Chapter 194: The Steel Torrent

Chapter 194: The Steel Torrent

"Hmm?" Qiong adopted an attentive expression.

"From what I know, the Farlay Dynasty has already breached the Osston Defense Line and will soon reach the capital. Our nation has just been reborn—we shouldn’t waste our precious budget on education right now."

"What? Waste? You think education is a waste?" Qiong’s brows furrowed sharply.

"No, no! I mean education is important, but we can’t spend money on it at this moment. We should divert funds to weapons procurement instead. Only by holding back the Farlay Dynasty will we have the means to discuss education!" Wilbur spoke with fervent passion.

"This matter isn’t something you or I can interfere with. If you have suggestions, you can write to Mr. Ben Keming’s private inbox via the internet!" Qiong replied sternly.

It was clear that although the internet had only just become widespread, Qiong, as a member of the organization, was already well-versed in its use.

"We’ve already written to Mr. Ben Keming, but there’s been no response. He must be extremely busy right now—he doesn’t have time to read our suggestions. That’s why we thought of you. Please, this is urgent!" Wilbur pressed anxiously.

"I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t help you with this. The issue of education funding will surely be considered by those above. I don’t think you need to worry about it."

As she spoke, Qiong beckoned to Xiao Kaier and his brother and began walking away.

"If they’ve already considered it, why are they neglecting the front lines while pushing free education so aggressively? This is completely contrary to the principles of Aji De ideology! Some people in our ranks are too idealistic! Qiong, this concerns the success of our great movement—how can you be so indifferent?"

Wilbur chased after her, desperately trying to persuade her.

Xiao Kaier didn’t dare speak, keeping close behind and straining his ears to listen.

The more he heard, the paler his face became.

He realized that what Wilbur was saying was probably true.

He remembered clearly—just days ago, the newspaper headlines were still about the Osston Defense Line.

Yet now, suddenly, no one was talking about it.

Would the Farlay Dynasty suddenly retreat?

That didn’t seem likely.

He had heard many gentlemen discussing this topic before.

So there was only one possibility—public attention had been diverted.

Of course, Xiao Kaier didn’t yet understand the concept of "public opinion," but he was beginning to grasp the idea.

Amidst his unease and Wilbur’s relentless persuasion, the group arrived at the harbor.

It was a private fishing harbor.

In Pu'en City, where people lived off the sea, there were many such harbors.

The sea breeze carried the scent of salt as fishing boats bobbed on the waves.

On the pungent docks, fishermen who had finished their work were mending nets and patching holes.

A few old cats sat obediently beside them, waiting for any small fish that might fall from the nets.

A dark-faced old man hurried over, looking flustered. "Miss Qiong, what brings you here? The wind is strong by the sea—where’s your carriage?"

It was clear that the old man genuinely cared for Qiong—his concern was hard to fake.

"The carriages have all been requisitioned. I’m fine," Qiong casually deflected before changing the subject. "By the way, Uncle Shandi, this is Xiao Kaier, the boy I mentioned to you at noon. I’ll leave him in your care—just make sure his salary is paid daily!"

Qiong spoke as she pushed Xiao Kaier forward.

"Alright! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure this gets done properly," Uncle Shandi nodded repeatedly.

"Xiao Kaier, you’ll be staying with Uncle Shandi! I’ve already arranged it for you—after school in the afternoons, you’ll come help sort the fishing nets, and your salary will be paid daily," Qiong said with a smile.

This job was actually something Qiong had secured for Xiao Kaier through personal connections.

It had to be understood that although the newly established Empire of Infer had issued decrees, the fledgling nation was still in the midst of rebuilding from the ground up. Those at the top were swamped with work—how could they spare the effort to handle such minor details?

So, it was merely a framework that had been conceived long ago.

As for the work-study program, it was just a single line:

"Local Compulsory Education Department officials must thoroughly understand the hardships faced by struggling students and provide assistance within their means—for example, through work-study programs."

"Thank you, Teacher Qiong!" Xiao Kaier hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

"No problem. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now!"

Qiong waved her hand, a flicker of urgency flashing in her eyes.

Wilbur’s warning had swayed her. She wanted to avoid the crowd and privately contact her father using the organization’s internal internet communication channel.

"Teacher, wait!" Xiao Kaier suddenly called out to her.

"Hmm?" Qiong turned back.

"Teacher… will the Farlay Dynasty really attack us?" Xiao Kaier asked, his face filled with unease.

Though he had only experienced half a day of compulsory education, he had already grown attached to his teachers. He feared that if the Farlay Dynasty invaded, it would destroy the stroke of good fortune he had finally encountered.

