Chapter 73: Bai Shi's Mother's Memorial

Gao Ziqi, Tian Tian, and Xu Daoyan, along with Bai Shi, left. They used a special passage from the back of the Tian Shi Manor, which directly transported them to the back of the Tian Manor.

This place was even larger than the back of the Tian Shi Manor, which surprised Xu Daoyan. He also noticed that there seemed to be some hidden passages that he couldn't see.

"Master, you take Daoyan to the Fulong Academy. If I take him back, there might be some objections, but if you take him, it's different. Besides, I've been out for a long time and need to visit my parents first, then I'll find you, Master!" Tian Tian smiled innocently, her big eyes full of pleading. Gao Ziqi could only sigh to the sky, wondering how he ended up with such a disciple.

"I knew you were the best, Master! I'll be off!" Tian Tian darted away like a rabbit, disappearing in a flash.

Gao Ziqi sighed, saying helplessly, "Daoyan, Bai Shi, let's go back to the academy!"

"Mr. Gao, can you take Bai Shi to pay respects to his deceased mother first?" Xu Daoyan asked earnestly.

"Hehe, of course!" As a Confucian, Gao Ziqi placed filial piety above all else and would never oppose it. He looked at Bai Shi and smiled, "Do you remember the way home?"

"I remember, it's in the western outskirts of Youzhou!" Bai Shi's eyes were filled with guilt and helplessness. He had imagined returning home many times, determined to come back in glory to make his mother proud. But after dying in battle, his lingering attachment turned him into a ghost. He knew that seeing his mother again was a luxury, never imagining he would return in this way!

"Let's go!" Gao Ziqi took them and flew off, moving swiftly along the way.

They soon arrived at Bai Shi's home. This area was not prosperous and was already outside Youzhou City, surrounded by forests. It was late autumn, and winter was approaching, with a strong sense of desolation in the air.

The ground was covered with withered yellow leaves, adding to the desolation. Some trees were already completely bare.

Following Bai Shi's lead, they stepped on the dry leaves and arrived at a secluded corner where an old wooden house stood.

Bai Shi pushed open the door, raising a cloud of dust. Spider webs were everywhere.

The house was small. Bai Shi looked at the bed and saw a skeleton covered with an old quilt, lying there quietly.

"How could they do this!" This skeleton was Bai Shi's mother. Seeing this, Xu Daoyan felt a deep sense of sorrow and helplessness.

Bai Shi's mother likely died of illness on the bed, with no one to bury her. Gao Ziqi, who had seen many human emotions, remained silent.

"Mother... I have been unfilial!" Bai Shi knelt by his mother's bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

Xu Daoyan and Gao Ziqi left the wooden house without a word, giving Bai Shi some time alone.

Night gradually fell!

Bai Shi wanted to know if his mother, like him, had turned into a ghost due to lingering attachment.

Sure enough, when night fell, a woman's form condensed on the bed.

Xu Daoyan, Gao Ziqi, and Bai Shi had already收敛了身上的阳气，否则以他们的实力，只要阳气外散，白石的母亲必然会魂飞魄散，这是毋庸置疑的。

"Shi'er, have you returned?" The woman had kind eyes and white hair, looking at Bai Shi in disbelief.

"Mother, I have returned. If it weren't for the young master, I might never have seen you again!" Bai Shi knelt on the ground, bowing his head repeatedly.

"It's good that you've returned, it's good. Thank you, two immortals, for bringing my son back!" Bai Shi's mother bowed to Gao Ziqi and Xu Daoyan, showing great respect.

Gao Ziqi and Xu Daoyan returned the bow without a word, stepping aside.

"Mother, didn't the Bai family take care of you?" Bai Shi was filled with sorrow and anger, his eyes burning with indignation.

"There are so many people in the Bai family, and we were not legitimate. Why would they take care of me? But it doesn't matter. Now that I see you are well, I can rest in peace!" Bai Shi's mother's body began to dissolve into a faint light, gradually disappearing. Clearly, seeing her son one last time was enough for her, and her attachment dissipated, allowing her to move on to the next life.

