[Scorpion City]

Silence.

That was the only thing that could be felt throughout the various streets. The lively atmosphere that once defined the city had completely disappeared.

Even the wind seemed quieter than usual as an invisible pressure weighed heavily upon everyone.

Scorpion Men, women, and children walked carefully as they whispered to each other. None of them dared raise their voices.

Their previous pride and confidence were long gone and only fear and nervousness hung on their faces.

Their eyes constantly wandered around.

Rumors of the war had spread like wildfire through Scorpion City.

Every Scorpion clansman knew of their mighty army going out to defeat their enemy, and they were all expecting their glorious return.

When the army first departed, the entire city had celebrated.

Many believed victory was already assured.

But now, news of their potential defeat was the only thing that could be heard everywhere. To make the rumor even worse, news of the palace guards rushing out of the city only added fuel to the fire.

"Mama... are we going to lose?" a young Scorpion child asked, looking at his parents.

His innocent voice sounded unusually loud amidst the quiet street. Several nearby Scorpion clansmen unconsciously looked over.

"Shush!"

The terrified Scorpion woman immediately covered her child’s mouth, her eyes frantically looking around in panic, hoping others had not heard her childish son’s comment.

Cold sweat appeared on her forehead and her breathing quickened.

Fear was plainly written across her face. Swiftly, the family rushed to leave the street with fear etched across their faces.

The atmosphere grew heavier with every passing moment.

The guards’ expressions were tense. Their patrol duration had increased dramatically.

Every patrol moved with heightened vigilance.

Their hands rarely left their weapons.

Patrol guards rarely appeared on the Scorpion streets since they had nothing to fear.

In the past, their presence was almost unnecessary. The city’s reputation alone was enough to deter enemies.

Unlike other clan towns that lived alongside other Carapace Clans and humans, the Scorpion Clan alone lived in their mighty city.

Their territory had always been considered impregnable and no neighboring clan dared provoke them.

And for many years, they had never been attacked, nor had their peace been threatened until today. Generations had grown up without ever witnessing war reach their homeland.

Thus, the mere sight of the increasing number of patrol guards had scared the Scorpion clansmen.

With each passing second, the streets grew quieter and quieter. Even the bustling commercial district gradually emptied.

Stores closed their doors.

One after another.

Doors were shot close.

Parents closed their windows and doors while holding their children close to them. For many, this was their very first experience of such heart-pounding tension.

Many could only pray their King would resolve the issue immediately. He was the pillar supporting the entire Scorpion Clan.

The symbol of their strength and the source of their confidence.

As for their King, he remained seated on his throne inside his chamber. His posture had not changed since the beginning of the ordeal.

He neither moved nor spoke.

His position had never changed since the beginning of the ordeal. It was as though the chaos outside had nothing to do with him.

His eyes were closed, lazily resting on his throne.

No emotion could be seen on his face.

He simply sat there in silence.

However, the same could not be said for the elders. Their expressions were ugly.

Every one of them wore a solemn face as an invisible pressure hung over the chamber. The atmosphere had become increasingly oppressive.

"We need to do something," one of the elders said in a solemn voice.

His face was filled with anxiety. He looked around at the others before continuing.

"We can’t allow the rumor to continue spreading. This will affect our people’s trust in us and our army."

Many elders nodded in agreement. The issue before them was no longer only the battlefield.

The city itself had begun falling into disorder.

While they were trying to get information from the front line, who would have thought rumors about the war would spread throughout the city?

The speed at which the rumors spread completely caught them off guard.

None of them had anticipated such a development.

This enraged them.

Their expressions became increasingly ugly.

What they were trying to keep under wraps was laid bare in the open.

Now, their people were living in fear and panic.

The confidence the Scorpion Clan had built over countless years was beginning to crack.

"If we are going to stop the rumor, we must first find the source," the Old Elder said in a solemn tone.

His expression remained calm. But his words immediately caused the atmosphere to change.

"Where did the rumor come from?"

The Old Elder looked at the faces of the elders one after another. His gaze lingered on each person as though trying to discover something hidden.

Feeling the Old Elder’s gaze, many elders were stunned.

Many even frowned and some narrowed their eyes.

"Old Elder, are you suggesting that, among us, one of us spread the rumor?" an elder asked with a grim expression.

His face gradually darkened.

"How could you say this?" His voice rose in indignation and his expression became increasingly furious.

"We’re fighting for the continuation of our species. Who would be so foolish as to tarnish the image of our Scorpion Clan?"

His anger flared and his fists unconsciously tightened.

Others elders were equally furious.

One after another.

They began glaring at the Old Elder.

The clan’s situation was already tense, but who would have thought the Old Elder would start pointing fingers without evidence?

His accusation only made the atmosphere worse.

"Old Elder, this is not good. Are you trying to cause chaos among us?" another elder asked in a cold voice with an obvious dissatisfaction on his face.

"Thousands of our army have mysteriously disappeared in the desert. You are not worried about that, yet you are pointing fingers at others."

The elder’s voice echoed throughout the chamber. His words immediately gained support from several others.

"Who knows if you’re not the one behind this in the first place?" The accusation struck like lightning.

Many elders instinctively looked toward the Old Elder. When the Old Elder heard this, his expression turned ugly.

The wrinkles on his aged face tightened and his eyes instantly became sharp.

"How dare you question my loyalty to the clan?" the Old Elder shouted, pointing his staff at the elder.

A powerful aura unconsciously escaped from his body as his anger was no longer concealed.

"Nonsense. You can question our loyalty, so why can’t we question yours?" another elder fired back, his face filled with disdain.

Watching the elders ganging up on him, the Old Elder was furious, gritting his teeth. His grip around the wooden staff tightened.

His entire body trembled slightly from anger.

The chamber instantly descended into chaos.

"Huff..."

Suddenly, a deep groan escaped from the King’s throat. The sound was neither loud nor forceful.

Yet, the entire chamber instantly fell silent as every elder immediately closed his mouth.

"Let’s wait for news from the palace guards." The King’s voice was deep, ancient, and filled with authority.