They realized instantly. Obviously, in such a context, a single misstep could lead to a direct conflict between the Federal Military Department and Ming State Underground City!

Because behind that group of five Martial Kings and directly opposite these Federation soldiers, as time progressed, more and more figures had appeared, shadowy and vague... But undoubtedly, they were all inhabitants of the Underground City; they were the rats of the Ming State Underground City.

But do not forget, they are people too!

Therefore, the expressions on Xu Hua and An Xi's faces froze, growing even more solemn.

After exchanging a glance, An Xi remained silent, and Xu Hua slowly stepped forward from the crowd. He even pushed aside the soldiers protecting him, exposing himself fully to these Martial Kings.

He surveyed the surroundings, then spoke gravely, "Since you are the ones in charge of the Ming State Underground City, where were you when the turmoil in the Ming State Underground City occurred?"

One of the five Martial Kings, a familiar face, immediately retorted, "HEH HEH HEH, the Ming State Underground City is not under Federation control, so why do you care where we were! In any case, you are not taking these people away today!"

Obviously, if anyone stood in front of this person, they would immediately realize this was the same person who, a week ago, had battled Wang Zhan in the Underground City: Chen Min, the King of Ming State Underground City!

He had disappeared right after the fight, only making his reappearance now. And as soon as he appeared, he played a Wang Zha.

But Xu Hua and An Xi were no ordinary figures to be intimidated by him. A cold light suddenly flashed in their eyes as they immediately sensed the changes around them.

RUMBLE... RUMBLE...

One wave of sound after another resonated all around, drawing closer. Only then did the soldiers, who had hastily alerted themselves to the danger, realize those were the sounds of footsteps, followed by the people of the Ming State Underground City!

Among them, some were even the lowest of the low, clothed in rags—the smallest rats of the Underground City. Yet all of them, at this moment, due to Chen Min's call, had followed the crowd here, flowing in ceaselessly like a school of fish crossing a river.

In the blink of an eye, their number had exceeded fifty thousand! This was utterly terrifying, placing tremendous psychological pressure on the soldiers belonging to the Federal Military Department.

After that, Chen Min, his back to the citizens he had rallied, faced Xu Hua and An Xi with a dark expression.

Suddenly, he bellowed, "Release them!!"

The shout echoed: "Release them!!... Release them!!... Release them!!..."

The echo lingered, seemingly endless, resounding in the expansive yet narrow Ming State Underground City like one death knell after another. It reverberated in the ears of all Federation soldiers!

Originally, the Federation had twenty thousand soldiers stationed above, guarding all exits of the Ming State Underground City, ensuring that one could enter but not leave. But looking at it now, it seemed impossible for Generals Xu Hua and An Xi to bring those forces down into the Ming State Underground City!

Because it was clear the opposition had come prepared...

At the same time, with Chen Min's overwhelming show of force, the members of the major noble families, who had been ready to lay down their weapons and surrender, immediately stiffened their resolve. Not only did they immediately retrieve their weapons, but they also used the terrain of the Ming State Underground City to quickly establish a tight, temporary defensive formation.

Compared to their previous disorganization, the difference was night and day!

Obviously, they were prepared to resist to the bitter end. It was just unknown who would be the ones putting up a desperate last stand—them, or the Federation soldiers before them.

At that moment, seeing such a scene, the faces of the two generals turned ashen and grim.

Using their momentum to pressure the Federation! Using the commoners to pressure the Federation!

Today, these troublesome denizens of the Underground City not only dared to do so, but they had actually succeeded. Even those members of the noble families who were originally going to surrender had now become an enemy within the Federation Army's encirclement, threatening their rear, trapping the Federation forces from both front and rear!

One could imagine how perilous the situation was for the two generals who had vowed to sweep through the Ming State Underground City with lightning speed!

And yet, the real problem did not lie here. Rather, if they conceded and backed down, would that not potentially trigger turmoil in Underground Cities across the entire Federation in the future? After all, a precedent would have been set!

They both realized this could be a situation that would bring disaster to the entire Federation.

Therefore, even if An Xi normally had an excellent temper, he was so enraged by Chen Min that he was practically fuming, gritting his teeth as he said in a low, sinister voice, "You are courting death!!"

Meanwhile, Xu Hua gazed intently at the Martial King before him, then waved his hand and shouted sternly, "Federation forces! Prepare for battle!!..."

His voice was no less powerful than Chen Min's, echoing through countless streets and alleys.

