I'm seventy years old this year, and you want me to have many children and much happiness?

Yang Qinghou's sharp eyes were fixed on Lu Xuan.

The hand gripping Lu Xuan's shoulder was also exerting force subtly.

Fortunately, Lu Xuan had already thought of this and had independently comprehended it, thus concealing his aura.

With the concealment effect of the Mysterious Heavenly Martial Bone, Lu Xuan was able to hide his strength very well.

Even with Yang Qinghou's blatant probing, no problem could be detected.

Yang Qinghou's question to Lu Xuan was also a test!

If Lu Xuan shakes his head and refuses, then there is definitely a problem!

"My lord... it is my honor to serve the court. The stability and prosperity of Wuling County today are all thanks to you, my lord. I dare not ask for anything more."

Lu Xuan quickly bowed to Yang Qinghou.

The tone and attitude were extremely humble.

When Yang Qinghou heard that Lu Xuan didn't make any demands, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Just as he was about to lash out, he heard Lu Xuan stammering.

"only……"

"I do have something I wish to ask of you, sir. I am seventy years old this year and have always been of lowly status in the Huang family. I would like to ask you to show leniency and grant me my freedom..."

Lu Xuan hesitated, not daring to speak directly, but to Yang Qinghou, his words sounded perfectly natural.

A person of low social status naturally wants to seize the opportunity to gain freedom.

However, having been a slave for many years, it is understandable and reasonable that he did not raise the issue immediately.

As expected of someone accustomed to being a slave, such a good opportunity only requires a chance to regain freedom.

With the county magistrate personally backing you up, you can easily rise to prominence. All they've made so far is this request.

The sharp edge in Yang Qinghou's eyes gradually faded.

A slight upturn at the corners of his mouth revealed a kind smile.

"Hehe, old man, you are seventy years old this year, which is a long life in my Wuling County. Now that you have made contributions to the imperial court, I hereby grant you special permission to leave your lowly status and be registered in my Wuling County."

"Here's what we'll do. You've just been freed from your lowly status, so you'll obviously have nowhere to live. I, as your official, must take responsibility for this. The granary in Dong'an Ward is currently short of a warehouse manager. The position is quite easy, so you can go there and report for duty. You can receive a monthly stipend, which will ensure your livelihood in the future."

Yang Qinghou spoke slowly.

This arrangement can be said to fully demonstrate the benevolent and righteous heart of Yang Qinghou, the official in charge of the family.

Not only did it solve Lu Xuan's housing problem, it also enabled Lu Xuan to have a job, thus ensuring his livelihood in his later years.

However, those who don't know the truth might think that Yang Qinghou was genuinely kind.

But Lu Xuan hasn't been wasting his time all these years.

What kind of place is Dong'anfang?

The territory of the East Snake Gang.

It was practically under the control of gangs, and many people simply couldn't survive there.

It is estimated that many warehouse managers and similar personnel have already died under the suppression tactics of the Dongshe Gang.

Perhaps Yang Qinghou still didn't trust Lu Xuan and deliberately arranged for him to be placed in this place so that he could kill him.

But that's a story for another time.

It's hard to say exactly what the situation will be like once we get there.

At this moment, Lu Xuan could only kneel and thank Marquis Yang Qing.

Yang Qinghou had someone fetch the exemption document and a dispatch document.

Lu Xuan accepted it with great joy.

Yang Qinghou and the others then left with the bodies of the fugitives.

Lu Xuan glanced at the exemption document in his hand.

A wave of emotion welled up in my heart.

"After living for seventy years... I've finally gained my freedom."

This single booklet in one's hand can determine a person's fate.

The Huang family.

The First Madam spent a fortune and finally managed to invite a master.

This master was skilled in the art of controlling animals. He kept a dozen clever mice in his sleeves. He only needed to scatter a handful of mung beans to make these mice obey his commands and do whatever he wanted.

For the First Madam, spending some money was no big deal; she was determined to find the person the cult leader wanted to find.

Originally, this matter was entrusted to Master Huang, who was responsible for refining the person into a blood pill. However, the person escaped, and what should have been a great achievement has now turned into a complete disaster.

The master was performing a ritual in front of the hall at that moment.

The First Madam's eyes were also filled with worry.

Suddenly, the master waved his whisk.

The mice in the plate all scurried away, quickly disappearing into the distance.

