Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

Chapter 102 The Flag Changes! (Fourth update, please vote!)

Seeing this, He Shengjia ignored the choice, turned around and strode ahead, believing that those below should stay and die.

Lin Daiyu and her maid followed, heading north under the protection of their personal guards.

Upon arriving at Pear Fragrance Courtyard in the North Corner, Lin Daiyu discovered that the place was already heavily guarded, and the Jia clan members were all gathered together.

Grandmother Jia, Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, Jia Baoyu, Jia Cong, Jia Huan, Jia Lan, the three sisters, and Li Wan are all here.

On the other side, blocked by the guards, were Jia Wangshi, Xing Furen, Wang Xifeng, Xue Jia's three, and even Jia Zheng's concubines, as well as their maids and servants.

There was no other way; apart from Grandmother Jia and Lin Daiyu, who were invited by the Inner Guard Commander, the rest were all personal guards. Jia She was alright, knowing his limits, but the second branch of the family couldn't control the situation, and too many people came, causing chaos in the place.

With a gloomy face, Jia She nodded slightly to Lin Daiyu and suggested to the cold-faced Grandmother Jia, "Mother, it's too messy, the traces are too obvious."

"My son suggested that we kill everyone except us, and then order our personal guards to clean up any traces so that we could hide."

After pondering for a while, Grandmother Jia shook her head and sighed, "How could I not know what you're saying? This is just the last resort before the mansion is breached."

"Whether that's the case right now is still unknown. Why don't you take your son and daughters, along with Feng'er, and hide together? I'll lead the women of the inner quarters and wait quietly inside the mansion."

"I'd like to see who isn't afraid of my Tiger Cub's blade!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng waved his hands repeatedly, saying with a look of fear, "Mother, why take such a risk? I beg you to protect yourself—"

"preservation?"

Grandmother Jia sneered and scolded, "You're staying? If you're not staying, shut up! You're so fickle!"

"I don't expect you to take the lead when things go wrong, but you have no right to interfere either!"

Having said that, he glanced at He Shengjia and asked, "Did Tiger leave any instructions?"

He Shengjia replied, "We are hereby ordered by our lord to protect the old feudal lord and the Jia family bloodline!"

Upon hearing this, Jia She roared, "Enough! Issue the decree of the Rong Mansion of the Jia family, ordering the inheritance of the title for three generations. Except for those originally designated, all the rest shall be executed!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Xing collapsed to the ground in fright, her face deathly pale. Although she was trembling like a leaf, she did not say anything.

She knew perfectly well whose food she ate and what responsibilities she bore.

For aristocratic families, women have never been the deciding factor.

Wang Xifeng looked miserable, but she understood that Jia Lian was unable to have sex with her, and keeping her around was only to have children for the main family, just in case.

I never imagined that I would survive because I had no children; it truly was a miracle that my life wasn't meant to end.

But she didn't want to give up on Ping'er, and without daring to speak, she could only hold her hand tightly.

But Jia Wangshi was different. She kowtowed and knelt on the ground, her face contorted with tears, and pleaded, "Master, great master, old lady, I have borne two sons and a daughter for Jia Shi. I have worked diligently in managing the household for decades. I have done nothing but hard work. Take me away, take me away."

"I have the Wang family behind me. Quickly ask my brother for help; he will surely come to my rescue."

The three sisters huddled in the corner, horrified, their pretty faces streaked with tears.

Tan Chun gripped her younger brother Jia Huan's arm tightly, somewhat afraid to look her aunt in the eye; she couldn't influence her elders' decisions.

Aunt Zhao laughed through her tears, unlike her usual self who would curse and swear whenever something happened.

She devoted the rest of her life to her two children, but the family did not abandon them just because they were born out of wedlock.

As for himself?

She's just a weak woman who can't even kill a chicken, so let her die!

The three members of the Xue family, mother and sons, dared not speak carelessly because they were surrounded by cold-faced guards. They all looked at the old lady, Jia Zheng, and even Lin Daiyu among the crowd with hopeful eyes.

Xue Baochai's eyes were red and swollen. Looking at Jia Baoyu, who was huddled in Grandmother Jia's arms like a quail in the crowd, and Lin Daiyu, who was surrounded by her personal guards, the bitterness, jealousy, envy, fear and other emotions in her heart were like a bottle of mixed flavors being overturned, making her almost go crazy!

Why? Why?

She took a deep breath, lowered her eyes, and quietly awaited the decision of fate.

If I can escape this fate, I will do everything in my power to take control of my own destiny.

Lin Daiyu, who was hiding behind Grandmother Jia, watched the scene unfold. The sights she witnessed left her breathless and swaying precariously, but fortunately, Zijuan behind her supported her.

She glanced at the faces of everyone in the courtyard and unconsciously tightened her grip on the jade box in her arms.

The things in here will definitely work, but should we help, and why?

Was this situation forced upon us by circumstances, or was it part of a prior arrangement?

If it's arranged, wouldn't it disrupt my brother's plans if I spoke up?

Lost in thought, the guards paid no heed to the others present. When they saw that the old lady did not refute Jia She's words, they all drew their swords.

