"Everyone, hands up! Quickly!"
As the sun climbed higher, the sweltering heat left people drenched in sweat. The open space in front of the church was crowded with squatting people, surrounded by a circle of individuals in camouflage uniforms and headscarves. Each of them held a gun, ready to shoot anyone who dared make even the slightest move.
From within the crowd came suppressed sobs. Someone, overwhelmed by emotion, stood up in a fit of desperation. A rifle shot rang out, and the person collapsed into a pool of blood, struggling briefly before going still.
"Ah..."
The brutal scene incited greater fear among the crowd. Faces pale, weary, and terrified appeared before Nan Fei, making her instinctively furrow her brows.
"Don't be afraid!" Gongxi Yunqi, at some point, had taken her hand gently, whispering words of comfort: "This isn't your fault." His palm was dry and warm, providing her with the greatest encouragement and strength.
