Upon hearing this, Chen Zheng looked at the old lady with some surprise, as he had thought she would stop him.

"Rest assured, I will definitely bring back enough herbs for you!"

Having said that, Chen Zheng bid farewell and left. Watching his departing figure, a smile spread across the old lady's lips as a glint of sharpness flashed in her eyes. This young man's medical skills are truly remarkable. If he can help me recover completely, he'll be as good as half a disciple to me. And then... At this thought, a look of anticipation crossed her face.

"Madam!"

Suddenly, a charming voice sounded from outside the courtyard, and a maid dressed in a goose-yellow skirt entered. The maid looked to be around twenty years old, with delicate features and a very pretty oval face.

"What is it?" Seeing the maid, the old lady's gaze turned cold.

"Madam, the old lady sent me to bring you some nourishment. She said she prepared it personally to help you recover your strength," the maid said respectfully.

Upon hearing this, the rage on the old lady's face instantly vanished. The maid's words were undoubtedly a great comfort to her.

"You may go," the old lady said after a moment's silence, waving her hand to dismiss the maid.

After the maid had left, a sinister look flashed across the old lady's face. Hmph! That jezebel. I'd like to see how long you can act so arrogant. My son-in-law is not someone just anyone can covet! With this thought, the old lady snorted coldly and closed her eyes.

「The next day.」

Chen Zheng and Cui Yu arrived on the village's main street, looking for a place to rest.

"Son-in-law," an old man called out, walking over to them.

Seeing the old man approach, Chen Zheng's eyes brightened.

"Young man, what is your name?" the old man asked with a friendly demeanor.

Hearing this, Chen Zheng smiled and replied, "My surname is Chen, and my given name is Zheng."

"Zheng, Zheng, what a fine name! That's how my master came up with it, haha! See that ancient plaque over there? The emblem on it is so perfectly upright and symmetrical, it looks just like the symbol for your name!" the old man pointed and chuckled.

"Ah, I see!" Chen Zheng smiled in response.

Watching Chen Zheng's bright smile, the old man silently cursed him for being a fool, but he didn't dare say it out loud for fear of getting beaten. At the thought, the old man's expression shifted slightly as he asked, "By the way, young man, I hear you're planning to go to the Southern Border?"

Chen Zheng nodded slightly. "Yes."

Hearing this, the old man's brows furrowed. "Young man, the Southern Border is no place to be trifled with. If you go there so rashly, you could get into serious trouble!" As he spoke, a flicker of something unreadable appeared in his eyes. "I'd advise you not to go. You could lose your life."

"Hehe," Chen Zheng chuckled lightly. "Elder, are you afraid I'll bring a fatal disaster upon you?"

A look of panic flashed in the old man's eyes. "I'm worried about you!" He quickly changed the subject. "Ah! You're one lucky young man. I just heard that you're headed to the Southern Border and have already come across a thousand-year-old Lingzhi and a ten-thousand-year-old milk of Lingzhi. Tsk, tsk! I'm so envious! I have to hurry home and brag about this to that old man of mine!"

After saying his piece, the old man scurried away.

Watching the old man's retreating figure, Chen Zheng's lips curled into a smirk. That old coot. He knows full well I'm deceiving him, yet he still dares to play along. He must have a death wish.

However, I should take this opportunity to slip away and see what that place is really like.

With his mind made up, Chen Zheng didn't linger and headed directly toward the south of the city.

「At this moment, in the Southern Border, southern commandery, south of the city.」

Chen Zheng traveled south, observing the scenery. Although the Southern Border wasn't a holy land for cultivators, the landscape was still quite beautiful. After walking for roughly six hours, a large mountain range appeared ahead. He looked up and saw several towering peaks piercing the clouds, all of them covered with countless colossal trees.

Chen Zheng set foot on one of the peaks. It was about seven or eight hundred meters tall, shooting straight into the sky like a coiled black dragon, an awe-inspiring sight. He climbed to the top and scanned the area. Finding no one else around, he released his senses to probe his surroundings.

"Eh!"

Suddenly, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Eh!"

Just then, another surprised exclamation sounded nearby. Chen Zheng turned to see a man and a woman sitting on the mountaintop. The man appeared to be about thirty years old, dressed in luxurious brocade with an extraordinary and distinguished bearing. The woman looked to be in her twenties, clad in a snow-white dress. Her features were clear and beautiful, and her graceful figure gave off an impression of being carved from icy skin and jade bones.

Chen Zheng's gaze fell on the woman. He noticed strong power fluctuations emanating from her, indicating she had reached the peak of the Void Cultivation Realm. Moreover, judging from her aura, Chen Zheng determined she had to be at least three hundred years old; she had simply hidden her age extremely well.

"Chen Zheng!"

At that moment, the woman slowly opened her eyes. She looked at Chen Zheng with a touch of curiosity.

Seeing her, Chen Zheng paused for a moment before cracking a smile. "You know me?"

"Yes, I've heard of you. You're the chairman of the Chen Corporation, quite famous in the Southern Border," the woman nodded slightly.

Hearing her words, Chen Zheng was momentarily stunned, then laughed. "Have we met before?"

The woman shook her head. "I don't think so."

Chen Zheng smiled and didn't press the matter, turning his attention to the man instead. "What's your name? Where are you from? If you need anything, just ask."

The man's mouth twitched. He was a Prince of the Southern Border and had his own faction. In this world, money could buy you success anywhere. However, in the Southern Border, the title of "Prince" was worthless. The Southern Border Royal Family didn't particularly value him.

"Who are you?" the woman suddenly demanded, standing up and fixing her gaze intently on Chen Zheng.

"My name is Chen Zheng," he replied with a light smile.

"You... you're the one who killed my brother!" the woman's eyes flashed with a cold light, brimming with lethal intent.

"What was your brother's name?" Chen Zheng asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"My brother was Wang Lin! He was very talented and a powerful figure in the Southern Border, yet you killed him! You must die today!" the woman exclaimed coldly.

"Chen Zheng! I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before," the man muttered, suddenly looking up and studying Chen Zheng with surprise.

"You're a powerful figure in the Southern Border yourself, so why are you acting so cowardly in front of me?" Chen Zheng shot back with a smile.

Hearing this, the man's face instantly darkened. He was a Prince of the Southern Border, pampered and revered since birth. Being spoken to like this by Chen Zheng was a great blow to his dignity.

"Who do you think you are to question this Prince!" the man bellowed.

Chen Zheng glanced at him lightly. "And what are you supposed to be?"

"How dare you ask what I am!" the man flew into a rage, his eyes filled with ferocity.

SLAP!

Chen Zheng, having no desire to waste words on such a spoiled brat, had already slapped him across the face.

The man was stunned.

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