lcionline Chapter 328 Fireworks Resound, Glorious and Then Ashes
Chapter 328 Fireworks Resound, Glorious and Then Ashes
Shenjing City.
On a sweltering summer day, the sun sets in the west.
In the streets and alleys, people finished their busy day and headed home, some with hurried steps and others with slow paces.
The evening market is about to open, and the streets are lined with stalls selling a wide variety of goods, while lanterns have just been hung up.
In the bustling streets and alleys, wisps of smoke rise from chimneys as countless families busily prepare their evening meals, while restaurants also thrive.
Suddenly, the last rays of sunlight on the horizon vanished, and demonic energy spread rapidly like ink, shrouding the ancient city in darkness and cold.
The once bustling scene in the streets and alleys suddenly froze.
Until countless columns of smoke stretched down from the sky, like threads, falling towards the capital city.
The scene was eerie and terrifying, yet it also possessed a touch of magnificent beauty.
People screamed in terror and scattered in all directions.
The devastation caused by the last demon attack on this city is still vivid in our minds.
Within the capital city, blood stained the long streets, tens of thousands died or were injured, every household hung white banners, the whole city was in mourning, and cries of sorrow filled the air.
At this moment, those memories of grief, fear, and helplessness surged back like a tidal wave, chilling me to the bone.
"Run! The monster is coming again!" A woman picked up her child and ran, stumbling and falling.
"Make way!" People crowded together on the street, pushing and shoving each other.
Inside the restaurant, guests rushed to the entrance, causing tables and chairs to fly and cups and plates to be scattered everywhere.
"Don't panic! Don't panic!" the restaurant owner shouted hoarsely, trying to maintain some order.
He waved his hands, his face full of anxiety, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the screams and shouts of the crowd.
The Star Destroyer Array silently enveloped the capital city, its starlight shining even brighter against the dim backdrop.
The wind suddenly became fierce.
The wisps of smoke were extinguished before they could even get close.
But they came in an endless stream, one after another, as if they couldn't wait to embrace the city.
The sky was filled with explosions, like fireworks bursting during the Lunar New Year.
Gradually, the panicked people noticed something was amiss; the light shield above their heads was actually protecting them firmly.
The fear subsided quietly at that moment, and the chaotic fleeing crowd gradually came to a stop.
Looking up at the sky, someone exclaimed, "How beautiful!"
Countless tiny stars, dazzling and abundant; fireworks burst forth, brilliant and then fading into nothingness. (Note)
They seemed to be watching a grand performance.
The wisps of smoke that looked eerie and dangerous had now transformed into clusters of sparks blooming in the dome, hissing and burning away stardust.
People suddenly realized that as long as the starlight covered them, there would be no danger to invade the capital city.
"Clang clang clang—!" The sound of a gong suddenly rang out, crisp and urgent.
The constables patrolling the streets, dressed in black robes, with swords and badges at their waists and gongs in their hands, came running quickly.
"By imperial decree: Now that demons have descended upon the world, all citizens of the city must immediately retreat to their homes, close their doors and windows, and not venture out without permission! Those outside the city may find their own places to go, but must not gather in crowds! Furthermore, from today onwards, a night curfew will be imposed in the capital city, and all nighttime travel and outings are prohibited!"
Behind him, a troop of well-armored city guards followed closely, urging the people to obey the imperial edict and return home quickly.
At this moment, all the city gates of Shenjing City were closed, the heavy wooden doors tightly shut, like an impregnable fortress, keeping out the dangers of the outside world.
Rows of soldiers, armed with weapons, stood tall and solemn, their faces serious, as if facing a formidable enemy, guarding this ancient and prosperous capital.
Constables banged gongs as they walked through the streets and alleys, repeatedly shouting the Emperor's edict to ensure everyone could hear it.
Anyone who disagrees or disobeys will be arrested and imprisoned by the soldiers. In times of emergency, extraordinary measures must be taken.
Although the people were frightened, they felt somewhat comforted to see the soldiers and officers so prepared.
So people retreated to their homes and locked their doors.
Although they couldn't go out without permission, staying together behind closed doors as a family, relying on each other, gave them a sense of security.
They sat together, some talking in hushed tones, others praying silently.
Many people recovered from their initial fear and began to worship the door gods for peace in their homes; they worshipped the national advisor, hoping she could use her supernatural powers to drive away demons; and they also worshipped all the gods and immortals they knew, praying for divine protection.
The smoke columns in the sky stretched endlessly, seemingly inexhaustible. No matter how many were destroyed, more smoke columns would always surge downwards, like an endless nightmare enveloping the earth.
The spiritual energy outside is scarce, so the Star Destroyer Array can only protect the capital city, but cannot protect many other places.
Countless innocent people, under the onslaught of this column of smoke, lost their minds and became walking corpses.
Their eyes were empty, and they walked numbly and listlessly toward that untouched pure land, like puppets, lamenting their fate!
On the vast land, villages and towns instantly turned into ghost towns, deathly silent, with only the howling of the wind.
Even when an unattended stove caught fire and set the streets ablaze, no one turned to put it out, letting the flames devour everything in their path.
Those who were fortunate enough not to have their minds taken away witnessed this chaos in the world and were filled with terror, some even falling into madness.
In the palace.
In the magnificent palace, the emperor urgently summoned the ministers of the six ministries to explain the situation to them.
No matter what happens next, the capital must not be thrown into chaos! The Great Xia Dynasty must not be thrown into chaos!
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Note: One sentence is for reference.
The full moon's light is not yet complete, yet the stars shine brightly in abundance. — Cao Zhi, "A Poem Presented to Xu Gan"