They escaped.

A sudden gust of wind arose, and a few green leaves flew with it, deflecting the hidden arrow and slicing the wrist of the whip-wielder. The old man felt a sudden lightness in his body, and his body fell to the ground along with the flying whip.

A man dressed in white and wearing a bamboo hat landed beside Xiao Heng'an and said, "Turn it."

Xiao Heng'an understood, and with both hands he turned the gun handle in opposite directions. The spear instantly split into three pieces, and the long chain wrapped around the gun handle lost its pulling force, causing the people pulling the chain to fall to the ground with a thud.

The old man with the short beard exerted the most force and fell the hardest.

He exclaimed, "Who are you? How do you know the secrets of my Hua family's weapons?"

“I not only know that the spear can be divided into three sections, but I also know that the four-clawed chain is made of eight sections of heavy iron, with barbs on the claws, which can seize a person and kill them in one move. But the old thing you are using is not made of pure iron, and the fourth section is easy to break.”

He raised his hand, took off his straw hat, revealing his fair face. The dark mine suddenly became much brighter, like a bright moon hanging high in the sky.

"Young Master?"

The two old men rubbed their eyes in disbelief, and after confirming that the person in front of them was indeed the eldest son of the Hua family, they hurriedly got up and surrounded him.

"Young Master, is that really you? Are you alright?"

The two old men spread their arms slightly and circled around Hua Lingchen to look at him.

Gu Jinning pushed the two old men aside and accused them, "You were just ordering Hua Lingteng to take our heads, and now you're showing off your goodwill. Your faces change so quickly."

The long-bearded old man chuckled and said, "We didn't know you two were friends of the young master. We've been very rude."

The old man with the short beard chimed in, "That's right, that's right. Come on then. You knocked out two guards, of course we thought you were petty thieves."

The bearded man asked, "You two young men are quite skilled. May I ask where you work?"

Gu Jinning turned her head away and said arrogantly, "I'm not telling you."

The man with the long beard said, "Hey, this kid is not to be trifled with. I am Hua Youxiang, the third-generation elder of the Hua family, and this is elder Hua Yourui."

The clan elders succinctly explained that they were old and of high seniority, having guarded the iron mine for generations, and were known as the mine guardians. They held high positions and were respected by the Hua family members, but they also had to obey the orders of the Hua family patriarch.

Hua Lingchen was once the most satisfactory new generation head of the family in their eyes, and they had much higher expectations and more respect for him than for Hua Lingteng.

They witnessed Hua Lingchen's severe injuries firsthand and were powerless to help. Now, seeing Hua Lingchen again, it's hard not to be moved.

Hua Yourui asked, "Young Master, is your injury healed?"

Hua Lingchen shook his head and replied, "I'm afraid I'm destined to be without the sword in this life."

Hua Yourui quickly waved his hand, "It's no trouble at all, as long as you're healthy. Our family is big and prosperous, we don't need you to hone your skills in swordsmanship, so if you don't want to touch it, then you don't have to."

The two old men warmly invited the group to the Hua family's ancestral home, as if nothing had just happened.

Gu Jinning quietly asked Xiao Heng'an, "Did you know Brother Hua would be coming?"

Xiao Heng'an replied, "I roughly knew, but I didn't expect it to happen so coincidentally."

Gu Jinning asked again, "Do you think these two old men are sincere?"

Hua Youxiang, who was in front, said, "Hey, kid, don't whisper behind the old people's backs. We may be old, but we're not deaf. We can hear you."

Gu Jinning pouted and followed them into the hall.

Several dishes and drinks have been prepared in the room.

Hua Yourui expressed his apologies, "Young Master, time is short, please make do with this meal for now, we will prepare a better feast for you tomorrow."

Hua Lingchen repeatedly said they were too kind. The two old men then invited Gu Jinning and Xiao Heng'an to sit down, insisting on toasting the three of them as an apology.

Gu Jinning accepted the wine without ceremony and drank two cups in a row. Xiao Heng'an then also accepted some wine. Hua Lingchen declined, saying that he couldn't drink alcohol because of a hand injury, and thanked him with tea instead.

After several rounds of drinks, it was already late at night.

