Chapter 126: A Sense of Awe

"It seems we're being watched!"

Inside the Range Rover, Su Ye slowly pulled his gaze away from the rearview mirror. He hadn't expected that less than twenty minutes after leaving the Jiang family manor, before they had even cleared the urban district of Yangcheng, they would already be trailed by nearly ten vehicles.

It appeared these people were utterly brazen, following behind without the slightest attempt at concealment. Clearly, they knew Su Ye was setting out to find the legendary Thunder City.

"At least three of those vehicles belong to martial artists from major clans. With both the Master and the Young Alliance Leader away, we can't just drive them off," a Jiang family martial artist muttered. Everyone knew that as long as the pursuers kept their distance and didn't commit any egregious acts, even the Jiang family had no grounds to force them away.

Su Ye felt a sense of helplessness. In the past, he never had to worry about such things; whether it was the butler or Uncle Zhong, they would have silently handled everything. Now that they had departed in separate groups, leaving him to handle this alone suddenly, he truly felt a bit out of his depth.

Just then, Su Ye’s phone rang. It was Jiang Ziyang.

Su Ye answered, "Hello, Family Head."

"Xiao Ye, you are being watched by quite a few people right now. Keep leading them in circles for a while! When you reach the tunnel, find an opportunity to jump out of the car. I’ve already arranged for someone to pick you up. Once you meet them, proceed alone; do not bring anyone else." Jiang Ziyang spoke in a hushed tone before abruptly hanging up.

Su Ye felt a slight tremor in his heart. Judging by Jiang Ziyang’s voice, it seemed he was in a difficult situation himself, having to speak so quietly. But what surprised him more was the instruction to go it alone.

Was he really to leave behind the heavily armed Jiang family martial artists in these cars?

Not long after, a tunnel appeared on the road ahead.

Su Ye removed the large sunglasses he had been using to hide his eyebrows and peered ahead. He noticed the tunnel wasn't fully illuminated like others; whether by design or sabotage, many of the lights were extinguished.

Just then, a massive truck appeared ahead, crawling slowly. All the other vehicles swerved to the side, preparing to overtake it.

Su Ye knew this was his moment. He whispered a quick instruction to the driver to adjust the steering angle, then opened the sunroof and leaped out. He slipped past the massive truck and landed on the side path of the tunnel, immediately vanishing into the darkness.

Everything happened too quickly. None of the other vehicles noticed, and they all rumbled straight through the tunnel.

Su Ye remained still. Even when the road ahead was clear of vehicles, he waited. Suddenly, a maintenance door in the tunnel wall opened, and a tall figure emerged, calling out toward his direction:

"Su Ye? Su Ye? Over here!"

Su Ye steadied his gaze and realized it was Steel Bar, the burly middle-aged man who had been by Ouyang Yunfeng’s side that day.

"You’re the one here to pick me up?" Su Ye quickly put his large sunglasses back on; he didn't want anyone to know he had no eyebrows.

"Yes! Please follow me!" Steel Bar’s square-jawed face showed little emotion, as if everything were perfectly normal, with no hint of nervousness.

Su Ye followed him through the maintenance door—a passage left behind by workers during the tunnel’s construction that led to an alternative exit.

Su Ye found it strange. Along the way, Steel Bar didn't say a single word. He didn't try to strike up a conversation or crack jokes like other martial artists might with the hottest young genius in Yangcheng.

Unable to help himself, Su Ye asked, "Have you been waiting long?"

"Yes. Seventeen hours and thirty-nine minutes," Steel Bar replied earnestly, checking his watch.

Su Ye nearly stumbled. He hadn't expected Steel Bar to be as literal as his name suggested. "My apologies," Su Ye said awkwardly. "We only just left, so you must have been bored waiting all that time."

"Oh, not bored. I'm used to it. Back when I was on the Hainan defense line, it was common for me to lurk alone for days and nights at a time." Steel Bar walked with a vigorous, powerful stride, a habit clearly ingrained over many years.

