Chapter 192: Multiple Ways Out

"Grandpa, why do we still have to bring him along? No way!"

Qin Yu immediately spoke.

She thought that if Jiang Cheng hadn't arrived suddenly, she wouldn't be forced to leave right now.

"This kid has considerable potential; he's already a Level 3 Original Force Warrior at such a young age. After returning, with my guidance, becoming a Force Master in the future should be a given."

Hearing this, the shock in the hearts of the few around them had reached an indescribable height.

"No way? Qin Lao actually gave such a high appraisal?" "Of course. Besides his potential, I value his character even more, or rather, because of his character I decided to take him away; otherwise, this kid would already be a corpse."

The old man looked at Jiang Cheng.

It seemed as if he were saying,

either go with me,

or become a corpse.

you choose one yourself.

"Qin Lao is right; this young brother, though within the Dawn Society, manages to stay untainted by the mud—truly rare," the middle‑aged man agreed.

"Young brother, since you're going back to face punishment, why not come with us? Our Base's conditions are decent—though not as good as Inner City District, they're far better than Outer City District. Apart from the lack of sunlight, everything else is fine."

"Um, senior."

Jiang Cheng scratched his head, "Actually I also want to go directly with you, but I still have family in Outer City District."

In truth, he still had reservations.

The situation with the Rebel Army was still unclear, so going straight there wasn't appropriate, let alone dragging his family along.

"Family, huh? That does make things tricky," the middle‑aged man nodded, "How about this: you go back, bring them over, and we'll wait here. Then we…"

His voice abruptly stopped.

As the saying goes, one must not harbor a heart to harm others, yet must not lack a heart to guard against them.

If Jiang Cheng returned and exposed their whereabouts, wouldn't they be in danger? Moreover, he doesn't even need to go back; just stepping out would allow him to reveal what's happening here.

Qin Lao is indeed a Grandmaster.

Yet the guard forces of Inner City District are astonishingly strong.

Sending out a few mechs, even if the pilots are only Force Warriors, can still obliterate a Force Master.

Not to mention the few of them.

"Kid, are you serious?"

The elder looked at Jiang Cheng.

The reasoning the middle‑aged man had figured out, he naturally also understood, so he couldn't just wait here for Jiang Cheng to go back and fetch his family.

Yet he also doubted whether this was Jiang Cheng's pretext.

"Senior, what I say is absolutely true; if you don't believe me, I can call them for verification," Jiang Cheng said honestly.

"If that's the case, then never mind. You may go."

The elder waved his hand, looking somewhat disinterested.

The few inside the room also cleared the path.

"Thank you, senior, for your mercy."

Jiang Cheng let out a sigh of relief, though not completely relaxed.

"Senior, although I can't leave with you for now, I'm willing to join you and become a member of the Rebel Army."

He did this not only out of fear that the old man's words might not be trustworthy.

but also to secure another way out for himself and his family.

If someday a clash with the Dawn Society erupts over values, he and his family won't be left without a place to go.

"Oh?"

The elder's face showed surprise at those words.

"Young brother, are you serious?" the middle‑aged man couldn't help asking.

"Kid."

The elder replied, "Our Rebel Army has inside contacts in Outer City District; having you as another member isn't bad. But have you really thought this through? Becoming one of us is very dangerous—if you're captured, the outcome will be grim."

"Hmm, senior, I've thought it through. As a Yan Nation person, I naturally cannot collude with the Jiao Tribe who oppress us, oppressing our own compatriots. Even if I don't join the Rebel Army now, I will in the future. So joining earlier is better." "Hmm, you kid, that's well said," the elder nodded repeatedly.

The few beside them softened their gaze toward Jiang Cheng.

"Alright, kid, but I must say this first: if you go with us directly, you're naturally one of us. If you intend to stay for now, you can't be considered fully ours; you must pass a test," the elder's expression grew serious.

"What kind of test is it?" Jiang Cheng asked.

"Don't worry, we won't send you to your death, and it won't be like the Dawn Society's missions that let you kill indiscriminately."

The elder frowned.

"I know giving you my family's address now makes you uneasy; so here's the deal: leave your mobile number, and someone will contact you later. But I warn you, at that time you'd better not entertain any ulterior motives, otherwise, even if you flee to Inner City, we'll spare no expense to find you, including your family."

The elder's eyes bore a strong warning.

"Understood."

Hearing this, Jiang Cheng felt considerably more at ease.

If the other side truly demanded his address, even if he did leave it, after returning he would still arrange for his family to live elsewhere.

He gave his mobile number, and the elder had someone verify it again, confirming there were no issues.

"Alright, you go back first; after you leave, we'll also depart. Hope your mission is considered complete."

"Hope, I guess."

Jiang Cheng forced a bitter smile.

He thought to himself, it should count as completed, right?

"Kid, your way of acting, if you stay in the Dawn Society, trouble will arise sooner or later; you should quickly find a way to get out—that's the right thing to do."

"Thanks for the senior's warning."

Jiang Cheng solemnly thanks, puts on a mask, and walks out.

As for the joint plan to kill the gang, he didn't bring it up, after all the two sides have just established contact and still lack trust.

When he reaches the street, he only then realizes the clothes on his back have long been soaked with sweat.

He can't help but sigh in his heart: this time, if it weren't for gathering intel in advance, he would have almost died.

……

Inside the house.

Qin Lao looks at the few people, "Prepare a bit; we should leave as well. After notifying the people inside, also ask them—if they're willing to come with us, bring them along; if not, we won't force them."

"Yes, Qin Lao."

Except for Qin Yu, the other three all agreed.

"Grandpa, are we really leaving?"

Qin Yu pulls the elder's hand, "If we leave, the nearby gangs will surely intensify their exploitation of the people here."

"Silly girl, you saw the result of staying here; this time only Level Three came, what about the next time, the one after that? One day, even I, your grandpa, won't be able to stop them. That's why we can only hide in the mountains. Come on, our strength is still too small."

The elder sighs.

"Alright."

Qin Yu has to agree, then suddenly she thinks of something, eyes brightening, "Grandpa, that guy just said we could kill the surrounding gang members; even if it doesn't solve the problem completely, it should deter them for a while. Why not you act, help me kill them all?"

The three people beside them widen their eyes at the words.

"Good fellow, sending a Grandmaster to deal with a bunch of ordinary folks, even if a few of them are Force Warriors."

"It's like using an anti‑aircraft gun to swat mosquitoes—overkill."

"You little girl."

The elder looks helpless.

"Having a Grandmaster handle those minor players—does that sound reasonable if it gets out?"

"But who can blame him when he only has this precious granddaughter."

"Alright, alright, I'll help you wipe them out, those scum really should have died long ago; it's just that these people are like chives in the ground—cut one batch after another, never ending."

(End of Chapter)