After seeing Xixi and Lin Yao off, Lin Chen returned to the courtyard feeling rather dejected.
Over the past two days, as one branch family member after another withdrew, many houses had been left empty, and the courtyard gradually became unnaturally quiet.
Now only a few old servants remained at work, and the vast residence had suddenly been emptied by more than half.
That evening, Alia was sorting through the things in the study.
When she turned and saw Lin Chen enter, she stopped what she was doing, then pulled a travel bag from beneath the study desk and handed it to him.
"Chen, you need to leave later too."
Lin Chen did not take the bag. Instead, he asked, "Leave? Go where?"
"Go after Xixi and protect them in secret," Alia said.
"You have great talent. You are someone who will break through to become a Formal Wizard in the future, and the rise and fall of the family are closely tied to you. It is too dangerous for you to stay here."
"If Mother doesn't leave, neither will I," Lin Chen said stubbornly.
"I have to wait for your father to return," Alia said. "Someone has to remain in charge at home. Otherwise, what if your father comes back and finds no one here?"
"Besides, as the clan leader's wife, I may already be under surveillance by the Black Fang Family. If I get caught, the consequences will be even worse."
"The other clan members have not gone far. If I stay behind, I can buy them some time."
"Then I'll stay and keep you company," Lin Chen said. "I have the strength to protect you."
Alia looked at him, wanting to say something, but Lin Chen had already straightened his back.
"I am at the peak of