Zhuangzi strode in from outside.
An unusual look of anxiety showed on his face.
"Mr. Jiang, something happened."
My heart skipped a beat. The last thing I wanted to hear right now was those words: something happened.
What happened? Could something have gone wrong when Zhong Wuming sent someone to bring Zhong Wuyan over?
"Another eleven returnees have appeared. Three of them are old patriarchs of the Three Great Families. At their ages, they should never have still been alive, yet they returned just like that. The old patriarchs of the Zhong Family and Liu Family had originally wielded tremendous influence within their clans, and their seniority is far too high. To the current Zhong and Liu Families, they are like true ancestral forebears. Especially the Zhong Family's old patriarch—upon returning, he forcefully had Zhong Wuming locked up. Fortunately, Zhong Wuming had already arranged for Zhong Wu to send Zhong Wuyan here. They'll arrive soon."
I narrowed my eyes. "Take some people and meet them. Don't let anything happen. If something happens to Zhong Wuyan, the Zhong Family will have even more reason to attack Zhong Wuming."
But Zhuangzi said, "The Twelve Earthly Branches cannot leave the estate, and neither can the other twenty-four estate guards. That's why I came to ask whether we should activate ten mechanical people and have them bring Zhong Wuyan back."
I glanced at the Doctor. He said, "Don't look at me. Decide what to do yourself. You're the master of this estate."
I said to Zhuangzi, "All right. Activate ten mechanical people and have them bring Zhong Wuyan back. Make sure she stays safe!"
Zhuangzi hurried off to handle it.
Eleven returnees—and three old patriarchs from the Four Great Families at that. This was rather terrifying.
Ordinary members of the families were one thing,