"Immortal Master, we beg you—please save the people of this city!"
Some of those kneeling before the Celestial Master's Mansion spotted Wang Chen hovering in the air, and their cries grew even louder. Some repeatedly knocked their foreheads against the ground.
After a moment's hesitation, Wang Chen guided the flying boat above the main gate and asked, "What happened?"
Since taking charge of the Nanshao Celestial Master's Mansion, local gentry had often come bearing lavish gifts to pay him visits.
Wang Chen had everyone turned away at the door.
If these people were seeking help for their own interests, he would not spare them a glance.
But if it truly involved the hundreds of thousands of people in Nanshao City, Wang Chen was willing to hear them out.
"The Maitreya Cult—the Maitreya Cult has rebelled!"
A gentryman wailed, "They've brought three thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Divine Generals, along with an army of a hundred thousand men. They mean to slaughter Nanshao City!"
Three thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Divine Generals?
Wang Chen nearly laughed. "Is that true?"
"This lowly one would never dare deceive an Immortal Master!"
The gentryman swore vehemently, "May Heaven strike me with thunder if I lie! The Maitreya Cult's army is less than ten li south of the city, and they could attack Nanshao City at any moment."
"I've heard that every one of the Maitreya Cult's Heavenly Soldiers and Divine Generals is protected by Holy Power—blades and spears cannot pierce them, axes and hammers cannot harm them! Nanshao City has only fifteen thousand defenders. We simply cannot hold them back!"
If the Maitreya Cult breached Nanshao City, those most unfortunate would not be the common people, but gentry and merchants like them.
That was why he wept until tears and snot streamed down his face, knocking