Gu Jinning propped her elbows on the table, supported her head with her hands, and swayed as she said, "It's late, I'm so sleepy, I should go to sleep."

After saying that, he lay down on the table and fell asleep. Xiao Heng'an also leaned against the table and dozed off.

Hua Youxiang laughed and said, "The little ones can't hold their liquor. Young master, you must be tired too. Please go to the side room to rest. I'll have someone take these two children to the guest room."

Hua Yourui personally wanted to take Hua Lingchen there, and Hua Lingchen couldn't refuse, so he went with him.

As soon as Hua Lingchen left, Hua Youxiang's expression changed. He immediately closed the windows and locked the doors, instructing the guards, "Keep a close watch and don't let them escape."

Fang Huayourui showered Hua Lingchen with concern and care, continuing to chatter even after escorting him to his room, reluctant to leave.

"Young Master, now that you're back, why don't you stay? It's much more pleasant here than in the capital."

Hua Lingchen said, "If I don't leave, wouldn't I be taking over someone else's place?"

Hua Yourui disagreed, saying, "You're being too formal. This is the Hua family's ancestral home, and you are the eldest son of the Hua family, so this is your home."

Hua Lingchen laughed and said, "Once you enter the room, you are a guest. How dare I act as the host? I am no longer a member of the Hua family."

Hua Yourui's smile froze, and a hint of panic flashed in his cunning eyes. "Young Master, please don't say that. In my eyes, you will always be a descendant of the Hua family. Your old courtyard hasn't been tidied up yet, so you can move in tomorrow."

Hua Lingchen turned to look at him, her clear eyes falling on his deeply lined face. "Second Uncle, you have devoted your whole life to the Hua family. Have you ever done anything unfair to the Hua family?"

Hua Yourui was confused by the question and shook her head, "No."

"Then why didn't you stop Ling Teng from possessing weapons?"

Hua Yourui's eyes widened in shock. He quickly closed the door and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, how did you know?"

Hua Lingchen said sternly, "The amount of iron ore mined and the number of weapons manufactured are all fixed. Do you really think no one noticed that so much ore disappeared for no reason? The Hua family's iron mine is used by the imperial court. Privately manufacturing weapons is already a serious crime. Hiding weapons for private use is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family."

Hua Yourui's face turned pale. "The eldest young master has come to interrogate me."

Hua Lingchen corrected, "I don't want the Hua family to lose its century-old foundation because of a momentary lapse in judgment."

"Second Uncle, your character and that of Third Uncle are beyond reproach. I believe you have your own considerations, and I ask you to think it over again to see who is right and who is wrong."

Hua Yourui was slightly moved. "Young Master, I know you are kind-hearted, but many things are not within our control."

Hua Lingchen said, "He should be here. I'll go see him."

Hua Yourui caught up with Hua Lingchen and tried to persuade him, but Hua Lingteng had already arrived after hearing the commotion.

As soon as he saw Hua Lingchen, he rushed over and said, "Hua Lingchen, it really is you! What are you doing here? Did you bring a thief to steal our house?"

Hua Lingchen said, "Between you and me, we must eventually sever all ties."

Hua Lingteng sneered, "Since you've already handed over the Hua family jade token, you've severed all ties completely. Now you're coming back to interfere, which is just outrageous."

Hua Lingchen said, "But my head is still connected to the Hua family and their nine generations of relatives."

Hua Lingteng pointed at his nose and cursed, "How dare you! You dare to curse our ancestors!"

Hua Lingchen didn't argue with him, but simply said, "Let's go to the mine together, and we'll see for ourselves."

Hua Lingteng suddenly stared at him, his expression turning fierce. "You stole the mine map. You conspired with them to plot against me!"

Hua Lingchen ignored it.

Hua Lingteng turned to Hua Yourui and instructed, "Hand over the two rooms in the hall to the authorities."

“This…” Hua Yourui hesitated and looked at Hua Lingchen.

Hua Lingchen replied, "Even I don't trust the Hua family, so how could they?"

Hua Lingteng's expression changed upon hearing the sound, and he rushed to the hall. The doors and windows were locked, and there was no one inside.

"Where is he?" Hua Lingteng demanded of the gatekeeper.

