Shen Houyun stood alone in an empty briefing room, yet he was acutely aware that the decision-makers of Arrival City were all watching him at this very moment. He didn’t even have the privilege of meeting these decision-makers face-to-face.
To be precise, even up to now, no one had ever truly encountered the decision-makers of Arrival City in person.
These decision-makers always remained hidden somewhere. No one knew exactly where, which part of Arrival City they resided in. They merely issued their orders, which others followed without question.
“This time, I bring information beneficial to Arrival City regarding Hope City, which emerged out of nowhere not long ago.” Standing in the desolate room, Shen Houyun simply closed his eyes. Since there was nothing to see, there was no point in looking.
“Please proceed,” a voice transmitted through the static, prompting his report.
Shen Houyun summarized the sequence of events: how he had joined the Black Flag Squad, received a mission from Angel City, and ultimately entered Hope City.
“After we infiltrated Hope City, we confirmed that the mercenaries who had vanished were, in fact, bewitched by Hope City’s ‘Land of Hope’. The ‘Land of Hope’ indeed exists and contains a wealth of resources, weapons, and food. The mercenaries have been manufacturing and modifying weapons for Hope City.”
Shen Houyun slightly opened his eyes.
“Angel City merging with Hope City is a facade. Angel City plans to use the weapons from the ‘Land of Hope’ to achieve full independence, no longer relying on others, using Hope City as a front.”
“Currently, Hope City possesses substantial resources. I suggest seizing it before Angel City and Hope City fully integrate.”
“This is the intel I risked my life to bring back. In the process, I lost my arm and shoulder, and my internal organs were severely damaged. I was only saved by the wandering healer Bai Fu and his assistant. Both of them are doctors.”
In the apocalyptic world, “wanderers” refer to individuals who have already resigned themselves to death, whether they are the elderly, infirm, or disabled, or unique practitioners who live independently and away from societal norms. These practitioners often possess special abilities. It’s not surprising to find many extraordinary individuals among the wanderers.
The opposing party asked many detailed questions for clarification.
Finally, a voice asked, “Shen Houyun, what do you wish to exchange for the information you brought back this time?”
“I want my mother’s freedom. I will take my mother and leave Arrival City,” Shen Houyun replied, lifting his head and speaking resolutely.
After Shen Houyun departed, despite reporting sufficient information, the cautious decision-makers could not readily accept his claims. They planned to thoroughly verify the authenticity of his statements and would conduct tests to confirm the accuracy of the intelligence. Only once everything was settled and the information verified would they offer him his reward.
Arrival City is peculiar—a place where humans are not treated as such—yet its decision-makers strictly adhere to their promises. If they agree to a transaction, they never forget and execute it promptly.
After Shen Houyun left:
“We are unable to determine whether Shen Houyun’s report is accurate or discern Hope City’s current state from existing information.”
“Calculating the origin date of the ‘Land of Hope’ and the total resources that could have been developed up to now.”
“Calculation complete. The total volume is considerable and could sustain Arrival City’s resource development for ten years.”
“Complete analysis of Shen Houyun’s footage reveals no signs of deceit. Assessment of Shen Houyun’s injuries confirms them as severe and life-threatening.”
“Monitoring Shen Houyun’s report regarding wanderer Bai Fu and He Fang is underway.”
“Angel City is currently being included in the calculation scope. Multi-angle assessments are underway…”
At that moment, the once silent room was filled with voices one after another. However, every voice carried the exact same tone.
“All information has been summarized. Multi-directional transmissions are in progress…”
“Information transmission successful.”
Upon his return, Shen Houyun sought out Bai Fu but unfortunately did not encounter him. He then returned to his mother.
The narrow and tiny room housed ten people, a space even smaller than the capacity of Hope City. Yet Arrival City, with its overwhelming population density, had pushed spatial utilization to the extreme.
“Mom,” Shen Houyun knocked on the door and said, “It’s me, Yun Yun.”
