Zhang Chao said, his face beaming with a proud expression, and continued:
"Zhang Wei, I heard you came to the Northeast with your classmate, and your classmate's family is treating you to a meal, right? No need, I'm treating tonight. A five-star hotel, let's go. Tell me what you want to eat, order the most expensive red wine, a million a bottle. Don't ask why, just because I'm rich and willful."
As he spoke.
Zhang Wei smiled:
"Let's treat next time. Uncle Yu has already prepared the banquet, and it might not be any less extravagant than yours."
Afterward, Zhang Wei explained the situation with Yu Xiaoqi's father, who was a real estate contractor.
Regarding this.
Zhang Wei raised his eyebrows:
"Holy crap, they're that rich? Then forget it, let him treat. Compared to treating, freeloading is the most satisfying, hehe."
At this moment.
Huang Qingshan also chimed in:
"Freeloading is indeed very satisfying. But you all shouldn't be in such a hurry to talk about eating. Why don't you come to the Huang family with me first? Actually, they also plan to treat you to a meal."
Following that.
Mentioning the Huang family, Zhang Chao tapped his head and replied:
"I almost forgot about this. I'm here today to see Zhang Wei and Wu Nian off. Let's go to the Huang family. Speaking of which, in my entire life, I haven't visited the Northeast Five Families yet."
"Amitabha, this humble monk has not been there either," Wu Nian said, clasping his hands together.
Lu Lianxue also chimed in:
"Me neither. The Northeast Five Families are not inferior to Longhu Mountain or Maoshan Sect in terms of status. After all, it's Southern Mao, Northern Ma, but they rarely allow people in."
As she finished speaking.
Zhang Chao on the side spread his hands:
"If none of you from the major powers have been there, then us commoners like me and Little Mantou definitely haven't."
...
Not long after.
The Huang family's residence in the Daxing Mountain Range of the Northeast.
It could be seen.
Within this primitive mountain range, in a secluded valley, stood ancient Great Xia architecture. All the buildings were constructed from ancient wood, employing the renowned mortise and tenon joinery techniques of the Great Xia era.
In addition to the architecture, the valley retained its most pristine natural scenery, with flowers blooming everywhere, birds singing, and the air filled with fragrance. A small stream meandered through the valley, creating a scene that could be described as a paradise on earth.
Furthermore.
Looking around, in this valley, weasels could be seen moving about from time to time. They were not like ordinary weasels; many were quite tall, reaching a person's height, and even walked with a human-like gait.
At this moment.
Several half-human-tall weasels, like people, were carrying plates of fragrant dishes with their front paws into a beautiful ancient-style building, which was the Huang family's reception area.
"I say, Huang Xiao Dan, why are you still standing there? Come and help."
The speaker was a weasel about the size of an adult, who called out to a half-human-tall weasel.
The weasel called Huang Xiao Dan showed a smile on its weasel face:
"Uncle, aren't Xiao Hua and the others carrying the dishes? I heard the Hu family is arriving soon. As Father's youngest son, and with the youngest daughter of the Hu family's patriarch coming, it's only natural for me to greet them. And aren't Zhang Wei and the others arriving soon too? I'm the most suitable person to receive them."
As soon as he spoke.
Many weasels around looked over, and the adult-sized weasel rolled its eyes:
"Your eldest brother is the one who should be receiving them. You only know how to cause trouble. And are you trying to trick us again? Trying to claim you've met Zhang Wei before? I think you're just trying to be lazy. Your siblings are all helping, and you're slacking off."
In its words.
The adult-sized weasel recalled Huang Xiao Dan's words. Ever since Zhang Wei agreed to help the Huang family elder last time, Huang Xiao Dan, after seeing Zhang Wei's photo, had been claiming that he had met Zhang Wei, not only met him but had also been tricked by him.
In this regard.
Not only the adult-sized weasel but all the other weasels didn't believe it. Huang Xiao Dan was known for his mischief and lies, and no one was willing to believe him. After all, that was Zhang Wei, a famous figure in the Great Xia now, a half-step Zhenguo level expert. How could he possibly have met Huang Xiao Dan before?
Huang Xiao Dan naturally knew their thoughts and was about to retort when a small weasel ran over:
"Great Uncle, Zhang Wei and the others have arrived."
Saying this.
The small weasel excitedly pointed towards the valley entrance. Several human figures could be seen there; it was Huang Qingshan, leading Zhang Wei and the others into the valley.
At the same time.
As soon as Zhang Wei and the others entered the Huang family's valley, even Wu Nian looked around with curiosity. Zhang Chao looked around excitedly, and the group chatted continuously:
"Amitabha, is this the Huang family? As the rumors say, the Northeast Five Families always choose auspicious places. This place is very suitable for animal cultivation, a place of outstanding people and natural beauty."
"Holy crap, this place is so beautiful, much better than my Maoshan Sect. No, I'll suggest to my dad when I get home to make it like this. It has such an immortal aura."
"It is indeed very beautiful. The spiritual energy is similar to my Longhu Mountain, but the environment is much more beautiful."
"Little Wei Zi, this place is so beautiful."
Zhang Wei, hearing this, smiled and said:
"Of course, it's beautiful. This is the Huang family of the Northeast Five Families, with a thousand years of heritage. The place they chose as their stronghold must be extraordinary. It seems to be connected to a dragon脉 underground as well."
In his words.
Zhang Wei looked towards the ground. He could feel the abundant spiritual energy flowing from underground, as if the Great Xia's Northeast dragon脉 passed through this place.
Just then.
Before Qiu Xiaolin and the others could hear Zhang Wei's words and say anything.
"Zhang Wei, Zhang Chao, Wu Nian, do you still remember me!"
A sudden voice rang out.
Zhang Chao and the others were startled and instinctively looked in the direction of the voice. They saw an adult-sized weasel, accompanied by several half-human-tall weasels, walking towards them. The one who spoke was a weasel next to the adult-sized weasel.
At this moment.
The speaking weasel carefully examined Zhang Wei, Zhang Chao, and Wu Nian, and said directly:
"It's you guys. I remembered correctly. It was you I met that night. Those three mute ones!"
As he spoke.
Including Zhang Wei, as soon as Zhang Chao saw the speaking weasel, they were stunned. Following the weasel's words, they suddenly remembered something. The next second, Zhang Wei exclaimed:
"It's you."
Zhang Chao also shouted at the same time:
"Holy cow, are you that weasel who asked us for a blessing?"
Wu Nian also expressed his surprise, clasping his hands together:
"Amitabha, I didn't expect... to see this benefactor again."
In their words.
The minds of Zhang Wei and the other two flashed back to a scene: it was when they first met in the Northeast due to the iron coffin zombie, and while rushing to the zombie's location, they encountered a weasel seeking a blessing.
(For details, please refer to Chapter Eighteen)
...