C21 Let's Go!!

The altercation had thrown the once peaceful world into disarray. When the police arrived on the scene after receiving the call, they discovered that both the aggressors and the victims had already left. A maintenance crew was there to fix the shattered glass door. Pleased that the issue had seemingly resolved itself, the officers didn't comment further and voluntarily cleared the area.

Zhao Zhe was well aware that if Yellow Hair and his group had remained, the police might not have taken their side. He suspected that Yellow Hair had greased some palms before their arrival. In society, some truths are universally understood without being spoken aloud.

In this world, one must possess a certain level of strength, Zhao Zhe mused. Previously, he might have dismissed such thoughts as daydreams, considering he was just a high school student with less-than-stellar grades. But now, with his unique ability to travel to another dimension, he felt justified in aspiring to make a name for himself in the Earth realm and protect himself and his family from being bullied.

Growth takes time, and Zhao Zhe realized that despite once considering himself streetwise, he was actually far from it. To avoid further bullying and to protect those close to him, he knew he needed to rapidly increase his power. Venturing five kilometers south to rescue someone was now a matter of urgency.

Today, a return to the world of ice and snow was impossible, as he needed to bring Xiaoxue back with him, and he could only teleport once every other day to conserve energy. He planned to use the day's respite to prepare.

Sending Xiaoya home in the afternoon proved to be a challenge. She didn't want to leave—partly out of curiosity about Xiaoxue and partly because she wanted to shoot some music videos with Zhao Zhe and Chen Xiaomeng. They needed to finish up some previous songs, but Zhao Zhe's mind was elsewhere.

In the room, Xiaoxue's timidity was palpable. "Master... you really don't blame me?" she asked.

Zhao Zhe's greatest concern was Xiaoxue's subservient demeanor towards him, always seeing herself as less than him. Despite his requests for her to address him differently, she persisted, much to the chagrin of his grandmother and Xiaoya, who both strongly disapproved of the 'master' title.

"I'm not blaming you. Besides, it's not a big deal. Of course, you've already partly avenged me, but the situation isn't that simple. We still need to confront Yellow Hair and get some answers. There's no need to rush this moment. What's crucial is that you help your master complete his mission."

Xiaoxue breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Master, rest assured. We've prepared plenty of supplies from Heaven. We'll definitely rescue that person!"

Xiaoxue had always seen this place as Heaven. If not for Zhao Zhe's warning about the laws and rules here, she might have crushed Yellow Hair's skull instead of just breaking his legs during their fight. After all, Xiaoxue was a visitor from another dimension who had slain snow rats. She wasn't some fragile girl from Earth.

"Xiaoxue, do you prefer it here or the world of ice and snow?" Zhao Zhe inquired.

"I'll follow you wherever you go, Master," Xiaoxue responded. Zhao Zhe was pleased with her answer. He had been concerned that Xiaoxue might prefer to stay here rather than return with him to the world of ice and snow for the rescue. But given Xiaoxue's character, she wouldn't leave Zhao Zhe to stay here alone. That was why Zhao Zhe felt confident bringing her to Earth.

After midnight, Zhao Zhe activated the Dimension Hopping Express, and the pair returned to the snow-covered area above the Space-time Shelter. They couldn't travel through the snow blanketed by ice, so they always emerged at the shelter's entrance.

With 26 days left until the rescue deadline, there seemed to be ample time, so Zhao Zhe wasn't anxious. He first surveyed the surroundings. The overcast sky made the difference between day and night less distinct in this dimension. Even at night, the snow's reflection made it feel similar to an overcast day on Earth. The howling wind carried a flurry of snowflakes.

"The snow rats have been here," Xiaoxue observed after examining the area. There were holes they had dug, but only one or two meters deep, not yet reaching the shelter's depth.

"Good thing you were prepared," Zhao Zhe remarked. "We took the snow rat meat back to Earth. Otherwise, their scent would have led them straight to our shelter."

Xiaoxue swiftly cleared the snow that had accumulated at the entrance. Together, they brought in the supplies they had gathered, including two large bags of coal that Xiaoxue had shouldered through the tunnel. Zhao Zhe, lacking the strength, could only manage to carry some high-calorie food.

As they equipped themselves with the supplies, they discussed their next move. "Xiaoxue, based on your experience, do you think the weather is suitable for us to depart now?"

While arranging the snow sled, Xiaoxue responded, "Certainly, Master. With our goggles for protection and if the road conditions aren't too severe, we can make our way. I've never been to this region before, so I'm unfamiliar with the terrain. However, we can advance in stages. I'll scout ahead and if the path is clear, I'll signal for you to follow. It's only five kilometers; not too far. We should reach our destination by daylight, provided the gunfire hasn't drawn more snow rats to the area. That would make it quite perilous."

Each carried a large pack filled with ropes, food, knives, medical supplies, and simple sleeping bags, among other essentials. They used snow sleds for travel. Zhao Zhe had some skiing experience, but still relied on Xiaoxue's guidance to brave the snowy night.

Eager to complete his mission, Zhao Zhe, now with Xiaoxue's assistance, was reluctant to waste a single moment. He took the lead, emerging from the shelter into the blustery winds, which had shifted to blow from the south—a favorable turn for the pair.

Xiaoxue secured a rope around their waists. Having previously explored the vicinity, she could lead for a while before they would need to scout further ahead.

