Upon entering the city, Shen Xiaoyan and her companions noticed that an entrance fee was required.
Shen Xiaoyan had intended to pay the fee herself, but unexpectedly, when it was their turn to enter, the gatekeepers not only waived the fee but treated Zheng Fu and his brother Zheng Cai with utmost respect.
Seeing this, Shen Xiaoyan finally believed Zheng Cai's earlier assertion that their family held a certain status within the Heavenly Immortal Land.
Upon entering the city, they were greeted by a scene of prosperity.
However, this city was unlike any ordinary one.
Everywhere they looked, there were mountains and flowing water. In the distance stood stone houses or bamboo buildings, their various architectural styles harmonizing with each other. They were interspersed with flower arrangements or bamboo groves, giving the city an elegant ambiance.
If not for the constant flow of people, Shen Xiaoyan would have found it hard to believe this was a city.
It felt more like a secluded paradise.
Zheng Cai also noticed the astonishment on Shen Xiaoyan and her companions’ faces, which made him even prouder. “How is it? Don’t you think it’s beautiful?”
Shen Xiaoyan nodded. “It truly is exceptionally beautiful.”
Receiving Shen Xiaoyan’s praise, Zheng Cai became even happier. “This is nothing. When you get to my house later, you’ll know what true beauty is.”
Shen Xiaoyan didn’t reply but smiled in response.
Following Zheng Fu through a series of winding turns for about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a teleportation array.
Standing in the array, Zheng Cai explained, “This is our Zheng family’s unique teleportation array. It can directly transport us home.”
Shen Xiaoyan was somewhat surprised. “This teleportation array isn’t guarded. Aren’t you afraid others will just enter and then reach your home?”
Although she knew there must be something she didn’t understand, Shen Xiaoyan still felt compelled to ask the question, even if it made her seem a little foolish.
Zheng Cai chuckled. “You don’t know this? This teleportation array may not have guards, but without the Zheng family’s special method, you wouldn’t be able to activate it even if you threw in a hundred immortal crystals.”
Hearing Zheng Cai’s explanation, Shen Xiaoyan nodded in understanding.
Indeed, there was a secret technique that outsiders didn’t know.
The teleportation array was incredibly fast. In just fifteen minutes, the array stopped.
As they stepped out of the teleportation array, Shen Xiaoyan and the others felt their eyes brighten.
The scene before them was so magnificent that calling it a mortal paradise would be an insult; it was truly like the Heavenly Palace in the heavens!
Zheng Cai was clearly very pleased with his home. He lifted his chin proudly and said, “What do you think? Isn’t it much more beautiful than outside? Come, I’ll take you to meet my parents.”
The first part of his statement was fine, but upon hearing the latter, Shen Xiaoyan and her companions stumbled slightly.
Zheng Fu also frowned. “Xiao Fu, don’t be silly. They’ve had a long journey. Let them rest first. Besides, Mom and Dad might not be free until dinner tonight.”
Although Zheng Cai was a little unhappy upon hearing Zheng Fu, he didn’t argue.
It was evident from this that Zheng Cai was very obedient to his brother, Zheng Fu.
Zheng Fu pointed to a woman beside him. “Have her take you to rest. My brother and I also need to freshen up before seeing Mom and Dad.”
Shen Xiaoyan and the others nodded slightly. “As guests, we’ll do as you say. In that case, we’ll take our leave.”
Zheng Fu and Zheng Cai watched until Shen Xiaoyan and her companions had disappeared from view before slowly turning their gazes back.
“Did you sense it?” Zheng Fu asked, his brow slightly furrowed.
Zheng Cai beamed. “Of course, I sensed it. Otherwise, why do you think I invited them to our home? Hmph, I found them first this time. You absolutely cannot snatch the credit from me.”
Having said that, Zheng Cai ignored Zheng Fu and turned, disappearing like a puff of smoke.
Zheng Fu looked at his childlike younger brother and felt a sense of helplessness.
He shook his head slowly and then walked in the direction Zheng Cai had gone.
When he next saw Zheng Cai, it was in a room.
The room was elegantly decorated. Seated in the main seats were a man and a woman.
The woman was beautiful, and the man was distinguished. Their mere presence made it difficult to look away.
The woman saw Zheng Fu enter and quickly called out with a smile, “What are you standing around for? Come and sit quickly. It’s been so long, Mother misses you.”
Yes, this woman was the mother of Zheng Fu and Zheng Cai, and the man beside her was their father!
Zheng Fu walked over and sat beside Zheng Cai as requested. He then said, “We’ve been away for so long. You must have worried, Father and Mother.”
The woman smiled and shook her head. “As long as you both return safely, Mother will be happier than anything. Did you have any gains this time?”
Upon hearing about gains, Zheng Cai was the first to become restless.
“Father, Mother, this time we’ve brought you a big surprise.”
The man and woman exchanged a look, their eyes showing a hint of curiosity.
This was Zheng Cai’s first time venturing out, and he had never spoken like this before.
