"However, if we give up now, it might be a bit premature."

Le Yu's gaze crossed the courtyard entrance, looking at Jing Shou who was eavesdropping outside without anyone noticing: "Uncle Shou, how many people are in Jing Garden now?"

Jing Shou seemed unfazed by their recent heartfelt discussion and calmly replied: "Two hundred fifty-six servants, seventy-two guards, thirty Linhai Army guards, and the Martial Artist Captain Lao Liu who has reached the 'Peak of Perfection'."

"Very good." Le Yu nodded: "Whether it's a conspiracy or coincidence, those disrupting Xuanzhu County are ultimately just a motley crew. Even if they harbor hatred and anger, they are merely an unorganized, leaderless ruckus."

"Though a ruckus can be tumultuous, as long as we keep our ship strong and steering steady, we can remain unharmed."

"Should we use military force to suppress them?"

Mu Qingmei was stunned even as she uttered this. Her face illuminated by candlelight, showing a hint of bewilderment.

She and Yin Minghong's elder brother Shui Xingzhou died due to a miner riot instigated by the Silver Blood Association's forceful suppression. Yin Minghong betrayed his brother to climb the ladder, lurking until now, while she has been diligently refining her Combat Technique, waiting for the opportunity.

Even though times have changed, her resolve often consumed by external temptations like greed and sloth, her hatred toward the Silver Blood Association has never diminished in the slightest—a blood feud that could overturn seas.

Yet now, she is the one suggesting the use of force to protect Jing Zhengwei's life.

She is suggesting the Silver Blood Association president wield the butcher's knife to suppress those poverty-stricken, helpless commoners she once sympathized with.

In her subconscious.

She thinks Jing Zhengwei's life.

Is far more important than those angry, shouting people's lives.

"Exactly!" Qing Lan quickly chimed in: "As long as we gather a group of elites and chop down those ruckus-makers swiftly, the others will surely be cowed into surrender. Those people hardly practice Combat Techniques, even if armed, they can't form a threat. Though they seem formidable now, once they hit a hard stone, the followers will naturally fear and scatter!"

Huyan Siluo added: "The Wanghai Manor also has many guards; we can collaborate. Inner city streets aren't wide; no matter how many rioters there are, they don't have the advantage. Instead, an army formation of elite guards is almost unstoppable!"

Yin Minghong's lips moved slightly, but he ultimately remained silent.

"The idea is great, I fully support it, but you've overlooked one point." Le Yu chuckled, applauding: "My enemies aren't just the populace."

Without allowing for further discussion, Le Yu turned to Jing Shou and said: "Uncle Shou, notify the old steward to dismiss the servants, have the guards and Linhai Army wait at the entrance, we will evacuate Jing Garden in ten minutes. Those who wish to leave with us may come, but don't expect us to wait."

"Yes." Jing Shou nodded calmly and left.

"Are we leaving Jing Garden?" Qing Lan asked softly.

"Don't worry, there'll be plenty of places to stay after tonight, though Jing Garden is likely to be destroyed." Le Yu crossed his arms and laughed: "By the way, you haven't sold that house in the outer city, have you?"

"No." Qing Lan shook her head: "That was the young master's old residence, I've had people clean it regularly."

"That's good. If there's nowhere else to go, I'll have to rely on the rich lady Qing Lan to take me in, as long as she provides a roof over my head to sleep, not on the floor." Le Yu said pitifully.

Even though the atmosphere wasn't right, Qing Lan was still amused. She nodded seriously, tightly holding Le Yu's hand: "There'll be a bed for you, as long as you don't mind crowding."

"No big bed?"

"There is a big bed, but you'll have to share and squeeze because we're sleeping two people." Qing Lan pretended to be upset: "Disdainful? If you're disdainful, you can sleep alone."

"What, such a good opportunity?" Le Yu was surprised.

"But you have to play cards with me every night, and you can't go to sleep until I'm satisfied." Qing Lan's cheeks flushed, "Waiving your rent, just asking you to play cards isn't too much, right?"

"Not too much, but I fear you want to play strip Battle Cards... Alas, alright." Le Yu sighed, adopting a demeanor of carrying a burden while enduring humiliation: "Truly a tiger that has fallen to Dongyang being bullied by dogs..."

Seeing these two handing out public displays of affection at inappropriate times and places, the others gradually replaced their heavy unease with a laughable feeling, lightening the mood, even feeling a bit sour. The young ones went unmentioned, but even the half-aged Mi Die was contemplating if the young master's previous words about her being mature, charming with a good taste were serious...

"Patriarch." Jing Shou called from afar, Le Yu gestured to everyone: "Let's go."

"Leaving just like that? Nothing to bring?" Mu Qingmei asked curiously: "I thought rich people would run off with a few boxes of gold and silver treasures..."

"That's not running away, that's moving." Le Yu took wide strides out of the Jing side courtyard, shaking his head: "There's nothing worth my attachment in Jing Garden, so that's that."

Everyone secretly admired; even the luxurious manor ranked top five in Xuanzhu County holds no attachment, this is the broad-minded heart of Jing Zhengwei who had turned Dongyang upside down?

However, it wasn't that Le Yu was deliberately showing off. In fact, most places didn't matter much to him.

None had air conditioning, refrigerators, or flush toilets.

Material wealth wasn't worth mentioning; Le Yu's most treasured possessions are two: one is the Saint's Relic, now a wristband he wears; the other is his phone, even though he keeps it off, the battery long drained, now used as a brick held to his chest, perhaps it might protect against a bullet someday.

Upon reaching Jing Garden's entrance, the guards and Linhai Army were already assembled and ready. In comparison, the Jing family guards appeared nervous, but the Linhai Army maintained their usual expression, having room to joke around, showing a clear distinction in levels.