Su Ye then recalled that Steel Bar had indeed been a special soldier for a central department, which explained why his conduct and demeanor differed from the average martial artist.

As they talked, they soon exited the tunnel and boarded an imposing off-road vehicle parked outside. Steel Bar didn't hesitate; he started the engine and sped off. Seeing that he knew the way, Su Ye didn't ask questions. Instead, curious about Steel Bar’s background, he asked, "Since you were a soldier, how did you end up following Ouyang Yunfeng?"

"Repaying a debt," Steel Bar replied simply.

"Oh? Tell me more. It’s a long road, and it’s boring anyway," Su Ye pressed.

Steel Bar hesitated, as if organizing his thoughts. "I’m an orphan. When I was a child in Yangcheng, I was almost beaten to death. He saved me and taught me how to cultivate. Later, I got into a fight and offended a military officer. The officer didn't kill me; he asked if I was willing to go with him. Yunfeng agreed to let me leave."

"Not long ago, our unit encountered a special ambush. My entire team was wiped out. Only three of us survived, but we were held responsible! I returned, and it just so happened that Yunfeng took me in."

Su Ye smiled, thinking that anyone would certainly take in such a powerful martial soldier.

"What kind of special ambush?" Su Ye asked casually, glancing at the scenery flying by outside the window. The car was moving fast. When Steel Bar didn't answer immediately, Su Ye realized something. "Is it classified?"

"No! It will be announced to all of China very soon, so every martial artist will know!" Steel Bar’s tone was bitter, as if recalling something painful. "It is a terrifying power from the ocean that has plagued China for hundreds of years! But that last surprise attack caused us heavy losses."

Hearing the low, trembling tone in his voice, Su Ye could sense the depth of his pain. He had heard rumors that the vast oceans were home to all manner of terrifying sea beasts, to the point where many merchant ships no longer dared to set sail.

To many nations, the ocean seemed to have become an unconquerable force once again.

Last time, on the island, hadn't he met Qian Liluo? That delicate, beautiful woman was of the ocean race. It seemed that in the vast, unfathomable deep, there existed beings beyond imagination.

The two fell silent. Steel Bar continued to drive.

By evening, the vehicle had entered mountainous terrain. Many of the roads were barely wide enough for one car, and pedestrians were a rarity; the few they saw were local villagers. Eventually, even the road ended for their vehicle.

They had to continue on foot.

Steel Bar carried a large, overstuffed backpack. Seeing Su Ye empty-handed, wearing a baseball cap and large sunglasses, he looked like a wealthy young tourist.

Steel Bar couldn't help but ask, "You didn't bring any luggage?"

"Heh, I don't need any!" Su Ye smiled. Instinctively, he touched his waist, where a conch shell shaped like a bull's horn hung. All his belongings, whether daily necessities or medicinal pills and weapons, were stored inside.

"We’ll head to the village ahead. Our people will meet us there," Steel Bar said, taking a few steps forward.

As he walked, his gait had a slight, rhythmic rise and fall. Looking closely, Su Ye noticed his boots were specially designed, with the sole of one boot significantly thicker and raised.

Sensing Su Ye's gaze, Steel Bar said with a self-deprecating laugh, "Oh, this is an old injury. A fish-bone barb pierced through the sole of my foot. By the time we drove back the sea beasts, it had been over ten days, and it ended up like this."

Su Ye’s body trembled slightly. He averted his gaze, feeling a sense of unworthiness; he didn't want to discuss it.

In the presence of this martial soldier who had shed blood and sweat for China, Su Ye felt ashamed. Steel Bar was the one who deserved true respect. To have a fish-bone barb lodged in his foot for ten days while still fighting the enemy—what kind of courage was that?

He thought of his own family, which claimed to protect all of China, yet had spent years in internal strife and power struggles. They didn't even amount to a fraction of Steel Bar.

"What is the name of the village ahead? I see blue stone slabs on the path; it doesn't look simple."

"Indeed. It is a place where local sorcerers and shamans like to gather. Many people even come here seeking the sorcerers for healing. It is called—Fo Tian Ding."