Chen Guodong and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.
But they also knew that this process was bound to be extremely difficult, with many close calls.
"Old Zhang, if the beast tide really comes, do we need to go up to the city walls and fight the fierce beasts?" Someone asked nervously.
In an instant, the room fell silent.
This question was the second core issue, aside from whether Anshan City could hold.
Previously, in the wild, after the beast tide erupted, each of them immediately hid in tunnels, took up weapons, and fought the fierce beasts, which was akin to a desperate gambit for the elderly.
But here, if the city’s guards really forced them to defend the city, they had no other choice.
And going up to the city walls meant a high likelihood of death.
"Generally speaking, no."
Zhang Ren shook his head and said, "After the beast tide erupts, there will naturally be Awakeners, martial artists, and guards to fend them off. But if the losses are too severe, then we will have no choice but to mobilize the ordinary people in the city to operate the guns and cannons against the fierce beasts."
"Old Zhang, what about the last time? Ordinary people in the city?"
Zhang Ren didn’t speak, he just nodded silently.
A beast tide! Standing on the city walls, looking out, the sight was filled with fierce beasts!
Not only were there beasts running on the ground, but also those flying in the sky, and those burrowing from underground. The ones coming from underground were the most terrifying!
Sometimes, when people were walking on the road, they would suddenly fall through with a plop, and the next thing you’d hear was the spine-chilling chewing sounds coming from below.
Even if someone reacted and used hot weapons to attack, the bullets would most likely just hit the dirt, wasting ammunition.
In this situation, not to mention the guards, the death rate among martial artists was also extremely high. If the ordinary people were not forced into the battlefield, they wouldn’t be able to hold out.
Of course, if ordinary people go up to the walls, they will die even faster...
Suddenly, the room fell silent again, leaving only the sound of everyone’s breathing.
"Actually, this is also our duty."
Chen Guodong sighed lightly and said, "That Chairman Li has let us move into the city without spending a cent. In some sense, he’s already saved our lives."
"Yes." Wei Tianyuan started to speak, "If we hadn’t moved in and were still at Chen Family Fortress, it wouldn’t take a single night for the fortress to get overrun by fierce beasts. At least half of us would be dead, and even if the remaining half hid in the tunnels, who knows how long we could hold out."
"Brother Wei is right. In my previous village, several hundred people hid in the tunnels. Within a week, more than half of them starved to death. The rest were so desperate they had to resort to... resort to..." A middle-aged man trailed off, unable to continue.
"Yes, we are much luckier compared to those living outside." Chen Guodong’s eyes swept over everyone. "So, it’s our duty to go up the walls and fight against the fierce beasts, isn’t it? This is not only for Anshan City, but also for ourselves and our families."
At these words, everyone was moved.
Death is feared by everyone, for life is precious and once lost, it’s gone forever.
But sometimes, life must be risked to protect certain things, like the safety of family.
If Anshan City falls, they won’t fare any better.
Only if Anshan City stands can their families survive.
"Guodong is right. Chen Family Fortress is in the past. Now, we are all people of Anshan City. Protecting Anshan City is not for others, but for ourselves, for our families." Liu Yong said earnestly.
"Yes, there is no more Chen Family Fortress, only Anshan City."
"Anshan City is our home."
One voice after another arose.
Determination gradually showed in everyone’s eyes.
"I saw today that the city is recruiting for people to join the defense, men of fighting age, and martial artists get better treatment. We can barely be considered martial artists. How about we all sign up tomorrow morning?" Wei Tianyuan said with a smile. "Then we can go up the walls together and kill some fierce beasts."
"Great, let’s do it together. To be honest, these fierce beasts have harmed us enough. Now that we have the chance, we can take revenge for our dead relatives and friends!"
"Count me in. To be honest, I’ve always wanted to handle a real gun, and this time, I might get the chance."
"Not only a chance to handle a gun, but to fire cannons too!"
"Are you serious about firing cannons?"
"Of course I’m serious. What, you think it’s that kind of firing?"
"Hahaha.
The room erupted in laughter.
The always serious Zhang Ren couldn’t help but smile too, his eyes glancing at the many smiling faces, showing deep reluctance.
When the beast tide hits, ordinary people hiding in the city are relatively safer, but once on the walls, they are mere consumables, facing near-certain death.
Many of those present tonight might never be seen again tomorrow or the day after...
Selfishly, he hoped they could all stay at home, but if everyone in the city felt that way, who would go to the walls to fend off the fierce beasts?
If no one is willing to step up, it would mean the beast tide storms into Anshan City, and everyone dies.
The laughter gradually faded, and the room fell silent.
How could they not understand that going up meant almost certain death?
But as said before.
They are now part of Anshan City, protecting it means protecting their families.
"Ahem, it’s getting late. Sister-in-law also needs to rest. Let’s end the discussion here tonight." Someone coughed lightly and said.
After all, talking too much about it becomes too emotional. A bunch of men crying in a room, what a sight?
Better not to say more, the future will unfold on its own.
"Yes, indeed, it’s getting late. Let’s all go back and rest."
"I hope the beast tide is just a joke from the City Lord’s Mansion, and everything will be normal tomorrow." Someone laughed.
"Yes, yes."
Everyone stood up, chatting as they headed toward the door.
Chen Guodong escorted everyone to the door, waving and reminding them to be careful on the way.
After several minutes, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Zhang Ren, Liu Yong, and the Wei Brothers.
"Guodong, up for a drink?"
Liu Yong smiled, "Maybe this will be our last gathering."
"Don’t jinx it!"
Chen Guodong glared at him.
But after hesitating for a moment, he nodded, "Alright, let’s have a drink."
"Where to?" Wei Tianyuan asked.
"There’s a small restaurant not far downstairs. Let’s go there."
"Alright, let’s go."
They exchanged glances and walked downstairs.
A figure watched them from behind.
It was a long moment before the figure retracted its gaze, and a long sigh escaped its lips.
The figure was none other than Chen Fan.
He had already been at the door for a while and had heard everything clearly.
While touched, he felt more sadness.
He had seen the outcome of ordinary people facing the beast tide that afternoon. Even with hot weapons, it was to no avail.
Yet they still chose to risk their lives for their families.
He didn’t want to disrupt the mood, so he didn’t knock on the door.
He also didn’t want to disturb the small gathering of his father with Uncle Zhang and Uncle Liu.
The only thing he could do was to do his utmost to defend Anshan City, so this hard-earned peace could continue.