Plundering Worlds: I Have a Shotgun in a Fantasy World-Chapter 55: Homecoming

[Squad Barracks - Captain’s Quarters]

Kael lay on the narrow bed, staring at the ceiling.

The barracks were silent. Everyone else was asleep.

He closed his eyes.

The Aether interface appeared in his mind—familiar, cold, mechanical.

[Return to The Dayan Empire?]

[Yes] / [No]

Kael selected [Yes].

The world dissolved into darkness.

[Dasheng World - Qingfeng Pavilion]

When Kael opened his eyes again, the ceiling had changed.

Instead of rough timber beams, intricately carved wooden panels painted in red and gold stretched overhead. Silk curtains hung from the frame, swaying gently in the breeze. The scent of incense and perfume filled the air.

A brothel.

Kael sat up slowly, looking around the room.

Qingfeng Pavilion. Lu Zhihuan’s favorite place.

He looked down at himself. The clothes were expensive—fine silk robes embroidered with golden thread. His hair was longer, tied loosely with a jade hairpin.

He closed his eyes and felt the Qi circulating in his core.

Still there. The Returning Yang True Art flowed steadily, warm and constant.

But the body was weaker. Softer.

Kael frowned.

Memories flooded in—Lu Zhihuan’s memories.

Six months had passed in this world since Kael’s consciousness had left.

And for all six months, Lu Zhihuan had been in control.

The memories unfolded like scenes from someone else’s life.

Lu Zhihuan had woken wherever Kael’s consciousness had left him. The moment he realized he was back in control, he wasted no time—he headed straight for the city, straight for the brothels.

Wine. Women. Gambling.

Day after day, week after week, until last night when he’d drunk himself into oblivion and passed out on this bed.

And then Kael’s consciousness had returned.

Kael rubbed his face and exhaled slowly.

"Unbelievable."

He stood and walked to the window, pushing aside the curtain.

Outside, the city was just beginning to wake. The sky was pale with early morning light. Street vendors were setting up their stalls, and the smell of steamed buns drifted up from below.

Kael looked down at the busy street, then at his own reflection in the polished bronze mirror on the wall.

Lu Zhihuan’s face stared back at him—handsome, lazy, with dark circles under his eyes from too much drinking.

Kael sighed.

"What am I going to do with you?"

He changed into simpler clothes—still fine quality, but less ostentatious—and left the pavilion.

[The Road to the Sect]

The journey back to the sect took most of the morning.

Kael walked at a steady pace, following the familiar mountain path. The air grew cooler as he climbed higher, the noise of the city fading behind him.

He’d considered returning to the sect immediately, but Lu Zhihuan’s memories had mentioned something important.

Tomorrow was the annual family feast.

The sect’s yearly gathering.

Kael almost smiled at the absurdity. A "gathering" for a sect of four people.

But it was tradition. Master Yun would cook a full table of dishes, and they’d all sit together, eat, drink, and talk late into the night.

It was the one day of the year when Master Yun insisted everyone be present.

Kael decided he’d go. There was no rush to return to the other world, and... he found himself curious.

He wanted to see them again.

The sect. His "family" in this world.

As he walked, he passed through a bustling market town at the base of the mountain.

[Market Town - Midday]

The market was crowded and noisy.

Vendors called out their wares—fresh vegetables, roasted meats, bolts of cloth, clay pots. Children ran through the streets, laughing and shouting. The smell of cooking oil and spices hung heavy in the air.

Kael moved through the crowd with ease, his eyes scanning the stalls out of habit.

Then he stopped.

At a small stall selling candied hawthorn skewers, two figures stood side by side.

One was tall and broad-shouldered, with gray hair tied back in a simple topknot. He wore plain robes, patched in places, but clean. His face was weathered and kind, with deep laugh lines around his eyes.

Master Yun.

Beside him stood a small child—seven or eight years old, dressed in ragged clothes that were too big for him. His face was smudged with dirt, his hair uneven and messy.

He held a candied hawthorn skewer carefully, like it might disappear if he moved too fast. He hadn’t taken a bite yet—just stared at it with wide, uncertain eyes.

Master Yun noticed Kael first.

He turned, saw Kael, and froze for a heartbeat. Then his face broke into a wide grin—though there was something sharp in his eyes, relief mixed with exasperation.

"Well, well! Look who finally crawled out of whatever hole he’s been hiding in!"

Kael walked over, a faint smile on his face. He cupped his hands respectfully. "Master."

"Master?" Yun laughed and waved dismissively. "Don’t give me that. You haven’t called me ’Master’ properly in years." He clapped Kael on the shoulder. "Come, come! Look at my new disciple!"

He gestured to the boy beside him.

Kael crouched down, meeting the boy’s eyes.

The child stared back, wary and silent. His grip on the skewer tightened slightly.

"What’s your name?" Kael asked gently.

The boy remained silent. He took half a step back, closer to Master Yun.

