Shitou pursued his doctoral studies abroad and after gaining some fame, he naturally acquired a group of followers.
There was no doubt, Shitou was exceptional, from a good family background, with strong personal capabilities, involving in various fields of research including arts and sciences, martial arts, medical techniques, marksmanship, and intelligent machine manufacturing.
Of course, some of these research areas were his private interests, and some were official.
Protecting his compatriots was a natural impulse, and as the country’s power grew, the perception of its people abroad gradually shifted.
Shitou made quite a few friends, many from home, but also quite a few from abroad.
Mostly, they were like-minded individuals. Besides his family, Shitou didn’t let anyone know he was to enlist at the age of eighteen, but his returning home was certain.
Naturally, Shitou’s visibility stirred many people’s envy, jealousy, and resentment, with not just those who disliked him but also those who wanted to harm him at large.
Since coming abroad for his doctoral studies, Shitou had encountered numerous incidents, but most people harbored good intentions, so his campus life remained fulfilling.
The moon is not always brighter abroad, a gold and silver nest is not as good as one’s old nest—a natural order, where people aspire to move higher just as water flows lower.
Although Shitou hadn’t officially graduated, domestic and foreign institutions had already been trying to recruit him, yet he hadn’t given it any thought.
At that moment, Shitou was in the lab; the other students had dispersed to find food as hunger settled in, leaving only Shitou and the professor.
Grumbling sounds emanated from Shitou’s stomach, betraying a hint of helplessness in his expression.
"People take food as their heaven," and Shitou was not one to disregard his stomach’s alerts, so once the alarm sounded, he quickly wrapped up and bid the professor farewell.
Leaving the academic building, Shitou headed towards the school’s main gate, since he lived close enough to walk.
As he reached the school gate, an American sunshine-boy on a skateboard came sliding over, saying, "Senior Brother Peize, Chen Sien is being cornered in an alley."
Shitou agilely blocked the young man, "Which alley?"
"It’s near the apartment Chen Sien rents. But I should warn you, they’re not alone. I don’t know whom Chen Sien ticked off, or if they’re actually after you."
Shitou of course recognized this college student—a genius with high IQ, a 15-year-old undergrad, who had publically declared on the campus network his goal to surpass Shitou.
As for Chen Sien, he was a chemical engineering graduate student, Shitou’s assistant, a 25-year-old young man from a family that ran a business, in good standing.
"Thanks," Shitou nodded to the informant, then phoned his bodyguard to scout ahead while he hurried to the scene.
Before he arrived, Shitou already pinpointed Chen Sien’s location, and upon arrival, he found not only Chen Sien but also another foreign student trapped.
They had engaged in fight and even got restrained.
The opponents were from the underworld, unclear in origin but certainly not on the righteous path, which wouldn’t employ such means.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Shitou called out.
As he approached, he raised his phone, "I’ve just called the police. Whatever your reasons, you’ll be explaining them to the cops soon."
"Ah, look who it is, the prodigy representing Z country’s students abroad."
The leader scoffed, "Calling the police? Seems like the genius doesn’t know the rules. If we dare show up here, you think we’re afraid of the police?"
"What do you want, what are your terms for releasing them?" Shitou asked, signaling the bodyguard to remain hidden for now.
The opponent cut straight to the point, "Talking to a high-IQ genius is refreshing. We wish to negotiate a collaboration with Peize Gao for the research findings you’re working on."
Shitou smirked slightly, quite the appetite they had, wanting his research findings.
Shitou squinted at them, chuckled twice, and kept silent.
"Not worth your two assistants’ lives?" the man pressed upon seeing Shitou’s silence.
"The research findings aren’t mine alone; they’re part of a collective project led by our professor. I’m not one to decide," Shitou spread his hands.
"How can’t you decide? Seems like the genius is underestimating us."
With that, he ordered his men, "Give them some pain."
"If you want to fight, come at me then. I’d like to see firsthand what you’ve got."
Upon Shitou’s statement, the leader nodded, and some of his men charged at Shitou.
Shitou told the bodyguard to wait in the shadows to rescue the others. He was already fending off punches from two burly men, and a physical fight swiftly unfolded.
Soon, the sounds of combat filled the alley. Although Chen Sien’s rented apartment was close to the school, it was relatively remote, and strangely, no one approached the area.
As the fight ensued, Shitou breathed a sigh of relief. They were just common thugs, not on the level of assassins or special agents. They were no match for Shitou, although they did have numbers.
After Shitou took down five, ten more surged from the shadows, and the injured five backed off.
Shitou was exasperated. They planned a war of attrition; he would entertain them to the end.
Regardless of their background, they had made an enemy of him now.
Amidst the clapping sounds, the opposing leader praised Shitou, "Our leader of the Desire Alliance admires you. If you’re willing to join us, we’ll treat you well."
"Heh, such recruitment tactics indeed fill me with reverence," Shitou responded.
He was aware of the Desire Alliance, an organization others deeply feared. Said to be large and full of talent, but those facing Shitou were not impressive. He figured it was likely a test, and they hadn’t sent their best.
Soon enough, Shitou had laid many of them down,
And the next ones to emerge had guns aimed at Shitou, who curled his lips, "Don’t play with fire. There’s a sniper at nine o’clock."
At his words, they hesitated, glancing around, seeing no one.
"If a sniper was that easy to spot, they’d be a terrible sniper." Shitou shrugged, "Let my friends go. I don’t want to be your enemy, and I’m sure you don’t want me as one either."