A guard looked at Lady Jia with disgust in his eyes, then aimed at her neck and slashed it down.

The gleaming white blade flashed with a cold light, reflecting Jia Wangshi's panicked expression. Her face was contorted, her eyes filled with resentment, and she stared blankly at Jia Zheng!

"Sir, how cruel you are—"

"stop!"

A sharp shout interrupted everyone, silencing the muttered complaints from Jia Wangshi.

Holding a box in one hand and a pole with three small flags tightly in the other, Lin Daiyu asked He Shengjia, "Do you recognize this?"

He Shengjia's eyes narrowed, and he instantly knelt on one knee, bowing his head in greeting: "Greetings, Commander!"

The surrounding guards also knelt down to pay their respects: "Greetings, Commander!"

The deputy flag of the Tiger Demon Banner, seeing the flag is like Jia Tang personally arriving!

He Shengjia asked for instructions: "Please give the order."

Looking at the respectful commanders and personal guards around her, as well as the dazed Jia clan members, Lin Daiyu took a deep breath, her gaze slowly hardening, and ordered, "Order—transmit the command of the four generations of Jia clan leaders: all Jia clan members here shall enter the secret realm. Each woman may choose one to accompany her!"

The voice was a little hoarse, with a tremor at the end, which showed the other person's emotional fluctuations!

He Shengjia loudly accepted the order: "Yes, sir!"

Lin Daiyu, suppressing her trembling legs and fear, glanced at the small flag in her hand. As if a sliver of courage were rising within her, she said, "Order the rest of you to return to your rooms and hold your positions. Have your personal guards clean up any traces and cover this place up!"

"only!"

The guards immediately obeyed the order and escorted the extra men back to their rooms.

"Please enter the underground chamber immediately."

Upon seeing this, He Shengjia went to the east wing, used his magic to ascend and pressed down the upper left corner.

With a rumble, the earthen bed in the middle of the room began to shift sideways, revealing a dark and deep tunnel.

Four guards led the way into the tunnel, followed closely by Lin Daiyu, who was supporting Grandmother Jia. The rest of the group entered in order, with He Shengjia being the last to enter before the tunnel was closed.

Before long, the group arrived at the underground chamber. Burning candles were stuck in the walls, and groups of men in black robes stood in four directions with their hands on their waist knives.

The interior was colorful, with a large flag planted in the center of the flat and wide ground, from which rays of light hung down.

Scattered around the banner are numerous crystal-clear jade stones, their surfaces shimmering and reflecting the vital energy.

Lin Daiyu was deeply shocked. She never expected that there was such a huge secret chamber under the Rongguo Mansion, and that the spiritual energy was as dense as a thin mist.

Those who had never been here before stared in disbelief at the magnificent and mysterious place, mistaking it for a sacred celestial realm.

Jia Wangshi's expression changed repeatedly, and the panic in her heart dissipated. In her view, with so many people and such a deep underground chamber, the thieves would not be able to find them even if they searched high and low.

But when he saw Lin Daiyu, his expression turned cold, and his eyes were filled with jealousy and resentment.

"Damn you! Why didn't you bring out the command flag for your personal guards earlier? You had to do it after I had made a complete fool of myself. Like mother, like daughter."

Then she thought again, "It seems the guards only recognize the flag, not the person. This thing should be in my son's hands, how could it fall into the hands of this woman who brought misfortune upon her mother?"

"Once Baoyu takes control of this flag, he will surely become the most important master in the West Mansion. At that time, by assigning two household guards, he can better assist his uncle."

A flurry of thoughts flashed through Jia Wangshi's mind. Now was not the time; she should wait, she should wait—

He Shengjia opened a secret chamber on the left side, leading in the many women of the mansion along with their personal maids. He then addressed Grandmother Jia and Lin Daiyu, saying, "Please wait here, Grandmother and Noble Lady. We will take care of everything."

Grandmother Jia took a breath and seemed about to ask something, but she only moved her lips without asking. She simply said, "Go and focus on killing the enemy."

Lin Daiyu nodded and asked, "Is this place secure?"

"This place is connected to the formation, and unless the opponent deploys a third-tier unit, it will be unbreakable."

He Shengjia paused for a moment, then said, "But if the other side sends a third-tier force to invade the mansion, the main flag of this formation is connected to the earth's veins, which could detonate the Immortal Capital and take us with them."

"If—if things cannot be done—I hope the old lord and the noble lady will be prepared."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu's expression changed drastically. The image of Jia Tang's usual jovial face flashed through her mind, and a resolute glint appeared in her eyes. She pointed to the weapons displayed on the shelf beside her and asked, "Can we use them?"

"Please proceed, young lady!"

After saying this, he left the secret chamber and closed the stone door from the outside.

Facing the terrified gazes of the crowd, Lin Daiyu's pretty face gradually turned cold. She slowly drew a long sword and said in a cold voice, "With disaster looming, we cannot bring shame to the manor and our lord."

"If—if it is truly impossible to succeed, then I shall commit suicide by cutting my own throat, and not lose my integrity!"

"What?"

