Chris was speechless upon hearing the old man’s words. The Jefferson Family seemed shrouded in an air of mystery.
The white-haired elder broke the silence. “Come in,” he said.
Chris and Esther exchanged a glance and stepped into the small courtyard. Chris took a careful look around. To his surprise, the courtyard didn’t seem any different from a typical rural farmhouse.
The elder’s gaze rested on Esther. In a calm tone, he said, “If I’m not mistaken, you must be Henry Jefferson’s granddaughter.”
Esther nodded. “Yes, I’m Esther. I visited the Jefferson Family with my grandfather over a decade ago. I didn’t expect you’d still be here after all these years.”
The elder chuckled softly. “I’m just the gatekeeper of the Jefferson Family. My whole life has been spent guarding it.”
“I’m here today to attend the Jefferson Family’s clan meeting.” Esther handed over the invitation.
The white-haired elder accepted it and nodded. “Follow me.”
He led Chris and Esther toward the backyard, eventually stopping in front of a mountain wall. Pointing to it, he said, “This is it. You may enter.”
Chris stared at the solid rock face, eyes widening. “Sir, are you joking? This is a wall of stone-how are we supposed to get through?”
The elder ignored him and turned to Esther instead.
“Darling,” Esther said to Chris, “the Jefferson Family is behind this mountain wall.”
“What?” Chris exclaimed, dumbfounded. The Jefferson Family was behind a mountain wall? How was that possible?
“Hold my hand,” Esther said, reaching out for Chris.
She grasped his hand and, without hesitation, pulled him toward the wall.
Chris’s face was a mix of shock and disbelief. “Is she serious?” he thought as they charged toward the rock. Just as he braced himself for impact, expecting a painful collision, the ground beneath him vanished.
When Chris opened his eyes, he found himself in a breathtaking valley filled with blooming flowers, babbling brooks, and lush greenery.
“This…”
Chris was stunned. They had passed through the rock wall without injury and arrived in what seemed like paradise. It defied all logic.
Looking around, Chris saw vibrant flowers, crystal-clear streams, and towering trees-it was like stepping into a dream.
Turning to Esther, he asked in awe, “Is this the Jefferson Family?”
Esther nodded. “Yes, this is it.”
Chris was overwhelmed. The Jefferson Family truly lived up to its mysterious reputation. Without a guide, it was impossible to find this place.
As they walked further, they came across an expanse of ancient pavilions and towers stretching endlessly into the distance. Chris blinked, feeling as though he had traveled back in time.
Inside, Esther’s expression grew serious, her brow furrowed with concern.
“Darling,” she cautioned, “once we’re inside, please be careful what you say. The Jefferson Family is unlike anywhere else. Not only are they the most powerful family in Amerosia, but every single member is incredibly strong. We can’t afford to offend them.”
Esther knew Chris’s personality all too well. Wherever he went, trouble seemed to follow. But this wasn’t a place they could act recklessly. If they caused any problems here, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Chris smiled confidently. “Don’t worry, Esther. With me here, no one will harm you.”
“Stop! This is the Jefferson Family. No unauthorized entry!”
A man in a long robe, carrying a sword on his back, suddenly appeared and blocked their path.
Esther presented the invitation. “We’re here for the clan meeting.”
The man glanced at the invitation and nodded. “You may proceed.”
Chris’s eyes narrowed as he studied the man. His heart skipped a beat. The man was a Transcendence-level fighter.
The Jefferson Family was truly terrifying. Even an ordinary guard was at such a powerful level.
The Jefferson Family’s estate was vast, resembling a small town. Guards patrolled the area, their strength evident. The weakest among them were at the Great Grandmaster level.
The architecture was entirely ancient, with buildings that seemed to be at least a century old, if not more. Chris marveled at the craftsmanship.
Before long, they arrived at the grand hall of the Jefferson Family. Above the hall’s entrance hung a plaque inscribed with the words “Jefferson Family.”
Chris stared at it, shaken to his core. He could sense the immense power radiating from this family. Compared to the Jefferson Family, the so-called Nine Hidden Clans or the Ten Noble Families were insignificant.
An elderly man approached them. “Welcome,” he said. “I am the butler of the Jefferson Family, and I will be your host.”
The Jefferson Family was enormous, with a large and complex hierarchy. In general, its members were divided into two groups: the direct line and the collateral branches.
The direct descendants resided in the inner courtyard, while the collateral branches lived in the outer courtyard. Most of the guards were members of the collateral branches.
Beyond those who resided within the Jefferson Family’s estate, there were many collateral branches scattered elsewhere. The Middleton Jefferson Family, the Overseas Jefferson Family, the Pinkerton Jefferson Family, and the East Coast Jefferson Family were all part of the extended clan.
Every decade, the Jefferson Family held a grand clan meeting, inviting both direct and collateral branches to participate. Due to recent events involving Chris, many of the collateral branches, such as the Middleton and Pinkerton Jefferson Families, had been wiped out.
This shift brought the East Coast Jefferson Family into the family’s spotlight. It was why Esther had received an invitation this time.
The last time the East Coast Jefferson Family had been invited, Henry Jefferson had still been alive. It was he who had brought Esther here as a child.
The butler escorted Chris and Esther to a small courtyard. “This will be your residence. Someone will inform you when the clan meeting begins.”
Esther smiled. “Thank you.”
The butler left without another word.
Chris surveyed their surroundings. The small courtyard appeared to be a guest residence. It was serene and surrounded by bamboo groves, exuding a sense of tranquility.
The entire Jefferson Family estate seemed like a relic from the past. There was no trace of modern technology.
Out of curiosity, Chris pulled out his phone, only to find there was no signal. He was astonished. Even cell signals couldn’t penetrate this place.
Turning to Esther, he asked, “What kind of place is the Jefferson Family? It feels like we’ve traveled back in time.”
Esther replied, “My grandfather once told me that the Jefferson Family moved here over a hundred years ago. Back then, this was considered the frontier of civilization. That’s why they’ve continued to live as if they’re in the past.”