The door immediately opened. At this time, all of his mother’s roommates were home, and everyone greeted him warmly. However, each wore a distressed look upon noticing his missing arm.
“Come in quickly. When she heard you were back, your mom specifically went out to get some treats for you,” a playful voice called out from the room, softening Shen Houyun’s expression.
“Come, come in. Mom got your favorite roasted potatoes.” In Arrival City, where resources were extremely scarce, even roasted potatoes were considered a delicacy. They had been Shen Houyun’s most cherished treat from childhood.
As Shen Houyun looked at the potatoes, he glanced around the room to confirm there were no surveillance cameras. He then asked, “Mom, where’s my bag?”
“It’s here. Don’t worry, Mom didn’t open it at all.” Shen Houyun’s mother carefully retrieved the bag from the corner.
Shen Houyun returned with a large bag. He opened it and, from one of the corners, took out a piece of chocolate he had purchased from Hope City.
“Chocolate? Yun Yun, how could you buy something so expensive?” Mother Shen immediately recognized what he had taken out and was utterly astonished.
“It’s a gift for Mom and the aunties,” Shen Houyun said carefully, dividing the chocolate into ten pieces and distributing it to everyone.
“It’s too expensive. Xiao Yun Yun, don’t buy such costly things again,” said one of the other recipients. They all held their small piece of chocolate in their hands with great care, looking reluctant to eat it.
“Go ahead and eat. It’s actually very cheap,” Shen Houyun explained the price. The surrounding people displayed surprised expressions, clearly not believing him. Shen Houyun sat on the bed and spoke earnestly, “Hope City is a very free and prosperous place. They have already stopped the intrusion of the Nightmare Beast seeds. People live peaceful and secure lives. Things that seem unattainable to us are just ordinary items for the common people in Hope City.”
“How… how could that be?” Mother Shen was utterly shocked.
“Mom, I might lie to everyone else, but I would never lie to you or the aunties who raised me.” At this moment, Shen Houyun took out a small item from the large bag and placed it in his mother’s hand. It was a carefully crafted trinket, no larger than a knuckle—a white pendant resembling a beast encircling a human figure. “Mom, trust me, just this once.”
Shen Houyun had been hypnotized, and he was keenly aware of it. His memory had been altered. Everything he had reported to Arrival City’s decision-makers stemmed from his revised recollections.
Even though Shen Houyun trusted his memories without doubt, he also knew they were false. His aim was to create the illusion that Hope City was a place that could be easily exploited by Arrival City.
Inside Shen Houyun’s bag, it was packed full of pendants dedicated to the Divine Lord.
—
“Dr. Bai, may I ask what medicine I should take to improve my condition?” asked a woman visiting the highly skilled doctor.
“Have you had this illness treated by other doctors in the past?” Bai Fu inquired, observing that while the woman suffered from chronic ailments, they were neither life-threatening nor did they affect her fertility.
The woman shook her head and lowered it in disappointment. “No one is willing to treat me. I only endure pain, but it doesn’t hinder my work or ability to bear children.”
“Is that so?” A hint of mockery appeared on Bai Fu’s face. “Then, if I prescribe some medicine, would you even be able to obtain it from the pharmacy?”
The woman froze, her expression stiffening. She lowered her head and shook it helplessly before replying, “Dr. Bai, I just wanted to ask if there’s any simple method, something that doesn’t require too many resources, like massages, to relieve the pain?”
“There isn’t.” Bai Fu let out a cold snort. “If you want to get better, there is a way—stop having children, sleep early, wake early, and exercise. That will help.”
However, the woman’s expression darkened even further. Stop having children? How could that be possible?
“Then try using this,” said a small, hooded individual next to Bai Fu, whose inconspicuous hand extended, holding something between their fingers.
“What’s this?” The woman took the small item. It was a white pendant, intricately designed with a vivid depiction of a handsome and robust young man entwined by a ferocious beast. “This man looks so handsome. If I could have a child with someone like him, that would be wonderful.”
