By the time Lin Jie had taken down the fourth robotic bodyguard, Xiao Zhan finally buzzed over on his anti-gravity shoes like a headless fly. His arrival speed matched Glasses Bro, who was panting as he ran up.
"This thing’s slower than just running," Lin Jie said to Xiao Zhan.
"Not anymore! Once I get used to it, I’ll build myself a full Tony Stark-style armor set," Xiao Zhan shot back.
"Never mind that—what the hell happened here?" Glasses Bro stared in shock at the pile of fallen muscle-bound men, then at Lin Jie holding a crimson longsword. "Damn, did you wipe them all out to protect your *honor*?!"
"Huh?" Xiao Zhan instinctively stepped back. "Actually... possible. Where’d you even get that sword? Never seen it before."
"Piss off. I’d have to be *bored* out of my mind to hunt these guys down," Lin Jie snapped.
"It wasn’t him..." Black Gold and White Gold limped over, supporting each other. "Four robots attacked us..."
"You were ambushed by robots?!" Xiao Zhan’s eyes widened. "Where are they now?"
"Melted into molten iron by his sword," Black Gold replied.
"Holy crap! No wonder it’s so hot in here!" Xiao Zhan activated the thermal sensor on his shades. "Whoa—this thing’s core temperature is over 6,000 degrees! That’s surface-of-the-sun hot!"
"Haven’t really tested its limits," Lin Jie shrugged.
"Dude, where was this made? Can you hook me up with the manufacturer?" Xiao Zhan grinned. "This shreds way harder than a light saber."
"Impossible. It’s one of the last blades forged by Zhang Yajiu, a Tang Dynasty master smith, on Wu Mountain."
"An ancient divine weapon?! So it’s *magic*?!" Xiao Zhan gasped. "How’d it end up in your hands?"
"Dropped by a monster I killed." Lin Jie’s voice stayed flat. The sword vanished from his grip as he spoke.
"Why hide a weapon this OP?!" Xiao Zhan protested. "Magic-item heroes are legends now—like the SS Rank Son of God’s cross or the SS Rank Truth Mage’s hat! Even those Magical Girl squads blowing up the feeds! Yours might not top theirs, but it’s gotta be close!"
"This is Sector C," Lin Jie said. "Getting recognized would be trouble."
"True..." Xiao Zhan rubbed his chin.
Mystic-type Super Heroes (those defying scientific explanation) rarely surfaced in Sector C. The reason was simple: strict antique regulations meant few qualified wielders could legally obtain ancient artifacts. Most relics now sat locked in museums or noble families’ vaults. Officially, Sector C had barely a handful of mystic heroes.
Ordinary people finding mystic artifacts faced two fates: either nobles bought them out—or dragged them away by force.
Of course, six or seven years ago, a third option existed: grow too powerful, get greedy, and get erased by Zero.
"Ah, Sector C’s fine traditions," Xiao Zhan sighed.
Mid-conversation, Glasses Bro suddenly sprinted back.
"I found Thirteen!" He grabbed Lin Jie and Xiao Zhan, dragging them toward Thirteen’s location.
Thirteen slumped against a wall, clutching his chest.
"Thirteen! You okay?!" Lin Jie rushed over.
"Don’t worry... won’t die," Thirteen rasped. "Dong Xueer... was taken by an Ouyang Family guy named Ouyang Zihao..."
"What?! The Ouyang Family?!" Xiao Zhan paled. "She’s as good as dead!"
"We have to save her," Thirteen locked eyes with Lin Jie. "I know you’re strong."
"I’ll save her," Lin Jie said. "She’s a girl with a sense of justice."
"Damn right!" Xiao Zhan pumped his fist. "Can’t let a beauty fall into a wolf’s den!"
"Exactly... *cough*..." Thirteen spat blood. "Tried staking out their gate but..."
"Stop talking!" Glasses Bro cut him off. "Ambulance is coming. Hang in there."
Thankfully, the medics arrived fast.
...
Top floor of the Xiao Corporation Tower.
"Damn it. If only we’d gotten here sooner," Xiao Zhan muttered. "The Muscle Alliance lost over a dozen men today. The rest are critically wounded."
