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The commoners at the bottom live the hardest lives, with the weakest ability to withstand risks.
At the slightest disturbance, many ordinary people lack even the ability to escape.
Men like these two, who looked like merchants, were a cut above the rest among the commoners; at least they could play both sides. Not only did they have legal identities with the Black Tiger Gang, but they also secretly held valid identities with the Nine Insect Gang.
In modern terms, that would be akin to having dual citizenship.
Some who couldn't secure legal identities from other factions and had a small amount of money foresaw the changes early. They sold their assets and moved to the areas most likely to be taken over by the Shennong Sect.
After a stable transition, they'd still be able to purchase land and live a good life.
The most tormented must be the impoverished, ordinary folks without money or connections.
