Chapter Seventy-Five: Return to Earth

After Luo Yuan and his companions finished collecting all the mineral resources on Mars, they returned to Earth.

A month later, Luo Feng and Xu Xin’s wedding was held. Representatives from the highest echelons around the globe attended, making the event truly spectacular. The major inspectors of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall arrived, as did over a hundred members of parliament, none absent, and even the former members of the Fire Hammer Squad came.

To enhance the grandeur, Luo Feng borrowed from Luo Yuan two thousand ninth-level planetary slaves and fifty stellar-level slaves to serve as an honor guard. When the heads of the world’s various powers stepped out of their cars and saw the formidable honor guard flanking the entrance, their legs trembled and they dared not utter a sound.

A luxurious, extended Rolls-Royce halted before the grand castle of the West Lake villa. Luo Yuan, Hong, and Thunder God, dressed in black suits, stepped out.

“Hey, Old Four really knows how to enjoy himself, choosing such a fine place for his castle,” Thunder God remarked with a laugh, eyeing the towering and lavish structure.

Luo Yuan and Hong merely smiled. Luo Yuan’s ancient-style palace stood atop a mountain shrouded in mist and blessed with scenic beauty; Hong still lived in his old residence, while Thunder God had placed his castle atop the rain-lashed, lightning-struck peak of Extreme Summit, a truly unique taste.

“Big brother, second brother, third brother, you’re here!” Luo Feng personally came out to greet them. The four, chatting and laughing, walked toward the castle.

Inside, the castle was abuzz with voices, a magnificent scene. Men in suits and women in elegant dresses conversed gracefully, but when Luo Yuan and his companions appeared, everyone fell silent. Some looked at them with reverence, others with fear; the entire hall quieted.

“I really don’t care much for these kinds of occasions,” Luo Yuan said calmly.

“Ah, third brother, you’re just too low-key. Sometimes you need to get out more,” Thunder God replied with a grin.

“Ha, all the important people in the world are here today. How about you give a speech, second brother?” Luo Yuan teased.

“No, no, not at all. I’m not good with words,” Thunder God hastily waved his hands, his face embarrassed, making the others laugh.

The wedding proceeded as normal, with Luo Yuan, Hong, and Thunder God serving as groomsmen. Watching Luo Feng in high spirits, Luo Yuan felt a hint of envy. He wondered whether he, too, should find a woman to marry.

Night fell and the wedding concluded, though some guests stayed behind.

In the grand hall on the third floor of the castle, only those close to Luo Feng remained—former comrades, teachers, classmates, and Luo Yuan among them.

At one table, Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, and the five members of the Fire Hammer Squad sat together, though Gao Feng, Zhang Ke, Wei Qing, and Wei Tie seemed rather nervous.

“Captain, there’s no need for that. Let’s treat this as if we’re still out in the wilderness, brothers who’ve shared life and death. Come, let’s drink together,” Luo Yuan said with a smile, raising his glass. Luo Feng did the same, smiling at the four.

“Haha, since Luo Yuan and Luo Feng say so, acting so reserved would be silly. Cheers, everyone!” Gao Feng seemed to let go, laughing loudly, and the others raised their glasses as well.

The clink of glass rang out clear and crisp, as if they had returned to those days celebrating after battles in the wild. Their hearts were filled with mixed emotions, and as the wine flowed, their words loosened.

“In the blink of an eye, years have passed. Luo Yuan and Luo Feng have become figures we can only look up to, but the bond between brothers remains unchanged,” Gao Feng sighed.

“That’s right. The captain is still as bold as ever. If you ever face difficulties, you can always turn to me or Luo Feng,” Luo Yuan said with a smile.

They reminisced about past days, drinking copiously, though for them, the strong liquor was no more than a beverage, leaving them perfectly sober.

“Hey, third brother, look—Teacher Jiang Fang has been staring at you all night!” Luo Feng teased Luo Yuan with a mischievous smile.

Sweeping his mental power across the hall, Luo Yuan discovered that Jiang Fang, clad in a black evening gown, was gazing at him with deep affection. When he turned to look, she quickly shifted her head aside, cheeks flushed, nervously grabbing a glass of juice and stealing glances his way.

Those sitting with Luo Yuan—Luo Feng and Gao Feng—burst out laughing.

“Brother Luo Yuan, hurry up! It’s obvious to everyone that this lady is deeply in love with you,” Gao Feng joked, and the others encouraged him as well.

Luo Yuan smiled shyly. In truth, he had a fondness for Jiang Fang. During their year together at the Elite Training Camp, he found her not only beautiful, disciplined, decisive, and hardworking, but also perceptive, outwardly strong yet inwardly gentle, with a deep sense of responsibility. Her dedication to the blade path especially impressed him. These were qualities he greatly admired.

Luo Yuan couldn’t quite tell if his feelings for Jiang Fang were affection or admiration, but being with her felt easy and safe.

Glass in hand, Luo Yuan rose and walked toward Jiang Fang. Those nearby noticed and smiled kindly. Jiang Fang, always the strong woman, now nervously clutched the hem of her dress.

“Beautiful lady, may I invite you for a walk?” Luo Yuan said with a gentle smile. Jiang Fang, shyly meeting his gaze, nodded after a moment.

They set their glasses aside and walked side by side to the castle rooftop.

On the rooftop, bathed in moonlight, the two stood quietly, gazing at the moon in silence, their hearts both stirred.

“You look stunning tonight,” Luo Yuan suddenly said, turning and smiling.

“Do I? You haven’t changed much, just grown a bit more serious,” Jiang Fang replied with a playful smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her tone teasing.

Luo Yuan raised an eyebrow, then suddenly wrapped his arm around Jiang Fang’s slender waist, smiling at her. This time, Jiang Fang didn’t shy away, nor did she scold him for being impudent. They simply embraced.

“You’ve advanced to planetary level strength,” Luo Yuan remarked.

“Yes, thanks to the wood crystal and blue wave marrow you gave me. When the chief handed them to me, I couldn’t believe it. But once I learned it was from you, I knew you had a place for me in your heart,” Jiang Fang whispered, leaning on Luo Yuan’s shoulder, her eyes tender.

“Oh? Then tell me, when did you start liking me?” Luo Yuan asked, blinking at her with interest.

Jiang Fang responded by pinching him at the waist, and Luo Yuan pretended to cry out in pain.

“I don’t know when I started liking you. The year we spent together was the happiest of my life. You always flirted with your words, but your gaze was pure, full of admiration. You taught me many blade techniques. Others say you’re a peerless genius, an invincible powerhouse, but I know you’re lonely inside, lacking a sense of security, and indifferent to the world,” Jiang Fang said, looking at Luo Yuan earnestly.