Chapter 40: Even Rats Have Skin, But Some Men Lack Decency (Part 1)

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Xu San Shi barely managed to force a smile that was uglier than a cry, the absurd scene of the Four-Ringed Six-Winged Angel thrashing the Six-Ringed Evil Fire Phoenix flashing through his mind.

"B-Big Brother, is there a possibility that this is just a misunderstanding?"

He tried to save himself by appealing to "Facing Death."

"Is that so?"

Ling Bai calmly took the Grilled Fish from Xu San Shi's tightly clenched hand and handed it to Han Ruoru. After tossing a Golden Soul Coin to Huo Yuhao, he looked at Xu San Shi with a leisurely expression.

"I'll give you three sentences to argue your case. You'd better pray you can convince me, or we'll settle all old and new grudges together. Whatever Soul Skill Ma Xiaotao used on me, your rear will experience it in full."

Ling Bai's teeth itched every time he remembered Xu San Shi's earth-shaking and ghost-crying cries in the middle of the night. If not for his disturbance, he wouldn't have had to spend the whole night in a battle of wits with Ma Xiaotao.

Xu San Shi, one of the Twin Stars of the Outer Court, was lifted into the air by the younger-looking Red-Clothed Inner Court Student, who grabbed him by the back of his shirt, threatening to make his rear bloom.

The surrounding Shrek Academy Outer Court students were as quiet as quails, not daring to say a word, let alone breathe loudly, for fear that Ling Bai's free left hand would seize their fate by the back of their necks.

As the other victim, Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction at Xu San Shi's predicament. Although Xu San Shi had paid ten times the price, his act of forcibly taking the Grilled Fish had angered him. Regardless of Ling Bai's motives, Huo Yuhao was genuinely grateful to him.

Han Ruoru nibbled on the Grilled Fish, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She knew Ling Bai had a good grasp of the situation and would not go too far. She also approved of Ling Bai giving Xu San Shi a lesson to prevent him from bullying the weak again.

Hearing this, Xu San Shi was taken aback and blurted out, "Ah? Only three sentences?"

"Now it's two."

Ling Bai patted Xu San Shi's head with a smile that seemed kind and benevolent but filled Xu San Shi with a deep-seated fear for his rear.

"Big Brother, I was wrong!"

In the face of crisis, Xu San Shi's brain went into overdrive. Since he had cut in line to snatch Ling Bai's Grilled Fish, stubbornly insisting on his innocence would only result in a severely damaged rear. So, he quickly admitted his mistake.

"I know."

Ling Bai's face and tone were expressionless, leaving Xu San Shi completely in the dark about his thoughts.

His brain CPU burned furiously as Xu San Shi realized that his next sentence was his last chance. If he couldn't move Ling Bai, the Ten Thousand Blades Radiance would ensure his main account was permanently unblocked!

"Big Brother, I..."

Facing Ling Bai's deep gaze, Xu San Shi's voice trembled so much he could barely speak. In a flash of inspiration, he blurted out:

"I'll compensate you!"

"Oh? With what?"

Feeling that there was a chance, Xu San Shi slid his hand over the storage soul conductor at his waist and took out a crystal-clear white jade bottle, smiling ingratiatingly.

"Big Brother, this is the Xuan Water Pill, a unique medicine of our Xuanming Sect. Both last night and today were my fault. Consider this a small token of my apology!"

Ling Bai popped open the bottle cap, revealing a deep blue pill the size of a cherry inside, with many white patterns crisscrossing its surface. A faint mist surrounded the pill, and a fresh, invigorating aroma wafted out, refreshing the senses.

"Not bad. Let's call it even."

Feeling Ling Bai's grip loosen, Xu San Shi breathed a sigh of relief. But before he could rejoice, Ling Bai suddenly changed the subject:

"But you disturbed my Senior Female Fellow Disciple's mood, sigh..."

His voice trailed off, and he displayed a look of difficulty.

"Senior Female Fellow Disciple?!"

Xu San Shi glanced at Han Ruoru, who was focused on tasting Huo Yuhao's Grilled Fish, and his facial muscles twitched. Clenching his teeth, he offered another Xuan Water Pill.

"That was costly."

Having extorted two Xuan Water Pills, Ling Bai smiled in satisfaction. Not only did he release Xu San Shi, but he also kindly dusted off the dirt on his shoulders.

"Oh, I can't bear it, Big Brother!"

Xu San Shi, showing his flexibility, smiled obsequiously. "Big Brother saved me from the fire that night. Two Xuan Water Pills are nothing. Big Brother and Senior Sister, please have a safe journey!"

In reality, he grumbled inwardly: "Bad luck, Spend Money to Avoid Disaster!"

"Then for bullying my little junior brother/apprentice, how many Xuan Water Pills should you compensate?"

Just as Ling Bai and Han Ruoru were about to leave, two angry voices joined in, and a man and a woman pushed through the crowd. Their faces were cold and furious, and they were none other than Bei Bei and Tang Ya.

Bei Bei got straight to the point. "Xu San Shi, you bullied my little junior brother. You need to give me an explanation!"

Xu San Shi frowned and pointed at Huo Yuhao. "Is this kid from your Tang Sect?"

"My newly recruited apprentice!"

Tang Ya, always protective of her juniors, sneered. "Xu San Shi, to take by force in broad daylight, how shameless can you be?"

"I paid for it!" Xu San Shi retorted.

Bei Bei laughed derisively. "Enough talk. Hand over a Xuan Water Pill, or we'll settle this on the Soul Duel Arena!"

Xu San Shi pouted. "Fine, let's go!"

Having seen Ling Bai's terrifying power and been forced to back down, he was not afraid of Bei Bei, one of the Twin Stars of the Outer Court. He was not intimidated by the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus!

With that, Xu San Shi approached Jiang Nan Nan, who had remained silent the whole time, his expression softening. "Nan Nan, I'm going to the Soul Duel Arena with Bei Bei. Will you come and cheer me on?"

"Why should I?"

Jiang Nan Nan took a step back, her icy tone almost freezing people into ice sculptures. Despite this, Xu San Shi continued to press his luck, moving closer and whining, "It's all for you, Nan Nan! I was cheated out of two Xuan Water Pills for the Grilled Fish, and now I have to fight Bei Bei. Nan Nan, can you bear it?"

"You deserve it. Don't bother me!"

Jiang Nan Nan showed no mercy, her long hair flicking as she left Xu San Shi with a graceful back view.

"Nan Nan, no!!!"

Xu San Shi howled to the sky, as if a snowstorm were descending upon him.

"You're making a scene. Hurry up and go!"

Bei Bei grabbed Xu San Shi and dragged him to the Soul Duel Arena.

Behind them, Tang Ya led Huo Yuhao to thank Ling Bai. "Ling Bai, if not for you and Senior Sister upholding justice today, Huo Yuhao's Grilled Fish would have been forcibly taken by Xu San Shi!"

Huo Yuhao's hands were tightly clasped together, and he stammered, "T-Thank you, L-Ling Brother."

He had always been wary of Ling Bai and had deliberately avoided him on their way to Shrek Academy. He never expected that Ling Bai would come to his aid in a crisis.

Ling Bai and Han Ruoru exchanged a smile and said calmly, "It's a small matter, no need to be so polite. Come along, let's watch their Soul Duel."

(End of Chapter)