After speaking those words to the survivors of District Three, Chen Ling never returned to the carriage. He needed their despair to fester further.
"Chen Ling, there seem to be scattered refugees ahead..." Zhao Yi said uncertainly.
"If there are, stop the train. Don’t let a single person slip by."
Chen Ling’s response was immediate.
Under Zhao Yi’s control, the train pulled up beside refugees on the verge of collapse. The sight of a train speeding off the tracks startled them, but when they saw the carriage already packed with survivors from District Three, they clambered aboard in ecstatic relief.
These were stragglers, those who hadn’t followed the tracks or had gotten lost in the storm. Even combined, they numbered barely over a dozen. Added to those already onboard, the total "audience" barely reached sixty.
These sixty were likely the last survivors of District Three.
"Chen Ling, the road ahead is all reflections... No matter which direction we take, we’ll end up in the Gray Realm," Zhao Yi said, frowning at the endless white expanse of ice ahead.
"The two worlds are nearly merged. Finding a completely normal path now is impossible."
There would be no more survivors from District Three further on. That meant his "audience" outside Aurora City was capped at sixty, far short of the hundred needed for his performance. Now, he’d have to find a way to mobilize spectators inside the city.
"So what do we do?"
"How far to Aurora City?"
Zhao Yi checked the map beside the control panel. "At full speed... ten minutes."
"Then we have no choice. Full speed ahead." Chen Ling’s voice was steady. "The auroras over Aurora City will halt the Gray Realm’s convergence. If we can break through this stretch, we’ll return to the real world and reach the city’s gates."
"A head-on charge..." Zhao Yi licked his cracked lips, resolve flashing in his eyes.
"Then everyone better hold on tight."
His fingers locked around the withered hand on the control panel, wrenching it forward with all his strength. The boiler’s flames blazed white-hot as a thunderous roar erupted from the smokestack, spewing steam skyward like a torch.
The passengers lurched as the train surged forward. The clatter of drive shafts and wheels became a frenzied drumbeat, the storm outside whipping past at terrifying speed.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
To the horror of all onboard, the train hurtled at full throttle into the icy reflections and vanished into the howling snow.
---
Aurora City.
Chu Shiduo slid open the tearoom door and quietly took a seat beside the figure gazing into the courtyard.
Tan Xin, still in his black trench coat, watched the swaying branches as he spoke, "How long has it been?"
"Twenty hours and thirteen minutes since the auroras faded. The lands beyond Aurora City now fully belong to the Gray Realm. As projected, all seven districts have fallen... with no survivors."
"...So it’s over."
Tan Xin lifted his teacup and took a sip, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
Just then, a growing clamor approached from outside, chants and shouts from what sounded like a large crowd. Even through the courtyard walls, the noise was unmistakable.
"What’s happening out there?" Tan Xin asked suddenly.
Chu Shiduo sighed.
"Teacher, it’s a protest... organized by civilians."
"A protest? Over what?"
"...Over you."
Tan Xin’s brow arched as he turned to Chu Shiduo.
"Word about abandoning the seven districts leaked. Those already hostile to the law enforcement system seized the chance to stir up outrage. They’re condemning Aurora City as heartless, accusing the judges of negligence despite having the power to act. They say sacrificing three hundred thousand lives was unforgivable... and that..."
Chu Shiduo trailed off.
"And that?" Tan Xin prompted, as if the accusations weren’t directed at him.
"They’re calling you... a coward."
Tan Xin laughed. Sunlight softened his smile into something almost harmless, as if he’d heard an amusing joke.
Then he waved a dismissive hand. "Let them talk."
"The truth about the seven districts was never going to stay hidden. This day was inevitable... Are the Aurora Daily and Bonfire Broadcast teams here? It’s time to release the official statement about the tragedy."
"They’re here, but the protesters have them blocked outside. They’ve started interviewing the crowd instead." Chu Shiduo hesitated. "Teacher, I’m concerned their reporting might turn against us after being influenced by the protesters..."
"Let them conduct their interviews. Once the protest disperses, you’ll deliver the official statement on my behalf."
"Me?" Chu Shiduo blinked. "Teacher, for something this significant, shouldn’t you appear personally?"
"What’s done is done. I won’t waste time justifying it. Their opinions of me don’t matter... I have more pressing matters."
Chu Shiduo nodded. "There’s one more thing."
"Go on."
"Xi Renjie has entered the city."
"Oh? And the outcome?"
"Chen Ling didn’t take the bait... Or rather, Xi Renjie hesitated. He never made a move against Chen Ling."
"Another disappointment, then." Tan Xin’s voice remained calm. "What of Xi Renjie?"
"He didn’t survive the Soul-Shattering Interrogation... He’s lost his mind."
"...I see."
"His memories did reveal something interesting, though... Chen Ling had a message for Aurora City."
"A message?"
"He said: They want to keep me out, but I won’t give them the satisfaction... Tell Aurora City that Chen Ling will pay them a personal visit."
Tan Xin’s eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of interest igniting.
"Intriguing... I’d like to see how he plans to visit."
With his report concluded, Chu Shiduo rose and exited the tearoom.
As he wound through the headquarters’ corridors and stepped out a side entrance, he found the main thoroughfare choked with protesters.
A sea of people brandished signs and banners, inching forward under the direction of ringleaders. Their synchronized chants shook the streets like thunder.