Chapter 2: Longmen Valley

Three days later, in the Zhong family residence, in a hall at the back of the courtyard, Old Master Zhong, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, looked at the eight excited adopted sons before him.

"Have all the matters been clearly explained?" Old Master Zhong asked.

"Yes, Father," they all nodded excitedly.

"Everything in the residence will proceed in an orderly manner. Father, please rest assured," Zhong Tian said.

"Hmm," Old Master Zhong nodded, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. He looked at the seven adopted sons who had reached the peak of the innate realm and finally nodded in satisfaction.

Gently, Old Master Zhong tapped the ground of the hall with his dragon-headed cane, following a certain rhythm.

"Click, click, click, click"

To the surprise of the adopted sons, a section of the floor in the hall actually split apart, revealing a path leading underground.

Seeing this, the adopted sons were all astonished. Even Zhong Tian, who had long served Old Master Zhong, showed a look of shock in his eyes. How many more secrets did Father have?

"Let's go," Old Master Zhong said, leading the way down the stairs, slowly descending.

The adopted sons exchanged glances but dared not ask any more questions.

The further down they went, the wider it became. At the bottom was a large hall, a huge underground hall.

On the wall, there was a wolf's head carving. Old Master Zhong gently turned it, and the passage above closed again.

The adopted sons looked at the hall below in amazement. It was enormous and very, very deep. At the edge of the hall, there was a passage, a huge passage, seemingly leading to an infinite distance. Outside the passage, there were lamps illuminating it, and at the edge of the passage, there was a large iron house?

The entire passage was lined with countless iron bars, two of which extended to the infinite distance.

In front of the iron house, about a dozen people stood. Seeing Old Master Zhong, they all bowed deeply, clearly arranged by him earlier.

Looking at the iron house, Old Master Zhong sighed. What was this? A train from his previous life, the most primitive steam locomotive.

In his previous life, although Zhong Shan did not know how to make many technological things, he knew the basic principle of using coal to heat water to create high pressure, which would drive the pistons and make the earliest steam locomotives move.

After fifty years, finding many skilled craftsmen, and spending nearly twenty years, he finally managed to develop a steam engine. Then, he had the craftsmen experiment on their own, and finally, the most primitive train appeared.

However, Zhong Shan did not make it public, keeping it to himself.

Therefore, he built a railway underground.

Old Master Zhong had a lot of money and did not mind the expense.

Even a cunning rabbit has three dens, let alone Old Master Zhong?

"Let's go in," Old Master Zhong led everyone into one of the carriages. The eight adopted sons were filled with curiosity. What was this for? Weren't they going to the Longmen Conference?

The door was closed, and Old Master Zhong said to the outside, "Depart."

"Yes," the dozen people outside immediately responded.

Then, sitting in the incredibly luxurious carriage, the adopted sons suddenly felt the iron house moving.

And from the front, a loud rumbling sound came.

"Rumble, rumble..."

The steam locomotive quickly traveled underground toward Old Master Zhong's destination.

The adopted sons were filled with questions, watching the lights outside the window rapidly recede, knowing that the iron house was moving quickly.

The adopted sons looked at each other in surprise and then at Old Master Zhong.

Old Master Zhong, leaning on his dragon-headed cane, sat there with his eyes closed, as if resting. Therefore, the adopted sons did not disturb him, but buried their doubts deep in their hearts.

For three days, the train traveled continuously. After three days, the eight adopted sons knew they were very far from the Zhong residence.

The initial surprise of the adopted sons at the train's rumbling sound gradually turned into acceptance.

On the third day, the train finally slowed to a stop.

Still underground, still at the edge of a hall, the group, led by Old Master Zhong, got off the train and walked up the same passage, emerging into another hall above ground.

"This is at the foot of Heng Mountain. This estate is my private property. Rest here for two days and adjust to your best state. In two days, we will go to Longmen Valley to attend the Longmen Conference," Old Master Zhong said.

"Yes," the adopted sons immediately responded.

Then, leaving the hall, they saw that it was indeed a huge estate with many servants. Seeing Old Master Zhong, they all bowed. After Old Master Zhong gave some instructions, the adopted sons were led to their respective rooms by a butler-like person.

After sending off the adopted sons, Old Master Zhong also came to a small courtyard, which was also his residence in the estate. Gently pushing open the door, the inside was spotlessly clean.

Inside, there was a large bed and some high-end cabinets. On the wall opposite the bed hung a portrait, a framed portrait.

The paper of the portrait was very old, clearly indicating that it had existed for a very long time.

Entering the bedroom, Old Master Zhong slowly walked to the portrait, looking at it carefully and attentively.

In the portrait was a woman, a woman of extreme beauty, with star-like eyes, white teeth, and lustrous black hair. She had a very attractive figure, wearing a red fur robe. She extended her delicate hand, holding a very beautiful flower, bringing it to her nose, and gently sniffing it, revealing a faint smile. This smile seemed to make the world lose its color.

