Protoganist's Sidekick Fights Back-Chapter 52: A Family’s Meeting

After his uncle informed him of his parents' impending return, Su Kang did not slow down. Each day, he dedicated himself to training—both within the Sanctuary of the Unwavering Soul and through relentless refinement of Star Dust Infusion.

More than once, a miscalculation in force left faint cracks in the stone beneath his feet.

As the morning sun cast long shadows across the training ground, Su Kang stood before a massive block of Blacksteel—a metal renowned for its resilience.

His knuckles bore the faint marks of repeated impact, yet the Blacksteel remained almost unscathed.

"Not enough." His eyes sharpened.

Blacksteel was a common material for Core Formation weapons and armor. Even late-stage Core Formation cultivators would struggle to leave visible damage.

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Yet, despite his growing strength, his attacks lacked the refinement needed to master Star Punch—the attack skill of his Star-Forged Physique.

Taking a steady breath, he centered himself.

Astral Qi coursed through his limbs, flowing like a celestial river, reinforcing every fiber of his being. His muscles tensed—not from strain, but from the raw power coiling within.

The sensation had become familiar. His body now accepted Astral Qi readily, but wielding it with precision remained a challenge.

He drew back his fist.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With each strike, the ground trembled. The impact rippled through his arms, his tempered bones absorbing the force effortlessly.

His body had already reached the third stage of Body Refining, edging toward the peak of early-stage third-level. His muscles, honed and tempered, could generate explosive force, his reflexes sharpened to near-instantaneous reactions.

Yet, something was still missing.

His energy dispersed too soon, scattering at the moment of impact instead of condensing into a singular, devastating force.

Even as his physical body grew stronger, his soul cultivation remained a frustrating challenge.

That night, as the cool breeze carried the faint scent of sandalwood from the courtyard lanterns, Su Kang sat cross-legged in deep meditation.

His body had strengthened, his techniques refined, yet there was still one thing that hadn't fully recovered—his soul foundation.

Closing his eyes, he sank into his spiritual consciousness—a vast, open space stretching endlessly. At its center, a tiny mark shimmered faintly, no larger than a distant star.

It had been there since his Star-Forged Physique transformation, an imprint he had yet to fully understand.

But that was not his real concern.

Deeper still, beyond his consciousness, lay the Sanctuary of the Unwavering Soul—his true soul domain.

When he first discovered the damage, hair thin cracks had spread across his soul, fragile yet stable. Now, they had begun to heal slightly, the thinnest fractures closing.

Yet, full recovery was still months away—a slow, arduous process. He had avoided aggravating the damage so far, but any recklessness could worsen it again.

Su Kang exhaled slowly. He had no time to waste.

The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of sandalwood from the courtyard lanterns. Within the room, warmth pulsed beneath the covers, where two bodies lay entwined.

Su Kang ran his fingers through Bai Yunxi's hair, absentmindedly tracing the curve of her back. She was warm against him, her breath steady—but her fingers, idly drawing patterns on his chest, betrayed her unease.

She hesitated before whispering, "What if your parents don't accept me?"

His hand moved to her waist. "I told you, I'll handle it. There's no reason for you to worry."

"But I..." She bit her lip, eyes flickering with unease. "What if they ask about my past? If they learn I'm the mother of your fellow sect brother... will they still accept me?"

Su Kang exhaled slowly, then shifted, rolling her onto her back as he leaned over her.

"You are my wife. We married under the eyes of the Heavens—now it's too late for their approval."

"But they—"

"They will accept you," he interrupted, his voice soft but unshakable.

"Besides," he murmured playfully, "how could they possibly refuse when their daughter-in-law is so beautiful and sweet?"

"You..." she lightly smacked his shoulder, but there was no force behind it.

Su Kang chuckled, his fingers threading through her hair, cradling the back of her head as he leaned in.

"I'm their son, I know how to convince them." His tone hardened with resolve.

Her breath hitched as his lips captured hers, slow and lingering, drawing out every ounce of hesitation she held. Her arms tightened around him, her body pressing against his as she melted into the embrace.

