Ian Song didn’t refuse; instead, he simply said, “Thank you.”
After removing the handcuffs, Charles Zhao pointed to Victor Wang and Sean Xiao and introduced, "Ian, this is Director Wang of the Airport Sub-Bureau, and this is Commander Xiao of the Airport Armed Police Detachment."
"Hello, Director Wang. Hello, Commander Xiao."
Ian smiled and greeted the two men. Both quickly replied that they didn’t dare accept such respect, and firmly memorized Ian’s face, deciding to warn their own juniors at home never to offend a young man named Ian Song.
Although they didn’t know Ian’s true identity, judging by how familiar Charles Zhao was with him, it was clear that Ian Song’s background was anything but simple.
After some polite conversation, Charles Zhao’s gaze fell on Brandon Zhang, and he said coldly, "Director Wang, how do you plan to deal with this kid?"
Victor Wang knew Brandon Zhang—he was Zhang Xianbing’s nephew. Victor didn’t think much of Zhang Xianbing, and now that he had the chance, he wasn’t going to let it pass. He ordered in a cold voice, "Someone, detain these three first, then interrogate them."
"Alright then, Director Wang, Commander Xiao, we’ll take our leave. My elder brother is still waiting to see Ian!" Charles Zhao said with a smile.
What sounded like an ordinary comment made both men jump in shock. Wasn’t Charles Zhao’s elder brother the Zhao Family patriarch, Edward Zhao? Even Edward Zhao was waiting to see Ian Song! Realizing this, their gazes toward Ian grew much more serious.
When they left the police station, a member of the Zhao Family was already waiting outside in a black luxury car.
The car sped along and finally drove into a grand, antique-style estate, stopping in front of a large hall.
At that moment, a crowd was standing outside the hall.
Five people stood at the front—four men and one woman. The eldest looked over sixty, while the youngest was at least in their thirties.
The second row had even more people, at least twenty. The oldest were in their thirties, while the youngest were only about fifteen or sixteen.
"Ian, I didn’t expect you’d have such face—aside from my elder brother, every core member of the Zhao Family came out to greet you!" Charles Zhao said, looking jealous.
Ian got out of the car, walked forward, and stopped.
Immediately, Ian felt dozens of eyes land on him. Even as an Innate Master, being stared at by so many people made him a bit uncomfortable.
"Haha, Ian, let me introduce you!" Charles Zhao laughed, then pointed to the five people in the front row, introducing them one by one: "This is my second brother, Andrew Zhao. Call him Second Uncle!"
"Hello, Second Uncle." Ian quickly greeted him with a bow.
"This is my third brother, Felix Zhao. Call him Third Uncle."
"Hello, Third Uncle!"
"This is my fifth brother, Aaron Zhao... and this is my seventh sister, Rebecca Zhao!"
All five Zhao siblings smiled at Ian, their eyes full of appreciation. But among the juniors behind them, quite a few showed looks of dissatisfaction, contempt, or jealousy.
"Alright, I won’t introduce everyone else for now. After you meet the patriarch, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other!"
Ian nodded and followed the Zhao Family into the hall.
The hall was built in a simple yet imposing style, with eight golden dragon pillars on each side. At the far end sat an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in white robes, his face glowing with health—he looked almost like an immortal.
There was no need to ask—this elder was the most powerful and authoritative person in the Zhao Family, the patriarch, Edward Zhao.
As soon as Ian stepped into the hall, he felt Edward Zhao’s gaze fall on him. The look was gentle, but it felt as if it could see right through him, making Ian instinctively respectful.
"Ian Song greets the Zhao Clan Patriarch!" Standing in the center of the hall, Ian bowed to Edward Zhao with calm dignity.
"Zhao Clan Patriarch..." Edward Zhao repeated softly, a playful smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Proud little fellow, you may rise."
"Thank you," Ian said calmly.
The next moment, Edward Zhao’s expression became solemn. In a deep voice, he said, "Ian Song, as the current patriarch of the Zhao Family, I invite you to join us. Are you willing?"
"I’m willing," Ian nodded.
Edward Zhao nodded with satisfaction. "Good. But before you join, you must understand: once you become part of the Zhao Family, you must never betray us or do anything to harm our interests. Otherwise, you’ll be our enemy forever. Do you accept this?"
This time, Ian didn’t agree right away. Instead, he looked up at Edward Zhao and said, "As long as the Zhao Family truly treats me as one of their own, I naturally won’t betray you."
The moment Ian said this, the Zhao Family members’ expressions changed sharply.
But Edward Zhao burst out laughing. "Don’t worry, little one. From now on, I’m your real grandpa. As long as I’m here, I’ll never let you suffer even a bit of injustice!"
Hearing this, Ian was deeply moved and quickly changed his address. "Grandson greets Grandpa!"
Edward Zhao laughed heartily again, his face beaming with joy.
For a moment, most of the Zhao juniors wore expressions of envy and jealousy.
Edward Zhao’s voice rang out again: “Alright, that’s enough for today. Fourth Brother, you did well this time—go to the pill room and claim three Vital Essence Pills as your reward! Second Brother, go check if the banquet is ready. I’ll be drinking with everyone tonight. Ian, come with Grandpa—I have something to discuss with you.”
"Yes, Grandpa."
As Ian followed Edward Zhao away, the younger Zhao family members grew even more jealous—some even showed resentment and dissatisfaction in their eyes.
Ian followed Edward Zhao to a quiet, elegant courtyard. Aside from a stone table and two stone stools, the whole yard had been turned into a vegetable garden.
"Ian, give me your hand—let Grandpa check your true-qi!" Edward Zhao said kindly.
After a brief hesitation, Ian stretched out his hand.
Edward Zhao placed two fingers on Ian’s wrist, sending a surge of dense true-qi into Ian’s body through his fingertips.
At first, Edward Zhao’s expression was calm, but gradually surprise appeared—he discovered Ian’s meridians were incredibly wide and resilient, several times stronger than ordinary cultivators at the same level.
"A genius—truly a genius! No wonder you reached Innate First Layer at such a young age!"
Silently impressed, Edward Zhao sent his true-qi into Ian’s dantian. As soon as he entered, he sensed an incomparably pure, surging reservoir of true-qi.
Even with his strong mental fortitude, Edward Zhao couldn’t help showing a look of shock.
Ian’s true-qi was so pure it could rival even Edward Zhao’s own Innate Ninth Layer energy.
Retracting his true-qi, Edward Zhao looked at Ian with deep emotion. "Ian, I was planning to pass down the Zhao Family’s strongest technique—the Spirit-Nurturing Scripture—but now I see there’s no need. The method you cultivate is several times stronger than the Spirit-Nurturing Scripture."
Ian was stunned. He hadn’t expected Edward Zhao to have such intentions—after all, the strongest technique was reserved only for the patriarch or his designated heir. Was he planning to groom Ian as the next clan head?