CHAPTER 840: CHAPTER 840: ESCAPE FROM DEATH

"Clang——"

In the pitch black where you couldn’t see your hand in front of you, the sound of chains clinking suddenly echoed.

Seated on the stone bed, Anvo was delighted in his heart and was about to stand up, but then he suddenly thought of something, and became apprehensive.

This was the dungeon of Tiandu.

It was said that those who came here would either die or shed a layer of skin, and none of those carried out would be complete corpses.

Especially those torture instruments hanging on the wall, although not tied to his body, had frightened Anvo quite a bit.

Ever since the gunshot, General Absek had thrown him in here and then there had been no movement, he hadn’t even come to see him once.

Even though his "adviser" Yishel had thumped his chest, assuring him that nothing would happen, Anvo was still anxious, worrying that General Absek would kill him to silence him.

And just then, the slow footsteps finally reached the door of the cell.

Seeing it was Yishel standing outside the bars with a tray, Anvo, whose shoulders were tense, finally sighed in relief and sat back down on the stone bed.

Gesturing for the jailer to open the gate, Yishel handed him some money and motioned him to walk further away before entering the cell with a smile and placing the tray on the table.

"How does it feel to be a hero?"

"Not good at all!"

Grabbing an oily pancake from the tray, Anvo gobbled it down, muttering through a full mouth, "I just want to survive, I’d rather not have stumbled into this darn mess."

"There are still benefits." Yishel comforted him while pouring milk into his cup, "Eat slowly, don’t choke yourself."

"It’s hard..."

Anvo shook his head, sighing in despair.

"I realize now, my move has almost led to a dead end."

This is also the tragedy of being a small character.

Most of the time, he had no choice.

It’s merely struggling a bit when disaster strikes, betting on an almost impossible possibility.

Sooner or later, those 200 lives will be discovered by General Absek.

Don’t be fooled by his current leaning toward the Alliance, if he knew those 200 people were still alive, he might initially be happy and even brag about it, but undoubtedly, he’d suspect me afterwards.

This was ultimately a decision I made on my own.

Anush’s suspicion is written on his face, so how could General Absek be any different?

They all crawled up from the Everflow River as drowned ghosts, there isn’t a thing they wouldn’t do for themselves.

Noticing the worried expression on Anvo’s face, Yishel lowered his voice.

"Actually, it’s not hard. Your life and death are in General Absek’s hands because you are his man, you bear his mark..."

Anvo chuckled.

"Can this still be erased?"

"It can’t be erased," Yishel shook his head, but then his tone shifted, "but you can stamp a new one on it."

Originally disheartened, Anvo immediately raised his head, hope rekindled in his eyes.

"Explain more clearly."

Yishel gave a faint smile, his eyes hidden in the darkness like a cunning rat, and continued leisurely.

"The Alliance’s mission is in Tiandu, and they are soon coming with General Absek’s men to meet you. This is a good opportunity, if you can win their favor, perhaps they can take you to Jinjaron Harbor... Once at Jinjaron Harbor, the future is wide open for you. With some effort, you might even secure a place among them."

His fingers pointed upwards, he didn’t explain, but what lay beneath was implicit without words.

Anvo was startled, even incredulous, swallowing hard and continued speaking.

"...For what reason?"

Yishel patiently analyzed and said.

"The Alliance intends to broker peace between Poluo Country and the various military factions, to unite in facing external threats. They need to send a representative to mediate, don’t they? In any case, this doesn’t require you to do anything significant; with the Alliance maneuvering behind the scenes, a truce is the trend of the times, and the credit for this will certainly include you... This is nearly a free achievement."

"Such a good opportunity... Would General Absek give it to me?" Anvo couldn’t help but ask.

"If not you, then who? Would he be willing to leave this place himself? If he doesn’t go himself, he needs someone else to go, and you’ve already given so many pledges. If not you, should he send a nobody like me instead?"

Yishel chuckled and continued in a joking tone.

