Zhang Fei - The Abandoned Son

Chapter 680: Han Yuanzhiʼs Suspicion

After Han Bingxing finished packing, Zhang Fei took her away from the Han Clan, leaving Han Yuanzhi disappointed.

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Four people approached Han Yuanzhi: a middle-aged man, a middle-aged woman, a young man, and another young woman.

”Big Sis, why did you send my daughter to that kid?” The middle-aged man asked her.

The middle-aged woman also asked. ”Can you tell me your reason for doing so, sister-in-law?”

The young man and young woman looked at Han Yuanzhi with a questioning look. ʼWhat exactly was our mother thinking when she handed Han Bingxing over to an unknown man?ʼ

”I know you guys will question my decision, but I am doing this for the future of our Han Clan.” Han Yuanzhi then turned to face them. ”Have you ever heard of a man having relationships with the princesses of the five kingdoms, Han Zhimin and Jiao Jingyu?”

”Huh?” Han Yuanzhiʼs question surprised the four of them.

”I canʼt believe he has relationships with those five princesses, considering the relationship between kingdoms is too chaotic, except for the Xian and Yun Kingdoms.” The young man expressed his disbelief by shaking his head.

The young woman then asked. ”Mother-in-law, does that man really have a relationship with them?”

”Do I need to lie to all of you, Han Yuanwen and Fang Xuanling?” The four were at a loss for words to answer Han Yuanzhi. ”His name is Zhang Fei, and he will marry Princess Xian Xianqin tomorrow.”

”Eh?” The news shocked them.

Han Yuanzhi then continued. ”Zhang Fei also has a relationship with Princess Yun Xinyue, and they entered into seclusion together in the Guo Clan in recent days. Five days ago, he came here with Princess Zhou Shenxin, and Ling Long was also with them.”

The four people were even more shocked when they heard the names Yun Xinyue and Zhou Shenxin from Han Yuanzhiʼs mouth, but they were confused when they heard the third womanʼs name. ”Ling Long is Prince Huangfu Lianʼs fiancée, right? How could she be with Zhang Fei?”

”I donʼt know, but I can see that their relationship is quite intimate.” Han Yuanzhiʼs statement caused the four people to exchange confused glances. ”Iʼve heard about that kid from Bai Shushi before, and she told me that her daughter, Bai Tianʼer, had fallen in love with him. They went to the Star Tower together some time ago, and they managed to get past the first floor. Regrettably, he did not reciprocate her feelings, and his repeated rejection left her heartbroken. By the way, Princess Bai Shouyi and her siblings disappeared after the Star Tower, and I suspect that he hid them somewhere else.”

The four had heard about Bai Shouyi, Bai Chongxi, and Bai Renfuʼs disappearance. However, they found it difficult to believe that Zhang Fei was hiding them, especially since their parents were under Huangfu Shouʼs control. If he were to protect them, it would be no different from looking for trouble with the Huangfu Emperor.

They suddenly remembered Ling Long by Zhang Feiʼs side, which instantly changed their previous opinions. After all, she was Huangfu Lianʼs fiancée, but she was traveling with another man, and they had never heard the Huangfu Prince make a fuss about their relationship.

A white owl beast suddenly flew towards them and perched on Han Yuanzhiʼs shoulder. ”Master, your guess is correct. Zhang Fei took Linghu Yincheng away and placed a woman named Hua Ya in the Bai royal palace to monitor the situation. Additionally, he enslaved Huangfu Shouʼs subordinate, Wushuang, whom the evil emperor used to control Bai Yuwen and his wife.”

”Are you serious about that, Xiao Bai?” Han Zhimin asked in shock.

Xiao Bai nodded. ”I heard Zhang Feiʼs conversation with Huan Ya with my ears, so I canʼt be wrong. I heard them mention a man named Li Tiannan, but I didnʼt get much information about him, and I guessed that he was the person behind Huangfu Shou.”

”What else did you hear?” Xiao Bai shared several details with Han Yuanzhi and the others, including information about the members of the Alchemy Union in the Yun Kingdom. ”Lian Jinshu was their representative in the Xian Kingdom, but they suddenly decided to withdraw from the kingdom. Not long after that, Zhang Fei opened the Sky Jade Shop in their former shop, and he sold many pills with extraordinary effects, which made me believe that he was the mastermind behind their decisions.”

”Does that mean Zhang Fei deliberately used you and the others to kill Lian Jinshu and his friends, sister-in-law?” Jiao Jingyu inquired.

”Yes.” Han Yuanzhi replied with an affirmative nod. ”From the beginning, I harbored suspicions about Zhang Fei due to his abrupt arrival in our clan, which occurred just two days after we had killed Lian Jinshu and the others. His problem with the Alchemy Union in the Xian and Yun Kingdoms has proven that he is using us to get rid of them, and he plundered the warehouse of their organization in our kingdom. Given his actions against Qu Qiuxue, I am confident that their organization in the Yun Kingdom will soon vanish as well, and he will gain control over the alchemy market across three kingdoms.”

