He was all too familiar with this scene.

This atmosphere, this feeling.

After many Thunder Bureau members sacrificed their lives, these captains often used this excuse to visit and comfort the families.

Although we know this is just a delay and won't change anything, it can still give the family some time to gradually accept it.

Tian Jing immediately stepped forward, interrupting the old woman's thoughts and questions, and spoke to guide her:

"Grandpa, don't just stand there! Go inside and take a look, the house is nice."

At this moment, the team members behind him had already moved the small table inside and placed it in a prominent position in the middle of the inner room, and even brought a chair to place next to it.

The old woman's doubts were interrupted by Tian Jing's enthusiasm. She temporarily suppressed her surging emotions and walked into the courtyard with trepidation, looking at everything inside the house with curiosity and awe.

She moved slowly and cautiously, each step feeling like she was walking on cotton. She was hesitant and timid, afraid that her every move would damage or dirty the house.

Tian Jing followed beside him, speaking quickly and continuously: "Look at this house, it has everything you need, it's so comfortable to live in."

"Although the courtyard is not big, it has good drainage. No matter how heavy the rain is, it won't flood. In Tiancheng, this high ground is rare!"

With Tian Jing's reassuring introduction, the old woman's tense nerves gradually relaxed, and she finally accepted the fact that she had moved in.

After Tian Jing finished speaking, he solemnly handed the key to the old woman himself, smiling as he said:

"Grandpa, please keep this key safe. This will be your home from now on."

The old woman took the key, gripping it tightly in both hands, the cold metal digging into her palms.

This key seemed to have become the only link, the only hope for his son to return home.

After making proper arrangements for Luo Fei's mother, the group prepared to take their leave under the pretext of official business.

The old woman hurriedly chased after him to the courtyard gate, her eyes still filled with lingering fear:

"Children, thank you so much. I don't know when I'll see you again after you leave. If Luo Fei comes back, please tell him to come find me."

Li Yu stopped and turned back to comfort her:

"Don't worry, Luo Fei is doing well in Jincheng. He will definitely come back as soon as he has time."

Lu Fan stepped forward and reminded her again, "Auntie, just stay here and rest assured. If you need anything, just tell the patrolmen."

The monk Jingshi's compassionate gaze fell upon the old woman, offering silent comfort.

As Tian Jing led the team away, he turned back and nodded in farewell: "Old man, we're leaving now, take care."

The old woman nodded with tears in her eyes, watching them leave.

Only after walking a sufficient distance, confirming that the old woman could neither see nor hear, did Tian Jing stop. He then led all his team members to turn around in unison, bowing deeply to Li Yu and the other two in the most proper manner, their voices loud and respectful:

"Greetings, esteemed star deities!"

"The resettlement task has been completed! We will arrange for dedicated personnel to conduct regular patrols to ensure the elderly person's safety. Please rest assured, Lord Xingjun!"

"Unless otherwise ordered, we will evacuate."

"Nothing else, thank you." Li Yu looked at Tian Jing and thanked him sincerely.

Tian Jing's cooperation in comforting the old woman and diverting her attention was flawless.

"I dare not accept such praise, it is my duty!" Tian Jing bowed repeatedly, then turned and led his team to quickly retreat.

With the departure of Lei Tingju and Li Yu, the last trace of human voices around the new courtyard disappeared.

The old woman was all alone in the brand-new courtyard.

She slowly walked back into the house, without touching the comfortable bed or looking through the brand-new household items. Instead, she slowly sat down at the small table her son had bought for her.

The old woman sat there blankly, her withered hands gently touching the table, her eyes empty like a dry well, and she seemed to have aged considerably in an instant.

The house is nice, the furniture is nice, everything is nice...it's too nice to be true.

Although she now lives in the new house her son had always dreamed of buying for her, she feels no joy whatsoever. Only an endless emptiness and an ever-growing, oppressive fear.

The old woman seemed to have realized something, but she was still unwilling to believe it.

That mother's heart was still desperately and stubbornly rejecting that terrible answer.

She sat there quietly, like a soulless statue, her only thought being that her son would return safely.

This was her last thought, and she could only pray silently in her heart, over and over again:

"Fei'er, my Fei'er, you must come back safe and sound. Mother is waiting for you here... waiting for you..."

Tears streamed silently down her face, dripping onto the old but clean tabletop.

In the deathly silence of sorrow, the landlord's figure suddenly appeared furtively not far from the old woman's house.

After everyone had left, he poked his head out, his face gradually turning ferocious, and said menacingly to the distant courtyard:

"Well, old man, you've really gone from a thatched hut to the Forbidden City, from a pheasant to a phoenix."

The landlord's greedy eyes swept around the yard, scrutinizing it constantly, his gaze filled with envy.

"You old geezer, your place is as nice as mine. I'll see what makes you so special."

A more insane and greedy thought began to grow and swell in his mind; greed flashed in his eyes, as if the house was already his for the taking.

"Now that those guys are all gone, I have plenty of time to play with you. This house will be mine sooner or later!"

The landlord glanced discreetly at the Thunder Bureau Awakened patrolling by, knowing that this matter could not be rushed.

But he didn't believe that the Thunder Bureau would keep guarding this useless old codger forever. As long as he waited patiently, an opportunity would eventually come!

"Hmph, we'll see!" The landlord spat angrily, preparing to leave temporarily to plan his takeover of the place.

Just as the landlord turned around, preparing to leave,

"call out--!"

A sharp, piercing shriek rang out without warning!

Fast! So fast that it surpasses the limits of visual perception!

The landlord felt a chilling coldness instantly grip his lower body.

Before he could even feel the pain, he felt his legs give way, his entire body lost its support, and he fell forward to the ground with a thud!

It wasn't until he crashed heavily onto the cold, damp stone pavement that the belated, excruciating pain swept over him like a tsunami from his lower body.

"Ugh... Ahhhhhhh!!!"

The excruciating pain instantly overwhelmed the landlord's consciousness!

His eyes were bloodshot, and with his last ounce of strength, he struggled to lower his head—

All that could be seen in the field of vision was a blinding crimson that was spreading rapidly!

His legs had somehow completely disappeared, and blood gushed out like a fountain from the severed thighs.