I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 627 Ji Jiuwu Returns Home

As dawn broke, the initial rays of sunlight gently swept over the land, infusing a gentle warmth into every creature.

Atop the walls of the Long River Tribe, the guards on patrol were preparing to swing open the gates when they spotted a youth in meditation under the shadow of the wall. Their faces twisted in shock right away.

To the guards, darkness hid unspeakable dangers. Lingering beyond the walls through the night could lead to devouring by ferocious beasts or bizarre entities, or worse, takeover by some otherworldly force.

He yelled out in haste, "Hey, there's a guy down by the base of the wall!"

This urgent call snapped the nearby comrades to attention. They clustered near the shouting guard and peered where he pointed. Once they made out the figure, a voice from the group muttered, "That lad resembles Ji Jiuwu, the one who vanished three years back. Word is his dad hunted high and low for him. But in his condition now, maybe a demon's taken hold of him?"

"Hurry... fetch the Priest at once, check if this boy's been claimed by a demon," the Captain of the City Guard barked quickly.

Soon enough, the Priest climbed to the top of the tower, clutching a banner meant to repel demons. He glanced down at Ji Jiuwu by the wall and felt the energy radiating from him, then let out a cold huff.

"Hmph! You fools, how could Jiuwu possibly be under demonic influence? The True Qi flowing from him matches that of a Celestial Human perfectly. Sure, his level hasn't hit the Celestial Human Realm yet, but emitting True Qi proves he's free of possession—demons can't stand True Qi, it's their bane."

Hearing this, the faces of all those around shifted in stunned surprise. True Qi marked the exclusive sign of Celestial Humans, yet none could grasp how Ji Jiuwu managed to harness it without entering that realm.

The Priest easily read the confusion in their minds. With a grin, he declared, "If you're dying to find out, why not join me in asking Jiuwu himself? Come on."

With a flick of his wrist, the Priest unlatched the city gates and guided the others beyond the walls. Supervised by this Spirit Condensation Realm expert, no one feared Ji Jiuwu might lash out unexpectedly.

Long before the group drew close, Ji Jiuwu lifted his eyelids slowly. Spotting the Priest at the front, he rose swiftly and bowed deeply, announcing, "Jiuwu greets Grandpa Jiu."

"Ah."

Noting Ji Jiuwu's courteous demeanor, the Priest felt a surge of satisfaction and teased lightly, "Grandpa Jiu, huh? Kid, after three years away from home and now back, you've turned into quite the well-mannered fellow."

Ji Jiuwu grinned and replied, "I won't keep it from Grandpa Jiu. On this journey out, I beheld a heavenly spectacle unfolding. Through sheer fortune, I took on as a pupil under an immortal. Not just cultivation techniques did I master, but proper manners too."

"Excellent, excellent."

The Priest brushed past the mention of 'immortal' without a second thought and kept commending, "You've seized a major boon on this outing, kid; that's worth celebrating for sure!"

"Grandpa Jiu overpraises me; Jiuwu just got fortunate, that's all."

Ji Jiuwu rubbed his head sheepishly. "Grandpa Jiu, how fare my grandfather and the family at home?"

At that, the Priest's brow furrowed a touch, and he answered, "Jiuwu, your grandfather's doing well. But your father's branch has hit a minor snag. You'll learn the details upon returning; Grandpa Jiu won't elaborate here."

"What?"

Ji Jiuwu's face paled sharply at the news. He hadn't anticipated issues brewing back home. After all, his father held power at the Spirit Condensation Realm; any trouble for him spelled serious danger.

"Grandpa Jiu, I'll rush home now and come pay you a visit soon."

"Mm, off you go."

The Priest made no effort to detain him, nor did he probe deeply into Ji Jiuwu's external adventures. To him, as a blood heir of the Ji family, Ji Jiuwu could pursue whatever path he chose, so long as it didn't involve demonic alliances or threats to the tribe.

Once the soldiers saw Ji Jiuwu depart, regret flickered across their features. They had hoped to uncover the secret of his True Qi cultivation prior to reaching the Celestial Human Realm.

The Priest picked up on their curiosity without delay. He issued a grave caution, "Not a word of today's happenings leaves this group. If this Priest hears you've been blabbing elsewhere, I'll offer your whole kin to the River God."

"We heed the Priest's orders."

The soldiers chorused together.

The head captain ventured, "Grandpa Jiu, shouldn't we inform the clan about this?"

