Let Me Leave?

Inside the room, every member of the Jiang Family's direct line had already gathered.

Five good-for-nothing younger brothers.

Eight sisters, their faces pale with terror.

And Jiang Dalong's eight concubines: Jiang Dao's Second Consort, Third Consort, Fourth Consort... all the way to Ninth Consort.

All eight concubines bore traces of tears on their faces.

Several were even kneeling on the floor, clutching Jiang Dalong's trouser legs, their hair in disarray as they begged bitterly.

"Master, I beg you, don't abandon me. Please, don't abandon me! You loved me most!"

"Master, have mercy. It's fine if you don't take me, but take Ruyan with you! Ruyan is only twelve this year. Take her with you!"

"Qiao'er, hurry and beg your father! Tell him to take you out of Hengzhou!"

"Master, don't abandon our mother and daughter. Ruxue is your own flesh and blood too! Wuwuwu..."

The concubines wept until they were covered in snot and tears.

His younger sisters were also wiping away tears in panic, looking pleadingly at Jiang Dalong through tear-filled eyes.

Jiang Dalong's eyes reddened. Seemingly unable to bear the pleading gazes of his daughters, he viciously raised his leg, kicked over one concubine, and roared, "Enough! Stop crying, all of you!"

"Father."

Jiang Dao walked in from outside, his brows slightly furrowed. "What exactly happened?"

"Dao'er, Dao'er, you're here. Beg your father to take your sisters with him. Please, make him take your sisters. You've loved your sisters most since you were little..."

His Second Consort, Liu Hongyan, hurriedly crawled toward Jiang Dao and begged bitterly.

The other concubines also hurriedly crawled toward Jiang Dao, pleading with him.

"Big Brother..."

Several younger sisters looked at Jiang Dao with tear-blurred eyes and trembling voices.

Seeing his eldest son arrive, Jiang Dalong let out a heavy sigh. It was as if he had aged more than ten years in an instant. He slumped into his chair, reaching for his teacup, only to find that the tea inside had long dried up. He could only set it back down and looked at Jiang Dao bitterly.

"Dao'er, I went to the yamen earlier. Magistrate Wang agreed to leave a thread of bloodline for the Jiang Family. He gave us seven slots to escape the city.

"After considering it, I decided that you would take your five younger brothers and leave. As for the final slot, it will go to Ruyan. Ruyan is still young, only twelve this year. The seven of you must leave Hengzhou City now. I have prepared five hundred thousand taels of silver. Take all of it with you!"

"Big Brother..."

Hearing Jiang Dalong's arrangement, the other seven younger sisters immediately burst into tears.

The feeling of being abandoned by their own father twisted their hearts like knives.

"Master, give Qiao'er one! Give Qiao'er a slot!"

"Master, Ruxue is your own flesh and blood too! She is your daughter too! Let her escape as well!"

"Master, why are you so unfair? Ah..."

Several concubines crawled toward Jiang Dalong again and began weeping in anguish.

"Enough!"

Jiang Dalong gritted his teeth and roared like an enraged lion, "If I could take you with me, would I not want you to leave? I paid a full seven hundred thousand taels! Seven hundred thousand taels of silver in exchange for only seven slots! What do you expect me to do? Must I throw away the entire family fortune?"

Jiang Dao's brows drew tightly together.

The magistrate had accepted seven hundred thousand taels from their family before agreeing to let seven people out.

The price was far too steep.

Since he had already taken the money, why could he not turn a blind eye and give them a few more slots?

Could this Malevolent Spirit incident also be connected to the imperial court?

Had the imperial court put pressure on him, leaving Magistrate Wang too afraid to take risks, with seven slots already being his limit?

"Dao'er, the banknotes are all ready. Once you leave the city, watch over your five younger brothers properly. From now on, you can no longer spend money with a lavish hand. Find wives for each of your brothers, one by one. Just make sure the Jiang Family bloodline does not end with you."

Jiang Dalong sighed wearily.

"Father, there is no need to be so pessimistic. Things have not reached that point yet."

Jiang Dao shook his head.

"You don't understand!"

