A family servant had already come to report earlier, but even so, after Charles Warren and his two younger sisters waited for a quarter of an hour by the riverside field ridge, James Warren finally emerged from the depths of the vast farmland.

He was already over seventy years old, his skin tanned dark, yet he was still full of vigor. Taking off his straw hat, he walked up to Charles Warren and greeted him with a smile, “Shouzhe, what brings you here today?”

“Fourth Great-Grandfather.” Charles Warren greeted him politely with a cupped-fist salute.

“Grandpa.” The two girls, Olivia Warren and Julia Warren, greeted James Warren obediently.

“What are you two girls doing here? Why aren’t you at home studying and cultivating properly?” The old Fourth Great-Grandfather James Warren frowned slightly and reproached them, “There are so many snakes, bugs, rats, and ants in the fields. What’s so fun about this place?”

The two girls turned pale from the scolding, lowering their heads and not daring to speak.

“Fourth Great-Grandfather,” Charles Warren chimed in, “Fourth and Fifth Sister missed you, so I took the liberty of bringing them to visit you. It’s not their fault.”

“Shouzhe, you shouldn’t spoil them too much. Otherwise, when they marry in the future, they’ll feel wronged at the slightest thing in their husband’s family.” James Warren’s tone toward Charles Warren softened considerably. “You’ve come at just the right time today. Last night, a group of wild boars came to root in the wheat fields. The biggest one was hunted and shot dead by us. We’ve been stewing it since morning. Come, let Fourth Great-Grandfather treat you to some wine and meat.”

“I thought so! I woke up this morning with a sudden urge to visit the manor, and it turns out it was a stroke of good fortune. I could smell something delicious from far away at your place, Fourth Great-Grandfather.” Charles Warren said with a grin. “Looks like I really am quite lucky.”

“You’re the pillar of our family, of course you’re lucky.” James Warren laughed as he led Charles Warren into the main courtyard of the manor, with the two girls following closely behind.

The main courtyard of the manor was a mixed structure of brick, tile, and wood, rather simple and unadorned, mainly for the clan members, family retainers, and servants who stayed behind. Farming tools were stacked in the corners of the courtyard, and some free-range chickens were kept, giving off a strong rural family atmosphere.

James Warren greeted Charles Warren in the courtyard, where there was a round stone table surrounded by five or six stone stools. Several farm women set out some melons, fruits, and tea, then went off to busy themselves in the kitchen.

During this time, the two girls were also sent by James Warren to help in the kitchen. According to his reasoning, girls should get more experience in the kitchen so they won’t suffer losses in their husband’s family in the future.

Charles Warren knew this was a tradition in the Xuanwu world. Although every Xuanwu family had their own cooks and kitchen staff, personally preparing some food was a sign of sincerity.

Just like Aunt Gongsun Hui, she often personally cooked some delicacies for Henry Warren and Charles Warren, which represented a close relationship.

……

Chapter 11: The Hope of the Whole Family

……

Charles Warren came with a purpose today, but he still remained calm and unhurried, casually chatting with James Warren about strange news and anecdotes. When he mentioned that last night, together with Sixth Uncle David Warren, he happened to catch a 150-jin red-scaled eel, James Warren slapped his thigh excitedly: “That rascal David might not get one in two years, this time he must have benefited from your luck.”

Although the red-scaled eel wasn’t as good as the red-tailed spirit catfish, it was still a great tonic and counted as a spirit food.

Spirit food was an excellent way for Xuanwu practitioners to quickly replenish their vital energy and blood, and was a necessity for every Xuanwu practitioner’s survival. Even elders like James Warren, whose cultivation had stagnated and was even gradually declining at over seventy years old, still needed to supplement with spirit food from time to time.

Otherwise, their energy and blood would become insufficient, and their bodies would deteriorate and their cultivation would fade even faster.

As for the younger generation, they needed spirit food even more to replenish their energy and blood, allowing them to grow faster and better.

As the two chatted and laughed, in less than half an hour, the kitchen women and the two younger sisters had set out some farmhouse dishes: fresh chicken, duck, fish, and goose, as well as a large stone basin of braised wild boar meat.

“Shouzhe, you rarely come by, and Fourth Great-Grandfather doesn’t have much else to treat you with.” James Warren ran into the bedroom and soon came out carrying an old-fashioned wine jug, smiling, “Try this fine wine I’ve treasured for years. Drink as much as you like, and if you can’t finish it, take the rest home.”

Just as he was speaking—

A young man with tanned skin and mud all over walked in, his voice hearty: “Grandpa, you’re playing favorites! You never let me have even a sip of your White Jade Spirit Wine, but now that Fourth Brother is here, you bring out the whole jug.”

“You rascal, do you think you can compare to Charles?” James Warren laughed and scolded as soon as he saw the young man. “You sure know how to come back right at mealtime. Go wash up, and I’ll let you have a cup.”

“Third Brother.” Charles Warren greeted him with a smile. He knew this was Andrew Warren, the third in the seventh generation of the Wang family’s “Shou” branch.

“Fourth Brother.” Andrew Warren quickly returned the greeting with respect, then smiled, “I’ll go wash up first, and then come back to toast you.” With that, he quickly excused himself.

By the time the bowls, chopsticks, and wine cups were all set on the table, Andrew Warren had already washed up and sat down next to Charles Warren, sniffing the aroma of the dishes and eyeing the jug of White Jade Spirit Rice Wine with longing. He laughed, “Today I’m lucky to have Fourth Brother here. It’s been a long time since we brothers ate together. I’ll toast you a few extra cups later.”

“Third Brother, you’ve worked hard for the family too. I should be the one to toast you a few cups.” Charles Warren replied with a smile.