Chapter 45: Chapter 45: True Brothers

“I suspect there’s a vein here that could yield Red Shine Iron ore!”

When Zhou Chun voiced his speculation, Zhou Zhengyong’s entire body jolted with a shocked expression on his face looking towards him.

“You’re not joking, are you, Thirteenth Brother?”

“A vein containing Red Shine Iron ore, do you realize what you’re saying?”

“This, this can’t be concluded so lightly!”

Zhou Zhengyong was so astonished that he almost tripped over his tongue, his face full of shock as he stuttered while speaking to Zhou Chun.

“Brother Yong, do I look like someone who enjoys boasting? If I say this, naturally, I have solid findings to back it up,” Zhou Chun calmly responded to Zhou Zhengyong’s doubts, with a very firm tone.

However, seeing that Zhou Zhengyong still wore a stunned expression of disbelief, he pondered for a moment and then nodded slightly:

“However, Brother Yong, your concerns are not unreasonable; perhaps this place merely coincidentally contains some Red Shine Iron ore and isn’t a large vein. As for the exact situation, once we report back to the Clan Leader, he will naturally have a way to verify it.”

Hearing this, Zhou Zhengyong finally came back to his senses and hurriedly nodded, saying, “Right, all we need to do is report the situation truthfully to the Clan Leader!”

“Then let’s head out now. I’ve already collected the body of the Purple Flame Marten, Brother Yong, so you can put your heart back in your chest.”

Zhou Chun slapped his Storage Pouch at his waist and uttered words that filled Zhou Zhengyong with immense joy.

Immediately, the two of them put some Red Shine Iron ore into their Storage Pouches as evidence and left, making their way back to the surface along the same path.

Once on the surface, the first thing Zhou Chun did was block and camouflage the cave entrance to prevent anyone from accidentally passing by and noticing anything.

After finishing the camouflage, he recalled the Rock Earth Turtle that had been standing guard on the ground and proceeded with Zhou Zhengyong towards the outside of Red Pine Forest.

“Uncle Sun, this is the body of the Purple Flame Marten. Please have a look.”

Outside Red Pine Forest, in front of Sun Lianzhong and his family of three, Zhou Zhengyong tapped his Storage Pouch and retrieved the body of the Purple Flame Marten that Zhou Chun had killed with Moon Blade.

The Purple Flame Marten’s final desperate attack did not cause Zhou Chun any substantial harm.

Instead, when the cave partially collapsed due to the exploding fireball, the fall of Red Shine Iron ore led to his unexpected discovery.

Now, glancing at the dismembered body of the Purple Flame Marten on the ground, Sun Lianzhong also shook his head slightly and uttered a “What a pity.”

He then nodded to Zhou Zhengyong, saying, “Indeed, it’s the body of a Purple Flame Marten, you’ve passed the test. Next, have your elders come to the Sun Family to propose marriage!”

Hearing these words, Zhou Zhengyong naturally showed a face full of joy.

As for Sun Yujiao by his side, she blushed deeply and couldn’t help but stamp her foot and protest coquettishly, “Dad, how can you sell your daughter in just a few words? I haven’t agreed yet!”

Before Sun Lianzhong could reply, Zhou Zhengyong became anxious and hurriedly exclaimed, “Yujiao, how can you say that, didn’t we agree? You…”

But before he could finish, Zhou Chun covered his mouth with one hand and whispered a few words into his ear, reminding him.

And he was indeed eloquent, with a natural talent in charming women.

His expression changing rapidly, he soon acted as if nothing had occurred, jokingly saying with a cheeky grin, “Hehehe, Yujiao, don’t misunderstand, I got too excited, rest assured, my promise to you is forever valid, and you are the only one in my heart forever!”

“Hmph, lucky you!”

Sun Yujiao spat gently towards him with a shy, embarrassed look on her pretty face and was too bashful to speak any further.

With laughter and teasing, the group made their way back to the Sun Family’s mountain gate.

After returning to the Sun Family, Zhou Chun and Zhou Zhengyong sat down to replenish their Mana and then hurried to excuse themselves and leave Sun Lianzhong’s household.

“Are you sure you nephews don’t want to rest for a few more days?”

Inside the Sun Family courtyard, Sun Lianzhong looked at the Zhou Family pair, who clearly showed signs of fatigue but were eager to take their leave, his face full of surprise.

“Uncle Sun, we appreciate your kindness, but the Clan Leader had instructed us that if our mission was successful, we should return as soon as possible to bring the good news,” Zhou Chun said, and couldn’t help but look at Zhou Zhengyong beside him with a slight smile, saying, “Besides, Brother Yong also wants to bring his bride home as soon as possible!”

“Hehehe…”

Zhou Zhengyong laughed merrily, his expression cooperating with Zhou Chun to dispel Sun Lianzhong’s suspicions.

Seeing this, Sun Lianzhong indeed asked no further questions, and thus regarded Zhou Zhengyong with even more favor.