"Don’t worry. Our warriors will stop them," Qiong reassured him.

No sooner had her words fallen than a clamor of loud, chaotic slogans erupted.

Everyone turned to look.

A large crowd of workers was slowly escorting several prisoner transport carts, their procession stretching far and wide.

The crowd erupted in excitement as countless workers raised banners and chanted slogans, their voices surging like a tidal wave.

Inside the carts were none other than the old nobles who had refused to surrender!

They were now enduring the most humiliating punishment—a public humiliation parade.

These nobles had initially borne their disgrace in silence, but the moment they spotted Qiong standing at the crossroads, they suddenly grew agitated.

"Qiong! It’s you! Where’s that damned Sir Bai Ruide? How can you sleep at night after climbing over our corpses to seize power, huh?"

"Traitors! You’re all traitors! The Four Primordial Gods will punish you!"

"Filthy bitch, don’t get too cocky! If you dare deceive us now, someone will dare deceive you in the future! You think you’ll get to enjoy wealth and status? Dream on! Have you forgotten what Aji De ideology is? They’re just using your hands to eliminate us. Once we’re dead, you won’t be far behind!"

"Hahaha! I’ll be waiting for you in heaven! No—you don’t even deserve to enter heaven!"

Truly, they were old nobles—even in their fury, their words remained sharp and logically structured.

Qiong’s face remained cold, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

She didn’t care about these words.

She had heard them too many times before.

The knowledge spread by Mr. Aji De had also taught them how to divide their enemies and rally allies.

This was nothing more than tactics they had long since mastered.

Yet, the old nobles’ subsequent curses sent a chill through her heart, stirring an even deeper unease.

"Do you really think betraying us will allow you to keep your wealth and status? Let me tell you, you haven’t just betrayed the royal family—you’ve betrayed the Four Primordial Gods! The Farlay Dynasty’s army will soon crush the Empire of Infer! By then, the riches before your eyes will vanish like smoke! Look at your steam engines—have they all failed? How many usable weapons do you even have left? None!"

"Let me guess—has the Farlay Dynasty’s army already crossed the Osston Defense Line? Your doom is near."

"It’s not just the Farlay Dynasty—the entire world will stand against you! The Internet God you worship is nothing but an evil god! No, he’s not even a god—he’s a monster! A monster! A monster!"

The old nobles screamed like madmen.

Every word hit where it hurt.

With their formidable physiques, their roars even drowned out the protest chants for a moment.

At that instant, the fervent crowd noticeably quieted.

Even if some continued shouting slogans, the earlier fervor did not return.

Many workers exchanged uneasy glances.

Wilbur’s face paled drastically.

Wasn’t this exactly what he had feared—the very scenario the old nobles were describing?

Qiong’s expression turned icy.

Frowning, she grew anxious, even instinctively considering sending a message to her father.

But just then, gasps erupted from the crowd.

"What is that?"

Startled, Qiong looked up and scanned her surroundings. What she saw on the ocean made her pupils constrict and her scalp tingle.

A massive black hole had appeared on the calm sea.

Under the stunned gazes of the onlookers, airships painted with red-eyed and fanged patterns—like deep-sea predators—emerged from the black hole.

One after another, they poured out endlessly, filling the sky in the blink of an eye.

"Citizens, please remain calm. This is a routine military exercise. Please comply with the temporary coastal blockade regulations!"

Mechanical, repetitive announcements echoed along the shoreline.

Inside the prisoner transport carts, the old nobles who had been raving moments ago gaped at the surreal sight, their eyes wide with horror.

All their cutting words were now choked back in their throats.

Any hope they had clung to—that the Farlay Dynasty’s attack might save them—was utterly shattered in that instant.

Qiong, Xiao Kaier, Wilbur, and countless protesting workers stood frozen in awe.

Their dazed eyes fixed on the coastline, where low buildings did nothing to obstruct their view.

In the distance, they could even see countless steam locomotives advancing densely along the shore.

"Impossible! The Empire of Infer’s army has no such unit!"

Wilbur, who clearly had in-depth knowledge of the Empire’s forces, stared dumbfounded at the Steel Torrent emerging from the ocean.

If not for the silent coastal artillery along the shore…

If not for his thorough understanding of Pu'en’s naval strength…

If not for the fact that these heaven-sent troops had not opened fire…

He would have truly suspected this Steel Torrent belonged to the Empire’s army!

"Aji De! It must be Mr. Aji De!" Qiong murmured to herself. "No one else in the Empire of Infer could have created such a miracle!"