"Young Master Zhang, please rest here for a while, and I'll go inform my grandfather."
Wu Tianzhen said, and he led the胖子 out.
"Ah, you've grown up."
Zhang Tian watched Wu Tianzhen leave, sighing inwardly.
This time, Wu Tianzhen wasn't as impetuous as when they first met. He was even proud, yet he remained very humble.
Furthermore, his speech was no longer hurried; he spoke calmly.
It was evident that this fellow had also grown, and Zhang Tian could even feel a trace of Qi within Wu Tianzhen.
This meant he had also started cultivating.
"Tianzhen, are we really going to tell Grandpa?"
Wang Banyue mumbled from the side. He had been staying at the Wu family's place for the past few days due to his injuries, and had learned some things about them.
"Since he's here, he clearly has a purpose. He must be looking for my grandfather. Do you really think he's here for us? And Grandpa doesn't have much going on lately, so it should be convenient to meet him."
Wu Tianzhen said, after thinking it over carefully.
Zhang Tian wasn't just passing by; on the contrary, he had deliberately come to their home.
Wang Banyue gave him a thumbs up.
"Truly, it's like finding enlightenment in a privy."
With that, they arrived at an old house.
Then, Wu Tianzhen explained the situation, and a voice came from inside the room.
"I know."
With that, the door opened by itself, and a white-haired elder slowly walked out.
His imposing aura was palpable, and each step he took felt incredibly heavy.
He was wearing a simple white cloth robe, and his imposing aura spread out, making it difficult for Wu Tianzhen to breathe.
Wu Laogou, who loved dogs, was well-liked and kind-hearted. He had trained a small dog named Sancunding, and was known as Dog Master Wu.
Wu Laogou's character was depicted as a good person in the tomb-robbing chronicles.
However, in that era, he was also a "dog." Despite his kind nature, he was still cunning.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have lived this long.
After the white-robed elder emerged, a Tibetan Mastiff followed him.
The dog wasn't large but seemed to have followed his grandfather for a lifetime.
Upon closer inspection, this dog was not Sancunding, but another Tibetan Mastiff.
"Grandpa..."
Wu Tianzhen lowered his head.
"Hmm, since there's a guest, we must treat them with great hospitality, reflecting the welcoming nature of our Wu family."
Wu Laogou's aged voice resounded.
Immediately after, he moved with surprising speed and disappeared from the doorway.
"This is incredible. Tianzhen, your grandfather, at his age, can move so fast. If he were to rush to the market to grab vegetables, he'd definitely get them."
The胖子 grumbled beside him, while Wu Tianzhen shot him a fierce glare.
"I wonder what he wants with my grandfather."
Wu Tianzhen mused. At that moment, Wu Laogou had already reached the entrance.
Before even stepping in, his brow furrowed slightly.
Inside the room, he sensed an aura similar to his own, a unique aura that only a Grandmaster could emit.
"Grandmaster?"
Sensing the aura, Wu Laogou paused.
What were the intentions of a Grandmaster entering the Wu family unannounced?
Was he trying to provoke the Wu family? Or to challenge them?
A series of thoughts flashed through his mind.
Finally, he slowly opened the door.
A smile graced his face.
"A guest from afar, please forgive any lack of hospitality."
Wu Laogou spoke, his gaze falling upon the person sitting on the chair before him.
Upon seeing Zhang Tian, he was startled.
Zhang Tian was only in his early twenties, yet how had he reached the Grandmaster realm?
Such a young Grandmaster was definitely something that could shake the entire Beili.
Zhang Tian looked at the approaching person, then quickly stood up.
Wu Laogou, clad in white, had a slightly round face, deep-set eyes, white hair, and some wrinkles. He exuded an air of immortal grace.
"Patriarch Wu, hello. My name is Zhang Tian, from the Zhang family's antique shop in Beili. I apologize for the unannounced intrusion."
Zhang Tian was also exceedingly humble. In the eyes of an old man who had lived a lifetime, Zhang Tian knew it was better to be cautious.
After Zhang Tian finished speaking, Wu Laogou smiled.
