Belonging! Security!

Time passed second by second, and the rising sun had already set.

Bai Fan led the warriors as they knelt silently on the ground.

Several elderly residents of the city walked lightly over to them, staring at the young warriors with their clouded eyes.

The elders held several yellowed steamed buns in their hands.

"Children, you've been kneeling for nearly a whole day. Hurry and get up!"

The weathered voice reached the warriors' ears. No one dared to speak carelessly; all of them turned their gazes toward Bai Fan at the front.

Wearing a mask, Bai Fan answered gently, "Grandpas, Grandmas, you're not in good health. Please go home and rest! We said we would kneel for a day, and a day it shall be. As long as you can forgive us, we're already very happy."

These aged elders had lived for most of their lives and seen all kinds of people, but they had never encountered people like Bai Fan and his companions.

They had long since stopped hoping for anything from their rulers, but Bai Fan's appearance rekindled the flame that had long gone out in their hearts.

An elderly man bent over and handed the yellowed steamed bun in his hand to Bai Fan. "Young man, we forgive you. You haven't eaten all day, so have something simple first!"

The young warriors kneeling behind Bai Fan all swallowed involuntarily.

Bai Fan first pushed away the bun the elder offered him, then gently explained, "Fellow townsfolk, our unit has rules. We cannot take anything from the people. It's getting late, and the night is cold. Please hurry home!"

Then Bai Fan turned around and shouted loudly to the warriors behind him, "All soldiers, repeat the rules of our unit!"

"Wholeheartedly protect the people's interests! Take not a single thing from the people! Aspire to build an empire where everyone is equal!"

The orderly, resounding chant echoed through the city and reached every household.

Seeing Bai Fan and the others' resolute attitude, the elders could only leave with their steamed buns. Before departing, they looked back at Bai Fan once more, and Bai Fan returned the look with the gentlest gaze.

As the elders turned away, their lips trembled. For the first time, they felt what it was like to be respected, and tears of emotion fell from their eyes.

The next day.

Rows of young men knelt on the streets under the bone-piercing cold wind. Their knees were locked firmly to the ground as they leaned against one another to keep themselves from collapsing.

Bai Fan's eyes were slightly closed, his posture straight and upright. Behind him, Da Niu and Goudan's eyes were bloodshot.

When dawn broke.

Every household had risen. The moment they opened their doors, they saw the shocking sight. They covered their gaping mouths, finding it hard to believe.

A little boy urinating in the street looked at Bai Fan and revealed a mischievous smile.

"Children, did you kneel here all night? Why put yourselves through this?"

A highly respected elder hunched over as he ran up to Bai Fan, using all his strength in an attempt to pull him up.

"We've already forgiven you. Hurry back and rest. If your bodies give out, who will respect us and truly keep us in their hearts afterward?"

Bai Fan estimated the time, considered the conditions of the others behind him, and finally agreed.

"All soldiers, heed my command. Straighten yourselves up and return to the City Lord's Manor to rest."

As soon as Bai Fan gave the order, before the warriors behind him could leave, a small stone tore through the air and flew toward the mask on his face.

After holding out through the night, Bai Fan's reactions were several seconds slower. The mask on his face was knocked off, exposing his savage and terrifying visage.

Da Niu immediately snapped alert and stood in front of Bai Fan.

"You little brat, how dare you act up! I'll beat you to death!" Crisp slaps mixed with a child's cries echoed through the street.

The stone had been fired from a slingshot by the little boy who had been urinating earlier. He had simply been curious about what Bai Fan looked like beneath his mask.

Bai Fan pushed aside Da Niu, who was standing in front of him, and calmly walked over to the family.

"Uncle, children are lively. A simple lesson is enough."

At Bai Fan's urging, the man put the little boy down from his arms.

Bai Fan crouched down and faced the child.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Chen Qiang."

"Little Chen Qiang, why did you sneak attack me?"

Chen Qiang hurriedly waved his hands in explanation. "I didn't want to sneak attack you. I just wanted to see what you really looked like."

"Then why didn't you come find me directly?"

Chen Qiang hesitated for a moment, but finally made up his mind and spoke. "Because I think you're different from those nobles before. I want to join you, but my father won't let me get close to you."

"Hahaha, so that's how it is. Now that you've gotten your wish and seen my true face, is there anything you want to ask?"

As a child, Chen Qiang did not have an adult's careful consideration, and he blurted out, "I think you're really cool. My father told me that scars are a man's medals. You're a real man."

As Chen Qiang spoke, he gave Bai Fan a thumbs-up.

Bai Fan wiped the snot from Chen Qiang's nose, took off his own coat, and draped it over the boy's shoulders.

"It's cold. Don't catch a cold. Take care of yourself and grow up quickly."

"I believe that when you grow up, you can become a real man like me, the pillar of your family and the pillar of the future Republic Empire."

Chen Qiang clenched his fists and answered Bai Fan with determination, "I definitely will!"

From that point on, all the people developed a complete sense of belonging and reliance toward the Republic Empire.

Outside the Heavenly Screen.

Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong, who were watching the Heavenly Screen together, involuntarily squeezed their legs together.

"Xiao Gang, we really love you like this!"

Within Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang had now completely lost himself in madness.

"Hahaha, this is me, Yu Xiaogang! I, Yu Xiaogang, am just this radiant!"

Only Tang San remained by Yu Xiaogang's side with a sorrowful expression. Everyone else kept their distance from him.

Within the Heaven Dou Empire.

On a wooden boat, Zhang Jiao spoke indignantly, "Damn empire, they aren't leaving us any way to survive."

"Brother Zhang, what should we do next? Those nobles have gone mad. Over a hundred people have been beaten to death by them these past few days alone."

"Many men from our village were taken away. Their wives and children are the only ones left, relying on each other. Yesterday, I hid in the shadows and saw those nobles commit countless atrocities."

"They won't even spare the remaining pitiful women and children. They're worse than beasts!"

Everyone chattered endlessly about the empire's atrocities over the past few days. Zhang Jiao frowned and remained silent.

Naturally, all of this could still be traced back to Emperor Xue Ye, who issued orders thoughtlessly without arranging anyone to supervise them.

His original intention had been to prevent the people from rebelling, but in reality, the nobles carrying out his orders used a single decree from Emperor Xue Ye to begin their carnival, pushing the people even further into desperation.

These nobles understood the empire's enforcement rules very well. They made sure their actions would not be punished, no different from those subhuman islanders!