After leaving the inn, Zhou Hong followed Dugu Shuang to the Dugu family.
The Dugu family, as expected of the second most powerful force in the Liuli Empire after the royal family, occupied an astonishing area. Almost the entire northeast corner of the imperial city was covered by the Dugu family's residences.
The grand gate was as imposing as the imperial palace's.
"Zhou Hong, this is my Dugu family."
"Mm-hmm, quite grand," Zhou Hong chuckled.
"Our Dugu family currently has hundreds of thousands of members, all residing here. Within the family, streets crisscross, and you'll understand once you go inside."
"Alright, truly a prominent family."
Upon entering the Dugu family's grounds, it indeed felt like stepping into a city. Wide avenues stretched out, with houses and mansions lining both sides. At the very center stood the most magnificent mansion, reserved for the direct lineage of the Dugu family.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back," Dugu Shuang called out as she entered the house.
"Shuang'er, we heard you were returning, why did you only arrive now? You should have been here hours ago," a woman's voice called out before they even entered the room.
Dugu Shuang blushed slightly. She had indeed arrived hours ago, but she had spent an hour at the inn with Zhou Hong.
"Oh, and who is this?" Dugu Shuang's parents asked, looking at Zhou Hong with confusion after they entered the room.
"Dad, Mom, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, his name is Zhou Hong," Dugu Shuang said somewhat shyly, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Zhou Hong? How can he have the same name as that famous genius Zhou Hong? Shuang'er, you didn't find someone with the same name because you couldn't get the real Zhou Hong, did you?" Dugu Shuang's father asked, puzzled.
Zhou Hong stepped forward and smiled at Dugu Shuang's parents. "Hello, Uncle and Aunt. My name is Zhou Hong, and I am indeed the Zhou Hong you are referring to."
"What? You are the renowned Zhou Hong from Tai Ancient Academy?"
"Yes, I am."
"My heavens, you're the genius who could kill two cultivators at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm as a new student?"
"I don't deserve such praise," Zhou Hong replied with a slight smile. Dugu Shuang's parents were at a similar cultivation level, around the Nascent Soul stage, the same as Zhou Hong.
"Shuang'er, how did you manage this?" Dugu Shuang's parents asked their daughter in disbelief.
"This..." Dugu Shuang didn't know how to explain, as she and Zhou Hong had only confirmed their relationship a few hours ago.
"I was the one who actively pursued Dugu Shuang. She is so beautiful and has the strongest talent among all the female students in my year at Tai Ancient Academy. If not her, then whom?"
"Student Zhou Hong, thank you for not looking down on our daughter."
"Heh, not at all. Please don't mind me accompanying Shuang'er back today."
"Not at all, we welcome you! Please, take the honored seat."
"No need to be so formal."
Dugu Shuang's father quickly instructed a servant, "Quickly, invite the family patriarch and all the elders here. Tell them that Zhou Hong from Tai Ancient Academy has arrived."
"Yes," the servant replied and hurried off.
Zhou Hong sat in the reception hall. Dugu Shuang's father treated him with great enthusiasm, almost to the point of massaging his legs and back.
"Uncle, there's no need to be so courteous. I am, after all, a junior," Zhou Hong felt a little embarrassed by such warm hospitality.
"Student Zhou Hong, we have long heard of your great name. We truly never expected you to choose our daughter as your girlfriend. Our Dugu family must have had immense good fortune."
"You are too kind. No matter how much of a genius I am, I am still a man, and I will eventually need a girlfriend."
After about twenty minutes, several old men bustled in from outside.
Zhou Hong immediately stood up.
"Hello, are you Zhou Hong?" one of the old men asked hurriedly.
"Yes, may I ask who you are?"
"My name is Dugu Baitian, and I am the patriarch of the Dugu family."
The other old men quickly introduced themselves. Zhou Hong greeted each of them. These elders were all at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
However, Dugu Shuang's grandfather was not among them.
Dugu Shuang, sensing Zhou Hong's confusion, quickly said, "My grandfather is not home at the moment."
"Oh, oh," Zhou Hong nodded.
Just then, an old man's voice was heard from outside, "Who is looking for me?"
Immediately after, another old man walked in, appearing as if he had just returned from outside.
"Grandpa," Dugu Shuang immediately rushed towards him. She had a very close relationship with her grandfather and had grown up under his tutelage.
"Shuang'er, you're back! You've been at Tai Ancient Academy for seven or eight years, and you've finally missed your grandpa."
"Mm-hmm," Dugu Shuang clung to her grandfather.
"Sixth Brother, see who this young man is," Dugu Baitian called out.
Dugu Shuang's grandfather looked at Zhou Hong and asked with curiosity, "Who is this young man?"
"Guess," Dugu Baitian and the others seemed to want to play a guessing game.
"Could it be... the boyfriend my granddaughter brought back?"
"Hahaha, you guessed right. Now, guess his name," another elder from the Dugu family said.
Dugu Shuang's grandfather walked towards Zhou Hong, his face a mixture of sternness and inquiry. "Kid, how did you get my granddaughter to fall for you? Let me tell you, my granddaughter is my treasure. I wouldn't bear to see her suffer any grievance, let alone myself. If you make my granddaughter suffer even the slightest bit, I won't forgive you."
"Heh, don't worry, senior," Zhou Hong nodded and smiled.
"However, my granddaughter is beautiful and possesses great talent; not everyone is worthy of her. I will now test your talent and strength to see if you are worthy of my granddaughter." Dugu Shuang's grandfather immediately adopted a posture as if he was about to test Zhou Hong.
The Dugu family patriarch, seemingly afraid of offending Zhou Hong, quickly tried to intervene. However, Zhou Hong waved his hand, stopping him from speaking.
"It's alright. I can see that Shuang'er and her grandfather have a deep affection. It's natural for her grandfather to care about her happiness. I accept any test," Zhou Hong said with a smile.
"Kid, you have some courage," At this moment, Dugu Shuang's grandfather had no idea that this young man was the famous Zhou Hong. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to talk about testing him. Given Zhou Hong's talent, let alone whether he was worthy of his granddaughter, he would likely have the self-awareness that his granddaughter was not worthy of such a genius.
"Kid, I don't know your current strength. You seem to be hiding it well. How about this: I'll throw a palm strike. If you can dodge it, it will prove you are worthy of my granddaughter."
"Alright," Zhou Hong nodded. Although Dugu Shuang's grandfather was at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm and Zhou Hong was at the early stage, Zhou Hong was very confident in himself.