56: A storm is brewing

Having successfully broken through to the Grand Martial Master Early Stage, Qin Feng, still not fully familiar with the surging new power within him, eagerly refreshed the System intelligence at the zi hour, desperate to understand the movements of the outside world. However, the information that appeared on the light screen instantly plunged his heart, which had just been elated by the Breakthrough, straight into the abyss.

[(Green) Due to the captured Emperor Li Hong personally writing a decree to beg and promising many humiliating conditions, the border commander, General Wu, pressured into submission, has reached a temporary agreement with the Barbarian Tribes: the barbarians promise not to kill Li Hong, while General Wu tacitly agrees to open three border checkpoints for a period of three months, allowing barbarian troops to enter the country to 'obtain supplies independently.' The agreement stipulates that if the barbarians do not withdraw as promised after three months, General Wu will close the checkpoints and fight at all costs.]

[(Yellow) The capital of the Qianyuan Kingdom and several other core major cities have received news of the drastic change at the border in advance. They are frantically reinforcing city defenses, conscripting troops, and gathering as many people as possible from surrounding villages and towns into the cities, standing ready for battle.]

[(Yellow) The Qianyuan court, jointly dominated by the Empress Dowager and her relatives, has declared the captured Li Hong 'cowardly and afraid of death, forfeiting sovereignty and bringing disgrace to the nation,' dethroning him and installing a young member of the imperial clan as the new emperor in an attempt to stabilize morale and regroup.]

"Bastard! That cowardly, self-serving dog of an emperor!" Qin Feng slammed his fist against the edge of the bed, rage boiling in his chest. To save his own skin, he actually begged for mercy himself, inviting wolves into the house! This so-called 'obtain supplies independently' was nothing but letting the barbarian cavalry run rampant, burning, killing, and looting on their own homeland!

"Letting the barbarians in to plunder... what about the people in those villages, towns, and small cities?!" He could already envision the tragic scenes of beacon fires rising everywhere and rivers of blood. The major cities might have tall walls and deep moats, able to hold out with difficulty, but what about those small places lacking defensive strength? They would undoubtedly become Hell!

Star South City was a medium-sized city. Its walls were not particularly high, and its garrison was limited. It happened to lie on the path the barbarians were likely to take for plundering. The distance from the opened border checkpoints was about a journey of over two months by carriage.

"Should we evacuate?" This thought flashed through Qin Feng's mind but was immediately dismissed by him. Would distant places necessarily be safe? The capital and major cities might have stronger defenses, but they would also be the vortex of power struggles. Moreover, the journey was long, with too many variables along the way. Staying in Star South City, at least he was familiar with the environment, had the medical clinic as his Foundation, and had his newly broken-through strength to rely on.

Sure enough, three days later, news of this humiliating agreement reached Star South City through various channels like a plague.

The entire city instantly erupted in chaos!

"Have you heard? The Emperor... oh no, that deposed emperor! He begged for mercy! The barbarians are coming!"

"How could General Wu agree? This is treason!"

"Three months! The barbarians have three months to run wild on our land!"

"Our Star South City isn't that far from the border. With the barbarians' fast horses, they might be able to charge here in just over a month!"

Panic, like an invisible tide, swept through every street and every household. Teahouses and taverns no longer echoed with the usual idle chatter and amusing anecdotes; instead, they were filled with various terrified discussions, angry curses, and despairing sighs.

The wealthiest households and major merchants in the city reacted the fastest. Possessing sufficient financial and material resources, they began rapidly selling off assets that were difficult to transport, liquidating cash, hiring guards, and gathering their families. Laden with valuables in their carriages, they fled in panic towards the deeper south and the rumored safer major cities.

Simultaneously, the people from the villages and towns surrounding Star South City also caught the scent of death. Supporting the old and carrying the young, pushing wheelbarrows and carrying loads on shoulder poles, they surged towards Star South City like a swarm of fleeing ants, hoping its tall walls could offer them a sliver of protection. The city gates became instantly congested, a chaotic mix of cries, shouts, curses, and reprimands.

Prices within the city, especially for grain and medicinal herbs, skyrocketed as if riding a rocket, and even then, they were scarce on the market. The stockpiling Qin Feng and Doctor Chu had done earlier now seemed incredibly wise.

Faced with this situation of internal and external difficulties and widespread chaos, the City Lord's Mansion finally issued a curfew order. All City Guard soldiers had their leave canceled, patrolling day and night, strictly controlling entry and exit, attempting to maintain basic order in the city. They also intensified the training of new recruits and reinforced the city's defensive fortifications. The entire Star South City was enveloped in the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm.

At night, Qin Feng refreshed the intelligence again, trying to find more useful information. However—

[(White) Wealthy merchant Squire Zhou, while fleeing south with his family, engaged in an armed clash with another wealthy household over road access, resulting in several casualties.]

[(White) Refugees pouring into the city fought violently over the right to shelter in a dilapidated temple, leading to suppression by the City Guard.]

[(White) The Li Family in the city disagreed over whether to migrate south. Brothers turned against each other, publicly dividing the family estate in an ugly scene.]

Looking at these three pieces of 'dramatic' intelligence that remained at the level of trivial squabbles, Qin Feng could only sigh helplessly.

"Sigh..."

In the chaos, the myriad facets of human nature were laid bare. Some fled in panic, some struggled desperately to survive, some took advantage of the fire to loot, and others remained entangled in petty internal gains.

He walked to the window, looking at the lights outside that were dimmer than usual, listening to the faint sounds of commotion in the distance. His gaze gradually grew sharp and resolute.

Evacuation was not the best strategy.

Then, the only options were to hold fast and... seize every opportunity to become stronger!

He clenched his fist, the power of the Grand Martial Master Early Stage surging silently within him. Whether it was to protect this city that had taken him in, or to safeguard his Master in the clinic, Xiao Chun, and his family who had just settled down, he had to stand up.