National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

The immensely powerful palm strike Chu He had just delivered surged forth as if it could topple mountains and overturn seas.

The wind from the strike howled past. Wherever it went, the air seemed to be sliced by a sharp blade, letting out a piercing shriek.

The palm strike landed squarely on Qu Yuxiu.

In an instant, Qu Yuxiu was sent flying backward like a kite with a severed string,

crashing heavily onto the roof of a car.

The immense force of the impact instantly caved in and twisted the car’s roof.

The metal frame let out a sickening groan,

as if it were about to buckle and fall apart under the strain.

Qu Yuxiu’s body was embedded in the wreckage. Blood gushed from his wounds like an uncontrolled fountain,

trickling down the windshield and doorframe.

The crimson stains glistened under the sun with an eerie, jarring light,

dripping to the ground to form a small pool. The nauseating stench of blood filled the air.

Though Chu He’s palm strike seemed vicious and decisive, he had actually held back.

He had expertly controlled his strength. While Qu Yuxiu was severely injured and on the brink of death,

the flame of his life merely flickered in the wind, not yet completely extinguished.

If Qu Yuxiu could get to an ordinary hospital for emergency treatment in time, modern medicine would be enough

to stabilize his condition.

Chu He hadn’t done this because he was wary of Qu Yuxiu’s unfathomable background,

but rather out of consideration for Xia Chengli.

Xia Chengli had a quirky and mischievous personality.

She was simply the type who loved to watch a commotion, take pleasure in others’ misfortune, and act however she pleased, with no regard for rules.

And it was clear that Qu Yuxiu and Xia Chengli had a deep connection; they knew each other well.

If Chu He had truly acted on impulse and killed Qu Yuxiu with a single strike,

Xia Chengli would have inevitably been put in a difficult position within her social circle.

She would have faced endless criticism and blame, making it difficult for her to hold her head high.

Xia Chengli stood at the edge of the tall building, her eyes glued to the chaotic scene below.

She watched as a crowd of onlookers swarmed in from all directions like a tide,

quickly surrounding the ill-fated car until it was completely blocked from view.

Some wore looks of horror, while others, full of curiosity, put their heads together and murmured amongst themselves.

Qu Yuxiu lay face-up on the now-unrecognizable roof of the car,

his body nearly swallowed by the twisted metal frame.

His consciousness struggled in an abyss of pain and terror.

The last shred of clarity he possessed allowed his blurry vision to lock onto Xia Chengli, who was peeking down from above.

At that moment,

the only thing entrenched deep within Qu Yuxiu’s eyes was a profound fear, like a lurking Demon.

Thinking back to that critical moment,

he had clearly sensed the approaching danger.

His instincts had screamed at him to draw the sword at his waist to defend himself.

His trembling fingers had just touched the hilt,

but Chu He’s attack had descended like a bolt of lightning—unimaginably swift, overwhelming him in an instant.

The immense power was like an invisible mountain,

crushing him before he even had time to draw his sword, his body already grievously wounded.

Qu Yuxiu’s heart was filled with indignation and confusion.

’I was clearly fully prepared.

I was on guard against Chu He from the very beginning, as if facing a formidable foe.

So why was the gap in our strength so immense, like the chasm between heaven and earth? It left me utterly powerless to resist.’

Xia Chengli noticed some of the onlookers below were starting to look up curiously,

as if trying to uncover the secret of why the young man had plummeted from the building like a shooting star.

Their eyes were filled with suspicion and a desire to investigate.

Perhaps they were speculating whether this was a carefully orchestrated murder,

or whether the building’s safety measures were seriously lacking,

causing the young man to lose his footing and fall to his tragic fate.

Xia Chengli had no desire to become the center of attention.

So, she playfully stuck out her tongue and quickly pulled her head back in.

A moment later,

the sharp, urgent wail of an ambulance siren suddenly pierced the air on the street, sounding like an ominous summons.

Flashing red and blue lights cast strobing patterns on the buildings lining the street,

creating a tense and panicked atmosphere.

By this point, Chu He and Xia Chengli had already vanished from the scene like phantoms.

Their figures disappeared without a trace amidst the crowd’s clamor and confusion,

leaving behind only a scene of chaos and a mystery for others to unravel.

...

Chu He and Xia Chengli’s figures appeared as if they had passed through a spatial barrier,

instantly materializing on another bustling, lively street.

The two of them walked slowly, side by side.

Chu He’s gait was steady and resolute, a pensive depth in his gaze.

Xia Chengli, in contrast, skipped and bounced as she walked,

occasionally looking around with curiosity, filled with an endless desire to explore the world around her.

"What was that Qu Yuxiu fellow talking about earlier? What is it you’re supposedly ’shouldering’?"

Chu He finally broke the silence.

Xia Chengli lifted her delicate chin slightly,

her eyes twinkling with pride and satisfaction.

She began to explain at length, "When I was little,

I already stood out in the old man’s eyes and became his favorite, the one he pinned all his hopes on.

I have to admit, I was born with an astonishing gift,

like a brilliant star, I stood out from the crowd.

No matter the skill or subject, if I put my mind to it,

I could quickly grasp its essence and master it to perfection. I just learned everything faster and better than anyone else.

Compared to me, my fellow disciples were worlds apart. Not a single one of them could even hope to catch up."