National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

The sound of Chu He’s calm and assured analysis faded,

slightly dispersing the heavy gloom that had settled over the siblings, Zheng Bolan and Zheng Xuezhen,

allowing their frantically pounding hearts—like birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring—to find a sliver of comfort and calm.

Just a moment before, the mere thought of their parents facing danger had been enough

to shatter the siblings’ composure like a collapsing dam, utterly overwhelmed by a surging tide of panic.

In an instant, they had lost all sense of reason.

The siblings, Zheng Bolan and Zheng Xuezhen, took a deep breath, trying to calm themselves.

Leading Chu He, Yumizakura, and Xia Chengli,

they walked slowly toward the villa ahead, which was partially hidden among the green trees.

The siblings, Zheng Bolan and Zheng Xuezhen, knew full well

that the major project their parents had undertaken was fraught with difficulties and incredibly thorny.

But they had never imagined

that the situation would become so perilous as to be a matter of life and death,

like a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads,

ready to fall at any moment and claim the lives of their entire family.

Fortunately, the gears of fate had turned at a critical moment.

On the bustling streets of Chiyoda City, they had been fortunate enough to meet Chu He and the others.

These compatriots from the Great Xia Empire, who shared their heritage, were like a ray of hope in the darkness,

instantly bringing the siblings hope and comfort.

Moreover, judging by the behavior and demeanor of Chu He and his companions,

it seemed they had only recently arrived in Chiyoda City.

This meant one could reasonably assume

that they and the hidden forces from the White-Red Empire targeting the Zheng Family

were either complete strangers with no connection,

or knew very little and had not yet been drawn into this complex and dangerous vortex.

In this perilous situation, besieged on all sides,

the siblings, after a moment of reflection, understood

that they had no other choice but to place all their trust in Chu He.

They hoped he could use his mysterious abilities and wisdom

to help their family break through the fog of conspiracy and defuse the ever-present danger.

The sudden appearance of their group of five

instantly caused a stir among the security guards who were loitering aimlessly in the courtyard.

It was as if a magic spell had been cast on the security guards;

they froze in place, their expressions stiffening and their eyes widening in shock and confusion.

The faces of many, in particular, seemed to change in an instant,

displaying a variety of strange expressions. Some mouths fell slightly agape in surprise,

some brows furrowed in confusion,

and others betrayed a flicker of panic they were trying to conceal.

Forewarned by Chu He, Zheng Bolan and Zheng Xuezhen

were already on their guard. They knew there might be more to these security guards than met the eye—

that some might have ulterior motives, or perhaps the entire staff were moles working for the enemy.

So, feigning nonchalance, they secretly paid close attention

to every subtle change in the guards’ facial expressions upon their group’s sudden appearance.

Sure enough, their observation paid off.

Unnatural expressions flickered across the faces of many of the guards.

Some had shifty eyes, as if desperately trying to avoid their gaze.

Others had grown slightly pale, fine beads of sweat sprouting on their foreheads.

Despite their best efforts to hide it, these telltale signs did not escape the siblings’ notice.

All this felt like an invisible hand gripping the hearts of Zheng Bolan and Zheng Xuezhen,

plunging them into an icy abyss.

’If even our own security has been so thoroughly infiltrated, if we’re already caught in the enemy’s elaborate trap, then what about our parents, who are far away and completely unaware? Isn’t their situation even more critical?’

Although Chu He’s analysis had acted like a balm, temporarily steadying their emotions,

the deep-seated worry for their parents that Zheng Bolan and Zheng Xuezhen felt

was like a raging fire that could not be extinguished, continuing to burn fiercely within them.

"Young Master Zheng Bolan, Miss Zheng Xuezhen, why have you both returned so suddenly today?"

Just then, a man as burly and broad as a small hill

emerged from the group of security guards.

A Samurai Sword hung imposingly at his waist,

its long, narrow blade tightly encased in its scabbard,

yet it still glinted menacingly in the sunlight.

On his feet, a pair of wooden geta—unique to the White-Red Empire—made a rhythmic

CLACK-CLACK sound as he walked.

Each step seemed to land on everyone’s heart, making them inexplicably tense.

"Are you surprised that we’re back?"

Zheng Bolan narrowed his eyes, his gaze like a cold, sharp arrow,

fixed on the man’s face—one that seemed honest but held a hint of cunning—and asked, his voice icy.

The burly man was clearly taken aback. A muscle in his face twitched.

He then raised a large, rough, calloused hand

and rubbed his shiny, smooth flattop a few times,

then forced a smile. "Of course I’m surprised.

You and the young miss usually stay out until nightfall.

Young Master, how did you get bloodstains on your clothes?

Did you run into some kind of trouble?"

The corner of Zheng Bolan’s mouth lifted,

forming a mocking sneer. He let out another cold laugh.