# Chapter 1976: Reunion
The small courtyard was not too large, but it was arranged with extreme elegance, planted with all kinds of flowers and plants, several of which were in full bloom, filling the air with a refreshing floral fragrance.
As soon as he entered the small courtyard, Zhang Ruochen's gaze locked onto a beautiful woman who was watering flowers.
Seeing this beautiful woman, a brilliant smile immediately appeared on Zhang Ruochen's face.
He had deliberately made Lin Fei take some longevity-extending spiritual medicines back then, so after all these years, judging solely by appearance, Lin Fei had not changed much. She still looked very young, and her body was in excellent condition, free from illness or pain.
Standing beside Lin Fei was a very young woman with a slender figure, soft and beautiful features, skin like solidified fat, and a pair of colorful feathered wings on her back. She was none other than the peacock half-human Zhang Ruochen had bought at great expense from Tianyue Tower back then — Kong Xuan.
Over the years, Kong Xuan had always stayed by Lin Fei's side, responsible for taking care of Lin Fei's daily needs, truly working without complaint.
Somewhat to Zhang Ruochen's surprise, Kong Xuan had now actually become a Saint King. Although she was only a One-Step Saint King, this was already extremely rare.
This proved that Zhang Ruochen's decision to teach Kong Xuan the "Peacock Sacred Classic" back then was extremely wise. However, the "Peacock Sacred Classic" was incomplete, and he did not know what techniques she had cultivated afterward.
Kong Xuan turned her head and immediately saw Zhang Ruochen, revealing an expression of excitement.
"Mas—"
Just as Kong Xuan was about to call out, Zhang Ruochen stopped her.
Zhang Ruochen stepped lightly, slowly walking to Lin Fei's side, quietly watching Lin Fei water the flowers from the side.
At a certain moment, Lin Fei turned around and finally discovered Zhang Ruochen.
"Thump."
Lin Fei's attention was completely focused on Zhang Ruochen, and the water pot in her hand slipped, falling to the ground.
"Mother, Chen'er has returned." Zhang Ruochen's gaze was gentle, his voice soft as he called out.
Lin Fei was extremely excited, throwing her arms around Zhang Ruochen, "Chen'er, you're back. Am I not dreaming?"
Over the years, she had always missed Zhang Ruochen deeply, often dreaming that Zhang Ruochen would return. She was truly afraid that this was also a dream, and that once she woke up, Zhang Ruochen would disappear again.
Zhang Ruochen could clearly feel Lin Fei's love and longing for him, and couldn't help but tightly embrace Lin Fei, saying, "Mother, you are not dreaming. It is truly your Chen'er who has returned. Your son is unfilial, causing you to worry."
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Our family can finally be reunited again." Lin Fei was extremely emotional, tears flowing from her eyes.
Zhang Shaochu stepped forward to comfort her, saying, "Lady Lin Fei, Ninth Brother has returned. You should be happy. Why are you crying?"
Lin Fei quickly reached out to wipe away her tears, saying, "Right, happy. I'm just too happy. Come, let's all go inside and sit. Kong Xuan, go quickly and brew some tea."
"Yes." Kong Xuan responded with a smile.
Entering the house, even after sitting down, Lin Fei still held Zhang Ruochen's hand. Even if this really was a dream, she wanted to stay with Zhang Ruochen a little longer.
"Chen'er, this time you've returned, you won't leave right away, will you?" Lin Fei looked at Zhang Ruochen with hopeful eyes.
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was gentle, and he smiled slightly, saying, "Mother, rest assured. This time I will stay a little longer and spend some good time with you."
Hearing this, Lin Fei immediately felt relieved, "That's good, that's really good."
Before long, Kong Xuan carried over a bronze tray, on which were placed a teapot and three teacups.
Placing the tray on the table, Kong Xuan lifted the teapot and poured tea into the three cups, placing them before Lin Fei, Zhang Ruochen, and Zhang Shaochu respectively.