Looking at this extremely beautiful woman, Old Master Zhong's eyes showed a hint of complexity.

"Baor, have you forgotten me? Why haven't you returned yet?" Old Master Zhong's face showed a trace of sigh and heartache.

In front of the portrait, Old Master Zhong stood quietly for an hour before sitting on the bed with a sigh, shaking his head.

Gently placing his dragon-headed cane at the head of the bed, he calmed his mind and closed his eyes, sitting in a meditative posture. The Longmen Conference was coming up, and he needed to be in the best state to face it.

Two days later, outside the estate, Old Master Zhong led the way, followed by the eight adopted sons.

Their destination was a large mountain to the north of the estate. The mountain path was rugged, with no road at all. If it weren't for their martial arts skills, they wouldn't even be able to enter the mountain. The mountain was full of poisonous plants and insects. If it weren't for Old Master Zhong's decades of experience, they might have fallen victim to them.

Seeing the environment, the eight adopted sons felt a sense of tension.

Old Master Zhong's cane was carried by the youngest adopted son, Zhong Shijiu. Except for the eldest adopted son, Zhong Tian, the others were all at the peak of the innate realm. The rugged mountain path was challenging, but they could keep up quickly. Only Zhong Tian was a bit slower, but Old Master Zhong slowed down and patiently waited for him.

At night, they found a place to rest. Everyone needed to adjust to their best state, while Zhong Tian took on the role of guarding, watching for wild beasts and poisonous insects.

Zhong Tian was a simple and honest person. Although he was the eldest adopted son, his cultivation speed was not very fast, only at the eighth level of the innate realm. He didn't have much hope, just wanting to see the legendary Longmen Conference.

Old Master Zhong definitely wouldn't let him guard at night. The other seven adopted sons, Zhong Tian always felt, were very opportunistic. They respected him as the eldest only when they were young, but mostly, they seemed to be putting on a show for their father. However, Zhong Tian, being simple and honest, didn't pay much attention. After all, their cultivation levels were much higher than his.

The mountain path was arduous. Although they didn't encounter any wild beasts, they did encounter poisonous insects, plants, and miasma. However, Old Master Zhong always had the appropriate remedies, and they managed to avoid danger each time.

Seeing the items their father brought, the adopted sons could easily guess that he had walked this path many times and was very familiar with it.

Five days later, they finally crossed many mountains and arrived at the entrance of a valley.

Outside the valley, there were already some other people coming from different directions. Most were unfamiliar, but a group of six people caught their attention immediately.

The Dakuang Kingdom's Zhao family, one of the four major families?

"That's the head of the Zhao family?" The adopted sons were clearly taken aback.

The leader was a man in a white robe, looking only about forty or fifty years old. However, the adopted sons knew he was the head of the Zhao family, and his age was probably similar to Old Master Zhong. His youthful appearance was due to his cultivation reaching the innate realm.

"Zhong Shan?" The head of the Zhao family immediately recognized Old Master Zhong with his dragon-headed cane, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes.

"Indeed, life is full of unexpected encounters. Head of the Zhao family, how have you been?" Old Master Zhong smiled faintly.

The head of the Zhao family, followed by five Zhao family members, looked at the eight adopted sons of Zhong Shan. A hint of disdain flashed in their eyes, but when they saw Old Master Zhong, a look of respect appeared in their eyes. After all, Old Master Zhong's legend was well-known in the Dakuang Kingdom, even among their thousand-year-old family, who could only marvel at it.

Old Master Zhong was a legendary figure. Although he lacked a deep background, his actions earned the admiration of all. These adopted sons, at most, benefited from his blessings.

"Haha, I didn't expect you to know this place. You are not simple," the head of the Zhao family said, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Zhong Shan.

"Just bringing a few juniors to see. Head of the Zhao family, which immortal sect are you planning to enter this time?" Old Master Zhong asked.

"Enter an immortal sect? Haha, we are the same age, and I am already eighty. Even if there are family members above, they wouldn't let me in. This time, I'm just bringing some talented juniors to try their luck," the head of the Zhao family shook his head and laughed.

"In that case, I wish you good luck, Head of the Zhao family," Zhong Shan said.

"Thank you. I also wish your family luck in entering an immortal sect," the head of the Zhao family narrowed his eyes and glanced at the eight adopted sons.

"Thank you," Old Master Zhong nodded.

"Goodbye," the head of the Zhao family said.

"See you at the Longmen Conference," Zhong Shan nodded.

Then, the head of the Zhao family naturally left first. Standing outside the valley, watching the Zhao family members enter, Zhong Shan's expression turned serious, and he narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment.

"Let's go in," Old Master Zhong said, leaning on his dragon-headed cane.

"Yes," the adopted sons immediately nodded.

Then, following Old Master Zhong, they slowly joined the various forces entering the valley.