Chapter 8

The population of Meteor Street is close to ten million, and its layout is in the shape of a cross, with four wide and straight main streets dividing it into four districts.

Here, there is no government system to interfere; the entire Meteor Street is governed by the Council of Elders. The council consists of four elders, each overseeing one of the four districts: east, south, west, and north. Although there are factions, there is no factional conflict.

Machi's residence is located in the West District. By passing through narrow alleys, one can reach the main street of the West District. Walking straight to the end leads to the exit of Meteor Street, beyond which is a vast area filled with garbage. Trucks frequently enter from outside, unloading waste without any regard.

Luo walked alongside Machi, arriving at the main street of the West District.

There were many people on the street, and when they saw Luo, they all cast disdainful and contemptuous glances at him. Some even spat at him, but no one took any further action.

"What's going on?"

The hostility from the residents along the way left Luo utterly baffled. Was it because he was an outsider? But Meteor Street accepts anything and everyone, so there was no reason to reject him, right? Could it be because he wasn't a baby?

Moreover, if they were rejecting his presence, the past twenty days wouldn't have been so peaceful.

"Machi, what's going on with them?" Luo was puzzled and a bit angry. He subtly closed the distance between himself and Machi and asked in a low voice.

Machi glanced at him and said indifferently, "They don't know your situation. Since you've been staying at my place and haven't gone out, they probably think you're a pretty boy."

Self-reliance is a fundamental trait for survival in Meteor Street. From the moment they are abandoned here, the concept of self-reliance is ingrained in their bones. Even infants who lose their limbs at birth can find a way to survive by the time they are four or five years old, let alone those with intact limbs. Age is not an excuse for dependency.

In such an environment, it's not surprising that Luo, who has stayed at Machi's place for nearly a month without going out, would be spat at. If he were a hot-tempered, straightforward person, he would probably have already given Luo a beating.

"Pretty boy..." Luo's mouth twitched. Honestly, the term "pretty boy" coming from a little girl in such a calm tone felt very strange, and he couldn't even argue against it.

Luo smiled bitterly and habitually rubbed his forehead with his index and middle fingers. He really wanted to slap these ignorant people, but that wouldn't change anything.

"I was thinking of improving our diet first, but it looks like I need to get rid of the 'pretty boy' label first." Luo pouted. In a few days, he would show them how wise it was for Machi to bring him back. Pfft, not "bring back," but "invite."

His mood gradually calmed down, and Luo no longer paid attention to the surrounding gazes.

Machi, seeing Luo's calm expression, raised an eyebrow. She had never asked about Luo's background because Meteor Street accepts anything and everyone, and she didn't care about such things.

However, she felt that Luo's age was similar to hers, yet he remained unperturbed by the contemptuous gazes, lacking the sharpness typical of someone his age.

How could Machi know that Luo's seemingly teenage body housed an adult's soul?

"Aren't you angry?" Machi asked.

"Tch, why would I bother with these short-sighted people?" Luo shrugged nonchalantly but suddenly saw a middle-aged man in a short-sleeved shirt giving him the middle finger, causing his face to darken.

The middle finger is a universal gesture that works anywhere.

Without a word, Luo returned the gesture.

Machi, speechless, looked at Luo's gesture and then at the middle-aged man, her eyes narrowing.

The middle-aged man, seeing Luo's action, looked furious, but a cunning glint flashed in his eyes as he strode toward Luo with a fierce demeanor.

"Machi, if he makes the first move, it should be fine for me to take him down, right?" Luo watched the angry man approach, thinking it was a good opportunity to test his training from the past half-month.

Your strength can't even match mine, and you want to take him down...

Machi thought to herself but didn't answer Luo's question. Instead, she stepped in front of Luo and calmly looked at the middle-aged man.

Seeing Machi's action, Luo was slightly taken aback. Although he was touched by her willingness to help, he couldn't hide behind a little girl.

The surrounding residents of Meteor Street all had the look of someone expecting a show. Seeing Luo hide behind Machi, they immediately labeled him as a useless person.

They wanted to see the middle-aged man teach Luo a lesson. If not for the rule that no one can harm another's life in Meteor Street, they would have wanted the man to twist off Luo's head to get rid of the annoyance.

The residents of Meteor Street seemed to have good physical fitness. The middle-aged man was tall and muscular, standing a full head taller than Machi.

The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes, clenched his fists, and said coldly, "Machi, this is between him and me."

Machi silently pulled out a thin fishing line from her hands, answering the man with her action.

The middle-aged man, named Malzar, had a grudge against her. She knew he was looking for trouble with her, and he had held back the last few times. This time, he couldn't hold back anymore.

"My strength is at a clear disadvantage compared to Malzar. I can't let him hit me or resist him directly; the margin for error is too high. I need to find a way to use the line to entangle his lower body, limiting his mobility before I can attack freely." Machi's thoughts raced.

"Are you not going to move? This means you're taking responsibility for this." Malzar's narrowed eyes slowly opened, revealing a cold smile.

"It's not related to him." Machi said calmly.

Malzar's eyes suddenly turned cold, and without warning, he threw a punch at Machi, showing no mercy and with the intention of ambushing her.

Machi's eyes widened.

The punch was as big as a sand pot. Although it wasn't so fast that she couldn't react, Malzar's sudden attack and the close distance made it impossible for Machi to dodge in time, even though she was prepared for a fight.

"I can only block it!"

Her thoughts flashed through her mind, and she decisively abandoned the idea of a hasty dodge, lifting her frail arms to cross them in front of her.

A look of disdain flashed in Malzar's eyes.

At that moment, Luo suddenly moved, pushing Machi out of the way and stepping in front of her.

Pushed by Luo, Machi fell to the right, her eyes wide open as she looked at Luo's calm face. Her thoughts were: Is this guy tired of living?

The punch passed Machi and headed straight for Luo.

"Looking for death!" Malzar bared his yellow teeth in a sneer.

"Bang!"

A dull sound echoed, and Malzar's sand pot-sized fist stopped, unable to advance any further, blocked by a small hand.

"Huh?" Malzar was taken aback.

The onlookers were also stunned. The "pretty boy" they thought was weak had actually blocked Malzar's punch and seemed to do so effortlessly.

Everyone in the West District knew that Malzar was strong, yet his punch was so easily blocked?

A thin layer of energy covered Luo's upper body. After blocking Malzar's punch, he felt no pain and no pressure, thinking that his half-month of training had been very effective.

"Uncle, that was a powerful punch!"

Luo chuckled, his praise laced with heavy sarcasm.

"You brat!" Malzar gritted his teeth, his eyes almost spitting fire. He felt utterly humiliated!