Chapter 34: The Rules of Xuanwu City

The night wind howled, kicking up dust from the ground, scraping against people's faces, bringing a bone-chilling cold.

However, Han Ya and her companions seemed unable to feel this cold.

They simply stared blankly upward, gazing at the figure hovering in mid‑air, not daring to draw a breath.

Every second at this moment was a torment for Han Ya and the others.

Xiao Hui's face was ashen as paper, her body shaking uncontrollably; if A Qiang hadn't been holding her up tightly, she would have collapsed long ago.

A Qiang fared no better—his forehead was drenched in cold sweat, his clenched fists whitening at the knuckles from strain.

Only Han Ya forced herself to stay calm.

Because she understood that if the opponent had revealed himself, they still had a sliver of hope; otherwise, that giant beast could crush them to pulp with a mere twitch of its toes.

But she also knew that in this world, human life is cheap, and no one would give them a chance to live for nothing.

Thus, Han Ya had already made up her mind: she would accept any condition the opponent set.

As long as she could save Xiao Yu, she would not frown even if it cost her life.

Just as the three were about to despair, Lin Yue finally spoke.

"I can take you in and let you live in Xuanwu City."

"Boom!"

Han Ya's mind exploded—she never expected happiness to arrive so suddenly!

"Thank you! Thank you!"

She didn't even have time to wonder why he agreed; she immediately dropped to her knees toward Lin Yue and kowtowed deeply.

Behind her, A Qiang and Xiao Hui, as if waking from a dream, followed suit, kneeling and uttering incoherent thanks.

"Don't rush to thank me yet."

Lin Yue's voice sounded again,

"This place is not a charity house, so I do not support idlers."

He looked at the three figures below, whose nerves had retightened, and his tone grew colder.

"I'll say it up front: once you enter Xuanwu City, you must obey my rules. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude."

Before his words had finished, the stone‑made suspended staircase slowly descended before them.

Lin Yue walked down the staircase and stood before the three.

As he approached, the invisible pressure grew stronger.

Han Ya even found it hard to breathe; she dared not lift her head, merely lowering it further, her voice trembling with nervousness:

"You… please speak! No matter what the rules, we will surely obey!"

A Qiang and Xiao Hui beside her quickly echoed her words.

"Good."

Lin Yue's gaze swept over them one by one,

"First rule,"

"You may not do anything that endangers Xuanwu City or its residents. This is the bottom line, the red line. Anyone who dares to cross it will die— I will personally throw him out to feed the monsters outside."

As the saying goes, "Without rules, nothing can be proper," and in this apocalypse, rules are even more essential; otherwise, sooner or later everyone will be done for.

Therefore, although this rule is harsh, Lin Yue believed it must be made clear to them—not just to them, but to everyone who later joins Xuanwu City, who must obey this iron law.

Yet these words turned Han Ya and her companions' faces pale; they had no doubt that the seemingly young man before them could say and do exactly that.

"Second rule,"

Lin Yue ignored their ashen faces and continued.

"Xuanwu City does not support idlers. Here we can offer you shelter, but food and water must be earned through your labor and value—whether reclaiming fields or standing watch, I will assign tasks according to your abilities. Can you do that?"

"We can! We can do it!"

Han Ya answered immediately without hesitation, fearing that even a second's delay would make him change his mind.

A Qiang and Xiao Hui nodded repeatedly, like chicks pecking at grain.

"What a joke!"

Let alone just working—even if we had to fight monsters to the death, it would be ten thousand times better than wandering outside, scared and starving.

This place is practically paradise in the apocalypse!

"Very well. My name is Lin Yue, and I am the master of Xuanwu City."

Lin Yue was fairly satisfied with their reaction.

"Welcome aboard!"

As Lin Yue's voice faded, a stone‑made suspended staircase appeared out of thin air before Han Ya and the others.

"Good heavens…"

Han Ya's heart also gave a violent twitch.

Although it wasn't the first time seeing it, this scene still amazed him.

She forcibly suppressed her shock, hoisted her completely unconscious brother onto her back, and led the way up.

"What are you staring at? Move!"

She turned back and barked lowly, startling A Qiang and Xiao Hui, who were still in a daze.

The two scrambled after her, crawling and stumbling.

The suspended staircase rose slowly, flying toward the interior of the city.

When they finally climbed onto the city wall and saw the scene inside, they were once again utterly shocked.

Level land, neat ridges, and those two modest‑looking two‑story buildings that, for some reason, gave them an overwhelming sense of security……

Most importantly, there was the still‑burning bonfire, and the aroma of roasted meat drifting in the air that made them salivate wildly!

Here…… is this heaven?

A Qiang and Xiao Hui followed behind her, their faces full of shock and dreamlike wonder.

Everything here is so beautiful it feels unreal.

Gurgle……

An ill-timed sound rang out, breaking this tranquility.

It was A Qiang, his stomach protesting.

His face instantly flushed crimson, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in, embarrassed.

Hey everyone, would you like to come over and have something to eat?

A gentle voice came from beside the fire.

Han Ya and the others then noticed an elderly man about sixty years old smiling at them.

Although they were starving to the point of their fronts touching their backs, being newcomers they couldn't grasp the situation and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Lin Yue saw their embarrassment and spoke:

Alright, I don't have many rules here—just eat if you want to.

After thanking Lin Yue, A Qiang and Xiao Hui grabbed the grilled meat and started eating.

Delicious, so delicious! I haven't had such fragrant grilled meat in ages!

Mmm-hmm! Me too!

Han Ya, meanwhile, stood there with a conflicted expression. She was also hungry, but right now the most important thing was to save her brother Han Yu; yet she didn't know how to bring it up.

In the apocalypse, children are a burden, and medicine is even more precious than food.

She wasn't sure if Lin Yue would be willing to save her brother.

Just then, Lin Yue's gaze fell on Han Ya's back, on the little boy with a flushed complexion and weak breathing.

What's his name?

Lin Yue asked.

He… he's called Han Yu, my brother.

Han Ya quickly replied.

His condition is not good.

Lin Yue's brows furrowed slightly,

If not treated soon, it will become dangerous.