The man took three steps at a time, glanced back, and hurriedly ran into the main city.
Watching his departing figure, Zhuiming smiled smugly and turned to Chuanliu, saying:
"You'll be with me in a little while, and I'll show you what it means to have connections in the imperial court."
Chuanliu gently brushed away Zhuiming's hand from his shoulder again, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry:
"Who exactly is this 'flower butterfly' you just mentioned?"
Zhui Ming chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes: "I met him when I was running errands before. He's cunning, but not a bad guy. He's a special case in this Plum Blossom City."
Recalling what the gatekeeper had just said, Chuanliu guessed, "Is he 'Club 4'?"
Zhuiming nodded. "Before he came to the island, he was a pirate bookseller. Now he works in Plum Blossom City, making fake identities for people. He knows quite a few people."
Pirate booksellers... they're so despicable.
"A fake identity? An identity token that can be mistaken for a real one?"
Chuanliu asked, puzzled.
"Uh... it's not exactly a perfect fake, at most it's just a piece of paper that can fool those homeless people. Paradise Island wouldn't have anything made of the same material as an identity tag."
Zhui Ming explained.
At this moment, the gatekeeper who had just gone to call for help came out again, followed by a man dressed in more formal attire.
The gatekeeper did not open the city gate directly for Zhuiming and Chuanliu, but pointed in their direction and spoke in a low voice to the man beside him.
Zhuiming tilted his head in confusion. "What's going on?"
A mocking glint appeared in Chuanliu's eyes. "Looks like this guy in your 'court' isn't very effective either."
Immediately afterwards, the man picked up a spiked club, gestured to the other gatekeepers, and the group walked menacingly toward Zhuiming and Chuanliu.
"Brother Gun, it's those two!"
The man who went in to deliver the message walked up to Brother Gun and whispered something in his ear.
The guy known as Stick Bro slowly opened the tightly locked outer gate with a gloomy face.
This action seemed to touch everyone's heartstrings, and the residents who were originally gathered around immediately focused their attention on this place.
Their eyes gleamed with longing and anticipation, as if they saw a glimmer of hope to change their fate. However, when Brother Stick and his men cast sharp glances at them, the residents quickly retreated, only able to watch from afar, silently praying that they would be among the lucky ones chosen to serve the official residents.
"Come in."
"Iron Brother" spoke coldly, a subtle glint of calculation flashing in his eyes.
Zhuiming and Chuanliu exchanged a glance, both reading wariness in each other's eyes.
They exchanged a silent "Be careful," and then cautiously stepped inside.
"Bang—" As the tall iron bars closed again, the entire space was once again isolated.
Stick Brother and his men immediately revealed fierce expressions, casually tapping the ground with their spiked clubs, making a piercing sound, as if they were demonstrating or warning each other.
"My friend, what do you mean?"
Zhui Ming's expression turned cold.
Stick Brother sneered.
"You said you're looking for Master Hua? Didn't Master Hua tell you that the main city was closed to the public a couple of days ago?"
They were still on their way two days ago, how could they have received this message?
It seems they already consider the two to be intruders with ulterior motives.
Zhuiming stepped forward, intentionally or unintentionally blocking Chuanliu's path. "I suggest you first report to your Fourth Master Hua that I am..."
But to everyone's surprise, Gun'er and his friends didn't want him to finish speaking.
"Brothers, get him! Leave the woman alive!"
At Gun'er's command, his men rushed forward like hungry wolves, giving Zhui Ming and Chuan Liu no chance to explain.
Like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, Zhui Ming showed no fear in the face of the siege by Gun'er Ge and his rabble.
He moved among the group like a ghost, his movements unpredictable and his attacks swift and ruthless. Every strike was precise, targeting the enemy's vitals, making them impossible to defend against.
Gun'er and his gang were no match for Zhui Ming. Although they were armed with spiked clubs, they were forced to retreat under Zhui Ming's relentless attacks.
He never expected that this unassuming man in front of him would be so capable.
A look of terror appeared on Stick Brother's face, and he swung his spiked club more and more wildly.
Stick Brother's men fell one after another. After Zhui Ming delivered a flying kick, Stick Brother crashed to the ground, his spiked club flying out of his hand.
Seeing that Zhui Ming was getting closer and closer, Gun'er Ge immediately shouted to his men:
"Quickly go find Master Hua! Someone's causing trouble!"
One of his men, who was nearby, scrambled inside.
Suddenly remembering that there was a woman standing in the shadows, Gun'er forced himself to get up and quickly ran towards the river.
His hand gripped Chuanliu's slender neck, using the girl's body as a shield, while his other hand trembled as he pointed at Zhuiming, threatening:
"Don't come any closer! Otherwise, otherwise I'll..."
"Or you'll kill him?"
Zhuiming showed no sign of nervousness. He crossed his arms, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and interrupted Gun'er.
How could he not be nervous?
Gun'er was a little confused. He couldn't understand why Zhui Ming was so calm and composed, as if he wasn't worried about the woman's safety at all.
He stubbornly resisted, saying, "Don't come any closer, or I'll really hit you!"
As he spoke, he tightened his grip on Chuanliu's neck.
However, just as he was about to strike hard, a sharp pain suddenly came from his wrist.
He looked down and saw blood gushing onto the ground; his wrist had been deeply pierced by the dagger in Chuanliu's hand.
"ah!"
Gun'er Ge screamed in agony, the pain making it almost impossible for him to stand. He clutched his bleeding wrist, staring at Chuanliu with shock and fear in his eyes.
This woman is incredibly ruthless!
This cut has probably gone deep into the bone!
Anger and humiliation drove Gun'er to lose his mind. He clenched his other fist, took a step forward, and prepared to retaliate against Chuanliu.
However, Chuanliu was one step ahead of him. She kicked hard between Gun'er's legs, the movement swift, clean, and merciless.
Pain, a man's pain, is heart-wrenching.
"ah!"
A second, piercing scream rang out, and Stick Brother collapsed to the ground.
Zhui Ming gasped, looking at the "stick-wielding brother" with pity.
I'm afraid he won't be suitable to use this name anymore.
Chuanliu stepped on him, his initial smile vanished completely, and he looked down at the man like a demon descending.
She raised the dagger again, and a gust of wind whistled towards the pupils of the stick-wielding man.
"Heroine, please have mercy!"
A strange voice suddenly came from behind.
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