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Chapter 1444 - 647: The King Arrives at the City Gates

Rumble rumble!

In the sky above Thunder City, thunder roared loudly, lighting up the night like daylight.

In the night, Thunder City lost its usual silence, gaining instead a livelier atmosphere.

The streets were brightly lit, with every household still awake.

Even on the streets, groups of people, sometimes together, sometimes gathered, could be seen holding lanterns, whispering to each other, discussing fervently.

Occasionally, someone would stand on a high platform to make a speech.

"The King’s great army is just outside Thunder City and will arrive soon! This is the King’s army! The Emperor’s Army! Surely news from the Capital about the Rebel Army’s uprising reached them, and they’ve come to quell the rebellion! We should find a way, open the gates, eliminate the Rebel Army, and welcome the Emperor’s Army!"

Though his words were impassioned, the person in luxurious clothing with gold and silver contrasted sharply with the simple-dressed common laborers below.

"Bullshit! The Rebel Army saved my whole family’s life! Who in Thunder City doesn’t know about the Foolish Underworld’s corruption? Who’s unaware of whom they’re really serving? Thunder City has long been twisted! The Official Office isn’t official, the people are exploited like fish and meat, haven’t we suffered enough over the years! Who’s in charge, does pretending to be blind help you? I believe the Emperor’s Army is here to settle accounts with some swollen heads! Let Thunder City return to the Official Office and become a city of the people!"

"Exactly! Who’s to quell the rebellion, the Ten Major Families polish up disorder, the Foolish Underworld aides and abets them! Thunder City now is only incoming, not outgoing, everyone fears. We all know the root of the issue! It can be said, only now does His Majesty recognize the chaos in Thunder City, finally sending someone to rectify it; they were all hoodwinked by treacherous individuals. Now the heavens opened its eyes, His Majesty finally realizes the world’s state, remembers our remote place, means some big shots’ good days are over!"

"Wait and see! Thunder City has been tormented for so many years, finally, it may be迎来 good days? I only wish the Foolish Underworld would release my son from Prison; he was just playful and naïve, helped the Rebel Army a little, ended up detained with no news! In such a world, the old man really cannot endure any longer."

Several voices were uttered, but all hid within the crowd, making it hard to identify who dared speak such heresy.

"How bold!"

The person on the platform turned visibly furious, glaring angrily at the crowd.

"You dare defame the Ten Major Families, defame our virtuous magistrate, and call the Rebel Army just men? I see you all must have a death wish! I’ll go to the Foolish Underworld to report, have you all arrested!"

His rage incited ridicule from some, while many more left quietly, not daring to court trouble.

To watch the commotion, gauge the situation, but don’t risk your life in the process.

The current situation was unclear; no one knew the army outside was there for what reason or aimed at whom. Hastily taking a stand might lead to not even knowing how to write ’death’ when reckoning occurs.

Rumble!

Another thunder boomed, and torrential rain poured from the sky.

The masses on the street dispersed, running back home.

But Xiong Rudong, who was prepared, with his wife and children donned in coir hats, stayed put, waiting.

His wife and children wore coir hats too, carrying large and small bundles. As the crowd dispersed, the three stood out somewhat conspicuously.

The young child, seeing the retreating crowd, then the thunderclouds overhead, felt a bit apprehensive, moving closer to his parents.

"Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid..."

Xiong Rudong reassured the child with his large, solid hand, though a trace of worry inevitably appeared on his own face.

The army outside the city was about to arrive; this might be their only chance to leave the city.

Once the army clashed with Thunder City, surrounding it entirely, the exit route would be thoroughly blocked.

Though there were many speculations among the people, almost all believed the army was targeting Thunder City and would directly clash.

Xiong Rudong wasn’t afraid of the army coexisting peacefully with Thunder City, as he could still return when the army withdrew.

What he feared was conflict between the army and Thunder City.

Whether with the Ten Major Families or the Rebel Army.

Such a vast military force encircling the entire city, even without attacking, would exhaust most people inside.

If the entire army stormed into the city, the overwhelming force would cause chaos within.

He was just a small figure hoping to find a safe haven in these troubled times, unwilling to gamble his family’s life on someone else’s chessboard.

"Mr. Xiong?"

As Xiong Rudong pondered this, a shadow suddenly approached their family.

The location agreed upon with the Rebel Army was originally excellent; the Rebel Army also arranged people there to cover tracks.

However, a sudden downpour disrupted the plan, but fortunately, the Rebel Army still sent someone to assist.

"It’s me, how should I address you, sir?"

Xiong Rudong bowed respectfully, and his wife and children followed suit.

"Time is short, Mr. Xiong needn’t be formal, quickly follow me."

Xiong Rudong glanced back at his wife and children, nodding resolutely.

"Alright!"

Following the person ahead, taking his wife and child, they swiftly traversed through street corners, soon arriving at the Eastern city gate.