Master Yun chuckled. "His name’s Shitou. Eight years old. Found him begging on the street a few days ago." He ruffled the boy’s messy hair. "Haven’t had time to get him proper clothes yet. Stubborn little thing. Reminds me of you when you were small."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Oh yes." Yun grinned. "Same scrawny build. Same suspicious glare. Same refusal to trust anyone." He looked down at Shitou fondly. "Let’s just hope he doesn’t turn into the same kind of scoundrel you became."

Kael smiled wryly. "I’ll do my best to set a better example."

"Too late for that." Yun laughed, then his expression softened. "But seriously, Zhihuan... it’s good to see you. It’s been half a year."

"I know." Kael’s smile faded slightly. "I’m sorry."

Yun waved it off. "You’re here now. That’s what matters." He patted Kael’s shoulder again. "Do me a favor—go buy some clothes and supplies for Shitou. The poor kid’s been wearing the same rags since I found him."

Kael nodded. "Of course."

He stood and looked down at Shitou. The boy was still watching him with those guarded eyes.

"I’ll be back soon," Kael said.

Shitou just stared.

[The Tailor’s Shop]

Kael walked into a small clothing shop tucked between a teahouse and a pottery stall.

The moment he stepped inside, a middle-aged woman behind the counter looked up and broke into a wide smile.

"Young Master Lu! Heavens, it’s been ages!"

Kael returned the smile. "Hello, Auntie Chen."

"Look at you!" She came around the counter, beaming. "Still as handsome as ever, though you look a bit thin. Have you been eating properly?"

"I’ve been managing."

"Managing isn’t good enough!" She tsked and shook her head. "Your master spoils you too much. Now, what can I do for you?"

"I need clothes for a child. Seven or eight years old. A few sets—something sturdy and warm."

Auntie Chen’s eyes softened. "Master Yun took in another stray, did he?"

"He did."

"That man has the biggest heart in the province." She turned and began pulling bolts of fabric from the shelves. "Let me see... how about these? Good cotton, warm, and they’ll last."

She laid out several sets of children’s clothing—simple but well-made.

Kael nodded. "These are perfect. How much?"

Auntie Chen waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, don’t worry about it. Consider it a gift."

Kael reached into his pouch and pulled out a small handful of silver. "I insist."

"Young Master Lu, really, there’s no need—"

"Auntie Chen." Kael’s tone was firm but kind. "Please."

She sighed, then smiled. "You’re as stubborn as your master." She took the silver reluctantly, then turned and grabbed two extra sets of clothing from the back. "At least let me throw these in for free."

Kael smiled. "Thank you."

[The General Store]

The next stop was a general store that sold everything from soap to writing brushes.

The owner, an elderly man with a long white beard, greeted Kael warmly.

"Young Lu! Back from your travels?"

"Something like that, Uncle Feng."

"What can I get for you?"

"Soap, towels, a comb, a toothbrush... the usual necessities. For a child."

Uncle Feng nodded knowingly. "Master Yun’s new disciple?"

"Yes."

"Good, good. That boy needs looking after." He gathered the items quickly and placed them in a cloth bag. "Here you are."

Kael reached for his coin pouch.

Uncle Feng held up a hand. "No charge."

"Uncle Feng—"

"Your master helped my grandson recover from fever last winter. This is the least I can do."

Kael placed the coins on the counter anyway. "That was then. This is now."

Uncle Feng stared at him for a long moment, then chuckled and shook his head. "Stubborn boy." He took the coins, then added a small bundle of candies to the bag. "For the little ones on the mountain."

Kael smiled. "Thank you."

[The Snack Shop]

Kael’s final stop was a small shop that sold pastries and dried fruits.

The young woman behind the counter—barely twenty—blushed when she saw him.

"Y-Young Master Lu!"

"Miss Qiao." Kael nodded politely. "I’d like some of your honey cakes and dried plums. Enough for three people."

"Of course!" She hurried to wrap the items, sneaking glances at him as she worked.

When she handed him the package, she refused to take his money.

"Please, Young Master Lu, it’s really—"

Kael gently pressed the coins into her hand. "You work hard for your family. Don’t give things away for free."

She flushed deeper and nodded quickly. "T-thank you."

As Kael turned to leave, she called out, "Young Master Lu?"

He paused.

"It’s... it’s good to have you back."

Kael smiled. "It’s good to be back."

[Return to Master Yun - Marketplace]

Kael returned to the candied hawthorn stall, his arms full of packages.

Master Yun was still there, sitting on a low stone bench with Shitou beside him. The boy had finally taken a bite of the skewer and was chewing slowly, savoring it.

"Back already?" Yun stood and brushed off his robes. "Let me see what you got."

Kael set the packages down and opened them one by one—clothes, soap, towels, a comb, candies.

Master Yun nodded approvingly. "Good. You remembered everything." He took the bundle of clothes. "Come on, little one. Let’s get you changed."

