Chapter 162: Entering the City

Audience Anticipation Value 5Current Anticipation Value: 78

The audience anticipation value had changed countless times already, and Chen Ling didn't have time to check each update. He only knew that the current anticipation value had reached an unprecedented peak.

As Chen Ling pulled the trigger, the power of deconstruction surged forth, instantly tearing a gap in the center of the approaching city gate. The steel locomotive, carrying terrifying kinetic energy like an unstoppable bullet, slammed into the city gate!

BOOM—!!!

In an instant, the locomotive tore through the deconstructed gap, shattering the entire city gate with immense force. Countless fragments splattered into the city like debris from an explosion, as snow and dust obscured the city wall.

Those standing behind the cordon felt the ground tremble. They gasped and looked towards the city gate, holding their breath in anticipation.

The whistle howled in the wailing wind, as a colossal, dark steel shadow emerged from the abandoned, desolate purgatory... Only then did the crowd finally get a clear look at the train.

It was a train carrying snow and ice, its entire body charred black. Several of the rear freight cars were even twisted and deformed, as if they had endured unimaginable torment and hardship. It crashed through Aurora City's gate in plain sight, howling out from the dim, hazy dust!

It came from the abyss, it trod on flames, it was unstoppable!

SCREEECH—!

A sharp screeching sound emanated from the train. The brakes were pressed to the limit, blinding sparks sprayed from beneath the wheels, leaving several long, black streaks on the wide, sprawling avenue.

The ear-splitting braking sound made everyone instinctively cover their ears. At the same time, an intensely bone-chilling wind surged into the city with the train, tugging at their clothes and hair. It was a coldness Aurora City residents had never experienced before, as if from the netherworld, making them shiver involuntarily.

“Is it...that cold outside Aurora City?”“Why does it feel like a completely different temperature than inside the city?”“I feel chilled to the bone... With such heavy snow and wind outside, how did they manage to endure it?”

As the crowd whispered amongst themselves, atop Aurora City's walls, a figure in a black coat finally let out a small sigh of relief upon seeing the train enter the city.

Han Meng looked at the battered train, a flicker of guilt and complexity in his eyes. He didn't know how the train had passed through the Gray Realm, but the survivors on board had undoubtedly endured immense suffering... If he hadn't come to Aurora City and had remained in District Three, perhaps more people would have survived.

Subtle shattering sounds emanated from the city wall. The three enforcers, previously bound by the Judgment of Sins, simultaneously let out a low roar, forcibly breaking free from their chains and regaining their freedom!

Only a little over forty seconds had passed since Han Meng had sealed them, but these brief tens of seconds were undoubtedly a great insult to them. Not only had they failed to complete Aurora City's orders, but they had also been suppressed by an outsider junior in plain sight... Their rage burned in their eyes!

They rushed to Han Meng's side simultaneously. Their three domains reopened, and a terrifying aura, like the gaze of death, locked onto the black-clad figure, ready to engage him in a life-or-death battle at any moment!

However, Han Meng offered no resistance.

He stood calmly on the city wall, gazing down at the decelerating train. He allowed the three men's attacks to approach his body, showing no intention of fighting back.

The three instantly took control of Han Meng. They seized his shoulders, growling in anger:

“Traitor Han Meng! You defied headquarters' orders and openly challenged Aurora City! What more do you have to say for yourself?!”

Han Meng didn't even glance at them. His gaze remained fixed on the train as he calmly replied,

“I have nothing to say.”

He no longer needed to resist or fight... because his mission was complete.

On the Fallen Leaf Boulevard, as the train's speed gradually slowed, a large number of enforcers and officials rushed out from the city, surrounding the steaming train and blocking all access.

Meanwhile, a large crowd stood behind the cordon, anxiously and expectantly watching the train's direction, as if waiting for something.

The train came to a complete stop in front of White Dove Plaza. A sharp hiss emanated from the steam valves, and as the hazy dust and steam dispersed, the figure on the locomotive gradually became clear in everyone's sight.

It was a young man in a blood-stained coat. He held a gun in his left hand, faint smoke still curling from its muzzle. His calm, deep eyes slowly scanned the entire plaza.

“Is that the heretic Chen Ling the enforcers were talking about?”“It seems so. He's so young... looks like he's only around twenty?”“Wait, isn't that an enforcer's coat he's wearing?”“It is... but it seems to be covered in bloodstains, making it look red. How many people did he kill?”

As they scrutinized Chen Ling, he, in turn, was observing the city, which was completely new to him.

Parks, streetlights, kites, city towers... Compared to this place, the Seven Districts truly seemed like mere basic living quarters around a factory complex, offering nothing but the bare minimum for survival. This was more like a city where people could truly live, closer to the 'city' Chen Ling remembered from the previous era.

“No wonder everyone wants to get into Aurora City,” Chen Ling chuckled softly.

Rustling sounds came from beneath his feet. One by one, disheveled figures poked their heads out of the train car doors, cautiously looking around. Most of their faces bore frostbite or burns, and their clothes were tattered, making them look entirely like refugees.

“Aurora City... We really made it into Aurora City!”“Daddy... it's so beautiful here, and there are so many colorful birds in the sky!”“We're saved! My child is saved!”“Is this... Aurora City?”

Injured people with broken legs, mothers clutching their dying children, men covered in burns, girls too hungry to stand steadily... They disembarked one after another under the gaze of the crowd. In their eyes, besides surprise, there was mostly bewilderment and helplessness.

They were like primitives emerging from deep mountains and ancient forests, entering a city for the first time. Everything around them was so unfamiliar. The people wore splendid clothes they had never seen, their faces were clean, and their hands bore no scars or calluses... In the distance stretched endless low-rise buildings and streets.

Meanwhile, the residents of Aurora City behind the cordon were also whispering and observing them... For most of them, this was their first encounter with the world outside the city walls.

Residents from inside and outside the city, separated by the human wall of enforcers and the cordon, observed each other. The disparity between the two worlds was starkly evident at this moment.

Just then, crisp clicking sounds of guns being cocked broke the subtle quiet.

Countless muzzles rose from the group of enforcers, aiming at the blood-stained figure on the train, as if facing a formidable enemy!

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