This Martial Saint's Health Bar is Too Thick!-Chapter 258 - 31: Sacrifice, Unwanted Guest

"Fourth Young Mistress, you've finally come back."

In the crowd, an elderly man leaning on a cane, his hair white with age, was the first to greet Shangguan Xiao, tremblingly saying.

Shangguan Xiao was Zhang Zongyang's fourth and youngest child, and some of the elders in the family would call her Fourth Young Mistress.

When she saw the elderly man, her usually cold eyes softened considerably, and she spoke softly,

"Elder Uncle, I have returned."

This elderly man was named Zhang Hongguo, the third uncle of Zhang Zongyang and one of the few elders in the Zhang Family who treated Shangguan Xiao kindly.

The old man's eyes reddened slightly, he strove to support himself with his cane, his hands veined,

"Good! It's good that you are back!"

"My little sister, you must have had a hard journey."

A middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to Shangguan Xiao approached and nodded to her.

"Second Brother."

Shangguan Xiao looked at him and greeted him softly.

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Because the body of a Tao Foundation Stage strong person undergoes multiple enhancements, she looked much younger than her second brother, hardly seeming like they were of the same generation.

A complex expression appeared on the man's face, "It has been many years since I've heard you call me Second Brother."

He was Zhang Zongyang's second son, named Zhang Zedong, currently serving as the Sword Holder at Zhi Ge General Hospital, and a twelfth-rank official, also known as an Imperial Official.

Aside from the deceased Zhang Zongyang, who was a Fourth Rank Sitting Official, there were only five in the Zhang Family who were appointed officials, and Zhang Zedong held the highest official position in the main branch of the family and was the most accomplished.

Of course, if one considered Shangguan Xiao, who had now returned to the family, Zhang Zedong could not compare to her.

Shangguan Xiao, being the Chief of Zhi Ge Court, was an eleventh-rank official, and although her official rank was one level lower than Zhang Zedong's, the actual power she held was not much less, and most importantly, Shangguan Xiao was a Tao Foundation Stage strong person, whereas Zhang Zedong was only a Refining Strength Martial Master.

This difference predetermined their respective prospects for development within the martial system of the Zhi Ge Court.

To assume the position of Helmsman at the Zhi Ge General Hospital, one must at least possess the cultivation of the Tao Foundation Stage, which is a necessary condition.

Zhang Zedong had been stuck at the threshold of the Tao Foundation Stage for nearly thirty years and had almost no hope for a breakthrough, so the role of Sword Holder at the Zhi Ge General Hospital was likely the pinnacle he could reach in his official career.

This was why Zhang Zongyang originally decided, despite opposition, to fully support Shangguan Xiao.

Because the others truly could not be supported...

Other than Zhang Hongguo and Zhang Zedong, others from the Zhang Family present did not dare to come forward and greet her, as their familiarity with Shangguan Xiao wasn't strong.

Shangguan Xiao was sent out to study martial arts when she was nine and spent very little time at home; at the age of nineteen, she even had a complete falling out with the family, changing her surname to Shangguan, and had not returned for more than thirty years.

The Zhang family members were quite unfamiliar with her.

"Is this your martial nephew, Wuda's Li Fei?"

Zhang Zedong looked towards Li Fei.

"Yes, he is my martial nephew, Li Fei."

Shangguan Xiao said simply.

Nowadays, Li Fei did not need much introduction from her, as he was already famous throughout Datong Prefecture!

"Young Li Fei, I'm pleased to meet you."

Li Fei, with his hands not free, could only nod in acknowledgment to Zhang Zedong.

"Are you going to accompany your martial aunt to the Zhang Mansion today?"

Zhang Zedong asked.

This question suddenly quieted the surroundings, all eyes on Li Fei.

Although still only a freshman at Wuda, the current Li Fei held some weight in Datong Prefecture, this significance was not only in how much Wuda valued him, but also in his own rapid pace of growth.

Wang Fengqing had taken three years to break through to the Tao Foundation Stage previously; how long would it take Li Fei, who clearly had superior talents?

Two years?

One year?

Regardless, getting on good terms with Li Fei meant that there was a high probability of securing the friendship of a Tao Foundation Stage strong person within a year or two.

Any force would treat a Tao Foundation Stage strong person as an esteemed guest.

Such was the current importance of Li Fei!

"Yes, I will accompany my martial aunt to Zhang Mansion."

Li Fei affirmed.

"Good, the Zhang Family will keep this in mind!"

Zhang Zedong did not offer words of thanks or mention any reward, as that would have spoiled the beautiful relationship between the mentor and disciple.

He looked at Shangguan Xiao,

"Little sister, let's go. Let's go home."

Although the Zhang Family had fallen from power, they still managed to muster several luxurious cars, so the group boarded the vehicles.

Soon, the luxurious convoy headed toward the Zhang Family estate.

In no time, the news that Shangguan Xiao was returning to the city and Li Fei was going to greet them spread quickly throughout the city.

Twenty minutes later, the convoy stopped in front of the ornate gates of a large mansion.

This was Zhang Mansion, a residence that occupied an entire street by itself!

There were already many luxurious cars parked along the street.

Today was Zhang Zongyang's funeral, and these were people who had come to pay their respects.

Given the Zhang Family's status and the influence Zhang Zongyang had commanded during his lifetime, the street should have been packed with mourners, but today it seemed rather desolate, and the atmosphere at the Zhang estate was somewhat mournful.

Such was the true state of the Zhang Family at present.

After getting out of the car, Shangguan Xiao looked at her family residence, which she hadn't returned to in over thirty years, her expression complex.

Ultimately, she said nothing and followed Zhang Zedong toward the front gate of Zhang Mansion, with Li Fei following at her side.

Just as the group mounted the steps, prepared to enter, suddenly a group of people burst out from inside, blocking Shangguan Xiao and the others.

The leader was a man with some white in his hair, and despite being dressed in mourning clothes, his significant official aura was not easily concealed.

"Uncle, what is the meaning of this?"