"Mother, rest assured, I will clear your name!" Bai Shi looked at his mother as she faded away, speaking firmly.

"Mother only hopes that you will live a peaceful life..." Bai Shi's mother left these words and then vanished completely.

He picked up his mother's bones and buried them beside the wooden house, setting up a memorial tablet.

"Sorry, Mr. Gao, young master, for keeping you waiting!" Bai Shi calmed himself and bowed.

"Filial piety comes first among all virtues. There's no need to apologize!" Xu Daoyan's expression was solemn. If Bai Shi was willing to share his family matters, and if he could help, he would. If not, he wouldn't force it.

"Bai family?" Gao Ziqi didn't speak, but he had a good idea what was going on.

"Let's go back to the Fulong Academy!" Gao Ziqi took Xu Daoyan and Bai Shi and flew toward the Fulong Academy.

From a distance, Bai Shi could see the vast Fulong Academy, radiating a powerful and righteous aura that pierced the heavens, lighting up the stars, and harmonizing with the sky, exuding a grand presence!

If he didn't have the Moonlight Immortal Body, he might have been shattered by this righteous aura in an instant.

But now, with his body to protect him, he was unharmed!

Gao Ziqi didn't use the conventional method to enroll Xu Daoyan in the Fulong Academy but took him directly to the back, to his and Meng Ziyi's residence!

In the past month, many things had happened.

Xu Daoyan's fame had already spread throughout Shilong City, with countless people cheering and praising him, saying they had always believed in him.

However, seven days later, Shilong Camp was attacked by mysterious people, and Xu Daoyan's tent was completely destroyed!

The cost was that the mysterious people were also killed, assassins sent by the Xiongnu.

Many people in the Xiongnu Empire were furious because they knew the assassination had failed, and Xu Daoyan was not in Shilong City.

The Xiongnu shamans divined that Xu Daoyan was in the Tian Shi Capital.

However, soon after, he was taken away by Gao Ziqi and Tian Tian. The assassin who infiltrated the Tian Shi Manor was caught and killed!

Xu Daoyan knew nothing about these events, so the Tian Shi Duke's decision to send him to the Fulong Academy had another consideration: to hope that his strength would grow rapidly, which required a great teacher.

Although the Tian Shi Duke admired Xu Daoyan, he also respected people like Gao Ziqi and Meng Ziyi.

These people were role models for generations. Following them would only benefit Xu Daoyan and ensure his maximum safety.

Clearly, the Xiongnu shamans had also divined that Xu Daoyan could not be assassinated in the short term.

In the Xiongnu Empire, the supreme beings would not deign to assassinate a junior, so the assassins they could send were limited in strength.

The death of the Chanyu's son enraged many Xiongnu soldiers, but starting a war was not appropriate.

So some suggested killing Xu Daoyan's family to vent their anger, but it was like hitting a steel plate. Twelve assassins were sent, and none returned, their fates unknown. This made them realize that Xu Daoyan's family was also protected by powerful beings.

Of course, this matter was not over. The Xiongnu were determined to kill Xu Daoyan to avenge their anger.

The news that Xu Daoyan had gone to the Fulong Academy reached Shilong City in less than an hour.

General Shi was pleased to read the letter from the Tian Shi Duke. Shi Yun was even more delighted and hurried to the general's residence.

Shi Yun brought Xu Daoyan's mother, Aunt Dumb, and Ling'er to live in the general's residence, treating them like family.

He immediately went to the annex to share the good news: "Daoyan has gone to the Fulong Academy, and his future is boundless!"

Wu Shi, seeing Shi Yun's excitement, asked, "What is the Fulong Academy?"

"It's a place that countless generals, feudal lords, and nobles in the entire Youzhou's 3,600 cities want to go to, but not everyone can enter. One needs a certain level of wisdom and the recognition of the academy's important figures!" Shi Yun explained patiently.

Aunt Dumb and Ling'er were now living with Wu Shi.

Aunt Dumb smiled and nodded, while Ling'er pouted, "Fulong Academy? I