"Moreover, you are at least a ’celebrity’ from the Jinjaron Harbor ’Survivor Daily’ special. General Absek is counting on you to secure some investment there."

"Survivor Daily special?" Anvo was confused for a moment, looking at him with disbelief, "How do you know?"

"A reporter from the Survivor’s Daily recently came here from Elephant State, and they are going to establish a branch here soon. Your heroic title was bestowed by them, after all," Yishel teased with a laugh.

This guy can become a hero, yet I can only be a mouse hiding in a corner, which is ironically a form of humor typical to natives of Poluo Province.

But it doesn’t matter anymore.

Originally, he wanted to become Pol purely because he saw himself in Orisa’s face, and act impulsively to stand up for the guy who fell on the dock.

After the whipping, he became sober, realizing there is no Pol in Poluo Province.

Not even Pol’s opponent exists.

For example, that Nagi, was strung on a flagpole in the first Chapter of the "Story."

Anvo hadn’t thought that far ahead, he was just surprised, his hand stopped unconsciously as he stuffed the pancake into his mouth.

Has the "Survivor’s Daily" actually come to Tiandu?

He had heard about that newspaper a long time ago.

It was said to be a paper run by the survivors of the Poluo Province, telling stories happening on this land, not in places like Giant Stone City or City of Dawn.

He had wanted to get a copy to read before, but unfortunately, he couldn’t find many complete copies even after searching the entire West Sail Port.

Seems like quite a bit has happened outside while I’ve been locked in the dungeon these days...

...

After delivering the meal to Anvo, Yishel didn’t stay in the dungeon, returned the plate to the jailer, and hurried off from there.

Not long after he left, footsteps were heard at the door again, and this time it was General Absek and the representative of the Alliance who personally walked in.

"Anvo, sorry for the trouble!"

Looking at Absek, whose face was filled with apologetic expressions, and then at the Alliance representative standing beside him, Anvo was unsure of which play to act in front of his boss.

The key was, no one had given him a script.

But perhaps due to a racial talent, his mind still spun quickly, and he immediately found his place.

"...Everything I did was for the greater good in my heart, there’s no grievance or anything. If there’s blame, it’s all on me. You’ve treated me well, and I won’t make things difficult for you—"

Before Anvo could finish his words, Absek hurriedly interrupted him and refuted.

"For the righteous act of the United, what crime could there be? If you were guilty, wouldn’t that mean we’re all guilty? And deserving of death?"

After saying that, Absek held his shoulder again, speaking sincerely and earnestly.

"From the start, I didn’t think you did anything wrong. It’s just that some people in our team couldn’t see it, so I had to protect you first, hope you understand!"

"But, that’s all in the past now. Anush has been overthrown, and his followers have scattered like monkeys fallen from trees. I can finally release you!"

Absek continued to speak at length, and even knowing what kind of person this guy was, Anvo couldn’t help but be a little moved.

He finally understood what the elders always said, that sometimes knowing less isn’t necessarily a bad thing; knowing too much can become a burden.

If he hadn’t been involved in that affair at the chapel, hadn’t witnessed the night talks between the general and the military’s messenger, and hadn’t learned so much about the stories behind, he might indeed mistake this person in front of him for a perfect saint.

Of course.

He was well aware that he wasn’t in a position to say such things.

He didn’t kill Anush for some grand cause; he had hesitated about whether to open fire in the chapel, and now he had to unwillingly play along with this guy.

"...Thank you, General!" Anvo choked out the words, just like the tears of emotion welling up in his eyes.

"It is I who should be thanking you!"

Absek gazed at him intently, holding his hands tightly, his tone earnest and sincere.

"I represent all the survivors of Poluo Province in thanking you for your righteous act!"

A reporter nearby captured this moment with a shutter click.

Seeing the two in the dark, Old Stick, standing at the end of the group, turned slightly to speak to Old Dog beside him.

"...See, what did I say back then?"

"Impressive." Old Dog’s face was full of admiration, and he couldn’t help but give a thumbs up.

