Zhao Yunhai, using the Dragon Slide step to return to Yang Hui's side, gently embraced her waist.
"Been waiting long? I'll take you for a late-night snack when we get back."
Yang Hui wiped the sweat from his brow, leaning into his embrace. "What do you want to eat? I can cook for you."
"It's so late, cooking would be inconvenient."
Zhao Yunhai directly carried her in a princess embrace. After all, Yang Hui was just an ordinary person with limited stamina; it was better to carry her.
Yang Hui snuggled into his arms, inhaling the scent that fascinated and reassured her. "I don't mind the trouble."
"Alright, alright. You can cook for me next time. It's so late, I'm too lazy to wait."
Zhao Yunhai, however, found it troublesome and was too lazy to wait.
"Then I'll cook for you next time."
Yang Hui also complied with his wishes. Whatever her man said, went.
"That's a good girl."
Zhao Yunhai used his Qinggong to return to the outskirts of Taiping Mountain, where all traces of the explosion had been cleared.
Not even a shard of car glass was left. These were professional cleanup crews.
Even if someone investigated, they would find nothing, only concluding that the car had disappeared without a trace.
The four Grandmasters appeared behind Zhao Yunhai, speaking with excitement.
"Xiao Hai, you've given us too many surprises."
"To achieve such strength at your age is an unprecedented accomplishment in our Zhao family's history, one that no one before has ever attained."
"We will report your current situation to the old ancestors in seclusion within the family. We hope you don't mind."
"Only if the ancestors personally come out of seclusion to teach you will your martial arts talent not be buried."
Zhao Yunhai turned back and cupped his hands in gratitude to the four clan elders. "Thank you, four clan elders, for your assistance this time."
"This junior expresses his gratitude."
"You can inform the ancestors about my affairs, but personal tutelage is not necessary. I know my own matters best."
"Therefore... please convey my wishes to the ancestors. Let them remain in seclusion with peace of mind. The family has my father and me; they can rest assured."
The four clan elders exchanged glances, speechless.
They knew Xiao Hai was young and spirited, but it wasn't too late to discuss it after he encountered setbacks. After all, all four had gone through that age.
They felt gratified. Although Xiao Hai was young and spirited, he was not arrogant towards them. Instead, he was very polite and respectful of them as elders.
It was their fortune and the Zhao family's fortune to have such an heir apparent.
"After escorting you away from here and back to your temporary residence, the four of us will depart."
One of the clan elders said with some concern.
"Clan elders, please rest assured. With my current strength, the only ones who can threaten me are those old monsters who have yet to emerge."
Zhao Yunhai was acutely aware of his current strength. In less than three months, he had gone from an ordinary person to a Grandmaster.
Even Grandmasters were no match for him.
Coupled with the protagonist's techniques and abilities he possessed, even a peak Grandmaster could die by his hand.
Furthermore, Zhao Yunhai discovered that although the Zhao family's direct lineage cultivation techniques were not as overwhelmingly powerful as the protagonist's, they were the most orthodox and top-tier techniques, refined countless times.
They progressed steadily, prolonged life, and had no cultivation side effects. Although cultivation took longer, one could directly reach the Shattering Void realm.
This was, after all, the sole goal pursued by every top martial artist.
"No, for the sake of caution, the four of us will not return. We will stay by your side to protect you."
This elder spoke with a preference for safety. Xiao Hai's safety was too important.
"That's right. According to the data from the family's intelligence network, the frequency of martial artists appearing is increasing, and their strength is growing."
Another clan elder chimed in.
"The world's order is about to become unstable again."
"Based on our Zhao family's data analysis, there's a great surge of martial artists every two hundred years."
"Counting the time, it should be around this period."
"The battle for a great era is also a chaotic time. However, with advanced modern technology and terrifying weapons, martial artists will not be as unrestrained as in previous eras. But it's always best to be cautious."
The clan elder who had initially intended to return to the family also dismissed the idea after hearing this.
Zhao Yunhai was also aware of the battle for a great era; his father had told him about it.
He knew that the so-called battle for a great era was a time when protagonists appeared frequently.
Since the four clan elders had no intention of returning, Zhao Yunhai did not refuse. Four Grandmasters were a formidable force.
Thus, Zhao Yunhai said with a smile, "Then the junior's safety will be entrusted to the four clan elders."
"Rest assured, Xiao Hai. We will explain it to the family."
The four believed that the family would understand Xiao Hai's importance, and even more so, the dangers of the battle for a great era.
The Grandmasters from the Yang family in Luoyang should have arrived long ago, but they were persuaded to turn back by Si Jinyan.
Yun Shao had given instructions that no one was allowed to enter this area.
Yang Family Estate, Luoyang.
"What's going on? Why are you back? Where is Young Master Zhao?"
Yang Wentian, the patriarch of the Yang family, saw that the Grandmaster elders he had sent out had returned empty-handed and asked with a changed expression.
"Patriarch, it's not that we are incapable, but Young Master Zhao seemed to have been prepared and did not let us in."
"Yes, when we arrived, we were stopped by Young Master Zhao's people."
"We dared not force our way in and offend Young Master Zhao. It wouldn't be worth the loss."
Yang Wentian rubbed his temples with a headache, saying helplessly, "Then couldn't you have waited on the spot?"
Were these elders' brains rusted from cultivation?
"Uh..."
The Yang clan elders stood awkwardly, momentarily unable to retort.
"Clan elders, thank you for your hard work. Please return first."
Yang Wentian intended to ask his daughter about the situation. He hadn't called earlier for fear of disturbing Young Master Zhao who was with his daughter.
But now he had to, to ensure Young Master Zhao's safety.
However, his daughter Yang Hui's call came first. Yang Wentian quickly answered.
A few minutes later, Yang Wentian hung up the phone, his heart finally at ease. Young Master Zhao had returned safely and would be visiting the Yang family tomorrow.
"Someone, convene the clan elders for a meeting."
...
After the late-night snack, Zhao Yunhai did not return to the Lin family to rest but stayed at the Mōyú Grand Hotel in Luoyang.
It was his own territory, and he could sleep with peace of mind.
Zhao Yunhai and Yang Hui naturally slept in the same room. At first, Yang Hui was very shy and hesitant.
But later, Yang Hui actively responded to the passion Zhao Yunhai brought her.
Meanwhile, in Hai City, the development of Tiangong Company was booming. With an inexhaustible supply of funds, they were lavishly acquiring various industries.
With Zhao Yunhai's background and status, they benefited from numerous conveniences brought by his identity.
The business circles cried out in alarm, "The wolf is coming!"
In a coastal village near Hai City, where people had relied on the sea for generations.
A dark-skinned young man's eyes suddenly snapped open on the deck of a dilapidated boat.
"I've actually been reborn."