Chapter 30 The True Masters

room, popped it open loudly, and said, "Rainia, would you like some too""Mm-hmm, just a little bit." Xie Rainia took a cup and whispered.Xie Wanjun didn't force his sister to drink more than she wante...Chapter 30 The True Masters

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After leaving the hotel, Zhao Guang drove them to another place at the foot of Green Rock Mountain.

The whole journey was under a drizzle with hazy green mountains and water, as if everything were draped in a thin layer of sorrow. Zhao Yanzi fidgeted with the corner of her long-sleeved T-shirt and looked out the window silently.

As it had gotten cooler today, she changed into different clothes, while Hao Ren could only wear yesterday's shirt because he hadn't brought any spare clothes along.

The car windows perfectly framed Zhao Yanzi’s side profile against the backdrop of moving mountains outside. It was a delicate face with a pale pink neck supporting her small head and black hair sprinkled on her jade-like ears, creating an illusionary beauty that seemed hazy yet clear.

If she didn't act up, she was actually quite pretty, Hao Ren thought to himself as he quietly observed her.

The car stopped in front of a quadrangle courtyard where the host warmly invited Zhao Guang and the others inside.

Hao Ren noticed that there were many elderly residents here. Because it was raining, they all sat under the eaves on long benches, chatting aimlessly.

"This place is very suitable for older people to avoid the heat," Zhao Hongyu explained to Hao Ren as she turned around.

Hao Ren understood that situated at the foot of a mountain with pleasant climate and fresh air, it was indeed an ideal spot for retirement. In the future, he could also bring his grandma here to experience it.

The host led them to a small backyard which turned out to be a semi-outdoor little restaurant.

Bamboo fences, grapevine-covered trellises, ancient Eight Immortals tables, and a small plot of land with green vegetables… all brought back Hao Ren's childhood memories.

"Let’s sit," Zhao Guang said as he found an empty table to sit down at.

There were only four tables in total here, unlike the usual bustling restaurants.

The rain drizzled steadily; nearby green cornfields waved like waves. Rainwater dripped along grapevines, creating a unique charm.

The stir-fried dishes here were very cheap yet delicious with authentic natural flavors.

Zhao Yanzi's mother Zhao Hongyu was in high spirits and chatted about past events, describing how the once barren mountains gradually developed over time.

Zhao Yanzi and Hao Ren were fascinated by these stories of their predecessors.

Even Zhao Guang, who is usually quiet, becomes興致勃勃 in this simple and natural environment. He chats about some of the local cultural stories near Qingyan Mountain and mentions the lifestyle of郝仁's grandparents, which piques the interest of both 郝仁 and 趙焰紫.

Since Zhao Yanzhu had never experienced such a thing before, she was very interested in it. Meanwhile, in 郝仁’s mind, there were still some vague memories from his past that made him feel nostalgic as Zhao Guang spoke more.

Halfway through the meal, 趙焰紫 couldn't stay idle anymore and wanted to explore the surroundings. Zhao Hongyu didn’t stop them but lent them an umbrella for 郝仁 to accompany her.

The two of them rushed out of this small yard surrounded by a fence and went to the nearby vegetable garden to "venture forth."

It was drizzling, and 趙焰紫 didn't want to use the umbrella; she ran quickly ahead like a bird released from its cage.

She hiked up her pants, relying on wearing sandals to dash into the muddy cornfield. 郝仁 in running shoes couldn’t follow but stayed on the field ridge watching her run wild in the fields.

In 郝仁's memory, when he was young, his parents often sent him to live with his grandparents in the countryside, and at that time, the rural scene resembled this place so much!

Unfortunately, later on, urban expansion led to this suburb rural area being replaced by concrete jungles, factories, warehouses, ports...

"Hahaha..." Zhao Yanzhu with mud-covered feet finally had enough fun in the field and happily returned to 郝仁's spot on the field ridge.

Because of the narrow ridge path and the slippery muddy road due to rainwater, she almost lost her balance and grabbed onto 郝仁 urgently.

Holding her up, 郝仁 saw how curious and fresh everything was for her, finding it truly endearing at times.

How many city kids today have actually been to the countryside They don't even get a chance to touch real soil, let alone run around in a field!

The tall corn stalks seemed to isolate this place from the outside world, creating a secluded little paradise.

Lifting their heads up, they felt cool raindrops gently touching their faces while gazing at a clear blue sky above.

Bowing their heads down, fresh earth smells surrounded them, occasionally hearing sounds of insects scurrying about.

"It's time to head back," 郝仁 reminded her.

"No way! Let’s go further!" Zhao Yanzhu insisted, pulling on 郝仁's arm and moving forward.

Such an experience of genuine rural joy was rare for her; how could she return easily

Crossing this small cornfield, they arrived beside a little river. The water was crystal clear, though no fish were seen, but the layers upon layers of pebbles looked quite charming.

Raindrops falling on the water surface create ripples, and even in this rugged wilderness without any embellishment, there is a touch of elegance.

Hao Ren opened his umbrella, allowing her to appreciate the small river thoroughly. In fact, experiencing such rural pleasures amidst these mountains and forests made not only Zhao Yanzi excited but also Hao Ren delighted beyond measure.

