"Watch out!" Out of instinct, Chao Yu grabbed Zhu Yuan in an embrace and prepared for the teleportation.
Feeling the nauseating sensation of being transported, Chao Yu's eyes sharpened, and observed his surroundings.
Zhu Yuan who is buried in Chao Yu's arms realizes what had happened and begins to panic.
"Shhh, don't panic, I'll make sure we get out of this safely." Hearing Chao Yu's voice, Zhu Yuan began to calm down.
Seeing Zhu Yuan's shaking subsided, he let go and looked around once more. He is surrounded by unfinished buildings that were swallowed in the middle of construction leaving cement bags, and heavy equipment scattered around.
"From the civilian hollow instruction, we should stay and lay low and wait for rescue. What do you think?" Zhu Yuan recalled all of her training and concluded.
"I would agree, but these unfinished buildings are usually a base of a certain group of illegally active people."
"You don't mean-"
"Haha, look at what we have boys, a couple of teenagers fell right into our hands." A gruff voice came from a distance and several groups of people emerged surrounding them.
"Well well, I hope you won't take this to heart but people who know the location of our base, usually won't it out of here alive." The Gruff man crossed his arms and scanned the two of them "I'm sure you know what I'm talking about." after saying so he put on a pair of metal gauntlets.
"Psst Boss, can we keep the girl alive?" The guy beside him whispered, The Boss raised his eyebrow and looked toward the girl more carefully.
Her bust was barely hidden behind the school outfit and the wide hip and large ass could tempt any man.
Seeing their gaze filled with lust, Zhu Yuan felt disgusted and hid behind Chao Yu.
"Now gentlemen, I'm sure we can agree, there is no need to shed blood." Chao Yu seeing the disadvantage in numbers tried to talk his way out.
'I shouldn't have ignored negotiation classes'
"Haha! Fine, I'll play with you, give us the girl and I'll let you have a go at her and escape alive!" Zhu Yuan felt rage boil inside her but without a weapon in hand she couldn't say anything.
"Now now, I can't do that I made a vow to protect her, surely you would understand right? How about this we both walk out of here without interference and you guys will not be turned into by us. Fair deal right?" Hearing the outrageous negotiation tactic the gruff man laughed out loud.
"AHAHA, fuck man you sure such a joker, haha. No" Hearing the outright denial Chao Yu gave up on trying.
"Alright, then don't blame me."
"Haha, yeah bark all you want boy, I'll keep you alive and make you watch as we fuck her silly, boys come on!" With the command, all of them started to close on them.
Seeing their approach Zhu Yuan took a defensive stance but Chao Yu kept a relaxed stance and walked towards the gruff man.
"Haha, given up? Well, it's too late to change your mind now."
"Albrecht escape! I'm their target." Zhu Yuan said with a pang of despair and resolution.
"Aww, what a sweet moment."
"Zhu Yuan, Remember that old promise?" Chao Yu cracked his knuckles "You know I never go back on my promise!" Golden flame emerged from his body condensing into armor.
"You!" Surprised by the sudden flame the gruff man became surprised but without being able to react Chao Yu dashed in front of him and delivered an uppercut to his gut, sending him up.
And in one motion he brought his other first to the man near him, punching him horizontally to the face, and grabbing the gun in his hand.
"Zhu Yuan, catch!" Seeing the airborne pistol, Zhu Yuan leaped into the air, smoothly catching the gun.
Seeing the situation going south, the hollow raiders sprinted towards them.
Zhu Yuan's movements were swift and precise. She aimed the pistol at the nearest thug, her fingers steady as she pulled the trigger. A deafening bang echoed through the unfinished buildings as the bullet flew, striking the man square in the shoulder. He spun backward, collapsing to the ground with a pained yell.
Chao Yu's golden armor shimmered, light reflecting off the ethereal flames that wrapped around him. His eyes were focused, his body moving with a grace that belied the raw power behind each strike. As another thug lunged at him with a crowbar, Chao Yu sidestepped effortlessly, his fist colliding with the attacker's jaw. The impact sent the man crashing into a pile of cement bags, dust erupting around him.
The gruff man recovered mid-air from Chao Yu's uppercut, twisting his body to land on his feet with a thud. His eyes widened with rage and shock.
With a roar, the gruff man charged, his metal gauntlets glowing with a dull red light. He threw a punch with monstrous force, aiming straight for Chao Yu's head. Chao Yu raised his arm, golden flames solidifying into a shield. Metal met flame, and a shockwave burst out, sending debris flying.
"You think a few tricks will save you?!" the gruff man shouted, pressing forward with brute strength. But Chao Yu's feet were firm, his golden shield holding steady.
"I don't need tricks." Chao Yu's flames flared brighter, pushing back. "I have promises to keep."
Meanwhile, Zhu Yuan ducked under a wild swing from another thug, her movements graceful and calculated. She delivered a kick to his knee, making him stagger, and fired another shot, disarming another attacker who was rushing toward Chao Yu's back.
"Behind you!" she warned, her voice clear and strong.
Chao Yu didn't even turn. His golden flame shot out, forming a whip that coiled around the ambusher's legs, yanking him off his feet. "Thanks for the lookout, Zhu Yuan!"
"Don't get cocky!" she retorted, a small smile formed on her lips.
The gruff man growled, his muscles bulging as he slammed both gauntlets together. Sparks flew, and the red light grew brighter. "Let's see your flames handle this!" He charged, his fists leaving trails of crimson energy in the air.
Chao Yu's eyes narrowed. He took a deep breath, his golden flames intensifying until they were almost blinding. He spread his arms, flames swirling around him like a storm.
The two forces collided. Crimson and gold clashed, the unfinished buildings shaking from the impact. Waves of heat rippled through the air, cement bags igniting, and steel beams groaning under the pressure.
Zhu Yuan shielded her eyes, her heart pounding. But she didn't stop. Using the chaos as cover, she moved swiftly, firing precise shots to disarm and disable the remaining thugs. They fell one by one, their weapons clattering to the floor.
In the heart of the blazing clash, Chao Yu and the gruff man stood locked in combat, their fists meeting again and again. Each blow echoed like thunder. But slowly, the golden flames began to overpower the crimson.
"You can't... be this strong...!" the gruff man snarled, his steps faltering.
Chao Yu's expression was cold, his voice steady. "I told you. I keep my promises." He gathered his flame into his fist, the energy spiraling with fierce intensity. "This is for threatening Zhu Yuan!"
With one final punch, Chao Yu's flaming fist struck the gruff man's chest, shattering his gauntlets and sending him flying through a half-constructed wall. The impact left a massive crater, dust billowing as the man slumped, unconscious.
The battlefield fell silent. Only the crackle of fading flames and the groans of the defeated thugs remained.
Chao Yu exhaled, his golden armor flickering before vanishing. He turned to Zhu Yuan, his eyes softening. "You okay?"
Zhu Yuan nodded, holstering the pistol. "I'm fine... thanks to you."
Chao Yu scratched the back of his head, his serious demeanor melting into a warm smile. "I did promise to keep you safe, didn't I?"
Zhu Yuan looked at him, her expression unreadable for a moment before she smiled, a warmth in her eyes. "Yeah... you did."
But before they could catch their breath, a deep rumble echoed from the distance. The unfinished buildings shook.
Chao Yu's eyes widened. "That can't be good."Zhu Yuan's face grew serious. "Reinforcements?"
"We should get out of here." Walking to the edge of the building, Chao Yu saw a 4 story fall.
Zhu Yuan, who saw his gaze began to panic "Wait we aren't falling from this height right?"To that Chao Yu only responded with a smile before scooping Zhu Yuan from his feet "Whoa!" Embarrassed by the princess's carry, heat started to rise from her head but she shook his head as it was not the time to be a child."Brace yourself!" With a jump, they fell from the top of the building and accelerated to the ground.
As they were about to touch the ground Chao Yu's golden flame covered his legs and slightly bent his legs.
Boom
Flame scattered to the ground as they landed safely, not wanting to waste time, Chao Yu let Zhu Yuan down, and they both ran.
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As promised a bonus chapter, shower me with Powerstone one more and it will be rewarded