Gu Yuan sensed the frenzied surge of aura and was visibly moved.
Since hearing the voices from outside the city walls, Han Meng had become a completely different person. The man who had nearly given up struggling now erupted with unprecedented fury and defiance. For some reason, the bloodshot veins in Han Mengâs eyes made Gu Yuanâs heart tremble faintly.
"Why bother⊠Han Meng," Gu Yuan spoke, a trace of helplessness in his voice. "You must have heard the headquartersâ communication earlier. That train cannot enter Aurora City."
"That was earlier! Now there are survivors from District Three on that train!"
Gu Yuan was about to say more when Han Meng roared again, "Aurora City abandoned the seven districts to their fateâfine, you could argue there were too many people to save, that it was beyond your capacity⊠But now there are only a few dozen people on that train! They barely escaped District Threeâthey are the last seeds of the seven districts! Theyâve fought tooth and nail to reach the city gates, and you still wonât lift a finger to help?!
Does Aurora City truly lack the power to save even these few dozen people?!"
At this, Gu Yuan fell silent.
The cries from the train continued unabated.
At the same time, the crowd around White Dove Plaza grew increasingly restless and chaotic.
"Survivors from the seven districts?!"
"There are still people alive! There are survivors outside the walls!!"
"There are so many elderly and children⊠God, what have they been through?"
"Why wonât you let them into the city?!"
"Thatâs right! They fought so hard to reach Aurora Cityâwhy wonât you let them in?!"
Those holding flags and banners wore expressions of outrage. Even residents who hadnât joined the protests but had heard the cries from beyond the walls stepped onto the streets in confusion, stunned by the scene.
Some had already heard about the destruction of the seven districts but hadnât voiced an opinionânot everyone possessed compassion. Others were only just learning the news and were horrified⊠But when they heard the desperate pleas from outside the walls, many were moved.
The weight of three hundred thousand lives was too heavy for them to casually judge, but the sight of these few dozen fleeing children, elderly, and wounded stirred their sympathyâŠ
As citizens of Aurora City, they had always been proud. They couldnât understand why the city wouldnât take in these survivors. Fueled by the rising emotions of the crowd around them, more and more people were swayed, joining the ranks voluntarily.
"You cold-blooded enforcers! You abandoned the seven districts, and now youâre abandoning these wounded and children too?!"
"Deputy Chief Tan Xin is a coward! What is he thinking? Does he even have the courage to take in the injured?!"
"Iâm a doctor! Let them in! They need medical attention!!"
"If you even kill these poor souls, how can you call yourselves enforcers?! How can such heartless people govern Aurora City?!"
"âŠ"
The crowdâs emotions surged with every shout. Clenching their fists and flags, they began pushing past the barricades. Some even scuffled with the enforcers guarding the perimeter, plunging the scene into utter chaos!
Figures darted across the square, joining the chaotic uproar and startling the peaceful white doves resting nearby. The birds flapped their wings and took flight, vanishing into the clouds.
On the unnoticed wooden bench, Gu Yuan silently watched the distant turmoil, his expression complicated.
"Let me go!!" Han Meng was still struggling madly. Cracks spread across the wooden chair beneath him, as though it would shatter at any moment.
"Han Meng, you have great potential," Gu Yuan said slowly.
"But donât forgetâyou are also an enforcer. Your duty is loyalty to Aurora City⊠You know the consequences of openly defying the cityâs orders."
Han Meng met his gaze and answered word by word, "My duty is to protect⊠not to pledge allegiance to anyone."
Seeing the resolve in Han Mengâs eyes, Gu Yuan sighed deeply.
The white-haired enforcer said nothing more. Instead, he slowly set the paper coffee cup in his hand onto the wooden bench beside himâŠ
Crack!!
The moment the cup touched the surface, it was as if a mountain had smashed into ice. Jagged fissures instantly spiderwebbed across the entire chair. With a sharp screech, the seat shattered under Han Mengâs struggles, splinters flying in all directions!
As the chair exploded, Han Meng seized the chance to break free from the restraints binding him. His figure transformed into a streak of black lightning, streaking through the dust-filled air without hesitation toward the city walls!
Gu Yuan stood calmly amidst the wreckage of the shattered chair, his pupils reflecting the retreating black-clad figure as though seeing a younger version of himself, "With such temperament⊠No wonder the
[Judgment]
path favors him so⊠What a pityâŠ"
He shook his head and turned away, walking alone into the distance.
---
The city walls.
The cries from the train outside the walls and the roars of the citizens inside mingled together. The enforcers stationed atop the walls were at a loss.
"Is this Chen Lin⊠using the survivors from District Three as hostages?" a five-striped enforcer frowned.
"He knows he canât enter Aurora City on his own, so heâs using these survivors to manipulate public sentiment and pressure us⊠What a cunning move."
"But I donât understand, even if he gets into the city, what then? We already know his identity. Isnât this just walking to his death?"
"Who knowsâŠ"
"So now, do we destroy the train or not?"
The question left the three enforcers silent.
After a moment, the one in the center took a deep breath and said slowly, "Headquarters hasnât changed its orders. We proceed as planned⊠No matter who is on that train, it cannot be allowed to enter Aurora City!"
Perhaps the words "headquartersâ orders" carried weight. The other two enforcers nodded slightly. Standing shoulder to shoulder on the wall, their three domains simultaneously expanded outward!
"Youâre really going to destroy that train?!" Wen Shilinâs brows furrowed tightly. "Noâthe survivors on board are innocent! Not only are you refusing them entry, but youâre also going to kill them yourselves? Do you have any idea how disastrous the fallout will be?"
"Since when do reporters get to dictate matters concerning Aurora Cityâs security?" An enforcer shot him a cold glare.
"Iâm merely stating an objective fact!"
The pen in Wen Shilinâs hand scribbled rapidly across his notebook. He stared at the three of them, speaking gravely and solemnly, "Unless you kill me right now, once I return, I will publish everything truthfully⊠The public outrage that follows wonât be so easily quelled. You and the entire enforcer system will face unimaginable consequences."