Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!

Chapter 320 - 312: Double-Surname Aristocratic Families

"Rest assured, as long as you do your job obediently, nothing will happen to you. The Dark Pavilion has its own rules and won’t do thankless tasks without reason."

Manager Liu wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, looking extremely grateful. "Thank you, Han Sect Master, for your mercy."

Han Yi returned to the Dark Pavilion’s base and inquired with the Hall Master about the recent years of human trafficking in the slave market.

He discovered that three years ago they began secretly trading infants, only male infants, and have sold several hundred, unbelievably, all to the same family—the Liu Family.

This confirmed what Manager Liu confessed, almost identical to the facts; the other party hadn’t lied.

Could it be that the Ouyang Family is up to some conspiracy? The Liu Family was unknown thirty years ago and only started to appear in public after associating with the Ouyang Family.

Therefore, the Liu Family might just be a facade; after all, the Liu Family Master’s residence is in the affluent eastern part of the city. If anything happened, it couldn’t have escaped the Dark Pavilion’s watch for so long.

The only explanation is that they are working for the Ouyang Family, which has independent mountain villas and estates that ordinary people can neither contact nor approach.

Twenty years ago, there were rumors that the Ouyang Family’s old patriarch was a Great Grandmaster at the Middle Innate level, the most formidable presence in Dayi Continent, unmatched for a time.

Because of this, the Ouyang Family’s reputation soared, and no one dared to provoke them or cause trouble within their sphere of influence.

Speaking of Luoyang City, its long history is untraceable, known to be controlled by compound surname families: the current Ouyang Family, Zhongli Family, and Zhongsun Family hold a tripartite dominance, with several second and third-class families dependent on them, all major compound surname clans.

In their eyes, only compound surname bloodlines are noble and proud, deserving of exceptional treatment.

Single surname people can only be humble servants, only fit to crawl at their feet, at their beck and call.

Here, single surname people are even lower than the Alle Clan.

The legitimate children of compound surname families would not intermarry with single surname clans. Thus, the Ouyang Family would not elevate someone just because they gave a legitimate daughter to a side branch of the Ouyang Family, a concubine-born son.

The deeper reasons may hide other secrets.

The Prefectural Governor is a son-in-law of the Zhongli Family, married to a concubine-born daughter, and even so, this daughter wields unquestionable authority in the Governor Mansion.

Logically, a husband fearing his wife like the Prefectural Governor would not have such audacity, yet he conspires with the Liu Family in shady dealings, could it be he’s being blackmailed?

Many of Manager Liu’s tasks are done for the Prefectural Governor, with such complexities truly baffling.

He instructed people to focus on monitoring the Governor Mansion, and Han Yi put down the files, preparing for a good night’s rest. If everything went smoothly, after purchasing the people tomorrow, they could set off the day after.

Meanwhile, in the southern alley’s slum area, the noise, barking dogs, and the warm solicitations of prostitutes filled the air, undeterred by the night’s arrival, instead bustling brightly.

The street corner gathered beggars.

At this moment, Chu Qianyun was quietly negotiating with a young beggar in a dark corner.

"If what you say is true, these two buns and these two pieces of silver are yours. If you dare lie, you’ll never see the sun tomorrow with your siblings."

After offering benefits, Chu Qianyun didn’t forget to intimidate a bit.

The boy seemed around fourteen or fifteen, with a small, dusty face, a long scar on his right cheek, a thin body as fragile as a skeleton, yet standing tall in the cold snow.

He didn’t take the offered items, shaking his head, "I don’t want your silver or food. Can you take my siblings and me away from here?"

Now the city gates were closed, only wealthy people with tokens could leave and enter. He missed home, regrettably unreachable.

Their grandparent’s home suffered a dramatic change, leaving only his two eight-year-old cousins. He wanted to take them back to Yuan Yang City; they couldn’t stay here anymore. Several times they nearly got sold by traffickers, impossible to survive without adults.

Chu Qianyun was very troubled; he could hardly manage himself, let alone provide for three more children.

The young beggar, as if sensing Chu Qianyun’s concerns, quickly argued, "Don’t worry big brother, we have hidden food and money, won’t use yours. If only you take us back to Yuan Yang City, I can offer more thanks."

Chu Qianyun didn’t expect to meet a financially sound one among the beggars, and the child spoke clearly, knowing how to read expressions.

"Didn’t you say earlier you just wanted to leave here? Why are you raising the stakes now?"

The boy smiled brightly, "Because big brother is a good person!"

Chu Qianyun: "..."

Good people often don’t get good returns.

"What’s your name?"

"Luo Yuan!"

"Luo Yuan, is it? How do I trust that what you say is true?" Chu Qianyun stared into the boy’s eyes, as a child couldn’t lie through their eyes. He sought deceit but found none.

Luo Yuan’s serious face bore hints of sadness and pain, his deep eyes hiding barely contained hatred.

"I’m from Yuan Yang City. Three months ago, during my grandparent’s birthday celebration, I came with my mother for the celebration. We planned to leave after a few days, but my mother fell ill. Just recovered, we encountered heavy snow. Afraid of danger on the way, my grandparent kept us longer. Unexpectedly, two weeks ago, someone unknown offended a great power, and the entire household was slaughtered, leaving only my two cousins and me."

No wonder he didn’t quite seem like a real beggar; here lay the oddity. As long as he wasn’t sent by that family, it wouldn’t hurt to bring them along.

Chu Qianyun let down most defenses, "Alright, I believe you. Meet me at the big camphor tree at the alley’s entrance tomorrow night, three-quarters past Hai hour."

"Alright, thank you, big brother." Saying so, he took out a piece of Mutton Fat Jade from his neck, quickly placing it in Chu Qianyun’s hand, fearing a change of mind, "This is your reward; I’ll definitely be on time."

Then he quickly ran off, his words drifting in the snowy night filled with some joy and cheer.

Chu Qianyun couldn’t help but reflect, now with the disasters and calamities almost covering the whole of Tianqi, how many suffering people were there, when would it end?

He tightened the wind-and-snow-soaked collar, crossed his arms, and disappeared into the depths of the alley.

The next night after dusk, Han Yi and Qi Fei arrived at Manager Liu’s residence as scheduled.

Manager Liu led the way with a dim lantern, guiding them through corridors, twisting and turning, arriving behind a fake mountain.

Manager Liu pressed in certain places, and a door-high fake mountain gradually shifted aside, revealing a dark doorway.

"Please wait a moment, Han Sect Master."

He took out a firestarter, lighting the torch on the cave wall.

Instantly illuminating the entrance to a deep passageway, about 1.5 meters high, requiring those entering to stoop.

A quarter-hour later, they emerged from the passage, into a dark and empty area. A gust of cold wind chilled them to the bone, feeling even colder than outside, its purpose unknown.