"Whoosh~"

Apart from Grandmother Jia and the three sisters, the remaining daughters were in an uproar upon hearing this, and they all refuted it.

"It would take a third-tier unit to breach the mansion; we'll be fine."

"This place is secluded and safe."

Lin Daiyu shook her head, her eyes and brows showing an unprecedented coldness.

"I'm only preparing for the worst. If that happens, am I willing to die?"

"Those who wish to take the knife, please step forward!"

The women had never seen Lin Daiyu with such an imposing presence before, and were momentarily stunned by her aura.

The three sisters, Sanchun and Li Wan, were the first to act, stepping forward and standing behind Lin Daiyu with knives in hand. Xue Baochai also gritted her teeth, her body trembling as she gripped the knife, and returned to her mother's side.

"Good child, good character."

Seeing this, a look of relief flashed in Grandmother Jia's eyes. Then she sighed, slowly stepped forward, took a long knife, and held it in her arms. Yuanyang, who was standing nearby, wanted to do it for her, but she was told to stop.

The old woman's cloudy eyes swept over the pale faces of the crowd, and she said calmly, "Don't forget whose food you ate. We can die, but we cannot be humiliated!"

"If you refuse, I will surely behead you!"

His voice was flat, so flat that it was devoid of any emotion.

Upon hearing this, the remaining women were filled with fear and despair, and one by one, they stepped forward to take the knife, tears streaming down their faces.

Seeing this, Lin Daiyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, slightly loosening her grip on the knife handle, her palm already damp.

He immediately closed his eyes, quietly awaiting the outcome—victory or death.

Brother, can you still make it back in time?

.——

Inside the underground chamber, Jia She ordered his men to bring out swords and armor and distribute them to the men of the clan. Since they had experience killing prisoners, they were all brave enough to take up the swords. Even Xue Pan gripped the hilt of his sword with trembling hands.

Only Jia Baoyu was delirious, hiding to the side and muttering to himself.

A look of pity flashed in Jia Zheng's eyes, but Jia She had no qualms. He stepped forward, kicked Jia Zheng to the ground, threw down a long knife, and shouted, "Take this. If it comes to the last moment, I don't expect you to kill the enemy, but you must commit suicide."

"None of the Jia clan members or their subordinates have ever been captured!"

"If you refuse, I'll cut off your head for your father!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu let out a loud shout of "Ah!" and then his eyes rolled back and he fainted.

A look of disgust flashed in Jia She's eyes, and he shouted, "Men, keep an eye on him! In the end, behead him first!"

Having said that, he turned around and encountered He Shengjia, who had just come out of the secret room. He hurriedly stepped forward and whispered, "Is it a setup or has something really happened? Where is Yu Yin?"

He Shengjia replied with a bitter expression, "My lord, this is a terrible calamity. As for the matter of the general, it cannot be discussed."

"Can't you say so?"

"cannot!"

Jia She then asked, "Who was in trouble?"

He Shengjia's eyes were bloodshot as he replied, "Master Jing, Master Zhen, and Master Rong, the three of them, were all murdered!"

Jia She was stunned upon hearing this, and asked incredulously, "You—who are you talking about?"

As he looked at the other person and nodded, a sweet taste suddenly welled up in his throat.

"Pfft~"

A mouthful of stagnant blood gushed from his mouth. Jia She's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Brother Jing, Zhen'er, Rong'er, the three generations of legitimate heirs of the Ning Mansion of the Jia family are all gone!"

"Ah~"

Enraged, Jia She roared to the sky and spat out another mouthful of blood, his face turning deathly pale, as if covered in gold paper.

He Shengjia steadied his swaying body, said, "My lord, please take care of yourself. This humble general must go to the mansion to guard it," and then turned and left the secret room.

Jia She braced himself with his feet, steadied his swaying body, closed his eyes to steady himself, and then abruptly opened them again, his eyes filled with nothing but pure killing intent.

Turning to Jia Zheng, who was overhearing and utterly terrified, he said, "Second brother, I have never asked you for anything in my life, but now I beg you to protect the young ones. If things cannot be done, then you must uphold your integrity."

Having said that, he turned and walked towards the outside.

"Big brother, where are you going?"

"Where to go? I am a member of the Rongguo Duke's family, a third-generation heir of the title. How can I live like a woman or child in a dungeon?"

"Behold, I, leading my men to defend the Rong Mansion, will die beneath its gates!"

..

Outside, on both sides of Ningrong Street, three men in black looked at Jia's formation, a hint of realization flashing in their eyes.

"His Majesty also sent assassins to kill members of the Jia clan in order to coordinate with our attack on the Ning and Rong mansions."

"This will surely reveal Jia Tang's condition!"

Upon hearing this, the person in the middle nodded, waited quietly for a moment, and seeing that no one made a move, immediately raised his hand and pointed at the Ning and Rong mansions, shouting, "Go!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of Outer Qi cultivators split up and attacked the two prefectures.

"Huff, huff~"

A sky full of six-zhang-long sword and blade energy enveloped the Ning and Rong mansions, clashing fiercely with the defensive formation.

The continuous rumbling sounds drew the attention of various forces to this place.

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