Just after Zishi passed, the street was so cold that it could freeze saliva.
Qin Zhao walked forward on the bluestone, crushing a thin layer of frost on the soles of his boots. He didn't turn back, but he knew the shadow was quite close - the lightning bead boots landed lightly like a cat, but every step was accompanied by the sound of electric arcs crackling, pretending to be harmless but not like it.
"Brother Qin." Ji Xue's voice came from behind, soft and sweet, and the ending was so high that he could hang deep-fried dough sticks. "You are walking too fast, and people can't keep up~"
Qin Zhao's footsteps didn't stop: "Then don't follow
Oh, what are you talking about? "She ran a few steps closer, her halberd trailing behind her, sparks tracing out a string." I promised to help you find something, how could you give up halfway
I didn't ask you to help, "he didn't even lift his eyelids." You insisted on sticking it up yourself
That's different, "she chuckled and poked his arm." It's so dangerous for you as a big man to walk at night, but I'm doing chivalry
Qin Zhao gave her a sideways glance and said, "Are you a hero? First, put away your iron rod. Besides, who was on the wall last night using a long guy to threaten my throat
That's a test! "She blinked." Do you understand professional habits
I don't understand, "he sneered." I only know that whoever does it, I will chop off their hand
Before the words could finish, the wind changed.
It wasn't scraped, it was torn apart by something.
Qin Zhao's ears twitched, his feet paused, and his left hand was already thrown out.
A golden card spun out and exploded with a buzzing sound in front of me, transforming into a semi transparent shield with a shimmering gold edge, resembling bulletproof glass customized by some nouveau riche.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh
Twelve arrows were shot from all directions, from rooftops, alleyways, broken windows, and walls, with angles so intricate that they seemed to have already measured the distance, waiting for them to reach this point before firing all at once.
The tip of the arrow is pitch black, the tail feathers turn purple, and upon landing, white smoke instantly corrodes, even gnawing off a layer of skin from the bluestone.
Bang bang bang bang
The arrow hit the gold shield and exploded into powder, leaving no residue.
Qin Zhao stood still, not even shaking the corners of his clothes.
He slowly turned his head and looked behind him.
Ji Xue was huddled behind his left shoulder, holding onto his robe with one hand and swinging back. Her head was tightly hidden, only revealing a pair of eyes that were wide open, as if she was really scared and confused.
Oh my goodness! "She patted her chest," You scared me to death! What the hell is this thing, so poisonous
Qin Zhao stared at her and said, "Why are you hiding behind me
Nonsense! "She stared," Aren't you blocking me? I don't have a gold card
He said, "There were three arrows that came straight to your doorstep just now, and you didn't even tilt your head
I... I'm too scared! "She pouted," I can't react
Qin Zhao remained silent and his gaze shifted downwards.
Her hand, which was swinging behind him, was slightly white at the fingertips, tightly clenched at the knuckles, with the palm facing inward. It was not a panic grabbing action at all - it was a preparatory posture ready to push back or withdraw at any time.
He tugged at the corner of his mouth, not revealing it.
Let's go. "He withdrew his gaze and took a step forward.
Hey wait! "Ji Xue grabbed his sleeve and said," Just leave like this? Don't you check who put it
Cha? "Qin Zhao sneered," Do you think I'm a street patrol constable
But they're targeting you
Oh. "He turned around, squinting his eyes." So you think I should stand here and wait for the next wave of arrows, while shouting a few words, "Don't touch the girl if you're coming at me
I... that's not what I meant! "She stomped her feet, and the thunder beads jingled." I mean, it's too dangerous
Dangerous? "He sneered." If you're really scared, you can go back to your kang and lie down now
I don't! "She immediately answered, looking up." I want to follow you! Protect you
Qin Zhao looked at her and suddenly reached out his hand.
The movement was too fast, and Ji Xue didn't have time to react. She had already grabbed her wrist and pulled it forward suddenly.
She was pulled straight in front of him, directly exposed in the center of the open street, without any obstruction in front, back, left, right.
What are you doing! "She exclaimed, instinctively wanting to step back.
Don't move, "he lowered his voice." The position you are standing now is the center of the blind spot covered by the arrow rain just now. If they have a second wave, they will definitely change their angle
Ji Xue froze and blinked, "Are you trying to use me as bait
Hmm. "He nodded," Smart
She opened her mouth and suddenly smiled, "Brother Qin, you're so ruthless
Harsh? "He let go of her wrist," You haven't seen how I chop off my hands yet
Just finished speaking——
The wind has changed again.
This time it's even more urgent, as if someone is pulling twelve bows at the same time in the dark, with the strings stretched to the extreme.
Qin Zhao didn't move.
He just locked Ji Xue's profile with his remaining light.
She was still smiling, with curved corners of her eyes, looking like a little girl who said 'I trust you'.
And then——
The arrow is coming!
Faster and denser than before, almost blocking all evasion routes.
The golden shield unfolded again, blocking eleven arrows with a loud bang.
But there is one, rubbing against the edge of the shield, shooting diagonally towards Ji Xue's left arm!
Qin Zhao intentionally deviated by half an inch.
The tip of the arrow grazed her sleeve, and with a 'hiss', it tore open the fabric.
In an instant, a silver light flashed.
The inner lining, a layer of fine silver wire soft armor with faint lightning lines, shattered with a "bang" when the arrow tip hit, and fragments flew out, leaving a small hole in the wall.
Ji Xue let out an "ah" and suddenly raised her hand to cover her arm, her body shrinking as if she had been scared.
But Qin Zhao could see clearly——
She raised her hand half a beat faster than being hit by an arrow.