Instantly, THUD! THUD! THUD!... A series of sounds from ranks being formed echoed.

The faces of the Federation soldiers showed a similar resolve, all aware of the bitter battle to come. They immediately formed a tight circle around the two generals, not yielding an inch!

Heads held high, weapons in hand. Their gazes were so fierce that even though each was merely a low-level Martial Artist, even Grandmasters could feel an unprecedented pressure emanating from them!

If the Federation soldiers had previously been like docile kittens, then evidently, at this very moment, they had completely transformed into ferocious tigers—or rather, revealed their true nature!

We are invincible!

However, looking at the two groups present—on one side, the residents of the Underground City, riding their momentum; on the other, the well-trained Federation soldiers!

Regardless of what happened next, or whether a real battle would truly erupt, Xu Hua and An Xi both understood that a reprimand was inevitable. Yet, compared to receiving a reprimand and their careers being temporarily stalled, what they truly could not bear was the undeniable fact of the Federal Military Department yielding to the Underground City.

That would become a disgrace for the entire Federation!!

Therefore... Fight! Fight! Fight!...

Without a doubt, the chaotic situation in the Ming State Underground City could originally have been gradually pacified. However, when the true masters of the Ming State Underground City—the kings who governed this city—finally appeared, the Federation's preparations proved to be sorely insufficient. The situation in the Underground City was instantly reignited like dry tinder!

「As a result.」

In front of Cheng Deming, the many high-ranking officials intently watching the recorded footage could already foresee the subsequent developments.

The Federation will gain nothing from this!

The Underground City... it was, after all, the Underground City of those rats!

Therefore, naturally, in the ensuing developments, Xu Hua and An Xi both encountered an outcome that was unexpected yet entirely logical.

They... were defeated.

Or perhaps it could not be called a defeat, but rather a strategic retreat.

Because, facing such a vast population from the Underground City, no matter how formidable they were, they could not maintain their lightning offensive. They could only choose to fight their way out and return to the Federation!

Even when the hidden Martial Emperor Expert made a move and captured the master of Ming State Underground City—Martial King Chen Min—the middle-aged man's reaction was still beyond everyone's expectations. He just continued to sneer defiantly, allowing that Martial King to grip his neck, then waved his hand and signaled.

"Kill!!..."

"Kill! Kill! Kill!!..."

「An unknown amount of time passed.」

The office was completely silent. Cheng Deming closed his eyes, his face expressionless. The slightly graying temples on both sides of his head trembled faintly, proving to those present that his inner state was far from as calm as it appeared!

Therefore, just a moment later, the silence was abruptly broken by Cheng Deming. The man, in his fifties, who had once invited Wang Zhan to his home, suddenly opened his eyes. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he said, "Gentlemen, now that you have seen the consequences of the Federal Military Department's expedition into the Underground City, do you not have anything to say?"

Those words struck everyone like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. They were both a statement of fact and a blow to their core.

Nearly a hundred years had passed since the establishment of the Federation. Yet, they had never experienced such a thing. The military forces that ventured into the Underground City were actually besieged by a group of refugees from there, finding themselves trapped. Even their leader! Though the Federation had him at their mercy, he showed no fear and remained defiant, even at the cost of his life!

Nothing like this had ever happened before.

It was as if a bomb of astonishing tonnage had been dropped on the hitherto calm Federation, leaving everyone completely disoriented! This jolted them into realizing just when the Federation's dominance and dignity had fallen to such a state!

However, what left everyone feeling helpless was that this incident had become irrevocable. The only thing that could be done now was damage control: to mitigate the fallout from this incident as much as possible...

However, still, no one stepped forward? They just let the atmosphere grow colder?

Therefore, Cheng Deming stared at these silent officials, his expression growing increasingly cold as he said in a low voice, "So, does no one have anything at all to say?"

He did not even have any further accusations to make. It was as if a fire smoldered in his heart as he looked at these utterly useless figures.

Of course, Cheng Deming's expression was not entirely without effect. At least at this moment, some individuals looked as if they wanted to speak but hesitated, ultimately only staring at him blankly, unable to utter a word.

After a long while, someone finally, under the gazes of the others, plucked up the courage and said to Cheng Deming, "Sir, since matters have reached this stage, unless the Upper and Lower Houses of the Federation can resolve their differences and grant us the appropriate authority, then even if we rack our brains, it will be of no avail!"

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