"You’re one to talk," Lin Jie shot back. "Ditch those anti-gravity shoes before you crash yourself to death."
"You’ll see my Iron Man mode soon enough."
"Can’t wait."
"Seriously though—" Glasses Bro cut in. "Are we *really* rescuing Dong Xueer?"
"Why wouldn’t we?" Xiao Zhan frowned.
"They’re one of Sector C’s top power families!" Glasses Bro argued. "Four robots wiped out the entire Muscle Alliance. Who knows how many more they have? And why risk everything for Dong Xueer? Even S Rankers avoid crossing them!"
"You scared?" Lin Jie asked.
"Aren’t *you* two?" Glasses Bro shot back.
"I forgot what fear feels like years ago."
"My dictionary doesn’t have the word ‘afraid’," Xiao Zhan declared. "Dong Xueer’s our friend. She’s in danger *because* she fought evil. We’re her only hope."
"But it’s the *Ouyang Family*! Sector C’s most politically connected clan!"
"Save her if we can. If not—we make it happen," Xiao Zhan said firmly. "We’re Heroes. No one’s above the law. Sector C hasn’t had an emperor for centuries. Are we just gonna back down every time nobles break the rules?"
"True heroes never bow to evil," a handsome newcomer announced, striding in. "Master! I’m here to help."
"Shishen? What are *you* doing here?" Lin Jie blinked.
"Saw the news. Knew you’d be involved—you’re all part of Dong Xueer’s team now."
"When did we join her team?" Lin Jie scowled.
"After you took down Ouyang Rui last time. You’re branded as her allies." Shishen tilted his head. "Aren’t you?"
"Whatever. Later." Lin Jie turned to Glasses Bro. "Spit it out. Are you in or out? Don’t stand there like a girl hesitating."
Glasses Bro gritted his teeth. "I’m in! Death or glory. Real heroes don’t fear power—like Zero!"
"There we go. Much better." Xiao Zhan clapped him on the shoulder. "Though this Super Hero Registration Act really screwed us over. It turned most heroes into spineless cowards when facing politically backed villains. Even you, Glasses."
"What choice do we have?" Glasses Bro sighed. "Before the Act, heroes stayed hidden. Now our IDs are in the elites’ hands."
"Enough politics," Shishen interrupted. "How do we *rescue* her?"
"I’ll charge into the Ouyang estate with my spike mace—fight my way in and out seven times," Lin Jie said. "Just tell me where their HQ is."
"You’d never make it out alive," Glasses Bro countered. "Even if we knew their manor’s location, we couldn’t get inside."
"I said I’d *cut* my way in," Lin Jie grumbled.
"Problem is—we don’t even know where Dong Xueer’s held," Xiao Zhan smoothly ignored him.
"We know *nothing* about the Ouyangs," Glasses Bro added.
"Will you *listen* to me?!" Lin Jie snapped. "Just give me directions. I’ll handle the rest with my blade."
"Sure, sure. Oh—Doudou’s hungry. Lin Jie, feed him these Spicy Strips for me?" Xiao Zhan shoved two packs into his hands.
"...Fine." Ignored again, Lin Jie trudged toward Doudou. The dog was licking a milk-dripping Stain Remover Rod. Seeing Lin Jie’s sour face, Doudou nudged the rod toward him with his paw.
"Thanks, but you keep it," Lin Jie muttered, stuffing a Spicy Strip into his mouth. "Why does everyone ignore my plans? Same thing happened with Dong Xueer..."
*Woof woof...*
Watching Lin Jie feed the dog, Xiao Zhan turned back. "Alright, let’s strategize. And thanks for coming, Shishen."
"My master’s cause is my cause."
"Core issue: zero intel on the Ouyangs," Glasses Bro stressed.
"I can dig online, but it’ll be shallow," Xiao Zhan groaned. "Damn. Wish we had a spy-level intel expert here."
"Master, dinner’s ready. Join me in the kitchen?" Bu Feiwu walked in.
Xiao Zhan and Glasses Bro’s eyes locked onto her, gleaming.
"Eh?" Bu Feiwu shrank back. "Is... something on me?"
"Nope. You’ve never looked more beautiful," Xiao Zhan seized her hand. "Perfect timing."
"Eh?!"
...
