That evening.
Before the Star Luo Hotel, En Ci's figure arrived as scheduled.
"Luo Chuan, and young friend Tang."
"Please follow me."
With a kindly smile, he spoke unhurriedly.
As he spoke, he also gestured for everyone to follow him.
"Then we'll trouble Elder En."
Tang Ziran nodded quickly, a smile on his face.
Truth be told, even now he could hardly believe it—he had actually been invited to dinner by the Imperial Preceptor of the Star Luo Empire. It felt like a dream!
"This is my home."
"Everyone, please come in."
Soon after, under En Ci's lead, the group arrived before a villa.
Not long after, a figure appeared before them. Clad in black robes, his face exuded a kindly demeanor, giving the impression of someone easy to get along with.
"This is..."
Tang Luochuan's eyes held contemplation as he looked at the person before him. Though the other had altered his appearance, Tang recognized him by the familiar aura—it was none other than Qilin Douluo Tong Yu, whom he had met before. The reason for the changed appearance was likely because...
They were about to meet his father.
"Elder En, may I ask who this is..."
Seeing the person before him, Tang Ziran assumed this was the guest En Ci had mentioned. With a faint smile, he inquired.
"Xiao Tang, this is my disciple, Tong Yu."
En Ci introduced the other's identity with a smile, speaking unhurriedly.
"So it's Uncle Tong Yu."
Even though Tang Wulin had anticipated meeting him here, seeing a Tong Yu with a different face still left him pensive. This Uncle Tong...
Could actually change his face?
"So this is Elder En's esteemed disciple."
Hearing En Ci's words, Tang Ziran was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting the person before him to have such a status.
For a moment, his gaze toward the other couldn't help but carry a trace of admiration. As the disciple of a powerhouse like En Ci, this person's strength was undoubtedly formidable.
After all, being taken under the Imperial Preceptor's wing not only spoke of terrifying talent but also meant access to the highest-tier resources in the Star Luo Empire.
"Hello, I'm Tang Ziran."
Thinking this, he quickly extended a hand toward the person before him, smiling as he spoke.
"Hello..."
"I'm Tong Yu."
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Tong Yu stepped forward and shook Tang Ziran's hand.
"Pleased to meet you."
Tang Luochuan smiled as he spoke unhurriedly.
"Yes, plea—"
"Pleased to meet you."
Tong Yu's smile seemed slightly strained, perhaps due to nervousness, giving his expression an odd quality.
Yet this moment was also the happiest day of his life. Later, Tong Yu would record in his diary:
"Most fortunately, you are still alive."
"Thank you for giving me a chance to atone."
"Elder En, is Senior Tong Yu the guest you mentioned?"
At this point, he turned to En Ci and asked curiously.
"Of course not."
"Xiaoyu is usually by my side most of the time. The real guest hasn't arrived yet. Let's wait a little longer."
En Ci shook his head with a smile.
"Is that so?"
Tang Ziran nodded instantly as he sat down, his mind inevitably pondering over who this mysterious guest could be.
"Uncle Tong Yu, I knew you'd be here! Who exactly is the guest? They must be someone quite impressive!"
At that moment, Tang Wulin's gaze settled on Tong Yu, his face brimming with curiosity as he couldn't help but ask.
"The guest...?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Tong Yu made as if to answer but then abruptly changed his tone, smiling playfully.
"Seriously?"
Hearing this, Tang Wulin was momentarily stunned.
Well, that was as good as saying nothing!
"And you shouldn't call me uncle."
"At my age..."
"Your father could call me uncle."
Tong Yu glanced in Tang Ziran's direction, feigning calm as he shook his head with a chuckle. He hadn't paid much attention before, but now that he thought about it—this was Tang Ziran's little son!
Calling him "uncle" would mess up the generational hierarchy!
"Huh?"
"So Senior Tong Yu is actually that old?"
"Then I should be calling you Grandpa Tong..."
Tang Wulin blinked, deep in thought.
"Senior indeed lives up to the title..."
Beside him, Tang Ziran was equally surprised. Who would have thought that Tong Yu, who appeared to be middle-aged, was actually around the same age as his own father? By the same logic, his strength must be nothing to scoff at either.
For a moment, his curiosity grew even stronger.
Just who was this guest?
"L-Little Tang."
"Is this your wife?"
At this point, Tong Yu turned his gaze toward Lang Yue, his face carrying a friendly smile as he spoke softly.
"Yes, this is my wife, Lang Yue."
Tang Ziran was momentarily taken aback before a blissful smile spread across his face as he confirmed. Beside him, Lang Yue also wore a faint smile.
"You two really look like a couple..."
"What a happy family you have."
Tong Yu smiled sincerely.
For a fleeting moment, he seemed to see the figures of the boy's mother and his father, who had died on the battlefield. Back then, they too had been such a blissful pair...
"That's no exaggeration."
"It really is a happy family."
Nearby, En Ci also nodded with a smile. This was undeniably a joyful household!
"Thank you, Senior."
Tang Ziran smiled gently as he spoke.
"Don't mention it."
Tong Yu shook his head with a chuckle.
Nothing matters more than your family living well!
Just then, movement came from the direction of the door.
"Teacher."
"We're here."
A voice rang out as two figures stepped into everyone's line of sight. Leading them was a middle-aged man, poised and dignified, clearly no ordinary person.
Beside him stood a young man, around eighteen years old, equally composed in demeanor.
"This guest..."
"Really is no ordinary person!"
Watching the scene unfold, Tang Ziran's attention was instantly captured, his thoughts racing. Just their aura alone made it clear they were anything but common.
Yet, in the next moment, when En Ci spoke a single sentence, the calm in Tang Ziran's heart was utterly shattered.
"Your Majesty, Yue Yan, please have a seat."
En Ci approached the father and son, his face warm with a smile as he spoke unhurriedly.
"Y-Your Majesty!?"
Hearing this address, Tang Ziran's expression froze for a moment. Instinctively, he exchanged glances with his wife Lang Yue, both seeing the shock reflected in each other's eyes.
What did Elder En just call that person?
Your Majesty!?
The person standing before them, who they suspected was Elder En's invited guest...
Was actually the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Tianling?
"This..."
"Is this someone we can casually dine with?"
Tang Ziran and Lang Yue looked at each other again, both seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes. Their inner turmoil was beyond words. Such a thing...
Could this really be happening!