Return Again

Jiang Dao knew that the recent battle must have attracted all the Malevolent Spirits hidden in the darkness.

Without the recent battle, these Malevolent Spirits might not have been targeting them.

Even if they were targeting them, there wouldn't be so many.

But now, due to the previous incident, their escape plan had to change.

"Let's go back. We'll leave tomorrow during the day!"

Jiang Dao's voice was low.

Even if tomorrow daytime presented more difficulties, he was determined to lead his family away.

Anyone who dared to stop him, he would kill!

"Go back?"

Pang Lin asked in surprise.

"Yes, we can only go back!"

Jiang Dao said with reluctance.

"Alright!"

Pang Lin nodded and quickly began to call his men, heading back to the Jiang Manor to retreat.

Everyone else was also trembling. Upon receiving the order, they didn't dare to delay and immediately turned around, retreating towards the Jiang Manor.

"What's wrong? Why are we suddenly leaving? Is the path ahead blocked?"

Qian Ruchun asked nervously.

"Don't ask too many questions. Dao'er must have other arrangements,"

Jiang Dalong said.

The concubines all shivered, hugging themselves and huddling close to Jiang Dalong.

The convoy quickly turned around.

Jiang Dao, mounted on his horse, was still personally covering the rear, his gaze fixed on the Malevolent Spirit in the alley.

Fortunately, the Malevolent Spirit merely watched them from afar, revealing a sinister grin, but did not charge directly.

Only after everyone had passed him did Jiang Dao secretly heave a sigh of relief and slowly retreat.

Soon, they were completely out of the Malevolent Spirit's sight. The family then suddenly picked up speed, galloping towards the Jiang Manor.

Half an hour later.

Everyone entered the Jiang Manor again.

"Master, Young Master, look quickly!"

Suddenly, a servant shouted in terror.

Jiang Dalong emerged from the carriage. He had intended to scold the servant, but upon seeing the scene before him, his face instantly turned pale with shock.

"How could this happen? Who wrote this?"

Jiang Dao frowned and quickly rode his horse from the rear.

Upon reaching the manor gate, his eyes darkened as he noticed the scene ahead.

In front of the manor gate, the white lanterns that were originally hanging now had red characters written on them at some unknown time.

[Death]!

At a glance, the "Death" characters, illuminated by the lanterns, appeared eerily sinister and soul-stirring.

As the night wind blew, the entire courtyard felt chillingly gloomy.

It was like an open gate to the underworld.

"Dao'er, did… did a Malevolent Spirit do this too?"

Jiang Dalong asked, horrified.

"Take down all the lanterns!"

Jiang Dao said in a low voice.

"Quick, quickly take down all the lanterns!"

Jiang Dalong hurriedly ordered.

A group of servants trembled in fear, not daring to move at all.

They wished they were as far away as possible from such eerie things.

Jiang Dalong yelled repeatedly, but still, no one dared to go forward. Everyone's faces were pale and filled with terror.

"You useless lot! Whoever goes up and takes down the lanterns, I'll reward them with fifty taels of silver!"

Jiang Dalong roared.

Despite this, all the servants remained incredibly fearful, and not a single person dared to step forward and take the risk.

Jiang Dao let out a cold snort, suddenly slapped his horse's back, and charged forward. His long saber was instantly unsheathed, and with a bloody glow, it swept out, shattering two lanterns in quick succession.

Bang bang!

The lanterns exploded, scattering firelight.

Jiang Dao landed steadily on the ground.

"Everyone, dismantle the lanterns immediately. It's just a parlor trick, there's no danger!"

Jiang Dao said coldly.

Seeing that even the Eldest Young Master's personal intervention was safe, the many servants gradually gained courage. Coupled with the promise of a generous reward, a few quickly rushed out, venturing to take down the remaining lanterns.

