My Ares Son-in-Law

Suddenly, a strong wind blew up, and the branches and leaves of the century-old ginkgo tree in the courtyard swayed wildly, startling the birds perched on the tree.

The tall figure turned into flowing light in the twilight, his robe fluttered like clouds hanging from the sky, and disappeared into the vast sky in an instant.

"This..." Shen Qiang staggered back two steps and his back hit the pillar heavily.

He tilted his head back, his chin almost dropping to the ground, and squeezed out broken syllables from his throat: "Flew...flew away?"

The teacup in Shen Huo's hand finally broke into pieces, and the porcelain shards pierced into his palm, oozing blood. This old fox who had been in the business world for decades was trembling all over at this moment, and the gradually dissipating cloud marks were reflected in his turbid eyes. He murmured: "Lingkong Xudu... This is the legendary land immortal..."

The evening breeze brought the sound of bells from a distant temple, awakening the stunned Shen Qiang.

The young man mechanically turned his neck and saw his father taking out a gilded pipe from his arms with his blood-stained hands. When he lit it, the lighter clicked seven or eight times before a faint flame was ignited.

"Boy..." Shen Huo took a deep breath of smoke, and the white mist was obviously trembling when it came out of his nostrils. "Now you understand why I have to spend 100,000 low-grade spirit stones every year, right?"

The pipe flickered in the twilight, illuminating his complex expression: "That's 70% of the output of our mine..."

Shen Qiang's legs suddenly went weak and he knelt on the ground, and spider-web-like cracks immediately appeared on the bluestone slab.

He remembered that three days ago he had secretly laughed at his father for being old and confused, but now he wanted to slap himself twice.

The figure that just broke through the air was clearly the immortal recorded in ancient books who "traveled to Beihai in the morning and Cangwu in the evening"!

"Dad..." Shen Qiang's voice was hoarse, his nails dug deep into the cracks of the stone slab, "Who is this Dr. Xiao...?"

Shen Huo did not answer immediately.

He looked in the direction where Xiao Chen disappeared. He had no idea who Xiao Chen was. He only knew that with his strength, he was as helpless as a child in front of Xiao Chen.

And he used to claim to be invincible in the Eastern Region.

How ridiculous.

"Remember..." When Shen Huo turned around, the morning sun stretched his hunched shadow very long, "Some beings, being able to meet them is the good fortune we have cultivated for ten lifetimes."

The strong wind blew the ginkgo leaves past the father and son. The golden leaf spun and danced in the sunlight, and finally fell gently into Shen Qiang's trembling palm.

Shen Qiang suddenly realized that this seemingly ordinary fallen leaf actually retained a sharp aura that made his palms sting.

Xiao Chen's footsteps paused lightly on the platform of the high-speed railway station. When the soles of his dark grey sneakers touched the cold metal floor, there was a slight sound.

The April sunlight slanted through the dome glass, casting fine shadows on his angular profile, and then fell steadily to the ground.

He raised his hand to lift up his black backpack and looked around. The platform broadcast was announcing the information of the next train in a standard voice, and the crowd was surging at the ticket gate like a tide.

Just as I was about to leave and go to my destination, I was suddenly stopped by a warm voice.

The voice was like a stream after the snow melted in early spring, with a somewhat warm texture, but trembling slightly due to urgency: "Mr. Xiao, please stay!"

There was a hint of urgency and respect in the voice. Xiao Chen looked in the direction of the voice and saw an energetic old man walking towards him quickly.

The old man was wearing a dark blue Tang suit, buttoned up to his neck, and a string of dark red Buddhist beads on his wrist swayed with his steps. Behind him, there was a pretty little girl, about seven or eight years old, with two pigtails and a bright red hairband tied at the end.

Curiosity and joy sparkled in her bright big eyes. Her pink princess dress fluttered in a light arc as she ran, and she was holding a crooked origami crane in her hand.

Xiao Chen took a closer look, and his memory was instantly brought back to that rainy night.

In the muddy alley, the black-robed man from the Oracle Gate was approaching step by step with a gleaming dagger in hand, while the little girl in front of him was hiding in the corner, shivering.

He was just passing by and offered help, using a simple wind spell to repel the criminal. He did not expect that they would meet again in this bustling high-speed railway station today.

"Hello, both of you! What do you want to talk to me about?" Xiao Chen asked with a smile, his tone revealing a bit of friendliness.

He deliberately squatted down, looked at the little girl at eye level, and smiled gently, which made the little girl's cheeks flush. She hid behind the old man and peeked around secretly.

The old man smiled kindly, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were filled with kindness accumulated over the years.

He took out a bulging backpack from his side and handed it to Xiao Chen with both hands. His knuckles were covered with calluses, but he still held it firmly: "Mr. Xiao, you helped my granddaughter that day, but we didn't have a chance to thank you properly. I originally planned to help you when you were in trouble with the Oracle Sect, but who would have thought that you, Mr. Xiao, are much more powerful than I imagined!"

When the old man was speaking, the little girl stuck her head out, her bright eyes full of admiration, and she secretly gave him a thumbs up.

Xiao Chen took the backpack and felt its heavy weight, and a hint of curiosity surged in his heart.

He gently opened the backpack and saw four things neatly placed inside: a brocade box with a dragon flying in the clouds embroidered with gold thread on the box surface, and tiny night-shining pearls inlaid on the corners, which glowed faintly under the refraction of light;

A book, with the words "Nine Heavens Mysterious Art" embroidered on the leather cover with golden silk thread, and the font is vigorous and powerful. When the fingertips touch the cover, a faint spiritual power fluctuation can be felt, which seems to be an extraordinary secret book;

A letter, with Xiao Chen's name written on the plain white envelope, the handwriting was beautiful and gentle, and even the edge of the envelope was outlined with an elegant orchid pattern in indigo ink;
A brocade bag, small and exquisite, embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. It feels warm to the touch, as if it contains something important.

Xiao Chen was about to look up to express his gratitude to the old man, but found that there was no one in front of him.

The platform, which was noisy just now, suddenly fell into an eerie silence, and the figures of the people around became blurred.

The old man and the little girl seemed to have merged into the vast crowd, leaving no trace behind.

The light from the platform's electronic screen flickered on his face. The sound of a train's whistle approaching the station came from afar, but it seemed unreal, as if through a layer of frosted glass.

"What a master!" Xiao Chen couldn't help but sigh.

He knew very well that it was not possible for an ordinary person to leave so quietly.

A breeze blew by, blowing up a piece of waste paper on the ground. He was then surprised to find that the crowd around him had returned to their normal bustle.

He smiled and did not use his soul power to search for the old man.

In his opinion, since others have chosen to leave, there is no need to disturb the peace and harmony.

He walked to the waiting chair and sat down, then gently opened the letter. The handwriting on the letter was clear and powerful. (End of this chapter)