Chapter307

With the bridge destroyed, ordinary people could only cross the river by boat. Thankfully, there weren't many residents on the other side.

Zhou You and Shao Qi didn't need a boat. They could easily leap across the wide river, drawing envious glances from ordinary folk.

"I wish I were a martial artist too, scaling walls and wielding weapons. It's so cool, like a superhero."

"What's a superhero compared to our eastern heroes? Those deemed martial deities are legends, forever etched in history."

"Those who achieve such status must be extraordinary. From what I see, modern martial arts isn't far off from the martial arts novels and series of the past. Our ancestors' wisdom is truly invaluable."

"Of course, martial arts have ancient roots. It's just that the world's spiritual energy has recently reemerged. Wait a few more centuries, and if Earth's energy remains, martial arts will flourish again. Perhaps humans will even ascend to immortality."

"We won't live to see that day. Witnessing the rise of a martial deity in our lifetime is fortunate enough. Sadly, as a commoner, I can't even achieve the rank of warrior. I can only wonder who might ascend to that lofty realm first in this era."

"I'd bet on the young elites from the major sects. The leaders are aging, so the young ones have a longer path ahead. And then there's our Marshal Shao. As the military's number one and one of the nation's top three martial artists, he's surely a contender."

"Top three? He's indisputably number one! Marshal Shao is the world's greatest. No arguments!"

"Ha! You've been idolizing him for years without even knowing what he looks like. Meeting him would be the highlight of your life, wouldn't it?"

"No, it'd be the culmination of my life!"

Zhou You glanced at Shao Qi and intentionally walked past the few road workers with him, kindly warning them, “Gentlemen, heavy snow is about to fall. Whether you fix this road or not might not make much difference.”

The workers looked up at Zhou You, noting he posed no threat. They chuckled, “Whether the road gets fixed is up to the government. All we do is work. We heard the bridge construction nearby will be done today. Once we finish the road, it will benefit them.”

“I see.”

Zhou You strutted past them with Shao Qi, drawing the attention of many. However, most eyes were on Shao Qi. With Zhou You having an average build, it's only natural that ordinary people would be more curious about a martial artist like Shao Qi.

Once at a distance, Zhou You joked, “I wonder if that guy will ever realize that his idol just walked past him.”

“What would it matter if he knew? We have no connection. Recognizing me wouldn’t earn him an extra point.”

The sky was overcast, dark clouds gathering. Before they could reach Litchi Mansion, a loud clap of thunder sounded, followed by a downpour. Both sought shelter under a pavilion in a park.

“Thunder in this season?” Zhou You couldn’t remember if there was such an anomaly last winter.

Shao Qi looked up at the sky, his expression as grim as the weather, “Unusual weather patterns are rarely good news. If the forecast said it would snow, it will. But such a heavy thunderstorm is indeed rare.”

Even under the eaves, both would get soaked quickly. A blinding flash of lightning illuminated the sky. As Zhou You awaited the thunder, he detected faint footsteps — sounds he would’ve missed if not for his keen hearing.

“Someone’s approaching.”

“They mean no good.”

They spoke simultaneously.

A net suddenly dropped from above, encasing both them and the pavilion. Around them appeared a dozen fully-armed figures in black, cautiously closing in.

Shao Qi quickly threw Zhou You out of the encirclement and with a powerful punch shattered the eave of the pavilion. He narrowly dodged the descending net, only to be met with several swords swinging at him.

Zhou You swiftly hid behind a decorative rock. The assassins, having weighed their options, didn’t pursue. Perhaps in their eyes, Shao Qi was the primary target, and losing one was of no consequence.

Shao Qi drew a dagger from his boot, parrying the incoming blades. Pushing them away, he sprang up, surveyed the attackers, and sneered, “Whoever sent you dogs has poor judgment.”

“No more words, just get him — dead or alive!”

Atop the rock formation, Zhou You observed the combat. He could have easily escaped earlier, but since Shao Qi had tossed him to safety, he was confident Shao Qi could handle the situation.

His concern was whether there were more backup assassins nearby. Anyone daring to assassinate Shao Qi probably knew his identity, and they wouldn’t be naive enough to think a dozen or so killers would be enough.

This group was among the most formidable Zhou You had encountered, far surpassing those he'd faced at the Jiangnan base.

Shao Qi was armed only with a short dagger, while the enemies wielded similar large blades — suggesting they either came from the same school or were trained killers from the same place.

Both men had been out shopping today, equipped only with convenient weapons. While Zhou You had curved knives and steel needles, Shao Qi probably had only the dagger and a gun.

Just as Zhou You contemplated providing support, Shao Qi’s arms were suddenly covered with steel bracers that repelled all blades, effectively blocking every attack.