Chapter 504: Incitement

Cheng Shuili nodded and began examining the mysterious rune.

The object was rather odd in shape, about the size of a palm, its whole body a dark golden hue, its surface warm to the touch yet tinged with a metallic chill.

Its surface was covered with extremely intricate patterns, layered upon each other, weaving an incomprehensible design that flickered faintly, seemingly drifting with a slow glimmer.

She carefully stored the rune, then gave the area channel one last glance.

The denunciations targeting "Kekekoli" were still ongoing, but their intensity seemed to have waned slightly as the night deepened.

She stretched lazily and finally felt a hint of fatigue.

The evening's excitement was almost over, and the unexpected gains had already been secured.

It's time for a good sleep.

Inside the vehicle finally fell silent; 001's eyes, which were straining to stay open, slowly turned into ==, and as time passed the little face on its electronic screen fell completely asleep, even displaying a "Zzz" symbol.

A night without dreams.

When dawn broke the next day, the water in the Black Feather Safe Zone had receded.

Everything that happened last night felt like a hallucination, and even the Black Feather members who hadn't woken up last night had no idea what had occurred in their own territory.

Although the water began to recede, most vehicles were still standing in the pools.

Consequently, once the Black Feather Safe Zone opened, the players who had been hiding there all day yesterday immediately paid the entry fee and sought refuge inside.

Most of them were in a sorry state, clothes drenched, and the dry ground, orderly buildings, and faint food aroma in the Black Feather Safe Zone were, to them, nothing short of heaven.

Although everyone had heard of Black Feather's reputation, no one had ever seen the members' daily life with their own eyes.

The boundary between the Safe Zone and Black Feather's territory was clearly delineated.

Those without permission could not step into Black Feather's domain, but they could still see it.

Early in the morning, the orcs and members who had spent the night in Black Feather's domain emerged from their vehicles, gathering in small groups to eat breakfast.

The scent of the rice drifted from afar, making the refugees in the Safe Zone salivate and stare hungrily.

Hot and steaming…

Although they couldn't see exactly what it was, it was certainly food that could fill the belly!

There was also clean water, and the simple yet warm and dry clothing of the orcs and members, as well as the relatively relaxed expressions on their faces…

Everything stood in stark contrast to their own condition.

"If I'd known Black Feather's conditions were this good… I should have worked hard to join Black Feather from the start."

A skinny young man muttered softly, his tone full of regret.

"Come on, who knows if it's real? Maybe it's all a show to get us to join Black Feather. Besides, I've heard Black Feather's rules are strict and the work is exhausting."

A middle‑aged man beside him wiped the water off his face; despite his words, his eyes couldn't help glancing toward the drifting aroma of the rice.

"Being a bit tired, what's the fear? It's better than soaking in water waiting to die! Look at them; at least they can get a sound sleep and eat a hot meal!"

The crowd murmured, their words full of envy and longing.

"How about it? Shall we snatch a bowl of rice to eat?"

He tried his best to lower his voice, but the few players around him still glanced over instantly.

Their gazes were filled with shock, caution, and a hint of disbelief as if looking at a madman.

"Are you crazy?!" a woman nearest to him immediately shouted, her voice strained, "Can't you see the patrolling orcs? And the gear the Black Feather members have in their hands? You want to die and drag us down!"

"Exactly! Just because they can hold their ground in this world, doesn't mean you can just take it. I think you're starving to madness!"

The proposer was glared at, shrinking his neck, realizing his foolish words, he lowered his head sheepishly and dared not speak again.

His eyes, however, flickered around the Black Feather guards, checking if anyone had noticed what he just said.

It didn't matter if he hadn't looked; the moment he lifted his gaze, he met the eyes of an upright Black Feather member holding a rifle.

The Black Feather member's gaze was sharp as an eagle's, yet he didn't step forward; he simply stood there, his eyes calm but imposing, his right hand casually resting on the weapon before him.

It was as if he could aim at him and fire in the next second.

The proposer was terrified, his spirit scattering, and he hurriedly lowered his head, wishing he could bury it in his soaked collar, his heart pounding wildly, never daring to entertain any more improper thoughts.

Seeing his reaction, the Black Feather member satisfiedly averted his gaze.

It didn't matter what anyone said; if anyone dared to act, even a hint of unusual movement would be pointed at by the surrounding guards' guns.

Resist? Any weapon brought in would be confiscated.

Even with many of them unarmed, they couldn't stand against those armed with guns.

Not to mention the orcs who looked unapproachable.

Before absolute force and order, any petty thought seemed laughably fragile.

Thus, even though such inciting remarks echoed throughout the crowd, the Safe Zone remained orderly, even more stable than expected.

The overwhelming majority of refugees were pragmatic, knowing that on Black Feather's turf, obeying the rules was the only way to survive.

The occasional discordant voices quickly vanished, erased by the guards' silent gazes and the surrounding people's self‑imposed distance.

In Black Feather's group chat, the on‑duty members had just reported the situation, and the other members began discussing.

"So many people are proposing to snatch things?"

"That many is one thing, but they did it almost simultaneously… I don't believe they were unorganized or just spontaneous."

"Exactly! @Ai Mi Li, @Xin Xue Chuji, @Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji, Captain! Lao Da! Should we grab one and question them?! This is definitely off."

The one asking was the guard captain of this shift.

She, fearing no reply, @‑ed all three at once.

Cheng Shuili watched the messages flash by in the group chat, her brows slightly furrowed; it was indeed odd, but to say we should seize someone for questioning…

The Safe Zone's order was still relatively stable, but if someone were actually grabbed in public, whatever the captive shouted could easily incite the others.

Human hearts are most easily swayed in panic and hardship.

By then, even if Black Feather's force prevailed and they forced a suppression, casualties would be inevitable.

The gain does not offset the loss.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Do not capture people. @Ai Mi Li, Ailin, have someone watch them; when they leave the safe zone, find an excuse to intercept them, take them aside for a detailed discussion. Do not draw attention.

【Ai Mi Li】: Received.