Inside the parlor.

Gu Yue listened to Qin Lu’s explanation, her brow furrowing into a tight line. “Is this credible?”

Qin Lu sat rigid in his chair, his expression grave. “Absolutely. Zhu Lian is en route to Wuji Market as we speak. When he arrives, this place will be a graveyard.”

Hearing this, a flicker of warmth softened Gu Yue’s eyes. She smiled faintly. “So, you came here specifically to warn us?”

“I did. We all had a hand in the destruction of the Immortal Crane Sect. When Zhu Lian attacks, he’ll be looking for blood to wash away the shame. Retaliation is guaranteed. We need to leave, fast. If you’re willing, we can travel together.”

Gu Yue asked, “Where are you heading?”

“White Jade Market, in the Demon Slaying Sect’s territory.”

Gu Yue fell silent, weighing the logistics.

Qin Lu turned his gaze to Gu Can, who was shifting in his seat, looking like he wanted to argue. “You’re not thinking of staying, are you? Planning to team up with Li Qingdu and fight a Golden Core Ancestor?”

“Heh!” Gu Can rubbed his shaved head, his dark face splitting into a wide, simple grin. “I ain’t stupid. How could the few of us fight a Golden Core monster? Since we got the news early, it’s only natural we make a break for it.”

Qin Lu let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Good. That’s the smart play.”

Gu Can looked at his sister. “So, Sis? What’s the plan? Do we go with Big Mouth Bro to White Jade Market, or do we head back to Shuntian City?”

Gu Yue arched a delicate eyebrow, the warmth vanishing from her face. Her voice dropped an octave. “Go back to Shuntian City? Haven’t you had enough of that hellhole?”

“Heh, White Jade Market it is then?”

Gu Yue glanced at Qin Lu, her expression softening again. A playful smile touched her lips. “That works. I hear it’s even more prosperous than Wuji Market. Maybe we can find you a [Foundation Establishment Pill] there.”

“Whatever works,” Gu Can shrugged, leaning back.

Gu Yue nodded and turned back to Qin Lu. “When do we move?”

“Tonight, between the hours of nine and eleven. We meet five miles north of the city gate.”

“We’ll be there. It’s a long road; safety in numbers.”

“Agreed.” Qin Lu smiled. “Just the two of you?”

“Just us.”

“Alright. See you tonight. And remember—keep this quiet. If Li Qingdu catches wind of this, he might try to use us as cannon fodder.”

Qin Lu’s tone was serious. If the Wuji Sect leader knew his forces were deserting him before the battle, he would likely drag everyone down with him in a fit of spite.

Gu Yue’s eyes flashed with understanding. “Understood.”

Back at his mansion, Qin Lu wasted no time.

He swept through his cultivation room like a whirlwind. The alchemy furnace, the forging anvil, racks of scrolls, piles of Spirit Stones, and spare robes—everything vanished into his storage bags.

Thanks to his meticulous hoarding, he had plenty of high-capacity bags. Even with his entire workshop packed away, he still had room to spare.

Within an hour, he was ready. He sat in the center of the empty room, closed his eyes, and meditated, waiting for nightfall.

As darkness swallowed the sky, the market outside came alive with its usual nocturnal bustle, oblivious to the sword hanging over its neck.

Qin Lu checked the time. It’s time.

He summoned Steward Chen. “Gather everyone in the courtyard. Now.”

Moments later, Steward Chen, Chu Xiaoyi, Feng Xi, and six young servants stood in a line, looking confused.

Qin Lu didn’t sugarcoat it. “We are moving. Go to your rooms and grab your most valuable possessions. Pack light. We leave immediately.”

Steward Chen blinked, stunned. “Master… now?”

“Now. Don’t ask questions. Move.”

The urgency in his voice sent them scrambling.

Qin Lu had done the math. Between the Gu, Cao, and Lu families, there were about thirteen people. His Spirit Boat could hold thirty if they squeezed. Bringing his loyal servants wasn’t a burden; it was a simple kindness he could afford.

When they returned, clutching small bundles of gold and keepsakes, Qin Lu split them up.

“Chen, take the six servants and head to the North Gate. Wait for me there.”

Once they were gone, he waited a few minutes before leading Chu Xiaoyi and Feng Xi out.

The streets were packed. Paradoxically, the crowd provided perfect cover. No one looked twice at three people walking briskly toward the exit. They slipped out of the North Gate without incident.

Once clear of the city walls, Qin Lu summoned his [Flying Cloud Paper]. The large sheet of enchanted parchment unfurled, and he ushered his servants onto it.

As they lifted off, the mortals gasped, clinging to each other in terror. Even the stoic Feng Xi looked pale. But the flight was short. They touched down at the rendezvous point minutes later.

Everyone was already there.

The Gu siblings stood relaxed and smiling, looking like they were going on a picnic rather than fleeing a war zone.

The Cao family looked anxious, huddling together. Little Cao Mo stared around blankly, clearly kept in the dark about the danger.

The Lu faction was the largest—seven people in total. Besides Lu Xian, Lu Anchen, and his mother Qian Li, there was a woman in green robes—Xu Ruling. Three other nervous-looking cultivators stood behind them.

“You really brought a crowd,” Gu Yue commented, eyeing the servants. “Dragging mortals along?”

Qin Lu shrugged. “I had the space. Why not?”

He pulled a small wooden model from his robe and injected a surge of spiritual energy.

BOOM.

With a rush of displaced air, the model expanded instantly into a thirty-foot green vessel, hovering silently above the grass.

“Get on!” Qin Lu ordered.

No one needed to be told twice. The cultivators leaped onto the deck, while the servants scrambled up the ramp, huddling in the corners of the hold.

Qin Lu took the helm at the formation hub. He slotted in a dozen Spirit Stones, feeling the hum of power vibrate through the deck. He knew this ship inside and out.

The defensive arrays flickered to life. The hull shuddered once, then surged forward, climbing rapidly into the night sky.

As the wind whipped past them, Qin Lu finally exhaled. The tension that had coiled in his chest for hours began to unspool.

He stepped away from the helm, walking out onto the rear deck. Below, Wuji Market was a glowing jewel in the darkness, vibrant and alive.

He stared at it with complicated eyes. He had lived there for over a year. The original owner of this body had lived there for ten. It was home, in a way.

Now, he was leaving it to burn.

“Hoo…”

Qin Lu let out a long breath, turning his back on the receding lights. He looked forward into the dark horizon, his gaze hardening.

No matter what happens… a new life starts now.