Chapter 534: Hide? Where Can One Hide?

Any way?

Xuanqing Daozhang smiled wryly, his face full of self‑mockery, and said, "Before anything happens, even if I go to the Capital City again and force my way into the Prime Minister's Residence, it would be useless!"

Lord Luo nodded, saying nothing; he knew Xuanqing Daozhang was speaking the truth.

Having already forced his way into the Prime Minister's Residence once, the people there—so long as they fear death—would not allow Xuanqing Daozhang to break in a second time; if they learned of his intent, they would likely strike first.

After all.

The Prime Minister's Residence cares about its reputation; how could it permit someone to force their way in again and again?

Let alone.

As the proverb says: seize a thief and the loot, seize a villain and both.

Without evidence, even if Xuanqing Daozhang were lucky enough to pull off another forced entry into the Prime Minister's Residence— even if the Prime Minister could literally hold a boat in his belly— it would not merely cost Xuanqing Daozhang twenty years of yang life; it would likely deprive him of even a chance to be reborn.

Moreover, before the Prime Minister's Daughter could bring disaster upon Liu Dongzhu and her mother, Xuanqing Daozhang did not force his way into the Prime Minister's Residence again to warn the Prime Minister's Daughter of her misdeeds; even if Xuanqing Daozhang truly harbored that idea, he would still need to be urged, because he hopes Xuanqing Daozhang can find a way to save Liu Dongzhu and her mother's lives, not to send Xuanqing Daozhang to his death.

What should we do about this?

Countless tangled thoughts rose in Lord Luo's mind; he would first ask Xuanqing Daozhang, hoping to see what good solution Xuanqing Daozhang might have to counter the impact brought by the Prime Minister's Daughter. Seeing that Xuanqing Daozhang could think of nothing and would have to rely on himself, he frowned and said:

How about this: I arrange a suitable place for Madam Wang and her child to hide, or perhaps you, Xuanqing Daozhang, could arrange a concealed spot for them, so that the Prime Minister's Daughter does not know. Even if the Prime Minister's Daughter wishes to kill them, she would have no way to find them.

Hide away?

Xuanqing Daozhang chuckled, "Lord Luo, you haven't forgotten the status of the Prime Minister's Daughter. With the power of the Prime Minister's Residence behind her, I fear that throughout Daxia there are few secrets she cannot uncover; no matter how well we hide, she will find us!"

Then what should we do?

Lord Luo said worriedly.

Xuanqing Daozhang thought for a moment and said, "Doesn't Lv Qianhu want to take this child as a disciple? We have no means; I don't know whether Lv Qianhu will have a way. Perhaps, Lord Luo, you could go to Fengyin County yourself, fetch Lv Qianhu, see what he can do, while I stay here to protect Ping'an and the others up close?"

Fine, I'll go right away!

Lord Luo rose to leave, but after only a few steps, Xuanqing Daozhang called him back. Luo turned his head toward Xuanqing Daozhang, curious, and asked:

Xuanqing Daozhang, do you have anything else you wish to say?

Xuanqing Daozhang asked curiously, "Lord Luo, you know full well that the Prime Minister's Daughter would be detrimental to Ping'an, so why do you still want Ping'an to become your family's son‑in‑law? Aren't you afraid the Prime Minister's Daughter would take her wrath out on the Luo family?"

Lord Luo replied with a faint smile, "Our Luo family, if we're not ashamed, might be no larger than ants in the eyes of the Prime Minister's Daughter; how could she possibly care about what our Luo family intends to do?"

Lord Luo smiled lightly.

He naturally would not tell Xuanqing Daozhang that his desire to make Wang Ping'an his son‑in‑law stems from a gambler's mindset: if he wins, the Luo family rises from ordinary landowners to a noble house; if he loses, he would atone with his own life.

Although the Luo family are landowners in Qingyang County, they have the backing of the Luo clan in the county seat. The Prime Minister's Daughter is formidable, but the Luo family is not meek; at the very least, if the Prime Minister's Daughter truly wanted to take revenge on the Luo family, she would consider the prestige of the county‑seat Luo clan and allow them to preserve their bloodline, avoiding the risk of extermination. Betting his own life to elevate his family from ordinary landowner to noble house, he sees it as a big win either way.

He does not know how many people never even get a chance to gamble; for generations they remain a single landowner, and a slip could bring about their ruin.

"Lord Luo, be careful on the road!"

Xuanqing Daozhang gave a brief instruction, watching Lord Luo's departing figure fade from sight, then turned to Wang Lin beside him and said:

"Brother Wang, hurry into the house and pack some luggage; I'll take you to a suitable place to avoid disaster!"

"Daozhang, didn't you say that with the Prime Minister's Daughter's power, wherever we hide she can find us?"

Wang Lin's face was full of astonishment, and he stammered, "You sent Lord Luo to the county seat to invite Lv Qianhu over; isn't that to discuss with Lv Qianhu how to protect our Ping'an and Dongzhu?"

"I'm deceiving Lord Luo!"

Xuanqing Daozhang's expression turned complex as he said, "No one can guarantee what Lord Luo might do under the Prime Minister's Daughter's coercion and temptation!"

Don't be fooled by how pleasant Lord Luo sounded just now; he also believes that Luo's words are sincere, yet he knows clearly that human hearts are unpredictable—today's Luo differs from tomorrow's Luo.

Luo Taiqing wants this child Ping'an to become his son‑in‑law, with what scheme in mind. Though he didn't ask Luo Taiqing and Luo Taiqing didn't tell him, he isn't foolish; he can see it clearly—it's for himself and his Luo family, should the Prime Minister's Daughter offer generous rewards.

In this novel, you...

It is possible that Luo Taiqing could betray Liu Dongzhu and her mother!

A head of household like Luo Taiqing is the least trustworthy and cannot be trusted; his actions weigh pros and cons, making the most correct choice for himself and his family.

I understand!

Wang Lin was momentarily stunned, then recovered, said no more, called Zhang Guihua and the others, prepared to return to the house to pack luggage, and when Liu Dongzhu prepared to follow, he said:

"Dongzhu, stay here and take good care of Ping'an; I'll have your mother pack your luggage for you!"

Xuanqing Daozhang watched Wang Lin and Zhang Guihua step into the room, then approached Wang Ping'an, patted his head, and said sympathetically:

Poor child!

Pitiful?

Wang Ping'an thought for a moment and realized he was not pitiful at all; aside from his father, Chen Shimei, being a scoundrel, this life his mother and his grandparents are all competent, which makes him especially satisfied—far better than his previous life.

After a long while.

Wang Lin and Zhang Guihua packed their large and small bags; Xuanqing Daozhang took them and placed them into storage sacks, then, with his help, delivered each onto Xiao Bai's back. At this moment, Zhang Guihua and Wang Lin each held Hei Mao Bu Tou and Little Black, while Peregrine Falcon Little Gray flew in the sky.

Let's go!

Xuanqing Daozhang led the way; as soon as he entered the courtyard, he noticed someone spying nearby. He snorted coldly, a burst of magical energy erupted, and the onlooker instantly fainted, saying:

"I hope this Lord Luo is kind‑hearted, arranging people to spy nearby only for protection!"

(End of Chapter)