Had he really encountered something interesting?
As they pondered this, they heard Zheng Fu continue, “We have indeed brought a surprise. You’ll be able to meet them tonight.”
If they had been somewhat skeptical of Zheng Cai’s words, hearing Zheng Fu now made them completely convinced.
However, the moment they met Zheng Wei that evening,
the couple finally understood what their sons meant.
They exchanged glances, both thinking simultaneously, this is truly a great surprise!
Shen Xiaoyan and her companions had noticed the unusual expressions on the couple’s faces, but since they didn’t speak, they didn’t dare to inquire.
Zheng Cai, being more active, took the initiative.
He first introduced Shen Xiaoyan and their companions to his parents, then said to Shen Xiaoyan and the others,
“These are my parents, Zheng You and Wang Qinglian. My father is the current head of the Zheng family.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan and the others cupped their fists and bowed towards Zheng You and Wang Qinglian. “Greetings, Patriarch Zheng, greetings, Madam.”
Zheng You and Wang Qinglian were taken aback for a moment, then a wry smile appeared on their faces.
They never expected to be so stunned one day.
Wang Qinglian smiled apologetically at Shen Xiaoyan and took her hand. “Xiao Fu said you are Zheng Wei’s wife?”
As she spoke, her eyes scanned Shen Xiaoyan from head to toe.
The way she looked at Shen Xiaoyan, like a mother-in-law inspecting her daughter-in-law, sent a shiver down Shen Xiaoyan’s spine!
It wasn't that she hadn't seen mothers-in-law before, but she still felt a sense of awkwardness.
“I am Zheng Wei’s wife. Is there anything you need?”
Wang Qinglian’s smile deepened. “I am…”
However, before she could finish, she was interrupted by Jiang Zheng You.
“Zheng Wei, isn’t it? Do you know who your parents are?”
Hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan and the others frowned simultaneously.
Even if the person before them was related to Zheng Wei, his tone of voice was such that most people would find it unbearable.
Zheng Wei was never one to swallow insults. He immediately said, “Whether I know who my parents are doesn't seem to concern you two. If it’s inconvenient for you, we can leave.”
With that, Zheng Wei prepared to take his leave.
Seeing this, Zheng Cai and Zheng Fu’s expressions changed drastically.
They never expected things to develop in this direction.
Before they could voice any objection, Zheng You burst into laughter. “Good, good.”
Seeing him like this, not only did Shen Xiaoyan and the others frown, but Zheng Cai and Zheng Fu also looked confused.
“Father, have you been angered silly?” Zheng Cai asked worriedly.
Zheng You shot Zheng Cai a fierce look. “What nonsense are you spouting, boy? Your father is perfectly fine.”
He then turned his gaze back to Zheng Wei.
“Let’s not beat around the bush. I suspect we are related by blood. I am your paternal uncle, and your father is my younger brother.”
Although they had mentally prepared themselves, upon hearing Zheng You’s words, Zheng Wei and the others gasped.
Shen Xiaoyan felt even more amazed at the coincidences of life.
Mere strangers they had met on the road had turned out to be their cousins.
Seeing Zheng Wei remain silent for a long time, Zheng You thought he didn’t believe him.
“You don’t have to believe me. I’ll take you to see your father later.”
Hearing this, Zheng Wei had nothing more to say.
Thus, not long after they had sat down, the group stood up again and followed Zheng You out of the room.
They walked out of the courtyard and took a hidden path. After walking for an unknown duration, they came upon a bamboo forest.
After walking a considerable distance within the bamboo forest, they saw a cluster of bamboo buildings.
While these buildings were not as grand as those they had seen earlier, they exuded a refreshing ambiance.
Shen Xiaoyan nodded inwardly, thinking that if Zheng Wei’s father lived here, he must be a refined person.
They followed Zheng You to the entrance of a bamboo building and stopped.
Zheng You took a step forward and knocked on the bamboo door. He said in a low voice, “Sister-in-law, look who I’ve brought.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan and the others were instantly startled.
Could it be what they were thinking?
While they were still in doubt, the door of the bamboo building was opened from within.
As the door slowly opened, the person who appeared before them was none other than Zheng Wei’s mother… Kong Huangwei.
When Kong Huangwei saw Shen Xiaoyan and the others, she didn’t show much surprise.
It was as if she had expected Shen Xiaoyan and the others to arrive.
She smiled gently and said, “You’ve arrived much sooner than I expected.”
Shen Xiaoyan and the others remained silent.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Zheng Wei with concern.
His mother, whom he had finally found, had left without a word. Would Zheng Wei break down upon seeing her again?
However, Zheng Wei remained very calm. He smiled and said, “We didn’t come here to find you.”
Shen Xiaoyan felt a bead of sweat break out.
Although they hadn’t originally come to the Heavenly Immortal Land specifically to find Kong Huangwei,
their arrival at the Zheng family’s residence was indeed for Kong Huangwei and Zheng Wei’s father.