Shaoyang Gate Mining District.
"Father! Mother! Hurry!!"
Wei Chun carried a bundle as she supported the two elders along, following the stream of fleeing miners toward Feiye City.
"Finally... finally, we can go back..." Her mother, Li Cui, looked haggard. Fortunately, their eldest daughter had supported them through this time.
Wei Chun had been born with great strength and a sturdy build. With her holding things together in the mining district, the two of them had made it through without illness or disaster.
Her father, Wei Tang, carried a small bundle as he mingled among the fleeing crowd, equally overcome with emotion.
"I wonder how Little Ying and Little He are now. Are they doing well...?"
"Don't worry. Once we get back, we'll see them. They'll definitely be fine. Little He is so clever, and Little Ying is diligent and knows how to run a household. They'll surely be able to take care of themselves." Wei Chun earnestly comforted them.
Even though she herself did not quite believe what she was saying.
Yet even such words put a faint additional gleam of hope in the old couple's eyes.
Among the crowd, there were no few groups like the three of them. Many entire families had been seized and brought here to work.
Some had even labored here from youth to old age, spending half their lives in the mining district. Some children had simply grown up here; hearing that they could leave now, they instead looked bewildered and at a loss.
Others wept with joy. They had only just been sent in and could already leave. Amid such overwhelming joy and sorrow, no one could remain unmoved.
Squads of Hong Family Fort soldiers, broad and sturdy, clad in leather armor and carrying weapons, were responsible for maintaining order.
"Slow down,