All of them were shocked to the point of speechlessness, especially since Zhang Feiʼs actions were too terrifying, and no one had noticed his actions before.

”How could he do all that, mother-in-law?” Fang Xuanling asked again.

”I donʼt know how Zhang Fei could do all that, but we should not stand against him, especially since it will only harm our Han, Fang, and Jiao clans. Instead, we should establish a positive relationship with him. I chose Han Bingxing as our intermediary due to her gentle and kind nature.” Han Yuanzhi then spoke to the owl beast. ”Xiao Bai, please return to the Bai royal palace and keep an eye on the two women. You must report to me again if there is any change in the situation.”

”Yes, Master.” After Xiao Bai flew away, Han Yuanzhi also left the four people, who were still wondering about Zhang Fei.

Jiao Jingyu then asked her husband, Han Zhimin. ”Do you think our daughter will be okay? Iʼm afraid Zhang Fei will do something awful to her, so I think we should send someone to protect her.”

”No need.” Han Zhimin refused with a shake of his head. ”Our daughter is a kind and gentle woman, and she will never offend Zhang Fei, so Iʼm sure she will be fine.”

”I hope so.” Jiao Jingyu replied with a soft sigh before leaving with her husband. Han Yuanwen also brought his wife, Fang Xuanling, back to their private quarters.

.

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After they arrived in the Xian capital, Zhang Fei immediately took the shocked Han Bingxing to the Sky Jade Restaurant. He asked Zhu Yan to teach her how to cook their dishes, especially since she would be the chef of his fourth restaurant.

Han Bingxing did not ask Zhang Fei anything, and she followed Zhu Yan, who led her to the kitchen.

Zhang Fei continued to wonder why Han Yuanzhi had sent her niece to him, but he showed no interest in Han Bingxing. He then went to the second floor to meet Liu Hua and the Wen Twins. ʼOpen the two medium gift packs, Mei.ʼ

[You obtained a Spirit Merchant Token.]

[You obtained a Universal Key.]

ʼHmm?ʼ Zhang Fei raised his eyebrows for a moment before taking the two items.

[Spirit Merchant Token: A pass to trade with mysterious merchants who appear only in the Forgotten Land.]

[Universal Key: A key that fits into many locks, but its true purpose is unknown.]

ʼThe Forbidden Land? Do you have any information about it, Mei?ʼ

[Unfortunately, the system does not have any information about that location, Master. You can try asking Feng Yao first, but if she doesnʼt know about it, I think it might be located in those realms.]

Zhang Fei nodded before observing the black key in his hand, but he then took out the old map fragment. ʼA key that fits all locks, but its purpose is unclear. The other one is a fragment of a mysterious map, but we have no information about the Temple of Forgotten Flames. Do you think this key has any connection to that place?ʼ

[These two may be related to each other, Master. However, we need to find the other five map fragments first to be sure, but I donʼt have any clues about their locations.]

Zhang Fei stored both of them in the system inventory again. ”Huaʼer, you can choose five other members from the Demon Fox Group, and I will prepare them for our new shop in the Bai Kingdom.”

”Haha.” Liu Hua softly laughed in response. She pulled Zhang Fei to a chair, then climbed onto his lap and gave him a warm hug. ”I have already chosen the best five among the rest, so you can bring them to the Bai Kingdom when everything is ready. Youʼve appointed Han Bingxing as the cook, but you havenʼt yet selected someone to manage the shop, correct? What do you think if I go to that kingdom? Wushuang is your slave, and she can protect me with her high cultivation. Moreover, you will install the teleportation device, so I think we donʼt need to be too afraid of Huangfu Shou.”

”I think itʼs fine if you want to go there to manage our shop and organization.” Zhang Fei then turned to Wen Yuan and Wen Xuan. ”They have mastered the Vanishing Mirage Steps and are no less powerful than you, making them sufficient to manage our organization here. Once Qian Ying adapts to the first level of gravity, I will let her help them.”

”Leave the matters here to us.” The Wen Twins answered in unison.

After he accompanied the three women, Zhang Fei left his restaurant for his shop. ʼWhat are the level 3 Beast features?ʼ

[I will show them to you, Master.]

===

1. Soul Connect III: By using it, the master can increase his power by 100% of the beastʼs power, and vice versa.

2. Mind Connect: The Master can see and hear what beasts see and hear, and both can communicate with each other from great distances.

3. Beast Space II: A special space for beasts. If the beasts stay in it, they can recover their qi quickly, and all the wounds they suffered during battle can also heal very quickly. Time flow: 2 times faster. Affect their lifespans.

4. Soul Link: Similar to Soul Connect, the host can borrow the power of all the beasts in the Beast Space. The greater the number of beasts, the higher the power that the host can borrow.