He led Shitou behind a nearby stall.

A few moments later, they returned.

Shitou was wearing one of the new sets—a simple gray robe with dark trousers. The clothes were still a bit big on his thin frame, but they were clean and whole.

He looked different. Still wary, still guarded, but a little more like a child.

Kael crouched down and held out the small bag of candies. "These are for you too."

Shitou’s eyes widened slightly. He took the bag carefully and held it against his chest with both arms.

"Thank you," he whispered.

His voice was so quiet Kael almost missed it.

Kael smiled. "You’re welcome."

Master Yun clapped Kael on the shoulder. "Come on. Let’s head back before it gets dark."

The three of them walked together through the marketplace, up the winding mountain path toward the sect. Shitou walked between them, clutching his bag of candies tightly.

As they climbed higher, Shitou looked at the half-eaten candied hawthorn skewer in his other hand, then held it out toward Kael.

Kael blinked. "For me?"

Shitou nodded.

Kael crouched down and took a bite from the skewer, then handed it back. "Thank you."

Shitou’s lips twitched—almost a smile, but not quite. He took another bite and kept walking.

Master Yun watched the exchange and shook his head, grinning. "You’ve got a way with strays, Zhihuan. Just like me."

Kael said nothing, but a faint warmth spread through his chest.

It had been a long time since he’d felt that.

[Return to the Sect - Late Afternoon]

By the time Kael reached the sect, the sun was sinking low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

The sect was small—just a cluster of wooden buildings perched on a flat outcropping near the mountain’s peak. A main hall, a few sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and a small courtyard for training.

It looked exactly as he remembered.

As Kael approached the courtyard, he heard voices.

"—told you I’d win!"

"You cheated!"

"I did not!"

Kael smiled.

He stepped into the courtyard and saw two figures sparring with wooden swords.

Twins.

The boy—Yun Shu—was tall and lean, with sharp features and quick movements. He grinned as he pressed his sister back with a flurry of strikes.

The girl—Yun Juan—was shorter but faster. She ducked under his swing and swept his legs out from under him.

Yun Shu hit the ground with a thud.

"Ha!" Yun Juan planted her foot on his chest triumphantly. "Who’s cheating now?"

"That—doesn’t—count—" Yun Shu wheezed.

"Does too!"

Kael cleared his throat.

Both of them spun around.

"Senior Brother!" they shouted in unison.

Yun Juan dropped her sword and ran over, her face bright with excitement. Yun Shu scrambled to his feet and followed.

"You’re back!" Yun Juan grabbed Kael’s arm. "We thought you’d forgotten about us!"

"I could never forget you two." Kael smiled and held up the bag of snacks. "I brought something."

Yun Shu’s eyes lit up. "Honey cakes?"

"And dried plums."

"Yes!" Yun Juan snatched the bag and peeked inside. "Shu-ge, look!"

The three of them sat down on the steps of the main hall, sharing the snacks as the sun set.

Yun Juan leaned against Kael’s shoulder, munching on a honey cake. "You’ve been gone forever. We thought you’d died in some ditch somewhere."

"I didn’t die."

"Could’ve fooled us." Yun Shu grinned. "Master was about to send out a search party."

"He was worried?"

"Worried?" Yun Juan snorted. "He almost went down the mountain himself to drag you back."

Kael felt a pang of guilt. "I’m sorry."

"You should be." Yun Juan poked his side. "Where were you, anyway?"

Kael hesitated. "Traveling."

"Traveling where?"

"...Far away."

Yun Juan sat up and stared at him. "That’s a terrible answer."

"It’s the only one I have."

Yun Shu studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. Keep your secrets. Just don’t disappear for another six months, or Master will tie you to the training posts."

Kael smiled despite himself. "I’ll keep that in mind."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sky darken.

Then Yun Juan spoke quietly. "Master said tomorrow’s the family feast."

Kael nodded. "I know."

"You’ll be there, right?"

"I will."

She smiled and squeezed his arm. "Good."

[That Night - Mountain Peak]

Later, after the twins had gone to bed, Kael stood alone at the edge of the mountain peak.

The night was clear. Stars filled the sky, bright and endless.

He looked out over the valley below, where the lights of the town flickered like fireflies.

It was quiet here. Peaceful.

So different from the other world.

Kael thought of Jarek—of his headless body in the snow, of the woman he’d mutilated, of the blood that had soaked through his clothes and dried black under his nails.

Then he thought of Master Yun’s laugh, warm and full. Of Yun Juan leaning against his shoulder. Of Yun Shu’s teasing grin.

Two worlds.

In one, he was a killer—cold, efficient, soaked in blood.

In the other, he was a senior brother, eating honey cakes on the temple steps.

Kael looked down at his hands. They were clean here. No blood.

But he could still feel it—the weight of the blade, the spray of hot blood.

He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

Tomorrow was the family feast.

He would worry about everything else after that.