Chapter 23 of 100

Chapter 23

14 min read3,588 words

Qin Wentian felt that time passed quickly. In two days, he practiced frantically and comprehended the second-stage divine patterns, consuming two star meteorites, finally advancing to the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm. The star primordial energy flowed through his organs, his aura grew stronger, and with each breath, it seemed to contain surging vitality. A casual punch could unleash the immense power of fifty oxen. He wished he had more time to improve his cultivation and enhance his strength.

However, for the people of the Qin Manor, each day felt like a year. The attacks from the three knightly groups outside became increasingly fierce, and people were dying at any moment. The oppressive and vengeful flames had reached their peak. A voice emerged in the Qin Manor, urging them to fight their way out at any cost, even if they had to die, they would take others down with them.

Qin Chuan did not agree. Instead, he gathered all the clan members and paid respects to the ancestral portrait of Qin Wu in the ancestral hall. Today was the annual memorial day, and the old patriarch, Qin Hao, also came out.

After paying respects to the ancestors, the people of the Qin Manor left the ancestral hall. As they walked through the manor, a clan member carried a corpse past, causing someone to忍不住 shout, "Old Patriarch, attack! If we continue like this, we will be trapped to death."

"There's no need. They want me. I have already contacted some old friends. Once I am taken as a prisoner to the imperial city, they will launch an army from the border," Qin Hao said calmly. "As long as I am in their hands, those people will be at ease."

"Father, no, the Qin Manor cannot let you take such a risk," Qin Chuan shook his head. The old patriarch's intention was to surrender himself, sacrificing himself.

"The empire my grandfather built has declined in my hands. I cannot watch it be destroyed," Qin Hao smiled, then walked to Qin Wentian and the others, gently touching Qin Wentian's head and said kindly, "Protect Wentian and the others. Make sure nothing happens to them."

Qin Chuan's eyes turned red, and he nodded heavily.

"Grandpa Qin." Qin Wentian felt a wave of sorrow. Could the Qin Manor really not survive this disaster?

"Old Patriarch, Manor Lord, the Star River Guild has arrived," someone reported, making Qin Wentian startled, a glimmer of hope arising. Perhaps there could be a turning point.

"Quickly invite them in," Qin Chuan said. Soon, they saw several figures walking over, and the people behind them carried many large packages.

"I am Mu Qing, and I have come to see Young Master Wentian," the leader, Mu Qing, whom Qin Wentian had met at the Star River Guild, said. The proud girl and Feng Ping were also with him.

Qin Hao nodded slightly, and Qin Wentian stepped forward, saying, "Greetings, Master Mu Qing."

"Qin Wentian, I have seen the divine patterns you carved, which are very exquisite. Would you like to join the Star River Guild and become my disciple?" Mu Qing asked Qin Wentian.

"Master, please take a look." Qin Wentian did not answer but handed a piece of iron he had prepared to Mu Qing. Mu Qing glanced at it, his eyes shining with admiration. This young man could carve second-stage divine patterns, and they were exquisitely intricate, something he had never seen before.

"If I agree to join the Star River Guild and become your disciple, Master, can you ensure the safety of the Qin Manor?" Qin Wentian asked Mu Qing.

Mu Qing was taken aback, then shook his head slightly, "The situation at the Qin Manor is extremely complex, involving many parties. Although I am in the Star River Guild, I cannot interfere too much. However, if you agree, I can take you to safety now."

"Wentian, agree to it," Qin Hao and Qin Chuan both said, but Qin Wentian was disappointed. If he could not ensure the safety of the Qin Manor, what would it mean for him to leave alone, abandoning the Qin Manor to save himself?

Thinking of this, Qin Wentian shook his head, "Master Mu Qing, I cannot agree."

"Consider it again. With your talent, you will have everything you want in the future, and even have the chance to avenge the Qin Manor," Mu Qing persuaded.

"Wentian." Qin Chuan and the others also looked at Qin Wentian, this child!

But Qin Wentian still shook his head, "If you can ensure the safety of the Qin Manor, I will definitely agree."

Mu Qing looked at Qin Wentian, shook his head with a bitter smile, and said, "I don't have that much power, but I still don't want to lose such a talented person. You can first become a guest expert of the Star River Guild and consider joining later. This way, although I cannot intervene in this matter, once you come to the Star River Guild, I believe no one will dare to attack you there."

Qin Wentian's eyes lit up, and he bowed to Mu Qing, saying, "Thank you, Master Mu Qing. I am willing to become a guest expert of the Star River Guild."

"Good, I hope you can come to the Star River Guild safely. I will be waiting for you." Mu Qing patted Qin Wentian's shoulder and turned to leave. Feng Ping waved his hand, and the people behind him opened the packages, revealing many divine weapons.

"These are all my possessions: eight first-grade upper divine weapons and thirty-seven middle-grade divine weapons," Feng Ping said. He had been frantically forging weapons over the past two days and brought them here.

"Thank you." Qin Wentian handed a piece of iron with a second-stage divine pattern to Feng Ping, who left delightedly.