Jiang Dao's gaze was sharp. He first scanned the entire exterior of the Jiang Manor, ensuring no Malevolent Spirits were lurking nearby. Then, pressing his hand on his steel saber, he began walking towards the interior of the Jiang Manor.

As the lanterns were taken down one by one, the interior of the Jiang Manor became incredibly dark.

Fortunately, Pang Lin quickly led people to bring torches and plant them around.

Jiang Dalong also immediately called out to the remaining people, urging them towards the courtyard.

"No one is to return to their rooms tonight. Everyone stay in the courtyard and make do for the night. We'll discuss things tomorrow morning!"

Jiang Dalong gave his instructions.

The many servants nodded in unison and hurried to unload the necessary supplies from the carts.

Some set up cooking pots, others boiled water, and some servants were quickly preparing beds for the master, madam, and young ladies.

Piles of bonfires were soon lit.

The dim Jiang Family courtyard gradually gained some light and became much warmer.

Jiang Dao circled the entire front courtyard. Finding nothing unusual, he walked towards Jiang Dalong.

He had no intention of checking the backyard.

The entire Jiang Family courtyard was too vast. If he went too far, the front courtyard might be in danger.

Therefore, it was better to just make do for the night and check again tomorrow morning.

Anxiety filled the air.

A group of servants bustled about, serving the master, madam, and young ladies as they took their seats, before crowding around the perimeter, huddling together.

"Young Master, have some hot tea!"

Pang Lin brought over a freshly brewed cup of tea and offered it to Jiang Dao.

"Thank you, Master Pang!"

Jiang Dao took the teacup and nodded slightly.

He casually placed the teacup aside, with no intention of drinking it, his mind heavy with worry.

The other members of the Jiang Family were similarly uneasy and filled with tension.

And so, The night slowly passed.

For almost everyone, the night felt like an eternity.

Finally, the crowing of roosters echoed through the courtyard.

The dim sky began to gradually brighten.

A sliver of dawn appeared in the east, followed by the red sun, casting a bright light, as if a new world was about to arrive.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief, feeling as if a great burden had been lifted.

After a whole night, each of them had broken out in a cold sweat.

"It's alright, it's alright now."

Jiang Dalong gently comforted his concubine beside him. He then stood up and approached Jiang Dao, saying, "Dao'er, what should we do next? Should we still leave?"

"Leave. After breakfast, we must leave!"

Jiang Dao said in a low voice.

"But if we leave, other wealthy merchants and common folk will surely follow suit. What if the imperial court cracks down forcefully then?"

Jiang Dalong voiced his concern.

"Even if they crack down forcefully, we must still leave. If the imperial court doesn't give us a way to live, we'll drag them down with us. Anyone who dares to block us, we'll fight our way through!"

Jiang Dao said coldly.

He had now mastered several martial arts, all cultivated to the level of 120 years.

Although they were all external martial arts, considered obscure techniques, reaching 120 years of cultivation would be terrifying.

If nothing else, ordinary armies wouldn't be able to stop him.

Once he went berserk and left, the authorities would definitely pay a price.

Jiang Dalong's heart was filled with apprehension, and he repeatedly nodded.

The entire backbone of the household had, without anyone realizing it, shifted to Jiang Dao.

"Master, Young Master, something's happened! Hurry and look!"

Suddenly, a servant rushed in from outside, face filled with panic, and shouted.

"What is it?"

Pang Lin was the first to rush over, shouting angrily.

"Outside the gate... someone left writing outside the gate!"

The servant said, terrified.

"What?"

Jiang Dalong's face changed drastically, and he quickly rushed outside.

Jiang Dao had already reached the outside first, his pupils constricting.

Outside the empty main gate, on the bluestone-paved ground, a thick, scarlet bloodline had appeared. It was enormous, stretching over ten meters long, blocking the entrance.

Outside the bloodline, a line of scarlet writing remained, exuding a chilling aura.

[Those who cross the red line by ten steps shall die!]

"You're asking for death!"

Killing intent flared within Jiang Dao.