Zhang Daofeng almost simultaneously turned his head with Zhang Yang, then shot Zhang Yang another glance of surprise.

Two Inner Strength cultivators had arrived outside. These two did not conceal their auras much, which wouldn't alert ordinary people, but they couldn't hide it from the Level Four powerhouses like them, who could already project their Inner Strength outward and were extremely ** sensitive to energy.

“Two of them, one Level Four and one Level Three!”

Zhang Yang frowned, his eyes narrowing, muttering to himself. Without seeing anyone, he could discern the Inner Strength levels purely by sensing their auras, a skill even superior to Zhang Daofeng’s.

As he was contemplating this, Zhuifeng and Wuying both pricked up their ears.

This time, Wuying and Shandian were not as relaxed as before. The two outside, who weren't concealing their auras, were strangers; they were certainly not acquaintances.

Today was Zhang Yang’s engagement day. The sudden arrival of two unfamiliar Inner Strength cultivators gave Zhang Yang a nagging sense of doubt.

But it was only doubt. Zhang Yang felt no actual worry; their current strength was immense. Even if a Level Four master arrived outside, they couldn't harm them.

Putting aside the presence of the two Level Four powerhouses, Zhang Daofeng and Zhang Yunan, he and the three spirit beasts combined could handle these two—one of whom was only a late-stage Level Three, with the other being Level Four.

“Grandpa, please rest for a while. I’ll go take a look outside!”

Zhang Yang stood up. Zhang Daofeng considered it for a moment, then slowly nodded.

He was unaware of the strength of the visitors outside, but he was well aware of Zhang Yang’s capabilities. Zhang Yang was already a Level Four expert; ordinary people posed no threat to him.

Besides, with both him and Zhang Yunan present, they could contend even against a late-stage Level Four expert, let alone anyone weaker. Late-stage Level Four masters were rare; many were in seclusion, striving to break through their limitations and become Guardians like the Great Perfection masters.

The room Zhang Yang and Zhang Daofeng occupied was on the ground floor, leading directly to the hotel lobby upon exit.

As soon as he stepped out, Zhang Yang knitted his brow. Indeed, two people were standing by the entrance: a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, and a white-haired, white-bearded old man.

This elder appeared to be well over seventy years old. That would have been fine, but the old man was completely bald.

Fortunately, he wasn’t wearing monastic robes, otherwise, he would have been the spitting image of an old monk standing there.

As Zhang Yang emerged, both men turned their gaze toward him, particularly the young man in his twenties, who fixed his eyes steadily on Zhang Yang.

“Late-stage Level Three?”

Zhang Yang was slightly startled internally. This young man was the late-stage Level Three expert he had sensed earlier, though he hadn't expected him to be so young.

His appearance was quite similar to Long Feng's. Long Feng was already hailed as the foremost genius of the Long family in several centuries for reaching Level Three; this man seemed even more formidable than Long Feng.

After observing for a moment, Zhang Yang revealed a slight smile, a trace of understanding dawning on his face.

Though this young man looked young, his true age wasn't that of someone in their twenties. His actual age likely didn't exceed forty, though not far from it.

To possess such looks at that age, he must have consumed elixirs like the Youth-Preserving Pill. Zhang Yang had some of those pills himself and wasn't surprised by the phenomenon.

The secret formula for the Youth-Preserving Pill wasn't exclusive to the Zhang family. He was only puzzled: since the Dragon-Guiding Grass was occupied by the Illusionary Rat, suspected to be a Level Five spirit beast, who dared to climb the mountain to harvest it? Or perhaps they were like those people in the Southern Border regions, waiting at the outskirts, hoping their luck would lead them to a stray stalk at the base of the mountain.

Still, reaching late-stage Level Three at this age was no easy feat. Long Haotian, the Long family patriarch and Long Feng's father, was over fifty and only at that same level.

“Benefactor Zhang!”

Just as Zhang Yang approached, the bald old man clasped his hands together and addressed Zhang Yang.

Benefactor?

Zhang Yang’s lips curled unnaturally. This bald elder truly was a monk, just dressed in plain clothes.

At the main table, when Mi Xue brought Zhang Yunan in, Zhang Keqin immediately rose to his feet.

Zhang Yang had mentioned that he would inform his maternal uncle about the engagement, but he hadn't expected him to attend in person. Previously, Zhang Keqin hadn't understood the formidable nature of his brother-in-law. But after the incident ten years ago, he knew everything.

He was well aware that this brother-in-law was different from ordinary people—he was a true master.

“Dad, Mom, this... this is Zhang Yang’s maternal uncle!”

Mi Xue hurriedly introduced Zhang Yunan. Upon hearing he was Zhang Yang’s uncle, the others also stood up, then invited him over. Zhang Yunan was polite, taking a seat right next to Zhang Keqin.

“Big Brother, when did you arrive?”

Zhang Keqin asked in a low voice, showing deference toward Zhang Yunan.

“Father and I just arrived. Yangyang’s engagement is a major event; we should be here!”

Zhang Yunan nodded slightly. Zhang Keqin paused again, “Father is here too?”

Zhang Yunan nodded again, saying no more this time.

Zhang Daofeng had initially opposed Zhang Keqin’s relationship with his daughter, leading to a decade-long rift. Just because his daughter was gone didn't mean Zhang Daofeng had accepted Zhang Keqin, which was why Zhang Yunan hadn't elaborated further.

Zhang Yunan didn't converse much with Zhang Keqin, but he chatted amiably with Mi Xue’s parents and other relatives. He spoke engagingly, soon revitalizing the atmosphere.

