The air was filled with a strange, faint smell of blood mixed with spices. Together with the distant shouts and rumbling battle cries coming from the city walls, it made the atmosphere even more oppressive and chaotic.
They followed the crowd to a relatively open training ground at the boundary between the front courtyard and central courtyard.
At this moment, more than a hundred City Lord's Mansion guards, servants, and people who looked like low-level Soul Master retainers had gathered there. Most wore anxious, panicked expressions as they murmured among themselves.
On the steps at the front of the training ground stood an old man dressed in brocade robes. His hair was meticulously combed, but his expression was equally grave, even somewhat pale.
He was the City Lord's Mansion's chief steward, responsible for maintaining order within the estate whenever Black Crow Douluo was absent.
"Silence! All of you, be silent!"
The old steward circulated his Soul Power, and his voice rang across the entire grounds, suppressing the clamor.
His stern gaze swept over the frightened faces below.
"The battle outside the city is critical, and the enemy army is formidable. But the City Lord has given his orders: Dongyang City is impregnable and will surely repel the enemy! As members of the City Lord's Mansion, you must remain calm at this time, perform your duties, and hold your posts!"
He paused, and his voice grew even more severe.
"From this moment onward, the City Lord's Mansion is under the highest level of martial law! All guards will divide into four teams and take turns guarding the estate walls and every entrance. Keep your eyes open and watch carefully! Any suspicious person who comes within a hundred paces of the walls is to be killed without question!
"All servants are forbidden