52: A storm is brewing

As the zi hour arrived, Qin Feng focused his mind to refresh the System information. The information on the light screen once again confirmed his judgment of the situation.

[(Yellow) News of the Heavenly Origin Emperor's capture and the near-total annihilation of the 200,000-strong army has spread back to the court and commoners, causing a massive shock. Surviving remnants and various factions are doing their best to gather the scattered troops and set up defenses at several key passes to try and block the Barbarian advance, but morale is low and the situation is critical.]

[(Yellow) The current Palace Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Palace, 'Yue Long', has a cultivation of the Early Stage Martial Emperor Realm. Her subordinate forces use brothels as a front, earning vast amounts of money daily, while secretly recruiting talented Disciples in major cities to weave an intelligence network. The Host, 'Ghost', is also regarded by her as one of the 'achievements' that can be absorbed.]

[(Yellow) The Blood-Filled Tower has sensed through special means that the Silver Rank Assassin 'Shadow Scorpion's' token has shattered. The higher-ups are furious and have strictly ordered the Purple Robe Bandits to increase their cooperation. They have decided to dispatch one Gold Medal Assassin (Grand Martial Master Realm) and two Silver Rank Assassins to Star South City to thoroughly investigate the matter, vowing to drag out and eliminate 'Ghost'.]

"Hmph, they just won't let go!" Looking at the third piece of information, a cold light flashed in Qin Feng's eyes. The Blood-Filled Tower really wouldn't let things rest; they were actually deploying a Gold Medal Assassin! A professional assassin at the Grand Martial Master level was far more threatening than Shadow Scorpion.

However, he touched the warm hundred flowers token in his robe, and his heart settled slightly. "Fortunately, with the protection of the Hundred Flowers Palace identity on the surface, they won't be as reckless as before if they want to move against me." Although Hua Qianying's motives weren't pure, this tiger skin might play an unexpected role at a critical moment.

"However, with this chaos approaching, I must seize every second to Cultivate!" An unprecedented sense of urgency spurred him on.

The next day, the entire Star South City was like a calm lake with a giant boulder thrown into it, completely boiling over!

In every street and alley, teahouse and tavern, everyone was excitedly and fearfully discussing the same news.

"Hey! Have you heard? The sky has fallen! The Emperor led a personal expedition and was ambushed at Luofeng Slope. The 200,000-strong army was completely wiped out!"

"That's not all! I heard the Emperor was even captured alive by the Barbarians! The Golden Guard and the Great General have all died in battle!"

"I heard there was a traitor within. The Imperial Uncle's troops deserted the battlefield, causing the defensive line to collapse!"

"It's all over now! Won't the Barbarians take the chance to invade? Will our Star South City be in danger?"

"Luofeng Slope is still beyond the border. We still have the Frontier Army holding the line in front of us! They should... they should be able to hold out for a while, right?"

All sorts of news, hard to distinguish as true or false, panicked conjectures, and angry rebukes intertwined, filling every corner of the city. The collapse of imperial power and the fall of the God of War were no less than a catastrophic disaster for the long-peaceful citizens of Heavenly Origin.

The City Lord's Mansion reacted most swiftly. Notices were quickly posted throughout the city, urgently recruiting for the City Defense Army with generous benefits. Anyone with a cultivation of Martial Artist or above could sign up, with a monthly salary starting as high as five gold coins! For a time, long queues formed in front of the City Lord's Mansion, consisting of both hot-blooded youths wanting to make a name for themselves and low-level Martial Artists motivated by the lucrative military pay.

While Qin Feng was out purchasing medicinal herbs, he happened to run into Xia Xue on the street, who had just come from the direction of the City Lord's Mansion. She was still bright and moving, but her brow held a gravity and heroic spirit that hadn't been there before.

"Qin Feng?" Xia Xue saw him, a flash of surprise in her beautiful eyes. Then, sensing the "Middle Stage Martial Artist" aura he intentionally emitted, she gave a slight nod. "You've broken through to the Middle Stage of the Martial Artist Realm?"

"Thanks to Young Miss Xia's blessing, I've fortunately made some progress," Qin Feng replied politely.

Xia Xue looked at him, her tone carrying a hint of a formal invitation. "The situation is turbulent now, and the City Defense Army urgently needs people. You have good skills and know medicine. Would you be willing to join the City Defense Army? Regarding treatment, I can fight for a better position for you."

Qin Feng's heart stirred slightly, but he immediately declined. "Thank you for your kindness, Young Miss Xia. It's just that the clinic is very busy right now, and Master needs help. If the war really spreads here, the clinic will likely be even more indispensable. Protecting the country doesn't necessarily have to be done within the military ranks."

Hearing this, Xia Xue nodded thoughtfully and did not press him. "You have a point. If war breaks out, the clinic will indeed be vital. In that case, I won't force you. Take care."

"You take care as well, Young Miss Xia."

Watching Xia Xue's departing figure, Qin Feng could feel that this city, and even the entire country, was in a tense atmosphere like a storm about to break. News of the front-line defeat spread like a plague; panic was spreading, and powers were being reshuffled.

He clenched his fists and turned toward the medicinal herb shop. No matter how the outside world swayed in the wind and rain, improving his own strength was the cornerstone for dealing with all changes. He had to become stronger as quickly as possible to protect everything he wanted to protect in this upcoming chaotic world.