Black Flame City at dusk was both the same as before and yet different.
As the trial team returned to the city, Zhang Tie stood outside Black Flame City, which he had only left two months prior. He squinted slightly as he surveyed the city. The city walls of Black Flame City remained tall and sturdy, and the powerful defensive weapons and equipment faintly visible on the walls still gleamed in the afterglow of the setting sun. Everything seemed unchanged, yet everything also seemed to have changed.
The seventeen-star flag and the flag of the Coal and Steel Union, which originally hung high on the flagpole atop Black Flame City representing the alliance between the Andaman Alliance and the authority of Black Flame City, had now disappeared. In their place was a red Blood Dragon Flag representing the ruling authority of the Norman Empire.
The blood-red dragon flag fluttered in the wind, bringing a somber atmosphere to the entire city.
The dragon is a sacred beast of the Hua Clan. Legend has it that after the founding emperor of the Norman Empire returned from his travels in the East, he carried this banner and, with his own fists, conquered the Norman Empire in the Blakerson Human Corridor. Then, this striking Blood Dragon Flag, imbued with strong Eastern characteristics, became the symbol of the Norman Empire family and the entire Norman Empire. It is common knowledge throughout the Blakerson Human Corridor that—to this day—the entire Norman Empire family maintains intricate connections with the mysterious and powerful Eastern Continent. Even the Norman Empire imperial Lineage itself is a mixed-race Lineage with the Hua Clan blood.
Thinking back to how all the trainees were worried about the war between the Andaman Alliance, the Norman Empire, and the Sun God Dynasty after graduation, Zhang Tie chuckled to himself. When they left Black Flame City, who among them could have imagined that in just two months, when they returned, everyone would have become subjects of the Norman Empire, this imperial state?
Last month, under the blitzkrieg tactics of the Norman Empire and the Sun God Dynasty, the Andaman Alliance, which had existed for over a century, was destroyed in just five days. The Andaman Union was like a piece of meat sliced in two, instantly swallowed up by the Norman Empire and the Sun God Dynasty. Of the original seventeen cities that made up the Andaman Alliance Andaman Alliance, the Norman Empire gained eight cities and a large territory in the north, while the Sun God Dynasty Andaman Alliance eight cities and a large territory in the south. The two great powers completely divided the Andaman Alliance. Now, the only city in the entire Andaman Alliance that has not been occupied is the Machine City Karur.
The cities in the southern part of the Andaman Alliance are more prosperous and have a more thriving commercial sector. Andaman City, the former capital of the Andaman Alliance, is located in the south. Cities in the north, such as Black Flame City, have the advantage of abundant resources and a relatively developed manufacturing industry.
In the end, this operation between the Norman Empire and the Sun God Dynasty was less a war and more a robbery planned by two bandits who had already agreed on how to divide the spoils before the operation even began.
Compared to when they left Black Flame City, the group was noticeably quieter upon their return. That silence largely stemmed from a sense of caution and uncertainty about their future. Unless they left Black Flame City, everyone would have to swear allegiance to an emperor—a supreme ruler. This left these people, accustomed to being ruled by merchants, factory owners, and mine owners since childhood, somewhat bewildered.
Zhang Tie was indifferent to this change. Perhaps others didn't feel the same way, but the moment he saw the blood-red dragon flag representing the authority of the Norman Empire, Zhang Tie already felt a certain sense of identification with the new ruler of Black Flame City. The dragon was the totem of the Hua Clan, and the Norman Empire, which used the Hua Clan dragon as its national symbol, naturally gained Zhang Tie's approval.
In the Norman Empire, the proportion of the Hua Clan is higher than in the Andaman Alliance. It is said that out of the more than 200 million people in the Norman Empire, the Hua Clan population accounts for about 10 million, which is close to one-twentieth. This proportion is much higher than that of the Andaman Alliance and Black Flame City.
At this moment, those standing guard at the city gate were no longer the City Guard of Black Flame City, but soldiers of the Norman Empire. These soldiers were tall, burly, with hardened faces, and each one was strong and powerful. Many of them had marks on their armor from sword cuts. Compared to the former City Guard of Black Flame City, even Chang Tie had to admit that these Norman Empire soldiers seemed to possess a more iron-blooded and valiant spirit, a spirit that the armies of the Andaman Alliance and Black Flame City did not have.
