For cultivators, half a month's time passed in the blink of an eye. However, many things could happen in half a month's time. An empire could be destroyed during this period of time, and a new force could rise like the sun in the sky.
For Qin Shi, this half a month was painful. It felt like a year. The journey from Shangcheng City to Red Flame was thousands of miles long. Even though he had mastered Rolling Thunder and was able to control the clouds, it still took him half a month to cross the distance. This was a distance that spanned across regions.
During this half a month, he did not rest for even a moment. It was not until he had enjoyed the sunrise and sunset for half a month that a not very flourishing but very harmonious territory came into view that his black eyes flashed with surprise.
"Red Flame, I'm back."
As mentioned before, many things could happen in half a month. How could it be possible in half a year?
Ever since Qin Shi left, Red Flame had experienced a thousand years of unprecedented progress in the past six months.
Now, Red Flame had annexed three overlord empires in the Hundred Tides. Together with the Beast Dynasty, Red Flame was at the peak of the Hundred Tides. It was undoubtedly the overlord.
After returning to Red Flame, Qin Shi did not rush to the palace, nor did he show his face in public. Instead, he quietly returned to Desolate Town.
Zi Lingsha followed behind him and asked casually, "Your prestige in the Hundred Tides is very high now. Aren't you going to inform us that you're back?
This will definitely strengthen Red Flame's position. "
Hearing this, Qin Shi shook his head confidently. "There's no need. With him around, Red Flame will only become bigger and bigger. My deterrence is not needed."
"Oh?" Zi Lingsha frowned slightly. "You mean the young prince of Red Flame?"
Qin Shi nodded his head with a smile. "That's right. Little Yu is a wise ruler that is rarely seen in a thousand years. After all these years of experience, he has already thoroughly grasped the art of being a ruler. Therefore, with Chi Yan around, I have never been worried."
Zi Lingsha smiled curiously and said, "Since you gave him such a high evaluation, I'm interested in this little prince. If there's a chance, I'd like to meet him."
"Haha, my brothers, I have always trusted them." Qin Shi laughed frivolously, but his laughter was not groundless.
The current Scarlet Flame was indeed developing very well.
This was the will of the people.
Qin Shi believed that as long as he persevered, there would come a day when Chi Yan would get rid of him and show his true face to the world.
At that time, Chi Yan would definitely be very powerful.
"Don't worry. You will see him. I promised to leave something for him before I leave." After saying that, Qin Shi landed on the street of Barren Town.
This was the place he was most familiar with.
Barren Town was the root of the Qin family and the Qin Sect. Compared to the development of Chi Yan, the development here was much more terrifying. However, Qin Shi was still familiar with the way. After turning a few alleys, he easily found the mansion of the Qin family.
He stopped in front of the mansion of the Qin family. A short and beautiful figure broke through the door, smiling happily. She accidentally bumped into Qin Shi's arms.
Then came a voice that broke Qin Shi's heart. It was as gentle as water. "Jin Yan, slow down. Don't fall!"
Yu Luocha chased after him for a few steps. Suddenly, she was stunned. When she saw Qin Shi, her eyes turned red. "You, you're back …?"
Qin Shi felt a sharp pain in his heart. He clenched his fist and nodded. "Yes, I'm back …!"
It was just a few words, but the two of them could not help but sink into silence.
"Come, let daddy take a look."
Qin Shi squatted down and reached out his hand, wanting to pick up Little Jinyan. In half a year, Little Jinyan had surprisingly grown a lot taller. He was now 70 to 80 centimeters tall, just like his mother, very beautiful.
She stared at Qin Shi, hesitating. For a moment, she took a few steps back. Her eyes were filled with unfamiliarity.
At that moment, Qin Shi felt a sharp pain in his heart. He couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Don't be sad. Jin Yan is still young. She can't remember."
Yu Luocha walked forward slowly and picked Jin Yan up. She whispered, "Jin Yan, call daddy. Don't you always want to see daddy?"
"Daddy?
Daddy …? "
Jin Yan tried to whisper to herself. Then, her beautiful eyes flashed with joy. She reached out to Qin Shi and clawed at him.
At that moment, Qin Shi felt that he was satisfied with his life.
"I'm sorry, I always let you be alone …!"
Before Qin Shi could finish, Yu Luocha suddenly put her finger on Qin Shi's lips. She smiled and shook her head. "Don't say sorry, because you didn't. Don't forget what you promised me. If you can't do it, I won't forgive you no matter how sorry you say. I've been waiting … for the day you promised me!"
Qin Shi's heart beat wildly.
He knew that Yu Luocha was referring to his promise to bring Xue Xin and Sister Yu back. Then, the family would be reunited.
He nodded hard. "I will. That day, I will."
"I believe you. I've always believed you."
"Hey, don't be so sweet. Do you really think I don't exist?" Zi Lingsha's voice was like a wet blanket. Qin Shi turned around and glared at her.