"Keep it low key..." Stick brother coughed lightly, making a modest gesture.

Old Wolf glanced at him askew.

"If you’re so great, why don’t you go up there?"

Stick brother chuckled.

"You don’t get it, bragging and getting things done are two different skills. In bragging, even old Eagle is no match for me, but in getting things done, Eagle is much more competent than I am."

Old Eagle standing aside rolled his eyes.

"You don’t need to overpraise me..."

These guys!

If they each had a bit of usefulness, things wouldn’t be as ineffective as they are!

Finally, when the two finished their act, Old Eagle cleared his throat and inserted himself into the conversation before Anvo.

"Mr. Anvo, although there are personal struggles, I still hope that you remain calm in handling matters and avoid acting on extremes."

This was said to Anvo’s face, but it was meant for Absek standing beside him.

Anvo, whether he understood or not, lowered his head apologetically.

"Sorry, I..."

Not wanting to dwell on the drama, Old Eagle raised his hand to stop him.

"Alright, no need to apologize. This is your internal affair, and we don’t intend to interfere. What I want to discuss next is the situation in Poluo Province, which concerns not just us but also you."

Anvo immediately looked at his leader, Absek, who then looked at Old Eagle, putting on a serious expression.

"Please go ahead!"

Old Eagle glanced at the two of them and slowly spoke.

"The Foreign Minister of the Alliance has already arrived at Jinjaron Harbor, to facilitate a ceasefire among various forces in Poluo Province. It’d be advisable for you to send a representative there."

Before Absek could speak, he continued.

"We all think you’re a good candidate, but your own opinion must be sought. Do you have any interest?"

Anvo was pleased to hear that and almost agreed immediately but suddenly realized, turning to General Absek, and said humbly.

"I follow the General’s arrangements!"

Absek did indeed laugh heartily, his face full of satisfaction, patting his hand and saying.

"Why follow my arrangement? As long as it’s beneficial to the Thousand Tribes of Poluo Province, just go ahead and do it! Don’t ask me! Hurry up and thank the Alliance’s messengers!"

Anvo turned his head to look at the Eagle, prepared to bow and express his thanks, but was supported by the latter.

"Let’s not thank back and forth now; let’s first get out of this ghost place!"

...

Anvo, who had attempted to assassinate Anush in court, was released.

And it was the United Federation’s leader, Absek, who personally went to the dungeon to fetch him.

Once this news was published in the "Survivor’s Daily," it immediately stirred waves in Jinjaron Harbor downstream of the Everflow River.

Many initially thought that even if Anush’s faction was thoroughly settled, Anvo, the bird who stuck his head out, would not have a good end.

After all, one matter is distinct from another.

If the assassin wasn’t punished, wouldn’t everyone follow the example in the future?

From the standpoint of Absek and other high-ups, this clearly set a very bad precedent.

However, unexpectedly, Absek personally pardoned Anvo.

Their handshake photo was featured on the front page of the "Survivor Daily."

Beyond surprise, people couldn’t help but applaud, as Poluo Province finally welcomed an enlightened ruler.

A person with a magnanimous heart wouldn’t fear the petty schemes that lurk in the shadows.

A true reformist, when he sees his comrades, only holds enthusiasm and respect in his eyes, with no suspicion.

Those eyes illuminated by the flash, shine brightly...

With the hero who attempted to assassinate Anush being released, the case of the Tiandu Palace attack finally came to an end.

However, from now on, all officers above Centurion were stripped of their sidearms.

Those were the symbols of their status.

But now, only officers who go to the frontline can handle sidearms and ammunition in the logistics.

As for duty soldiers at various levels, gun and ammunition separation management was implemented, with each incident bearing responsibility for two people.

Additionally, the direct security teams below the ten thousand troops were dismantled.

Originally, the security teams of command units at all levels were chosen by the officers themselves but now are uniformly allocated by the logistics department, and promotions evaluations are centralized within the logistics system.

