Chapter 121: Crisis and Opportunity (II)

After finalizing their evacuation plan, Xu Qinyi had invited Lin Zheyu to leave with them in the same group. In his view, Songyi City was too chaotic now, so staying there was extremely dangerous. As for their family's businesses in Songyi City, others would handle those matters.

"I plan to stay in Songyi City a while longer. I still have some matters to deal with, but I promise to leave later with the Feihong Gang," replied Lin Zheyu.

He had once sworn to Old Master Chen that once he became strong enough, he would kill Zhao Guanbin, and that promise remained unfulfilled. And as for the Xing Family, he would not feel at ease leaving without killing that old man and Xing Penghai.

The other reason he wanted to stay was for money, and what better way to make money than robbing bandits and cults? He planned to go straight back to Lion Valley and grab some blood pills. He figured that once he reached Bafang City, the wages from the Feihong Gang and the income from storytelling promotions would barely be enough to buy even one set of herbs for Blood-Nourishing Bone-Fortifying Decoction a month. It would be far from sufficient.

In a peaceful and stable environment, it was difficult to conceal one's strength while also making money quickly. While Songyi City was still in turmoil and opportunities to fish in troubled waters existed, he intended to earn as much as he could.

"What about you, Brother Xihong? Your Chen Family has many members serving in the City Guard, too, right? It won't be easy for you to withdraw, will it?" asked Lin Zheyu, turning to Chen Xihong.

The Chen Family also had many people in the City Guard, though unlike the Xing Family, they had not built their power through it. Even the current commander of the City Guard was from the Xing Family.

"It's not a big problem for us. We'll just need to leave some people behind, as most of our branches aren't even in the City Guard. But hey, I heard your senior brother is also part of the City Guard, right? If he wants his family to evacuate early, I can help with that. I won't be able to get everyone out, but getting his parents, wife, and children out early should be doable," said Chen Xihong with a smile.

The rules were set by the Great Wei authorities, meant to restrain ordinary people. For people of their status, however, those same rules were far more flexible.

"Thank you, Brother Chen. I'll go back and ask my senior brother for his thoughts," said Lin Zheyu with delight and gratitude.

"It's nothing. The deputy commander your senior brother serves under has close ties with our Chen Family. You could say he's practically one of us," Chen Xihong explained.

Not everyone in the City Guard was born into esteemed families. The deputy commander, Xie Qi'ang, was a powerful martial cultivator of exceptional talent who had risen from a commoner background.

The City Guard was divided into three factions. One faction was led by the Xing Family, another by the commoners, and the last by other esteemed families to which the Chen Family belonged. Senior Brother Han, being a martial artist from a commoner background, had pledged himself to Xie Qiang's faction.

"If you don't leave with us, Brother Lin, I fear Sister Yuxiang will be terribly worried," Ren Qingfeng teased with a laugh.

It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Xu Yuxiang had feelings for Lin Zheyu, and the Xu Family had long been trying to bring them together. Unfortunately, Lin Zheyu showed no interest in such matters.

"Young Master Ren, don't speak nonsense. Young Master Lin and I are just friends. As a friend, it's only natural to be a little worried," Xu Yuxiang said, her face flushed red.

She stole a glance at Lin Zheyu and saw that his expression remained calm, so a hint of melancholy flickered in her eyes.

"There will still be a chance to meet in the future. Once Brother Lin arrives in Bafang City, you can see each other again. But Brother Lin, you must be careful while staying in the city. After we leave, there will be far fewer experts stationed here."

"The Nine Stars Gang is also planning to withdraw, around the same time as us. When that happens, the Xing Family will be the dominant force in Songyi City. The Xing Family's fifth elder already had his eyes on you before, so he's very likely to make a move against you. Please stay careful, brother," said Xu Qinyi gravely.

"There's something I don't quite understand about the Xing Family. Why would they target me? My talent may be a little above average, but I'm still just a Bone Forging Realm martial artist. That shouldn't be enough for such a powerful family to fixate on me, should it?"

Lin Zheyu voiced the question that had long puzzled him. Xing Jinglong's hostility could be explained by their past conflict, and Xing Jinglong's father and brother had wanted to capture him to uncover the cause of Jinglong's death and avenge him. But the Xing Family's fifth elder was different; he was clearly targeting Lin Zheyu specifically.

"I know the reason." Chen Xihong interjected, and everyone turned to him curiously.

"Rumor has it that the Xing Family possesses a secret medicine capable of unlocking a martial artist's potential, allowing them to rapidly advance to the Blood Qi Realm in a short time. However, this medicine has extremely high requirements. It only works on those with exceptional talent and aptitude. Otherwise, not only will it fail, but it will also drain their potential and shorten their lifespan.

