Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 83

“Hmph! What do you ordinary people know about the power of those beyond the mortal world?”

Liu Tianle sneered, his face full of disdain. Then, with reverence, he added, “He’s a grandmaster of martial arts. Not only does the Tang family hold him in high regard, but even powerful figures like Ye Gufeng of Donghai and Xue Mingyi of Jiangzhou willingly serve as his lackeys!”

“Even Boss Ye Gufeng from Donghai fears him?!”

The crowd was stunned, feeling as if they were trapped in a dream—none of this seemed real.

“Exactly! This time, even Tang Jianfeng is returning!” Liu Tianle chuckled. “He’s already reached the peak of Iron Body refinement. Old Master Tang wants him to meet this Grandmaster Jiang—who knows, he might even take him as a disciple!”

“What? Jianfeng is coming back?”

Suddenly, Fu Xinghui’s face lit up with excitement. “Good! That lunatic son-in-law of the Zhao family, Jiang Tian, once slapped me so hard he knocked out several of my molars. Now that Jianfeng is back, he’s dead meat…”

Liu Tianle frowned. “Which Jiang Tian are you talking about? The one married into the Zhao family?”

“The very same!” Fu Xinghui gnashed his teeth, recounting the bloody history of Jiang Tian’s brutal beating.

“Hmph! That Long Gaitian is nothing but a spineless coward.”

Liu Tianle scoffed dismissively.

“Just because Jiang Tian treated Old Master Tang’s illness, he and his father have been fawning over him shamelessly! They’ve even abandoned brotherhood—how disgusting!”

“Exactly! My sand quarry and gravel businesses were handed over to Jiang Tian’s friend, Shen Le!”

Fu Xinghui looked like he was on the verge of tears, his hatred burning fiercely.

“Now all I have left is this measly little bar—how am I supposed to survive?”

“Don’t worry!”

Liu Tianle patted Fu Xinghui’s shoulder reassuringly, his face full of admiration.

“Young Master Jianfeng is no longer the same as before. He’s now the pillar of the Tang family—in Old Master Tang’s eyes, he might even outshine Tang Linglong! People like Long Gaitian and Zhou Zhenghao can’t compare to him.”

He smirked. “He’ll definitely uphold justice for you. That Jiang Tian? He’s as good as dead!”

(Internally, Liu Tianle sneered: Tang Jianfeng and Fu Lanyun are already secretly engaged. But at the birthday banquet, Jiang Tian humiliated her—do you think Jianfeng will let him off?)

“Jianfeng is that powerful now? Wasn’t he just fooling around with us, chasing girls and getting into fights?”

One of the wealthy young masters couldn’t help but blurt out in surprise.

“Watch your words!”

Liu Tianle’s expression turned icy, his sharp glare making the young master—whose family owned several gyms and was worth millions—shiver in fear.

“He joined the War Tiger Special Forces. Now, he holds the rank of lieutenant!”

Liu Tianle spoke with deep admiration, though he kept one thing to himself:

(That’s the reserve unit of the legendary Huaxia Dragon Group! A national treasure, an unbreakable fortress!)

Jiang Tian remained completely unaware—and utterly indifferent—to the Tang family’s grand preparations.

That very night, Jiang Jun was detained by the disciplinary committee. A quick investigation revealed his unexplained wealth: despite being a low-ranking official, he owned over a dozen properties worth tens of millions. A ten-year prison sentence was practically guaranteed.

With this roadblock removed, the “Muscle-Restoring Balm” quickly received approval for mass production and market release.

Villa No. 38, Wanghu Lake – Morning

With the balm’s approval secured, Zhao Hucheng was in high spirits. For once, he allowed Zhao Xueqing—the key contributor—to join them for a meal at the villa. Though displeased, he didn’t stop her from bringing Jiang Tian along.

“What? Jiang Tian knows Secretary Tang?!”

Zhao Hucheng stared at the production permit in disbelief, his eyes widening as he looked at Zhao Xueqing.

She had barely started speaking before dropping this bombshell, leaving him stunned.

“Yes! Jiang Tian is now a martial arts grandmaster. On the Blue Whale Princess, he punched with a force like a millstone, sending a master—who had survived a hundred-meter fall unharmed—flying over a hundred meters! He even pushed a helicopter back five or six meters!”

“He can even catch ghosts! There was this huge one, three or four meters tall, with a ghost child that could shapeshift and create illusions. Even a master from Maoshan Sect was no match—but Jiang Tian killed it with a single slash of his sword—”

Zhao Xueqing spoke rapidly, her face glowing with pride.

Zhao Hucheng and Wei Fang exchanged uneasy glances, their brows furrowed with concern.

(This girl… is clearly unwell!)

(Is mental illness contagious? How else could Xueqing be hallucinating like this?)

“Xueqing, let me check your temperature… Are you running a fever?” Wei Fang asked worriedly.

“You don’t believe me?”

Zhao Xueqing almost laughed at their reactions.

“It’s all true! Jiang Tian even cured Old Master Tang’s strange illness. Now, the Tang family treats him with the utmost respect! Not just them—even Ye Gufeng from Donghai, Linzhou’s richest man, Xue Mingyi…”

“This is serious!”

