Shi Yuqian, listening to Zhao Ling's analysis, was so frightened that she grabbed Zhao Ling and turned to flee into the nearby woods. "Then let's hurry and escape into the woods, maybe we can still shake them off."
"It's already too late," Zhao Ling shook her head.
They were only about fifty meters away from the figure ahead, and that person must have seen them.
"Since there's no other way to survive, we can only try our best. Let's go straight over."
Zhao Ling's eyes were serious.
Now, they could only fight for it.
Shi Yuqian nodded, listening to Zhao Ling.
If even the resourceful Zhao Ling had no other options, she wouldn't have any either.
Shi Yuqian helped Zhao Ling walk towards the figure.
Upon reaching the figure, Shi Yuqian spoke directly, "Sir, please save us. Someone is chasing us from behind, and my classmate is likely already in dire straits."
The figure looked at the two of them, their face showing no emotion.
Shi Yuqian thought the man hadn't heard and was about to repeat herself when Zhao Ling beside her pulled her back.
Shi Yuqian looked at Zhao Ling beside her in confusion. Zhao Ling shook her head without speaking.
The man glanced at Zhao Ling, then at Shi Yuqian, and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't help you."
Zhao Ling looked at the man, her face full of confusion.
Why was this person so calm!?
Even if he didn't want to help upon hearing about murder, he wouldn't be this calm.
Why did she encounter people like this today?
Seeing this, Shi Yuqian grabbed Zhao Ling and prepared to flee quickly, but Zhao Ling held her back tightly.
Shi Yuqian looked at Zhao Ling in confusion. Zhao Ling looked at the man and said, "I can give you money, as long as you save me."
Hearing this, the man became slightly interested. "Oh, I am suddenly interested."
Seeing the man's interest, Zhao Ling spoke directly, "Five hundred thousand, I can give you five hundred thousand!"
The man chuckled and retorted, "Do you think I'm short of money?"
Zhao Ling shook her head. "No, because I can only give you money."
Upon hearing this, the man grinned, not rushing to answer, but instead asking, "What are your names?"
Seeing that there was hope, Zhao Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
No matter what it was, as long as there was no outright refusal, anything was possible.
"My name is Zhao Ling, and beside me is my classmate Shi Yuqian," Zhao Ling replied.
She could tell from the man's eyes that he was not lustful.
Shi Yuqian beside her suddenly asked, "What's your name?"
"My name is..." The man pondered for a few seconds and slowly said, "My name is... Zhou Fu."
Shi Yuqian nodded. Zhao Ling looked at Zhou Fu and suddenly asked, "Is that your real name?"
Zhou Fu looked at Zhao Ling and smiled faintly, "Why do you ask?"
Zhao Ling stared at Zhou Fu and truthfully replied, "Because a flicker of hesitation flashed in your eyes, even if it was just for a moment."
"What terrifying observation skills."
Zhou Fu exclaimed in admiration and smiled, "A name is just a label, it doesn't matter what you're called. I can help you, and I don't need you to give me five hundred thousand. Just give me a call when I need money in the future, how about that?"
Shi Yuqian nodded without hesitation. "I agree."
Just then...
From behind, a man running like a dog paddling towards them shouted, "Murder! Murder!"
All three were drawn by the man behind them.
When Shi Yuqian clearly saw the figure running towards them, she couldn't help but exclaim, "It's Jin Wei!"
Zhao Ling also clearly saw that it was Jin Wei and had a bad feeling.
The other classmates were probably already...
Behind Jin Wei, a man walked over unhurriedly.
Zhou Fu said nothing, his expressionless gaze fixed on Zhang Ming, who was approaching.
Zhang Ming also noticed Zhou Fu immediately.
Their eyes met, and both remained silent by tacit understanding.
Zhou Fu looked at Zhao Ling beside him and said, "I promised you, I can only protect the two of you."
"Understood."
Zhao Ling nodded and looked at Shi Yuqian beside her. "Let's go quickly."
Shi Yuqian glanced at Jin Wei behind them. "Jin Wei, he..."
Zhao Ling looked at Shi Yuqian sternly. "We can't save him. Let's go!"
Shi Yuqian didn't hesitate, supporting Zhao Ling as they walked forward.
In the face of life and death, everyone is selfish, and Shi Yuqian and Zhao Ling were no exception.
Zhang Ming paid no attention to the fleeing Zhao Ling and Shi Yuqian, nor even to Jin Wei.
His attention was entirely on Zhou Fu.
Zhou Fu's brow furrowed.
This person was not weak; he might even have the strength of the Heaven Ranking.
Their eyes narrowed slightly.
Whoosh!
They both attacked simultaneously. Zhou Fu struck first, drawing a dagger and thrusting it out.
Seeing this, Zhang Ming also drew his short sword and thrust it out.
The two collided like cars at full speed.
The moment their weapons touched, they both raised their hands and slashed horizontally.
Clang!
A crisp sound erupted as the dagger and short sword clashed.
Zhou Fu's expression turned grim, and he muttered to himself.
This person was at least a quasi-Heaven Ranking expert. Going head-to-head would definitely put him at a disadvantage.
He had to escape.
Otherwise, he would surely fall here today.
In contrast, Zhang Ming looked at Zhou Fu with excitement, grinning, "It's been a long time since I've encountered a worthy prey."
Ever since the Cult Master issued a strict order that he was not allowed to reveal his whereabouts during his half-year of secluded cultivation, they had been constantly on the run.
Even when pursued by various sects, they could only flee and not retaliate, needing to conserve their strength.
These days had been extremely stifling.
Their eyes met, and they both retracted their strength before striking again.
Clang... Clang...!
After a few more clashes, Zhou Fu was clearly showing signs of fatigue, and his speed gradually slowed down.
Seizing an opening, Zhang Ming aimed at Zhou Fu's abdomen and fiercely swung his short sword.
Zhou Fu instinctively raised his dagger to block.
Clang!
The two weapons collided, and Zhou Fu retreated a few steps.
Zhang Ming, with quick reflexes, stepped forward and reached for Zhou Fu's neck, preparing to choke him.
Zhou Fu instinctively retreated a step, dodging the outstretched hand.
Seeing that his attempt to choke him failed, Zhang Ming's palm turned into a fist and slammed into Zhou Fu's chest.
Bang!
Zhou Fu took the solid punch and was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground.
Immediately after, Zhou Fu rolled over, leaped up, and stood again. His face had turned terrifyingly pale, and it felt as if a large stone was pressing on his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Seeing Zhou Fu's state, Zhang Ming smiled.
He knew the power of his punch very well.
Although this guy could still stand, his complexion wouldn't lie.
He was just putting up a brave front.
As expected, Zhou Fu couldn't hold on any longer and spat out a mouthful of dark blood.
Zhou Fu still wanted to persist, but he couldn't help it. He instinctively raised his hand to cover his chest, feeling indignant.
The original owner's strength was not great to begin with, and going head-to-head with a Heaven Ranking expert was indeed too much of a strain.
If his own strength were the same as the man before him.
He would definitely not lose to him!
But life is unpredictable, and some things cannot be changed.