Scattered airships are retreating into the distance.

A short distance away, on an elevated railway bridge, an old steam train loaded with munitions, billowed thick white smoke, making a clanking sound, as it accelerated away from Ningzhou.

The intense sound of artillery fire could still be faintly heard from behind, but this was the last resistance. In a sense, the war had officially ended after three nuclear bombs had proven futile.

There were few cars on the highway, making for a smooth journey.

Chen Shouyi was pedaling a tricycle rapidly, constantly overtaking one steam truck after another.

Until Ningzhou gradually receded from view, his heart, though heavy, also felt a slight relief. Those who haven't experienced it wouldn't know the kind of pressure there is when facing the Barbarian God, it's like an ant gazing up at a giant, that suffocating and despairing feeling of fragility as if life were a soap bubble.

He looked back for a moment, then turned around and continued forward.

Several traffic policemen at the toll station attempted to stop Chen Shouyi's non-compliant tricycle from entering the road, but upon seeing his speed, they immediately gave up, letting him speed away.

Goodness, this speed is almost seventy miles per hour.

Carrying two people, it's faster than an accelerated steam truck.

You can tell at a glance he's not an ordinary person!

Chen Shouyi sped all the way, changing the chain three times in the process, and by 3:30 PM, he had already reached Hedong City.

Chen Shouyi did not stop by the parking lot at the Hedong Railway Station to retrieve his bicycle. Instead, he had a late lunch at a restaurant in the city center, then headed straight to the Safe Zone.

By this time, the workers in the industrial district were already getting off work.

The streets were bustling with people, the sounds of bicycle bells ringing endlessly, forming a cacophony of noise. Seeing this lively atmosphere, much of the gloom weighing on Chen Shouyi's heart was dispelled.

"Is this the Safe Zone?" Chen Yuwei asked curiously, "It's so lively here!"

"Yes, now many important institutions from Hedong City have moved here, also, Jiangnan University is here now too. If you attend school, it's only a ten-minute bicycle ride away." Chen Shouyi said as he pedaled the tricycle slowly, explaining:

"The city experienced a battle before; now there's hardly any people in the city, while the Safe Zone is getting more prosperous!"

"Are the house prices expensive here?" Qin Shufen inquired.

"I didn't really pay attention to it, but they shouldn't be expensive." Chen Shouyi replied, usually not focusing on these matters, "Auntie, you can stay with us at our house."

"Staying too long would be inconvenient!" Qin Shufen said.

She was a strong-willed person, moreover, even among relatives sometimes boundaries are needed; staying a few days is okay, but staying too long can sour even the best relationships.

All the cash she had was just over ten thousand. Coupled with the jewelry she brought, considering the current gold prices, she could probably make thirty to forty thousand by selling them. If need be, she could borrow some from her sister-in-law.

Chen Shouyi tried to persuade a bit but then stopped trying.

The tricycle gradually made its way to the villa area, and the crowds immediately thinned out.

Gazing at the rows of exquisite houses, Chen Yuwei's eyes widened gradually, "Shouyi, does your family live here now?"

"Yes!" Chen Shouyi replied, "We're almost there!"

The tricycle came to a stop at the entrance of a villa.

"Dad, Mom! I'm back!" Chen Shouyi shouted, "Aunt and sister, I've brought them along too!"

Father Chen and Mrs. Chen heard the commotion and quickly ran out, followed by Chen Xingyue.

"Why are you so late? Sister-in-law, Yuwei, come on in quickly." Chen Dawei chuckled, "Where's my brother, why isn't he here?"

...

In the living room, the atmosphere was a bit stifling.

Everyone except Chen Shouyi had slightly reddened eyes.

"Sigh, if only we had sent Shou Yi sooner to fetch you guys, I didn't expect Dongning to turn out like this," Chen Dawei said in a low voice, "Otherwise, my brother wouldn't have... Sigh! Thank goodness you and Yuwei are safe!"

Qin Shufen wiped the corners of her eyes, "It's all fate. If not for Yuwei, I wouldn't have had the courage to go on living."

"Sister-in-law, don't say such ominous things!" Mrs. Chen said, "Are you hungry? I'll get some food."

...

Unconsciously, a week had passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Yuwei went back to class, and her aunt, after borrowing some money, bought a house on the outskirts of the Safe Zone by the fifth day and moved out.

Chen Shouyi repeatedly visited Jiangnan University to borrow books through Guan Miao, aiming to broaden his martial arts thinking, thus providing direction for optimizing the Book of Knowledge, while also diligently inquiring about the situation in Ningzhou.

To his disappointment, however, not much information was available.

He specifically sought out Xiao Changming to ask about the situation, but the latter remained tight-lipped. It was evident that all information was being suppressed. All he knew was that during this time, all the tall buildings in the Safe Zone were installing anti-aircraft guns.

...

"Bang, bang, bang..."

Chen Xingyue wielded a thick iron rod, aimlessly battering Chen Shouyi.

His bare upper body, with each blow, his muscles instinctively vibrated rapidly, dispersing the force across his body, so much so that by the time it penetrated the muscle layer, most of the power had dissipated. Chen Shouyi realized that with Chen Xingyue's strength, it no longer had much effect on him.

Even when struck on the bone, it just hurt without inflicting any real damage.

The Horizontal Training in thirty-six forms not only increased muscle resilience but also enhanced the strength of internal organs and bones.

With a "crack," the iron rod struck Chen Shouyi's forehead, instantly bouncing back forcefully, numbing Chen Xingyue's grip and looking at Chen Shouyi, whose face showed no change.

She suddenly felt a bit disheartened; this guy was simply becoming more formidable.

After just a few minutes of hitting, she threw down the iron rod in frustration and said angrily, "I'm done hitting; I won't do this anymore, you pervert! Don't think you can make me do this again!"

"Three hundred!" Chen Shouyi, looking unmoved at his sister's hysterics, extended three fingers, "Three hundred an hour."

"You said it!" Hearing the number three hundred, Chen Xingyue's eyes widened as she quickly responded.

Three hundred per hour, with some effort, a three-hour session earns nearly a thousand, and a full month's work would bring in close to thirty thousand, instantly multiplying her small savings several times over.

Chen Shouyi suddenly realized that dealing with his sister was precisely the same as dealing with the Shell Lady.

Seeing his sister grab the iron rod, preparing to strike down again.

Chen Shouyi had a sudden thought and quickly said, "Wait!"

"What, having second thoughts?"

Me, worrying about such a small amount?

"Don't hit; use the iron rod to thrust!" Chen Shouyi said.

The same force, applied over a different contact area, naturally results in different levels of damage.

"Have you lost your mind? That's absolutely out of the question!" Chen Xingyue exclaimed hastily.

In Martial Arts, a thrust is the most powerful of all Sword Forms. Back when Chen Shouyi hadn't even reached the Martial Arts Apprentice stage, he could pierce through walls with just a chopstick, showing its immense power.

"I didn't ask you to immediately use a lunging thrust; just an ordinary thrust, slowly, step by step."