Zhao Yanzi found a shallow spot in the water, wearing sandals she waded into it for a while before reluctantly returning to Hao Ren's side.

Seeing her half-soaked, Hao Ren was worried that she might catch a cold and led her back. This time Zhao Yanzi did not resist.

A small branch extending to the roadside, a grasshopper leaping past them, an abandoned broken bamboo basket… All sorts of little things captured Hao Ren's attention.

Zhao Yanzi walked along and took deep breaths all the way, as if she wouldn’t be able to smell such refreshing air once back in the city again.

A certain pleasant feeling spread across this rural setting.

When they returned outside the fence, Zhao Guang and Zhao Hongyu were still eating. Seeing her daughter covered in mud, Zhao Hongyu didn't scold but gently wiped off the rainwater on Zhao Yanzi's forehead with a tissue.

"How was it" Zhao Guang asked Hao Ren as if he knew him well for years, like an old friend or family member.

"Pretty good. Such rural feelings are rarely experienced nowadays," Hao Ren replied.

"Yeah, we're heading back to the city soon." Zhao Guang nodded in agreement.

Hao Ren nodded and looked at the lush mountains, feeling a bit downhearted all of a sudden.

Zhao Yanzi leaned against her mother’s side, seemingly reluctant to leave this nature either.

Nonetheless, they must return. Half an hour later, Zhao Guang started his black Chevrolet and headed back towards the city.

The drizzle continued as Zhao Yanzi, who had played non-stop for two days, finally succumbed to sleep in the car seat. Hao Ren gazed out at the monotonous landscape near the highway while feeling the quiet atmosphere inside the vehicle. He suddenly realized that through these two days of outings, his relationship with Zhao Yanzi's family seemed closer.

Regardless of whether or not Zhao Yanzi has an insufferable princess-like attitude, both Zhao Hongyu and Zhao Guang treated him very well without any flaws to pick on.

"Come join us for a family gathering when we return to the city," said Zhao Hongyu from up front all of a sudden.

"Family gathering" Hao Ren put aside his scattered thoughts, puzzled.

"Well, it’s Azi’s Uncle Three and his family, her Uncle Two and his family, and our own family," Zhao Hongyu said.

Hao Ren thought to himself that Zhao Hongyu really treated him as one of their own...

However, thinking about meeting relatives other than Unger Flame Purple’s parents made Hao Ren feel a lot of pressure. He shook his head and said, "We don’t have to do this…"

To be honest, he still wasn’t clear on whether or not he wanted to marry Zhao Yanzi in reality.

If there was another way to solve the current predicament in the future, he might not become Zhao Yanzi’s husband and Azi wouldn't have to marry him unwillingly.

Of course, another reason was that Hao Ren knew Uncle Three didn’t like him. Thus, he had even less interest in joining their family gathering.

"Alright then, let’s just drop you off at school," Zhao Hongyu said without forcing Hao Ren to do anything against his will.

"So Unger Flame Purple’s father has three brothers in total" Hao Ren asked again.

"Yes. You’ve already met Azi’s Uncle Three, who is still single and hasn’t married yet. As for her Uncle Two, he runs a business abroad, but part of his family remains here in Donghai City, so we often see each other," Zhao Hongyu explained.

Zhao Guang didn’t participate in the conversation at all; instead, he concentrated on driving the car carefully.

Hao Ren felt that their lifestyle wasn’t very different from ordinary people’s, except perhaps they were a bit richer. Especially Uncle Two, whose business might be even larger than his father's.

Uncle Three, with an ugly appearance and a poor temperament, seemed to lack the qualities of a successful person. It was no wonder he had never settled down or married.

Sensing Hao Ren’s thoughts, Zhao Hongyu added, "Azi’s Uncle Three is diligent in his cultivation and doesn’t care about worldly affairs. He has never thought of settling down and starting a family. So despite seeming ordinary on the surface, he is actually the most powerful among her three uncles."

"Oh Is he more powerful than Su Han" Hao Ren asked casually, recalling that Zhao Hongyu had mentioned before that Su Han was already considered one of the top experts in their circle.

Zhao Hongyu smiled and said, "Two Su Hans combined wouldn’t be a match for Azi’s Uncle Three."

Her answer surprised Hao Ren. Two Elder Su couldn't defeat one Su Han, two Su HAns couldn’t defeat one Uncle Three, and according to Zhao Hongyu, Su Han was already at the Heavenly Realm level, just a step away from transcending. Therefore, how powerful must this Uncle Three be…

For someone like me who is still struggling with basic martial arts techniques, Azi’s Uncle Three could crush a hundred of us with one finger...

A cold sweat broke out on Hao Ren's forehead.

"He has some prejudice against you, but don’t worry. He isn’t the kind to kill innocent people," Zhao Hongyu said with another smile.

Uncle Three dotes on Azi very much, and no matter what happens, I’m her nominal fiancé. If I do anything that goes against my role as a husband during this period, I should expect to die in a very unpleasant way...r to defeat this cultivator when he reached peak Qian-level.Thus, the "Pole Heaven Saber," which hadn't been revealed in centuries, emerged from his sleeve!Zhao Kuo has already cultivated to an invuln...