Chapter 146: Compatriots Beyond the City Walls

"Little girl, eat up. Don’t go hungry—think of your little sister too..."

Early the next morning, ten soldiers from the field army, disguised as ordinary citizens in accordance with Iron Nose’s instructions, dispersed throughout various parts of the cities belonging to the Water River Kingdom. Their mission was to visit the residents and gather more detailed intelligence about the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Iron Nose excused himself from the city under the pretense of 'admiring the majestic landscapes of the Water River Kingdom.' He returned to the “Earthen Matchbox Slum” he had visited the day before, hoping to uncover information that could not be obtained within the city walls.

"And who might you be? A benefactor?"

The little girl’s complexion was pale, though somewhat improved since the previous day. Seeing this, Iron Nose took several pieces of food and some milk from his supplies and gently offered them to her.

"How was yesterday?" he asked softly.

Watching the girl feed milk to her sister, Iron Nose’s mind involuntarily drifted back to his own past before reaching the Cube Kingdom—when, like this girl, he had lost his father, his village was gone, and despair, pain, and helplessness consumed him.

A complex feeling welled up inside him, as if this little girl mirrored his own former self.

"Little girl, would you be interested in living in the Cube Kingdom?"

He approached her, gently patting the top of her head beneath her blue short hair.

Once, it was the king and Sister Lin Ye who had brought him into the Cube Kingdom, granting him a new life. Now, seeing this girl who had suffered a fate so similar, Iron Nose wished to extend the king’s grace to her as well.

To bring her into the Cube Kingdom, so she could receive education and happiness.

Just as Sister Lin Ye had done for him long ago...

"The Cube... Kingdom?"

The girl paused mid-bite, her soft voice tinged with confusion as she asked.

"Yes, the Cube Kingdom. It’s a wonderful society, unlike this place," Iron Nose explained.

He patted his head, realizing that the people here had no concept of what the Cube Kingdom was.

"Brother... what kind of place is it?"

Her gentle nature matched her delicate voice.

"It’s a beautiful, good paradise where no one goes hungry, where all are equal, and everyone creates value through their own labor. There are loving, united, and helpful compatriots, and there is the king whom I trust... It is my homeland, where those I love reside..."

What exactly was the Cube Kingdom? Iron Nose found himself speaking from the heart about the place he cherished.

"That sounds truly beautiful..."

Having experienced the cruelty of survival, the little girl’s eyes sparkled with longing upon hearing Iron Nose’s description. Yet, she did not respond immediately.

"And what about my sister? Can the uncles and aunts here come with us?"

"Your sister can come with you, but I’m afraid I can’t take anyone else," Iron Nose replied.

He wished he could take all these tragic souls away from this hated kingdom, letting them bask in the warm light of the Cube Kingdom.

But he had yet to understand why the Water River Kingdom confined its people outside the city walls. Taking too many at once would be risky; the journey to the Cube Kingdom was long, supplies limited, and they lacked the capacity to carry many.

"I see..."

Receiving Iron Nose’s confirmation, the girl fell silent.

"Don’t rush... think it over carefully. I’ll come back tonight. You can give me your answer then."

It was painful to make such a choice for a little girl, but it was a crossroads everyone must face.

Seeing her hesitation, Iron Nose did not press her further. He left to continue gathering information and planned to return in the afternoon.

"Sir, are you living well here?"

Disguised in a simple blue cloth shirt, Private Li from the field army approached a passerby to ask.

"Quite well, actually. Is there something you need?"

The man stopped, confused by the question.

"Oh, nothing serious, sir. I was just curious. You’re free to go now..."

As he watched another citizen of the Water River Kingdom walk away, Private Li’s head ached.

Minister Iron Nose had said that under such tyrannical rule, the people here could not be truly happy. Yet, every person he asked responded with words like "very good," "fine," or "excellent"—answers that clashed sharply with Iron Nose’s expectations.

"Sir, may I take a moment of your time? How do you feel about living here?"

Private Li continued his inquiries with the next passerby.

Similar scenes unfolded across the city, with the other nine soldiers carrying out the same task.

"Sir, why do you live here?"

Iron Nose kindly offered a roasted potato to an elderly man sitting dazed on a wooden half-brick and voiced his curiosity.

"Life... what life is there?"

The old man did not answer Iron Nose’s question, nor did he accept the food. He simply repeated his words blankly.

Clearly, Iron Nose’s question had unsettled him.

Sighing at the harshness of the world, Iron Nose realized this man’s mental state was likely a product of the Water River Kingdom’s oppression.

He comforted the distressed elder, left the food behind, and moved on to find someone else to question.

"Friend, why don’t you leave this place?"

"The Water River Kingdom won’t allow it..."

Not allowed? Was that the only reason they stayed here to await death? Could they not escape?

Several people gave the same answer, and Iron Nose found it hard to believe. They were human, intelligent beings. Surely, if they ran far enough, the vast land would hide them from the Water River Kingdom’s reach.

"My friend, why heed the Water River Kingdom’s words? Is what they say absolute? If they tell you to die, would you obey?"

Facing a seemingly sane young man, Iron Nose felt compelled to explain freedom and equality.

"The great king... the prophet Mo Fangyuan once said: ‘Walk your own path and let others talk.’"

"We came here willingly..."

The young man clutched his robe tightly and murmured softly.

"What? Willingly?!"

This time, it was Iron Nose’s turn to be stunned. Living like this—freezing to death, starving—and still, some came voluntarily?

"Each year, the village selects a few people to live here. I was chosen, so I came..."

Under Iron Nose’s persistent questioning, the young man began to reveal his story.