PCJ – Chapter 683 Brothers Reunite

Zhang Jiaohua and the father-son pair of Kong Jiyuan and Kong Fangzhou stood at the base of the highest peak of Yingpan Mountain.

“Sect Master, if we’re going to build the mountain gate here, transporting the necessary materials won’t be an easy task,” Kong Jiyuan said worriedly.

“With how advanced modern technology is, why would we rely on manpower? We can just use helicopters to transport them. At most, it’ll just cost more,” Zhang Jiaohua replied.

“Sect Master, I don’t think it’s a big problem,” Kong Fangzhou chimed in. “Teacher Mei’s experiment gave me a lot of inspiration. We shouldn’t be confined to traditional cultivation methods, nor should we be limited by modern technology. We can combine cultivation techniques with modern tech. Our Refining Hall can first develop some tools needed for construction. We clear out this valley, then manufacture building modules outside, and transport them here for assembly. That should significantly reduce construction difficulty.”

“Hmm, that’s a good idea. I’ll leave it to you to handle,” Zhang Jiaohua nodded approvingly.

“Should we build a road to get here?” Kong Jiyuan asked.

“No need. The whole point is to avoid disturbance from the outside. Besides, this short distance is nothing for cultivators like us,” Zhang Jiaohua shook his head.

After finishing arrangements here, Zhang Jiaohua hurried back to the Xiyun Secret Realm, where Mei Qing’s experiment had already been completed. The previous unexpected incidents were now fully under control. Some of the successfully optimized candidates had already reached the stage of Refining Essence into Qi in a short time, indicating that the optimization serum had far exceeded expectations. While they knew it would have some effect, they hadn’t expected it to be this effective.

“Have there been any tests on cultivators with this optimization serum?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

Mei Qing asked in confusion, “Is that necessary? We still don’t know if this serum will have long-term effects on a cultivator’s development. Rushing into human trials could do more harm than good.”

Zhang Jiaohua thought for a moment and realized he was being too impatient. “You’re right. Let’s observe this batch of candidates first and see how they progress.”

“For the next step, I want to pursue the research we discussed last time. What do you think?” Mei Qing asked.

She was referring to the idea that the optimization serum might have an effect on certain viruses, potentially making it useful for disease prevention and treatment.

“You decide for yourself. I won’t interfere. But you must not neglect your own cultivation,” Zhang Jiaohua replied.

“Got it,” Mei Qing said with a sweet smile. What she loved most was continuing her research.

“This time I came to take a batch of optimization serum,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“I knew you would. It’s already prepared. By the way, can I give some to my family?” Mei Qing asked.

“Prepare as much as you need—but you mustn’t let any information about it leak out. That’s very important,” Zhang Jiaohua reminded her.

Mei Qing nodded. “I’ll bring my family here so the secret doesn’t get out.”

After collecting the serum, Zhang Jiaohua rushed back to Meizi’ao.

For various reasons, Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye had seldom left Meizi’ao Village lately.

Meizi’ao was now bustling with people. Tourists came in droves, and many outsiders were seeking opportunities there. The city of Zijiang was even considering upgrading the village to Meizi’ao Town. If that happened, it would be one of the most prominent towns in the country.

The Biyu Xianyin Group alone had boosted Meizi’ao’s GDP to an astonishing figure. Now there were sightseeing tea gardens as well, contributing considerable revenue. Hotels lined the village, hosting over a million tourists annually—with tens of thousands per day during peak seasons like Golden Week.

Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye lived in Meizitang, a highly exclusive area requiring a pass to enter. Village-organized security teams patrolled the area constantly. In fact, dozens of cultivators discreetly monitored all activity here, invisible to ordinary people.

Qi Xia was one of them. He had graduated early from university and, along with Nie Tong, had reached the Refining Essence into Qi stage. When the cultivators were selected from Xiyun Secret Realm to transfer to Meishan Secret Realm, both of them had volunteered. Out of the few hundred who came, only about a hundred had reached this stage. This was Zhang Jiaohua’s hometown, making it a top priority for the Meishan Sect.

Zhang Jiaohua had informed Qi Xia and Nie Tong before his arrival, so they were already waiting at the gate when he got there.

“Zhang Jiaohua!”

As soon as he stepped out of the car, Qi Xia and Nie Tong greeted him excitedly.

“You two rascals! Long time no see!” Zhang Jiaohua grinned—after all, it had been a long time since they last met.

“You’re the one who’s always disappearing like a dragon!” Qi Xia grumbled.

“Have Yuanbao and Dumbie arrived home yet?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“They’ll be a bit later. You come home first. Your parents are waiting—they’ve been anxiously looking forward to your return. Auntie’s been out a few times to check already. She didn’t say anything, but it’s obvious she misses you,” Nie Tong said warmly. He was much more outgoing than when Zhang Jiaohua first met him.

“You two university grads don’t mind being security guards at Meizitang?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“Not at all! It’s great here. Everyone from Ruyi Village was relocated, and I got a place in Meizitang with my grandfather. I get to live with him every day,” Nie Tong said, smiling.

“My family moved here too. Most people can’t even get in. Regular folks are assigned housing in the outer areas. Only people like us are allowed into Meizitang. Others envy us!” Qi Xia added. He was content with life—even if he was technically just a guard, he was still a cultivator. Work didn’t matter much to him. What mattered was that he had five days each week to cultivate in Meishan Secret Realm.