They frantically searched the Huang family's residence.

"Squeak..."

The dozen or so rats scurried away and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared into every corner of the Huang family's house.

At this moment, Lu Xuan also returned to the stable from the backyard.

First, arrange for Liu Qingxue to leave this place, give her some money, and let her rest at an inn in the city.

Today he is leaving the Huang family.

Liu Qingxue had just left.

Lu Xuan then saw several rats suddenly dart over from a distance.

"Where did this rat come from?"

Lu Xuan frowned.

He then kicked all the rats into the stable.

Immediately, many horses galloped forward, trampling the rats to death.

Hearing the commotion, Shen Yue also rushed over to greet Lu Xuan.

"Master, you're back!"

"It seems the First Madam has hired a master of magic, who is currently searching for something within the manor."

Shen Yue reported the information she knew.

"A master of magic?"

Lu Xuan was slightly surprised.

Since there are powerful martial artists in this world, it is also normal for there to be some sorcerers who have mastered strange and unusual arts.

They're either looking for Liu Qingxue or they're looking for Huang Xuyang's corpse.

For Lu Xuan, being found by either of them would be extremely disadvantageous to him.

But so what if it's unfavorable?

Without evidence, the Huang family is no longer a threat.

Lu Xuan was not a helpless, lonely old man.

He was a first-rank martial artist!

Most importantly, he is now a free man!

Leaving the Huang family doesn't even require their permission.

Because of his status as a slave, he was automatically excluded.

"Pack your things, we're leaving the Huang family today."

"Never mind, there's no need to clean it up much."

Lu Xuan waved his hand.

Anyway, there's nothing of value in this house.

Lu Xuan kept that storage ring with him at all times.

When Shen Yue was tied up and thrown onto Lu Xuan's bed, she was only wearing her wedding dress, so there was no need to keep it.

Just as Lu Xuan was about to leave with Shen Yue.

But then they heard a series of hurried footsteps.

It was none other than the master dressed in a Taoist robe.

"Who! Who stepped on my golden-haired rat?!"

The master's face was filled with anger, his eyes were bloodshot, and he wished he could tear the person who attacked him to pieces.

The First Madam and her entourage followed behind.

When they arrived at the stable, they were all surprised. Could it be that the old stableman was behind this?

That's impossible. How much skill could that old groom possibly have?

It's probably a mistake.

The First Madam never took Lu Xuan seriously.

She had even made up her mind about it.

The master will be back in the next couple of days, so we need to kill Lu Xuan before then.

Lu Xuan is dead, and Shen Yue has been defiled; her goal has been achieved.

Even if Master Huang is furious, what can he do to her?

However, the First Madam is currently in a hurry to find Liu Qingxue, so she has temporarily put aside the matter of Lu Xuan.

Unexpectedly, the master's rat actually found Lu's location.

"Lu Xuan, you lowly creature, what did you do to the master's spirit rat?!"

The First Madam stepped forward and angrily rebuked her.

"The First Madam is speaking to you, so kneel down at once!"

The maid standing next to the First Madam stepped forward and was about to slap Lu Xuan on the head.

In the past, this slap would definitely have landed.

But today, the old woman's wish was dashed.

Lu Xuan took a step back and secretly thrust out a palm. The old woman's palm missed, and she swayed, losing her balance and falling to the ground after spinning around.

"Ouch!"

"My old woman's butt!"

The old woman screamed, for her plump body had landed squarely on a protruding, sharp rock.

At this moment, Lu Xuan spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Your Excellency is wise. This master's spirit rat broke into the stable and started tearing things apart. It was eventually trampled to death by the horses. It has nothing to do with me."

Lu Xuan had just noticed that these rats seemed to possess a certain spiritual energy.

It's just a guess that there might be something wrong with this rat.

So the horses trampled the rat to death.

These horses are all of very fine lineage and are the property of the Huang family.

If it were the First Madam to deal with it, she would probably be reluctant to do so.

"What?"

The First Madam never expected this to happen.

For the First Madam, killing her own horse over these rats would be unacceptable.

But if no punishment is imposed, how can the master be allowed to let this go?

Therefore, the First Madam's gaze fell upon Lu Xuan.

"You bastard!"

"You've raised horses in my Huang family for so many years, and you can't even manage these horses properly. What use are you to me!"