This ability demonstrated the difference between the Zhang family and other millennium-old aristocratic families. The Zhangs had always remained integrated with the mortal world and had long since mingled with secular people, completely lacking the air of self-importance typical of other scions of noble houses.

“Brother Zhang, forgive my forwardness, but where do you work?”

After becoming more familiar, Mi Xue’s maternal uncle, Wu Jiang, asked Zhang Keqin. Liu Ming and Wang Zhi both turned their heads at once, focusing on Zhang Keqin.

The longer they sat there, the more familiar Zhang Keqin seemed, filling them with suspicion.

“Xiao Jiang, don't speak carelessly!”

Mi Zhiguo startled and quickly pulled Wu Jiang’s arm, admonishing him quietly. Wu Jiang was sitting right beside him.

“What’s wrong?”

Wu Jiang looked up in surprise. He was only asking about a job; he couldn't understand why his brother-in-law would scold him for that.

Zhang Keqin suddenly smiled and spoke plainly, “Cousin, I’m not working for a secret department; there's nothing to hide. I work at the Provincial Party Committee!”

As soon as Zhang Keqin spoke, Mi Zhiguo immediately fell silent, nodding continuously.

His reaction made Liu Ming, Wang Zhi, and Wu Jiang even more perplexed. The Provincial Party Committee was a respected institution; even a regular employee working there commanded more respect than others. What was there to hide?

“The Provincial Party Committee? Doesn't our Provincial Party Secretary also have the surname Zhang? Since you work there, do you ever get to see him?”

Another man sitting next to Liu Ming asked with a smile. This was Wu Hai, Mi Xue’s elder maternal uncle, an ordinary laid-off worker currently running a small business, meaning his attention to news and newspapers was not that high.

He rarely saw images of Zhang Keqin but had heard the name of the Provincial Party Secretary. Curious, he asked the question.

He asked casually, not truly expecting Zhang Keqin to meet such an important figure, as the Provincial Party Committee had many employees, and not everyone could meet the Provincial Party Secretary.

However, his words caused the bodies of Liu Ming, Wang Zhi, and Wu Jiang to tremble slightly.

If the Provincial Party Secretary hadn't been mentioned, they might never have made the connection. But once brought up, the three of them simultaneously recalled the photographs they had seen on television or in newspapers.

In that instant, they finally understood the source of their earlier feeling of familiarity.

The Provincial Party Secretary Zhang, and the man before them, Zhang Yang’s father, were identical.

Recalling the name of Zhang Yang’s father, and then considering the name of the Provincial Party Secretary, the heart rates of the three individuals accelerated instantly, feeling as if their hearts might burst from their chests.

For a moment, none of the three spoke, all looking as stunned as dazed geese.

If they had been standing, they might have fallen over. This discovery was too staggering, too unbelievable.

“What’s wrong with you three?”

Wu Hai noticed their strange behavior and asked with confusion. Mi Zhiguo, watching the trio, lightly shook his head.

He knew perfectly well that these three must have recognized Zhang Keqin’s true identity.

While he felt a bit worried, he was also filled with immense pride. He was currently seated next to the Provincial Party Secretary, and they were now related by marriage. He wondered how many people would envy him.

“If you know, don’t say anything reckless!”

Mi Zhiguo stood up and, using the opportunity to fetch water, leaned in and whispered these words to the three of them in a barely audible voice. Wu Jiang and Liu Ming, who had heard it first, jolted again. Mi Zhiguo’s statement was tantamount to confirming Zhang Keqin’s identity.

The Provincial Party Secretary—Zhang Yang’s father was the Provincial Party Secretary. This realization felt like surviving a massive earthquake, or perhaps even more shocking than one.

They nodded mechanically. Wang Zhi soon received the same discreet warning from Mi Zhiguo and also nodded mechanically.

In truth, Zhang Keqin saw all of this. He only allowed a flicker of helplessness to show, but said nothing.

He understood how towering his status seemed to these people. Although he had always viewed himself as an ordinary man, a man serving the common people, others did not see it that way.

This was something he couldn't change, so he couldn't be bothered to address it.

As he was contemplating this, Zhang Yunan suddenly turned his head, his brow heavily furrowed.

Like Zhang Yang and Zhang Daofeng, he had also sensed the arrival of the two Inner Strength cultivators outside. Since neither had concealed their auras, they were easily detected.

“Zhiguo, excuse me, I need to step out for a moment!”

Zhang Yunan stood up, exchanged a few words with Zhang Keqin, and then left the room.

He knew that when Zhang Yang was at the Long family residence, he had killed an elder of the Hu Yan family—a late-stage Level Three master—thereby creating an irreconcilable feud. His current concern was whether the Hu Yan family had gone mad and decided to cause trouble during Zhang Yang’s engagement.

But even if they did, he wasn't afraid. Their Guardian wouldn't intervene. No matter who came, even if it were their Great Elder, they would be soundly thrashed today.

There wasn't just one Level Four expert here; three Level Four powerhouses from the Zhang family were present today.

“I am Shifang, and this is my master, Master Shiyuan!”

As Zhang Yunan stepped out, he happened to hear the young man’s self-introduction, and the bald elder clasped his hands again and slightly bowed to Zhang Yang.

Shifang, Master Shiyuan?

Zhang Yang lightly pinched his little finger, still looking somewhat astonished, as Zhang Yunan strode forward.

Fourth update. I have a cold, so these chapters are taking a bit longer to write. I apologize to my friends for the late hour. Also, Xiao Yu made a grammatical error before, saying 'today' when it should have been 'tonight.' From now on, whenever I give an update preview, I will say 'tonight.' (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (website) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.).RT