Chapter 47: The Wayward Young Master Wei Yingwu

　　Liu Chengyuan and his servant followed Zhou Changlin to the Taihang Mountain Manor, where the master of the house, Zhou Boyong, had already prepared a banquet to welcome them. Zhou Changlin introduced his mother, the dignified and gracious Dugu, and his sister, the refined and elegant Zhou Xiu Ying, to Liu Chengyuan and his attendant.　　Liu Chengyuan, upon meeting Dugu, noted her poised manner and graceful presence. Despite having passed her fiftieth year, she retained an elegance that spoke of a bygone youth. As for Zhou Xiu Ying, her skin was as fair as porcelain, and her bearing so graceful and refined that she effortlessly evoked the air of a young lady from a noble family, untouched by the passage of time.　　Dugu, upon seeing Liu Chengyuan’s noble bearing, spoke with warmth and admiration, “I have heard tales of Young Master Liu’s unrivalled prowess at the martial arts assembly, and now that I see you in person, it is indeed true—your elegance and stature are most impressive. A few days ago, Aunt Kang mentioned that Young Master Liu is a descendant of the Sima family of the Sui dynasty. How fortunate! I, too, am of Sui descent, a descendant of Du Gu Xin. Our families have long been friends, though, alas, the upheaval of war severed our contact. To meet you now, Young Master Liu, is truly a rare and serendipitous encounter. I am overjoyed beyond measure.”　　Liu Chengyuan, listening to Dugu’s words, was deeply moved. He had long roamed the martial world as a solitary figure, never knowing of his ancestors’ connection with the Dugu family. Yet, here was Dugu, speaking with such warmth and genuine concern, and a sense of kinship blossomed within him. “Then, by all means,” Liu Chengyuan began with a respectful bow, “it seems I should address you as ‘Aunt’ and Master Zhou as ‘Uncle’. However, as I am the son of the Holy Maiden of the Moni Sect, if such a formality were known to others, it might bring unwelcome attention to the Taihang Mountain Manor.”　　Zhou Boyong, with a hearty laugh, interjected, “What nonsense, my boy! You may call me whatever you please. From now on, I shall refer to you as dear Yuan. Do not mind such trivialities.”　　Liu Chengyuan, his voice tinged with emotion, replied, “I am without kin, both of my parents gone, and there are no bloo