As night deepened, Yingnan City's lights began to glow. Television screens in countless homes and public displays on streets and alleys alike were seized by the same sudden news bulletin in the tranquil night.
On the screen, a female news anchor with a slightly stiff expression delivered the report in crisp, standard diction.
"Dear viewers, we interrupt this program with an emergency notice from the city. Due to an urgent safety inspection required for the main structure of Yingnan Tower,
to ensure public safety, surrounding roads will be temporarily sealed off starting today. Relevant departments will work with professional teams to complete the repairs as quickly as possible.
Citizens and passing vehicles are requested to detour accordingly. We apologize for any inconvenience..."
The notice was official in its wording and steady in tone, no different from any ordinary announcement. At most, it drew a few mutters of, "Why are they suddenly doing repairs again?"
Somewhere in a hidden stronghold within the city, Wei Feng might have been swirling a glass of wine, admiring this "masterpiece" he had personally staged on the television screen.
He relished the twisted pleasure of wrapping bloody violence in the cloak of civilization. He relished the control of keeping an entire city in the dark while making certain people feel as though they were sitting on a bed of needles.
Night draped Yingnan Tower in an inky cloak. This city landmark, usually glittering with flowing lights, now exuded a grim aura that warned strangers to keep away.
The plaza beneath the tower had long since lost its usual bustle.
Strips of glaring yellow caution tape wound tightly around the entire area like seals.
Every road leading beneath the tower was blocked layer upon layer by heavy riot vehicles and stern-faced guards.
This had once been the