The Priest replied, "Shortly, you'll come with this old one to the Clan Chief and High Priest. We'll relay the news and leave the choice to them."

"Got it."

The captain acknowledged, then trailed the Priest toward the Stone Mansion housing the Clan Chief.

Meanwhile, Ji Jiuwu hurried back home with urgency. He strode down the extended avenue, where the dwellings flanking the path shifted from mud huts to sturdy stone builds. Before long, he halted before a walled stone estate.

He advanced and rapped softly on the entrance door. Moments passed, and it creaked open from within. A slender middle-aged man in rough hemp garb inquired, "Who might you be?"

Upon recognizing the man, Ji Jiuwu beamed and stated, "Ape Uncle, it's me, Jiuwu."

The name 'Jiuwu' lit up the middle-aged man's face with joy. After a careful look, he bellowed, "Young Master Jiuwu, you've come back at last! The Master has dispatched searchers everywhere for you these past three years. Where on earth were you?"

"This isn't the spot for explanations. I'll fill Father in once I'm inside," Ji Jiuwu responded calmly.

"Forgive this old servant's oversight. Young Master, step right in."

Observing Ji Jiuwu's transformation, Ape Uncle realized certain questions were best left unasked.

Soon, a crowd gathered in the yard. At the forefront stood a towering, robust man with deep-toned skin. A wolf fang necklace hung around his neck, lending him an intimidating air.

Next to this man was a woman of golden-brown skin, striking in her middle years. The instant her eyes landed on Ji Jiuwu, she wailed, "Jiuwu, my boy, you're home safe!"

As the woman lunged toward Ji Jiuwu, the man beside her held her back. His gaze bored into Ji Jiuwu, as though piercing his very soul.

"Jiuwu honors Father and Mother," Ji Jiuwu declared, initiating the bow.

The middle-aged man didn't drop his guard merely because Ji Jiuwu now seemed polished and composed. He even swept his Divine Sense over the youth. Though the boy matched his son's appearance perfectly, the shifts in him were profound.

The old Ji Jiuwu had been a rowdy scamp with sun-bronzed skin. This version boasted pale complexion, elegant poise, and the bearing of a Great Witch, which sparked the father's suspicion.

"Husband, what's the matter?" The woman demanded irritably, noting her spouse's silence. Her son was back; why act so standoffish?

With that, the middle-aged man questioned coolly, "Are you truly Jiuwu?"

Ji Jiuwu found himself at a loss for words. This marked the second such grilling he'd endured today. He scanned the surroundings and answered, "To Father, yes, your son is Jiuwu. Yet some matters aren't suited for discussion here."

Ji's father intoned gravely, "Then follow me to your grandfather."

"Alright."

Ji Jiuwu agreed without hesitation; seeing his grandfather had been his plan all along.

"Husband, Jiuwu's only just arrived; can't he take a breather first?" The woman pleaded, her heart aching.

Ji's father stated, "Wife, we can't put this off. You wouldn't want more woes for Heng'er, right?"

The woman's face fell at the mention. She shot a look at Ji Jiuwu, then averted her eyes.

Ji Jiuwu lost his composure and pressed urgently, "What's become of Big Brother?"

Ji's father replied, "I'll explain en route. Move."

"Yes."

Ji Jiuwu assented, then accompanied his father from the dwelling, bound for the city's heart.

Morning light still lingered, with few souls stirring on the streets. Ji Jiuwu inquired worriedly, "Father, you haven't said yet—what's truly befallen Big Brother?"

Noting the genuine worry in Ji Jiuwu's gaze, Ji's father finally revealed, "Your brother took a grave wound a month past. We preserved his life, but he remains unconscious and won't compete in the Clan Grand Competition in seven days."

"How did the injury occur, and what's the Witch Doctor's verdict?" Ji Jiuwu brushed aside any talk of the Clan Grand Competition, fixating solely on his brother's plight.

From those words, Ji's father knew for certain this was his real son, Ji Jiuwu—no one else would fret so over the elder sibling. Still, in his altered form, approval from the Clan Chief and High Priest was required before settling back in the tribe.

Ji's father said evenly, "Jiuwu, once we're done there, I'll bring you to see your brother."

"Mm."

Ji Jiuwu dipped his head and instinctively hastened his steps. Shortly, father and son reached the doors of the City Lord's Mansion...

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