79 Walk of Shame (2/2)

Meng Fuyao lowered her head and opened her eyes, her gaze bright and resolute.

”Dear folks, Yaoheng is in danger and an unfavorable position. The city is about to be broken through. As they say, a wise man submits to circumstances. The day the enemies break in is also the day our people will suffer terribly. I do not wish to see lives falling into the hands of the Rong army. This city... we're not guarding it any longer!”

Her voice was earth-shattering, her declaration reaching the crowd like a bolt of lighting and raising a huge commotion.

Yao Xun and Tie Cheng, who had rushed to the scene, stared at her in shock. They couldn't believe that those words had just come out of her mouth. Meng Fuyao kept her gaze away from the people as she pursed her lips tight in silence.

Some time later, a screeching howl sounded, cutting through the stunned crowd like a sharp blade.

”You selfish, shameless, despicable woman! You're selling Yaocheng out!”

”Crazy! You're crazy! You're taking our lives to save your own!”

Some even picked stones up to throw. ”Smash the cheap woman!”

More people started shouting and bawling, rushing forward to plead.

”We can fight! We must guard the city! We'll climb up the houses and towers! Mayor, do not resign... King De's troop will arrive!”

The children sobbed as they approached her, tugging at the corners of her clothes and wrapping their arms around her calves, which caused tears to stain her boots.

”Mayor... mayor... no... no... you surrender, and they kill us all... please, please...”

The frail elderlies reached their thin, bloodless hands out and going on their knees to beg. ”Mayor...”

The panicked crowd surged forward like a whirlpool, gushing, squeezing and clamoring. Meng Fuyao stood in the vortex, becoming the crashing point for the waves. Their heart-wrenching cries, pleas, and tears filled the air while Meng Fuyao's slim body, clasped in the middle, resembled a sinking boat amid the fury ocean.

Meng Fuyao stood straight, tears absent from her pale face. In fact, there was no visible expression in her eyes. She simply lifted her head slightly and looked far ahead. Some time later, she unhurriedly reached her right hand from behind her back.

That hand of hers was carrying a bundle, which she slowly unwrapped.

The wild noises came to an abrupt stop as dead silence took over.

In the bundle was Yaocheng mayor's official stamp, Yaocheng's household register, Yaocheng's criminal records... they were all objects representing political authority.

Meng Fuyao held the bundle of items up, dully swaying it before the crowd.

Her decision had been made and would not easily be changed.

Whatever last trace of hope the Han citizens had was shattered. They stared at the bundle, and it was no different from looking at their own head rolling.

Ignoring their looks, Meng Fuyao hurriedly walked toward the respective leaders. ”Have all of you heard my words? I'll surrender the city today. Please come along.”

The leaders shuddered upon meeting her gaze, automatically nodding their heads. Meng Fuyao walked off the platform without a smile.

Her inner energy oozed out like a pressing blade, knocking some Han citizens who were attempting to rush toward her. Meng Fuyao stepped ahead, leaving the people with no choice but to withdraw. This way, she slowly carved a path for herself.

More Hansmen flooded the streets in two rows, quietly looking as the mayor walked on with her fists clenched and eyes narrowed. There was menace in her eyes, and the glares she shot pierced right through the people's heart, bloodying the cool and breezy daylight.

It was a long walk. A walk of shame.

With each step she took the Han citizens behind her would curse and swear, throwing whatever they had in hand, perhaps some rotten vegetables, hardened buns or muddied stones, at her...

Meng Fuyao kept her back straight and did not turn back. Her hair was messy from stones that had been trapped in between. Her clothes were quickly stained by mud and even spit and snot. Despite having this whitish and yellowish dirt all over her, she walked on without looking.