"Kong Xuan, you have worked hard all these years." Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
Kong Xuan quickly shook her head, saying, "Not hard at all. This is all this servant's duty."
Back then, Zhang Ruochen had bought her out of Tianyue Tower and also taught her the "Peacock Sacred Classic." This kindness had always been engraved in her heart, and she was willing to be a servant, repaying Zhang Ruochen.
With a flip of his hand, Zhang Ruochen took out a colorful sacred robe and handed it to Kong Xuan, saying, "This is for you. In the future, I will still need you to take good care of Mother for me."
"This is too precious. This servant cannot accept it." Kong Xuan declined.
Lin Fei reached out to take the colorful sacred robe and forcefully stuffed it into Kong Xuan's hands, saying, "Since Chen'er is giving it to you, just take it."
Seeing this, Kong Xuan could no longer continue to refuse and had to accept the colorful sacred robe, saying, "Thank you, Master, for the gift."
Zhang Ruochen smiled and nodded. He was a person who clearly distinguished between kindness and grievance. Although Kong Xuan was a maidservant, he had never regarded her as a slave. He had seen how well Kong Xuan treated Lin Fei, so naturally he had to show his appreciation.
Having been separated for too long, there was too much for Zhang Ruochen and Lin Fei to talk about.
Unbeknownst to them, the sky had already darkened.
Just as they were talking, Mu Lingxi, Zhang Yuxi, Jiu Fengzi, and Gu Songzi entered the small courtyard.
With a wave of her hand, Mu Lingxi produced a large round table in the courtyard, covered with dishes and wine, looking extremely sumptuous.
"The food and wine are all prepared. Everyone, come quickly and sit down." Mu Lingxi called out with a smile.
Soon, everyone sat down, even Kong Xuan was no exception, though this was the result of Zhang Ruochen's forceful insistence.
Zhang Ruochen had been unable to return during New Year's Eve, so now they were making up for a reunion dinner.
Over the years, Zhang Ruochen's nerves had been constantly tense. It had been a long time since he had relaxed like this. Now he was not thinking about anything, just wanting to reunite with his family and friends, eat and chat, just like ordinary people.
To be honest, he really wished he could live such a simple life. Unfortunately, he could not. Life had too many things beyond one's control. It was not something he could just let go of whenever he wanted.
Going to Phoenix Lake to meet the Mu family was inevitable.
Back then, Zhang Ruochen had led a force to attack Wuding Mountain, forcefully snatching the bride, causing the Mu family to miss the opportunity to form a marriage alliance with Wutong Qiuyu, and greatly damaging their reputation.
Therefore, most of the Mu family members had no goodwill toward Zhang Ruochen. Whenever they saw him, they had no good expressions.
Especially since the Mu family had returned to their ancestral land in recent years, their overall strength had greatly increased. They had become extremely arrogant and looked down on Zhang Ruochen even more.
Of course, the main reason was that they had been staying in Phoenix Lake, this awakened sacred land, and had hardly paid any attention to what was happening outside. They did not know what Kunlun Realm had become, nor did they know what earth-shattering things Zhang Ruochen had done in Kunlun Realm.
"Zhang Ruochen, this is the ancestral land of our Mu family. You are not welcome here. If you know what's good for you, leave immediately." Yun Zheng said coldly.
As Mu Lingxi's father, he had been the one most eager for Mu Lingxi to marry Wutong Qiuyu, to climb up the social ladder. Once Qiuyu grew into the world's spiritual root of Kunlun Realm, he would undoubtedly gain tremendous benefits.
But Zhang Ruochen had destroyed all of this, shattering his hopes and making him a laughingstock. His heart had always been filled with anger toward Zhang Ruochen.
"Don't think that just because you became the Moon God's divine envoy, you're anything special. We don't buy that."
"That's right. We welcome the saints from Guanghan Realm, but we do not welcome you."
"A traitor to Kunlun Realm, and you still have the face to return to Kunlun Realm."
"He probably thinks that without him, Kunlun Realm couldn't get through its difficulties."
