Chapter 476: Chapter 346: Gifted, Innate Talent! (Double-Length)

The 41st Army, where Song Changming is, did not end after participating in a battle just once.

According to past inspection processes, within a month, they have to undergo inspections three to five times, confront different armies, and the final results will be recorded, evaluated, and awards or punishments given.

Besides the inspection of military strength, this month the officials of the Prince’s Mansion would also focus on military discipline and morale, randomly checking past records and bad behaviors to eliminate any traces of corruption.

For this reason, the military department was undergoing a comprehensive crackdown this month.

Those generals did not dare to frequent entertainment places, and even drank less, fearing they might get caught for some minor mistake and get implicated.

This did not bother Song Changming much.

He himself was not someone entranced by places of entertainment, so he just didn’t go.

After the daily inspections ended, he would return home to raise chickens, feed birds, and cultivate as usual.

On this day. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Cheep cheep!"

Song Changming was at a stone table, using chopsticks to tease the chick.

This caused Xiaohuang to flap its wings in an attempt to resist, but it was immediately immobilized when Song Changming pinched its round belly with his chopsticks.

"Don’t wander near the dishes, if you accidentally end up in my mouth, you can’t blame me," Song Changming said with a light laugh as he picked up the Little Yellow Chicken.

The Little Yellow Chicken was infuriated, its tiny wings wishing they could turn into fans.

It actually was just craving a bite of the dishes but got caught red-handed by Song Changming.

Initially, the Little Yellow Chicken had no interest in the foods cooked by humans, preferring to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to grow.

But after staying at Song Changming’s place for a long time, it gradually tasted the humans’ brewed wine, then tried their dishes.

It found this earthly food not only not bad but quite novel.

Since then, the Little Yellow Chicken changed.

Grains, delicacies, it was willing to eat a few bites of everything.

Going without it for a few days would even make it crave, sneaking up to the table like it did today.

Next to him, A Da saw this and immediately carried the Little Yellow Chicken off the table, saying helplessly, "Xiaohuang, that’s the young master’s dinner."

"I’ve prepared a portion for you too."

Saying this, he led the Little Yellow Chicken to a small stool.

There were several small bowls and plates placed there, holding small portions of dishes, just enough for the Little Yellow Chicken’s appetite.

Seeing this, the Little Yellow Chicken quieted down, glancing at A Da, as if saying "you’re sensible."

Just when Song Changming was about to continue with his meal, he paused and looked towards the courtyard gate.

In the next moment, a series of knocks sounded, neither hurried nor slow.

"Huh?" A Da was somewhat surprised.

It’s least likely for anyone to visit during meal times.

The dog in the courtyard waiting for its meal suddenly twitched, stood up, and looked toward the gate, its eyes filled with vigilance.

"Young Master," A Er, who was closer to the gate, looked at Song Changming.

"Open the door," Song Changming put down his wine cup and said.

Hearing these words, A Er went ahead to open the door with some assurance.

As the gate opened, two giant shadows suddenly enveloped him.

They were two people completely shrouded in black robes, their figures extremely burly, as if two walls.

An icy and ominous aura emanated from the black robes, causing A Er a moment of intense fear.

"Who, who are you, and what do you want here?" Gathering courage, A Er questioned, remembering the young master and his brother were behind him.

"Changming, it’s us." A deep voice emerged from the black robes.

The hood of the black robe slightly lifted, revealing their faces.

Song Changming’s face lit up with joy, rising to greet them.

"Big brother, second brother, it’s about time you came back."

These two were none other than Song Changping and Song Chang’an who had returned.

Since they last parted, there had been no news, and now several years had passed before the three brothers met again.

Earlier, Song Changming had already sensed the icy and chilling aura outside the house, feeling it was familiar.

It was indeed his two elder brothers who had returned.

"A Da, add two more sets of dishes," Song Changming instructed.

"Yes, young master," A Da hurried to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, he was quite curious as he had never heard of his young master having brothers.

Regarding the sudden arrival of Song Changping and Song Chang’an, he was completely unfamiliar.

