Chapter 89 - 88 Crisis

After the three left the Yao Family.

Hongze looked up and let out a long, loud cry, venting the anger in his heart.

As the County Magistrate, he felt deeply aggrieved.

Threatened in front of his subordinates, he had no choice but to compromise.

Fortunately,

today he realized the seriousness of the situation and brought only his trusted aides.

"Big brother, it’s all settled, not a single one left."

Hong Ming, his younger brother, also the Deputy Commander of the City Guards, was slightly weaker than him, both at the fifth rank.

"Are you sure not a single one left?"

"We searched several times, confirming there were no survivors."

"Alright, then set it on fire... burn it!"

....

The Yao Family caught fire, and no one survived.

The authority over the western district returned to the Pei Family.

These two pieces of news immediately shook the entire Yunze County.

No one expected something like this to happen.

The Yao Family, with many martial artists, Yao De being at the fifth rank, perished in a fire, leaving no survivors.

Who would believe such nonsense?

But this was announced after investigation by the County Government Office, so one had to believe even if they didn’t.

...

At this moment in the Chen Family garden.

The Yao Family was gone? Upon hearing this news, Chen Fangyuan couldn’t calm down for a long time.

Sitting silently in a chair all morning.

He, Pei Geng, and Yao De had fought all their lives.

In terms of talent and ability, Yao De was the first.

But who could have expected that he would end up like this, with the Yao Family exterminated.

He understood clearly that only the Black Market could destroy the Yao Family in Yunze County and have the County Government Office cover it up.

Yet, he was puzzled why Hongze would help the Black Market.

After all, he had just handed over the control of the western district to the Yao Family, not to mention he suspected Zuo Qiu Ming’s affairs were related to the two parties.

Why, indeed? He couldn’t figure it out.

"Ah!"

He sighed.

"Who would have thought, who would have thought, that among the three of us, the one who laughed last was Pei Geng!"

...

Several days passed in a flash.

Yunze County fell into peace once again.

And Hongze also released news that no one was allowed to discuss the Yao Family’s matters; otherwise, they couldn’t blame him for being unkind.

People’s hearts chill when they leave, let alone the dead; why offend Hongze over this?

Since the Yao Family was wiped out,

Chen Xiu had stayed in the Chen Mansion, almost daily instructing Chen Xuan on cultivation matters.

Although Chen Xuan was happy about this, he always felt something was amiss.

At this moment,

in the main hall.

Only Chen Xuan, Liu Rushi, and Chen Xiu were present.

"I’m leaving."

In the hall, Chen Xiu suddenly dropped this bombshell.

He had done all he could, and now Chen Xuan was at the fifth rank, so there was nothing more he could do to help. Besides, his health no longer allowed him to stay here.

"What do you mean, Grandfather?"

Chen Xuan felt a bad premonition.

And Liu Rushi’s complexion changed drastically; she understood Chen Xiu.

This ’leaving’ meant... leaving this place forever!

He had mentioned this several years ago but had gradually forgotten over time.

"Master Chen!"

Liu Rushi’s voice was choked as she came to Chen Xiu’s side, squatting down, her eyes red as she looked at him.

"Alright, alright, there are no everlasting banquets under the sky. It’s been hard on you managing the Chen Mansion all these years. After I’m gone, just stay with Chen Xuan. This kid may have many women but he’s not a bad person."

Chen Xiu lovingly patted Liu Rushi’s head, comforting her.

"No... Master Chen... sob sob..."

At this moment, Liu Rushi couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into loud tears.

"Don’t cry, don’t cry..."

Chen Xiu, at this moment, was completely like a grandfather, coaxing her.

Although he rarely came to the Chen Mansion, he had long regarded Liu Rushi as his own granddaughter.

The more he comforted her, the harder Liu Rushi cried.

"Ah!"

Chen Xiu sighed; of course, he was also reluctant.

But... there was no choice. He didn’t want to die outside; he wanted to go home, to return to his roots.

"Grandfather, where are you going? I’ll go with you!"

Now Chen Xuan understood.

"What would you do with me? I’m going home; you’ve annoyed me these days. I want some peace and quiet alone."

Chen Xiu showed a very disdainful expression.

Yet, his eyes were red.

Even he didn’t notice it.

Having killed countless in his life, his heart had long since turned cold, never expecting to feel familial affection again in his old age.

It was enough!

Moreover, meeting Chen Xuan at this time, inheriting his mantle, compensated for his last regret.

Now he asked for nothing more, just wanted to return to his hometown, spend a few quiet days, and then... wait to die!

"Then how will I find you in the future?"

Chen Xuan felt his nose starting to tingle.

The corners of his eyes were already completely wet, feeling like he was going to be missing something in his heart.

"Liyuan County, the Xiu Family, if you have a chance... go there!"

He originally didn’t want to say it, but seeing Chen Xuan’s pleading face, he couldn’t bear it. He thought he might as well burn some paper for him in the future so that he wouldn’t be a poor ghost down there.

"Alright, it’s about time, I have to go."

