Chapter 22 — From Ruins to the Dharma Lord's Throne

The journey back to Tinh Quang Magic Academy took nearly a week, much slower than before because it had to move at a speed suitable for the weak health of Tần Hạo Nguyên and Liễu Thanh Hà. But no one in the group seemed impatient — after seventeen years of waiting, a few more days of traveling was no longer too important.

On the way back, the group stopped by small villages near the border that they had passed by when starting. News of the victory over the Dark Alliance spread faster than they could move, and villagers poured out on both sides of the road, cheering in welcome, some old people shedding tears as they recognized Tần Hạo Nguyên and Liễu Thanh Hà — names they thought had died long ago but always told their children and grandchildren as heroes defending the frontier.

"Thank you for bringing peace to this land." The old man who held Dịch Phàm's hand and begged for help on the way years ago now knelt down in front of the group, tears streaming down his face. "Finally, we can sleep peacefully without fear of night raids."

Dịch Phàm helped the old man stand up, his voice sincere. "You don't have to kneel. This is something we should have done a long time ago."

The general commanding the Bạch Dực Alliance, accompanying the group to escort Dịch Phàm's family back to the academy, could not hide his emotions when witnessing that scene. "You have given the people of this frontier what they have craved for the past twenty years — a real sense of security, not just empty promises from the court or famous men." The group continued their journey, stopping a few more times to let the military medical wizards of the Bạch Dực Alliance check and assist in recovering the health of Tần Hạo Nguyên and Liễu Thanh Hà. Every time he stopped, Dịch Phàm took the opportunity to sit next to his parents, listening to stories about their youth, about the love that blossomed between the two magicians guarding the border during the arduous years at the border, a picture of the past gradually being completely pieced together in his mind.

When the group finally reached the main gate of the Starlight Academy, a huge crowd had gathered in anticipation — not only students and professors, but also representatives of many great houses from across the continent, who had heard of the historic victory and rushed to see for themselves the young hero who had prevented a continent-wide war.

Principal Hầu Đạt Sơn personally went to the gate to welcome him. His eyes filled with tears when he saw Tần Hạo Nguyên and Liễu Thanh Hà, people he had known through stories and news many years ago. "Tin Hạo Nguyên, Liu Thanh Hà, it is an honor to welcome you two to this academy. Your son has created a miracle that the continent's history will forever remember."

"We owe you a huge thank you," Tần Hạo Nguyên replied, his voice still weak but full of sincerity. "For raising and protecting our son for the past seventeen years, when we couldn't be there for him."

Among the crowd, Chiêu Bách Uyên was also present, standing with the Chiêu family's entourage. When his eyes met Tần Hạo Nguyên, both men stood silently looking at each other for a long time, memories of old friendship and the seemingly eternal pain of loss rushed back.

"Hạo Nguyên." Chiêu Bách Uyên stepped forward, his voice choked. "I thought I would never have the chance to see you again."

"Bách Uyên," Tần Hạo Nguyên replied, the two men hugged each other in indescribable emotion. "I heard that your daughter was the one who stood by my son's side throughout his entire journey. I must thank you for allowing my daughter to take risks for such a noble ideal."

Chiêu Bách Uyên looked at Tuyết Nhi standing next to Dịch Phàm, their hands still holding each other tightly naturally. "My daughter has grown up, and has chosen her own path. I can only be proud of that decision."

That evening, the academy held a small, cozy party to celebrate the group's return, reserved for the closest people instead of a grand official ceremony, which Principal Hầu Đạt Sơn decided to postpone so that Dịch Phàm's family could have time to rest and fully reunite first.

Hùng Bạt Sơn brought along a few small children from Te Ban Institute to attend. Their innocent faces looked at Dịch Phàm with eyes of admiration mixed with surprise. A young girl timidly walked up to him. "Brother Dịch Phàm, did you really defeat a giant monster?"

Dịch Phàm smiled and bent down to the girl's eye level. "Yes, but more importantly, I've learned that no one, no matter their background, should be looked down upon or given up hope. You too can do great things, as long as you keep trying." The little girl nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with inspiration, making the whole room burst into warm laughter at that cute moment.

Lôi Khinh Hàn, the man who bullied Dịch Phàm for many years at Te Ban Institute, was also present at the party, standing in a corner, not daring to come close. Realizing that shyness, Dịch Phàm proactively walked forward, startling him.

"I don't hold any grudge against you," Dịch Phàm said, his voice gentle. "What has passed, let it pass. I hope you will also find your own path."

Lôi Khinh Hàn bowed his head, his face red with both shame and gratitude. "I... I'm sorry for what I did before. Thank you for your generosity," Vũ Khanh, standing nearby, observed, smiling slightly at Nhược Đông. "That's what makes him different from anyone I've ever met. Even in victory, he remains tolerant."

While the party was going on, Liễu Thanh Hà pulled Tuyết Nhi to a private corner, her eyes full of affection. "I heard Hạo Nguyên tell me everything you did for my son. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my mother's heart."

"You don't need to be thanked," Tuyết Nhi replied, her cheeks turning pink due to rare embarrassment. "Dịch Phàm deserves happiness, and I'm just lucky to be part of his journey to help him find it again."

Liễu Thanh Hà smiled, an understanding smile of a woman who has gone through many ups and downs in life. "I can clearly see the love between you two. I just hope you two will always cherish and protect it, the way Hạo Nguyên and I once cherished our love, despite all adversity."

Late at night, when the party was over, Dịch Phàm stood alone on his room's balcony, looking out at the starlit Tinh Quang plateau, filled with a feeling of peace that he had never felt in his seventeen years of life. His parents were back, his comrades were safe, and the threat of war that threatened the entire continent had been averted.

But he also knew, somewhere in the academy council, a traitor named Nhạc Vĩnh Tuyên had not yet been fully exposed. That would be the next thing he needed to face, even though the biggest battle of his life was over.

"Are you still awake?" Tuyết Nhi walked out onto the balcony and stood next to him, the moonlight shining on both of their faces.

"I'm just enjoying this rare feeling of peace," Dịch Phàm replied, smiling slightly. "After all that's happened, it's hard to believe that things are finally going to work out."

"Not quite yet," Tuyết Nhi reminded him, but her voice was gentle rather than stern. "There's still Nhạc Vĩnh Tuyên, and there is still work to do to restore order to the lands that were once under the influence of Hắc Toái. But tonight, let us temporarily put aside all worries and just enjoy this moment of peace." Dịch Phàm nodded, took her hand, and together they stood silently looking at the starry night sky on the Tinh Quang plateau, enjoying a rare moment of silence after a long journey full of hardships and tears.

Inside the room for distinguished guests, Tần Hạo Nguyên stood by the window, looking out at the balcony where his son was standing with Tuyết Nhi. Liễu Thanh Hà walked to her husband, put her arm around his waist, and looked in that direction.

"We missed seventeen years of your life," Thanh Hà whispered, her voice still filled with regret. "But seeing you grow up like this, I think we have nothing to regret about the person you've become."

"That's right." Hạo Nguyên nodded and squeezed his wife's hand. "And now, we will have the rest of our lives to make up for those lost years, together, as a complete family."

The late moonlight covered the entire Tinh Quang plateau with a gentle layer of silver, as if blessing the belated but complete reunion of a family that had gone through so much pain to have this peaceful moment.