"The Xing Family is probably targeting you because they plan to use this medicine to cultivate you into a Blood Qi Realm expert. This medicine is extremely costly, and the Blood Qi Realm experts it produces have very short lifespans of no more than 5 years. In times of peace, it would never be worth the expense.

"But with war looming, the Xing Family senses danger and has decided to use the medicine to raise a group of Blood Qi Realm deathsworn. According to reports from our spies, the Xing Family hasn't limited their search to Songyi City. They've sent people to many other cities to hunt for martial artists with exceptional talent but no background," said Chen Xihong with a grave expression.

Everyone was taken aback by what they heard, shocked that the Xing Family possessed such methods.

"I've read records about this in my family's ancient texts as well. It's said that centuries ago, when Songyi City was first founded, the Xing Family's ancestor relied on dozens of Blood Qi Realm warriors as private troops to establish their reputation as the city's foremost esteemed family," Xu Qinyi said. "Those Blood Qi Realm private soldiers were most likely created using this very method."

"So that's why! No wonder the Xing Family has been fixated on me all this time!" exclaimed Lin Zheyu as realization dawned on him. Had he not concealed his strength and progressed far faster than the Xing Family expected, they would likely have abducted him long ago.

"Brother Lin, I really think it would be safer if you left with us," said Ren Qingfeng seriously after hearing everything.

Lin Zheyu feigned a conflicted expression, then, after some thought, spoke with a tone that was both resigned and resolute.

"Don't worry. I have my own plans, and nothing will happen to me."

"In that case, we won't press you further. Just be careful. We'll see you again in Bafang City!" exclaimed Xu Qinyi.

They could tell that Lin Zheyu had some personal matters to take care of. But since he wasn't willing to talk about them, they didn't press him for details.

"If there's anything you need, just let me know. I'll see if I can help," said Ren Qingfeng with a smile.

"No need. I can handle it myself," replied Lin Zheyu, shaking his head. He had to admit, though, these three young masters were truly loyal friends.

***

3 days later, most of the esteemed family members affiliated with the Feihong Gang had withdrawn. 2 days after that, the families behind the Nine Stars Gang also began their evacuation. Both powers quickly contracted their operations, retaining only their most vital assets. Songyi City was now dominated entirely by the Xing Family.

Senior Brother Han agreed to have his parents, wife, and children evacuated early. With Chen Xihong's help, they would leave with the second wave of evacuees alongside the Feihong Gang. This would occur when the rebel army launched its attack on Guanning City. With a safe path secured for his family, Han Mo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, within the Xing Family.

With the Feihong Gang and Nine Stars Gang withdrawing, the Xing Family and their allied Wuding Gang began mobilizing to seize the industries left behind by the two factions.

"Father, that Lin Zheyu didn't leave with the Xu Family after all. I thought he'd escape us this time," said Xing Penghai with a broad smile on his face.

They had specifically mentioned Lin Zheyu to the fifth elder before, but the elder had been delayed by matters in Lion Valley and never made a move. They had assumed that with such exceptional talent, Lin Zheyu would certainly leave with the Xu Family's first wave, but to their surprise, he had not. It was an unexpected stroke of fortune.

"Do you really think the fifth elder has forgotten about this?" said Xing Zhicheng with a meaningful look.

"What do you mean?" asked Xing Penghai in confusion.

"When the first group from the Feihong Gang withdrew, they were ambushed by bandits along the way. There weren't many casualties, but they did lose quite a bit of silver and goods." Xing Zhiyuan let out a cold laugh, his expression heavy with implication.

"I see. No wonder the fifth elder hasn't made a move and isn't worried about Lin Zheyu leaving early," said Xing Penghai as realization dawned.

"Father, since Lin Zheyu didn't leave with the Xu Family and the City Lord is no longer in Songyi City, we don't need to be so cautious anymore. Why don't I bring some men tonight and capture him directly?" Xing Penghai suggested.

Finding out the cause of Xing Zhiyuan and his son's deaths was secondary. The main goal was to capture Lin Zheyu, a martial artist with exceptional talent, and earn significant merit for the Xing Family.

"

Mm.

Be cautious, however. His skill in the art of poison is likely quite high. Otherwise, Zhiyuan and Jing'an wouldn't have vanished so quietly," said Xing Zhicheng, reminding him.

"Yes, I'll bring Uncle Fugui with me," replied Xing Penghai.

Beneath the surface of Songyi City, dark currents stirred. Lin Zheyu, too, remained busy. Outside his daily cultivation, he disguised himself, concealed his aura with the Tortoise Breath Grand Method, and secretly tracked the movements of key Xing Family figures.

In a hidden corner outside the Xing Family estate. Lin Zheyu silently watched the entrance to the Xing estate, his gaze dark and cold. This war was both a crisis and an opportunity for the Xing Family, and the same was true for Lin Zheyu. But unlike the Xing Family, the opportunities far outweighed the dangers for Lin Zheyu!