Preparing to Set Out

Shen Jingchuan pondered for a moment, then answered truthfully:

"To put it simply, as long as they are not high-level cultivators, I have ways to deal with ordinary royal palace servants and Rogue Cultivators."

Those cultivators who have truly reached a high level value the rules of the cultivation world and would never easily descend the mountain to meddle in the private affairs of the mortal royal family.

Most of the cultivators who guard the homes of royalty and high-ranking officials are low-level Rogue Cultivators in the Early Stage of Qi Refining. They don't have any particularly strong skills, so dealing with them isn't difficult for me."

Upon hearing this, the three members of the Lin Household, father and sons, all recalled the scene at the main gate just now—three royal retainers had been killed one after another by Shen Jingchuan. They immediately believed most of it, and their hearts, which had been hanging in suspense, were somewhat relieved.

"Besides,"

Shen Jingchuan added:

"The one who spoke just now, you should have recognized her identity. She is Princess Xiao Mingshu, the third princess of the current emperor, and her cultivation is not low either."

She just spoke with me and said she would mediate. If things can be contained and there's room for maneuver, we can go back to Yuxi Prefecture in time.

But we absolutely cannot just sit here and wait. If the Third Prince Xiao Mingyuan decides to seek revenge at all costs, it will be too late. I'm really worried about that."

Lin Weiyuan made a decisive move, slamming his hand on the table and standing up abruptly. "Fine, I'll listen to you!"

He strode out of the main house, stood on the steps of the second courtyard, Dantian energy, and shouted in a deep voice:

"Everyone from the escort agency, come to the central courtyard!"

This loud and resonant voice echoed throughout the three courtyards.

The bodyguards and servants in the front yard and the women and servants in the back yard heard everything clearly. They all put down what they were doing and quickly gathered in the middle yard. In no time, the yard was full of people, and everyone had an uneasy look on their faces.

Lin Weiyuan stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said in a deep voice:

"You've all heard about what happened today. I don't need to elaborate on how serious the consequences are. As things stand, the Lin Household can no longer protect you all."

He paused, then continued:

"Those who wish to leave, go back to your rooms now and pack your things. You'll collect your travel expenses in the front yard later. Those with contracts with the manor are hereby voided and returned to you. From now on, you are all free. Go as far as you can and find a stable place to live. It is I who have troubled you all; I am sorry."

After saying that, he turned to look at Lin Shan beside him:

"Shan'er, go to the front yard, get the silver, and distribute travel expenses according to everyone's length of service at the escort agency; those who have been there longer will receive more. Everyone must leave the agency within one hour."

There was a commotion among the crowd at first, but seeing that the owner was determined and clearly serious, no one dared to delay any longer and turned around to pack their valuables.

Many of the loyal bodyguards and servants came over to bow and say goodbye to Lin Weiyuan, but Lin Weiyuan waved them off.

"Alright, all of you, hurry up and go. Take care. There's nothing I can do about it, I don't blame you."

Before long, most of the people in the courtyard had left, leaving only four people standing still: the steward Zhou Fu, the accountant Shopkeeper Zhang, and two veteran bodyguards Zhao Hu and Wang Fei, who had followed Lin Weiyuan scratch.

Lin Weiyuan looked at the four of them and sighed:

"Why are you four doing this? This is no small matter; you could lose your heads. There's absolutely no benefit in following us."

Zhou Fu stepped forward and bowed, saying:

"Master, please don't say that. I entered the Lin Household when I was twenty years old, and more than thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. The Lin Household has treated me with kindness as heavy as a mountain."

Now that we are in trouble, there is no reason for me to flee alone. Regardless of life or death, I will follow you, sir. Please don't try to persuade me; I'm going down to help the eldest young master arrange his travel expenses."

After saying that, he turned and headed towards the front yard without the slightest hesitation. Lin Weiyuan watched his retreating figure and sighed softly, knowing that this man was stubborn and that there was no point in trying to persuade him.

Shopkeeper Zhang stepped forward, a hint of unease on his face.

"Master, I've been with the escort agency for almost twenty years. I, Zhang, can't bring myself to leave now. Please don't try to persuade me."

But my wife, children, and elderly parents are still at home, so I sent them back to my hometown in the countryside to avoid trouble. I stayed behind to work for my employer.

Lin Weiyuan nodded:

"Alright, go and make the arrangements. Make sure your family members are settled in properly."

Finally, the two veteran bodyguards, Zhao Hu and Wang Fei, stepped forward, clasped their fists in greeting, and Zhao Hu said in a gruff voice:

"Chief escort, there is no need for us to say more, right? This life has been tied to you for a long time."

Lin Weiyuan stepped forward, patted the two men heavily on the shoulders, and said in a deep voice:

"Good brothers! Go back and pack your things, settle your families, and we'll leave shortly."

Without asking where they were going, the two replied in unison, "Okay!" and turned to leave.

After arranging things for the people in the courtyard, Lin Weiyuan turned around and went back to the main hall.

Shen Jingchuan said, "Father-in-law, I've made up my mind. Qingyao and my whole family will come with you to Azure Cloud Stronghold."

Lin Weiyuan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright."

"I don't feel safe leaving them in the city," Shen Jingchuan said. "If I stay here alone, they won't be able to catch me, and it'll be easier for them to move around. I'll only feel at ease if my family comes up the mountain with you."

Lin Weiyuan immediately agreed, "Okay, then hurry back and make the arrangements. Meet at the entrance of the escort agency in an hour, and we'll leave the city together."

"Alright." Shen Jingchuan didn't hesitate. As soon as he finished speaking, he summoned his flying sword, leaped onto it, and with a flash of sword light, he rose into the air and disappeared from the courtyard of the escort agency.

Lin Yue, standing by the courtyard, stared wide-eyed, clicking his tongue in admiration, "So handsome!"

Lin Weiyuan over and patted him on the back:

"Alright, hurry to the backyard and have all the family members pack their things immediately. Clear out all our four-wheeled carriages, and only take valuables and valuables; nothing else. We'll depart promptly in one hour."

"Okay!" Lin Yue replied and quickly ran to the backyard.

On the other side, Shen Jingchuan flew back to his house on his flying sword, landing directly in the second courtyard.

As soon as he landed, he ordered, "Liu Zhong, summon your entire family to the central courtyard."

Before long, the steward Liu Zhong, his wife Madam Liu, his daughter Liu Cuier, and the groom Liu Hu rushed over. Lin Qingyao, Bai Ruoli, and the others in the courtyard also heard the commotion and came out of their houses, gathering in the central courtyard.

Shen Jingchuan didn't beat around the bush and briefly recounted what had happened at the Zhenyuan Escort Agency that day and their current predicament. Everyone's expression changed upon hearing this.

He turned to Lin Qingyao and said, "Qingyao, go and get all the indentures of Liu Zhong's family."

Lin Qingyao nodded, turned around and went back into the house to retrieve the indenture, then handed it to him.