"Master, let's go!" With a graceful push of her ski poles, Xiaoxue glided forward, and Zhao Zhe hurried to keep pace. By simply adjusting his direction with the tension of the rope, he found it much easier than when he had to navigate the snow on his own.

Shielded by their goggles, the biting wind and snow couldn't impair their vision. With Xiaoxue's guidance, Zhao Zhe effortlessly slid a kilometer southward. Beyond that point, however, even Xiaoxue was unfamiliar with the terrain.

Checking his luminous watch, it was past 1:30 a.m. Xiaoxue found a wind-sheltered snow pit and stopped. "Master, wait here. I'll scout ahead and return after a kilometer to get you."

At this moment, Zhao Zhe was like a baby in need of protection, heeding Xiaoxue's every word. This was her domain, and he was merely a visitor. To survive, he had no choice but to follow her lead.

As the wind howled and snow swirled overhead, Xiaoxue made an elegant dash up the snow pit before her figure was obscured by the wall of snow. Zhao Zhe pulled out a piece of rock-hard chocolate and bit into it, seeking to boost his energy.

"Master, you keep complaining that I haven't granted you a Goldfinger, but you've already got one," the assistant remarked, having endured grievances since the day before.

Zhao Zhe nodded, chewing on his chocolate. "You make a good point. The girl relies heavily on us. I'm convinced she'd never betray our organization, no matter the circumstances. She can navigate a snowstorm better than a compass, knows the world's rules of life, and possesses a fair amount of combat ability. She's definitely like a cheat code for me."

The assistant countered, "She's more than just capable in combat. On Earth, she could take on ten at a time. With such a girl protecting you, Master, why would you even need a bicycle?"

Zhao Zhe disagreed, "No, I must have a bicycle. It's my due. As a man, it's embarrassing to always be protected by a girl. I need to be able to defend myself!"

The assistant replied, "No one thinks less of you for it. She calls you 'Master' quite endearingly. I'd say you're lucky to have found such a gem. Your protagonist's aura is no joke."

Zhao Zhe's mood lifted briefly before he caught himself, "Tsk, assistant, don't try to quell my dissatisfaction with flattery. I just find it unfair. So what if I'm the ruler of the universe? If he's chosen me, he should provide me with benefits. The girl is just that—a girl with her own mind. I want a Goldfinger that's truly and entirely mine."

Zhao Zhe's time passed quickly with the company of his assistant, engaging in lighthearted conversation. In less than an hour, Xiaoxue returned, her clothes adorned with snowflakes carried by the wind, making her appear like a snowman racing towards them from a distance.

Zhao Zhe eagerly brushed the snow from Xiaoxue's attire, but she shyly evaded, saying, "Master, I can manage on my own."

"What's the situation ahead?"

"I scouted a little over a kilometer ahead," Xiaoxue reported. "The terrain is quite uneven, so you'll need to be cautious when we ski. Also, I found a spot ahead where we can stop for a brief rest."

As they resumed their journey, Zhao Zhe quickly understood the challenges of the undulating landscape. He had previously noticed a few snow pits, but now the path was littered with them, along with snow mounds, presenting a significant test for his limited skiing experience. It wasn't long before he lost control of his speed. Plunging into a snow pit, he inadvertently tackled Xiaoxue, who was ahead of him, pinning her down in the snow.

Embarrassed, Zhao Zhe found himself pressing down on Xiaoxue. The young woman remained calm and did not struggle, silently allowing Zhao Zhe to use her as a makeshift cushion. Despite several attempts, Zhao Zhe couldn't manage to rise, ultimately remaining atop her.

"Apologies, Xiaoxue. I truly can't get up—the snow is too deep, and I've got nothing to push against," Zhao Zhe explained.

"It's alright, Master. Let's just rest a moment," Xiaoxue whispered. "This area is a depression, and the snow pit is quite deep. If you move aside, I can get up and take a look around."

Zhao Zhe rolled off, and they both lay flat on the ground. Xiaoxue removed her snow-covered goggles and surveyed their surroundings.

"Master, this appears to be the site of an ancient city."

"An ancient city?" Zhao Zhe mused, his knowledge of the world of ice and snow limited to what he had gleaned from the inhabitants of the Space-time Shelter.

Xiaoxue rose to her feet, peeked outside, then settled back down beside Zhao Zhe. She wiped the snow off his goggles and shared, "Master, I've heard that our world used to be just like the heaven you come from, complete with sunlight, cities, bustling populations, and abundant plant life."

Zhao Zhe corrected her, "My world isn't actually heaven; it's called Earth."

Xiaoxue hummed in acknowledgment, "The name doesn't matter. To me, Master, you are an angel from heaven, here to rescue Xiaoxue. Having pledged myself to you as my Master, I will loyally serve you for life. Wherever Master goes, Xiaoxue will follow."

Zhao Zhe couldn't help but feel elated at her words!

"...The original name of our world has been forgotten, but now it's known as the world of ice and snow because everything is buried and frozen, including the cities and infrastructure left behind by humans of the past."

"Master, take a look..." Xiaoxue gestured towards the snow mounds outside, "These mounds are actually the remnants of once-tall ancient buildings, and the depressions in the snow mark where shorter buildings and roads once stood. They're all hidden beneath the snow now. I've lived in several underground cities, where people survive by digging up the resources buried beneath these ancient city ruins. Thanks to the freezing conditions, most of these materials are remarkably well-preserved."