---

A few days later, the Su family manor buzzed with activity as servants prepared for the return of Su Kang's parents. Having returned from their harvest expedition, their parents had first reported to the family head and elders before coming home to reunite with their sons.

Su Chen took a sip of his tea, setting the cup down with a satisfied nod.

"You've done something incredible, Kang'er," he said, clapping Su Kang on the shoulder. "Finding an undiscovered spiritual realm—do you realize what this means for our family?"

His father was more curious about the people who discovered this realm and mapped it in such detail. He wanted to ask Su Kang about this privately.

Dong Yue smiled before turning her sharp gaze to Su Ting. "Your uncle mentioned something about a girl," she said, her tone playful but expectant.

Su Ting, caught mid-bite, nearly choked. "It's not serious, Mother! Yue Mei and I... we're just getting to know each other."

Dong Yue chuckled, clearly amused. "Oh? Just getting to know each other? How interesting... I remember when your father and I were just 'getting to know each other'—we were married within the year!"

Su Ting groaned. "Mother, it's not like that!"

Su Chen, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "You said her name was Yue Mei?" His tone was neutral, but his gaze was calculating. "Which family is she from?"

"She's from the Xuantian Empire," Su Ting admitted hesitantly.

Both parents paused, exchanging a glance.

"A noble family?" Dong Yue asked.

"Yes, but her family has an auction house instead," Su Ting said. "She's been traveling alone and staying with us temporarily."

Su Chen frowned slightly but did not press further. "Be careful, Ting'er. People from great families rarely act without purpose. They tend to look down on people like us."

Su Ting nodded quickly, eager to move past the topic. Then, with a smirk, he glanced at Dong Yue.

"Speaking of relationships, Mother, did you know Elder Brother has a surprise for you?"

Dong Yue's head snapped toward Su Kang, her eyes widening. "Son, is this true?"

Su Kang sighed, setting his cup down with deliberate care. "Mother, Father," he said, his voice steady, "I want you to meet someone."

Dong Yue stared at him in disbelief. "You... actually have a lover?"

Su Ting leaned back, clearly enjoying the rare moment of his brother being in the spotlight.

Su Kang nodded calmly. "Yes."

A brief silence settled over the room before Dong Yue's lips curved into an expectant smile. "Well, what are you waiting for? Bring her here!"

Su Kang led them toward a separate courtyard, where Bai Yunxi stood waiting. The lanterns cast a soft glow over the pavilion, illuminating her delicate yet elegant figure. She stepped forward gracefully, her movements refined yet carrying a quiet warmth.

Dong Yue's eyes lit up the moment she saw her. "Oh," she murmured. "She's lovely."

Bai Yunxi bowed respectfully. "Bai Yunxi greets Uncle and Aunt."

Su Chen studied her closely, his sharp gaze assessing every detail. His mother, however, smiled warmly. "No need for such formalities, child. You are Su Kang's woman. That makes you family."

Bai Yunxi relaxed slightly, but Su Chen remained unreadable. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Tell me about your family."

Bai Yunxi lowered her gaze for a moment before answering, her voice measured. "I come from a small family in Qin City. My parents were merchants, trading with cultivation families in the region. My father... is no longer alive."

Su Chen's fingers drummed lightly against the armrest, slow and deliberate. His sharp gaze flickered over Bai Yunxi, observing her intensely.

Dong Yue, sensing the weight in the air, gently placed a hand over his, grounding him. Then, she turned to Bai Yunxi with a gentler question. "How did you two meet?"

Bai Yunxi hesitated briefly before answering. "Five years ago... Su Kang saved my life."

She wasn't sure how much to say, but before she could find the right words, Su Kang spoke for her.

"I saved her back then... and from that moment on, I fell in love with her."

Bai Yunxi's cheeks warmed at his straightforward confession.

Dong Yue blinked, momentarily stunned. "Su Kang? You—who avoided women as if they carried the plague—fell in love from just one encounter?"

"I never imagined my son could be like this." Dong Yue chuckled softly before reaching out to Bai Yunxi.

"But now that I see her... I understand why no one else ever captured his heart."