A Divine Farmer

Chapter 274 - Your Reputation Is Not Worth Anything!

Seeing Zhang Xiaolong effortlessly slip his hand out of the handcuffs, Zheng Ming was taken aback. This single act was proof enough that Xiaolong's claims were not mere bravado.

He hadn't been brought back to the police station because of Chang Tian's capabilities; rather, Xiaolong had never intended to leave in the first place. Otherwise, the officers there likely wouldn't have been able to stop him.

“Thank you all for coming to rescue me,” Xiaolong expressed his gratitude to Liu Zhongjun and the others, smiling. “However, I've caused quite a bit of trouble for Bureau Director Zheng and his team. To show my appreciation, I have a little something to share with you all. How much you learn from it will depend on your own understanding.”

His statement was cryptic, leaving everyone puzzled about his intentions. But soon, they were captivated by Xiaolong's movements.

His steps were peculiar, appearing slow yet somehow also swift, with the rhythm continuously shifting.

Upon closer inspection, his seemingly effortless gestures looked as though he had disassembled every bone in his body. Each movement was as supple as a snake yet packed with potent force.

“This technique is called the Swimming Dragon Step. Once you've mastered some of it, you'll be able to defend yourself against stronger opponents, and you might even turn defeat into victory. With enough talent, dodging bullets could even be within reach,” Xiaolong explained after finishing his demonstration.

“Dodging bullets?” Liu Zhongjun was astounded.

As the head of elite soldiers, even he wouldn't claim the ability to evade bullets. His strategy was to use his extensive experience to find cover and conceal himself as swiftly as possible.

But to actively dodge an oncoming bullet was beyond his reflexes; bullets traveled too fast. By the time one heard the shot or saw the muzzle flash, it was already too late to react.

“That can't be possible, can it? Human reflexes aren't capable of that,” Jiang Tao chimed in skeptically.

Despite witnessing Xiaolong's impressive display of movement, Jiang Tao remained unconvinced about the possibility of evading bullets.

“When you've mastered martial arts to a certain extent, dodging bullets isn't out of the question. However, I've only heard about it; I've never actually seen someone demonstrate it.” Qu Moyao's martial arts skills are authentic, handed down through generations. Even Liu Zhongjun is no match for her, so he has some understanding of the concept.

Dr. Qu is correct. With sufficient martial arts training, dodging bullets is possible. Yet, this level of skill is beyond the reach of most people. Finding a master to teach such techniques is one barrier, and even with a master, it depends on whether one has the innate talent and fortune to succeed. My method, though, is somewhat of a shortcut, but it's particularly well-suited for elite soldiers like you,” Zhang Xiaolong said with a smile. “Regardless of the weapon, there are always pre-attack indicators. Given the speed of a bullet, it's impossible for the average person to dodge. But if you can anticipate the shooter's signals and move unpredictably, dodging bullets becomes a possibility.”

With that, he asked Liu Zhongjun, Jiang Tao, and Zheng Ming to each choose someone to shoot at him with a handgun.

“Live ammunition?” Zheng Ming's brow furrowed. “The risk is just too high. What if…”

“There won't be any ‘what if.' If I do get hurt by your guns, then you can laugh at me as the biggest fool out there,” Zhang Xiaolong assured with a chuckle.

The three marksmen were ready in no time. Though strangers to one another, they exchanged looks before taking their shots, a clear sign of the unusual nature of the task. They were accustomed to shooting at moving targets, but using a real person as a target was unheard of.

”Don't hold back. You three can take your shots in turns or all at once; don't worry about the details. Trust your instincts,” Zhang Xiaolong instructed. “And make sure to observe the differences between my evasive maneuvers now and during regular practice.”

“Fire,” Liu Zhongjun commanded, convinced of the other party's seriousness.

The others nodded, signaling their representatives to proceed.

The three individuals raised their handguns, taking aim at Zhang Xiaolong. In truth, those chosen for this task were excellent marksmen, and their level of expertise made such careful aiming unnecessary.

This time, they weren't facing an enemy but rather a key ally, so they had to exercise extra caution. They aimed for non-critical areas to ensure that even a direct hit wouldn't be lethal. There would still be a chance to make amends.

Bang!

The first bullet shot straight toward Zhang Xiaolong's shoulder.

With a puff, the bullet burrowed into the wall behind him, leaving a small hole.

The onlookers' eyes widened in disbelief. Moments before, they had seen Zhang Xiaolong subtly lower his shoulder, a slight movement that allowed him to evade the bullet.

After the initial shot, the three sharpshooters gained some insight into Zhang Xiaolong's evasive tactics. They started to take their target seriously, yet no matter how they fired, he effortlessly dodged every bullet.

Eventually, the sharpshooters coordinated their efforts, but Zhang Xiaolong remained unfazed, continuing his leisurely pace using the Swimming Dragon Step.

For sharpshooters, hitting moving targets was a fundamental skill—nobody would just stand still for them to shoot. But now, they were baffled, unable to predict Zhang Xiaolong's next move.

His movements appeared casual, yet each was unique. By the time they took aim and fired, the bullet would merely pass through empty space, never touching him.

What was happening?

The sharpshooters grew frantic. They had been concerned for his safety, but now they questioned their own shooting skills.

Before they could devise a new strategy, Zhang Xiaolong had already approached them and effortlessly confiscated their three handguns.

“Did you see that?” Zhang Xiaolong inquired. “That's the Swimming Dragon Step. It might not dodge a machine gun, but evading a handgun bullet is quite simple. Of course, it's even more impressive in combat. That's something you'll need to discover for yourselves.”

“Could I…” Jiang Tao began sheepishly, “Could you demonstrate it again? I didn't quite catch it.”

Zhang Xiaolong chuckled but didn't decline. He began to perform the Swimming Dragon Step once more, his body moving with fluid agility, each step imbued with its own mysterious essence.

In the dance of advance and retreat, it appeared that infinite variations could emerge.

Gradually, to some, Zhang Xiaolong transformed from a mere man into an embodiment of light, a streak that etched a curve of chaos yet with an underlying sense of order.

It was this potential for limitless combinations that gave the Swimming Dragon Step its profound impact.

Jiang Tao stealthily pulled out his phone and captured the moment before him. This was truly a treasure. Even if it meant losing a bit of pride today, it was well worth the cost.

If this could spare the soldiers from shedding blood, what price could compare to the value of his reputation?