"Once I see your little sister-in-law off to the Sage Academy, I will return to inspect the work in the Underworld," Yan Aohan said. "So once matters here are settled, you should go back and have them integrate properly. I don't want to find everyone making a fool of themselves when I check."
Old Pan stuck out her tongue. It seemed the Underworld needed to stretch its muscles. If Yan Aohan returned and found them slacking, the consequences would be severe. After much thought, Old Pan considered flattering Zhu Yanyi. If she could please her, perhaps she would speak well of them to Yan Aohan, shielding her from any anger.
History proved Old Pan’s idea correct. Later, Old Pan often angered Yan Aohan, but because Zhu Yanyi pleaded for her, Yan Aohan never punished her. But that is a story for another time.
"Boss, the Underworld rules have started running slowly recently," Zhan Diting said to Yan Aohan. Flattery aside, facts were facts.
Yan Aohan nodded. "I know. The Heavenly Book has had some issues lately, causing the rules to lag. Otherwise, do you think the Blue Water Plane would be in this state? The Heavenly Dao would have already destroyed those four juvenile fierce beasts with its rules."
"Venerable, what is Xiangyao’s purpose in taking the Chaos?" Old Pan still didn’t understand.
Yan Aohan shook his head slightly. "Don’t ask me. Honestly, I don’t know Xiangyao’s purpose. But it doesn’t matter. As long as all passages are closed, the only place he can return to is the Divine Realm."
A strange look appeared on Yan Aohan’s face. "The Supreme Black Emperor guards the Divine Realm. Someone like Xiangyao will have no good outcome there."
"That is good. I was worried Xiangyao would cause more trouble," Old Pan said. As a fierce god, Xiangyao’s destructive power was beyond words.
Yan Aohan waved his hand, smoothing out a collapsed patch of ground. "How is your little sister-in-law doing?"
"She is fine. She has gone to Zhu City to settle accounts," Old Pan continued her work.
Yan Aohan raised an eyebrow. "Good. Zhu City should keep her busy for a while." she then told Old Pan, "We need to speed up here too." she resumed her tasks.
Old Pan sighed. He knew Yan Aohan was rushing to finish so he could return home sooner.
Zhu Yanyi had rested all night and felt much better.
"Yanyi, are you up?" Qin Tianxiang called from the door.
Zhu Yanyi opened the door. "I just need to change clothes."
"Take your time. We will have breakfast first, then Officer Zhao will take us to the Zhu family. Lunch will be delivered as fast food, and Officer Zhao will pick us up again tonight to return to the hotel," Qin Tianxiang explained the day’s schedule.
Zhu Yanyi nodded. "Will my father and others arrive in Sicheng Town today?" she asked casually.
Zhu Shunyao had left a day later than Zhu Yanyi, so they should pass through Yao City today.
"Yes. Sicheng Town is arranged. Patriarch Zhang will send people to greet Uncle and the others," Qin Tianxiang said seriously.
Even without Zhu Yanyi’s arrangements, Zhu Xinfu held a deputy ministerial rank. Even retired, she would be welcomed by local officials.
Zhu Yanyi nodded. She wasn’t worried about Zhu Shunyao. As agreed, they would stay in Sicheng Town for a few days before coming to Zhu City, likely in three or four days.
Zhu Yanyi needed to navigate the Zhu family carefully during those days, especially with Zhu Shenfu still present.
The five-star hotel’s buffet breakfast was excellent. Zhu Yanyi had a bowl of white porridge, an egg, a slice of pancake, and some fruit. When everyone was ready, she led them out to the dedicated bus heading to the Zhu family.
The Zhu family had already received news of Zhu Yanyi’s visit.
Zhu Jinfu looked at Zhu Yongfu. "Brother, do you think this little divine doctor knows about the affairs between our two families?"
Zhu Yongfu glanced at Zhu Jinfu. "I don’t know if she knows. Even if she does, it doesn’t matter. She is just a doctor. What is there to fear?"
Though he said this, Zhu Yongfu felt anxious. He had heard rumors that the little divine doctor cured a patient in the capital who had no eyes, no tongue, and broken legs. His first thought was that the patient was the real Zhu Shenfu, but he could find no confirmation.
Zhu Yongfu looked at Zhu Liangfu, who was impersonating Zhu Shenfu. "Shenfu, when will you visit the Zhu family in Sicheng Town?"
Zhu Shenfu looked at Zhu Yongfu and shook his head slightly. "I originally had no plans to go to Sicheng Town."
"It is your hometown. How can you not return?" Zhu Yongfu disliked Zhu Shenfu’s avoidance. If Zhu Liangfu hadn’t looked similar to the real Zhu Shenfu, he wouldn’t have let him impersonate him. The Zhu family’s stable development in Zhu City owed much to "Zhu Shenfu."
Zhu Shenfu avoided Sicheng Town because it was too unfamiliar. He knew no one there. Although Zhu Yongfu provided information, and he could claim ignorance due to his absence, he still felt guilty. He wasn’t the real Zhu Shenfu. Worse, the real Zhu Shenfu’s twin brother was there. He dared not go.
Not being the real Zhu Shenfu, he simply did not want to meet those people.
But Zhu Yongfu had ordered it. "Then I will go and see," Zhu Shenfu said reluctantly.
Zhu Yongfu smiled, satisfied. "It is your hometown after all. How could you not go?" He added, "When the little divine doctor arrives, you might speak with your granddaughter if possible."
Zhu Shenfu felt guilty about the past events he had participated in. Regret was impossible now; he was trapped in this swamp. "I will see. We haven’t met in years. There may not be much affection left."
"Blood ties cannot be changed," Zhu Yongfu said with a fake smile.
The problem was that these blood ties were fake. Zhu Shenfu had no confidence the little divine doctor would feel any goodwill toward him.