And when the lightning pattern on that layer of soft armor lights up, it's not passively triggered, but rather like a preheated engine, reaching its peak in a flash.
His eyes sank.
It is indeed fake.
What kind of cute little girl, what kind of scared scream, they are all acting.
This woman has been testing him from beginning to end and also guarding against him.
But she's not defending against arrows.
It's his reaction.
Qin Zhao slowly withdrew his gold card and the shield dissipated.
He stared at her torn sleeve and said lightly, 'The clothes are broken.'
Ah? "Ji Xue looked down and then pursed her lips," I hate it, this is my new dress
Newly made? "He sneered." That layer of armor inside is quite old, with a lightning pattern of three, at least fifty years old technology
What do you know! "She immediately retorted," This is a limited edition retro style! Do you understand fashion
Understood. "He turned around and left," I also understand that your soft armor can withstand soul cannons, not to mention a few broken arrows
Ji Xue was stunned for a moment, then ran along and said, "Hey! How did you know that was armor
Guess it. "He didn't look back," After all, who would wear armor under a skirt? It's the kind with electricity
I... this is my personal preference! "She choked her neck." Can you control it
No matter, "he said," as long as you don't pretend to be innocent in front of me
How could I pretend! "She poked him on the back." It's obvious that you're too cold! Don't even ask when you see a girl get hurt, scumbag
Qin Zhao stopped and turned back.
The moonlight fell on the faint golden crack on his brow bone, as if a crack had cracked open.
He stared at her and said, 'Are you injured?'
No... no. "She withdrew her hand.
That's it, then. "He turned around and continued walking," pretending to be hurt, there's too much play
Ji Xue was so angry that she stomped her feet and said, "You're really not cute! You can't fool people at all
I have no obligation to coax you, "he said in a calm tone." If you really want to be coaxed, I suggest applying for a job at Hualou, where the majors are relevant
You! "She gritted her teeth," Someday, you will beg me to coax you
Wait until that day, "he sneered," I'll cut out my tongue first
The two of them walked on the street, one in front and one behind, and the atmosphere froze for a moment.
The wind came in from the alleyway, blowing through the flags and making the sound of hunting.
In the distance, the sound of a night watch came, bang bang——
When it's another wheel.
Qin Zhao suddenly spoke up, "Do you know why the first wave of arrows was all aimed at me, but the second wave specifically brushed against you
Ji Xue was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean
They're testing me, "he glanced at the rooftops on both sides," to see if I'll expose more of my trump cards to protect you
So... can you
No, "he answered decisively," if you really die, I won't have to hear you call me Brother Qin every day
You bastard! "She kicked him in the calf.
He sidestepped, but his gaze did not leave the shadows around him.
But they're also testing you, "he whispered.
Try me
Mmm, "he nodded." Let's see if you really need my protection. If you're so weak, that arrow just now could have crippled one of your arms. But you didn't hide or scream, instead, your soft armor lit up on its own
Ji Xue's smile hesitated slightly.
You knew I would block, "she said.
I don't know, "he corrected," I just suspect that you don't need to block at all
After a moment of silence, she suddenly smiled and said, "Qin Zhao, you said something wrong
Which sentence
You said you don't want to protect me, "she tilted her head, her eyes sparkling," but just now, you clearly tilted your shield half an inch towards me
Qin Zhao's footsteps paused.
She continued, "Do you think I didn't notice? Actually, I did. You're not trying to lure the enemy, you're trying to minimize my injuries
He remained silent and continued walking forward.
You're just stubborn, "she followed with a smug tone," cold on the outside and hot on the inside, typical scumbag standard
Shut up, "he said coldly.
Not closed, "she snorted," I declare now that from today on, you are my exclusive bodyguard
Who allowed you to announce it
Me! "She patted her chest," There's no law that prohibits self sealing, right
Yes, "he said," the crime of disturbing public order
Cut, who are you scaring! "She rolled her eyes," You're not a yamen
I am. "He took out a token and shook it," Honorary Inspector of Chengnan Street, certified for duty
Fake! "She snatched it over," This chapter was still carved with a burning stick
Genuine copies are hard to come by, "he shrugged." After all, no one is willing to issue me a certificate
You deserve it, "she murmured as she stuffed the token back into his hand." You're all upside down, who dares to use you
Qin Zhao ignored her and glanced at the intersection ahead.
The memorial archway of the old street in the south of the city has been vaguely visible, and the lanterns are hanging high, which makes the road red.
But the closer he got to the bustling area, the more he dared not relax.
The two waves of arrow rain just now were not games that street thugs could afford to play.
Organized, precise, and equipped with poison arrows, at least by a third level assassin team.
And the other party's goal has never been to kill him.
It's forcing him to make a move.
Force him to expose more abilities.
Even... forcing him to break his own rules in order to protect someone.
He suddenly stopped.
What's wrong? "Ji Xue asked.
Why do you have to follow me? "He turned around and looked straight at her
Ji Xue looked up at him, and the moonlight fell on the lightning shaped birthmark at the end of her right eye, flashing by.
She didn't laugh or act spoiled.
Just quietly watching him, as if waiting for him to see something clearly.
Then she spoke softly, "Because I know you won't really push me away
Qin Zhao's pupils shrank.
She smiled and turned back into the sweet and greasy little girl: 'Let's go, let's go, stand here again, be careful that the third wave of arrows will shoot your handsome face into a sieve!'
She grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward.
Qin Zhao did not break free.
He let her pull him through the memorial archway and into the lights of the old street.
The wind has stopped.
On the distant eaves, a broken arrow was quietly inserted into the crack of the tile, with a blurry "shadow" engraved on the tail of the arrow. It was then blown down by the night wind and plunged into darkness.