CHAPTER 1457: CHAPTER 6: THE RISE OF THE BLACK GRAIN SECT

Tut-tut-tut—

A quadcopter flies over the city, its hatch opens to the sound of the wind, and a camera shakily points downward at the city streets.

On the city’s main avenue, members in black robes move forward silently, forming a linked team, arms crossed, taking slow steps forward, while facing them, riot police with shields stand ready.

Black shields interlock, forming layers of formidable defenses on the street, followed by blue light screens materializing, creating walls that seal the entire street.

"Hello everyone, this is the Lusheng Star Domain’s First News Channel, reporting live from the largest city in the domain, Shuilu City, where a protest is taking place..."

"About 120,000 people are participating in this massive march, blocking six major city avenues and advancing towards the Central Square of the city."

"To address possible sudden chaos and violence in emergencies, the Federation Star Domain Government has deployed around 10,000 police officers from Shuilu City and surrounding areas onto the main roads. They will maintain order and prevent these groups from advancing further."

"...Shuilu City was established in the Sixth Era, year 287, and is the hometown of the Songstress ’Reed Summer’ Bai Sheng. Due to Bai Sheng’s significant early influence on the Federation, this star domain also developed rapidly. Her many songs depicting her hometown and childhood left a deep impression on many within the Federation."

"Currently, the statue of the Songstress ’Reed Summer’ Bai Sheng still stands in the Central Square of Shuilu City. It is an important venue for major events, and every Starfield Governor delivers their inaugural speech at this square."

"According to insider speculation, the marching group intends to occupy the square, to expand their influence and voice their political demands to the entire star domain, and even the Federation."

"Security defense officials of the star domain claim they received no notification of any protest application, making this an illegal and sudden action fraught with immeasurable danger. They will take necessary measures to ensure the safety of city residents and maintain the star domain’s order..."

As the host’s voice accompanies the whir of the propellers, some parts are unclear, and much of the audience’s focus is on the broadcast footage. These protesting crowds differ from those typically chanting slogans and holding high banners; their silent demeanor carries a repressive aura, making it hard for onlookers to laugh.

The marching crowd stretches like a long dragon, trailing back along the street. Unlike the usual loose protest activities, they seem to carry great determination. Everyone lines up in rows, arms intertwined, preventing anyone from easily falling out or escaping suddenly.

The protestors advance with slow and steady steps, nearing the blue light wall, finally pressing against it. Contrary to expectations, they do not stop but push forward continually, even when the front line presses tightly against the heavy light screen.

Initially, the riot police maintaining the line appeared relaxed, thinking stopping these people wasn’t a big issue. But as the crowd pushed forward, those in the front began to get crushed and deformed, with their features and bodies twisting and starting to bleed. Such scenes weighed heavily on the seasoned riot police, sending chills down their spines.

Countless drones broadcasting in the sky record these events. In the data tabulated by the AI, one vivid life after another begins to die, forcing many live broadcasts to be cut.

The death toll climbs continuously from 100 to 1,000, then breaking past 2,000, 3,000... blood starts to spread across the streets.

The security defense command officer, watching this unfold, begins to sweat. Regardless of how successful the order maintenance is this time, with so many lives lost causing a massive public outcry, someone surely must take the blame, and he is unlikely to escape it.

"Disperse, disperse... let them through," he orders, almost trembling.

The riot police, unable to hold the line any longer, promptly retract their shields and light screens, hastily retreating to the sides of the road.

The crowd then resumes their advance, wrapping the bodies of fallen comrades in black cloth and lifting them, continuing toward Central Square, an oppressively suffocating atmosphere enveloping the scene, silencing many onlooking city residents. Instinctively, they clear the path, witnessing these members as they collect their fallen companions’ bodies and forge ahead.

Hours later, the groups gradually reach the urban Central Square, neatly arranging the bodies beneath the white statue, then placing orange lanterns beside them, while others comfort and adjust the twisted bodies to appear less grim and somewhat peaceful.

They then stand hand in hand, row by row, circle by circle, standing densely on the square for a grand choral performance, their resounding voices spreading across the city through a special ritual.

The choral songs include many classic pieces, among them ’Reed Summer’ Bai Sheng’s ballads, though those once joyous tunes now carry a deeply sorrowful tone.

For the local residents, ’Reed Summer’ Bai Sheng can be considered the spiritual symbol of the Lusheng Star Domain. Her songs are already familiar to millions of households, and now sung under this night sky, they stir countless emotions.