After seeing Xu Di off, Leng Pingzhi, Gong Yong, and Xiang Jianzhou discussed the matter several times. They wanted to take these people with them, but without household registration and travel permits, they would be unable to move an inch through the counties and towns. However, if they stayed in the valley without food or water, they would starve to death sooner or later, given the increasingly poor quality of the crops and vegetables they grew. After discussing it, the three of them decided that since they were going to die anyway, they might as well take the risk.

The future development path had been decided, but no signal had been received from Xu Di for a long time. Xiang Jianzhou went out several more times and learned that Xu Di was currently in Wuzhou helping to resist the repeated attacks of the Great Yan. Xiang Jianzhou asked Xu Di when there would be a result, and Xu Di told him to go back and wait patiently, saying that sooner or later the court would send someone to settle them. Knowing that they were running out of food, he even took some food from the Wuzhou garrison's reserves and asked Xiang Jianzhou to take it back.

Every day, Leng Pingzhi would stand in front of the cave where they held their meetings, looking at the distant mountain ridge. As agreed, that mountain ridge would be the place where Xu Di would send him a signal. As the days passed, Leng Pingzhi's heart slowly sank to the bottom.

Although the decisions regarding the events in the valley were made by the three leaders, some of the older people in the valley initially tried their best to stop Leng Pingzhi from leading the people out of the valley. Later, when Xiang Jianzhou brought back the food given by Xu Di, they originally planned to go on a hunger strike to protest. However, the dried food made from that food was so delicious that these old people could only give up their obsession and think that going out to see the world was not a bad idea.

Leng Pingzhi stared at the mountain ridge for a long time and saw a plume of white smoke rise straight into the sky in broad daylight, followed by a whistle with an aftereffect, then another plume of white smoke, until the third plume of white smoke rose, followed by two more sharp whistles.

Leng Pingzhi thought he was daydreaming, shook his head and was about to head towards the cave when he saw Gong Yong and Xiang Jianzhou leading men in a hurry toward him, shouting as they ran, "Big brother, big brother, Brother Xu has given us a signal."

It took Leng Pingzhi a while to react. He said to Jianzhou, "Brother, it is indeed Brother Xu's signal. Should we open the mountain gate for them now?"

Leng Pingzhi thought for a moment and said, "Third brother, you go out through the secret passage to meet him. Second brother and I will wait at the second gate. We will only open it after you give us a signal. We must pay attention to how many people he brought. If he brought too many people, we should be careful."

Xiang Jianzhou agreed and led the two men toward the secret passage.

Standing on the mountain ridge, Marquis Yongning inadvertently saw several people emerge from one place. When those people saw Xu Di, they quickly came over and called out, "Brother Xu!"

Xu Di saw that it was Xiang Jianzhou and quickly said, "Third Master, this is my grandfather, Marquis Yongning, who was also sent by His Majesty to help you build the resettlement village."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Jianzhou quickly bowed to the Marquis of Yongning. The Marquis of Yongning saw that he was a tall, handsome man in his thirties and nodded with a smile. Xiang Jianzhou said to Xu Di, "My elder brother told me to come out and meet you, and lead you into the cave."

Xu Di nodded, turned around and looked at the people behind him, and said to Xiang Jianzhou, "There are only about ten of us. My grandfather said he would first tell you about the Emperor's instructions to him before he came, and then take you to see the village that is going to be built for you. Third Master, you should also gather everyone to hear the Emperor's decree."

Xiang Jianzhou replied that it was only right. At this time, Gong Yong had already led his men to open the other mountain gate. Marquis Yongning looked at the rattling mountain gate with some surprise. Such a mountain gate must weigh a thousand pounds. He wondered how much manpower and resources the previous dynasty had spent to complete such a huge project.

After the mountain gate opened, there was a dark mountain path. Xiang Jianzhou led the way in, followed by Xu Di. Marquis Yongning glanced at the guards around him and followed Xu Di inside.

The mountain path wasn't long; after walking about a hundred steps, we reached a bend. After turning the corner, we came to a large cave, which wasn't deep either. After a few steps, we were in the valley.

As Marquis Yongning walked, he pondered to himself, "These places in the valley are truly excellent for hiding people and things. It is said that the Yu family of the previous dynasty once hid a large amount of gold and silver treasures. When the Great Liang Dynasty was first established, not only did the imperial court send people to inquire about it, but there were also many rumors circulating in the martial arts world. It seems that the Yu family's treasure should be hidden here. However, after more than a hundred years, there should be very little of it left."

Leng Pingzhi was already waiting outside the cave. Upon seeing Marquis Yongning, he quickly bowed. Marquis Yongning looked at Leng Pingzhi and thought he was a handsome and talented man. If such a person could be outside, he might actually achieve great things. It was a pity that he had been in this valley since childhood. Although he was well-versed in literature, he was already too old to do many things. The Emperor had instructed that people of these families could participate in the imperial examinations three generations later. If they were ambitious, they could start cultivating their grandchildren now so that they could bring glory to their family in the future.

After exchanging greetings, Marquis Yongning sat in the council cave, looking at the dilapidated furniture, and felt a deep sense of melancholy. It was no wonder that these people wanted to leave the valley and continue living in seclusion in this place; what awaited them was probably only destruction.

After the Marquis of Yongning relayed Emperor Liang Cheng's decree, Leng Pingzhi, Gong Yong, and Xiang Jianzhou exchanged bewildered glances. They hadn't expected the Emperor to be so direct, allowing their descendants to participate in the imperial examinations three generations later. As for them, after leaving the valley, they would be under surveillance and live in a newly built village nearby. Although they had little freedom now, the thought that their descendants might produce someone who could bring glory to their ancestors was a relief. Most importantly, they were finally leaving this place and finally able to live in the sunlight. The three of them felt a sense of peace.

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