A few Jing family members were also waiting at the entrance, but not many. Le Yu wasn't surprised—ten minutes is hardly enough for the Jing family who value wealth like their life to prepare. Even given ten hours wouldn't suffice; how could they simply abandon their wealth?

But scanning around, not seeing familiar faces, Le Yu asked the old steward: "Where are my third brother and sister-in-law?"

Though Le Yu had inherited the Jing family for nearly two months, the management wasn't much different than before: Jing Garden was still managed by the old steward, simply allowing Qing Lan to make comments; family affairs were still handled by Jing Shou, Yin Minghong was only responsible for flashy tasks.

Not seeing Jing Zhengwei, Le Yu was quite amazed. After all, the couple are the Jing family's only remaining SSR. Given the chaotic situation, Le Yu's orders were simple and clear, almost saying 'don't come and you'll die'. How could these smart two still be packing wealth?

The old steward respectfully saluted Le Yu, took out a letter from his sleeve: "A servant didn't see anyone in the third young master's room, only found this letter left on the desk."

Le Yu took the letter, it was addressed 'To Elder Brother', sealed without wax, and pulled out the letter to find just one line:

"Hope elder brother keeps the promise, do not worry, see you again if fate allows."

Qing Lan curiously asked from the side: "What's the matter?"

"Good news."

"Good news?"

"Yes, you won't have to worry about handling our relatives anymore." Le Yu put the letter back in the envelope, motioning for Yin Minghong to light a fire, burning it to ashes: "Oh wait, seems there's still one left, but no need to care... Young master now counts as truly alone in the world."

According to the agreement between Le Yu and Jing Zhengwei, Jing Zhengwei can work for Le Yu, helping him conquer the Jing Family. But as a price, Le Yu cannot interfere in Jing Zhengwei's actions and must allow him to leave with Feiwei in the future.

From the beginning, Jing Zhengwei never planned to stay long in the Jing Family.

Feiwei saw it early on; the Jing Family is not Le Yu's endpoint but rather his starting point.

Even if Le Yu gains power by borrowing the Linhai Army, causing other clan members to change their minds and be loyal to the Patriarch, Jing Zhengwei and his companion did not change their minds—different from others who hoped to benefit from Le Yu's rise and ascend along with him; they consistently believed that staying under Le Yu's command was too dangerous.

They would rather venture out on their own.

And indeed, they have the means to do so.

Le Yu estimated that Jing Zhengwei had long wanted to leave, but in these times, with Le Yu's dominance, they feared bringing it up would only lead to more restrictions, so they quietly went about their work, waiting for the right moment to quit openly.

Now is the opportunity.

Although it's unknown how the two escaped the inner city, their target is undoubtedly much smaller than the large group led by Le Yu.

Their decisive action shows they are fully confident.

"Young Master, you are not alone." Qing Lan shook her head, "I will always be by your side."

"Don't bother; I think I still want some personal space..."

Le Yu quickly set aside the matter of Jing Zhengwei and said to Yin Minghong, "You will command the guards and the Linhai Army, and—"

Boom!

A sudden, violent explosion sounded in the distance, a fire dragon soaring into the night sky!

Yin Minghong's face changed dramatically!

Luminous Firepowder!

Back in the White Night's time, they used this Luminous Firepowder to blast Half City, extremely powerful and incredibly unstable, commonly used for mountain blasting and mining!

"...Time left for the Silver Blood Association is running out, Second Master, let's go!"

Yin Minghong nodded, immediately instructing the guards and Linhai Army to clear a path as the vanguard, while Le Yu and others were positioned safely in the middle to rear as they advanced steadily in protection formation.

Le Yu exited Jing Garden, turned back, and saw the old steward still behind the door, curiously asked, "Fu Lao, what's wrong? Is your leg inconvenient? Do you need help leaving?"

The old steward shook his head, "Young Master, this old servant won't leave."

"Why?"

"This old servant grew up in Jing Garden, fortunate to serve Lord Qingfu, entrusted by him to care for Jing Garden for decades. Though without great merit, I dare say I've not dishonored this ancestral home that has been passed down through generations of the Jing Family, nor betrayed Lord Qingfu's trust."

"If this old servant fled to save my life, watching the glory of Jing Garden tarnished by commoners, I would be ashamed to face Lord Qingfu even in death."

Le Yu scoffed, "What's so special about Jing Qingfu?"

The old steward didn't get angry, nor did he retort, just nodded kindly at Le Yu, "With these old bones, I'm left with just a pile of outdated memories. If I follow Young Master, I would only be an eyesore to him."

"Young Master, take the Jing Family and go."

Le Yu glanced at the majestic decaying manor and the elder guarding the past within, nodding.

"We go."

As the gates of Jing Garden closed, they suddenly heard a somber, resounding song from within:

"Born covered in thorns,

Even if ugly and loathed,

What talk of retreat and reconciliation,

Bah! Only take an inch and gain a mile!

What talk of swallowing pride,

Bah! Only even worse!

Harmony, soon one begs for rice,

A hundred skills, not as strong as oppressing the weak.

The rich are vicious, the poor are vile, where is peace in the world?

Tooth for tooth, blood for blood, the nine realms are home.

Haha, unrequited kindness is not bad,

Hehe, unavenged grudge is truly scum!

No one born wicked,

Thorns also seek survival!"

Le Yu searched his memory and recalled Jing Zhengwei once heard this song as a child.

This is the Jing Family's clan song "Thorns." Back then, the Jing Family was just a mining foreman, facing oppression and exploitation, until ancestors grew and developed the generational business. By the time of Jing Qingfu's era, the Jing Family became a powerful trade association, and this clan song faded from memory; only some elderly remembered it.

Centennial Jing Family.

Some discard it like worn shoes.

Others cherish it like treasure.