Chapter 90 - 89: Fire

"What? Hongze sent troops to launch an attack? Nearly a thousand people died?"

In Chen Mansion,

Pei Geng used connections to send a servant to Chen Mansion to deliver the news.

Standing respectfully at the moment, replied: "Yes, Hall Master!"

Sigh...

Chen Xuan couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

Yesterday,

Hongze launched an attack, engaging with the rebels 20 kilometers away from the county town, but the result was the city guard’s defeat, with a thousand casualties.

"Is he brainless?"

Chen Xuan cursed angrily.

At such a time, even holding the county is difficult, yet he chose to attack, depleting the already meager forces further, causing severe losses.

It’s downright suicidal!

"I heard he received some information and wanted to raid, that’s why it happened."

"Received information?"

"Yes!"

After hearing his words, Chen Xuan furrowed his brows tightly; it was very unusual.

"You go back first, deliver the news promptly, let my father be careful." At this moment, Pei Yuenan instructed.

Once the person left,

she continued to ask, "What do you think?"

"Very peculiar, Hongze doesn’t seem like a foolish person. How many are the city guards? Depending on the tall walls is the best option now."

Chen Xuan couldn’t understand why he sent the troops, feeling something was amiss but couldn’t pinpoint it.

"I’ll make a trip to the black market, you all stay at Chen Mansion, don’t go out."

Before leaving, Elder had instructed him to seek Primordial Thunder if uncertain, as everything was entrusted to him.

...

Since the news of the rebels attacking Yunze County spread, the black market was nearing closure.

In the center of the black market.

On the pavilion now, only Chen Xuan, Primordial Thunder, and Ning Xian were present.

Primordial Thunder had received the news of the city guard defeat and sensed the underlying deceit.

Moreover, before Chen Xuan’s arrival, he had discussed with Ning Xian, arriving at the result they feared the most.

"Be prepared to leave here, Yunze County’s downfall is estimated to be soon, possibly even faster!"

"Alas"

Primordial Thunder said with a sigh, his words filled with reluctance.

This black market is his lifetime effort, and if it weren’t absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t abandon it.

But given the current circumstances, staying isn’t an option.

"Has it really come to this, Elder Yuan?"

Chen Xuan didn’t expect him to be so certain.

Why?

"It’s simple, Hongze should have issues." Ning Xian explained.

"Chief Steward Ning means..."

Chen Xuan suddenly realized, his face changed; Hongze wasn’t afraid to die!

The imperial court would implicate entire clans for such things.

Understanding his confusion, he continued: "If it were Zuo Qiu Ming, such a thing wouldn’t happen, because he has the Zuo family behind him, thus he wouldn’t dare!"

"However, Hongze is different; these brothers relied on each other since childhood and climbed to this position, so holding the county isn’t possible!"

"As long as they can survive, they’ll do anything! It’s just that simple!"

Unlike Zuo Qiu Ming, these brothers had no such restraints.

Therefore, Chen Xuan agreed with Ning Xian’s analysis, nodding in agreement.

Indeed,

Hongze brothers didn’t have such concerns.

Defending means death? Surrendered, they live!

If it were him, he’d probably do the same.

As for what happens afterward, nobody can predict, but at least they survive now.

Now it seems,

He must consider what Primordial Thunder just said.

However.....

So he asked:

"Elder Primordial Thunder, almost all roads around the county are controlled by rebels, wouldn’t it be difficult to leave?"

From start to finish, Primordial Thunder, besides reluctance, was unworried.

Even if Yunze County fell, he remained calm.

"There are two large ships in the black market, prepared long ago as a contingency, for situations like this; originally thought they wouldn’t be needed, haha!"

Primordial Thunder chuckled bitterly and then continued,

"The black market’s river route can directly enter Changling River; from there, you can go anywhere. I will send a boat to Chen Mansion later; how you proceed is up to you, this was also promised to Chen Xiu."

"Thank you, Elder Primordial Thunder, I remember this great favor; I’ll repay it if I have the chance!"

Chen Xuan stood up and bowed deeply.

Though courtesy toward Elder’s reputation, he remembered this favor.

After Chen Xuan left,

Primordial Thunder asked Ning Xian beside him, "Do you want to come with me, or...?"

"I’ll deliver the boat tomorrow then."

"You... ah, suit yourself!"

.....

Back at Chen Mansion, Chen Xuan immediately summoned the women.

He told them Primordial Thunder’s speculation and then instructed them to pack up and leave within a few days.

As for where to go after leaving, he hadn’t decided yet.

At the moment, others had left the hall but Pei Yuenan hadn’t moved.

"Husband, what about Father?" she was completely panicked, her face filled with worry.

If it truly were so, staying in the county meant waiting for death.

Rebels attack, first targeting large families like the Pei’s, while ordinary people remain safe; rebels even distribute the large families’ food for goodwill.

Because of this, rebel’s prestige grows daily; ordinary folks call them righteous forces now.

Many places eagerly await rebel’s attack; this is why each family hastily leaves the town.

