"Big Sister" Na'er

[This is big-sister Na'er... Hey, hey, hey, don't shock me.]

Chen Xing recognized the little girl at a glance.

Na'er.

The Silver Dragon King from the original story.

As he looked at her, his mind raced.

According to the original plot, Tang Wulin should have passed by next and rushed in front of Na'er to protect her.

Then the thugs would have fled for fear of federal law, and Tang Wulin would have taken Na'er home.

But Chen Xing looked around.

The intersection was deserted.

There was no sign of Tang Wulin. There was no sign of anyone.

Chen Xing's heart sank.

No way. Did my little brother go straight home today?

He was supposed to take this road after school.

Yet at this crucial moment, no one was here?

The thugs were closing in on Na'er.

Chen Xing stood rooted to the spot, sweat beading on his forehead.

Inside his head, two little figures were fighting.

Save her?

He could put himself in danger, and he might take Tang Wulin's place in the Silver Dragon King's fate from this point on.

Don't save her?

Then the plot might fall apart right here.

"What do I care if the plot falls apart?" the little red devil scoffed, hands on his hips.

"But right now, Na'er is just a little girl with no memories, surrounded by bad people and trembling with fear. Can you really stand there and watch?" the little blue angel demanded, pointing angrily at the devil.

While Chen Xing wrestled with himself,

he suddenly felt someone looking his way.

Their eyes met.

Chen Xing's heart clenched.

The next instant, Na'er turned and ran straight toward him.

Oh, shit!

Don't come over here!

Chen Xing wanted to run, but it was too late.

In a few quick steps, Na'er darted behind him and clutched the hem of his shirt.

The thugs froze for a moment, then swarmed around them.

Their bald leader raised his club and tilted his head, sizing Chen Xing up.

"Well, look at that. A boy, too?"

Chen Xing drew a deep breath.

They had blocked every way out.

I screwed up. Should've dodged.

Should've stayed farther away.

But when he turned to look at Na'er behind him,

he found her gazing up at him, her eyes full of tears.

When she saw him looking, Na'er pleaded in a small voice,

"Please, help me."

Chen Xing sighed inwardly.

So be it.

If fate has come knocking, there's no need to fear it.

I should act like a man and face whatever trouble comes my way.

Besides... saving a beautiful girl? How could I refuse?

He shifted to put himself squarely between Na'er and the thugs.

"Don't be scared. Stay behind me."

Na'er nodded hard.

The bald man stepped forward and looked down at Chen Xing.

"Kid, this has nothing to do with you. Get lost if you know what's good for you."

But Chen Xing didn't move. He just stared at him coldly.

The bald man narrowed his eyes.

Well, would you look at that. This brat's got guts.

Still, he didn't attack right away.

Instead, he examined Chen Xing cautiously.

Chen Xing noticed.

He immediately called out in his mind,

"Pam Pam, analyze these guys' Soul Power Levels for me."

"Got it, Pam. Scanning..."

"Bald male in front: Soul Power Level eighteen. The other four: levels fourteen, thirteen, twelve, and eleven."

They're all soul masters in their teens?

Chen Xing knew what he was up against.

The bald man studied Chen Xing for a while, then frowned and turned to a skinny thug.

The skinny man leaned in for a closer look at Chen Xing, then shook his head.

The bald man's face darkened.

Chen Xing guessed what was making him hesitate.

The Federation kept records of children with Soul Power.

When children awakened at six, the Spirit Pagoda registered them.

If anything happened to a registered child, the Federation would investigate to the end.

That was why the bald man was hesitating.

He was checking whether Chen Xing had Soul Power.

If he did, the man wouldn't dare touch him.

If he didn't...

Chen Xing wasn't worried, though.

He summoned his World-Painting Brush.

The bald man smiled as soon as he saw the brush in Chen Xing's hand.

"Kid, your martial soul doesn't seem to have a trace of Soul Power."

He took another step forward, bent down, and brought his face close to Chen Xing's.

"Zero Soul Power?"

The thugs behind him took a look and burst out laughing.

"Boss, he really is useless."

"Zero Soul Power and he still plays the hero? Does he want to die?"

"Hahaha! A little brat with zero Soul Power thinks he can save the girl?"

Chen Xing said nothing.

The bald man straightened and clapped his hands, as if he'd made up his mind.

"All right. If he's got no Soul Power, we don't have to hold back."

He turned and waved to the men behind him.

"Yeah, do him in. Keep it clean. The Federation won't investigate a kid with no Soul Power."

Chen Xing's gaze turned colder.

Just as I thought.

The thugs circulated their Soul Power, a faint glow rising from their bodies.

Chen Xing felt the pressure bearing down on him.

But he didn't panic.

He rapidly ran through everything he could use.

Illusory Creation required drawing.

Drawing took time.

The five men were about to charge. He couldn't draw anything complicated in time.

But he needed one thing.

Something that would let him and Na'er get out of here immediately.

Got it!