“No, that’s not the point.” He Fang, from under the hood, raised his gaze. He sighed and said, “This item represents a god. You can use it for prayers. Since Arrival City’s rules deem you unqualified for medication, why not try praying instead?”
The woman curiously held up the pendant and examined it. “But I don’t believe in gods, nor have I ever seen such a god.”
“It’s not necessary for you to believe,” He Fang explained gently. “It’s more about spiritual support. Sometimes your emotional state significantly influences your physical condition. If your mood improves and your habits change accordingly, it can greatly alleviate your pain. Consider it a method of mental redirection.”
“Is that so?” The woman looked somewhat confused but then asked, “I’m not sure if I can pray sincerely.”
“Don’t pray just for the sake of praying,” He Fang advised. “Pray for yourself, for the relief of your pain.”
The woman blinked as if half-convinced, then slowly nodded. “I’ll try. How much does it cost?”
“Nothing.” He Fang shook his head. “Money is only useful to people, but a god requires your faith.”
As He Fang watched the woman leave, he sighed, feeling as though he were acting like a charlatan.
Such words would never come from Dr. Bai Fu, a staunch adherent to science. Hence, it fell to He Fang to handle this. The relationship between Bai Fu and the Landmark was as irreconcilable as fire and water—one being a genuine scientist, the other an actual divine entity. There was no middle ground between them, leaving He Fang to manage on his own.
Over this period, He Fang had distributed many incarnations of the Landmark.
He assigned a small amount of faith energy to each Landmark incarnation. Under the immense spiritual support system of Angel City, every small Landmark incarnation was endowed with a unique ability.
Anyone could pray to the Landmark, regardless of the authenticity of their belief. Through their prayers, these individuals could experience a dream journey to Hope City.
It wasn’t Hope City in the literal sense, but rather a form of projection or observation.
Just as Shen Houyun detected the abnormalities in Arrival City, He Fang sought to use this method to help the women of Arrival City realize that the place they lived in was far from normal.
These women were already under immense mental strain. From the attributes He Fang observed on their panels, their spirits were highly tense. Even something as natural as childbearing had varying degrees of psychological impact on them. Though their thinking had been dulled, their fundamental essence remained unchanged.
They didn’t wish to sell their children. They couldn’t bear the thought of being separated from them or watching them suffer. This deeply ingrained bond of kinship had fractured their spirits to an extreme degree.
He Fang temporarily linked these women to Hope City, allowing them to witness what his city was like. Through this connection, he intended to channel their fractured instincts into Hope City.
—
Mother Shen arrived in a strange city. It seemed to be undergoing restoration, with plants growing on the ground. Yet, despite its grand structure, the city felt incredibly spacious.
What kind of place was this?
Suddenly, she saw a young boy.
The boy had a delicate appearance. Standing there, he turned around and spotted her.
He broke into a bright smile and said, “Welcome to Hope City. I hope you have a pleasant visit here.”
Mother Shen suddenly opened her eyes, realizing that at some point, tears had streamed down her face. She had dreamt a dream—a dream of unparalleled beauty. In it, there was peace, freedom, laughter, and people living in abundance, hand in hand with their partners, nurturing a bright future together.
As she looked around the dark, narrow room, she was overwhelmed with sobs.
She understood what it meant to have a spouse, to walk through life together, to have companionship, love, and family—the ideas secretly taught to them by visitors in Arrival City, passed quietly among them. Love and familial bonds were banned in Arrival City, but these sentiments were in their nature, something they could never truly lack.
How could they not know they lived in a distorted city? But what could they do about it?
At this moment, Shen Houyun, sleeping on the floor, heard his mother crying. He sat up to comfort her, “Mom, don’t cry. Was it a nightmare?”
Mother Shen turned her head, her eyes empty, and suddenly asked, “Yun Yun, does Hope City really exist?”
“It does,” Shen Houyun replied firmly, holding his mother’s hand on the bed. “I’ll take you to Hope City.”
“How can we go to Hope City?” Mother Shen knew deep down it was impossible, but the dream had ignited an undeniable longing in her.
“Mom,” Shen Houyun whispered, lowering his voice, “Arrival City has already set its sights on Hope City. They plan to invade it.”
Mother Shen froze for a moment, her expression gradually turning to one of shock.
“What did you say?” she asked.
“I told Arrival City about Hope City’s situation so they could approach its surroundings, and then, Mom, you…” Shen Houyun’s words were abruptly cut off.
“What have you done?” Mother Shen immediately sat upright, terror filling her gaze. “Yun Yun, what have you done?”
Shen Houyun was stunned. “What’s wrong, Mom?”
“How could you lead Arrival City to Hope City? Even if Angel City is backing Hope City, Arrival City isn’t just one city!” Mother Shen grabbed Shen Houyun’s hands firmly.
“Yun Yun, are you trying to bring danger to Hope City?” At this moment, the women on the upper bunk beds began sitting up one by one.
“Yun Yun, you don’t even know what Arrival City represents. Do you think you know where Arrival City’s children are sent?”
Only then did Shen Houyun realize that his mother and the other women knew far more than he did.
Arrival City’s children were typically sent to combat cities.
Peaceful cities, even when there was a gender imbalance, could maintain a stable population. But in battle-driven cities, the numbers consumed during a single fight were staggering.
Arrival City had always been feeding war-driven, combative cities!
The women had also heard of Angel City, but it was clear that it couldn’t possibly stand up against perpetually aggressive mobile cities.
And so, Shen Houyun had led the pack of wolves lurking in the shadows directly to Hope City!
Hope City, with its burgeoning revival, and Angel City, with its advanced reserves, were now like lambs awaiting slaughter, vulnerable to the wolves’ arrival.
At that moment, Shen Houyun couldn’t hide his shock. He grasped his mother’s hand and asked, “Mom, so you know about my younger brothers…?”
Were his brothers sent away at such young ages, already being trained to enter the battlefield? Were all the boys shipped off from the city merely destined for war?
“Yun Yun, pack up quickly and go warn Hope City! Tell them to run!” Mother Shen, filled with urgency, immediately began to gather things for Shen Houyun.
However, Shen Houyun remained silent and didn’t follow her instruction.
Lowering his gaze, he stared at his missing arm.
His mind once again returned to the time he had gambled everything on an ambush against the City Lord of Hope City. The distant strike came from a place he couldn’t even see, and then, that shadow, a black figure who appeared beside him so suddenly, meticulously, and cruelly severing his arm, etched itself in his memory.
As he lay on the ground back then, paralyzed by fear, he not only saw the terrifying black figure but also the countless formerly kind people standing behind Hope City’s leader, now glaring at him with malevolent stares. In that instant, he felt as though he had fallen into hell, the gazes before him as cold as those of death’s emissaries.
“Mom, don’t worry, it won’t come to that.” Shen Houyun held his anxious mother’s hand and looked up at her. Her face, though only in her thirties, was gaunt and aged, looking older than the sixty-year-olds of Hope City. “Listen to me. I’ve already established contact with Hope City’s leader and gained their trust.”
Mother Shen froze for a moment upon hearing his words, her worry momentarily interrupted.
“The City Lord of Hope City said that he will not proactively confront Arrival City but will accept anyone fleeing from it,” Shen Houyun said as he held his mother’s arm, staring at her with a resolute gaze. It was the kind of unwavering determination honed over the years as a mercenary. “I will give you and the other mothers a chance to escape. Please, Mom, no matter what, run. You must escape.”
Mother Shen felt her heart unexpectedly race. Her son, the child she had fought to bring into the world and protect, now stood firm before her. His calm and steadfast eyes brought her an unprecedented sense of reassurance.
A thought suddenly crossed her mind: Was Shen Houyun’s father someone with the same kind of gaze? Strong, unwavering, filled with an innate desire to protect.
If that man were standing in front of her now, would she have fallen for him?
Later that day, Shen Houyun went to see He Fang.
Bai Fu, as always, maintained his usual indifferent demeanor, barely acknowledging others.
Shen Houyun looked at Bai Fu—the doctor, just a doctor. Yet, even though Bai Fu appeared unassuming and physically frail, Shen Houyun, a mercenary accustomed to navigating danger, couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t a match for this man.
Despite his ordinary appearance, Bai Fu radiated an imposing presence that Shen Houyun felt acutely simply by being near him. And this was a man who was “just a doctor”.
“What’s wrong?” He Fang asked when he noticed Shen Houyun’s absent-minded demeanor upon arriving. He Fang couldn’t help but wonder if something unexpected had occurred.
Shen Houyun appeared deeply silent, prompting He Fang to furrow his brows. Could it be that the women here didn’t want to leave? Even after witnessing Hope City, did they still choose to stay?
While He Fang was pondering, Shen Houyun suddenly dropped to his knees, his forehead touching the ground in the most humble posture of pleading. He Fang was utterly perplexed—should he pull him up?
“I’m sorry,” Shen Houyun said slowly, revealing the news he had just received, which might bring great trouble to Hope City because of Arrival City. “Even so, I beg you—please shelter the women and children of Arrival City.”
Shen Houyun knew he was despicable—completely powerless himself, yet shamelessly asking others to save him. With brazen audacity, he pleaded with the leader of Hope City, a person who still preserved the last fragments of kindness in this post-apocalyptic world, to shoulder a responsibility that was never theirs to bear.
“After this, I will request execution. Be it your wrath or the wrath of your city, I am willing to use my life to appease it. I am prepared to endure the harshest punishment imaginable.” Shen Houyun clenched his remaining hand tightly, his nails digging deep into his palm, yet he felt no pain.
“How shameless.” Bai Fu, standing to the side, remarked coldly. “You traded one arm for the city lord’s help, and now you want to exchange your life for the safety of so many people. I don’t understand where you get the confidence to believe you’re worth so much.”
Shen Houyun accepted the rebuke silently, without argument.
“You don’t even have a face worth looking at. If you were stunningly beautiful, the city lord might risk putting us all in danger just for the joy of a beauty’s smile. But this face of yours, honestly—it’s unbearable to look at. If there were any value to be found in it, I wouldn’t feel this disgust.” Bai Fu used a stethoscope to lift Shen Houyun’s chin. “Take a good look at this utterly unsightly face of yours. If there’s even a shred of worth to it, I might reconsider how much you nauseate me.”
Bai Fu’s contempt for Shen Houyun was displayed in full force, leaving no room for subtlety.
“Overestimating yourself, and you even dare to think you can start a city war. Who gave you that courage?” Bai Fu squinted his eyes and struck Shen Houyun on the head with his stethoscope. “Damn it, I really hate being a doctor at times like this. If I weren’t a doctor, I’d dismember you and dig out your heart to see if the word ‘despicable’ is engraved on it.”
He Fang knew Bai Fu was angry. Bai Fu was naturally a volatile person. He Fang suspected that his earlier silence was likely due to him holding back. But now, after exposing his temper during surgeries, Bai Fu seemed to have given up entirely, letting his bad temper show in full force.
Still, it was hard to blame Bai Fu for being upset. After all, from a practical perspective, NPCs in any mission are often annoying.
Who hasn’t encountered those repetitive, trivial tasks in games—fetching water, chopping wood, hunting beast meat—only to be rewarded with some insignificant material? It’s all part of the usual gameplay.
If this weren’t a game, who in their right mind would help a stranger with no familial ties by doing their chores? Even “Ruins Without Restart” couldn’t escape this trope.
“Feel better after venting?” He Fang finally asked, peeking his head out after Bai Fu had finished his tirade.
