Chapter 474: All gone, nothing left!

A guard lowered his head, stomping his feet desperately, trying to shake off the mice scrambling inside his pant legs, when his neck suddenly went numb and he collapsed softly.

The second guard turned to look at his companion, only managing to let out a half‑groan before he too was knocked to the ground by a guard descending from above.

Close behind, the third, fourth…

Those on the roof aimed and leapt down, striking the back of the head to prevent them from shouting; Lu Qi, below, slit their throats to finish them off, and kicked over their torches.

"Pfft—hiss."

The torches fell into the dust, the flames flickered a few times, then went out.

Dozens of guards scattered around were felled one after another, like cutting grass.

In less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, the eastern row of buildings had only a single torch still burning, lonely and alone.

From within the manor came a shout: "Why has there been no movement? Have the mice been driven off?"

Lu Qi lowered his voice, gruffly replying: "All clear! We've chased them away!"

The two guards wearing guard uniforms walked over to the lone torch still lit, pretending to bend down and tidy up the mess on the ground.

Several people quickly retreated back inside the house.

"Go!" Xiao Ningyuan looked at Feng Zhou, "You go wake the craftsmen, bring them out building by building."

"While it's pitch dark all around, don't let them bunch up; have them line up and follow you in a quick run."

"Remember, head for the darkness, straight for the Righteous Manor; we'll cover the rear."

Feng Zhou nodded: "All right! Then Tuan Tuan…"

"Don't worry," Xiao Ningyuan pulled his sister close to him, "we're here."

Feng Zhou hesitated no more, turned, pushed the door open, and walked to the window of a building, lowering his voice to call out: "Master Li! Brother Wang! Wake up! Run for your lives!"

The craftsmen had already been roused by the earlier commotion; hearing they could escape, they could no longer stay still.

The doors opened slightly, and silhouettes flashed out one after another, quickly gathering in the dark.

Feng Zhou led the way; the crowd formed a silent long line, keeping close to the walls, rounding corners, and hurried out of the manor, soon disappearing into the black night.

Moments later, movement stirred on the ground.

First came a faint rustling, then it seemed as if the whole ground had "come alive".

Countless mice poured out from corners, ditches, and haystacks, forming twisting streams.

Round hedgehogs raised their spines, marching forward on short legs with all their might.

Weasels dragged their fluffy long tails, darting nimbly across the open space, occasionally turning to glance, their eyes flashing a ghostly green in the darkness.

Rabbits leapt from their burrows, hind legs thrusting them far out; even a few field mice carried dry grass seeds, staggering along behind the group…

Hundreds upon hundreds of small animals fled together toward the wilderness outside the manor.

They made no sound, only bent their heads and ran swiftly, silent yet spectacular.

Tuan Tuan lay on Xiao Er's shoulder, looking down, her little face flushed with excitement, waving her tiny fists and shouting softly: "Run, run! Hurry up! Moving to a new home!"

Her voice was soft and sweet, yet the little creatures seemed to truly understand; a few hedgehogs that had just reached Xiao Er's feet actually sped up, their round bodies wobbling with extra effort.

Just then, an impatient shout came from within the manor: "Why isn't the torch lit yet? What are you dawdling about?"

Lu Qi immediately replied in a rough voice: "The oil jar was knocked over by the mice! It's all over the ground; I'm looking for something to wipe it up!"

"So much trouble!" that person cursed, "Hurry up! If you don't light it soon, I'll come over and skin you alive!"

"Yes, yes, right away!"

Lu Qi answered affirmatively, but swiftly picked up a broken basket and a fallen torch stick nearby, rigging up two stands.

He had the two guards take off their uniforms, drape them over the stands, making them look like two people bent over.

Xiao Ningyuan looked around; the craftsmen had withdrawn, the animals were fleeing—enough.

"Go!"

The group turned and plunged into the darkness, sprinting at full speed.

The night wind brushed past their ears; the lights behind them in the manor grew ever more distant.

Tuan Tuan wrapped her arms around Xiao Er's neck, whispering in his ear: "Second Uncle, we helped them move house."

Xiao Er's steps did not falter, his voice full of laughter: "Yes, Miss, your merit is boundless."

The party ran for a while, then stopped on a high slope.

Xiao Ningyuan turned to look; the outline of Chen Village in the night had shrunk to a blurred dark mass, only a few scattered lights visible.

He lowered his sister from Xiao Er's back onto the ground, gently setting her down: "Tuan Tuan, light the fire."

"All right!" Tuan Tuan replied crisply, lowered her head, untied the embroidered pouch at her waist, pulled out a stalk of straw, and shouted softly: "Let those four powder magazines blaze together!"

She let go.

A faint flash flared, the straw stalk vanished.

Everyone unconsciously held their breath, eyes fixed on the direction of Chen Village.

A moment later.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Four scarlet columns of fire shot into the sky, dyeing half the heavens orange‑red!

The ground trembled violently, as if a primordial beast beneath the earth was turning over; loose rocks on the slope rattled down, grass and trees shivered.

Even though the heat wave was several miles away, it still swept over them, carrying the choking smell of gunpowder and scorched earth.

Xiao Ningyuan held Tuan Tuan tightly; Lu Qi instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes; Feng Zhou and the guards stared, mouths agape, throats tight.

Feng Zhou turned at the sound, his eye sockets red, lips trembling: "Good!" he said hoarsely, "Blasted well!"

Tuan Tuan widened her eyes, unblinking, staring at the soaring flames.

She tugged at her brother's sleeve: "Big brother, have those little mice run far enough?"

Xiao Ningyuan gently stroked the top of her head: "Don't worry, their legs are much faster than ours; they've long since gotten away."

Xiao Er asked: "Eldest Young Master, where are we going now?"

Xiao Ningyuan thought for a moment: "Guoshi Residence."

Chen Zhuang's earth-shaking roar was like four heavy hammers, fiercely smashing the night sky of Jingcheng.

The tremendous sound wave surged over the city walls, swept past the rooftops, making the windows buzz.

Prince Qing, who was peacefully asleep on the bed in the Yangzheng Pavilion of the Ning Prince's Mansion, suddenly sat up.

What's this commotion? Thunder? There's no thunder this big!

"Someone come!" He stepped barefoot on the ground, his face full of surprise, "Go ask! What's happening outside? How could it be like something exploded?"

Yes!

Prince Qing put on his clothes, his heart pounding inexplicably, pacing back and forth, unable to sit or lie still.

After more than an hour, the Guard rushed in, sprinting into the Yangzheng Pavilion.

"Your Highness! It's Chen, Chen Zhuang!" The person knelt on the ground, voice trembling until his throat split, "Chen Zhuang exploded!"

"What?" Prince Qing turned sharply, eyes nearly bursting, "What state is it in? Explain clearly!"

"Levelled, levelled to flat ground! All the weapons, guards, and artisans in the manor are gone! Even the corpses can't be found!"

Prince Qing staggered back a few steps, his back heavily hitting the table edge, his vision going dark.

Thousands of poison-coated Nine-Star Repeating Crossbows personally bestowed by the Supreme Honor!

The full set of swords, spears, shields, and armor that I and Prince Chen possess, enough to equip twenty thousand elite troops!

Gone, all gone!

How will I explain to the Supreme Honor? What will I use to fight the Emperor?

"Ugh—pfft!" A surge of hot, bloody warmth rose up, and he spat a mouthful of fresh blood onto the ground.

In the Guoshi Residence, "Master!" Tuan Tuan flung himself into Chu Yuan's embrace.