The Boundary Stone was finally fully charged. Zhang Shaozhong wondered if he would be able to return from this trip. He needed to go back to his hometown to say goodbye to his parents.
When he mentioned this idea, the Demon Lord didn't even look up: "What are some local specialties from your hometown?"
Master Xuanji was a little more serious: "Since you are going on a long journey, it is only right to say goodbye to your parents."
Zhang Shaozhong breathed a sigh of relief; at least someone agreed.
The day before departure, the Demon Lord suddenly said, "Since we're going on a long trip, we should prepare more food." After saying that, he went to the supermarket and bought a bunch of snacks.
The Master Xuanji was even more ingenious; he somehow got hold of a thermos box, saying he wanted to pack some food for the journey.
Zhang Shaozhong looked at the two big shots who seemed to be preparing for a spring outing, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
When Zhang's parents returned to their old neighborhood, they were startled to see their son bringing such a large group of people back.
"Hello, Uncle and Aunt!" Ye Meier greeted them first with her sweet words.
Ling Qingxue also bowed slightly: "Uncle and Aunt."
The Demon Lord surveyed the ordinary dwelling, frowning: "The spiritual energy here... is almost nonexistent."
Master Xuanji was more polite, nodding to Zhang's parents.
Zhang Ma pulled Zhang Shaozhong aside and whispered, "Son, who are these two people...?"
Zhang Shaozhong forced a smile and explained, "They are Qingxue and Mei'er's... distant elders."
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang were skeptical, but they still treated them warmly.
At lunchtime, the Demon Lord tasted a bite of the home-cooked food and commented, "The cooking is acceptable, but it lacks some spiritual energy."
Master Xuanji ate in small bites without saying a word, but his expression seemed satisfied.
Zhang Shaozhong quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Mom and Dad's cooking is the best!"
After dinner, Zhang Shaozhong accompanied his parents for a walk in the neighborhood, where they happened to run into Aunt Lin from next door and her daughter Lin Ya.
Lin Ya's eyes lit up when she saw Zhang Shaozhong: "Brother Chong, you're back!"
Then, when he saw Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier standing on his left and right, his expression immediately turned sour.
Zhang Shaozhong felt a chill run down his spine. Lin Ya was his childhood sweetheart, and they had a falling out when she brought Qingxue and Mei'er back during the Mid-Autumn Festival last time.
"Xiaoya, it's been a long time," Zhang Shaozhong greeted with a dry laugh.
Lin Ya said sourly, "Brother Chong is so lucky, both of his sisters are so beautiful."
Ye Meier immediately took Zhang Shaozhong's arm and said with a smile, "That's right, our husband is the most blessed."
Although Ling Qingxue didn't say anything, she took a step closer to Zhang Shaozhong.
The Demon Lord watched the spectacle from the sidelines and said to Xuanji Zhenren, "This young man is quite popular with women."
Master Xuanji said calmly, "Beauty is a curse."
Lin Ya was even more surprised when she saw the two extraordinary "elders" behind her: "Brother Shaozhong, who are these two?"
Before Zhang Shaozhong could speak, the Demon Lord suddenly became interested. His blood-red eyes flashed, and he deliberately said, "I am his father-in-law."
Master Xuanji glanced at the Demon Lord and surprisingly echoed, "I am too."
Zhang Shaozhong: "???"
Lin Ya and Zhang's parents were all stunned.
Ye Meier burst out laughing, and Ling Qingxue couldn't help but chuckle as well.
Zhang Shaozhong quickly explained, "Don't listen to their jokes! They're just ordinary elders!"
Lin Ya's face turned even paler. She bit her lip and said, "Brother Shaozhong, there's something I want to talk to you about in private."
Before Zhang Shaozhong could answer, Ye Meier interrupted, "Just say it here, there's no one else here."
Although Ling Qingxue didn't speak, her eyes said it all.
The Demon Lord, always eager for a good show, said to Xuanji Zhenren, "This is much more interesting than the petty squabbles in the cultivation world."
Xuanji Zhenren actually nodded: "Indeed."
Zhang Shaozhong was at his wit's end, so he could only say to Lin Ya, "Xiao Ya, let's talk about this another day. We still need to accompany our elders for a walk."
Lin Ya's eyes reddened, and she turned and ran away.
Aunt Zhang sighed, "This child has liked you since she was little..."
Zhang Shaozhong was so embarrassed that he quickly pulled the two big shots and their wives away.
That evening, Zhang Shaozhong formally said goodbye to his parents.
"Dad, Mom, we might have to go on a long trip and won't be back for a while."
Zhang Ma's eyes immediately welled up with tears: "You're leaving so soon after you get back?"
The Demon Lord chimed in from the side, "Don't worry, with me here, I'll keep him safe."
Master Xuanji also said, "Although this journey is long, there is no major problem."
Looking at these two distinguished "elders," Mr. and Mrs. Zhang felt a little more at ease.
The next day, before leaving, Zhang's mother gave Zhang Shao a large bag of local specialties.
The Demon Lord asked curiously, "What is this?"
Zhang Shaozhong explained, "They are some local snacks from my hometown."
Master Xuanji nodded: "You can take him on the journey."
On the way back, the Demon Lord tasted a bite of the cured meat made by Zhang Ma and nodded: "This is acceptable."
Xuanji Zhenren also expressed his satisfaction with the pastries from his hometown.
Looking at the familiar scenery outside the window, Zhang Shaozhong felt a little melancholy.
Ye Meier leaned on his shoulder: "Husband, don't be sad. We'll come back to see your uncle and aunt after we finish this business."
Ling Qingxue also said softly, "Husband, don't worry, I will take good care of myself and won't make you worry."
The Demon Lord suddenly said, "Since we are going on a long journey, we should try all the delicious food we haven't tasted before we leave."
Master Xuanji agreed: "That makes sense."
Zhang Shaozhong was both amused and exasperated: "Seniors, we're here to do serious business, not to go on vacation!"
The Demon Lord disagreed: "You need to be well-fed to have the strength to work."
Master Xuanji checked his phone: "I heard there's a very good old-established restaurant in the south of the city."
Zhang Shaozhong sighed resignedly, "Alright, let's set off after this meal."
As a result, this continued for three more days.
On the eve of his departure, Zhang Shaozhong watched the two big shots packing their luggage.
The Demon Lord was packing various snacks into his storage bag, while Master Xuanji was studying how to pack the tea set more securely.
Zhang Shaozhong couldn't help but ask, "Seniors, are we going to open a portal to another dimension or have a picnic?"
The Demon Lord replied matter-of-factly, "Neither will interfere with the other."
Master Xuanji nodded: "Good."
Looking at the two big shots who had completely turned into foodies, Zhang Shaozhong suddenly felt uncertain about this trip.
However, looking at Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier smiling at each other beside him, he felt that no matter what the future held, it was enough to have them by his side.
I just don't know if my childhood sweetheart, Lin Ya, will come looking for trouble again in the future.
Forget it, why think so much? Let's deal with these two foodie bosses first!
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