The guards shook their heads blankly; they had been guarding the door the whole time and hadn't heard anything unusual.

Hua Lingteng stepped through the door and searched around. He found a hole in the wallpaper behind the curtain and a very thin wire left by the window.

They opened the window and ran away.

Hua Yourui asked, "Master, should we pursue them?"

“We can’t catch up.” Hua Lingteng shook his head, thinking to himself, “I should have just killed them a long time ago.”

Hua Lingteng came out of the house and saw Hua Lingchen standing motionless in the courtyard, which made him even more upset.

"You've really got some nerve. All these years you've been hiding your true colors in the tea garden, playing the victim. I underestimated you. Your martial arts have recovered, haven't they? If I can cripple you once, I can cripple you twice!"

Hua Lingteng drew the guard's sword and pressed it against Hua Lingchen's neck. "I'll kill you right now and see if they show up."

Hua Yourui hurriedly waved his hand, "No, no, patriarch, we're all family, why resort to violence?"

"You also bear some responsibility."

Hua Lingteng suddenly rebuked Hua Yourui. Hua Yourui's heart trembled, and he moved his lips but could not utter a word.

He sighed helplessly and retreated to the side, disheartened.

Hua Youxiang rushed over and, seeing this, was about to ask what was wrong, but then he saw Hua Yourui shaking his head at him, so he changed the subject and said, "Master, the soldiers are here."

Hua Lingteng sheathed his sword and said, "Hand him over to the authorities and say that Hua Lingchen colluded with foreign thieves to steal mine secrets and helped the thieves escape."

"They escaped?" Hua Youxiang rushed to the hall to confirm, asking in surprise, "How did they escape?"

Hua Lingteng kept his eyes fixed on Hua Lingchen.

Hua Youxiang guessed the general idea and knew that the two brothers were irreconcilable, so he acquiesced to Hua Lingteng's actions and handed Hua Lingchen over to the soldiers.

"Young Master, please don't blame me for being heartless. The Hua family still needs someone to support it."

Hua Youxiang knew that Hua Lingchen was more benevolent, but he valued immediate benefits more.

Hua Lingchen did not blame him and silently followed the soldiers out of the Hua residence.

At this moment, another group of soldiers marched in and surrounded the gate of the mansion.

The officer on horseback, who was in the lead, questioned the officers on horseback, "Where did you come from, and what are you doing?"

One of them replied, "The Huacheng County government is ordered to arrest the person."

The officer said, "I am Cao Yuan, a military advisor in the prefecture. I have been ordered to seal off the Hua family. Please make way."

With a wave of his hand, soldiers surged into the Hua residence behind him.

Hua Youxiang asked urgently, "Sir, there are thieves in the mine, why are you arresting us?"

Cao Yuan dismounted and said, "I am only acting under orders. The specific reasons will be answered by my superiors."

Hua Lingteng's superior is the Prince of Qin. The only people who would dare to touch the Prince of Qin are the ailing Emperor and the Crown Prince, who is acting as regent.

Hua Lingchen's coincidental appearance, could it be...?

Fang Caoyuan bowed to Hua Lingchen, "Young Master, we are acting on official orders. Since you are no longer with the Hua family, please make yourselves at home."

Hua Youxiang suddenly realized that the two brothers had completely become adversaries.

Hua Lingteng rushed out of the mansion and questioned Cao Yuan, "Who gave you the order to dare to touch the Hua family!"

Cao Yuan cupped his hands in greeting, but his face showed dissatisfaction. "Greetings, Patriarch Hua. We have received orders from above to have you come with us."

Huacheng is Qin King's territory. If the state troops dare to arrest people here, they must have solid evidence to implicate the Hua family.

They moved really fast.

Hua Lingteng lunged at Hua Lingchen, then turned to flee.

Hua Lingchen stepped in front of him first and advised, "Let's still go."

Hua Lingteng's eyes were filled with resentment as he raised his hand and delivered a slap.

Hua Lingchen dodged to the side and grabbed Hua Lingteng's arm.

"You were faking it all along."

Enraged, Hua Lingteng drew his sword and stabbed at Hua Lingchen.

Hua Lingchen remained motionless, but Hua Lingteng's sword hovered in mid-air, unable to get even a fraction closer.