The trip back to the Han compound was... interesting, to say the least. I''d experienced many awkward situations since finding myself in Han Renyi''s body, but walking through the streets of Blue Horizon City at night, trying to come up with a plausible explanation for our twelve-hour disappearance? That was definitely in the top five.


    Han Renyi suggested after I had given a carefully crafted summary of my meeting with the Immortal Boy.


    I replied.


    We turned a corner and nearly collided with a patrol of city guards. They took one look at Han Renyi''s merchant robes and moved to intercept us.


    "Young Master Han?" The lead guard called out. "Your father has half the district looking for you!"


    Ah. So that''s what a realm-wide search party looks like in its early stages.


    "I''m fine," Han Renyi assured them. "There was just a... misunderstanding about my whereabouts."


    The guard nodded, though his expression suggested he wasn''t entirely convinced. "We''ll send word to the other patrols that you''ve been found. Your father will be relieved."


    As we continued toward the compound, I could feel Han Renyi''s anxiety growing.


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    We reached the Han compound just as a group of servants was heading out with lanterns, presumably to join the search. Their excited shouts of "Young Master!" brought the rest of the household running.


    Han Zhongwei burst out of the main hall like a man possessed, his usual composure forgotten as he rushed to embrace his son. "Renyi! Where have you been? We thought..." He pulled back, holding Han Renyi at arm''s length to examine him. "When you vanished, with everything that''s happened with the Three-Leaf Clover Sect, we feared..."


    "I''m fine, Father," Han Renyi assured him quickly. "I''m sorry for worrying you. My master..." He paused, and I could feel him mentally reaching for the right words. "My master required my presence for some important training. I should have left word, but it was... urgent."


    Han Zhongwei''s expression cycled through several emotions – relief, confusion, a touch of hurt at being left out of the loop, and finally settling on cautious acceptance. "Your master? The one who helped you with Zhou Shentong?"


    "Yes, Father. He''s been teaching me... many things."


    That was certainly one way to put it.


    "I wish you let us know, son. Qingyi has been worried sick as well, she''ll be relieved to see you''re safe."


    As if summoned by her name, Han Qingyi appeared in the courtyard. She took one look at her brother and burst into tears.


    "You idiot!" she sobbed, running forward to punch him in the arm. "Do you have any idea how worried we were? First that whole thing with Elder Zhou, and then you just vanish without a word?"


    "I''m sorry," Han Renyi said softly, and I could feel the genuine remorse in his thoughts. "I didn''t mean to worry anyone."


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    "Well, you did!" She punched him again, though this one had considerably less force behind it. "Father was convinced the Three-Leaf Clover Sect had... had..." She couldn''t finish the sentence, instead wrapping her arms around her brother in a fierce hug.


    I tactfully retreated to a quiet corner of Han Renyi''s consciousness, giving the family some privacy for their reunion. It was strange, watching these moments through someone else''s eyes. Like being a ghost at your own funeral, except less morbid and more... bittersweet?


    As we followed him toward the main hall, I could hear the whispers starting up behind us. The servants were already spreading the word – Young Master Han hadn''t been kidnapped or killed by angry sect members after all. He''d just been off training with his mysterious master.


    The next few hours passed in a blur of explanations (carefully edited), tears (mostly from Qingyi), and enough food to feed a small army (courtesy of the kitchen staff, who apparently expressed their relief through aggressive hospitality).


    Han Renyi handled it all remarkably well, I thought. He stuck to the basic story – his mysterious master had needed to consult with him about important matters related to his cultivation, the timing had been urgent, and yes, he was very sorry for not leaving a message. He even managed to make it sound somewhat plausible, though I noticed his father''s eyes catching every small hesitation, every carefully chosen word.


    It wasn''t until late that evening, when we were finally alone in his room, that Han Renyi let out a long breath and collapsed onto his bed.


    he sighed looking up at the ceiling,


    I replied


    Han Renyi said with a hint of pride. He trailed off, but I could feel the weight of unspoken words. Before they lost everything. Before they fell from grace. Before their future came to rest entirely on his young shoulders.


    he sighed.


    He sat up, frowning slightly.


    That was... actually a pretty good question. One that deserved a proper answer.


    ," I said carefully.


    Han Renyi was quiet for a long moment, considering this. Finally, he sighed.


    I said dryly.


    That got a small laugh out of him, which was something at least. But I could feel there was more on his mind, questions building up behind his thoughts like water behind a dam.


    he said finally,


    And there it was. I''d been wondering when we''d get to this conversation.


    he admitted.


    I could feel the sudden seriousness in his tone, the way his thoughts focused like a blade being drawn.


    The question hung in the air between us. I could feel the Genesis Seed''s pull growing stronger with each passing moment, like an impatient child tugging at my sleeve.


    I said simply. There was no point in trying to soften this particular blow.


    There a long pause.


    Han Renyi finally asked.


    He nodded slowly, as if he''d been expecting this answer but still wasn''t quite ready for it.


    ," I promised, keeping the plan to one day annex this realm into my own inner world to myself.


    I said, then caught myself using the exact cop-out I''d just been discussing.


    He absorbed this information with a thoughtful frown.


    I admitted.


    He paused, and I could feel him struggling with his next question.


    It was that same question again, but now I had a better idea on how to answer.


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    His shoulders slumped slightly.


    I asked.


    That got his attention. He straightened up, a familiar determination entering his eyes.