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 Meng’s eyes made Gu Yuan’s heart tremble faintly.
"Why bother… Han Meng," Gu Yuan spoke, a trace of helplessness in his voice. "You must have heard the headquarters’ 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 fate—fine, 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 Three—they are the last seeds of the seven districts! They’ve fought tooth and nail to reach the city gates, and you still won’t 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.
"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 won’t you let them into the city?!"
"That’s right! They fought so hard to reach Aurora City—why won’t you let them in?!"
Those holding flags and banners wore expressions of outrage. Even residents who hadn’t 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 hadn’t voiced an opinion—not 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 sympathy…
As citizens of Aurora City, they had always been proud. They couldn’t understand why the city wouldn’t 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 you’re 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?!"
"I’m 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?!"
"…"
The crowd’s 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 don’t forget—you are also an enforcer. Your duty is loyalty to Aurora City… You know the consequences of openly defying the city’s 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 Meng’s 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 him…
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 Meng’s 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 pity…"
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 can’t enter Aurora City on his own, so he’s using these survivors to manipulate public sentiment and pressure us… What a cunning move."
"But I don’t understand, even if he gets into the city, what then? We already know his identity. Isn’t this just walking to his death?"
"Who knows…"
"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 hasn’t 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 "headquarters’ orders" carried weight. The other two enforcers nodded slightly. Standing shoulder to shoulder on the wall, their three domains simultaneously expanded outward!
"You’re really going to destroy that train?!" Wen Shilin’s brows furrowed tightly. "No—the survivors on board are innocent! Not only are you refusing them entry, but you’re 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 City’s security?" An enforcer shot him a cold glare.
"I’m merely stating an objective fact!"
The pen in Wen Shilin’s 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 won’t be so easily quelled. You and the entire enforcer system will face unimaginable consequences."