Chapter 1111: Arrival at the Ai Family
5:40 PM, Star Sea Western City of Louqing.
Gu Yu, Mo Chengfeng, and Zhao Yi stepped off the plane with the Relic Pearl, glancing at the setting sun. "Shall we find a hotel to rest first, or go directly to the hidden family?" Gu Yu asked, looking back.
Zhao Yi turned to Mo Chengfeng, "Based on the information Gu Yu retrieved earlier, Louqing City is relatively close to the Mo Family. Do you think we should head to the Mo Family or rent a car to go to the Ai Family?"
In this area, they weren’t as familiar as Mo Chengfeng. Moreover, in the current situation, either hidden family was a viable option, yet the Mo Family had countless ties to Mo Chengfeng, so naturally, his opinion was crucial.
Mo Chengfeng glanced at the Relic Pearl in Gu Yu’s hand, then remained silent for a moment. "Let’s go to the Ai Family first. I haven’t decided how to face those folks yet. Actually, the Ai Family and Mo Family have some ties. If we settle things here, it might help me when I return to the Mo Family."
The truth was simple. When Mo Chengfeng left the family’s lands with his sister long ago, he secretly vowed to return in a strong manner. Not only would he have the family recognize their identities, but he would also reclaim everything that belonged to him.
Returning at this moment would undoubtedly hit a wall. Despite having Liu Zixuan and Zhao Yi with him, he didn’t want his own brothers to face cold stares upon entry.
However, if they could settle things with the Ai Family, they could use the Ai Family’s name to lower some unnecessary troubles when approaching the Mo Family. As for everything else, he believed it would be easier to handle then.
Since Mo Chengfeng spoke this way, Gu Yu and Zhao Yi didn’t say anything further. They found a rental company, rented a car, and dashed straight towards the hidden Ai Family.
Approximately half an hour later, they reached the boundary between Louqing City and another district. This area was already infinitely close to the Star Sea border, and owing to its position in the Star Sea West, the weather was much colder than in Ghost Wood City.
After stepping out of the car, a cold wind swept by, causing everyone to shiver and pull their clothes tighter.
In the Martial Realm, sects are the ultimate representatives of martial arts, symbolizing the most noble existence in martial arts, akin to an imperial family among commoners.
The hidden families differ somewhat from hidden sects; hidden families are a bit more grounded, located closer to urban areas.
Currently, the Ai Family is somewhat similar to the Jiang Family. Once past a bustling area, they occupy a large territory where they built their own estate.
Regarding hidden families, there’s another saying in the Star Sea—that most of these families are ancient super families hidden from the world. These so-called super families either refer to financial magnates of some dynasty or the royal family of another era.
Due to dynastic changes or some unknown secrets, they led their entire family to find a desolate area to establish a settlement, only creating a branch family for external interactions when necessary.
The surname "Ai" appeared from ancient times, but the surname itself has various ancestors.
Some continuously inherited the surname, while others changed from another surname.
The Ai Family before Gu Yu and his companions derived their "Ai" surname from the Wen Dynasty emperor’s Ailuo clan, giving the Ai Family a royal bloodline background.
Naturally, every member of the Ai Family carries their unique pride.
After traversing a winding path, the three arrived at the Ai Family estate’s gates.
Before they could knock, a guard-like man approached, asking coldly, "Who are you all?"
"We are from Lingxiu Village and are here to visit Patriarch Ai," Gu Yu stepped forward and smiled.
"There’s no entry for visitors on the family schedule today. You probably didn’t make an appointment, right?" The guard maintained his indifferent attitude, clearly not regarding them.
Gu Yu raised an eyebrow. For ordinary people, making an appointment would be fine. However, Lingxiu Village was now a well-known entity in the Martial Realm, yet they still needed an appointment?
With a hint of doubt, Mo Chengfeng laughed and said, "Indeed, we didn’t make an appointment, but could you pass a message that Mo Family’s Cheng Feng is here to visit Ai Zexin uncle?"
"You..." The guard assessed Mo Chengfeng, hesitated for a moment, "Wait here!"
With that, he didn’t invite them in but turned and walked inside.
Gu Yu, Zhao Yi, and Mo Chengfeng exchanged glances. "These hidden families sure have an air of arrogance!"
"Just some dated families, clinging to the hidden name, in truth, they’re nothing special!" Mo Chengfeng seemed quite displeased with these families.
Zhao Yi asked, "Do you know their patriarch?"
"The Ai Zexin I mentioned is the third brother of the Ai Family’s patriarch. In terms of relations, I should call him uncle-in-law since he married an aunt from a Mo Family branch," Mo Chengfeng explained.
"I see." Zhao Yi nodded slightly, "Having someone familiar will make things easier."
"Don’t get too happy yet. My uncle-in-law doesn’t hold a high position in the Ai Family."
While they were talking, a middle-aged man ran towards them. The previous guard was nowhere to be seen.
The middle-aged man approached and looked at Mo Chengfeng closely. "Child, you finally returned."
"Uncle-in-law," Mo Chengfeng called out with a smile.
"Where have you taken Lulu these years? There wasn’t a single message from you." The middle-aged man asked while pulling Mo Chengfeng along.
Mo Chengfeng’s eyes briefly darkened before it disappeared, "If we hadn’t disappeared voluntarily, the Mo Family might have made us and Lulu truly vanish from this world."
The middle-aged man paused, bitterly smiled, and shook his head before changing the subject, "By the way, where’s Lulu?"
"She’s in Lingxiu Village and doing well."
"That’s good." The middle-aged man turned to Gu Yu and Zhao Yi, awkwardly grinning, "Sorry, I got excited seeing Cheng Feng and forgot to greet you two."
"You’re too kind."
They could tell that Ai Zexin seemed quite fond of Mo Chengfeng.
"Please, come inside." At the entrance, the middle-aged man called out to a girl nearby, "Chun Ping, prepare a pot of good tea."
"Okay, Third Uncle," Chun Ping responded and walked away.
As the three sat inside, Mo Chengfeng asked, "Uncle-in-law, where’s my aunt?"
Ai Zexin’s eyes flashed with a slight unease as he pretended not to hear, "I heard the guard say you came from Lingxiu Village, so I suppose you have a good relationship with Liu Zixuan?"
Mo Chengfeng frowned as Ai Zexin dodged his question, sensing something amiss, but as he was about to inquire further, Gu Yu tugged his sleeve, signaling him not to pursue.