…

At this moment, the barrage was filled with question marks, a sea of symbols that lasted for a full thirty seconds before words gradually appeared.

[Damn? Brother Crow Nest is awesome!]

[It’s true, I’m on the front lines, the regime’s dogs have all run away hahahaha!]

[The wolf pack is attacking the tower head-on, are you guys sneaking in from behind? What a fantastic collaboration]

[Although, shouldn’t the wronged have their grievances righted? Taking children as hostages isn’t good, is it?]

[To the person above, what’s up with your saintliness? These rich kids are born guilty, Mr. Muto, finish them!]

[Sorry, I was too loud in cursing you before. Crow Nest! Our king!]

…

Muto Dongying’s eyes were sharp, his voice full of pressure: “Now, the negotiations between Crow Nest and the authorities officially begin.”

“I guarantee on the honor of the entire Crow Nest that as long as the City Council meets our demands, these children will be released immediately, and no one will be harmed.”

“But if the City Council defies our will, these fragile lives will be the sacrifice, and the blood of the children will stain the hands of you officials, and you will bear eternal guilt.”

“That is all I will say. I now, on behalf of all my fellow Border District inhabitants, make the following demands to the New Moon City Council.”

“First, the regime’s armed forces must cease all firefighting actions and not harm any of the Border District compatriots within the Inner City, allowing them free movement.”

“Second, release all the Border District companions imprisoned and return their freedom so they can reunite with their families and brothers.”

“Third, abolish the Border Isolation Act, start the Rust Wall Demolition Plan, fully dismantle the Rust Wall, and completely restore traffic between the Border District and the Inner City.”

“Fourth…”

In Muto Dongying’s eyes seemed to burn with fire, his voice like a giant bell:

“Redistribute the administration of this city; from now on, the Border District is independent of New Moon City, no longer a district, but a city unit on par with New Moon City—independent Border City!”

The first three demands were already unbelievable.

The last demand took everyone’s shock to the extreme!

Border independence, what does that mean?!

Needless to say, New Moon City.

In the 152 years since post-war civilization reconstruction, no district under the World Government has ever become independent; Crow Nest is making history!

Amidst the shock, Muto Dongying continued: “I need to specifically explain the fourth demand.”

“After the Border District becomes an independent city, it must enjoy all the policies and treatments of the World Government, including but not limited to infrastructure, road planning, special funding support, tax concessions, and so on…”

“The benefits New Moon City has, Border City must fully have. All residents living there should have formal identification and household registration.”

“In terms of administrative structure, the first City Council of Border City will be selected from within the Border District residents, where we will have high autonomy, self-governance by Border District people, and no outsiders shall intervene.”

“All of these cannot be just verbal agreements; they must appear in the authorities’ official documents and be announced throughout the region, possessing irrevocable legal force.”

“These are all the demands of Crow Nest. Meeting them is the only condition for us to release the hostages!”

…

The barrage exploded at this moment:

[Damn?? Witnessing history?!]

[Does that mean it’s no longer called the Border District but Border City? Is it on par with New Moon City?!]

[We’re finally not fourth-class citizens! Finally, no more being stepped on!]

[What I could only imagine in my head, you actually did! Regardless of whether it succeeds, Crow Nest is amazing!!!]

[Crow Nest has gone through so much for the Border District, brothers, I’m really tearing up as an old Border local…]

[Eight years! My dad and mom were beaten to death by the sheriff for no reason! Eight whole years! I finally see this day for them! Damn New Moon City! Damn it!]

[King of the Borderlands! Just for this feat, I’ll recognize you Crow Nest as King of the Borderlands for a lifetime!]

[Crow Nest, our king!]

[Crow Nest, our king!]

Later, the barrage was filled with “Crow Nest, our king!”

The uniform text was like a surging torrent, proclaiming an unstoppable popular will.

…

With Muto Dongying’s wave, the live feed split into two halves.

Muto Dongying was on the left, and on the right appeared the dark face of New Moon City’s acting City Council President Sikinkov.

Muto Dongying was having a live conversation with Sikinkov, chin raised as he said, “Mr. Acting President, I believe you’ve heard clearly, this isn’t child’s play, it’s the Border District’s roar under oppression.”

“The Inner City regards the Border District as trash, unwilling to be with us. All right, as you please, we’ll each be well on our own.”

“From today on, there’s no Border District, only Border City, on par with New Moon City, with no affiliation to it at all.”

Sikinkov’s face turned blue with anger, saying gravely: “Muto Dongying, I understand the feelings of the Border District compatriots, but I hope your side will remain restrained and calm.”

“If the Border District compatriots are unhappy with their situation, we can negotiate amicably and offer the Border District some compensatory preferential policies.”

“But you’re asking for the Border District to be separated as an independent city? This is unreasonable, and certainly not the collective aspiration of the Border District compatriots.”

…

Barrage:

[Unreasonable my ass, you really think we care so much about the name New Moon City? Wouldn’t becoming a new city be great?]

[Call us compatriots all you want, who are you anyway? You old plump living in the Inner City, you think you’re qualified to call us compatriots?!]

[Have you ever been to the Border District? Have you ever treated us like humans? If you’ve ever been to the Border District and seen the misery here, you wouldn’t be spouting this nonsense!]

[Mr. Muto, don’t be swayed by him, trash policies compensations! As long as we remain under New Moon City’s control, the Border District will never have good days! The City Council must let us decide for ourselves!]

[Hilarious, look at Sikinkov’s dark face.爽啊!让代议长露出这种表情,真爽!太特么解恨了!]

[Oh look, Mr. City Councilor, when did you become so weak? When do you have to submit in front of Border District people?!]

…

Muto Dongying with a smile: “Mr. Acting President, it seems you don’t understand the situation. This is not a negotiation, it’s a demand, and I have chips you cannot refuse.”

With that said, he casually grabbed a crying child into the frame, holding him up and shaking him in front of the camera.

It was obvious to see Sikinkov gritting his teeth, his face dark as if water was about to drip off it, caught in intense mental struggle.

On one side were over three hundred heirs of wealthy and powerful people.

On the other side was his duty and the dignity of the entire World Government.

He was caught in the middle, almost crushed.

It is unknown how much time passed, but in unwillingness, he trembled, gritting out a sentence: “New Moon City must remain intact, and any divisive acts are unacceptable.”

Muto Dongying’s smile gradually disappeared, a chill never seen before covered his face: “It seems some people are not clear, they don’t understand their predicament.”

Sikinkov pressed both hands down, advising earnestly: “Mr. Muto, hostage-taking will not benefit any party. We should find a fair and harmonious way to address the differences.”

Muto Dongying was emotionless: “Alright, since you give such a perfunctory response, I will have to give an appropriate one then, otherwise, you won’t understand what you’re facing.”

Sikinkov frowned deeply: “What do you intend to do?”

Muto Dongying: “You will find out soon, Acting President Sikinkov. Remember, whatever happens next will be on your head, it’s your arrogance and ignorance that caused all this.”

Sikinkov stood up from his seat, still trying to negotiate: “Mr. Muto, please remain calm and restrained! We are willing to explore other solutions to reach a consensus both sides can accept!”

Muto Dongying no longer paid attention to Sikinkov, leaving directly.

The camera was left with only a grey wall and a deathly silence.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep