Simultaneous Time Travel: Only I am left dead?

Two imposing, enormous stone lions crouch on either side of the entrance.

Chen Yi walked down the steps and was about to climb them.

"stop!"

A gatekeeper dressed in blue stood on the steps. He looked Chen Yi up and down a few times, and seeing that although Chen Yi was dressed in rich clothes, he was all alone, without a carriage or servants with him, and immediately became arrogant.

He stretched out his arm and waved it away like shooing away a fly: "Where did this young master come from? Doesn't he even look up at the sign? This is the Qin residence; unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach!"

Chen Yi stopped on the second step and reached into his sleeve to pull out a letter.

A faint red glow flickered at the corner of the envelope.

He casually tossed the letter forward, and the envelope landed squarely in the doorman's arms.

"Take this." Chen Yi straightened his cuffs. "Go inside and tell your master that his nephew has come to visit."

The doorman, clutching the envelope and about to lash out, inadvertently caught sight of a totem with a special mark on the envelope.

Having worked for the Qin family for many years, he naturally recognized this as the highest-ranking mark in the Qin family.

The doorman's expression changed instantly.

He swallowed hard, his previously held-up chin immediately dropped, his back bent like a ripe shrimp, his hands holding the envelope, his voice trembling.

"I...I was blind...Sir, please come in, I'll go and inform the master right away!" The gatekeeper stumbled and ran into the mansion as he backed away.

Chen Yi opened his folding fan and stepped into the Qin residence.

Inside the gate is a huge screen wall carved with pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity.

Chen Yi walked around the huge screen wall and strolled along the bluestone-paved road at a leisurely pace.

The Qin family mansion was located deep within the compound. Several maids carrying tea passed by and, upon seeing a strange yet handsome face, stopped and whispered among themselves.

In front of the main hall.

The gatekeeper in blue who had just given the report was standing at the bottom of the steps, panting heavily, his face ashen.

On the steps, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark purple brocade robe strode out of the threshold.

The man had a short beard and slightly graying temples. Although he walked briskly, he still exuded an air of authority due to his long-standing high position.

This is Qin Yan, the current prime minister and head of the Qin family.

Qin Yan's gaze immediately locked onto Chen Yi, who had just entered the courtyard.

He clutched the envelope with its faint red glow tightly in his hand, the veins on the back of his hand standing out.

Qin Yan swallowed hard and quickly walked down the steps.

"All of you, step back! Go and wait in the side room!" Qin Yan turned around and shouted at Madam Qin and a young man in brocade robes who had followed him out.

Madam Qin and Young Master Qin were stunned for a moment, their faces full of confusion, but intimidated by Qin Yan's imposing presence, they could only reluctantly retreat to a side room.

Qin Yan turned around, walked to within three feet of Chen Yi, and bent her back deeply.

"Immortal... Distinguished guest, your presence is an honor to my humble abode. Please come in!" Qin Yan's voice was very low, with an uncontrollable tremor.

Chen Yi gently waved his folding fan, nodded slightly, and walked past Qin Yan directly into the main hall.

The main hall was lavishly furnished, with large rosewood chairs arranged on both sides.

Chen Yi walked to the head seat at the very top, sat down directly, picked up the celadon teacup on the table, lifted the lid and stirred the floating leaves.

Qin Yan followed him in and slammed the two heavy wooden doors shut behind him.

As soon as the door closed, Qin Yan took a deep breath, no longer caring about the dignity of a common prime minister, and knelt down on the ground with both knees bent.

"Mortal Qin Yan pays respects to the Immortal Master!" Qin Yan touched his forehead to the ground. "My late father left a will stating that if the Qin family were to face annihilation, Immortal Master Li would surely keep his promise and lend a helping hand. Immortal Master Chen, is this why you have come?"

Chen Yi took a sip of tea, placed the teacup on the table, and it made a crisp sound.

"Some matters involve the secrets of the cultivation world, so Mr. Qin need not ask any further questions."

Chen Yi looked down at Qin Yan, "However, my master sent me here precisely to help you through this calamity."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yan's tense body suddenly relaxed, and his shoulders, which were lying on the ground, twitched slightly.

"The lives of the Qin family, more than a hundred people, are entirely in the hands of Master Chen!"

With a wave of his sleeve, Chen Yi unleashed an invisible, gentle wave of energy that gently lifted Qin Yan, who was kneeling on the ground, to her feet.

"Get up, Mr. Qin is a man of the world, there's no need for such a grand gesture." Chen Yi flicked his finger.

A faint light, invisible to the naked eye, flashed by, and the miniature soundproof array covering the perimeter of the main hall instantly dissipated.

Outside the main door, through the crack in the side room door.

Young Master Qin was peering out from the doorway, looking towards the main hall.

"Mother, Father is usually such a composed person, why is he so frightened after reading a letter today?" Young Master Qin lowered his voice. "And it was a handsome young man who came, without any servants... Could that person be one of Father's old lovers who has run back to the capital to try and seize our family fortune?"

Madam Qin, with a stern face, raised her hand and patted the back of her son's head.

"Stop talking nonsense! If your father hears you, he'll break your legs!"

Inside the main hall.

Chen Yi stood up and took half a step back.

Qin Yan immediately straightened his back, sat down in the main seat with an air of authority, and adopted the demeanor of a prime minister.

"My dear nephew!" Qin Yan's strong voice came from inside the door, "Your father and I were once bosom friends. Now that you've come to the capital to study, the Qin residence is your home. Don't hesitate to ask your uncle if you need anything!"

Chen Yi stood below, tapped his folding fan lightly against his chest, and wore a gentle smile.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle. I am new here and will have to rely on your guidance."

Madam Qin and Young Master Qin exchanged a glance outside the door.

"A nephew of an old friend... I don't believe it!" Young Master Qin rubbed his head.

Qin Yan pushed open the door to the main hall and called out, "Someone, take Young Master to the most secluded courtyard in the west wing to rest!"

The gatekeeper in blue robes immediately trotted in from outside the courtyard gate.

He lowered his head and walked slowly to Chen Yi, extending his right hand to lead the way: "Young Master, this way please."

Chen Yi followed behind the gatekeeper and walked along the corridor toward the west wing.

The doorman's eyes darted around, and he secretly glanced back at Chen Yi.

Madam Qin had just instructed him to investigate the background of this young master.

"Young Master, the fabric of your outfit is truly excellent. May I ask which famous mountain or river you've been studying in?" the gatekeeper asked tentatively with a smile.

Chen Yi stopped in his tracks.

He turned his head and looked at the gatekeeper with a half-smile.

Chen Yi didn't speak, but his dark eyes quietly watched him.

The doorman's smile froze instantly.

As those two gazes swept over him, he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, as if he were being stared at by a bloodthirsty beast.

"thump."

The gatekeeper's legs buckled, and he knelt directly on the bluestone slab, raising his hand to slap himself in the face.

"I was blind and offended you greatly! Please forgive me, young master!"

Chen Yi gently tapped his folding fan against his palm.

"Alright, get up." Chen Yi looked at him. "Tell me, what's the situation in the capital these days?"

The doorman quickly got up from the ground and swallowed hard.

"Replying to Young Master, the Mid-Autumn Festival is just a few days away, and the city is bustling with activity. To the north is the Imperial City, to the south are the residences of high-ranking officials and nobles, to the east are our merchant families, and to the west..." The gatekeeper lowered his voice, "the west is a mixed bag, with all sorts of people from all walks of life."