For instance, Yishel, who was originally under Anvo, was now assigned under another Thousands of leaders serving as captain of the security team (Centurion), but the direct superior was not the Thousands of leaders in the unit, but rather a higher-level Ten Thousand Leader.

It’s akin to disassembling the sword of power into blade and handle.

Humans are creatures adept at learning.

Just as Yishel saw his reflection in Orisa, Absek saw his own face on Anush’s corpse.

Although not admitting it verbally, the violent death of the king clearly stimulated him, keeping him awake for several nights.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have hurriedly made a series of changes, urgently proving to everyone that he was completely different from Anush... even if they were of the same kind.

However, objectively speaking, aside from the stimulation Absek received and discussing his motivations, his series of changes indeed contained elements of progress.

On the other hand, although the seven routes army outside had not scattered like birds and beasts, their morale had significantly declined.

Coincidentally, the decline of Tiandu lifted the suppression on local forces, and those stunned local forces organized themselves for self-preservation, either seeking new backers or confronting the "Heaven disaster."

From initially being beaten into retreat, these local armies now managed to stabilize their lines, and even could spar with the king’s army.

The Snake King, fighting in the southeastern direction, first received a head-on strike from the Black Panther Army.

Pushed around by the Snake State and Wolf State city defense forces, they were no match for the well-equipped and trained Black Panther Army, forced to abandon all thoughts on Leopard State and retreat obediently to the borders of Wolf State and Snake State.

Coincidentally, the Dog King and Sheep King, battling in the north, were also faced with troubles.

Due to unequal distribution, they fought among themselves, and finally, due to mutual hindrance on the battlefield, Laxi from the east took advantage, claiming about one-third of the land in the Northern Three States for the Mammoth State authority.

As for the Gray Wolf originally blocking Laxi, although still brave in combat, facing the ever-growing Laxi and its own poor logistics, increasingly felt powerless.

War is never just about the frontline; relying solely on Arai Yang, there’s no way to stop the devastating flood-burst, only watching helplessly as Dog State, Sheep State, and Bird State were divided by two rebels.

Apart from the three kings still holding the king’s army banner, the remaining four kings were wiser, all returning to Tiandu, changing flags, and distancing themselves from their original identities.

They’re not foolish; they understand their own nature and that of the king’s army.

They’re like the avalanche rolling down the mountain, relying on an initial burst of energy to capture half of Poluo Province.

And now, with the breath stuck in their chests dispersed, unity among people basically disintegrates.

This big ship’s sinking is only a matter of time; rather than waiting for it to happen, it’s better to join whatever United Federation, which could be considered climbing out from the Everflow River.

The progress of events surprised all the spectators following the matter.

Especially the diners at a noodle shop in Jinjaron Harbor.

They originally thought that the seven kings in the field would develop into an unbridled force, but eventually realized they had overrated this group of uprising leaders who came halfway...

...

At the beginning of February, an early rain brought a touch of dampness to the air in Tiandu.

This year’s rainy season seems to have come earlier than in previous years, nearly two months earlier.

It seems that the Poluo Province is not completely unaffected by the extreme climate of the Wasteland.

At the north gate of Tiandu, a long line formed for entering the city, with people undergoing inspections one by one.

Closely following the Pangolin, Penny, wrapped in a robe, cautiously observed the surroundings.

It had only been half a month since their last visit here, yet the scene had changed so much that she found it unrecognizable.

For one thing, those people with bandaged arms were gone, replaced by a group of soldiers in gray uniforms, patrolling the streets in neat formations.

These clothes were all new, like they had been bought.

Secondly, the market vendors on both sides of the street seemed to have increased, with the shouts and cries of selling creating a lively atmosphere!

According to Pangolin, it was because Anvo, the leader of Tiandu, had lifted the curfew. Therefore, even villagers living far away could push carts and bring in village specialties without worrying about the distance and not getting home before dark, fearing being caught and beaten by the soldiers.

On this note, it must be mentioned that the currency Xilan coins, once issued by the West Winds Empire, had been stopped from circulation.