To his surprise, his hospital director, Dr. Bai Fu, blushed furiously at the question. He averted his gaze, refusing to meet He Fang’s eyes. The redness creeping up his ears betrayed his embarrassment.
He Fang figured that was probably Bai Fu’s way of saying he’d vented enough.
“It’s fine,” He Fang said, lowering his head to address Shen Houyun, who was still kneeling on the ground. “We’ve already considered this matter and taken appropriate measures.”
Shen Houyun froze, his entire body stiffening. Slowly, he straightened up and looked at He Fang, his eyes filled with shock.
“When we took in Angel City, we had already anticipated such scenarios. But I still chose to accept Angel City,” He Fang explained. “If we’re going to deal with Arrival City, it’ll inevitably disrupt someone else’s interests, just like with Angel City. But honestly, I don’t care whose interests I disrupt.”
Even Bai Fu, who had been looking elsewhere, turned his gaze back, seemingly surprised by He Fang’s statement.
He Fang shrugged nonchalantly. “What I want are residents—people who can contribute to the growth and development of my city. I do not need to fight for power with the upper echelons. The only people I aim to please are the residents.”
Ever since the inclusion of Angel City, He Fang had tasted the benefits of suddenly gaining a massive city. Though the arrangement leaned more toward collaboration than full integration, even so, his personal treasury kept growing day by day. Soon, once things stabilized, he would be ready to expand his main city again.
“Just to be safe, I had Zhu Yan prepare certain measures, which Chong Xiao deployed throughout Arrival City on the very day we arrived. Arrival City now has no opportunity to contact anyone.” He Fang reached out to pat Shen Houyun’s hair, which was disheveled from being hit with the stethoscope. “Whatever you’re worried about, we’ve already considered it. Your concerns are unnecessary.”
Currently, the residents of Arrival City likely haven’t noticed anything unusual. Not only had communications been cut off, but all information sent from Arrival City had already been intercepted by Chong Ying. While Chong Ying wasn’t as thorough as Zhu Yan, his sharp instincts made him remarkably adept. Such perceptiveness would be enough to hold their ground until Arrival City’s decision-makers voluntarily sent their residents to Hope City.
Their only task now was to continue stirring up Arrival City’s residents, driving them to flee out of their own free will.
“Rest assured,” He Fang said casually as he helped Shen Houyun up. “Everyone who comes to our city of their own accord—I’ll protect them with everything I’ve got.”
Shen Houyun felt as though his vision was drifting. In his eyes, the young city lord, who at first glance seemed utterly unremarkable, quietly sat there conversing with Bai Fu. His posture wasn’t grand, nor did he bear any distinctive symbols, yet in that moment, Shen Houyun could clearly perceive the extraordinary qualities hidden within this seemingly ordinary leader.
His worry, his fear, his turmoil—all of it dissipated under the city lord’s calming presence.
At that instant, Shen Houyun seemed to understand why everyone adored this city lord.
It was a meticulous, powerful, and flawless sense of security.
—
During a work shift transition at the break of day, Arrival City suddenly experienced massive tremors. It was a crowded time. Everyone instinctively leaned against the walls for support, waiting for the vibrations to pass.
If it were merely an earthquake, there would be no cause for alarm. Modern mobile cities had long ceased to fear the impact of seismic activity.
However, things didn’t stop as they had anticipated. Instead, a series of explosions echoed through the air, starting in the distance and drawing closer. The continuous blast sounds sent everyone into a panic. They crouched down, clutching their heads in fear.
Was it an attack? Had they been ambushed by a combat city? But why hadn’t there been any alerts about an approaching city? Could it be something else?
Soon, the explosions and tremors ceased. Suddenly, someone screamed, “The gate has been blown open!”
In that moment, everyone’s minds went blank.
The gate had been blown open?
What did that mean?
Yet, as the women gradually regained their composure, a single word surfaced in their thoughts—“escape.”
For some time now, strange rumors had been quietly circulating through Arrival City—whispers of “escaping from here”, “this isn’t right”, and mentions of “Hope City”.