Jiang Dalong gave a bitter smile. "I learned some other secrets from the magistrate this time. This time, heaven is dooming Hengzhou City. Unless thousands upon thousands of people in Hengzhou City die, this disaster will not subside. Anyone targeted by that thing will have no path to survival. Whoever remains will die. Do you understand?"

"Magistrate Wang knows the inside story?"

Jiang Dao asked in surprise.

"Yes."

Jiang Dalong sighed heavily. "I suspect people from the imperial court are involved. We are merely ordinary citizens. There is no use saying more now. Take the silver and leave at once before it gets dark. Second, Third, hurry and pack your things!"

"Yes, Father!"

The several good-for-nothing sons hurriedly answered.

They quickly withdrew.

Jiang Dalong gently stroked a black bundle on the table. Rising to his feet with difficulty, he solemnly handed the bundle to Jiang Dao. "Dao'er, all the silver is in here. Keep it safe. If you live frugally, five hundred thousand taels should be enough for all of you to live well for the rest of your lives."

"Father..."

Jiang Dao's heart felt heavy.

Though he had only transmigrated here three days ago and had not developed especially deep feelings for Jiang Dalong.

Still, in all conscience, Jiang Dalong had been meticulous in his care for him these past three days. He could not leave such kindness unpaid.

But could his three martial arts at Grand Completion truly deal with a Malevolent Spirit?

Besides, the imperial court seemed to have laid out a scheme here...

Jiang Dao fell silent for a time.

Not long after.

All five younger brothers had finished packing. They brought their bundles, loaded some valuable weapons, and led over six Yellow Roan Horses.

As for his little sister Jiang Ruyan, she was too young and could only ride the same fast horse as Jiang Dao.

"Hehe, Master Jiang, what is this?"

Suddenly, a voice that seemed to smile without smiling rang out. Taoist Changbai appeared nearby with a grin on his face. "Don't tell me you're running away?"

Jiang Dalong's heart tightened. He quickly replied with a laugh, "What are you saying, Daoist? How could that be? I merely sent them out to take care of something. They will be back shortly."

"Taking care of something? Does that require so many people?"

Taoist Changbai smiled. "What business might that be? Could you tell this old Daoist about it? Why do I smell the scent of banknotes? Eldest Young Master, there must be quite a bit of money in your bundle, yes?"

Jiang Dao's expression darkened, killing intent surging in his heart.

This old bastard had bullied the Jiang Family far too much!

Now he had to question everything!

Yesterday, he had even greedily taken tens of thousands of taels from their family without so much as a fart.

"Daoist, you jest. I am merely worried that this place may suffer a Malevolent Spirit attack, so I sent them to look at houses in the eastern district. We are preparing to move somewhere else."

Jiang Dalong hurriedly forced a smile. He quickly came to Taoist Changbai's side, took several more banknotes from his sleeve, and handed them to the Daoist. "I will not forget the Daoist's compensation."

Taoist Changbai pinched the banknotes between his fingers, his face breaking into a beaming smile. "So that is how it is. Still, Hengzhou City has been chaotic lately, and it is already getting dark. Would the young masters like this old Daoist to accompany them?"

"Thank you for your kind intention, Daoist, but we will return shortly."

Jiang Dao's tone was calm.

He had completely developed the intention to kill this old Daoist.

Once he had confirmed the extent of his own strength, he would certainly return and crush this old bastard to death with his own hands.

Unless he sliced this old bastard into a thousand pieces, the hatred in his heart would never be quelled.

It was no exaggeration to say that one-fifth of the Jiang Family's wealth had entered this old Daoist's pocket.

"Mm, in that case, this poor Daoist wishes the Eldest Young Master a smooth journey."

Old Daoist Changbai said with a beaming smile.

Jiang Dao nodded faintly, his heart cold to the extreme. He mounted the fast horse, casually lifted his little sister Jiang Ruyan up and settled her in front of him, then immediately spurred the horse out of the city.

His five younger brothers hurried after him as well.

Jiang Dalong sighed inwardly, gently wiped at the corner of his eye, and smiled. "Did dust suddenly get into the courtyard?"