had returned.

"Quick, let me see!" Chen Dawei urged impatiently.

"What’s the rush? I haven’t finished looking yet," Chen Mu retorted, turning away to discreetly wipe her eyes. After a long moment, she finally handed it over to Chen Dawei.

Chen Dawei opened it and beamed, repeating: "Good, good, good! You’ve really made something of yourself!"

"Dad, you’ve looked long enough—it’s my turn now!" Chen Xingyue said eagerly.

The landlady, who had been silently watching the family’s emotional scene, finally couldn’t hold back any longer: "What kind of certificate is this?"

"A Martial Artist Certificate! My brother is a Martial Artist now!" Chen Xingyue declared proudly.

Since the incident, her personality had grown much quieter, and she rarely smiled. But at this moment, she finally grinned again.

The landlady’s eyes widened slightly as she scrutinized Chen Shouyi from head to toe, disbelief written all over her face: "This is really… this is really… you’re truly a Martial Artist now?"

……

The landlady soon left, still looking dazed.

It took a long while for the family’s excitement to gradually settle.

"Oh, son, have you eaten yet?" Chen Mu suddenly remembered and asked.

"Mom, don’t worry about it—I ate at the train station!" Chen Shouyi quickly replied, feeling deeply satisfied at the sight of his parents’ relieved and joyful expressions.

"Mom, Dad, there’s something I want to discuss with you—about our future relocation arrangements."

"We don’t understand these things. You decide for yourself," Chen Mu said.

Chen Dawei also nodded: "What are your thoughts?"

"Right now, both Pingqiu and Dongning are still experiencing blackouts, and public safety isn’t great. My idea is for all of us to move to Hedong City or Ningzhou. That way, we’ll have better living conditions and security."

"Then let's go to Hedong City," Chen Dawei said decisively. "Returning to Dongning just doesn’t feel secure, especially with that cult still active there. Since we’re leaving Dongning anyway, we might as well move somewhere farther away."

After everything they’d been through, the family no longer clung to sentimental attachments to their hometown. Safety and peace were what mattered most now.

However, Chen Mu voiced her concern:

"Hedong City’s housing prices are so high—I’ve heard they’re over 30,000 per square meter. We don’t even know how much of the money we lent out will be recovered, and right now, we only have around 200,000 in savings. How are we going to afford a place?"

"True. If we could sell the old house, it might barely be enough?"

30,000 is outdated—it’s over 50,000 per square meter now, Chen Shouyi thought to himself.

"Dad, Mom, don’t worry. We’ll receive a relocation allowance, and it should be a substantial amount," he reassured them.