Leaving to Avoid Disaster

Shen Jingchuan looked at her. "Senior sister, feel free to use the pills and Spirit Stones I gave you. I'll give you more when you run out."

As he spoke, he took out three porcelain bottles, raised his hand and waved it, using his Object Control Technique to carry the bottles steadily towards Yan Shuyao, stopping them in mid-air in front of her.

Although Yan Chongli had seen these techniques before, seeing the bottle suspended in mid-air, completely still, he couldn't help but admire it in his heart. This move was indeed brilliant.

Yan Shuyao didn't rush to accept it. "Junior brother, I have enough here, you can keep it for yourself."

Shen Jingchuan said, "Just take it. We're all family, no need to be so polite."

Upon hearing the words "family," Yan Shuyao blushed slightly.

Yan Chongli stroked his beard, chuckling contentedly, his eyes full of satisfaction, but he remained silent.

Yan Shuyao playfully punched her father, saying, "Dad, what are you laughing at?"

She reached out and put the three jade bottles away, saying softly, "Then thank you, Junior Brother."

Shen Jingchuan waved his hand, his expression becoming serious, and said to Yan Chongli, "Master, I've come this time to tell you something important."

"The Rebel Army will reach the Capital soon, and with the chaos of war, I fear you will be in danger. Furthermore, I'm afraid the royal family will find out about my marriage to Shuyao and use you as hostages to blackmail me."

"I want to take you out of the city first, just in case something unexpected happens."

Yan Chongli was taken aback and asked, "What brings you to that?"

Shen Jingchuan said, "The Government Army was fighting in the north, and they even used royal cultivators. I couldn't stand by and watch, so I took action and wiped them out."

"The royal family certainly already knows who I am, and they might even know you're my master. Whether they know about the marriage is uncertain, but just to be on the safe side, it's best to take you away first."

Yan Chongli's expression changed upon hearing this.

Yan Shuyao, standing nearby, advised, "Father, I think we should listen to Jingchuan. This court is so corrupt; you've criticized it countless times, and you've said you'd never work for them again. What are you still doing in the Capital?"

Yan Chongli sighed and said, "Very well, if it's really as you say, and it's just our family rashly leaving the city, then the tyrannical emperor might not be willing to let us go."

Shen Jingchuan said, "Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it."

"I also have a friend named Xu Mo. His father served in the same court as you. I'm very close to Xu Mo. I'll go and ask them if they're going. If they are, we can go together."

Yan Chongli nodded and said, "That old man from the Xu Household offended someone by submitting a petition for disaster relief and was dismissed from his post. Fortunately, he didn't lose his life; that's lucky. You go."

Shen Jingchuan then instructed, "You all pack first, making sure to bring all your personal belongings and valuables."

"Take whatever else you want. I have plenty of storage space, and Shuyao also has Ring; it'll all fit. Put the personal valuables in her Ring for now, and I'll put the rest away when I get back."

After saying this, he took his leave and went out.

Yan Chongli watched his retreating figure, then looked at his own daughter, and thought to himself, "With a son-in-law who cultivates immortality like this, even moving house is much easier than for others."

Shen Jingchuan, having completely disguised himself, called the old steward of the Yan Residence and quietly led him out through the back door.

He searched all the way to the Xu Household, but instead of knocking at the main gate, he went around to the back alley, looked around to make sure no one was there, and then lightly leaped into the Xu Household's small garden.

Guided by his memory, he found the small courtyard where Xu Mo lived. Instead of going through the gate, he took a deep breath and leaped inside.

The Xu Household was small to begin with, and he didn't encounter a single person along the way.

The sound of students reading aloud could be heard coming from inside the room.

Shen Jingchuan stood in the courtyard, smiling as he spoke, "Brother Xu, you're working so hard."

There was a pause inside, followed by a question, "Is that Brother Shen outside?"

"If it wasn't me, who else could it be?"

Xu Mo quickly opened the door and came out, glancing back at the closed courtyard gate, and asked in confusion, "How did you get in?"

Shen Jingchuan laughed, "Getting into your courtyard wasn't difficult at all."

Xu Mo immediately understood. "You... don't want anyone to see."

Shen Jingchuan: "Um, is Uncle home?"

Xu Mo: "You should be here. Do you need to see him?"

Shen Jingchuan: "I have something to say, let's talk about it together."

Xu Mo didn't ask any more questions and led him towards his father's courtyard.

The servants at the door looked at Shen Jingchuan with puzzled expressions. They hadn't heard anyone announce the arrival of a guest outside, so where did this person come from?

Xu Mo spoke first, "Father, are you...?"

The servant replied, "He's in the study." He quickly led the way.

The two entered the study. Xu Jingting was holding a book, and without looking up, asked, "Mo'er, what brings you here?"

Xu Mo said, "Father, look who's here."

Xu Jingting then raised his head, looked closely, and exclaimed in surprise and delight, "Oh, isn't this Young Master Shen?"

Shen Jingchuan stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Uncle."

Xu Jingting quickly came out from behind his desk, personally offered him a seat, and then instructed Xu Mo to make tea.

A servant brought in hot water, which Xu Mo took, sent the servant away, and made tea for himself.

Xu Jingting sat down and asked, "Young Master Shen, what brings you here all of a sudden?"

Shen Jingchuan said, "Uncle, I've come to tell you something. The Rebel Army has captured Chang'an, and their main force is heading towards the Capital. Battle will break out here soon."

"Xu Mo and I are good friends. I fear the war will affect the Xu family, so I want to take you out of the capital. I have a place that is quiet and safe; your family can study there in peace until the war is over."

"My master has already agreed to come with me. If you're willing, you can come along too."

Xu Jingting listened, lowered his head, and remained silent.

Xu Mo looked at Shen Jingchuan from the side, hesitant to speak, but finally turned his gaze to his father.

After a long pause, Xu Jingting finally spoke, "Over the years, I have repeatedly petitioned for disaster relief, fearing it would incite a popular uprising, and now it has indeed escalated."

Shen Jingchuan said, "Such a court, once overthrown, is overthrown. Why should you be loyal to it?"

Xu Jingting shook his head and said, "Nephew, you don't understand. My loyalty has never been to the court, but to the people."

"My salary as an official comes from the people's hard-earned money, so I must serve them. If I remain silent while they suffer, I will feel guilty in my official duties."

"But my voice carries little weight, and it won't make a difference. This war will kill countless people, whether they are Government Army or Rebel Army. Every one of them is a father, husband, son; the death of one person brings grief to their entire family."

He sighed and said, "I'm an old man on my deathbed, I don't have many days left. Even if the Rebel Army really come in, I'm not afraid. I've never harmed the people, they'll have to be reasonable."

"Besides, I'm just a poor official. Besides this courtyard, all I have are books. What wealth do I have?"

Shen Jingchuan said, "It's not that I'm afraid the Rebel Army will make things difficult for you; I'm afraid the imperial court will persecute you."

Xu Mo also urged, "Father, let's go with Brother Shen."

Xu Jingting looked at his son and slowly said, "I'm not leaving. You go with Young Master Shen. You two are good friends; with him looking after you, I feel at ease."

He waved his hand and said, "If you're going to leave, you'd better do it sooner rather than later."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Shen Jingchuan turned to look at Xu Mo.

Xu Mo shook his head at him and said, "Brother Shen, I'm sorry, but since Father refuses to leave, I have to stay and keep him company. I appreciate your kindness."

Xu Jingting looked at his son, but felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

The roots and lineage of the Xu Household rest on this child.

He knew Xu Mo; he was a filial son. If he didn't leave, his son definitely wouldn't leave either, so he hesitated.