Chapter 69: A Blind Mercenary Group
Before he could even speak, the sharp-eyed waiter had already swept his gaze over the two of them once, then revealed a knowing, ambiguous smile.
"Honored guests, you see, it's already getting late," he said. "The other inns in town are probably all full by now."
"I see that the two of you are a perfect match—talented man and beautiful lady—and I've heard this young miss calling you 'big brother' the whole time."
"When siblings travel outside, it's only natural to stay together so you can look after each other, right?"
"So, how about… the two of you just make do for one night?"
As soon as those words fell, Xiao Wu, standing behind Lin Yuan, felt her cheeks flush bright red.
Although the two of them lived in the same dormitory back at Nuoding Academy, and even occasionally had some close physical contact,
staying in the same room outside—and with only one room at that—
The feeling was completely different!
"W-Who would stay in the same room as him?!"
Xiao Wu muttered softly, twisting the corner of her clothes with her fingers, yet she made no move to turn around and leave.
Lin Yuan glanced at the slightly shy Xiao Wu, then looked outside at the sky that was gradually darkening.
"Alright. One room it is."
He tossed out a gold soul coin and said calmly, "Lead the way. And bring up some hot water and your signature dishes while you're at it."
"Coming right up! Please head upstairs, you two!"
The waiter beamed with joy and was just about to lead them—
Suddenly, the tavern's doors were shoved open with force. A burst of noisy shouting, mixed with a thick stench of alcohol, surged inside.
Immediately after, a group of burly men clad in black leather armor strode in.
Leading them was a bald, heavily built man with bulging muscles and a ferocious scar running from the corner of his eye all the way down to his chin.
The moment they entered, the previously noisy tavern hall fell noticeably quieter.
Clearly, this was a mercenary group that lived year-round on the edge of a blade—and not one to mess with.
The bald brute casually swept his gaze around, then suddenly locked onto Xiao Wu, who was about to head upstairs.
In an instant, naked, lascivious light erupted from his murky eyes.
Lin Yuan and Xiao Wu had only been cultivating for about two years.
Yet due to cultivation and soul rings, their development far exceeded that of their peers—their figures already looked like those of normal teenage youths.
Especially Xiao Wu.
Those long, slender legs, her delicate porcelain-doll-like face, and that vibrant aura of youthful vitality—
In a tavern filled with rough, burly men, she was like a white swan that had fallen into a flock of sheep.
Far too eye-catching!
"Well, well!"
The bald brute whistled, shoved aside the waiter blocking the way, and strode straight over.
His unrestrained gaze scraped across Xiao Wu's body as if it wanted to peel a layer of flesh off her.
"Tsk tsk tsk, who'd have thought a dump like this could have such a top-tier little virgin?"
He blocked the staircase, looking down at Xiao Wu from above. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth as he let out a disgusting chuckle.
"Little sister, you look pretty tender. Didn't your family teach you anything?"
"This area near the Star Dou Forest is very dangerous. Everywhere you look, there are soul beasts that eat people…"
"And bad uncles, too."
"Do you want Big Brother here to protect you?"
As he spoke, he stretched out that filthy, black-haired hand, trying to lift Xiao Wu's chin.
The surrounding diners all lowered their heads, not daring to interfere.
The Black Tiger Mercenary Group was the local tyrant here—no one wanted to invite trouble.
Xiao Wu stared at the dirty hand reaching toward her. The shyness in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling coldness.
She was a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit—not some harmless little bunny to be bullied!
However, before she could make a move—
A long, powerful hand suddenly reached out from the side and firmly clamped down on the brute's wrist.
"Take your filthy hand away."
Lin Yuan stepped in front of Xiao Wu. His dual pupils were deep as an abyss, his voice so calm it carried not the slightest ripple.
"Otherwise, I don't mind chopping it off for you."
The once-noisy hall fell into complete silence.
The air itself seemed to freeze.
All eyes focused on the two figures on the staircase.
The waiter shrank behind the counter, trembling.
He never would have imagined that these two seemingly delicate youths would dare to directly confront the notorious Black Tiger Mercenary Group.
"Kid, let go!"
The bald brute's face had already turned the color of pig liver.
He had only meant to tease a little girl, but who would have thought that the hand gripping his wrist felt like an iron clamp?!
No matter how hard he tried to pull back—even veins bulging from his forehead—the grip didn't budge in the slightest!
Steady as a mountain!
"Let go? Sure."
A cold curve formed at the corner of Lin Yuan's lips. His fingers tightened slightly.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound of bones grinding together rang out, accompanied by a miserable scream.
"Ahhh!"
Lin Yuan casually flung him aside. The brute staggered back several steps, nearly falling flat on his ass.
"Bastard!!"
Having lost so much face in front of his subordinates and the diners, the lust in the brute's eyes instantly turned into murderous rage.
"Refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
"I didn't expect you to have some strength!"
"But today, I'll make this clear—anyone who dares oppose me, Black Tiger, has reached the end of the road!"
Boom!
With a furious roar, a violent surge of soul power erupted from his body.
"Black Tiger! Possession!"
His already massive body expanded yet again. Black fur burst from beneath his skin, his hands transformed into sharp tiger claws, and beneath his feet, three soul rings slowly rose.
White, yellow, and yellow.
The configuration was trash—especially that first ten-year ring—but the realm those three rings represented was solid and undeniable.
A Soul Elder.
A genuine Soul Elder above rank thirty!
In this area, that was more than enough capital to hold sway.
"Oh! The boss is getting serious!"
"Hahaha! Using a martial soul against two brats who haven't even finished weaning?"
"That kid's dead for sure! Anyone who dares mess with the Black Tiger Mercenary Group—later we'll tear his bones apart and feed them to the dogs!"
The lackeys behind him crossed their arms and jeered, faces full of mockery.
In their eyes, this was nothing more than a one-sided slaughter.
"A Soul Elder, huh…"
Xiao Wu frowned slightly as she looked at the ferocious Black Tiger brute.
She was only at rank eighteen right now. Although her physique was powerful, the suppression from a rank thirty-plus Soul Elder was still very real.
"Brother, what do we do now?"
She turned her head to look at Lin Yuan. There was no fear in her eyes.
Lin Yuan stepped forward, shielding Xiao Wu behind him.
"Xiao Wu, I'll handle this big guy."
"As for those noisy flies in the back…"
He glanced at the jeering lackeys. "You take care of them. No problem, right?"
Hearing this, the seriousness on Xiao Wu's pretty face instantly melted into a sweet smile. She clenched her soft little fists.
"Heehee, no problem!"
"Perfect timing—I can use them for some practice!"
—
End of Chapter