Additionally, many of them had been dreaming, repeatedly dreaming of Hope City.
It was a city they longed for—peaceful and stable.
The broadcast from Hope City, detailing everything about the city, had reached them without a single word omitted. Every one of them had pondered just how remarkable Hope City must be to openly invite people from other cities into its own.
In this post-apocalyptic world, all cities were preoccupied with their own survival. Having a secure place within a city was a rare privilege. They all understood that leaving Arrival City meant constant exposure to danger.
They didn’t merely crave stability, but beyond that, they had never been taught any survival skills. All they knew was how to serve Arrival City—how to reproduce and sustain it.
Run?
Should they?
They wanted to. Even though they felt it was wrong.
They were treated like livestock, tamed and obedient, unable to voice even the slightest complaint.
Could they escape?
If they did, could they survive?
Yes!
For some reason, the thought had taken hold in many minds, as though someone had persistently whispered to them: “Run, go to Hope City. Hope City will welcome you.”
They no longer wanted to stay in Arrival City.
They no longer wanted to see their sons taken away, nor their daughters trapped in the same cycle they had endured!
They refused to be puppets any longer—repeatedly sacrificing their bodies for the sake of Arrival City’s demands, creating a future they’d never see. If Arrival City had granted them stability, surely what they had given back was more than enough?
This wasn’t an accident; it was an eruption. When the first person dared to test the exit and escape, the dormant embers of rebellion were finally ignited into an unprecedented blaze.
Ignoring the consequences, driven only by the fierce, instinctive urge to resist, they fled.
Despite their exhausted bodies and even those heavily pregnant, this moment broke through all their suppressed emotions. Years of pent-up frustration exploded into action, rendering them nearly irrational, focused solely on running.
Some didn’t even know what awaited them ahead.
But they were sure that even if their destination was another form of hell, they had to try. Nothing could possibly be worse than their current state. Nothing could be worse than living as livestock.
“Stop running! All of you, stop! Halt, now!” At that point, someone realized the disturbance and rushed to stop the fleeing women. Many others still lacked the courage to escape, cowering in their cramped rooms, quietly crying, caught between fear and hope.
Meanwhile, a manager raised their weapon, intending to strike fear into the escapees and restore order. However, just as the weapon was lifted, a sudden, violent electric shock struck them from the back of their neck, rendering them paralyzed and collapsing to the ground.
To their horror, it wasn’t just them—other managers were experiencing the same fate.
Everyone vaguely recalled a moment when they felt a slight prick on the back of their necks, unnoticed at the time. Yet now, they realized they had been covertly marked.
Many fled. Upon realizing they were not being stopped, they ran with abandon, surging forward.
Meanwhile, the border gatekeepers heard the overwhelming noise. The sheer intensity of the sound indicated that a massive crowd was approaching from Arrival City’s direction. The gatekeepers frowned and tried to contact the city’s interior but discovered communication had been abruptly severed.
“What’s going on?” The gatekeepers felt something was seriously wrong. The squad leader issued orders to all gatekeepers: “Move steadily toward the city’s interior. Something has gone wrong. Assess if assistance is needed.”
The vehicles of the gatekeepers began closing in, their encirclement tightening. As they drew nearer, they saw groups of people pouring out of the city.
“Damn it! Stop! All of you, stop and go back!” The gatekeepers were filled with shock and frustration. They raised their weapons, aiming at the first few runners.
Noticing the armed threat, some slowed down, hesitation creeping in as the fear of death loomed over them.
Suddenly, the gatekeepers began collapsing one by one, struck as if by an unseen force. From an invisible distance, a black-clad boy glared intensely, pinpointing each gatekeeper who attempted to attack. Not a single one escaped his precise shots before taking action.
“So many people…” Behind the gatekeepers, rows of vehicles appeared. The man leading them removed his hat, revealing a face so exquisitely androgynous that it defied description. “Lost wanderers, are you without a place to go? If that’s the case, you’re welcome in Hope City.”
