Chapter 391: Seeing Through

The inner courtyard of the Qingxi County Government Office.

The County Magistrate, fat as a round ball, looked at his wife with fawning eyes,

his subtle gaze carrying a hint of heat.

Liu Shi naturally knew what kind of man was before her,

but while she wouldn't let him eat the meat, she could at least let him smell the scent from a distance.

Ignoring the man's gaze beside her, she pondered: "The Lin Family is preparing to sell off their assets; it seems they have truly received news."

The County Magistrate swallowed a mouthful of saliva: "Wife, then what about us...?"

Liu Shi gave a charming smile: "It seems it is time to make a move."

The County Magistrate frowned: "Make a move? The Lin Family is only selling off their assets, surely it hasn't come to that."

Liu Shi snorted coldly: "Stupid! If I were the Head of the Family of the Lin Family,

if I had truly received accurate news,

even if I wanted to run, I would have to set things up and muddy the waters before fleeing.

If the news in the house is correct, the Red Lotus Sect army should arrive at the city walls in no more than two days,

and by then, the wealthy families in the city will truly be unable to escape even with wings."

The County Magistrate wanted to say something more, but Liu Shi waved her sleeve and said softly: "Seal the entire city, issue the order!"

Watching Liu Shi's overbearing manner, the County Magistrate felt an increasingly strong sense of discomfort in his heart.

His wife had changed quite a bit recently,

the air of mutual respect they usually shared was completely gone,

and this look of strategic planning and decisive boldness made her seem both strange and frightening to him.

It was as if he had returned to the days when he was first chosen by this cold and charming woman before him,

that high-and-mighty attitude of playing chess at will made the County Magistrate unable to help but kneel at her feet.

"Fine, fine, fine, Wife, don't be angry, I will issue the order to seal the city right now and strictly inspect those entering and leaving, especially paying attention to people from the Lin Family."

Although the County Magistrate was unwilling, he still obediently followed Liu Shi's arrangements.

Liu Shi nodded with satisfaction, a flash of imperceptible cunning in her eyes: "Not only that, but also secretly monitor every move of the Lin Family,

I want to know exactly what they are plotting.

Additionally, send people to scout for news of the Red Lotus Sect to ensure our intelligence is accurate and error-free."

The County Magistrate hurriedly agreed, though he muttered to himself: Why is my wife so concerned about news of the Red Lotus Sect?

However, these were not things he should worry about; he only needed to act according to his wife's instructions to ensure his official hat remained safe and sound.

After all, no matter how strong the Red Lotus Sect was, the Liu Shi family would definitely have no problem protecting him.

Thus, within the Qingxi County Government Office, orders were issued like flowing water, and the entire county city quickly entered a state of martial law.

Although the common people were confused, they dared not ask too many questions; after all, in these chaotic times, it is better to avoid extra trouble.

As for the Lin Family, they seemed completely unaware of all these changes. Lin Bai was busy transferring the Lin Family's assets to a safe place,

while also secretly observing the reactions of all parties, making final preparations for the coming storm.

At the same time, batches of Lin Family descendants were also quickly evacuating under Lin Yi's arrangements, heading outside the city.

Because they were dispersed, the first batch of Lin Family descendants to depart naturally passed through the city gates without worry.

But the second batch of Lin Family descendants encountered the County Magistrate's order.

"There are rebel accomplices in the city? Now we have to search the whole city for wanted criminals??"

The young masters and misses of the Lin Family in the carriages heard the news coming from the city gate,

and could not help but look at each other, an ominous premonition rising in their hearts.

"What should we do?" one Lin Family miss asked anxiously.

One of the young masters thought calmly for a moment, then said: "Everyone, don't panic; we are leaving the city in batches precisely to deal with this kind of situation.

Now that we have encountered an obstacle, we must remain even calmer and not lose our footing."

"Lin Mo, everything you say is nonsense. If they really want to seal the whole city to search, won't we just be delayed?" another Lin Family master said worriedly.

Lin Mo shook his head: "It won't be like that. I am more afraid that they are targeting my Lin Family."

"Enough, Lin Mo, you are merely a child of a concubine in the Lin Family; you know nothing, what right do you have to spout nonsense and point fingers here?"

Hearing this, Lin Mo was not angry, just silent.

Being a child of a concubine

meant having no backing,

no support, and no say.

Listening to the people nearby, unseen by anyone, Lin Mo's hands inside his sleeves tightened again and again.

"Heh, child of a concubine."

However, the Lin Family descendants were not all useless, and soon someone stood up and said: "It won't be that way.

My Lin Family has had prestige in Qingxi County for three generations; there is no way we would be tied up with rebels.

As long as we remain calm and don't show any flaws, they can't do anything to us."

"Yes, yes, yes, Brother Lin Ziyang is right."

Seeing the people in the carriage reach a consensus, Lin Ziyang signaled the coachman to pull the carriage to the side,

and then took a few Lin Family descendants to walk forward and negotiate with the city guards.

"We are from the Lin Family and have urgent business to leave the city; please let us pass," Lin Yi said.

The leader of the city guards looked at them suspiciously: "People from the Lin Family? Then do you have a token to leave the city?"

Lin Ziyang's heart tightened, but on the surface, he remained calm and said arrogantly: "A token?"

Since when does our Lin Family need a token to enter or exit the city gates?

We are disciples of the Lin Family,

you can go and ask around, how could we possibly be accomplices to the rebels?"

The soldier leader hesitated upon hearing this. He knew the status of the Lin Family in Qingxi County and dared not offend them lightly.

But he had to obey the County Magistrate's order, which left him in a dilemma.

Just then, a Lin Family disciple suddenly said: "We are willing to leave one person behind as a hostage, and the rest of us will leave the city first.

This way, you don't have to worry about us running away."

Lin Ziyang frowned slightly; although this proposal could temporarily solve the immediate problem, it would also put the person left behind in danger.

However, under the current circumstances, this seemed to be a feasible solution.

But who should be left behind?

Looking at the troubled Lin Ziyang, the others remained silent, fearing that their own names might be called.

Lin Mo stepped forward voluntarily and said: "Brother Ziyang, I will stay."

Looking at the sky and then at the expressions of the others, Lin Ziyang dared not delay; he nodded and said: "Fine, we will do as you say. You stay, and the others come with me."

After speaking, he led the remaining Lin Family disciples to quickly pass through the city gate, disappearing from the sight of the city guards.

As for the Lin Family disciple who stayed behind, Lin Mo, he was taken into the city by the soldier leader to await further instructions from the County Magistrate.

At a secret location outside the city, Lin Ziyang reunited with the other Lin Family disciples. Being able to leave the city smoothly this time was all thanks to Lin Mo, who had stayed behind.

Lin Ziyang looked at the self-satisfied Lin Family disciples before him, and a feeling of regret welled up in his heart.

The future of the Lin Family?

Is it just these people???