However, the new authorities did not take a one-size-fits-all approach but allowed residents of Poluo Province to exchange Xilan coins at reformed banks for a new currency called "Poluo coins."

This new currency is issued with credit backing from the authorities, printed under authorization by the printing factory at Jinjaron Harbor, with an exchange rate of 1:1 with the Xilan coins. Exchange requires residency registration and is limited to ten thousand per person.

The reclaimed Xilan coins are naturally annulled, while the newly exchanged currency counts as "releasing liquidity" into the market.

It’s said this idea came from an Alliance representative to minimize the impact of the political transition on the lower and middle classes.

They had been hiding in the countryside of Cow State until the situation here stabilized before returning.

As the checkpoint drew closer, Penny looked at Pangolin and couldn’t help but whisper.

"Is it really okay to enter the city now?"

Seeing the anxious Penny, the Battlefield Atmosphere Group smiled confidently and softly reassured her.

"Don’t worry, I’ve already checked."

Before setting off, he specifically asked on the forum to ensure there were no issues before coming.

In fact, it’s not just that there aren’t any issues; the current Poluo authorities are itching to start negotiations with the Legion.

The gunpowder smell in West Sail Port is becoming more pronounced as ammunition is being unloaded by the box.

Although the Alliance is still trying to mediate through diplomatic means, the Poluo authorities are obviously prepared for the worst.

The odds are that this war is unavoidable, but negotiations can always buy some time.

In the entire Poluo Province, aside from the three kings and an Arai Yang still causing trouble, a unified front has essentially formed. While not completely solid, at least they won’t be stabbing each other in the back.

Moreover, Alliance reinforcements are landing one after another.

At this moment, even gaining a little extra time is excellent for the Poluo authorities.

For the Old Soldier who has already exchanged hand tokens with the Alliance messengers, the current situation is very clear.

He will represent the Triumph City Civil Official Group, using the recognition of the Legion’s practical control over West Sail Port and the validity of treaties signed by the old Empire concerning the harbor as bargaining chips to recognize the Poluo Nation and validate their purge of the Heavenly Monarch Army remnants.

Though risking offense to the Southern Legion, the West Sail Port massacre has already broken all pretenses with them, leaving little concern for saving face now.

This is not only Mr. Bennott’s intention but also the unanimous decision of the Triumph City Civil Official Group.

They do not wish to participate in the Southern Group’s risky gamble.

Not to mention the odds of winning, there are no benefits even if they win, and losing would mean forfeiting all they’ve painstakingly established in the Poluo Province.

As for the Poluo Nation leaning towards the Alliance, it’s not much of a problem; those opportunistic folks never truly possessed loyalty, and they could always be won over again.

The queue to enter the city slowly moved forward, and finally, it was their turn.

Old Soldier didn’t say a word, simply pulling out a wrinkled document from his pocket, displaying his identity.

"I am Pangolin, emissary of the Legion! Take me to your leader!"

The six soldiers standing at the city gate were momentarily stunned by these words, and a few civilians at the back of the queue were also surprised, instinctively sidestepping a few paces.

Their demeanor, as if fearing avoidance, made Penny extremely anxious.

Clammy palms squeezing in tension, she clung tightly to Pangolin’s robe, nearly pressing herself against him.

At this point, a soldier finally reacted, hurriedly dropped a "please wait," and ran behind the city gate without another word.

Soon enough, the Centurion on duty trotted over from the corner behind the city gate.

Just as Old Soldier had expected.

That face blossomed with a warm smile, a complete contrast to the grim demeanor of half a month ago.

Confirming the document in his hand, the Centurion’s smile grew even more radiant, verging on sycophantic.

"Please come in, Mr. Messenger! Our leader has been expecting you for a long time!"

Old Soldier didn’t give him any good looks, regarding him with his nostrils the way a true Weilante would, just slightly nodding that unassuming nose.

"Lead the way."

The Centurion didn’t mind in the slightest, nodding with a smile and gesturing politely.

"Right this way!"