614 Collusion 3

Ji Fengyan and company didn't leave Ping City, but strange happenings occurred at an increasing frequency.

A few dozen citizens died within a day, all of whom died miserably. Having been earlier pacified by Song Yuan, the citizens started rioting again because of those deaths.

The number of fatalities had surpassed anyone's expectations—and their manner of death extremely brutal. They had been completely flayed with most of their organs and limbs ripped to shreds. The smell of blood permeated the entire Ping City within a day, instilling a sense of fear in everyone.

No one had thought that after nearly 20 years of peace, Ping City would become a living hell in just one day.

Simultaneously, the citizens of Ping City all placed the blame on Ji Fengyan and the Wolf Smoke Regiment.

Before they came, Ping City had been a peaceful and auspicious place. However, within two days of the Wolf Smoke Regiment's arrival, Ping City's peace and quiet had shattered. Death lingered in the city's air.

Driven by fear and panic, the citizens gathered. This time, they sealed up the entire street where Ji Fengyan and company resided. Blockading both ends of the streets with their farming instruments in hand—the citizens still kept their distance for fear of ending up like the earlier fatalities.

Angry shouts woke the soldiers of the Wolf Smoke Regiment. The moment they stepped out of the door, they were struck bloody by stones thrown at them.

Citizens were hiding at the corner of the street, concealed in the alleyways and standing upon the roof of the opposite house. All of them wielded crude-looking weapons and carried mounds of rocks—which they were hurling at the soldiers.

"Get out of Ping City! You disgusting murderers!"

Furious cries filled the street. The soldiers did not understand what was happening. Without even a chance to ask, the flurry of rocks forced them to retreat into the house.

The clean street was instantly filled with rubbish as the citizens tossed many trash onto it. Wafts of putrid smells circulated the air.

The Wolf Smoke Regiment soldiers had been caught in innocent crossfire. Unaware of what had happened, they were nonetheless subjected to Ping City's rage. Every one of those rocks bore the hatred and fury of those citizens. Faced with those malicious expressions, the soldiers started to have second thoughts—were these the citizens that they had sworn to protect?

"Mistress, what should we do now? We completely cannot leave the room. Those stupid commoners have gone mad and are striking just about anyone." Linghe glanced outside. Even Zuo Nuo and gang had been struck by rocks the moment they stepped out. Those citizens didn't even give them a chance to speak. They were hurling rocks at anyone they saw and had fallen into a crazed frenzy.

Ji Fengyan sat by the table, hearing the endless scoldings and insults.

Lu Shaoqing stood by the side with a grave expression.

"What happened in Ping City?" Ji Fengyan asked.

Lu Shaoqing relayed the news which he himself had just heard.

Ji Fengyan lifted her brows after listening to the news.

"So many people have died?"

Lu Shaoqing nodded. "A few dozen people suddenly died, and all in horrible ways. The citizens of Ping City believe that we caused those deaths. That is why they have completely blockaded our area outside."

Ji Fengyan asked again, "What about Song Yuan?"