Chapter 463: Welcoming Home

"Old Six, come, Master toasts you!"

Under the starry night sky, Third Senior Brother Wenren You’s house was incredibly lively. A bright red banner hung at the door with bold, sweeping characters:

—Warmly welcome sales champion Old Six’s triumphant return.

In the hot kitchen, the spatula was being swung until it smoked. Third Senior Brother Wenren You, usually stingy and frugal, had rarely cooked twelve dishes today, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat all present.

In the dining room, the young Master, whose cheeks were flushed from drinking, slammed his empty glass onto the table and hugged Chen Ling’s shoulder, his smile like a blooming chrysanthemum:

"Old Six... Master really didn't misjudge you. 230 million is enough for our Twilight Society to spend for six or seven years. You are the top sales champion of our Opera Path Ancient Treasury and the provider for all members of the Twilight Society!"

"Come! Master toasts you again! I’ll finish mine first, you do as you please!"

After saying this, the young man picked up the wine bottle and started chugging, seemingly extremely happy.

Across the table, the Eldest Senior Brother held a bowl full of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, with not a single grain of rice in sight, looking at Chen Ling with gratification and emotion; Second Senior Sister held a stack of account books, her originally furrowed brows relaxing more and more as she calculated, a faint smile appearing on her lips; Fourth Senior Brother patted the Jester, who was frantically devouring food with a bucket, telling him to eat less and leave more dishes for Junior Brother...

For the Opera Path Ancient Treasury, money was an external object, but for the Twilight Society, money was indispensable.

230 million supported the entire Twilight Society’s working capital, cured Third Senior Brother’s stinginess, made Master hug him and drink happily, piled meat into Eldest Senior Brother’s bowl, smoothed Second Senior Sister’s brows, and even made the Jester, who only knew how to devour food, hesitate for a few seconds before leaving half a piece of braised pork for him...

Chen Ling finally realized that the Opera Path Ancient Treasury wasn't as detached from the world as he thought. With money, many things could be changed.

"Master, this is what I should do." Chen Ling said seriously.

"Hahaha, having you, Old Six, is truly the fortune of the Opera Path Ancient Treasury!" Master seemed drunk, hugging Chen Ling’s shoulder and saying with a smile, "Although your strength is still lacking, Master believes that one day... you will become the pillar of the Opera Path Ancient Treasury."

"Don't worry, Master, I will work hard."

"No matter what happens in the future, you must never forget these seniors, understand? You must know... they are among the few people in this world who truly care about you."

Master’s gaze swept over the lively people at the table, and his intoxicated eyes suddenly held a hint of sadness,

"If even you forget them... then they will truly disappear."

Chen Ling was stunned in place.

He wanted to ask Master what he meant, but the latter slumped onto the table, seemingly having drunk too much.

That night, it was Eldest Senior Brother Ning Ruyu who personally carried Master back.

Chen Ling didn't know where Master lived, only that Ning Ruyu carried him straight into the depths of the Opera Path Ancient Treasury. His figure disappeared into the evening wind and night sky, and also disappeared from his perception, returning only after about an hour.

"How long has it been since our Opera Path Ancient Treasury was this lively?"

On the grassland blown by the evening wind, the End-Role and Luan Mei were the last to leave. Looking at Master’s back as he was carried away by Ning Ruyu while muttering drunken words, they couldn't help but sigh.

"Too long." Luan Mei shook her head. "I can't remember."

"Before, our activities were basically watching movies and plays... But compared to immersing ourselves in illusory stories over and over again, this kind of life feels more... how should I put it, more real."

"I understand what you mean. In this ancient treasury, reality is more precious than anything else."

Luan Mei nodded slightly.

The two stood in the evening wind for a long time, both looking at Chen Ling’s house, which was covered in colorful flags. After an unknown amount of time, the End-Role yawned, waved his hand, and said:

"Rest early... I have to tutor Junior Brother on basic secret techniques tomorrow."

"Mm, goodnight."

The dinner to welcome Chen Ling home was over. Third Senior Brother Wenren You washed the dishes, took down the banner hanging at the door, folded it meticulously, and put it in his wardrobe.

After doing all this, it was late at night.

Snap—

As the lights in Wenren You’s room went out, the last light on the grassland retreated into darkness.

The other seniors had basically all rested. Only Chen Ling lay on that familiar bed, looking at the twinkling stars, unable to fall asleep.

In his mind, Master’s words echoed repeatedly. He always felt that the meaning contained in those words was more complex than he imagined...

Honestly, his days in Red Dust Main City were filled with luxurious banquets and grand feasts, but even all of them combined didn't taste as good as this meal at Third Senior Brother’s house. This wasn't to say Wenren You’s cooking surpassed all the famous chefs in the main city, but only here could he completely relax.

Home-cooked meals were always more delicious than the grand feasts of social engagements outside.

Perhaps it was because his spirit had been constantly tense while playing the Special Envoy in the main city, but before long, a wave of drowsiness washed over him. Chen Ling’s eyes slowly closed, and he fell into a deep sleep.

……

The next day, Chen Ling resumed his daily life in the Opera Path Ancient Treasury.

Among the four basic secret techniques, Chen Ling had already mastered the "Action" technique [Cloud Step] before leaving. On the second day back at the treasury, he mastered the "Thought" technique [True Words] to Wenren You’s astonishment.

The "words and sentences" Chen Ling occasionally used in Red Dust Main City to mix power into his voice were the prototype of [True Words], so mastering it in half a day wasn't difficult for him.

"Junior Brother, starting today, I will teach you the 'Singing' secret technique."

The End-Role stood in the courtyard, his expression unusually serious.

Chen Ling blinked. "Weren't the things you taught before secret techniques?"

"No, those were just the most basic vocalizations and techniques to master before learning the secret techniques."

The End-Role took a piece of paper from his pocket, seemingly filled with writing, and handed it to Chen Ling. "This is the real 'Singing' secret technique, and it is the most important of the four basic secret techniques of our Opera Path Ancient Treasury."

Chen Ling took the paper, unfolded it, and after seeing the content, asked in surprise:

"This is... [Soul-Soothing Ballad]?"