Saying this, he helped Liu Rushi, who was lying on his lap, and led her by the hand to Chen Xuan, instructing, "Rushi is entrusted to you now. Treat her well. The road ahead is up to you. If you really encounter something you can’t resolve, you can find Primordial Thunder. For my sake, he will help you."

After saying this, he placed Liu Rushi’s hand in his.

"Master Chen, rest assured, as long as I’m here, Rushi won’t suffer any grievance."

Chen Xuan nodded vigorously in assurance.

"Hmm!" Then he leaned close to his ear, whispered a few words,

while maintaining a smile on his face,

"You’re all grown up and still crying like a child. Alright, alright, I’m leaving!"

....

Chen Xiu left.

At the entrance of the Chen Mansion, Chen Xuan, Liu Rushi, Su Wanqiu, Su Yun, and Xiaohai stood there for a long time, looking in the direction where he departed.

"Sister, we will have a chance to see Master Chen again in the future."

At this moment, Su Wanqiu gently held Liu Rushi, who was crying her heart out, comforting her softly.

"Woo...woo..."

Liu Rushi, lying in her arms, cried again.

Chen Xuan turned around and nodded to Su Wanqiu.

At this moment, without him saying more, Su Wanqiu understood what Chen Xuan meant and nodded in response.

....

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

After Chen Xiu left, Chen Xuan began to train vigorously, while Liu Rushi, with Su Wanqiu’s comfort, finally walked out of her grief over the separation.

At this moment, in the back garden.

Chen Xuan’s shadow was everywhere.

The next moment, the shadows nearly vanished simultaneously.

"The fully mastered Flowing Cloud Body Technique is different; this speed has increased by at least threefold."

The last time at the Yao Family, when he killed the old ghost, his speed was always a bit slow.

Otherwise,

with his physical strength, he could have blasted him to death even in a head-on confrontation.

It wouldn’t have dragged on for so long.

In the end, he relied on surprise with the Absorbing Palm to land a fatal blow.

So these days, he mainly focused on enhancing his Flowing Cloud Body Technique.

"Husband....."

At this moment, Pei Yuenan’s voice came from a distance, and a moment later, she came to Chen Xuan’s side, her brows slightly furrowed.

"What’s wrong?"

Chen Xuan asked.

Pei Yuenan didn’t speak but handed the letter in her hand to him, "Take a look!"

Indeed, after reading the letter, Chen Xuan’s expression changed too.

"The rebels are going to attack Yunze County? Isn’t there another county closer to them?"

"The specifics are still unknown. This news has already been passed to all the big and small families in Yunze County by the County Government Office. Moreover, an order was given that no family may leave Yunze County, or they will be dealt with as collaborating with the enemy."

At this moment, Pei Yuenan’s face showed concern.

One must say, Hongze’s move is truly ruthless.

He has pinned all the powerful families in Yunze County in the city. If the city falls, they won’t survive either.

If they want to live, they must defend against the rebels with the County Government Office with all their might.

Otherwise, no one will have it easy.

"Impressive! Hongze is not simple!"

Chen Xuan looked at him with new respect at this time.

"What should we do now?" Although they were not in the city, if the rebels attacked, this place seemed more dangerous than the city.

"Let’s wait and see. If the situation is not right..."

Chen Xuan didn’t continue, but Pei Yuenan certainly understood.

But....what about the Pei Family?

What about her father? What about Pei Hu?

....

Soon, the news that the rebels were going to attack Yunze County spread.

Instantly, the whole county was in chaos.

Common people wanted to flee the city, but Hongze had completely sealed the gates, so these people couldn’t get out.

And among these, most were the wealthy families, with only a few common people among them.

The City Guards also felt they were on the verge of being unable to suppress the situation.

In the end, Hong Ming personally executed several people, which finally deterred those who attempted to flee.

At this moment, in a room in the County Government Office.

Only Hongze and Hong Ming were present.

"Brother, what do we do?"

The two had been in the room for more than an hour, but Hongze just sat silently, seemingly lost in thought.

After a long time, Hongze finally spoke, "Has there been a reply from above?"

When the rebels were discovered approaching Yunze County, he had already requested reinforcements from the Celestial Water Commandery, hoping for military support.

But....it’s as if they threw a stone into the sea, for there has been no reply.

"Brother, are you still counting on those people? If they cared, the rebels wouldn’t have breached Fengyang County so quickly."

Hong Ming was furious at this moment.

The Celestial Water Commandery doesn’t care about their lives; how could they not have received such news?

Moreover, the people sent for reinforcements had already been gone for seven days and should have reached the Celestial Water Commandery long ago.

Yet, there’s no news at all!

Since they have no mercy, the brothers can’t be blamed.

No one wants to give up their life for nothing.

If you can live, who wants to die?

"Brother!" Hong Ming shouted again, causing him to fall silent even more.

"Sigh, let me think about it. This is no small matter. You go out first, and remember to maintain order in the county; no chaos!"

"Hmph, got it, and you’d better think hard, ’cause I’m not going to throw my life away!"

Hong Ming spat out his words in dissatisfaction and walked out of the room.

"It’s not that simple, my dear brother."

Hongze’s face was full of worry. This is no trivial matter; if mishandled, it could lead to a grave with no resting place.