Han Yang hung a sheathed long knife at his waist and equipped himself with several specially customized hidden weapons in various easily accessible places on his body.
Then he headed towards the back garden of the Han Family Manor, walking and stopping along the way, sometimes hiding behind pillars, or lurking in dark corners.
Although there were hundreds of people in the Manor, with people passing by occasionally and guards patrolling, Han Yang was not seen by a single person in broad daylight.
Han Yang possessed considerable martial arts skill; he could distinguish footsteps within a ten of metre radius just by listening.
As for the guards who might discover him, he had already figured out their patrol routes, so he avoided them one by one.
It wasn’t until Han Yang arrived at an area with the fewest guards that an unexpected change occurred.
“Who’s there?
Get out!”
A hoarse, yet powerful voice, echoed in Han Yang’s ears.
Han Yang instantly recognized the voice of the old man as that of the head steward, Han Da, and cursed inwardly about how good the old man’s ears were.
Nevertheless, Han Yang emerged from behind a corner.
When Steward Han Da saw that it was Han Yang, his eyes narrowed slightly, filled with Killing Intent, and he remained silent for a moment.
Han Yang also clearly saw the scene in this secluded part of the back garden.
Steward Han Da, and his two sons, Han Youfu and Han Youyun.
At this moment, Han Youfu was holding a large black dog on a leash, with a backpack on his back and a sharp blade at his waist, his attire almost identical to Han Yang’s.
Han Youyun, on the other hand, was leaning on a crutch, with a dog hole behind him.
The two were about the same age as Han Yang, both Juniors of the ‘You’ generation, and at this moment, both looked at Han Yang with some tension.
Han Yang sighed, thinking to himself, the thing he least wanted to happen, had happened.
None of the hidden guards were present here.
Only a few people in the residence could bribe and dismiss these guards, and the head steward was clearly one of them.
As for the head steward’s two sons, they were probably planning to cultivate immortality, just like him.
And the lame Han Youyun was likely planning to crawl out through the dog hole.
The Immortal Sect’s Disciple recruitment, which occurred once every three years, might be unknown to the common people of Jiayuan City, but every large Family knew about it.
In fact, most of them were descendants of Immortal Sect Disciples who had returned to their hometowns after retirement to start their own Families.
This also couldn’t be hidden from the cunning head steward.
At this moment, the atmosphere on site became tense.
Before Han Yang could break the deadlock, Han Da suddenly pushed off the ground, shooting towards Han Yang like a sharp sword.
His movements were so swift that he didn’t resemble a man in his 50s at all; even the eyes struggled to catch his movements.
Han Yang had already prepared himself before Han Da made his move, exerting his full strength to extend his hand and meet Han Da’s palm.
Only a muffled thud was heard.
Han Yang was shaken back three or four steps, while Steward Han Da remained motionless, even maintaining the posture of having his hands clasped behind his back.
If not for his incorrect position, others might have thought Han Da hadn’t moved at all.
Although he was repelled, Han Yang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then cursed inwardly that this old man, already with one foot in the grave, was still so formidable.
However, fortunately, as long as he couldn’t be taken down instantly, he had a way to leave the Manor.
Han Da, on the surface, looked calm and collected, his face showing a keen interest as he sized up Han Yang.
But his right hand, clasped behind his back, trembled slightly, clearly indicating that the palm strike just now was not easy to endure.
Han Da also cursed inwardly that the little brat had grown up and had cultivated excellent martial arts.
If he weren’t old, he would have killed this brat with a single palm today.
Both were wary of each other, thinking of a way to break the stalemate.
Han Yang took a deep breath, flipped his hand, and gripped a handful of fine needles, making a gesture as if to throw them.
His eyes, filled with Killing Intent, stared at Steward Han Da, and he occasionally glanced at Han Da’s two sons, but his tone was gentle as he spoke.
“Head Steward, you watched me grow up.
It’s not an exaggeration to say you are my elder.
Today, I hope you will clear a path.
Otherwise, if we continue to make a fuss like this, the master’s carriage procession will go far away.
Moreover, it’s easy to cause a commotion, isn’t it?”
Han Da narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, looking at the handful of blue-glowing fine needles in the little brat’s hand, knowing they were likely coated with potent poison.
He then looked at his two sons, and he naturally understood the threat in Han Yang’s words.
Not only that, but if he insisted on fighting, the little brat certainly couldn’t defeat him, but his two sons wouldn’t survive the poisonous fine needles.
Han Da deliberated for a moment, then changed his stern demeanour from before, and spoke with a benevolent expression.
“Little Yang, ever since you entered the residence as a child, I’ve always thought you were exceptionally intelligent, and very well-behaved and likable.
I also watched you grow up.
Today, if you wish to leave the residence, I won’t stop you.
You and Youfu and Youyun also grew up together.
If you are chosen, I hope you will look out for each other in the future.”
Han Yang did not lower his guard, looking at Han Da, who now resembled a benevolent old grandfather, and his eyes darted around as he said.