Although he still felt that Zhou Chun would be more in line with his own preferences compared to Zhou Zhengyong, Zhou Zhengyong’s affection for his daughter was enough to make up for some shortcomings, and he believed his daughter should not suffer any losses once married.

So, he gave a light nod and said, “Since that’s the case, I wish you a safe journey. Remember to be careful on the road.”

“This junior bids farewell.”

Zhou Chun and Zhou Zhengyong bowed in unison, then mounted the Large-Horned Green Sheep that had been kept in the Sun Family’s Beast Garden and returned to the Zhou Family.

The return journey was another swift ride on the sheep, which also took more than a day to get back to Jiufeng Ridge.

Upon reaching the clan, they released the nearly exhausted Large-Horned Green Sheep into the mountains and went straight to Pagoda Peak.

“How did it go? By the looks of it, your trip must have been quite smooth, right?”

In the Central Peace Hall, Zhou Daoyi greeted Zhou Chun and Zhou Zhengyong with a slight smile and inquired about the results of their journey.

Hearing this, the two exchanged glances before Zhou Zhengyong bowed and replied, “Clan Leader’s discernment is clear. Thanks to my thirteenth brother’s blessing, this junior was able to pass Uncle Sun’s test. He has agreed to the marriage between myself and Yujiao, and asked me to find a senior member of our clan to make a formal marriage proposal at the Sun Family.”

Zhou Daoyi laughed approvingly and said, “Good, then let me be the first to congratulate you.”

After thinking for a moment, he continued, “As for the marriage proposal, let Jiapeng act as the male family elder to visit the Sun Family. I will also send a letter with him for Clan Leader Sun Zhongping.”

Upon hearing his words, Zhou Zhengyong’s face immediately showed joy and gratitude, and he quickly bowed to express his thanks, “Clan Leader’s great kindness, this junior is deeply grateful.”

“This is what I should do as the Clan Leader. There’s no need to be so polite.”

Zhou Daoyi waved his hand, then turned to Zhou Chun and said, “As for you, Zhengchun, I’ll reward you with…”

But before he could finish stating Zhou Chun’s reward, Zhou Chun suddenly bowed, his face serious, and said, “Clan Leader’s discernment is clear, this junior has another important matter to report.”

Uh?

Zhou Daoyi looked at Zhou Chun with a surprised expression.

When he saw Zhou Chun’s serious face, he narrowed his eyes, nodded, and said in a deep voice, “Go ahead and speak!”

Zhou Chun immediately spoke about his discovery and speculation, and took out the Red Shine Iron ore from his Storage Pouch to present for Zhou Daoyi’s appraisal.

Listining to Zhou Chun’s report, Zhou Daoyi’s expression also changed again and again.

After examining the Red Shine Iron ore given to him by Zhou Chun for a while, he sighed deeply with a complex look on his face and confirmed, “Although the quality is not very good, this is indeed Red Shine Iron ore!”

He took a deep breath, his face solemn as he looked at Zhou Chun and Zhou Zhengyong and slowly said, “You did the right thing in this matter. If there truly is a Red Shine Iron Mine, the value it contains will be enormous, so great that our Zhou Family alone could not possibly swallow it all!”

“Therefore, from now on, the two of you must keep quiet about this and not speak of it to a fourth person!”

“As for your rewards, once this matter is completely confirmed, I will discuss with the Supreme Elder how to reward you!”

His demeanor and tone emphasized how seriously he took this matter.

Zhou Chun and Zhou Zhengyong well understood the gravity of the situation; if word got out, it could be fatal.

Therefore, they quickly swore in front of Zhou Daoyi to guarantee absolute secrecy.

Seeing that the two understood the severity of the situation, Zhou Daoyi felt relieved and waved his hand, “Alright, you may go back and rest for now. When everything is ready here, I will call for Zhengchun to lead the way.”

“Yes, this junior takes his leave.”

Zhou Chun and the other bowed and soon left Pagoda Peak to return to Baozhi Peak.

The journey was silent until they reached the outside of Zhou Chun’s courtyard, where Zhou Zhengyong looked at him seriously and said, “This matter was a success thanks to your help, thirteenth brother. Great kindness doesn’t need to be spoken of. If there’s anything you need me to do in the future, just ask, and I promise I won’t hesitate!”

Zhou Chun waved his hand and said, “Brother Yong, you’re being too polite. Since we are brothers, what is there to thank or not thank for such matters?”

He also smiled lightly and added, “I’ll just be waiting to celebrate at your wedding!”

Seeing this, Zhou Zhengyong felt an even greater sense of gratitude toward him.

But he didn’t say any more words of thanks, instead laughing heartily, “Haha, I will make sure you get to drink it very soon!”

Then he nodded deeply toward Zhou Chun and left without another word.

Watching Zhou Zhengyong’s departing figure, Zhou Chun’s face also broke into a smile.

He knew that with Zhou Zhengyong’s character, after this occasion, he had gained his first brother in the Zhou Family who would be willing to risk his life for him!