"These divine weapons can increase the strength of the Qin Manor. Wentian, choose a few first, and the rest will be divided by Qin Chuan," Qin Hao said. Qin Wentian nodded and chose a divine weapon, a long spear, which was fierce and powerful, suitable for him.

"Ahh..." A scream broke the brief silence of the Qin Manor, followed by shouts. People looked up to see flaming arrows raining down from the sky, landing in the Qin Manor. In a moment, flames rose high, clearly indicating that the people outside had launched a final attack.

Qin Hao's figure flashed as he rushed out of the Qin Manor.

"Father." Qin Chuan and the others followed, and the Qin Manor was now in chaos. All the fighters were advancing toward the outside, while the guards still held their positions.

Soon, Qin Hao slowly walked out of the main gate of the Qin Manor. Wu Xiuluo waved his hand, and everyone stopped, but the flames in the Qin Manor were already rising high. At the same time, powerful figures broke through the walls and charged in, directly attacking the guards.

Many people outside saw this scene, as if they were witnessing the fall of the Qin Manor.

"Wu Xiuluo, I will go with you. Spare the people of the Qin Manor," Qin Hao slowly walked toward Wu Xiuluo and the others.

"Old Patriarch, if you are so willing, I will naturally spare the people of the Qin Manor," Wu Xiuluo smiled. "But the condition is that I must ensure you can leave safely with me."

As he spoke, two knights with long spears approached Qin Hao.

Qin Chuan and the others clenched their fists, sweat pouring down their bodies, extremely tense.

Suddenly, the two knights thrust their spears simultaneously, with great force. A sound of penetration was heard, and the spears pierced through Qin Hao's legs, the tips piercing through, blood gushing out, leaving two large wounds in his legs.

"Father."

"Old Patriarch."

Qin Chuan and the others roared and rushed forward, but Qin Hao shouted, "Stop."

Qin Hao's body lay on the ground, unable to stand. Qin Chuan and the others stopped, their faces pale with hatred. Wu Xiuluo's horse came to Qin Hao's side, and he looked down at Qin Hao with a cruel expression. "Old Patriarch, you are indeed a man of character, but I haven't finished speaking. The condition for sparing the Qin Manor is that they do not resist, and the core members, I still need to take away."

As he spoke, Wu Xiuluo coldly ordered, "Take Old Patriarch Qin away!"

Many knights with long spears approached Qin Hao, moving slowly, still somewhat wary. However, Qin Hao was unable to resist and was taken away. He shouted back at the Qin Manor, "Qin Chuan, remember my words."

"Brother, kill them, kill them all." Qin Ye's eyes burned with a wild fire.

"Qin He, Qin Ye, take Qin Yao and Qin Wentian and retreat." Qin Chuan looked at his father's back, his eyes cold but terrifyingly calm. Qin Ye wanted to say something but saw Qin Chuan glance at him, and his heart trembled. "Brother, I will take them away, go."

Saying this, he pushed Qin Wentian and the others back into the Qin Manor. Qin Wentian looked back at Qin Hao's back and Wu Xiuluo's cold eyes, his heart burning with a fierce flame.

"Everyone else, follow me to fight!" Qin Chuan ordered, and many people immediately released their star souls, advancing forward with a resounding sound, filled with iron and blood, and a sense of tragedy.

Horses galloped, and the three knightly groups charged toward the Qin Manor, instantly breaking out into a bloody battle.

"Evacuate through the west gate. Brother has arranged a group of guards to wait there." Qin He led everyone in a mad dash. In the chaos, Qin Wentian and Qin Yao rushed to their living quarters.

"Uncle, I will see my mother. You go to the west gate first." Tears streamed down Qin Yao's face as she saw her father fighting fiercely, while she had to escape.

Soon, the madly running Qin Wentian and Qin Yao returned to their residence. Qin Yao saw her mother, and Qin Wentian found Black Uncle, who was calmly sitting in the training area, very composed. He handed a star-shaped object to Qin Wentian and said, "Wentian, use the star power to invade it when your life is in danger and open it."

"Black Uncle, come with me." Qin Wentian wanted to carry Black Uncle away, but Black Uncle pushed the star-shaped object into his hand and said, "Don't worry. Even if the Qin Manor is really attacked and the loyal descendants are slaughtered, the imperial family cannot afford to lose face. They only want the core members. No one will care about an idle person like me."

"No." Qin Wentian knew Black Uncle was afraid of being a burden and shouted angrily.

"Trust my judgment. Over the years, have you ever seen Black Uncle make a mistake? The fire won't burn in here." Black Uncle smiled and said, "Remember, only use it when you are certain to die. Go quickly, don't drag down the people of the Qin Manor."

Qin Wentian took a few steps back, then knelt before Black Uncle, bowed three times, and turned to leave. Black Uncle had raised him for so many years and was always decisive. He couldn't persuade Black Uncle. Of course, Qin Wentian also had a thought. As Black Uncle said, even if the Qin Manor was attacked, the people outside represented the imperial family's face and would not massacre a meritorious family. Black Uncle was not an important figure in the Qin Manor, while he, Qin Wentian, was the one they specifically wanted. Perhaps it would be more dangerous for Black Uncle to stay with him.

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