Chapter 104: Human Emperor (II)

"Have them settled in the city and take good care of them; arrangements will be made later," Princess Zhaoyang said softly, her expression gentle.

Zhao Wenxiong nodded and immediately ordered his soldiers to open the city gates. Afterward, he cast a cautious glance at Bai Fan:

"This… Young Master Bai, I have heard of your great name, but seeing you today, I realize that you are truly a Dragon Prodigy!"

"General Zhao, you are too kind," Bai Fan said with a faint, composed smile. "I merely did what had to be done."

Seeing Bai Fan's humility, Zhao Wenxiong was about to say more, but noticing Bai Fan's gaze darken with an irresistible killing intent, he heard him say:

"I am going to bring the warship into the city. I ask that General Zhao does not obstruct me."

Zhao Wenxiong felt a chill in his heart; how could he dare to block this god of slaughter? The blood in front of the prison hadn't even dried yet; he certainly wouldn't dare let the city walls be stained with blood again.

"That goes without saying, Young Master Bai, please, bring it in!"

Zhao Wenxiong hurriedly responded, waving his hand to signal the surrounding garrison to clear the main road leading into the city.

However, the warship was so massive that the space required to accommodate it kept the garrison scrambling, yet they still couldn't clear enough room.

Several soldiers, exhausted, slumped to the ground, staring blankly at the warship that blotted out the sky. Their legs trembled as they complained to each other:

"Brothers, with such a huge warship, who knows how long it will take to clear enough space."

"Exactly. We're just supposed to be guarding the gate, and now look, we've become free labor!"

Another soldier replied, panting heavily.

A commoner, whom everyone called Old Man Li, brought a water jug to the soldiers and asked with concern:

"Officers, what are you all so busy with? Why do you need such a huge area?"

The soldier took the water jug, gulped down a mouthful, wiped his sweat, and pointed toward the behemoth floating in the sky:

"See that? That giant thing is going to land here!"

"What's on that?" Old Man Li asked curiously.

"Ever heard of the Ruthless Scholar? The one who broke out of the prison, ka-ka-ka, and wiped out all the prison guards."

Old Man Li nodded repeatedly. "I've heard of him. He was originally a top scholar from Wenlin Hall, but he was suspected of being a rebel from the Heavenly Shadow Sect and got locked up."

The soldier wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at the sky-blotting warship, and continued:

"After the Ruthless Scholar broke out of prison, he didn't seek revenge on the officials. Instead, he took Princess Zhaoyang and charged straight to the Heavenly Shadow Sect's headquarters."

"Even more exaggerated, he wiped out the entire Heavenly Shadow Sect by himself. Can you believe how absurd that is?"

"That warship is carrying the people he rescued. I heard they're all young women, at least several thousand of them!"

Old Man Li exclaimed, "That is truly remarkable! Officer, keep the water jug, drink slowly, don't rush."

Having said that, he turned around quickly and ran toward his home, his heart filled with excitement. "Old woman, hurry! Our daughter is back!"

The news spread like wildfire, and the surrounding crowd instantly erupted into a frenzy.

People gathered from all directions, their faces beaming with excitement and anticipation.

"Are people really being rescued? My daughter was also in the Heavenly Shadow Sect; could she be on that warship too?"

"I heard that scholar is incredibly powerful, able to take down the entire Heavenly Shadow Sect. What a ruthless character!"

"Look, are any girls coming down from that warship yet? I just want to see my daughter!"

The crowd gathered gradually, their expressions shifting from initial fear to anticipation and excitement.

Some were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes, silently praying to see their loved ones.

"If only I could see my daughter…" a middle-aged father clenched his fists, his face full of anxiety.

"I want to see my wife too; she will surely return safely!"

"Everyone, come quickly and help move these things out of the way!" a young man shouted from the front, his voice filled with urgency.

The people around him responded one after another and acted quickly.

The people's spirits were high, all their attention focused on the massive warship, hoping to find their separated family members within it.

The officer was directing from the front, and seeing the behemoth gradually approaching, he too felt a surge of excitement.

"As long as there are support points, it's enough. The warship will lower its landing gear; clear this area and this area!"

He waved his arms, guiding the direction for everyone to work.

Many hands make light work; the citizens worked together, and for a time, the streets were a hive of activity.

Some moved stones, some cleared weeds, and even children were picking up scattered wood and paper nearby; everyone was contributing their strength to the warship's landing.

Finally, through everyone's collective efforts, the warship slowly descended, emitting a low roar.

The landing gear touched the ground steadily, and the entire warship finally hovered stably above the houses, bringing a glimmer of hope.

"Quick, go take a look!"

Someone in the crowd couldn't help but shout. Everyone's excitement was beyond words, and they surged toward the warship.

Hoping to see the people they had been longing for.

At the front of the warship's deck, Bai Fan's gaze swept over the dense crowd of young women.

"Those of you who have families, go down from the ship and reunite with them; those who do not, remain on the ship, and I will provide you with a place to live in peace."

After a moment of silence, a few young women finally walked out from the crowd, trembling as they headed toward the gangway, their eyes shining with hopeful light.

Following their lead, more and more girls gathered their courage and stepped off the warship.

"Father… Mother, I'm back…"

A girl threw herself into the arms of her family who had been waiting under the city, tears instantly welling up.

"Ashuang! You've finally returned, wuwu…" Old Man Li's wife hugged her daughter, sobbing uncontrollably with excitement.

More and more girls walked off the warship, calling out the names of their loved ones; the voices rose and fell, touching everyone's hearts.

In this short time, more than two thousand people had already walked off the warship to reunite with their families.

"I missed you so much, Dad…" A girl's voice was soft and trembling as she hugged her haggard father tightly.

"I did too, I did too…" The father was teary-eyed, trembling all over, his heart filled with gratitude and relief.

On the other side of the warship, as the crowd surged, more than a thousand people still remained on board.

Their gazes were dull and dazed, their eyes revealing endless loneliness and helplessness.

Either their families had been destroyed, or they had been abducted and brought here, and they no longer had any family to rely on.

Some girls stood at the edge of the warship, weeping silently; the low sobbing was like dense, fine raindrops, tapping on everyone's hearts.

Bai Fan watched them, a wave of sorrow welling up in his heart.

"Don't worry, since I have saved you, I will never abandon you."

Bai Fan's voice was not loud, but it was like a warm current, dispelling the gloom in their hearts.

"Brother Fan…" Zhaoyang said softly behind Bai Fan.

Bai Fan looked at the three princesses, and Zhaoyang, "Follow me to meet the Human Emperor."

The young women gave a soft nod.

Bai Fan immediately channeled his spiritual power, gently enveloping them, and flew toward the Imperial Court, causing the surrounding commoners to look up in awe.