The journey was long.
Yet this time, the road did not feel heavy.
Li Tian rode his horse, flanked by two elite guards of the Shadow Veil. Still, his thoughts never strayed far from the Tian family.
This time, I'm not returning empty-handed, he thought.
This time, I'm bringing a system.
---
The Tian Family Estate — First Glimpse
When he passed through the city gates, people stopped to stare.
New shops lined the roads.
Fuel wagons rolled by.
Sealed crates of salt and sugar were stacked neatly.
But the Tian family's main residence…
was still modest.
Li Tian stepped inside.
---
The Empty Chair of the Patriarch
In the main hall, his uncles and cousins were seated around the table. Account books lay open before them.
The tension was unmistakable.
"The market is stable," the first uncle said,
"but expansion is risky."
"Guild pressure is increasing," the third uncle added.
"We need protection."
Then—
"Protection has already arrived."
All eyes turned toward the doorway.
---
The Return of Li Tian
Li Tian walked forward.
Simple robes.
But a weight in his gaze.
"W-who…?" a cousin whispered.
"Li Tian?" the first uncle stood up in shock.
"You're… alive?"
Li Tian gave a small nod.
"I've come home."
---
Authority Without Noise
He placed a ledger on the table.
The seal of the Wudong Sect.
Trade authorization documents.
Fuel monopoly approvals.
Escort contracts.
"From today," Li Tian said calmly,
"the Tian family will no longer act defensively."
"We expand."
---
Shock and Realization
The uncles froze.
"Wudong Sect?" the third uncle stared.
"What business do you have with them?"
Li Tian did not answer.
He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
A ripple of Qi spread outward.
Just one second.
They understood.
---
New Rules
Li Tian began speaking plainly—
like a man presiding over a board meeting.
1. All accounts will be centralized.
2. A shareholding system will be implemented.
3. Fuel and food will be our core industries.
4. Martial escorts are mandatory.
"No arguments," he added.
"There will be profit.
And there will be safety."
---
The Family's Choice
Silence lingered.
Then the first uncle exhaled deeply.
"You've changed," he said.
Li Tian met his gaze.
"I was forced to."
---
Night Scene — Silent Resolve
That night, Li Tian stood alone in the courtyard—
the same place where he had once given up.
Now, a sword rested in his hand.
And plans filled his mind.
One year, he thought.
Family.
Cultivation.
Power.
After that…
even the Central Plane will feel small.
---
End Scene
Lanterns lit up the Tian family estate.
A new emblem was being mounted at the gate.
Caption:
When a man returns home with strength,
a home ceases to be just a home—
it becomes a fortress.