The courtyard became quiet after the men left.
I turned to Yan Mo and said calmly, "You should go and change. Get ready to leave."
He frowned slightly, clearly confused. "Leave? What is going on?"
"There's no time to explain," I replied. "Just go. Take whatever you can carry. We'll meet at the village gate."
He looked at me for a moment, as if trying to understand whether I was serious.
Before he could say anything else, Liu Muyan hurried out of the house, carrying two bundles in her hands. Without wasting time, she walked straight to me and handed one over.
"I packed what we need," she said.
I nodded and took it.
Just then, Liu Ruyan came back as well.
"They're coming," she said. "Uncle Han and Aunt Han will join us at the gate."
I gave a small nod. "Good."
We did not wait any longer. Everyone moved quickly.
Yan Mo gave me one last look, then turned and went inside without another word. Liu Muyan adjusted the bundle on her back, while Liu Ruyan checked everything one more time.
"Let's go," I said.
We left the courtyard together and headed toward the village gate. The night was dark, and the path was quiet, but there was a strange tension in the air, as if something bad was about to happen at any moment.
Not long after, we saw figures ahead.
Uncle Han and Aunt Han were coming toward us, each carrying bundles, and behind them were their four children.
A blue screen appeared one after another.
[ Name: Han Wei ]
[ Identity: Uncle Han ]
[ Name: Zhao Lifen ]
[ Identity: Aunt Han ]
[ Name: Han Mei ]
[ Identity: Eldest Daughter ]
[ Name: Han Li ]
[ Identity: Second Daughter ]
[ Name: Han Jun ]
[ Identity: Eldest Son ]
[ Name: Han Xiao ]
[ Identity: Youngest Son ]
They soon reached us.
Uncle Han looked at me, confusion written all over his face. "Yanyu… what is going on? Why are we packing in the middle of the night?"
Aunt Han also looked worried. "Did something happen?"
Before I could answer, Han Li frowned and crossed her arms.
"I told you this was nonsense," she said with annoyance. "She's always causing trouble. I can't believe you dragged us out here because of her."
Her tone was full of dislike. "She's probably just making things up again."
The air became slightly tense.
Liu Ruyan's expression darkened immediately. "Watch your mouth," she said coldly.
But I raised my hand slightly, stopping her.
I looked at Han Li calmly. "I hope I'm wrong," I said, my voice steady, "but if I'm not… then leaving now will save your life."
They all fell silent for a moment. Even Han Li did not speak again.
The wind blew softly through the night.
But just then, the sound of people screaming was heard from inside the village.
Uncle Han's face turned pale as he looked at me again. "Yanyu… what is going on? Why are there screams coming from the village at this time of night?"
Aunt Han held the youngest child close to her, her brows tightly drawn. "Tell us the truth… what is happening inside?"
Before I could answer, Liu Muyan stepped forward. Her usual gentle expression was gone, replaced by something firm and serious.
"It's no longer safe in the village," she said. "We don't have time to stand here explaining everything. We need to leave now before things get worse."
Han Jun frowned as he looked between us and the village. "Leave? At a time like this? That is our home. How can we just leave without knowing what is happening?"
As if answering him, a sharp and terrified scream suddenly tore through the air, followed by more cries, each louder and closer than the last, making everyone freeze where they stood.
Han Mei covered her mouth, her eyes wide with fear. "That… that doesn't sound normal at all…"
Even Han Li, who had been complaining earlier, fell silent, though she still muttered weakly, "It could just be a fight… people argue all the time…"
Before she could finish, a group of villagers came running toward the gate. Their clothes were messy, their faces filled with fear, and they shouted loudly, "The village chief is dead! They killed him!"
The words hit everyone like a heavy blow.
Uncle Han staggered slightly. "Dead…? The chief is dead?"
But there was no time to think.
The loud sound of horses rushing forward filled the air as a group of men rode into the village. Their presence was overwhelming, their weapons visible, and their expressions cold.
One of the men on horseback raised his voice and shouted, "Listen carefully! By order, this village is no longer yours. From this moment on, all of you must leave immediately!"
His words caused instant panic.
"What do you mean leave? This is our home!"
"You cannot just drive us out like this!"
Some villagers stepped forward, trying to argue.
"This is wrong!" one man shouted. "You have no right to treat us this way!"
The leader looked down at him coldly and raised his hand slightly.
The next moment, one of his men stepped forward and, without hesitation, swung his blade, slicing the man's throat open before anyone could react.
Blood spilled onto the ground, and the man collapsed instantly.
Dead.
The entire place fell into silence. Shock spread across every face, and no one dared to move or speak as fear settled deeply into their hearts.
After a few seconds, the leader spoke again, his voice calm but dangerous. "Is there anyone else who wishes to question this order?"
No one answered.
No one moved.
The anger from before disappeared, replaced completely by fear.
A woman suddenly broke down in tears. "Let's just go… please, let's just leave…"
And just like that, everything changed.
The villagers began to move in panic, grabbing their children, calling their families, and picking up whatever they could carry as quickly as possible. Their voices were filled with fear as they rushed toward the exit.
Some stumbled as they ran, others cried as they gathered their loved ones, but no one dared to stay behind any longer.
At the gate, we stood for a brief moment, watching everything unfold. Even Han Li, who had been the most unwilling before, now remained completely silent, her face pale as she clutched her bundle tightly.
Uncle Han took a deep breath. "We cannot stay here anymore… we have to leave now."
I nodded slowly, my voice calm but firm. "Move, and stay together. Do not fall behind."
No one argued.
No one hesitated.
And without looking back, we turned and walked away from the village, while behind us, the rest of the villagers followed in fear, running for their lives as chaos swallowed Wu Village completely.
From that moment on…
There was no home to return to anymore.