On the dilapidated, chaotic streets, Qin Yang wandered aimlessly.
He had already left the Fierce Wolf Gang's territory and entered the turf of another gang.
Just like the Fierce Wolf Gang, the gang here had also begun expanding without restraint two months ago, crazily plundering wealth.
"The White River Gang, the Fierce Wolf Gang... and this place."
"It seems this wasn't a coincidence. Someone has secretly taken control of these gang leaders."
"Even the people in the Inner City haven't reacted at all."
Qin Yang's heart felt heavy.
The Outer City had always been chaotic. The Lineages of the Inner City simply did not care what these Outer City gangs did to their own territory, as long as it did not affect the Inner City.
"Once these gangs finish their mad expansion, Linjiang City will likely fall."
Qin Yang caught the scent of danger.
As for who the mastermind behind it all was, he already had a rough answer in his heart.
The Other Shore Cult.
This sinister cult had previously stirred up unrest in the Outer City in secret, killing many Blood Moving Martial Artists there.
As a result, the Outer City's gang forces had been greatly reduced. After a round of slaughter, the originally tangled web of gangs had been whittled down to barely more than a dozen, making them far easier to control.
Then came some kind of evil technique to control the gang leaders, driving them to expand wildly and recruit without end.
The Other Shore Cult had already gained a large number of followers among the impoverished people of the Outer City. Now that even the gangs had been swallowed into its grasp, it had silently grown into a colossal beast.
If Qin Yang's guess was correct, their next move would be against the Inner City.
Linjiang City was about to descend into great chaos!
As Qin Yang's thoughts reached this point, he was about to head toward the Inner City when more than a dozen streetwise gang thugs blocked his path.
"Kid, where are you going?"
"Looking at how finely dressed you are, you must be some rich young master."
"We brothers have been short on spending money lately. How about lending us some?"
The thug leader twirled a small knife, smiling broadly.
"How much do you want?" Qin Yang seemed to have cowered.
"Not much. Three hundred taels of silver."
"Otherwise, leave one hand here today."
Hearing Qin Yang's words, the thug leader thought he had found another fat sheep and grinned.
"One hand is too little. How about two?"
Qin Yang said flatly.
"What do you mean?"
"You're playing me?!"
The thug leader seemed to realize something. He flew into a rage, strode forward, and viciously drove his knife toward Qin Yang's stomach.
Qin Yang's right hand shot out like lightning, clamping down on the thug leader's wrist before wrenching hard.
Riiip!
It was as though a puppet's arm had been torn off.
The thug leader's entire right arm was ripped off alive.
"Aaaahhh!!!"
The thug leader screamed in agony.
Qin Yang smiled faintly and struck again, brutally tearing off his other arm at the shoulder.
Riiip!
This time, the pain made the thug leader pass out completely.
The thugs surrounding Qin Yang saw this and were frightened out of their wits, fleeing in all directions.
Qin Yang stepped over the thug leader without expression and left.
He went to the Inner City, found Li Tong, and explained his purpose.
"What? You want to sell Qin Manor, the two apothecaries, and the inn—all of them?!"
When Li Tong heard Qin Yang's words, he nearly failed to hold his teacup steady.
He had originally thought Qin Yang had come because he had taken a fancy to some girl in those portraits.
"Yes. Uncle Li, please help me sell them as soon as possible." Qin Yang nodded lightly.
"Nephew, now is not a good time to sell. The Outer City has been in chaos lately. If you sell now, the price will be forced down terribly."
Li Tong spoke seriously.
As a merchant, he felt Qin Yang would be taking far too great a loss by doing this.
"It doesn't matter. Sell them for whatever you can get."
"As long as it's quick."
Qin Yang did not care about the price.
Li Tong frowned deeply. "Nephew, why have you suddenly made this decision?"
He could not understand why Qin Yang would suddenly give up everything he had in Linjiang City.
It was far too strange.
"Uncle Li, whether you believe me or not..."
"I think Linjiang City will soon fall into great chaos."
Qin Yang's tone was grave.
"For now, it's only the Outer City that's a little chaotic. You only need to move into the Inner City. There's no need to leave Linjiang City, is there?"
Li Tong still did not understand.
"Uncle Li, since you live in the Inner City, you may not understand the situation in the Outer City."
"The Outer City is now shrouded by an Evil Cult. I believe it will soon spread to the Inner City."
"While there's still some time, I want to leave as soon as possible."
Qin Yang said in a low voice.
After what happened last night, the thought of leaving had already taken root in him.
Linjiang City was growing ever more chaotic. There was no point in staying here any longer.
"Then where do you plan to go, nephew?" Li Tong asked.
"I plan to go to the Prefecture City."
"It should be safer there."
Qin Yang had long since made his plans.
"All right, then, if you truly do not care about the price."
"I can buy the assets in your manor first, then sell them off myself."
"That way, you'll lose a little less. What do you think, nephew?"
Li Tong made a suggestion.
"Then thank you, Uncle Li." Qin Yang agreed at once.
In the end, Li Tong bought Qin Manor, Laifu Restaurant, and the two apothecaries for four thousand five hundred taels of silver.
With the Land Deeds on him, Qin Yang signed the contract, accepted the Money Order, and handed everything directly over to Li Tong.
"When do you plan to leave, nephew?"
Li Tong asked one more question.
"Tomorrow." Qin Yang had made up his mind; he did not want to remain in Linjiang City for even another moment.
Li Tong hesitated for a while, but in the end, he merely wished Qin Yang a smooth journey.
Qin Yang quickly returned to Qin Manor.
Qin Yang had Qian Hai summon the shopkeepers and informed them that he had sold his businesses and would be leaving Linjiang City.
"Young Master, why so suddenly?"
"Yes, we weren't prepared at all."
The three shopkeepers were all greatly shocked, utterly unprepared.
Even Qian Hai wore a look of surprise.
Qin Yang had never mentioned this matter to him before.
"It happened suddenly."
"I've already had Old Wu in the Accounting Room calculate your Severance Pay."
"Go collect the money now and distribute it among the staff. Let us part on good terms."
Qin Yang said calmly.
At this point, no one dared question his words.
Although the shopkeepers had yet to calm down, they obediently went to the Accounting Room to collect the money.
"Uncle Qian, ask how many people in the manor are willing to go to the Prefecture City with us."
"Give Severance Pay to those unwilling to go. Don't force them."
"Then have people pack everything up. We leave tomorrow."
Qin Yang said softly.
"We're really leaving?" Qian Hai confirmed once more.
"We're really leaving." Qin Yang nodded.
Qian Hai nodded to Qin Yang and immediately went to make the arrangements.
The maids and servants in the manor were all locals. Other than Xiao Huan, who was willing to follow Qin Yang, no one wished to travel with him to the Prefecture City a thousand li away.
The Guards were the same.
Qin Yang was happy with that. Fewer people meant less trouble.
He could not even be bothered to sell some of the furniture at home, simply letting the servants and Guards take it away.
And so, he watched Qin Manor gradually be emptied out.
Seeing this, Qian Hai's expression grew faintly wistful.
The sun set in the west.
Old Wu from the Accounting Room also came before Qin Yang, carrying his abacus.
"Young Master, I'm old. I can't walk that far anymore."
Qin Yang took out a banknote. "Old Wu, don't stay in the city. Go back to the countryside and retire."
Old Wu put away the banknote, bowed deeply to Qin Yang, and slowly left Qin Manor.
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