Chapter 114: Closing the City Gate

Lingnan County, Six Doors.

Inside the Library Pavilion.

In recent days, having been forcibly detained by Leng Ying within the Six Doors, Ning Xiu had spent most of his time in the Scripture Library. After becoming familiar with the place, he finally learned that the old gatekeeper’s surname was Qian.

“According to Old Qian, the city gates should be closing within a day or two. Has the situation really become this tense?” Ning Xiu flipped casually through a manual of cultivation techniques in his hand and asked.

“Indeed. The Shadow Alliance has come on fiercely; now nearly half of Lingnan has already fallen. No one expected that young man from the Shadow Alliance named Xuan Mo would be hiding so deeply, able to single-handedly kill five Black Blades. His strength must be at least at the Fifth Realm of the Transcendent stage. Given his age, it is truly incredible.”

“Transcendent Fifth Realm? What sort of cultivation level is that? Isn’t the Supreme Realm supposed to be above Grandmaster?” Ning Xiu asked, puzzled.

Old Qian looked up at him calmly and said, “Above Grandmaster is not the Supreme Realm. As for the Transcendent stage, the so-called anomalies we speak of, including those from our Soul Guard, generally exist at this level.”

“The Transcendent stage is divided into nine transformations, corresponding to nine levels. Each level brings a qualitative leap in strength.”

Qian’s eyes grew complex as he regarded Ning Xiu, then suddenly stopped and shook his head before continuing, “For ordinary people, the Shadow Alliance won’t pursue them to the ends of the earth. That’s why Lingnan County City will be the last safe haven. But if left unchecked, the number of refugees will keep growing, and then the entire city will descend into chaos. Closing the city gates is an inevitable necessity.”

Just as he finished speaking, a sudden, urgent sound of drums and gongs came from the south gate.

Ning Xiu stood on the third floor of the Scripture Library, overlooking the entire city of Lingnan County.

The moment the drums sounded, the whole city seemed to fall silent, only for the noise of commotion and chaos to burst forth and swell louder and louder.

“Old Qian really has a knack for predicting things,” Ning Xiu said.

With his keen eyesight and hearing, Ning Xiu quickly noticed that the chaos was erupting precisely at the southern city gate.

So the gate was really about to close.

But the Ning family’s people still hadn’t arrived. If they delayed any longer, they might miss the last convoy.

Others in the city also realized the situation and instinctively looked toward the city gate. Most still didn’t understand what was happening, but their hearts were filled with unease.

“Is something troubling you?” Old Qian noticed the subtle change in Ning Xiu’s expression and asked.

“My clan set out from Shouchun a few days ago heading for Lingnan, but they still haven’t arrived. According to the schedule, they should have gotten here yesterday,” Ning Xiu said openly. Such matters were too small to hide; the Six Doors had ears everywhere.

“If you’re worried, then go check,” Old Qian said.

“But Leng—”

“Go,” Old Qian waved his hand.

Ning Xiu looked at Old Qian, nodded, and leapt down from the third floor of the Scripture Library, heading swiftly toward the city gate.

Along the way, he encountered no obstruction. In fact, the main forces of the Six Doors were engaged with the Shadow Alliance, and even Leng Ying was absent from the Six Doors at this time.

The entire city of Lingnan County was beginning to descend into disorder.

The closer one got to the gates, the more apparent the chaos became.

Women quarrelled loudly in the streets, elders shouted curses, and the cries of children filled the air. Everyone had loved ones outside the city.

Once the gates closed, given the current circumstances, it would essentially mean a division between life and death.

County soldiers and officials were on site trying to maintain order. Though the situation seemed chaotic, major incidents were unlikely.

...

“Master Ning, we’re almost there. Just ahead is Lingnan County City,” Head Constable Jin said as he approached a carriage on horseback.

The curtain was drawn back, revealing Ning Mingfeng’s aged face.

“This time, thanks to Head Constable Jin, the Ning family is sincerely grateful. Are your injuries serious?” Ning Mingfeng asked.

“These minor wounds won’t hinder me. No need to worry, elder,” Jin said with a smile, glancing at the wound on his abdomen.

But recalling the events of that night still left him uneasy.

If not for Zhang Heng’s presence, the consequences would have been disastrous. Fortunately, the ghostly creatures weren’t too strong, yet the entire group suffered heavy losses.

Suddenly, Jin noticed something was amiss ahead.

Those refugee groups, like theirs, suddenly surged madly toward the city gate.

Zhang Heng also noticed and rode over, asking, “What’s going on?”

Before the question was finished, a voice echoed from afar.

“The city gates are closing—”

Voices rose one after another, growing louder until they merged into a massive roar, engulfing all panic and confusion.

Beneath the sunlight, Zhang Heng’s face paled as he heard the news.

...

The closing of city gates had happened before during the previous refugee crisis in Shouchun County.

Zhang Heng and the others understood fully what that meant.

Looking at Head Constable Jin, Zhang Heng said gravely, “I entrust the elder to you.”

Turning his horse around, he galloped toward the rear of the convoy, shouting loudly, “Abandon all cargo! We must move quickly!”

They were not the only convoy from the Ning family.

At this moment, every refugee outside the city wore panic on their faces, their eyes clouded with confusion.

At once, everyone surged frantically toward the city gates.

“Hurry, everyone!” Zhang Heng slashed the ropes binding a cart’s horses, freeing them, and shouted.

His voice was immediately drowned out by the overwhelming roar around him.

...

Ning Xiu had just arrived at the city gate when he heard the calls to close it.

His face darkened. With several agile leaps, he quickly reached the wall.

When soldiers guarding the gate saw someone daring to trespass, they moved to stop him, but upon seeing Ning Xiu’s fish-and-dragon robe, they hastily withdrew.

A junior commander stepped forward and asked, “May I inquire the purpose of your visit, sir?”

Ning Xiu said nothing, instead scanning the crowd beyond the gate with swift, searching eyes.

Finally, among the fleeing masses, he spotted the Ning family’s group.

“Found them!”

A gleam flashed in Ning Xiu’s eyes as he leapt down from the battlements.

“Sir, the city gate is closing!”

A guard shouted behind him, but Ning Xiu pressed against the flow of people, heading outside the city.

By now, the group had long since been scattered.

Zhang Heng, clutching Wan’er and Xiao Cui, rode on a swift horse, madly charging for the gate.

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out in his ear.

“Uncle Zhang, hand Xiao Cui and Wan’er over to me. You go help Head Constable Jin.”

Zhang Heng paused in surprise. Looking up, he saw that familiar face and smiled with relief.