Chapter 459: The Land Beyond the World, Cave Heaven Blessed Land!
Jiangling’s geographical location is exceptionally unique. As a transportation hub, its economy was naturally developed, and prices were naturally high as well. However, compared to the Capital, there was still a significant gap.
Elder Xiao was from the Capital and held an extremely high status there. At this moment, he and Fei Zhenghai were sitting in a car, observing the bustling scenery outside. This was the second time Fei Zhenghai had accompanied his old leader on a tour of Jiangling, so he appeared quite relaxed.
Still, Fei Zhenghai’s gaze occasionally drifted to Han Xiaochuan in the front passenger seat. He knew the man was the old leader’s bodyguard. Though he looked honest and unassuming, he radiated a palpable sense of danger. As for Fei Zhenghai’s own bodyguards, they were driving in a separate car behind them.
Fei Zhenghai’s granddaughter, Fei Xiaoyu, who was driving, asked, "Grandpa, where are we going today? How about we go to the suburbs? Elder Xiao has been in Jiangling for several days but hasn’t had a chance to visit the countryside. I know a nice farmhouse resort with beautiful scenery," she suggested, her eyes suddenly lighting up.
"Xiaoyu!" Fei Zhenghai chided her softly. "Today, Elder Xiao and I are going to Coiling Dragon Bay. Just drive."
"Coiling Dragon Bay?" Fei Xiaoyu exclaimed before adding excitedly, "Coiling Dragon Bay has quite the reputation in Jiangling now. It’s hailed as the Immortal Realm on Earth."
Because of her strict upbringing, Fei Xiaoyu had heard of Coiling Dragon Bay many times but had never seen it with her own eyes.
"Haha, that’s right." Fei Zhenghai laughed heartily before sighing. "Even though I’ve been retired for so long, I haven’t really gotten out to enjoy myself. Staying home all day, I feel like I’m getting sick from boredom."
Fei Xiaoyu pursed her lips into a smile. "Grandpa, that reminds me of a joke. A man was so bored from being cooped up all day that a mushroom grew on his head. He picked it off and ate it, but he ended up getting poisoned and was rushed to the hospital. Do you know what the doctor said?"
"What did he say?" The two old men looked at Fei Xiaoyu curiously, genuinely having no idea what the doctor might have said.
Fei Xiaoyu struggled to contain her laughter and said with a straight face, "The doctor told him, ’Well, I guess you don’t have mushroom for friends!’"
After a moment of silence, they all burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Zhenghai, your granddaughter takes after you," Elder Xiao said, still chuckling. "Back in your youth, you used to tell one lame joke after another."
Fei Zhenghai’s face darkened, and he was left speechless with embarrassment.
Fei Xiaoyu glanced at Han Xiaochuan and pouted. "If you want to laugh, just laugh. No one will make fun of you."
Han Xiaochuan remained stone-faced, not uttering a single word.
Once the laughter subsided, Elder Xiao said, "Zhenghai, now that you’ve retired, you should be enjoying your golden years. Let your subordinates worry about everything else."
"Yes, I understand," Fei Zhenghai replied, though his brows remained furrowed.
Elder Xiao added lightly, "Do not concern yourself with the affairs of an office you no longer hold. What are you meddling for?"
"I wish I could," Fei Zhenghai said with a wry smile. "To be honest, Elder Xiao, sometimes I truly envy you. Your mansion in the Capital at least has a back garden where you can tend to your flowers, plant some grass, and feed the fish. The apartment my former unit assigned me is on the fourteenth floor, and I’m not even allowed to place a few flower pots on the balcony."
Elder Xiao smiled but did not reply.
Soon, the group arrived at the foot of Coiling Dragon Bay and was immediately stunned by the sight before them. By nature, Fei Zhenghai was an incredibly sharp man, possessing the iron-willed decisiveness of a soldier. But as he gazed upon the mist-shrouded peaks and the converging morning clouds, even his expression held a hint of surprise. Elder Xiao, too, let out a quiet gasp of awe.
Fei Xiaoyu, standing beside them, was wide-eyed, silently marveling at the beauty. Although Han Xiaochuan maintained his frosty facade, he was inwardly stunned.
"Grandpa, should we just drive straight in?" Fei Xiaoyu asked, noticing the lack of security guards.
"No," Fei Zhenghai said. "Let’s walk." He knew his old leader was here to meet a very important guest, and walking in was a sign of respect.
"You can drive in."
Just then, a calm voice emerged from the mist, reaching their ears with perfect clarity. As the voice faded, the fog blocking their path parted suddenly, revealing a clear road. Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"Grandpa, that tree by the gate must be hundreds of years old, right?" Fei Xiaoyu pointed to a colossal, ancient tree as she drove.
Fei Zhenghai was also baffled. He knew that this place, Coiling Dragon Bay, used to be called Haiyuan Tiancheng. He had visited once before, so how could it have changed so dramatically? The current Coiling Dragon Bay felt nestled against mountains and water, with lush green grass everywhere. Even the air was so pure it felt completely free of impurities.
It was refreshing and natural.
"This place is magnificent," Fei Zhenghai declared, his voice filled with admiration. "Look at those flowers and plants! Their species, their vibrancy—every one is a priceless treasure! This alone makes me even more eager to meet the honored guest Elder Xiao has brought us to see!"
Fei Zhenghai instantly fell in love with the place, his heart filled with anticipation. Anyone who could live here was obviously of no simple background.
Fei Xiaoyu listened from the side, clicking her tongue in silent amazement. Everyone knew her grandfather didn’t just hold an extremely high status in Jiangling; he was also famously ill-tempered. His standards were sky-high, and he rarely offered such praise to anyone.
So it’s true, the friends of Elder Xiao, my grandfather’s old leader, are no ordinary people!
As they drove further up the mountain, Fei Zhenghai and the others grew increasingly shocked. It was truly like a legendary Immortal Realm. Every breath of air carried an enchanting aroma, and every patch of earth exuded a rejuvenating fragrance. The buildings half-hidden in the swirling mist had the aura of celestial manors, filled with a sense of profound mystery.
An earthly paradise, a true Cave Heaven and Blessed Land!
However, once they reached midway up the mountain, the dense mist obscured the road ahead, making it impossible to see.
Elder Xiao smiled slightly and said, "Let’s get out of the car."
The group alighted and began to walk.
Fei Xiaoyu pouted and grumbled, "Why all the fuss?"
Despite her words, she had been eager to get out of the car and explore. Just as she reached out to pluck a small flower, Han Xiaochuan’s voice cut in sharply, "If you don’t want to die, don’t touch it."
"Hmph, what’s wrong with me plucking one?" Fei Xiaoyu defiantly ignored him, her hand closing around the flower’s stem.
"Miss, watch out!"
At that moment, a figure shot forward and shoved Fei Xiaoyu aside.
With a muffled grunt, the figure staggered back several steps, his face slightly pale.
Fei Zhenghai’s expression changed. "Feihu, are you alright?"
"I’m fine," the tall man named Feihu replied, rubbing his chest. There, on his shirt, was a palm-sized slash. If not for the bulletproof vest he wore underneath, he would have been seriously injured.
And the attacker had been nothing more than a small flower.
Fei Xiaoyu sat on the ground, staring dumbly at the flower, her eyes wide with lingering fear.
"I told you not to touch things recklessly," Han Xiaochuan said, shaking his head.
He, too, was inwardly astounded. Even he had only been able to discern that beneath the incredible beauty of this place lay countless hidden killing arrays. He had never imagined that a single small flower could repel an elite soldier. Lin Wudi, you are always full of surprises!