The next day.
Shen Boxia stayed at the Prefectural Yamen to handle affairs, while Jiang Qiao left alone.
The streets of Spring City were deserted.
A few hurried pedestrians passed by now and then, all wearing uneasy expressions.
Although yesterday's tsunami had passed, its effects had not faded. News had also spread that Prefect Cui Hao had colluded with an evil organization and intended to destroy Spring City.
The previous series of disappearances had been Cui Hao's doing as well!
The news was released.
The entire city was shocked.
Yet before the residents could digest the news, the three major families raided the Lin Family last night and arrested its descendants.
A fierce clash erupted between the two sides.
Countless people died or were injured.
Because the operation had been so sudden, nearly all of the Lin Family's high-ranking members in Spring City had been captured in one fell swoop.
One incident after another left Spring City unable to cope.
At that moment, panic spread throughout the city.
Many people were packing up their belongings and preparing to flee with whatever valuables they could carry. They no longer dared remain inside the city.
"The world is vast."
"But where can we run to?"
Jiang Qiao sighed.
He crossed several streets and headed all the way toward the Eastern Suburbs.
Soon.
He arrived at Locust Tree Alley once again.
He did not stop.
He walked straight in.
Locust Tree Alley was long and spacious.
But like every place that had been uninhabited for a long time, the houses on both sides had fallen into ruin.
Some of the door panels had already fallen off.
Revealing pitch-black interiors.
Some windows still had tattered curtains hanging from them, filthy and ragged.
Jiang Qiao had taken only a few steps into the alley