The regrets of Liangzhou's men

The next morning.

The Golden Crow rose in the east.

Though Liangzhou Prefecture had suffered a great calamity the night before, it showed little sign of ruin.

The Cosmic Demon King's ferocity had towered to the heavens, but he had not rampaged through the city for very long.

Thus, apart from the area around the enormous crater smashed out by his halberd, the rest of the city remained reasonably intact.

Now.

The streets and alleys of Liangzhou City bustled with activity.

Large contingents from the Demon Suppression Office worked alongside the soldiers garrisoned in the city, some hauling earth and rubble from the ruins, others helping repair houses.

Everything proceeded in orderly fashion, without the slightest hint of chaos.

Porridge stalls and silver distribution points had even been set up along the main street.

An old man with graying hair tremblingly accepted the silver a Demon-Suppression Guard handed him, tears filling his cloudy eyes.

"This... this is far too much..."

"Only half my little earthen house collapsed. How could I possibly need so much?"

The young guard distributing the silver smiled with honest warmth.

"Please take it, sir!"

"These are our commander's orders. She said everyone should use this money not only to repair their houses, but to have a good New Year too!"

"The commander..."

Clutching the silver ingot, the old man turned toward the Regional Office and started to kneel.

Scenes like this.

Played out in every corner of Liangzhou City.

Before long.

The reputation of this recently appointed commander spread rapidly throughout the city.

In teahouses and taverns.

Storytellers slapped their wooden blocks down, spittle flying.

"Ladies and gentlemen, hear me out!"

"How savage was that Demon King last night? He stood ten thousand zhang tall, with a blue face and fearsome fangs, and could swallow half