The procedure to leave the city was quite simple. All that was needed was to register at the City Guard's management office, and you could leave. This was because Chu City needed people to venture out, search for new resources, or scout new intelligence. Furthermore, these individuals would, to some extent, help eliminate or control the zombie monsters on their way, making the city safer.
However, just as Chu Xun arrived at the City Guard management office, ready to complete his exit procedure, unexpected trouble suddenly descended upon him.
A mocking, sarcastic laugh rang out from behind him: "Oh, isn't this the Chu family's useless waste?"
"Why him?" Chu Xun frowned slightly when he saw a group of four or five people surrounding a young man in white scholar robes, with a hawk-like nose that made anyone who looked at him immediately dislike him.
This person was named Chu Jie, the younger brother of Chu Qing. At fifteen years old, he had already awakened his abilities and possessed the "Rock Armor" ability, making him one of the rising stars in the Chu family. He idolized his older brother, Chu Qing, and followed him around blindly. In the past, Chu Jie had often bullied Chu Xun, even assisting Chu Qing in extorting him. The enmity between them was deep.
"What's wrong, mute?" Seeing that Chu Xun didn't bow down and greet him as he usually did, and even frowned in displeasure, Chu Jie's mood instantly soured. He snorted coldly and walked up to Chu Xun, grabbing his collar. With a cold voice, he said, "I heard Qing Yi died at your hands. I don't know how you did it, but I'm telling you now, you're dead!"
"Let go!" Chu Xun's gaze turned cold the moment his collar was grabbed. His right fist slowly clenched, ready to teach Chu Jie a lesson at any moment.
Although Chu Xun might not be able to defeat Chu Jie, who had the "Rock Armor" ability, he was definitely not the kind of person who would just endure being bullied. Even if he couldn't win, he would throw a few punches!
"Noise and fighting are strictly prohibited on the city walls!" The City Guard officer, upon seeing the conflict between Chu Xun and Chu Jie, immediately froze his expression. He drew his laser pistol from his waist and aimed it at Chu Jie. "Let go, or I'll shoot!"
The southern city gate and wall were part of the military-controlled area. Any disturbance or argument was strictly forbidden here. If any trouble occurred, the City Guard officers had the authority to deal with it immediately.
Since the City Guard was under direct city management, even Chu Jie did not dare to act recklessly. He immediately released Chu Xun's collar and coldly said, "You better never leave the city walls, or I'll make you regret it!"
"We're leaving!" Chu Jie threw one last venomous glare at Chu Xun and turned, walking away with his lackeys.
Chu Jie had originally planned to wander around and enjoy the view beyond the city walls. He hadn't expected that Chu Xun would ruin his mood. A killing intent flashed in his eyes as he spoke loudly to one of his burly lackeys. "Jie San, keep an eye on that useless fool. If he leaves the city walls, inform me immediately. I'll make sure to teach him a lesson this time."
He paused, then gritted his teeth and added, "Before my brother comes back, I'll make sure to deal with this waste. Hmph!"
With that, Chu Jie and his lackeys left, leaving only Jie San behind, who was now vigilantly watching Chu Xun.
Jie San did not dare to slack off. If Chu Xun managed to slip past him, he might not live long. The thought of Chu Jie's brutal punishments for disobedient servants made Jie San shudder.
"It looks like things are going to get out of hand…" Chu Jie's voice was loud, so Chu Xun naturally heard it, or rather, it was intentional for Chu Jie to let him hear it. As he looked at Jie San standing nearby, a cold gleam flashed in Chu Jie's eyes. He took a deep breath and walked up to the City Guard officer. "Officer, I want to leave the city!"
"You want to leave the city?" The officer, clearly recognizing Chu Xun, frowned when he heard the request. "But you haven't awakened your abilities. With your strength, even a low-level zombie could take your life. Are you looking for death?"
Although the officer's voice was cold and his expression severe, Chu Xun could still sense a hint of concern in his words. He felt a bit warmed and shook his head. "I've already awakened my abilities. The student assessment is coming up soon, and I just recently awakened. My abilities are still weak, so I plan to train and hone them through combat and achieve a good result in the assessment."
"Awakened already?" The officer's eyes lit up for a moment, but then he shook his head again. "Even if you've awakened your abilities, it's not enough. At your current level, you can handle a single ordinary zombie, but if you encounter multiple zombies, there's still danger. Moreover, ordinary zombies are the weakest enemies. Outside the city, there are countless terrifying creatures that prey on humans. Do you know? You might never come back from this trip."
"I understand the risks, but I won't venture too far from the city. I'll stick to the main road where trade caravans clear the way every three months. Even if there are enemies, they won't be too strong." Chu Xun's gaze hardened as he looked at the officer. "Please, let me go. If I don't perform well in the student assessment, I won't get any more resources. I don't want to be a useless person!"
"Just like your father, you're as stubborn as he was." The officer sighed as he saw Chu Xun's determined expression. A look of nostalgia flashed in his eyes. "Alright then, I'll let you out. I hope you come back alive."
The officer took a combat knife from his waist and handed it to Chu Xun. "This is a level-2 alloy knife. With it, your chances of survival will be higher."
"Thank you, Officer!" Chu Xun didn't hesitate to accept the knife, knowing full well that it was for his own survival. He bowed seriously, his gratitude evident.
Unlike the regular alloy combat knife Chu Xun had brought from home, the level-2 alloy knife was much harder and sharper. It was capable of cutting through metal and even severing hair, and its value was equivalent to five or six crystal cores. With this knife, Chu Xun's safety would certainly improve.
"You don't need to thank me. If it weren't for your father's sacrifice, I might have died in the zombie tide," the officer said, shaking his head. He had been a comrade of Chu Zhan, Chu Xun's father, which was why he treated Chu Xun with more care. But that was all he could do. He couldn't help him any further.
With that, the officer handed the knife to Chu Xun and used a crane to lower him down from the city wall.
"Without the protection of the walls, I really do feel a bit nervous," Chu Xun thought as he stood at the foot of the city wall, a slight sense of anxiety creeping into his heart.
Beyond the walls was a true death trap. Even people with second, third, or fourth-tier abilities could perish out there. To say that he wasn't afraid would be a lie.
But thinking of the mission on his shoulders and the terrible punishment that awaited him, Chu Xun had no choice but to take the risk. He took a deep breath, strapped the 30-centimeter-long, black, cold alloy knife to his waist, gripped his combat knife tightly, and walked toward the southern road.
"D*mn it, this guy actually left the city. Is he looking for death?" Seeing that Chu Xun had been lowered from the city walls and was walking further away, Jie San was stunned for a moment. When Chu Xun's figure disappeared from sight, he snapped out of it and started laughing. "Looks like this guy is so scared by Young Master that he'd rather die outside the city than come back. That works too. I'm sure Young Master will be pleased with this outcome."
With that, Jie San quickly ran down the city wall to notify Chu Jie.