Perhaps this is the difference between an army led by a group of merchants and an army led by an emperor. The austere atmosphere of an imperial state can be clearly felt in both armies.
The trainees entered Black Flame City Black Flame City any difficulties. As soon as they entered, all the animals' expressions changed, and many girls screamed in alarm. Not far from the city gate, a row of tall gallows had been erected, and on top of those gallows, a row of hanged corpses with their feet dangling in the air like cloth dolls.
The Norman Empire's army did not kill anyone when they captured Black Flame City. Instead, they began killing people after taking control of the Black Flame City Black Flame City. Those who thought they could take advantage of the upheaval in Black Flame City, as well as some ambitious individuals, were either beheaded or became human specimens displayed on the gallows at the city gates after the Norman Empire's army entered the city and took over its rule.
The Norman Empire's army, with their swords and blood, taught everyone in Black Flame City their first lesson under imperial rule—behave!
The streets of Black Flame City looked somewhat desolate. There were far fewer pedestrians and vehicles than before, many shops were closed, and Norman Empire soldiers could be seen patrolling everywhere. At several intersections, tanks and armored vehicles of the Iron Horn Legion were parked. In stark contrast to this desolation, almost every household in the streets and alleys had red flags fluttering in front of their doors and windows. Everywhere, large and small Norman Empire blood-red dragon flags and Iron Horn Legion military flags were planted. Many of these flags were clearly made by the common people themselves. Even slogans that were rarely seen before had appeared on the streets at this time—slogans that would make young people blush. Such as "Welcome the Norman Empire's army into the city," "Celebrating Black Flame City becoming a fourth-level city under the Brunswick Province the Norman Empire," "Long live the Norman Empire," and "Long live the Iron Horn Legion."
There was no need for anyone to teach them; after the Coal and Steel Union relinquished its rule over the city, the city's residents learned in the blink of an eye how to please its new rulers.
At this moment, Black Flame City has become unfamiliar to everyone.
After entering the city, the teachers on the Provisional Inspection Committee chose a route that would be convenient for getting all the girls home first. The girls from the two girls' schools lived in two adjacent neighborhoods. As for the boys, although everyone was eager to go home and exhausted from walking all day, they were all willing to take a longer route to ensure that all the girls got home safely.
The Norman army's discipline seemed decent; at least no Norman Empire soldiers were seen whistling at the girls along the way. But who knew what might happen if those girls were left to go home alone?
Along the way, many girls broke away from the group as it passed near their homes, running home. Meanwhile, many more parents were already standing on the street near their homes, eagerly awaiting their children's return.
Although it had only been two months since they last saw each other, many people broke down in tears when they met their parents again...
Zhang Tie has been carrying three girls and his own four bags for nearly 60 kilometers since this morning. Many people would be exhausted by now, but Zhang Tie is still full of energy and doesn't seem to feel anything at all.
The Zhang Tie of this moment is no longer the Zhang Tie who left.
When Alice, Beverly, and Pandora arrived home one by one, Zhang Tie handed them their luggage and also memorized their addresses.
"You must come find me!" These were Alice's words when she said goodbye to Zhang Tie.
"I'll be waiting for you at home! My mom will definitely like you!" These were the words Beverly said to Zhang Tie when they said goodbye.
"I think... I've grown up a bit..." These were Pandora's words when she said goodbye to Zhang Tie.
Zhang Tie almost wanted to roar to the heavens...
When the last girl returned home, all the animals, without anyone saying a word, scattered in an instant.
After arranging a time to meet Barry and the others again, Zhang Tie turned and ran home.
Seeing that Zhang Tie could still run so fast at this moment, Barry and the others were so shocked that their eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
"Damn it, is this even human? Didn't we realize all this time that Zhang Tie is actually a humanoid Devil Beast?!" Sista was already exhausted and barely clinging to life, was the first to shout.
