Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Moving Winter City
The man who spoke with Lu Min had said to act as soon as possible, and Yu An figured it would happen within the next day or two.
Sure enough, before dawn on the third day, guards went from door to door, announcing that everyone was to gather in Winter City’s central square at noon.
"The Hall Master has ordered that everyone, man or woman, young or old, must go! Even if they can’t walk, they must be carried there!"
"Huh? Sir, my old mother has been paralyzed in bed for years. Does she have to go too?"
The guard was also helpless. When they received the order, they hadn’t understood it either. "Yes, carry her there. The Hall Master said she has something extremely important to announce. If you don’t go, you’ll face the consequences."
Just as he finished answering that person, someone else pulled the guard aside. "Sir, my wife is giving birth. The midwife says it’ll take at least a day. Does... does she have to go too?"
This time, the guard was unsure. "Wait here, I’ll go ask."
He immediately went back to ask his superior. After getting a clear answer, he returned to address the townspeople.
"Women giving birth today are exempt, but they must be registered... You, come over here and give me your address."
Everyone in Winter City was completely bewildered, but it was the Hall Master’s order, so they had no choice but to obey.
Yu An was woken up early in the morning by the commotion. The guards left after making their announcement, but she couldn’t get back to sleep, so she, Han Li, and Little Wolf went for a stroll through the streets.
Everyone in the streets and alleys was discussing the matter. More than the inconvenience, they were afraid of angering the Hall Master.
"By the way, have you guys heard? The Hall Master’s been in a really bad mood lately. I heard someone asked what the purpose of all this was, and after just one question, the Hall Master threw them in jail."
"I heard, I heard. Sigh, what on earth is wrong with the Hall Master? She used to be so kind and approachable, but now..."
"Let’s not talk about it, let’s not talk about it. Be careful someone doesn’t overhear. I have to go. I need to take a door off its hinges to carry my old mother over."
Little Wolf, cradled in Han Li’s arms, asked curiously, "Female Mother, are we going too?"
Yu An stroked his little head. "Your Beast Father and I are going. Zaizai, can you go inside for a little while when the time comes?"
Little Wolf knew "go inside" meant entering the space. Although he wanted to stay with his Female Mother, he also knew she and his Beast Father had important things to do, and he would be a distraction.
"Okay," he said obediently. "Female Mother, I’ll go inside and play with the Cloud Beasts."
Yu An’s eyes curved into crescents. She took Little Wolf and held him for a moment. ’Her Zaizai is so, so good.’
A good Zaizai gets a reward: three kisses and extra candy. Little Wolf ate his candy, covering his kissed cheeks and burying his head shyly.
Han Li said sourly, "Zai, you didn’t even share one with me. You’re so well-behaved, you must have inherited that from your father."
Yu An often used novel words, and Han Li and the others would make a point to remember them. ’Yes, must strive to have more common ground with the Female Master!’
The moment he finished speaking, Yu An and Little Wolf both turned to stare at him in unison. After making Han Li’s skin crawl under their gaze, they turned away just as synchronously.
Little Wolf said disdainfully, "Female Mother, Beast Father is so narcissistic, and he has no self-awareness."
’I’m this good because Female Mother likes good babies, and I inherited her good genes. Besides my looks, nothing else has anything to do with Beast Father, okay!’
’Grandpa Han said Beast Father was super naughty as a kid. I definitely didn’t get it from him.’
Yu An deeply agreed. "Female Mother thinks so too."
Han Li: "..."
’That stings!’
After returning, Yu An told Lu Yi to get ready. Previously, she had only planned to bring the people of Winter City into her space, but on second thought, although there was a lot of food in her space, it wouldn’t be enough to feed so many people.
With more people, the situation would also be more complex. For example, what about the women giving birth today? Wouldn’t a sudden change in their surroundings scare them to death?
So, Yu An decided to change her approach.
’If I can bring people into the space, what about Winter City itself?’
After she went back, Yu An released Lu Lu, letting it grow rapidly and use its extensive root system to separate Winter City from the ground beneath.
’As long as the people colluding with Lu Min are brought into the space, no matter how powerful they are, they’ll be at my mercy. I might be able to get some information out of them then.’
Lu Lu acted immediately. Lu Yi also prepared to delay things as much as possible, giving Yu An ample time to get ready.
However... she couldn’t help but doubt the truth in Yu An’s words.
’Can one person really move the entire city of Winter City?’
Lu Min was in a great hurry. Rushing and scrambling, they finally managed to gather all the citizens of Winter City in the central square before noon.
There was a high platform in the central square, where Lu Min stood, wearing the face of her sister, Lu Yi.
Behind her were the high-ranking members of Winter City’s Beast God Hall branch. They could hear the whispers of the people below. It wasn’t just the citizens who were confused; they also had no idea what the Hall Master was planning.
The Hall Master had only said that what she was about to announce concerned the very survival of Winter City’s people, but she wouldn’t answer anyone who pressed for details.
If anyone became too insistent, no matter who they were, she would have them thrown in jail directly.
"Let’s just hope the Hall Master isn’t lying. Otherwise, if she’s just toying with the entire city, not even the Beast God Hall’s authority could quell the resentment of so many people."
The high-ranking members behind Lu Min exchanged worried glances and whispered amongst themselves.
Besides this, they also occasionally glanced at the dozen or so impressive-looking individuals standing behind and to the right of Lu Min.
In the crowd, a disguised Lu Yi whispered, "Hall Master, the people behind and to the right of Lu Min aren’t from the branch hall. I’ve never seen them before."
Yu An glanced over and recognized one of them as the man who had been talking with Lu Min earlier. As for the shadowy figure who had spoken only after Lu Min left... she didn’t see him here.
The crowd below was bustling with noise, livelier than a marketplace. It was a chaotic scene with many eyes, and with Lu Yi in disguise, Lu Min didn’t notice her at all.
When a guard reported that everyone had arrived, Lu Min cleared her throat. "Everyone, I have gathered you today because..."
Yu An gave Han Li a look, and he understood immediately. He pulled out a signal flare they had prepared earlier and lit it.
BANG—
A sudden explosion echoed through the sky as a brilliant firework burst overhead. It drowned out Lu Min’s voice and captured everyone’s attention.
Everyone turned in unison to look in Yu An’s direction. Yu An stood in front of Lu Yi, locking eyes with Lu Min on the high platform across the sea of people.
Lu Min was already in a foul mood, and being interrupted while speaking only added to her irritation.
"Who made that noise? Guards, seize the troublemaker and bring them up here!"
"No need," Yu An said in a clear voice. "This Hall Master has her own legs. I can walk."
Hearing her use that title, Lu Min froze for a moment. Her first thought was of her sister, Lu Yi, who was still missing. But when Yu An got closer and she saw her face, she breathed a sigh of relief.
But she had relaxed too soon. Yu An walked over with two people. She stepped slightly aside, revealing Lu Yi behind her.
Lu Min found Lu Yi somewhat familiar. When Lu Yi removed her disguise, Lu Min subconsciously took half a step back.
Then, she glanced frantically at Tian Shu, the man she had met three days ago.
Tian Shu signaled for her not to panic. Lu Min suppressed her fear and roared, "So it’s you, the impostor! How dare you show your face before me! Guards, seize them!"