“Head Steward, please rest assured.
When we are out, my two older brothers and I will naturally look out for each other.”
Both exchanged a few polite words, presenting a picture of a benevolent elder and a respectful Junior.
Han Yang sighed inwardly.
In the past two years, he had grown somewhat distant from the Young Miss.
Otherwise, he would have definitely suggested to the Young Miss to ask Han Haiyan to eliminate all three of them—the father and his two sons.
Because Han Youyun’s splayed leg was broken by the Second Miss.
This grudge over a broken leg was not small.
And if he could know about the Immortal Sect’s Disciple recruitment, how could Han Da not know?
If they were chosen and then showed extraordinary talent, it would likely lead to a situation of wicked servants bullying their master and usurping power.
Wiping out the entire Family would probably be considered light; he feared that at that time, all the men would die, and the women would become slaves, suffering endless torment.
He couldn’t even imagine that scene!
Which servant wouldn’t have some thoughts of wicked servants riding over their master?
He dared to bet his life that nine out of ten servants had dreamt of riding the Madam and Young Miss, and might even wish for the Han Family’s downfall.
This was the evil of human nature, unavoidable.
Han Da, on the other hand, was pondering.
If they weren’t chosen this time, then they would change their names and find another place to start a new Family.
He had had enough of the Han Family; a servant was ultimately a servant, and he didn’t want his two sons to be servants their entire lives.
If they were chosen, hehe.
As for the young man in front of him, he used to be truly naïve.
How could he not see that this young man once harboured thoughts of marrying into the Family?
But in this world, there had never been a servant marrying a Young Miss.
Because he had thought the same way back then.
When he was young, he had done even better than Han Yang!
He had bled for the Han Family, suffered injuries, risked his life, and earned money!
Yet he still only married a head maid by the Young Miss’s side.
Han Da thought of this, and then looked at the handsome Han Yang, as if seeing his younger self, and his heart softened slightly.
At the same time, he thought to himself, although this young man used to have a good relationship with the Young Miss, he should be clear-headed today.
Or rather, he had been clear-headed two years ago, otherwise why would he be dressed like this?
He was probably prepared long ago.
And the last shred of illusion was also shattered today.
Han Da pondered again, feeling that his three father-and-son Han Family members had no enmity with him.
Letting him go was just letting him go, considering it as forming a good connection.
As for whether he could arrive alive, he thought, it would be difficult!
Han Da thought of this, a strange look flashing in his eyes, and he extended a hand towards Han Yang, making a gesture of invitation, saying.
“Little Yang, set off.”
“Your Uncle wishes you success in entering the Immortal Sect.
If you become successful in the future, I hope you will take care of Youfu and Youyun.”
Han Yang took two steps back to maintain a relatively safe distance, then bowed slightly and said,
“Head Steward, I accept your auspicious words.
We’ll meet again.”
Han Yang glanced at the dog hole behind Han Youyun again, feeling a strange sensation, as if Han Youyun, by crawling out of that dog hole today, was destined for a change of fortune.
He secretly shook his head again, not knowing if he would be chosen, and felt that he was overthinking.
Han Yang walked to the base of the wall, pushed off with his feet, using the corner of the wall to relay his momentum back and forth, and in a few moves, he scaled the thirty-meters high wall, leaping lightly and disappearing from the sight of Han Da and his two sons.
After leaving the Manor, he took a deep look at the Han Family residence, and suddenly felt a pang in his heart.
He recalled that winter long ago.
He was only 6 years old, wrapped in a burlap sack, cold and hungry, his hands and feet numb.
Before he could decide whether to beg, he fainted from hunger.
Vaguely, he heard a voice, “Little brother, aren’t you cold dressed so sparsely?”
That was Han Xinghua’s voice, so, was this a life-saving grace?
He felt that he owed a favour.
Otherwise, he might have frozen or starved to death, and it would have been impossible to have eaten and drunk well for so many years, let alone learned martial arts, and unexpectedly discovered the Immortal destiny.
Moreover, what about the sandalwood box Han Xinghua gave him today?
Although the contents were most likely useless to him.
But this was the deep affection of seven years of companionship, not a matter of ten thousand tales of silver and a release from servitude.
At the same time, he also lamented that Han Xinghua, this little girl, had truly grown up and thought so much.
Because if Han Xinghua did not have a Spiritual Root, she would definitely have to marry upon her return, and that person would absolutely not be him, so Han Xinghua did not want to see him anymore.
If she had a Spiritual Root, then there would truly be a distinction between immortal and mortal, and they could not meet even more.
If both he and Han Xinghua had a Spiritual Root, then this bond of friendship, he would repay it even if it meant going through fire and water.
Otherwise, his thoughts would not be clear!
If he had no Spiritual Root.
Then he would live a carefree life alone.
Also, if you spot any mistakes or have suggestions for the story, feel free to share them in the comments.
I’m always looking to improve my writing!