“I brought some good stuff back this time. Let’s go home—I’ll tell you all about it there,” Zhang Jiaohua said as they walked toward his house.

In the yard, Liu Qiaoye was watering the flowers with a stainless steel kettle. When she saw him, her hand loosened and the kettle clanged to the ground.

“You rascal, you still remember this is your home? I thought you’d forgotten all about it!” she cried.

Zhang Jiaohua quickly stepped forward and grinned. “Mom, I’m back, aren’t I?”

“What made you come back today? Not too busy being County Head Zhang?” Her tone was mocking, but her eyes shone with pride.

“Your son is super efficient. What others take years to do, I finish in months. Now the work in Daihua County is running smoothly—I just need to manage the big picture. The rest is handled by others,” Zhang Jiaohua replied with a smile.

“Qi Xia, Nie Tong, come in and sit for a while,” Liu Qiaoye waved at them.

“We’ll wait for Yuanbao and Dumbie at the gate—they’re coming today too,” Qi Xia said.

“Great! Come over with them later. You’re all having lunch here today. I’ll go prepare a few good dishes,” Liu Qiaoye said.

“Of course—we’d come even if you didn’t invite us!” Nie Tong laughed.

Zhang Youping came down from upstairs, took off his glasses, and said jokingly, “County Head Zhang is home—what an honor.”

“Look at your dad, pretending to be all serious with those glasses. They’re not even prescription! I’m just worried he’ll trip on the stairs wearing those useless things,” Liu Qiaoye exposed him mercilessly.

“My presbyopia’s getting worse, alright?” Zhang Youping said, slightly embarrassed.

“Where are Grandpa and Grandma?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“They don’t want to live with us. Say they’re enjoying their ‘two-person world.’ They’ve renovated the old house and moved back. Outside it still looks the same, but the inside is just as nice as ours,” Liu Qiaoye said.

“I’ll go bring them over,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“Hurry back, or they’ll have lunch ready themselves,” Zhang Youping added.

When Zhang Jiaohua reached the old house, he saw that the surroundings and exterior still looked exactly the same. He recalled that time when a pack of wolves surrounded the village—he and his grandparents had defended the house while a big wolf tried to chew through the door.

The old double doors were still there, with a big head doodle he had drawn with a brush as a kid.

“Jiaohua! When did you come back?” Zhang Manyin was still healthy and robust.

Ma Donghua also rushed out. “Oh my, Jiaohua, you’re back? Come in, come in—Grandma will make you something to eat. You must be hungry!”

“Don’t bother with food! Are you senile? Qiaoye and Youping are surely already preparing lunch. Just bring out a few of those peaches Fat Monkey brought—he loves those,” said Zhang Manyin.

“Fat Monkey?” Zhang Jiaohua was confused—he’d left Fat Monkey in the cultivation diagram.

“There’s an old monkey that often brings us fruit. It’s a bit chubby, so we call it Fat Monkey,” Zhang Manyin laughed.

Just then, a chubby monkey walked in holding two bunches of grapes. Seeing Zhang Jiaohua, it hesitated. He didn’t recognize it, but it remembered him. It was the old leader of the macaques, now retired. It still often brought the best fruits to Zhang Jiaohua’s family.

Zhang Jiaohua summoned the Fat Monkey from the cultivation diagram. The monkey leapt into the arms of the old leader. The elder monkey teared up—deeply moved. The Fat Monkey was his most outstanding descendant.

Now grown in intelligence, the Fat Monkey had also grown attached to its clan.

“Fat Monkey, take a few days off and go home,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

Fat Monkey rubbed against Zhang Jiaohua happily and left with the old leader.

“This little guy’s getting smarter,” Zhang Manyin said, eyes damp with emotion.

“Grandpa, Grandma, let’s head back. Otherwise, Mom’s going to call and nag,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“Alright, let’s go,” said Zhang Manyin.

Ma Donghua changed clothes and suddenly looked vibrant. Over the years, their life had been quite comfortable, and even though they were old, they looked much younger than their age.

“Old bones still fussing over looks. Shameless,” Zhang Manyin teased.

“I like it. What can you do about it, old man?” Ma Donghua grinned and took Zhang Jiaohua’s arm. “Jiaohua, how does this outfit look on Grandma?”

“Very pretty! You look ten years younger in that dress,” Zhang Jiaohua replied.

“See? My grandson has good taste. Unlike some old man with failing eyes,” she quipped.

By the time they got home, Zhang Yuanbao and Dumbie had already arrived.

Zhang Yuanbao ran over and slung an arm over Zhang Jiaohua’s shoulders. “Jiaohua, you rascal! I haven’t even graduated college and you already got your PhD. How do you expect me, your older brother, to live with that?”

“So, where do you plan to go? With me to Daihua County, back to Meizi’ao, or to Beijing?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“I haven’t decided yet. I heard there are plans to build the mountain gate in Daihua, so I might go take a look first,” Zhang Yuanbao said.

“And you, Dumbie?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“I’ll stay in Beijing. Someone needs to remain at Xiyun Secret Realm,” Dumbie replied.

Zhang Jiaohua nodded. “That works too. Wherever you go, think it through. Don’t worry about other factors. The most important thing is improving your strength. If we’re strong, nothing else matters.”