Changchang County, Wuyan Town.
"Father, I'm back."
Zhang Dahu darted into the small courtyard and swiftly shut the door.
He looked up at the Exorcism Talisman pasted on the doorframe and could not help letting out a long breath.
"How are things outside?"
An old man with dark skin and a face full of sorrow came forward. "Did you find anyone?"
"I did!"
Zhang Dahu wiped the sweat beading on his forehead and said, "Wang Wu's family, Sun Cheng's family, and Li Zhen's family are all willing to leave with us. We'll meet on the Chidao at the time of the rabbit tomorrow. Anyone late will be left behind!"
"Alas."
Old Man Zhang sighed heavily. "Let's hope it goes smoothly."
Unless forced to the bitter end, Old Man Zhang truly did not want to leave the little town where he had been born and raised.
But the situation in town had deteriorated to the point where survival was impossible. If they did not leave now, they would sooner or later lose their lives.
"I wonder if the county seat will send Exorcism Envoys over."
He still clung to a final shred of hope.
"Don't count on it."
Zhang Dahu said in a muffled voice, "Li Zhen told me that Evil Spirits are causing trouble in the county seat too. They can barely save themselves and have no way of sending Battle Cultivators to wipe out the Evil Spirits. We should run while we can."
Old Man Zhang's expression grew even more sorrowful. "That's all we can do."
Just as Zhang Dahu was about to offer some comfort, his expression abruptly changed. "Fog's rising! Get inside!"
Father and son hurried back into the room, opened the cover to the hidden passage, and climbed down inside.
Their wives and children were waiting