Wei Fang whispered anxiously to Zhao Hucheng, “We need to send her to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation—immediately!”

“This sounds like delusional disorder. Don’t argue with her—if she gets agitated, her condition might worsen!”

Zhao Hucheng’s heart sank, but he forced a smile and nodded.

“Oh, so Jiang Tian is that impressive now? Amazing!”

(This must be because I pressured her to divorce Jiang Tian earlier… The stress has broken her mind.)

Just then, the doorbell rang.

“That must be District Chief Lu and Tianfeng!”

Zhao Hucheng’s face lit up, and he practically leaped to his feet. “Quick, let’s welcome them!”

Wei Fang, equally excited, shot a warning glance at Jiang Tian and Zhao Xueqing.

“Important guests are here. Unless I signal you, don’t speak recklessly—we can’t afford any embarrassment!”

The Arrival of the Lu Family

In the courtyard, a dignified middle-aged man strode in, accompanied by a tall, handsome young man and an elegantly dressed woman.

Zhao Hucheng—a mere office director in the development zone—was far outranked by Lu Youwei, the district chief. He didn’t dare slack, rushing forward with an ingratiating smile and shaking Lu’s hand vigorously.

“Chief Lu, your presence honors my humble home!”

“Old Zhao, we’re practically family now—just call me ‘Old Lu’!”

Lu Youwei spoke magnanimously, though his eyes gleamed with smug superiority.

“Oh no, I must observe propriety!” Zhao Hucheng fawned.

Meanwhile, Zhao Qianru blushed, pointing at the young man excitedly.

“Mom, this is Lu Tianfeng—my senior from high school!”

Behind her stood a strikingly beautiful girl—Chu Yuwei, daughter of a deputy director at the Municipal Commerce Bureau.

(Ah, her again.)

Jiang Tian recognized her instantly.

In their past life, she had constantly belittled him, calling him a “useless waste.”

Lu Tianfeng, dressed in a crisp white shirt and polished shoes, carried himself like a refined gentleman. He bowed politely.

“Uncle Zhao, Aunt Wei, good day!”

(As for Jiang Tian and Zhao Xueqing? Not even worth a glance—they’re beneath even the servants here.)

“Oh, Tianfeng is so handsome! You shouldn’t have brought gifts—come in, come in!”

Wei Fang beamed, instantly taken by Lu Tianfeng’s charm—so unlike Jiang Tian’s dull silence.

As the group settled in the dining room, conversation flowed freely—from political gossip in Linzhou to business trends and even celebrity scandals.

Jiang Tian and Zhao Xueqing, seated at the far end, ate in silence.

Zhao Hucheng watched Lu Tianfeng and Chu Yuwei hold court effortlessly while Jiang Tian remained mute, his heart heavy.

(This useless son-in-law… Our only hope now is Lu Tianfeng—our future second son-in-law!)

Eventually, the topic turned to the recent sensation in Linzhou—the legendary “Grandmaster Jiang.”

“Uncle Zhao, Uncle Lu, have you heard of the famed Grandmaster Jiang?”

Chu Yuwei—vivacious and witty—leaned in eagerly.

“They say he controls lightning, splits mountains with a wave of his hand, and can strike enemies from afar with condensed energy!”

Zhao Hucheng shook his head, but Lu Youwei nodded sagely.

“He’s a transcendent figure—not just dominant in Linzhou, but revered across all three cities of Jiangbei!”

“That powerful? Is it true?” Zhao Hucheng asked skeptically.

“Absolutely! This Grandmaster Jiang is Tang Linglong’s master. Even Old Master Tang and Secretary Tang hold him in high esteem!”

Chu Yuwei’s eyes sparkled. “What’s his real name? How old is he? If he’s young, I’d marry him in a heartbeat!”

Zhao Xueqing shot Jiang Tian an amused look and whispered, “Hear that? She wants to marry you!”

Jiang Tian smirked, leaning close. “Don’t worry, my love. No matter how young or beautiful, no one compares to a single strand of your hair.”

“His name is Jiang Taichu. Given his mastery, he must be in his seventies or eighties,” Lu Youwei mused.

“Hah! Same surname as Jiang Tian—I almost thought it was him!” Lu Tianfeng mocked, glancing at Jiang Tian with disdain.

Jiang Tian merely smiled faintly.

Eager to secure the Lu family’s favor, Zhao Hucheng raised his glass.

“Chief Lu, Qianru will graduate soon. They say ‘start a family, then a career’—why not let them marry quickly? A happy couple benefits both their futures!”

Lu Youwei nodded thoughtfully. “I have no objections. But the dowry…?”

“No dowry needed!” Wei Fang interjected hastily.

Lu’s wife smirked triumphantly. “At least you understand the situation. Frankly, countless families have sought our Tianfeng’s hand. If not for his obsession with your daughter, I’d never agree to this match!”

Zhao Hucheng and Wei Fang stiffened.

(Yes, our daughter is marrying up… but must you say it so bluntly?)