"This guy felt sorry for his women and couldn't bear to let Pandora and the others carry their luggage for a whole day, so he took all three women's luggage. The luggage of Pandora and the other two women, plus his own luggage, weighed at least a hundred kilograms. This guy carried a hundred kilograms of luggage and walked with us for a whole day, and now he can still run? Am I dreaming?" Light stared dumbfounded at Zhang Tie's back, which had already disappeared around the street corner.
Zhang Tie wasn't tired, really not tired. If it weren't for the possibility of scaring people and causing unnecessary trouble, Zhang Tie would have loved to run home as fast as he could. Zhang Tie deliberately suppressed his speed, maintaining a pace similar to his 100-meter sprint at school as he ran home.
In just five or six minutes, Zhang Tie had crossed several streets, and his familiar home was finally in sight.
When Zhang Tie saw his parents standing on the street waiting for him to come home, his nose tingled and he almost burst into tears as he ran.
When Zhang Tie saw the happy smiles on his parents' faces when they saw him, Zhang Tie heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. His family was alright, that was good, that was good!
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Zhang Tie shouted to his parents from a distance, just like always. His parents liked to see him being mischievous in front of them, so Zhang Tie was always very naughty in their presence.
Zhang Tie rushed over and kissed his mother on the cheek, then picked up his father and spun him around in the air.
"Put me down right now..." Startled by Zhang Tie's outburst, the father smacked Zhang Tie on the head with his finger. "What would it look like if others saw this?"
Zhang Tie put his father down. "Dad, how's it going? Don't you think I'm stronger now?"
"Huh, it really does seem to have gotten a lot bigger!" Zhang Tie's father suddenly realized how strong Zhang Tie had become.
"I think I've grown a little taller too. Look, my clothes are too small now..." Zhang Tie tugged at the cuffs of his clothes. When he left, the cuffs of his clothes could cover his wrists, but now they only just cover his wrists. Zhang Tie had grown another three or four centimeters in the past two months.
"Remember, you're not allowed to pick up your dad and spin him around in the street anymore!" Zhang Tie's father solemnly instructed Zhang Tie.
"Got it! Is it okay when no one's around?"
In response to Zhang Tie, he received another blow to the head...
Zhang Tie was indeed somewhat different from when he left. After not seeing him for two months, Zhang Tie's parents assumed that the trial had caused such a big change in Zhang Tie.
Whenever Zhang Tie plays with his dad, his mom, watching from the side, always has a happy smile on her face, just like now.
"Alright, alright, you two stop fooling around and go home for dinner!"
Is my older brother home?
"He's cooking at home. They've been on holiday for a long time, and they haven't told us when they're going back!" Dad replied.
Zhang Tie nodded. The City Guard of Black Flame City were ordered to lay down their weapons and go home after the Iron Horn Legion entered the city. There had been no notification about when they would return to camp. Judging from the trend, it was inevitable that the Black Flame City Guard would be disbanded later. But it didn't matter. It would be better if they were disbanded. His older brother's service term was almost over, and now that his sister-in-law was pregnant, he should be back.
As Zhang Tie walked home with his parents, he noticed two book-sized Norman Empire Blood Dragon Flag and Iron Horn Legion banners flying above their door, just like everyone else. He couldn't help but smile. Compared to the others he had seen along the way, these two flags were much more exquisite.
"Mom, did you make this?"
"Your sister-in-law and I made them together. She's very skillful; she made a few extra and even sold them for a little money!" Mom replied. From her tone, you could tell Mom was satisfied with her sister-in-law. Every mother-in-law likes a woman who knows how to manage a household so well.
Just as Zhang Tie was about to praise his mother, Zhang Tie saw someone—someone who shouldn't be there— Samira.
Samira, now wearing a silk cap, had regained his spirited demeanor, and beside him was a squad of fully armed Iron Horn Legion soldiers.
"That's him!" Samira shouted, pointing at Zhang Tie. "This man is an enemy of the Norman Empire, a potential sabotage agent harboring hostility towards the Iron Horn Legion!"
Upon hearing this, the Norman Empire soldiers following Samira all stared at Zhang Tie, each placing their hands on their sword hilts...
Zhang Tie's parents' faces instantly turned ashen! (To be continued, please search for the novel for better and faster updates!)