Chapter 134: Chapter 79: An Injured Neck

Everything that happened here was witnessed by another group locked in a standoff not far away.

The thugs who had been surrounding the high school students exchanged uncertain glances.

’Should we stop them or not?’

’If we stop them, we’ll probably get beaten up. But if we don’t, the boss hasn’t said anything.’

In that moment of hesitation, Zhao Rui had already carried Zhao Ke and gracefully floated away. His movements were incredibly elegant, as if he were riding the wind itself.

The high school students glanced at one another, each seeing a mixture of surprise and embarrassment in the others’ eyes.

This was especially true for the Level 5 Martial Arts Student, whose humble words had carried a hint of showing off.

Back on the bus, he had been quite proud, speaking with great confidence about his own Martial Arts skills.

But now, here they were, cornered by a few thugs and completely helpless.

In contrast, Zhao Rui, whom they had mistaken for an ordinary person, not only possessed superb Martial Arts but was also decisive and acted with incredible flair.

’This is what a Martial Arts Student should be like.’

Seeing Zhao Rui pass by, the students shared a silent understanding. They grabbed their luggage and hurried after him, quietly trailing behind as they headed toward the county seat.

The thugs encircling them didn’t dare to stand in their way and could only watch as they departed.

Scarface watched Zhao Rui leave, his eyes darting back and forth. He pulled out his phone and made a call.

He wasn’t calling for backup to get revenge. Instead, he was calling an acquaintance at the County Martial Arts Association to ask if a child from some prominent family had returned home after advancing to the Grandmaster Realm.

He needed to know what he was dealing with. If there was a chance to resolve this grudge in person, he wanted to do it immediately.

In a small county like this, forget the Grandmaster Realm—even a Level 9 Powerhouse could do as they pleased and would be treated as an honored guest anywhere they went.

If he offended a Grandmaster Realm expert, he wouldn’t even need to wait for the master to act. A horde of rivals eager to take his territory would do the job for them.

“Haven’t heard anything. Our county has a few talented kids these last couple of years, but they’re only at Level 5 or Level 6.”

“Are you sure you saw that right?”

“He was on the direct bus to our county, probably coming home for break. Looked young, not even twenty.”

“None of the registered Martial Artists fit that description. He’s probably just passing through. Why? Did you piss him off?”

“No, no! I just ran into him and wanted to ask around, that’s all!”

After making his inquiries and confirming there was no such person from the county, Scarface breathed a sigh of relief.

A dragon just passing through wasn’t a problem, so long as it wasn’t a Phoenix returning to its nest.

Yishui County was a remote, medium-sized county. “Medium” referred to its area, not its power.

As the county in Lin City farthest from the municipal center, Yishui County had not benefited from the ripple effects of urban development.

For years, it had relied solely on its own efforts, actively developing its food processing industry, just to achieve a barely presentable size.

But with its weak foundation and hilly terrain, its economic development had always ranked last among the counties of Lin City.

In the dead of winter, Zhao Rui used his Lightweight Skill to travel toward the county seat at a steady pace, sticking to secluded paths along the way.

He ignored the hills and ravines, giving his brother a true tour of the countryside scenery from their low-altitude flight.

The students trailing behind them used every ounce of their strength to keep up from a distance, not daring to relax for a second.

They continued until they reached the edge of the county, just before the residential districts began.

Only then did Zhao Rui stop, leaping down from a low tree.

“Time for everyone to go their separate ways.”

Zhao Rui said casually, his words clearly meant for the group behind him.

“Thank you,” the Level 5 Martial Arts Student said, his expression earnest.

Zhao Rui just smiled and didn’t reply, leading his brother on foot into an alley of the residential area ahead.

“Let’s go. There’s always someone better out there. Our achievements are nothing to be arrogant about.”

“And he looked about our age!”

The others nodded in agreement, then took another road into town.

「One hour later.」

In Cui Family Village, Zhao Rui and Zhao Ke stepped out of a taxi in front of a rather old village house.

“I’m freezing to death. I don’t ever want you to drag me along like that again.”

Zhao Ke hunched his shoulders. He had only just started to feel better after spending most of the taxi ride basking in the heater’s warm air.

“But you have to admit, it was exciting, wasn’t it?”

Zhao Rui paid the fare, then led his brother through the somewhat dilapidated wooden gate before them.

“Exciting! I can finally say I’ve experienced what it’s like to fly.”

Zhao Ke couldn’t help but recall the sensation of soaring into the air and gliding above the fields and houses.

“You call that flying?”

Hearing this, Zhao Rui’s mind conjured an image of the mysterious old man from the Martial Arts Academy, who could soar dozens of meters straight into the air and move about with unparalleled freedom and grace.

He couldn’t help but sigh to himself. ’Now *that* is flying.’

The two brothers were already in the courtyard as they spoke.

“Who’s there?”

An elderly woman in her seventies emerged from the main hall, pushing the door open with a trembling hand to see who it was.

“It’s Ruirui and Xiaoke! You’re back!”

The old woman’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly ushered them into the house.

This old woman was the grandmother of Zhao Rui and his brother, and besides their parents, she was the only one in the family who truly doted on them.

The main reason Zhao Rui and his brother had come back to their old home was to visit their grandmother.

“Where’s Grandpa?”

Zhao Ke glanced around the room but didn’t see his grandfather.

“Your grandfather went up the back mountain to your great-uncle’s place.”

“Oh!”

Zhao Ke breathed a sigh of relief. Ever since they were little, their grandfather had disliked their father, and by extension, he disliked them as well.

Not having to see him right away meant they could at least chat with their grandmother for a while first.

“Quick, come warm yourselves by the stove. Look at you two, you’re barely wearing anything.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep