Xiao Changming's face was cold and grim, with a faint red glow in his eyes as he continued running without looking back.

His strength had now reached the pinnacle of martial artists, and someone like Lei Ruiyang, who wasn't even a true martial artist, could be crushed effortlessly.

Although Xiao Changming's wife hadn't witnessed all of this, she could still sense something.

She knew Lei Ruiyang. He had visited their home a few times before and always greeted her as sister-in-law, being extraordinarily polite.

She closed her eyes and said nothing, tightening her arms around her husband's neck to help him conserve energy while running.

Before long, Xiao Changming had successfully left the Safe Zone without facing any hindrances.

"Where are we going?" his wife asked softly.

"Leaving Hedong, heading to Dongning!" Xiao Changming said concisely.

"Dongning? Why Dongning? There's still a war going on there!" his wife said in surprise. Dongning used to be an obscure small town she had never heard of, but now it was famous, with the war there persisting for several months.

Xiao Changming was slightly startled; going to Dongning was an instinctive thought. Just as doubt formed in his mind, he heard countless whispers in his ears. A flash of red light appeared in his eyes, and a trace of irritability arose within him, "Don't ask anymore, it's the only way we can survive."

At that moment, he faintly heard the sound of helicopter rotors near his ear, and his face slightly changed.

Xiao Changming looked back and saw a tiny dot flying toward them.

His face was gloomy, and his steps slowly came to a halt.

He glanced to the sides and then noted a box truck coming from ahead.

"Hold tight!" Xiao Changming said in a deep voice.

"Mm!" His wife instantly hugged his neck tightly.

As the box truck passed by them, Xiao Changming swiftly stepped forward, grabbing lightly at the rear of the truck, quickly opened the back door, and climbed inside.

…

The helicopter hovered overhead for several hours without spotting Xiao Changming.

The atmosphere inside the cabin was stifling.

"Damn it!" The colonel suddenly cursed. His name was Sun Ding, the captain of the special operations squad and a great martial artist, responsible for this operation.

Chen Shouyi was unsurprised by the result.

Xiao Changming wasn't a Barbarian; it was clear from the Memory Space that he hadn't lost his sanity. He understood humans fully during this period lacking cameras and communications.

As long as he didn't foolishly expose himself, finding Xiao Changming in a sea of people was like looking for a needle in the ocean.

Besides, ordinary soldiers were useless against him. Unless lured into a trap with concentrated firepower, he couldn't be killed. By late afternoon, the helicopter finally landed in a vacant spot in the City Hall Square.

Metropolitan lockdown was implemented in the entire Safe Zone, transforming it into a temporary military camp.

…

Shortly after alighting from the helicopter, Chen Shouyi received news of Lei Ruiyang's death from Bai Xiaoling.

"What, Lei Ruiyang has died," Chen Shouyi said in surprise.

"Director Lei was severely injured by Xiao Changming during the pursuit and died in hospital despite rescue efforts." Bai Xiaoling said gravely, somewhat worried for Chen Shouyi.

The dedicated liaison officer wasn't idle.

Since becoming Chen Shouyi's dedicated liaison officer, she had been busier than when she was a security officer, running around town every day and almost investing all her energy in matters concerning Chen Shouyi, gathering intelligence he might find interesting, which naturally was part of her work.

Fortunately, since Chen Shouyi became a Martial Artist, her status rose, and as long as she identified herself, most departments cooperated.

Chen Shouyi was slightly surprised, but didn't think much of it; for other military martial artists, it was like a shock from flat terrain, their faces drastically changed.

"Are you sure?" Sun Ding quickly asked, "Director Lei was a martial artist; how could he die so easily?"

"This matter has already been confirmed, with the hospital having reported to the military and city government, likely contacting family members now."

"Director Lei was an orphan, and since his wife died of illness, he has never remarried!" Sun Ding said, with some sadness. He didn't belong to Xiao Changming's faction, but previously served under Lei Ruiyang, which was the reason he was tasked with heading the operation.

Chen Shouyi, upon hearing this, felt a slight pang.

…

For the moment, Chen Shouyi couldn't leave.

After eating the delivered boxed meal, night began to fall, and people on the square started lighting gasoline lamps.

Now the entire Hedong City was taking action, locking down roads gradually and organizing a citywide search. Helicopters were seen flying off into the distance, yet until 8 p.m., no reliable information came through.

Chen Shouyi had Bai Xiaoling inform his parents about his task execution.

Then leaned against the massive tire of the armed transport helicopter, mildly sighing.

Now Hedong City had only him as the martial artist.

This was a source of pressure for him.

He used to dislike seeing Lei Ruiyang alive, but now that Lei Ruiyang was dead and only he remained as a martial artist, he realized sometimes people did need to huddle together for warmth.

Despite Lei Ruiyang's weak strength, it meant nothing to him, yet being alive was a form of hope and comfort.

Look, even those weaker than me are living well, hence I should have fewer issues.

This sort of mentality.

Ultimately, his strength was still too weak!

…

Sun Ding walked over with a gloomy face, offering a cigarette that Chen Shouyi refused, then took it back: "Chief Advisor, you seem to know a lot about that demon's strength; have you fought him?"

Chen Shouyi shook his head, saying, "I indirectly contacted him once, and when he tried to sneak up, I detected it. He seemed unwilling to expose himself and quickly retreated."

He wasn't lying; this is how reality was, though there was nothing notable to say about the encounter in the Memory Virtual World.

Sun Ding felt skeptical, thinking it was somewhat exaggerated.

It wasn't that he didn't believe Chen Shouyi; it was just so shocking.

Moments ago, he had inquired about Director Lei's death.

Just one attack.

Dead from being hit with a bicycle.

More terrifying was that the demon was also carrying his wife, severely obstructing his movements.

The entire process was crisp and decisive, rendering Director Lei utterly helpless.

Truly fearsome!

And the Chief Advisor had become a martial artist later than Director Lei; his strength was probably similar to Director Lei's, so claiming to avert him seemed clearly exaggerated.

Suddenly, a red flare ascended in the distance, bursting into bright light.

Sun Ding's face slightly twitched, quickly realized, and shouted loudly, "Situation spotted, board immediately!"

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