Beyond Icecrown Wall, the procession of surrendering troops continued without end. Unlike the puppet soldiers, however, these people had chosen to surrender after Tian Meng's battle in Extreme Ice City, so they were all under escort. Two days after they reached Stormwind City, they would face a collective trial at a Victory Rally.
The closer they came to Extreme Ice City, the stronger the atmosphere of joy seemed to grow. After two years of infiltration, the native inhabitants of Northern Province, once almost numb, had kindled hope again. Lately, they had been looking forward every day to their liberating army's triumphant return. Poor people holding food and water lined both sides of the road. Their clothes barely covered their bodies, yet they were still willing to offer up their cleanest food.
Huang Yan had prepared for this well in advance. How could he take anything from these impoverished compatriots? Before setting out, he had therefore prepared dozens of cartloads of grain at Icecrown Wall to distribute directly to them, including plenty of meat. This was the simplest and most effective way to soothe people's hearts, even though the inhabitants of the Northern Land needed no such consolation. Destroying the Governor's Residence and bringing peace to the spirits of their murdered loved ones was already the greatest comfort they could receive. For that, they would not frown even in the face of death. Many had no remaining ties and simply followed the convoy back to Stormwind City, offering their strength to the construction to come.
Amid cheers all along the road, Leng Xiyue finally entered Extreme Ice City. The atmosphere inside was far more intense than outside, and the celebrations now featured soul power fireworks for everyone to watch. These had all been looted from the filthy rich and handed over