"How ridiculous. Now that various worlds under the Heavenly Court have sent powerful experts into Kunlun Realm to fight against Hell Realm, what is he worth?"
......
A group of Mu family members spoke up one after another, freely belittling Zhang Ruochen, trying to drive him out of Phoenix Lake.
In fact, if it weren't for Mu Lingxi being there, they would have already made a move directly. Why would they bother saying so much to Zhang Ruochen?
In their view, even if Zhang Ruochen's strength was not weak, it couldn't be that strong. Their Mu family could completely suppress him.
Especially now that their Mu family's most senior ancestor was sitting in the main hall, they felt even more emboldened.
This Mu family ancestor had already been a Saint King realm expert before Kunlun Realm's revival.
After Kunlun Realm revived, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching the Nine-Step Saint King Rules Great Heaven realm, and he had full hope of condensing the Dao Domain.
"Zhang Ruochen, leave. Don't bring shame upon yourself." Mu Qingtian, the Mu family's Sacred Lord, said in a deep voice.
He had suffered losses at Zhang Ruochen's hands before and had the least goodwill toward Zhang Ruochen.
The Mu family now had three Saint King realm experts, and he was one of them.
The other two were naturally the Mu family ancestor Mu Xinghe and Mu Lingxi.
And as time passed, the Mu family would inevitably produce even more Saint Kings.
Seeing so many Mu family members targeting Zhang Ruochen, Mu Lingxi's face immediately darkened, becoming very ugly. If she had known this would happen, she would not have brought Zhang Ruochen to meet the Mu family.
She was no longer the little saintess of the Demon Sect who could be manipulated at will. Her affairs were not for anyone to interfere with.
"Enough. Whoever dares to speak rudely again, don't blame me for being impolite." Mu Lingxi shouted coldly.
Yun Zheng immediately slapped the armrest and stood up, scolding, "How dare you! Do you still have me as your father in your eyes?"
Mu Xinghe, with his white hair, sat in the main seat, his brows lowered, exuding a powerful majesty.
"Lingxi, don't forget that you are also a disciple of the Mu family. Threatening your own clansmen for an outsider is far too inappropriate." Mu Xinghe said in a low tone.
Mu Lingxi did not back down and was about to speak in rebuttal.
Zhang Ruochen stepped forward, reaching out to stop Mu Lingxi, and said loudly, "Lingxi is my Dao companion. What is wrong with me coming here to see her?"
"Nonsense! I absolutely will not agree to this." Yun Zheng immediately said in great anger.
Mu Xinghe stood up, releasing an extremely terrifying aura. A sharp light bloomed in his eyes as he stared directly at Zhang Ruochen, like a fierce beast eyeing its prey.
"Zhang Ruochen, do you think you can casually possess the heavenly daughter of my Mu family? Do you think you are worthy of Lingxi?"
Mu Xinghe was now extremely domineering, trying to suppress Zhang Ruochen with his momentum.
In his eyes, Zhang Ruochen was nothing more than a junior. Even if his talent was extraordinary, how far could he have grown in such a short time?
And he was already at the Nine-Step Saint King Rules Great Heaven realm, not far from condensing the Dao Domain. He was more than enough to crush Zhang Ruochen.
Facing Mu Xinghe's momentum suppression, Zhang Ruochen remained calm and composed, completely unaffected.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen released a powerful aura, like a giant volcano that had been dormant for ten thousand years suddenly erupting.
"Stagger, stagger, stagger."
Mu Xinghe involuntarily stepped back several paces, a look of shock appearing in his eyes.
Earlier, Zhang Ruochen had been very low-key, completely concealing his aura, causing him to severely underestimate Zhang Ruochen's cultivation and strength.
"Such an aura..."
In the main hall, all the Mu family members changed color.
"How could Zhang Ruochen be so strong? Impossible. When he left Kunlun Realm, his cultivation had only reached the Xuanhuang realm." Yun Zheng was shocked and bewildered in his heart.