Chapter Twenty-Five: Truly My Son

Yang Suying and Li Chengyang stood frozen in their tracks.

Yang Suying’s expression shifted from hesitation to worry, then to suspicion—an endless wave of doubt and shock. She reached out, pointing toward Li Huihui’s legs, her voice trembling with disbelief. "What did you say? Huihui, what did you say? Am I hearing things?"

Seeing her mother’s doubt, tears welled up in Li Huihui’s eyes. They were not tears of sorrow, but of overwhelming excitement. After all these years, her legs finally had sensation!

"Mom, you’re not hearing things. My legs really have feeling!"

As she spoke, Li Chengyang and Yang Suying, who had been stunned, burst into tears. They had consulted countless specialists about Huihui’s legs, only to be told that the nerves were dead and there was no chance of recovery. Yet, after just a few needles from Li Mu, Li Huihui regained sensation. Did this not mean that there was finally hope for her to walk again?

Yang Suying rushed forward and embraced Li Huihui, sobbing, "Oh, my daughter! My poor daughter! Heaven has finally opened its eyes!"

Li Chengyang wiped his own tears, beaming with pride as he patted Li Mu’s shoulder. "You truly are my son!"

Li Mu smiled and looked at Li Huihui by the bedside. "Huihui, I’ve already sent someone to fetch the medicinal herbs. Once I brew the medicine, you’ll drink it. I promise you, brother promises, that in one week, your legs will be fully recovered."

Hearing this, Li Huihui lifted her head. Her eyes were red and swollen from long bouts of crying, and her face was drenched in tears, which made Li Mu’s heart ache. To be honest, Li Mu felt immense guilt; it was because of him that Huihui had ended up this way. If he hadn't left without a word, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out so tragically. Even if Huihui had struck him or cursed him, he would have felt he deserved it.

"Brother... I..." Li Huihui choked on her words. Unable to finish, she dissolved into tears. They embraced, and though no further words were spoken, every knot in their hearts was untied in that moment.

Li Mu had finally received his sister’s forgiveness. He reached out and gently stroked her hair. Nearby, their parents held hands, their own eyes brimming with tears.

In the outside world, Li Mu was a figure of immense power, commanding influence unmatched in the Dragon Kingdom. But here, he was simply the child of this small courtyard, the son of the couple before him, and the only older brother Li Huihui had. This was the softest place in Li Mu’s heart.

***

Li Mu continued to stroke Li Huihui’s hair, just as he used to, filled with tenderness and love. His clothes were already soaked through by her tears. She seemed like a child who had finally returned home; the tension she had carried for so long melted away, replaced by a sense of peace.

Over the past few years, she had hated her brother. She hated Li Mu for ruining everything, and she hated his abrupt departure, which had shattered their parents' hearts and her own. Yet, she missed him. She longed for him to return, regardless of the reason. But she hadn't been able to accept the reality of his absence.

When Li Mu first returned, she had felt a mix of happiness, pain, anger, and resentment. But now, all those negative emotions had transformed into deep longing. She was relieved that her brother hadn't changed, that he was safe, and that he still cared for their family—and for her.

In an instant, Li Huihui’s tears flowed uncontrollably until, finally, a look of contentment settled on her face. She drifted off to sleep in Li Mu’s arms.

Seeing this, Li Mu carefully laid her down, covered her with the quilt, and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door behind him. Yang Suying and Li Chengyang had been watching from outside, careful not to disturb their private moment.

Seeing Li Mu emerge, Yang Suying’s red-rimmed eyes filled with warmth and emotion. "Xiao Mu, I never expected your medical skills to be so incredible. We’ve seen so many experts over the years, and none could do a thing. Yet, with just a few needles, you brought sensation back to your sister’s legs! You are truly better than those so-called masters!"

Li Mu smiled slightly without refuting her. "Don't worry. From now on, if you’re sick, just come to me. We won’t need to go to the hospital anymore; just come straight to me."

Yang Suying and Li Chengyang exchanged a happy look. Their son had clearly endured much hardship while away, but he had grown into a capable man.

Yang Suying seemed to recall something and turned to Li Chengyang. "By the way, old man, since our son is so skilled in medicine, doesn't your old comrade have connections in the hospital? Maybe he can find our son a job."

"Right," Li Chengyang nodded. "I’ll call and ask in a few days. I’m sure he won’t refuse."

Li Mu stood silently. *Good grief.* Did he look like someone who needed a job? As the head of the Imperial Medical Sect, why would he ever need to work for someone else? But seeing the joy on his parents' faces, he swallowed the words of refusal he had prepared.

Yang Suying was overjoyed; she hadn't been this happy in a very long time. Her son had returned safely, he had a fiancée, he possessed medical skills, and he would soon have a stable job. Her daughter’s legs showed signs of healing, and life was finally looking up. The deep furrows of worry on her brow began to fade.

The light in the room was dim, so Li Mu tidied up the place, patching the walls, windows, and eaves. Still, it remained gloomy. Frowning, he said, "Mom, Dad, find some time to pack up. We’re moving."

The two looked at each other, confused. "Moving? Where to? We don't have a house anywhere else."

Li Mu smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, Mom and Dad. I have a house."

"Living in such a damp, dark place is bad for your health and your legs. Come to my place; it will be much better there."

Yang Suying was surprised. "What? Li Mu, you have a house?"

Li Mu didn't explain. In Banyang City, real estate was expensive; as a first-tier city, prices started at forty thousand per square meter. A normal person could empty their entire life savings and still not be able to afford a home.

Li Mu didn't say anything more. He turned and walked out of the courtyard to call Chen Ming.

"Sect Master."

"Have someone clear out my villa. I’m moving in with my family."

"Understood. I will see to it immediately."

"Good, thank you."

Just as he hung up, a call came through from Jiang Wan.

"Li Mu, I have an important matter to discuss with you."