Zombie Bodyguard

Chapter 1904 - 1901: Great Elder

The Zhang Family’s Mystic Light Technique is extremely powerful. It seems that as long as there is water nearby, the spell can be cast, and the one in front of them, using mist, seems even more advanced.

The old man appearing in the water ball also has graying hair, but his expression is very stiff and cold, completely different from Zhang Heyuan’s character.

"Great Elder..." Zhang Lingyu sees the old man and respectfully bows.

However, Zhang Ruyan raises her head, impassive, only staring coldly and shows no intention of bowing. The Great Elder notices Zhang Ruyan, furrows his brow but says nothing to her.

"Zhang Lingyu, I heard a guest arrived, is he a friend of yours?" The Great Elder glances at Lin Tian briefly and then turns his gaze to Zhang Lingyu.

"Yes, Great Elder, his name is Lin Tian, he is my... friend." Zhang Lingyu acknowledges, but pauses briefly when saying "my," with a trace of blush crossing her face, leaving one to wonder what she is thinking.

The Great Elder nods and says, "Hmm, having a friend visit is a good thing. We must not lose our manners and invite ridicule. Bring him over, hosting a guest in the cave is not in accordance with proper etiquette."

Zhang Ruyan frowns and secretly signals Zhang Lingyu not to agree. Zhang Lingyu understands and says to the Great Elder, "I am still in the period of reflection, not suitable to leave Siguoya, let’s leave the hospitality to later."

"During your reflection period, you’ve performed well. I will take the liberty to end your punishment early. I believe the other elders won’t have objections. That’s decided, let’s not keep the guest waiting." The Great Elder doesn’t allow Zhang Lingyu to say more, waving his hand to dismiss the Mystic Light Technique.

"Hmph, the Great Elder remains as domineering as ever, not allowing others to explain, demanding nothing but obedience," Zhang Ruyan snorts unhappily.

"Don’t you find it odd? I’m just a regular guest, surely someone else should be responsible for hospitality, without troubling the Great Elder himself, right?" Lin Tian questions, initially feeling exposed but realizing that if discovered, the Great Elder would have already taken decisive action.

Zhang Ruyan glances mischievously at Lin Tian and smiles with schadenfreude, "Judging by your earlier conflict with Zhang Zhicheng, you must have offended him, right? The Great Elder surely wants to ’properly’ host you."

"No way, would the Great Elder really be that petty?" Lin Tian furrows his brows.

"Hehe..." Zhang Ruyan sneers disdainfully and says, "The Great Elder is just human, even the Immortals experience emotions. You likely don’t know, the Great Elder has no children, and Zhang Zhicheng is not only his distant grandson but also his adopted son."

"In old age, having an offspring, you can imagine how indulgent he is towards Zhang Zhicheng. Offending Zhang Zhicheng is akin to offending the Great Elder. If he says he wants to host you, there must be a hidden agenda."

"There’s something else: the Great Elder has always wanted to groom Zhang Zhicheng to succeed him as the Heavenly Master’s Successor, but Zhang Zhicheng not only lacks talent but also perseverance, incapable of enduring hardship, only knowing to show off, his spiritual cultivation is limited."

"First defeat by me, then defeat by Lingyu girl. Do you think when he sought to punish me and remove me from the position of Heavenly Master’s Successor it was merely due to my marriage negotiations with a zombie?" Zhang Ruyan coldly states.

Zhang Lingyu doesn’t oppose these words, only lets out a small sigh, evidently acknowledging Zhang Ruyan’s point.

Indeed, the situation in such large families is complex, whether it be mundane families or these hidden ones, muses Lin Tian, although he has further queries: "From what you said, there should be an Elder Council in the Zhang Family, the Great Elder can’t act unilaterally, right?"

An Elder Council is somewhat akin to a company’s board of directors, or rather, the latter evolved from the ancient concept of an Elder Council; such institutions exist in Huaxia and abroad.

Its purpose is to limit the Clan Leader’s power, preventing excess or misuse, and within the Zhang Family, naturally, to prevent the Heavenly Master’s power from becoming too overwhelming.

Of course, if the Heavenly Master possesses formidable strength far surpassing others, such constraints are substantially weak. Nevertheless, they offer some degree of balance, which led Lin Tian to question.

"I understand your point; the other elders do indeed check the Great Elder, but now the Heavenly Master’s position is vacant, and until a new generation officially appoints a Heavenly Master, the Great Elder holds the greatest authority."

"Taking advantage of this, as long as he doesn’t excessively overreach, the other elders won’t oppose him too strongly. Besides, he will seize upon minor faults of others and magnify them, using family rules to pressure them into silence."

"Anyway, with him hosting you, stay vigilant. If not openly avenging Zhang Zhicheng against you, he’ll at least let you suffer silently," Zhang Ruyan advises.

"Sigh, let’s hope the Great Elder doesn’t resort to trickery," Zhang Lingyu sighs.

Zhang Ruyan glances at her playfully and teases, "What’s the matter? Worried about your man, afraid he’ll suffer?"

Faced with this "your man" designation, Zhang Lingyu can only feel helpless, unable to counter her sister, she softly responds, "I’m not worried for Lin Tian; those who need to worry are the Great Elder and Zhang Zhicheng."

"Still, Lingyu understands me well; I eat anything, but I don’t like losing. Let’s go, time to meet the Great Elder and his adopted son," Lin Tian calmly smiles.

"Might as well, without resolving entwining with the Great Elder and Zhang Zhicheng, we can’t access the Spirit Suppressing Tower. At least, Lingyu girl, you have a benefit, with reflection ending early," Zhang Ruyan does not object.

The three leave the cave together, but before descending the cliff, Zhang Ruyan stops Lin Tian, letting him go last. Lin Tian quickly understands her intent, with both beauties in skirts, if he descends first, he could peek up and see everything.

After leaving the cave, they continue down a narrow path along the cliffside, though rather than exiting where Lin Tian initially came from, they head further down.

The path ends before reaching the base of the cliff, terminating at a cave. Entering the cave reveals a stone door, and crossing through it unveils an entirely different scene.

No more stony hills, but a large courtyard. This courtyard is unlike previous ones, much larger and further ahead are pavilions and towers, though nighttime does not hinder Lin Tian’s sight.

"Hmm, what a pleasant fragrance..." Lin Tian remarks upon entering the courtyard, smelling a faint floral scent.

"Ahead is Baihua Pool; though it’s autumn, in the south where the Zhang Family resides, many flowers still bloom," Zhang Lingyu explains.

Following the lead of the two beauties, Lin Tian traverses the corridors, seeing a vast lake, waterlilies planted within, underneath the leaves, clear waters with koi swimming about.

In the lake lies Lake Heart Island, encircled by willows and exotic flowers, the fragrance emanating from waterlilies and these rare plants. Astonishingly, on Lake Heart Island, Lin Tian spots an immortal crane!