What did that mean?
Could these people have come to receive them?
“Get in,” Yuan Zhiran said as he opened the rear compartment of the vehicle for the women who had been fleeing in a panic after their sudden opportunity to escape. “I’ll take you away.”
In that instant, it was as though they had found their anchor. The not-so-spacious rear compartment seemed like the gateway to a new world.
He Fang, observing the chaos in Arrival City, scratched his head. “Looks like Zhu Yan’s disposable electric shock devices are pretty effective—rendered everyone completely immobile in one go.”
Chong Xiao had infiltrated Arrival City from the very beginning. He had been moving and acting silently without ever being discovered.
Bai Fu leaned down to examine one of the men lying unconscious from the electric shock. “That researcher named Zhu Yan—his technical expertise is excellent.”
He Fang hadn’t expected Bai Fu to notice and comment on such a detail.
“Is Chong Ying there? Chong Ying, can you hear me?” He Fang discreetly used an earpiece hidden in his hood to communicate with the distant Chong Ying. “How many people have escaped so far?”
“City Lord!” Chong Ying’s voice grew excited the moment he heard He Fang’s. It had been so long since he’d properly heard the City Lord’s voice. “City Lord, not many have escaped. So far, including those carrying children, only about thirty thousand people.”
“The numbers are lower than anticipated. Maybe the time was too short. Even with the power of the Landmark, it’s hard to change people’s mindsets in such a limited period.” He Fang sighed as he looked at the vast Arrival City, realizing that the number of escapees was far fewer than expected. He had asked Yuan Zhiran to prepare a large number of vehicles, but now it seemed many of them might end up being empty.
It looked like Shen Houyun’s expectations might fall short.
“Maybe it’s also because it all happened so suddenly. Many people probably haven’t had time to react,” Shen Houyun, standing beside He Fang, said, unable to conceal his anxiety when he heard only thirty thousand had fled. “City Lord, please give them a little more time.”
“There’s no more time. Zhu Yan’s electric shock-induced unconsciousness only lasts for ten minutes,” He Fang replied, then looked up and asked, “Did your mother escape?”
Shen Houyun’s expression was complicated. After a long pause, he finally nodded.
“Your mother has already escaped, and the others have no direct connection to you. Shouldn’t you be at ease now?” He Fang looked up at Shen Houyun and asked.
Shen Houyun clenched his teeth, clearly dissatisfied. After all their effort and planning, when the critical moment came, only thirty thousand people had the courage to flee.
“That number is quite decent—about a tenth of the population. Not bad,” He Fang remarked, nodding with apparent satisfaction.
“Are you giving up?” Shen Houyun asked gravely.
He Fang blinked and spread his hands. “I’ve said before, I want people to come to me voluntarily in the future. I can’t just steal people from Arrival City, can I? Perhaps those who stayed behind are simply unwilling to leave.”
Shen Houyun took several deep breaths, looking away. Yet, he couldn’t help but ask, “If there are still people who wish to escape Arrival City, will you continue to accept them?”
“I will,” He Fang responded affirmatively.
“I’ll try to find another way,” Shen Houyun said, forcing a faint smile to mask his disappointment. “Thank you, City Lord, for your efforts during this time.”
“Your mother and those you care about have already left. Yet, you still refuse to give up on this place?” He Fang asked.
Shen Houyun fell silent for a long time before shaking his head. “I can’t let go.”
Shen Houyun understood he was asking too much. The City Lord of Hope City had already done everything possible to help him. This operation was entirely his idea, and the two people he had brought in—Bai Fu and He Fang—would now leave Arrival City.
But Shen Houyun himself would stay, determined to create one more opportunity for those still yearning to escape.
“City Lord, when are we leaving?” Bai Fu inquired.
However, He Fang shook his head and replied, “Not yet.”
Shen Houyun’s brow twitched as he looked up in surprise.