"Send a message, tell your father to leave through the south gate by midnight tomorrow, no matter what means he uses, I’ll be there to meet them; there’s only one chance, understand?"

Pei Geng had arranged it; the message could be delivered to the south gate guard, but only late at night when it’s their own men; only one person can go.

Watching Pei Yuenan anxiously leaving the hall, Chen Xuan sighed.

He has done all he could.

Now he can’t risk entering the city; failing to get out would be disastrous.

He must ensure his women’s safety.

.....

Deep into the night!

Inside a room of Pei Family.

Holding the message Pei Yuenan sent.

"Really, do we have to reach this point?"

Muttering to himself.

The Pei Family, which stood strong in Yunze County for so many years, is now about to be destroyed by his hand.

This leaves him with no face to meet the ancestors of the Pei Family in the future.

Unwilling...

Sitting there with closed eyes, he suddenly opened them a long time later.

Go!

We must go!

As Pei Yuenan said, staying means death.

If we escape, there might be a chance to rebuild the Pei Family.

As long as the green hills remain, there’s no fear of running out of firewood!

...

The next day.

Ning Xian unexpectedly appeared at the Chen Mansion.

The first thing he said upon seeing Chen Xuan was, ’Young Master Xuan, I don’t know if you will accept me?’

He had not expected,

that Ning Xian did not choose to leave with Primordial Thunder, but instead wanted to follow him.

Of course,

though puzzled, the addition of a fifth-grade martial artist certainly made him happy.

And conveniently, there was now someone to help tonight.

Otherwise, it would indeed be tricky to handle alone.

...

Night quickly fell.

The bright moon shone, the stars were sparse, and the calm Yunze County suddenly descended into chaos.

There was fire breakout after fire breakout.

In just moments, the number of fires reached over a hundred places.

"Help, there’s a fire....."

"Quick, someone, please....."

"Help..... help me..."

.....

For a moment, the entire Yunze County was in a state of pandemonium.

And this news quickly reached Hongze’s ears.

"Quickly send people to extinguish the fire! Also, have the government officials maintain order and dispatch some city guards as well! Quickly!"

Hongze’s face was ashen.

No need to think, someone was causing trouble.

Creating chaos.... who could it be.....?

"Hong Ming!" he shouted loudly.

A moment later, Hong Ming appeared in the room, "You, go to the South Gate and take charge, tonight someone is likely trying to escape the city!"

"What about the East Gate?"

"I’ll go personally!"

With that, Hongze got up, filled with murderous intent, wanting to see who had the audacity.

Trying to escape? Dream on!

He had promised the other side, ordinary people were fine, but none of the great families’ members should think about leaving.

...

At the Pei Family!

"Dad, everything is ready, the county city is in chaos, not only have the government officials come, but there are also quite a few city guards."

"You brought all the things, right?"

Pei Geng confirmed by asking.

"Everything’s brought, rest assured."

"Alright, let’s go then!"

The two quickly changed into servants’ clothes, disguised themselves simply, looking no different from ordinary citizens, then quietly left through the Pei Family’s back door.

"Don’t panic, grab water to put out the fire...."

"Officer.... Please save my spouse, she’s still inside....."

"Get lost!"

....

The entire Yunze County was already in utter chaos.

Pei Geng led Pei Hu through the crowd, keeping their heads down, moving towards the South Gate.

Along the way, when questioned by government officials, the two immediately started crying and complaining that their home was gone, burned completely, pleading for them to hurry up and save the fire.

However,

each time they were pushed away by the officials.

"Such a big fire, do I want to die, helping you put it out.... Damn it!"

...

About half an hour later, the two reached a kilometer away from the South Gate, huddled low.

Pei Geng observed the situation at the city gate.

The gate was tightly closed.

However, he was not anxious, he looked up at the moon in the sky.

The time hadn’t come yet.

He had arranged for someone, at midnight, the gate guard would open a crack.

If all went well, the two would leave from here, heading to the Chen Mansion.

So now, the two could only wait.

A long time later, suddenly, a dull sound echoed.

Hearing this sound, Pei Geng quickly looked towards the city gate.

"Go! Quickly!"

Pulling Pei Hu behind him, the energy of the acupoints within his body erupted instantly, now his speed was at full capacity.

The city gate a kilometer away.... reached in the blink of an eye.

At this moment,

Pei Geng slightly sighed in relief, once past this door, Chen Xuan would be waiting there for him.

Then they’d be safe.

Suddenly!

Just when he was ten meters away from the crack, a figure appeared.

"Pei Geng.... go back! This road is blocked!"

It turned out to be Chen Fangyuan.

"Get lost!"

Though shocked, Pei Geng couldn’t afford to think too much, roaring out loud.

"Bold, the County Magistrate has ordered not to leave the city, to fight to the death with the rebel army. As the Pei Family’s patriarch, you dare escape at night, seems you have a death wish."

Just then, another figure appeared behind him.

It was precisely Hong Ming!