5. Beast Sanctuary I: Increase the speed of the recovery process by two-fold.

===

Zhang Fei was taken aback for a moment. ʼI believed Soul Connect III to be the final stage, especially since it enables me to harness the full power of my beasts. The beast sanctuary will also prove beneficial to me, given that I am a beast myself. Are there any new beast pills?ʼ

[Unfortunately, the beast shop hasnʼt changed, master.]

Zhang Fei was a little disappointed by that, but he didnʼt think too much about it, especially since all the beast contracts had already become quite strong thanks to the previous six pills.

Since Shi Qingzhuang forbade him from seeing Xian Xianqin before their wedding tomorrow, and all his wives were busy with their three shops and restaurants, Zhang Fei chose to visit Fa Zhen and Gang Zhishou.

Zhang Fei discussed formation arrays and blacksmithing with them for quite some time. After leaving their shop, he went to Duan Zhaoʼs residence and discussed the latest design of the weapon he had requested.

However, both Zhang Fei and Duan Zhao were not satisfied with the design, so the old blacksmith decided to redesign the weapon.

A few minutes later, Zhang Fei arrived at the Yun royal capital. For quite some time, he accompanied his wives, who handled their shop and restaurant there. The Yun Kingdom was smaller than the Xian Kingdom, so shoppers and diners were few.

Fortunately, the Yun Kingdom directly borders the Zhou Kingdom, and many people from that kingdom visit Zhang Feiʼs shop and restaurant, making both quite lively.

Afterward, Zhang Fei went to his shop and restaurant in the Natural Race Kingdom, and both were much busier than those in the Yun Kingdom.

”Zhang Fei!”

Zhang Fei looked at Xin Xianzi and Zefyr, who were flying toward him at high speed. Both women immediately sat on his shoulders. ”Why are you two in such a hurry?”

”Hahaha.” Xin Xianzi laughed before answering him. ”After waiting for you for days, I wanted to take you to my raceʼs forest.”

Zefyr also answered Zhang Fei. ”That place is much more beautiful than the Fairy Forest in the Sky Jade Realm, and I really want to stay there forever.”

Curious about it, Zhang Fei immediately agreed with them. ”All right, you can lead me there, Xianzi.”

”Where are you three going?” Xian Jinglan, who had just arrived with Lang, inquired immediately.

”Jinglan! I will take Zhang Fei to our forest, so you should come with us.” Xin Xianzi then gestured toward the distance. ”The entrance to our forest is about 10 miles that way.”

Zhang Fei then led the two women there. ”Do you want to join us, Princess Jinglan?”

”Sure.” As soon as Xian Jinglan agreed, Lang immediately walked beside Zhang Fei. ”I havenʼt been there in a while, especially the Fairy Glades.”

”What is the Fairy Glades?” Zhang Fei inquired.

Xin Xianzi immediately told Zhang Fei. ”The Fairy Glades is actually no different from an ordinary plain, but it is the best place to listen to the whispers of nature, and we natural races often go there to seek guidance from nature. Since you are a heavenly fox, I believe you can hear those whispers, and you might be able to gain some guidance in your cultivation path. Apart from that place, we still have the fairy fountain, the fairy shrine, and the spiritual herb gardens.”

”Oh? What are the functions of the Fairy Fountain and the Fairy Shrine?” However, Zhang Fei was more interested in the spiritual herb gardens, especially since spiritual herbs were different from ordinary herbs, and their effects were much more potent. Unfortunately, their prices were exorbitant, and they were scarce.

”All cultivators, including you, must have swallowed pills to remove impurities from our bodies.” Zhang Fei nodded to Xin Xianzi. ”Even though we have swallowed them before, our impurities have not been completely clean, and the celestial water in the Fairy Fountain will completely cleanse them not only from our bodies but also our souls. The water will also help us heal our injuries, both external and internal. Additionally, you can soak there to seek enlightenment from the fairy ancestors, and you will get a fairy blessing if they accept you.”

”Fairy ancestors?” That shocked Zhang Fei.

”When natural races like us die, our bodies will be destroyed, but our souls will return to nature.” Zhang Fei turned to Xian Jinglan directly. ”The fairy ancestors are fairies who died thousands of years ago, but their souls still live in the Fairy Fountain. Although their memories have faded, their souls retain all their experiences, and they will assist anyone with a pure heart.”

”Hahaha. I suppose my heart is not pure and too dark to meet the fairy ancestors,” Zhang Fei said with a bitter laugh. ”What about the fairy shrine?”

Xin Xianzi informed him. ”Only fairies can enter the Fairy Shrine, and it is a testing ground for us when we first awaken our abilities. If we have a dirty heart, we will not be able to pass all the tests inside, and we will die inside. If we succeed in passing all the tests, we will receive the blessings of nature, which will become our strength.”

”Did you go through those processes too, Zefyr?”

Zefyr shook her head. ”When I was born, I already had my abilities.”

”I see.” Zhang Fei nodded in understanding and enveloped them with his aura. ”Letʼs go there now; Iʼm curious about that place.”

- To Be Continued -