He slowly sat down.
"There's no need for formalities. Since you're here, you're a guest, a friend. Just call me Great Grandpa Wu."
Wu Laogou was, in a way, flattering himself.
After all, those in the know called him Laogou (Old Dog), but the name, when spoken by a junior, carried a somewhat insulting connotation, so he directly instructed Zhang Tian to call him Great Grandpa.
Zhang Tian smiled and nodded.
"Great Grandpa Wu, to be frank, I've come to pay you a visit and get acquainted. I believe we will have more and more dealings in the future."
Zhang Tian said with a smile.
He had just given Wu Laogou a subtle hint.
I, Zhang Tian, am greeting you. In the future, my influence and yours will become increasingly intertwined.
Wu Laogou, being a seasoned elder, understood this perfectly.
He chuckled.
"Although my Wu family has a name in Beili City, we have long since retired from the martial world. If you, Brother Zhang, have legitimate business, feel free to cooperate with our Wu family."
"Our Wu family will certainly provide our full support."
Wu Laogou was shrewd. He simultaneously told Zhang Tian that he had retired and shouldn't be bothered, while also stating that if the channel was legitimate, the Wu family could help.
First, he politely declined, then he played the benevolent role. Indeed, he was Wu Laogou, no wonder he was so well-liked before.
Zhang Tian smiled.
His face held a gentle smile.
"I believe our Wu family and I will be excellent partners in the future. I look forward to our cooperation."
As Zhang Tian spoke, Wu Laogou took a sip of tea and nodded.
"Naturally, as for cooperation with Brother Zhang, there will be no slackening."
He said, extending the teacup towards Zhang Tian.
As Zhang Tian took it, he felt a powerful force surge towards him.
Zhang Tian knew Wu Laogou was testing him.
He immediately channeled the true qi within him, forcefully suppressing it.
Zhang Tian's true qi had been tempered through countless life-or-death illusions, possessing a robust aura.
Wu Laogou, after decades of refinement, also possessed a commanding aura.
It had its own distinct characteristics.
For a moment, the teacup remained suspended in mid-air.
Both men smiled, but in an instant, they withdrew their true qi.
The teacup, however, turned to powder.
"My apologies, Great Grandpa Wu. I used a bit too much force, and the cup broke."
Zhang Tian said with a look of apology.
"It's not your fault, Brother Zhang. It's this cup's poor quality. I'll have a servant fetch a new batch of cups shortly."
Wu Laogou said, but his heart was greatly shaken.
Zhang Tian's true qi was ancient, fierce, and carried a hint of murderous intent.
If he hadn't cultivated for so long, he might not have been his opponent.
Within the same Grandmaster realm, few would likely be Zhang Tian's match.
With this thought, Wu Laogou's attitude shifted. Since there was no certainty of killing Zhang Tian, he couldn't afford to offend him. At the very least, he had to ensure Zhang Tian didn't harbor ill feelings. As for the benefits Zhang Tian mentioned, he no longer desired them.
His Wu family had no need to get entangled in such disputes. Wu Laogou simply wished for a clean slate, allowing his descendants to rest in the shade of the Wu family's legacy.
At this moment, Zhang Tian also marveled at the profoundness of Wu Laogou's aura.
If Wu Laogou was at this level, then the elders of other families should be no less.
And among his own team, only he, his second brother, and Master Yimei, and the Princess, were capable of standing up to them. Challenging all the families would be somewhat difficult.
However, Zhang Tian could defeat them one by one.
With this thought, Zhang Tian dismissed it. Although he could fight, there was no need for it now, because Master Yimei and the Princess had both sustained injuries.
It was better to lie low for a while longer.
"Great Grandpa Wu, it was a pleasure meeting you. I'll take my leave for now. You're welcome to visit us anytime; we'll offer the warmest of welcomes."
As Zhang Tian spoke, he stood up. Wu Laogou also looked at him with a solemn expression, nodding. He regarded Zhang Tian with great importance.
This was the first time he had encountered a Grandmaster in his twenties; it was impossible not to pay attention to him.