Zombie Bodyguard

Chapter 1905 - 1902: Stirring Up Trouble

In ancient times, the Immortal crane was second only to the Phoenix as the "Number One Bird," revered as "below one bird, above all others," and often appeared alongside Immortals in legends.

Even today, the Immortal crane is a rare species, and the remarkable thing is that its habitat is in the north, while the Zhang Family is located in the south and yet raises them so well—it takes more than just effort to achieve such a feat.

It’s said that the Li Family raises leopards, and the Zhang Family raises Immortal cranes; truly, families of this stature are beyond ordinary imagination. Those wealthy individuals who raise Tibetan Mastiffs are simply outclassed.

A corridor encircled the lakeside, with exotic flowers and plants on both sides, making one feel like they were stepping into a fairyland. After passing Baihua Pool, many pavilions and halls appeared ahead.

Zhang Lingyu led Lin Tian into a large hall, brightly lit, where a massive painting was hung facing the entrance. It depicted a Qilin, and the portrait of a person. If Lin Tian guessed correctly, this should be a portrait of the Zhang Family’s founding ancestor, the first Heavenly Master, a legendary figure.

Beneath the portrait sat an old man with a stern face, not easy to approach with words; Lin Tian could recognize him as the Great Elder who had appeared in the water sphere.

From a distance, he seemed to merge with the Qilin painting behind him, exuding an extraordinary aura. However, one thing disrupted this aura—a young man standing behind him. The young man had a wandering gaze, with a messy expression, completely incongruous with the stern portrait and the Great Elder.

The young man was Zhang Zhicheng, who had just had a verbal conflict with Lin Tian. Zhang Zhicheng stood proud and upright, seemingly proud of his position, but to Lin Tian, he was simply borrowing authority to parade power, a mere show without substance.

On either side of the large hall were tables and chairs with many seated, both elders and middle-aged individuals. Lin Tian recognized the chief seat on the left—it was Zhang Heyuan, indicating Zhang Heyuan held a significant position within the Zhang Family.

Only those with status and qualifications could sit, whereas many young men and women had to stand behind the seats.

If Zhang Ruyan were still the Heavenly Master’s successor as before, she would undoubtedly have a seat in the hall—not just because of her successor status, but because her sect’s seniority was on the same level as Zhang Heyuan.

However, it was evident that Zhang Ruyan now disdained sitting with them. Upon entering the hall, Zhang Ruyan kept her head up, staring at the Qilin painting, paying no heed to the other family members.

As soon as the three of them entered the hall, they immediately became the focus of the Zhang Family members. Lin Tian cast his gaze around, noting their reactions one by one.

The older generation’s elders maintained an impartial expression and an appropriate attitude, while Zhang Heyuan smiled broadly, looking very pleased.

Among the younger generation, some were curious about Lin Tian, some were arrogant, some were watching for entertainment, and some were admiring. Admiring? Lin Tian was slightly puzzled but then realized it was possibly due to him traversing the maze array?

The curious ones were mostly female disciples, while the male disciples were skeptical and arrogant. There were also a few Lin Tian recognized—those he’d encountered at Siguoya, Zhang Zhicheng’s companions, who now bore expressions of schadenfreude and entertained curiosity.

"Is he Lin Tian, the Zhang Family’s guest? I heard he traversed the familial maze array alone, is that true or false?" a male disciple whispered in discussion.

"How could this be false? When disciples were reporting at the Observatory, they saw it with their own eyes. Moreover, it’s said he appeared at Siguoya. If he hadn’t passed through the maze, how would he have appeared there?" a female disciple confirmed with certainty.

"An outsider managing to traverse the maze, what’s his background? Could he be from the Ancient Martial World? I heard the Ancient Martial Wang Family also has considerable research on the Tai Chi Bagua Skill," another young disciple speculated with curiosity.

"Who knows? We from the Demon Exorcism World and the Ancient Martial World have always developed separately, rarely interacting. Plus, we haven’t traveled outside. Any youthful genius arising in the Ancient Martial World would be unknown to us," another disciple commented.

"But he does look really handsome, could he be Lingyu’s boyfriend?" This was from a female disciple.

"Hard to say. Lingyu has been traveling outside, knowing him wouldn’t be surprising."

"I envy her, being able to travel the world. If I could meet such a handsome, capable man, that would be wonderful."

"Stop dreaming. How long have you been studying Dao techniques? You haven’t even qualified for graduation, yet you’re thinking of going downhill for training. However, if Lin Tian isn’t Lingyu’s boyfriend, you might have a chance."

"Just because he is her boyfriend, does that mean no chance? I’m not less attractive than Lingyu, am I?" The previous female disciple said confidently.

"Haha..." The male disciple beside her couldn’t help but laugh, evidently not agreeing with the female disciple’s smugness.

Standing with a proud face, posturing behind the Great Elder, Zhang Zhicheng, upon hearing the female disciples’ such praise for Lin Tian, his face soured instantly, and his gaze towards Lin Tian turned even more resentful.

"Lin Tian, you really do attract admirers. Lingyu girl has to be careful in the future," Zhang Ruyan glanced at Lin Tian teasingly.

"It’s not my fault for being handsome; I can’t help it." Lin Tian seemed quite helpless.

"Being handsome isn’t your fault, but being both handsome and capable is your felony," Zhang Ruyan retorted.

Lin Tian spread his hands, feeling wronged: "Alright, if that’s a felony, I am guilty beyond words."

The two girls with Zhang Lingyu were stunned for a moment, thinking how someone could have such thick skin?

Even the elders didn’t expect that just Lin Tian’s appearance had triggered such extensive discussion without him having said a word yet.

"The hubbub in the hall, is it fitting? Silence!" The Great Elder’s deep voice boomed, his gaze swept across the younger generation, and the hall immediately fell silent, showcasing the Great Elder’s authority.

"Greetings to the Great Elder, Second Elder..." Zhang Lingyu first saluted the Great Elder and then saluted Zhang Heyuan.

The old man was actually the Zhang Family’s Second Elder? Lin Tian was surprised, as Zhang Heyuan’s manner was very laid-back, even coarse at times, completely lacking the image of an elder.

However, Lin Tian found such an old man quite likable, unlike the pompous Great Elder sitting above.

"I greet the Great Elder, Second Elder..." Lin Tian didn’t perform a grand ceremony like Zhang Lingyu but simply clasped his hands, which is how the Ancient Martial World typically greeted. Since he was considered an Ancient Martial Artist, he might as well act the part.

Zhang Ruyan was even more straightforward, standing motionless, neither greeting nor saluting, and the other family members seemed used to seeing this, as if completely ignoring it.

However, Zhang Zhicheng focused on Lin Tian and shouted, "Lin Tian, you are a junior. To the Great Elder, you should perform a kneeling ceremony. How can a mere fist salute be appropriate?"

At these words, the hall quieted down again, the focal point instantly zeroed in on Lin Tian and Zhang Zhicheng, who seemed to relish the attention, with a slightly smug look on his face.

Lin Tian glanced at the Great Elder, noticing he still sat solemnly, as if he hadn’t heard Zhang Zhicheng’s words, making no attempt to intervene.

The nerve! Before I even made a statement, you stirred up trouble first. Since you’re playing deaf and dumb, don’t blame me for being impolite!