Only then did Yu Luocha notice her. She was startled for a moment before she gently extended her hand. However, there was a hint of conflict in her beautiful eyes. "Hello, I'm Shi Tou's wife. May I know who you are …?"
Yu Luocha said the word 'wife' very loudly. Even Qin Shi could hear the threatening tone in it, let alone Zi Lingsha.
She was stunned for a moment. Then, she mocked, "You don't have to scare me. I'm not interested in him. I'm just his creditor. When he returns what he owes me, I'll naturally leave him."
"What does he owe you?" Yu Luocha pressed.
"What does he owe me? You can't pay it back." Zi Lingsha's tone suddenly changed. She was aggressive.
Suddenly, Qin Shi took a step forward. His eyes were very determined. He blocked Yu Luocha behind him. His tone also changed. "Zi Lingsha, don't go too far. If you dare to do anything to him, don't blame me for not caring about our friendship. I've said that I'll definitely return what I owe you."
Zi Lingsha frowned. Then, she restrained her sneer and said, "It's good that you remember it."
"Zi Lingsha … Zi Lingsha …"
Yu Luocha murmured behind Qin Shi. Then, she suddenly opened her eyes and said in surprise, "You're the Sky Poison Woman, Zi Lingsha?"
Zi Lingsha curled her lips. "So what if I am?"
"No matter what Shi Tou owes you, if you dare to hurt him, I'll definitely make you pay. Remember, I have that ability!" Yu Luocha said coldly.
"You can try!" Zi Lingsha was not convinced.
"Enough!"
Qin Shi shouted in a low voice. Then, the two quieted down. Qin Shi said to Zi Lingsha, "Behave yourself. I've just sent a voice transmission to Qin Zong. Qin Zong will entertain you in the next few days."
Then, Qin Shi said to Yu Luocha, "Luocha, don't worry. She's helping me. She even saved my life before."
"Saved your life?
What happened in the past half a year? "Yu Luocha suddenly became worried. She grabbed Qin Shi's arm and kept looking at him.
Qin Shi scolded himself for saying the wrong thing. Then, he gave Zi Lingsha a look. Then, he took Jin Yan from Yu Luocha's arms and returned to Qin's Mansion.
Looking at the three people who left, Zi Lingsha's beautiful eyes had a little bit of sadness that no one noticed.
The news of Qin Shi's return to Crimson Flame first spread among the Qin family, then to Qin Zong, and then to all of Crimson Flame. Hundred Tides …!
Actually, Qin Shi knew about this. He couldn't hide it. However, if he didn't want to show his face, no one could force him to. In the past few days, Desolate Town had always been surrounded by a sea of people. Among them were the local forces of Red Flame, as well as the kings and generals of the Hundred Tides.
There was no doubt that they were all trying to get into Qin Shi's good books. But in the end, they were all rejected.
This time, when Qin Shi returned to Crimson Flame, he only wanted to quietly accompany his family, Yu Luocha, and Jin Yan. He wanted to spend this period of time in comfort.
His first guests were Lin Yu, Su Ming, and his brothers.
One night, Lin Yu, Su Ming, Yin Mo, Qin Shang, Pu Quan, and the others gathered in the Qin family's mansion. Among them were the Pregnant Tree and the National Protective Formation.
Ever since Qin Shi got rid of the murderous aura of the Pregnant Tree in the Nectar Volcano, his strength had recovered at an extremely fast pace. Now, he could roam around Crimson Flame and could even transform into a human.
In comparison, the National Protective Formation was slightly weaker. But it could still appear in the Qin Mansion as a spirit, albeit with difficulty. It was a very lively night. Even Yuan Bo came.
Qin Shi was not surprised by Yuan Bo's appearance. He first walked up to Yuan Bo and said with a smile, "Boss Yuan, you sure are well-informed."
"Hehe, Sect Leader Qin, you are mocking me again. You are now a famous person in Hundred Tides. Now that you are back, everyone in Hundred Tides knows about you."
"Then, Boss Yuan, I heard that in the past half a year, there has been quite a commotion in the Winter Plains. Boss Yuan, shouldn't you tell me what exactly you have been talking about there?"
"Hehe, you will know about it sooner or later. But it's better not to ask too much now. It will be good for you."
Qin Shi's gaze turned cold. He had already guessed that this would be the result.
"Yes. Even if you don't tell me, I will find out sooner or later!"
He snorted and did not give Yuan Bo any face. His wariness towards Yuan Bo increased.
After Yuan Bo, Qin Shi and the others visited one by one. Even though his status was different now, he still knew how to show basic courtesy. Only when he reached Lin Yu's side did his expression become much more relaxed. With a light smile, he raised his fist and knocked on Lin Yu's shoulder.
"Good job!"
"You are in charge of conquering the world while I am in charge of you. If I still can't sit still, how can I be your brother?" Lin Yu grinned and shook hands with Qin Shi.
Qin Shi laughed heartily. Then, he surveyed his surroundings. In his palm, a ray of light flashed and a shrunken puppet appeared in Lin Yu's palm.