National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

Before his words had even faded, Zheng Bolan raised a hand and said calmly, "I really don't blame you.

It's just that the situation is uncertain right now. I just want you to leave first

to avoid getting dragged into any trouble that might follow. I'm just looking out for you, you know?"

The friend, who had been on the verge of launching into another long-winded explanation, froze as if hit by an Immobilization Spell.

His words died in his throat, his face paled and flushed,

and finally, he could only give a helpless nod. Then, along with the others,

he turned and walked away in a suffocating silence.

They all knew.

In that moment,

an invisible chasm had opened up between them and Zheng Bolan.

The carefree days they had spent messing around together

would now be nothing more than a memory, sealed away forever.

Once his friends' figures had faded into the distance, Zheng Bolan slowly raised an arm, gesturing for them to proceed.

In his other hand, he tightly gripped a dagger that glinted coldly.

Its blade flashed with a chilling light under the sun, stained with flecks of blood.

After a moment's thought, he put the dagger away.

It was the very weapon that had been plunged deep into his body.

When Chu He had used his miraculous power to heal him,

the dagger had been expelled by some unseen force, falling to the ground with a CLANG.

But Zheng Bolan hadn't left it there. He had bent down, picked it up, and clutched it tightly.

He had made a silent vow,

that if he ever had the chance to meet him again—

the man who had so cruelly plunged the dagger into his body and threatened him with vicious words—

he would, without hesitation, personally drive this same dagger into his assailant's body.

He would make him feel the same gut-wrenching pain and take revenge for what had been done to him today.

"Who are those people?"

Yumizakura tilted her head slightly, her lovely eyes glancing toward the country villa ahead.

Figures could be seen moving silently around the villa and across its roof.

Their movements were light and agile, and they flickered in and out of sight in the interplay of sun and shadow.

"Those are the security guards my parents hired for a hefty sum.

Some of them are Martial Artists who focus solely on their Martial Arts training. Their strength is not to be underestimated.

My parents also have a team of well-trained bodyguards with them at all times.

Actually, my parents warned me over and over again

to be good and stay home during this… special time, and not to go out for any reason.

But I just let their words go in one ear and out the other. I didn't take it seriously at all.

Looking back, if I hadn't run into Mr. Chu by chance

during that terrifying incident on the streets of Chiyoda City,

I'm afraid that even if I had been lucky enough to survive, I would have spent a very long time in a hospital bed."

As he said this, Zheng Bolan looked at Chu He again,

his eyes filled

not only with awe for Chu He's powerful and mysterious abilities but also with profound gratitude.

Zheng Xuezhen nestled close to her brother,

her bright eyes stealing glances at Chu He, full of curiosity and wonder.

She had originally thought

that someone as extraordinary as Chu He, with his miraculous abilities,

would surely be displeased by her earlier rudeness and give her and her brother the cold shoulder.

But to her surprise, not only was he not the least bit angry,

he had even taken the initiative to offer them his help.

This stark contrast caused Zheng Xuezhen's feelings toward Chu He to do a complete one-eighty.

Her initial dislike and resistance had transformed into admiration and respect,

and her curiosity about him grew even stronger.

"Looks like among the security guards your family hired,

there might be a traitor planted by someone else. Or maybe they're all traitors."

The corners of Yumizakura's lips curled into a charming, enigmatic smile.

It was a smile that held a hint of teasing, yet seemed to conceal a deeper meaning. She spoke slowly,

her voice as crisp and pleasant as a silver bell, yet it sent a subtle ripple through the seemingly calm atmosphere.

"Huh? What? That's impossible!"

Zheng Bolan looked as if he had been struck by lightning.

He froze on the spot, his feet seemingly rooted to the ground,

planted firmly on the stone path, unable to move a single step.

His eyes flew wide, filled with terror and disbelief.

His gaze first locked onto Yumizakura's beautiful yet knowing face,

before he snapped to his senses and whipped his head around,

scanning the security guards patrolling his family's residence.

"When this group took on the security detail,

they must have been fully briefed on the situation and all the background details.

Logically, as professional security,

their first and foremost duty is to protect the lives and property of their clients at all costs.

So, how is it that the two of you were able to just casually walk out of the house?

That clearly indicates that someone among them deliberately let you go.

Besides, just look at them now on their patrols.

Their faces show no hint of seriousness or tension.

Some of them even have a vacant look in their eyes, as if their souls have left their bodies."