"Are they the young master’s sworn brothers, or blood brothers..."

Honestly, although he had worked with the young master for many years, he knew little of his past and had seldom heard him talk about it.

With the courtyard gate closed, Song Changping and Song Chang’an no longer avoided being seen, taking off their robe hoods, revealing slightly greenish skin.

A faint, chilling death aura surrounded them, giving others a strong sense of unease.

In the courtyard, A Er shivered, unable to hide his fear.

"Little guy, don’t wet your pants," second brother Song Chang’an said, noticing A Er looking at him, his legs shaking, and leaning down with a grin to scare him.

"A Er, do not fear..." A Er mustered the courage to stammer a reply.

"Really? You do have some guts," Song Chang’an found it amusing and wanted to tease him further but was stopped by Song Changping.

"Enough, Chang’an, you’re scaring the child,"

Song Chang’an chuckled, standing up straight.

Beside them, Song Changming observed, noting his brothers’ expressions were much richer than before, with less stiffness.

"Elder brother, didn’t you agree to come find me after coming back from Da Lai last time?" Song Changming asked while pouring wine for his brothers.

This was something they agreed on before parting, yet it took them all these years to come, and he couldn’t help worrying.

"Changming, you didn’t know, but a lot happened in between," second brother Song Chang’an said, downing his bowl of wine, shaking his head.

As the two recounted, Song Changming came to understand the experiences and ordeals his brothers had faced over the years.

They had crossed the Abyss and stayed in Da Lai for only the first half-year.

They had seen their elderly sister from afar, paid respects to their parents, and toured the old places in Da Lai.

In the end, as Da Lai lacked Spiritual Qi, unsuitable for a long-term stay, they opted to return to the Ancient Abyss Country.

However, shortly after returning, they stumbled into members of the Corpse Refining Sect and were recognized as Lou Baoqiu’s corpse puppets, which led to intense pursuit by the Corpse Refining Sect.

To avoid causing trouble for Song Changming, the two brothers had been fleeing and hiding ever since.

They had entangled with the Corpse Refining Sect for a long time until they finally had the chance to return.

"That Corpse Refining Sect, we must destroy them someday, especially that Lou Family!" Song Chang’an said irritably, still fuming at the mention of Corpse Refining Sect.

Heaven knows how much they had suffered under the pursuit of the Corpse Refining Sect over the years, feeling deeply resentful.

"Elder brothers, your hardship will be addressed; there will be a chance," Song Changming nodded, with a gleam of fierceness in his eyes.

This Corpse Refining Sect, along with that Baitian Temple, will definitely be eliminated someday!

"This time, we won’t stay long; one reason is the Corpse Refining Sect is still persistently haunting us, and another is our desire to continue cultivating, needing places full of Yin Qi and Death Qi, which the city cannot provide."

Anticipating what Song Changming might say, Song Changping spoke first, dispelling his intentions of asking them to stay.

"In that case, do you have a place in mind, brother?" Song Changming inquired.

"The Nine Nether Realm," Song Changping nodded.

Upon hearing this, Song Changming thought for a moment before agreeing.

For the two elder brothers, that Nine Netherworld certainly is an ideal place to be.

The Death Qi aside, the Evil Yin Qi there definitely meets their cultivation needs.

Moreover, Nine Netherworld is a place where all kinds of beings—Human Race, Demon Race, Exotic Beasts, and Fierce Beasts—congregate from all directions.

This is both a dangerous crisis and a kind of protective layer of chaos to hide within.

Even as strong as the Corpse Refining Sect, they can’t conduct large-scale searches in the Nine Netherworld.

After all, if they accidentally provoke some terrifying creature, the reputation of the Corpse Refining Sect counts for little there, and their disciples could die regardless.

"And the Nine Netherworld is mysterious and unpredictable, maybe my brother and I can make a fortune there! When you’re in trouble, little brother, just say the word, we’ll definitely cover you." Song Chang’an said, patting his chest.

Although his aura is cold and eerie, his demeanor remains very amiable, not much different from when they were human.

...