"Guards, beat him to death with clubs! To atone for the master's sins!"

The First Madam gave the order directly.

They wanted to use Lu Xuan's death to quell the resentment in the master's heart.

Upon hearing the First Madam's words, several strong servants rushed forward.

Just as they were about to pin Lu Xuan down...

Lu Xuan suddenly raised his hand.

"Wait a minute!"

At the same time, Lu Xuan took out the exemption document from his hand.

The servants were intimidated by Lu Xuan's imposing aura and stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move.

"Madam, if this were before today, it would have been perfectly reasonable for you to dispose of me as you pleased. But today, I have been granted a pardon by the magistrate, who has promised that I can leave with my family and belongings!"

After speaking, Lu Xuan directly laid out his exemption documents.

The bright red official seal appeared before the First Madam.

Upon seeing the conspicuous official seal, the First Madam's pupils immediately contracted.

His eyes showed disbelief.

Lu Xuan actually received a pardon from the county magistrate!

Did they gain their freedom directly?

Although the First Madam was shocked by what Lu Xuan said at first, she did not dare to question the official document.

This object represents the county government office.

As the ruler of a county, destroying the mere Huang family would be a matter of a mere snap of the fingers.

They would rather let Lu Xuan go than kill the wrong person.

The First Madam's face was gloomy.

One of the guards was quick-witted and immediately stepped forward to retrieve the official document and hand it to the First Madam.

The First Madam glanced at it and confirmed that it belonged to the county government's official seal.

The text also states that Lu Xuan received this reward because he made a great contribution in capturing a wanted criminal.

"Hmph, Lu Xuan, don't think that just because you've left my Huang family, you can fly high in the sky."

"My Huang family has a thousand ways to crush you!"

"You just wait and see!"

"Get out of here with your things!"

The First Madam stared at Lu Xuan with a sinister gaze.

Unexpectedly, Lu Xuan actually seized this opportunity and turned his life around.

A Taoist master standing nearby came up to Lu Xuan.

"Old man, I don't care about your grudges with the Huang family, but you harmed my spirit rat. I'll give you three days to prepare five thousand taels of silver."

"Otherwise, I will use your flesh and blood, and the flesh and blood of those around you, to pay off my debt."

The master also took the opportunity to step forward.

His spirit rat had been killed by Lu Xuan. If he didn't get some benefit from it, wouldn't he lose face?

Faced with the master's threat, Lu Xuan simply chuckled lightly.

It was as if I were watching a joke.

He had already sensed it just now; the master in front of him was only slightly spiritual. He might not be a martial artist, but he was definitely not a very strong sorcerer. If they were to really fight, Lu Xuan could kill this person with a single palm strike.

After that, Lu Xuan took Shen Yue and swaggered away from the Huang family mansion.

Although this wasn't the first time he had left the Huang family, it was only this time that he truly felt the free spirit of the spiritual energy between heaven and earth.

Shen Yue, standing to the side, obediently followed Lu Xuan.

Her eyes were filled with adoration as she looked at her master.

The old man is right. He really will take her away from the Huang family and bring her a stable life.

It's so lucky to be able to follow the master.

As long as the old man doesn't mind her clumsiness and doesn't drive her away, she's willing to follow him for the rest of her life.

Shen Yue thought to herself.

Meanwhile, within the Huang family, Madam Huang was already on the verge of exploding with rage.

"Do you really think you can escape to a distant land by leaving the Huang family?"

"I'll show you what true agony feels like!"

The First Madam harbored no hostility toward Lu Xuan, but what she disliked most was that the slaves she had raised could one day escape her control!

"Master, please rest assured, I will bring this man's head to you in two days."

"Furthermore, the loss of your spirit rats will also be borne by my Huang family."

"Please continue your efforts, Master, to find that person's whereabouts."

The First Madam spoke respectfully to the Taoist master before her.

For the Huang family, it was just a matter of an extra five thousand taels.

It's not a very serious matter.

The most important thing now is to find Liu Qingxue!

"Hehe, Madam, you are truly virtuous."

"I have already set up the spirit array; it will be revealed tonight!"

Upon hearing this, the First Madam nodded excitedly.

Then they summoned Huang Wei, the head of the Huang family's guards and instructors.

"Huang Wei, get your men ready!"

"Tonight, everything must go perfectly!"