Chapter 49 Deterrence

Anyone would be angry if someone bumped into them from behind, and Hun Cang was no exception.

However, when he clearly saw the person who had collided with him, a look of surprise crossed his face: "Xiao Ning?"

Back when the迦南 Academy was recruiting disciples in Wutan City, Hun Cang had been present and knew that a portion of the Xiao family members were within the academy.

Yet, Hun Cang had come for the Fallen Heart Flame and wished to avoid unnecessary entanglements. Thus, upon arriving at the迦南 Academy, he had not planned to seek out Xiao Mei.

Initially, he had indeed considered using Xiao Yu to establish contact with the academy instructors.

However, now that he had formed a connection with Hoder, Hun Cang had abandoned that thought.

"It really is you, Lord Cang Wang?!" Xiao Ning scrambled up from the ground, his face a picture of disbelief. "It's simply wonderful to see you here, I..."

Just as Xiao Ning was about to recount the situation regarding his elder cousin and cousin Xiao Mei, that group of people had already caught up, forming a tight circle around Xiao Ning and Hun Cang.

"Hmph, Xiao Ning, you sure are capable of running."

"Damn it, I'm out of breath from chasing you. I'm definitely going to break one of his legs later."

"To think he even wanted to go report us to an instructor. Fortunately, Young Master Luo had the foresight to have us keep an eye on him, or else this bastard really would have ruined things."

Vicious gazes fell one after another onto Xiao Ning.

Among the crowd, a young man stepped forward, swept his gaze over Hun Cang, and arrogantly demanded, "You know Xiao Ning?"

Hun Cang did not look at him, choosing instead to question Xiao Ning: "Why are they chasing you? Did you provoke them?"

As if he had finally found something to lean on, Xiao Ning could no longer hold back. He burst into tears and cried out loudly, "Lord Cang Wang, please go save my older cousin and cousin Xiao Mei!

"They are underlings of Luo Ling. Previously, Luo Ling failed to win Xiao Mei's affections, so to achieve his goal, he constantly found people to beat me up and deliberately framed me.

"To prevent me from being expelled from the academy, my cousin agreed to their terms and went outside the academy grounds with them. She still hasn't returned."

Hun Cang’s expression turned cold, his countenance darkening.

Do they have a death wish? How dare they set their sights on his woman.

Back at the Xiao family estate, through a twist of fate, he and Xiao Mei had developed an unusual relationship.

Seeing Xiao Ning's tearful and pathetic display, the surrounding crowd could not help bursting into mocking laughter.

"He's crying, did you guys see that?"

"What an absolute trash."

"Xiao Ning, what are you crying for? This is a good thing. In a little while, you'll be related by marriage to our Young Master Luo, and our brothers won't beat you up anymore."

...

"Noisy." Hun Cang let out a cold hum. His figure flashed abruptly, and within a few breaths, everyone surrounding him was sent flying over ten meters through the air, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Having disposed of those people, he looked at Xiao Ning: "Do you know where Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei are?"

Xiao Ning nodded.

Hun Cang instructed, "Move. Take me there."

"Alright, Lord Cang Wang." Xiao Ning wiped the tears from his eyes and turned to lead the way. With Lord Cang Wang around, there was no need to go begging instructors for help.

Along the way, upon hearing Hun Cang ask for the reason, Xiao Ning recounted his recent ordeals one by one.

To dare harbor intentions toward Xiao Xun'er—this Luo Ling truly had a death wish... Learning that Luo Ling had recently been taught a lesson by someone—though unaware of who it was—Hun Cang understood in his heart that Ling Ying must have made a move.

Originally, Ling Ying had been assigned by Xiao Xun'er to follow Xiao Yi and protect him on his trip to the Yunlan Sect, ensuring his safe departure from the sect.

However, with Hun Cang's interference, Ling Ying was relieved of that duty and instead followed directly by Xiao Xun'er's side to the迦南 Academy.

Emerging from the academy gates, Xiao Ning turned into a narrow path that led straight into the primeval forest.

Before long, voices could faintly be heard echoing from ahead.

"Cousin Xiao Yu, be careful."

"Luo Ling, you bastard."

In an open clearing surrounded by towering trees, two groups of people stood facing each other. One side was led by Luo Ling, while the other comprised Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er.

In the center of the arena, a man and a woman were locked in combat. The woman was none other than Xiao Yu.

At this moment, Xiao Yu's breathing was heavy, her hair soaked entirely with sweat and plastered against her forehead. Her expression was deeply fatigued.

Yet she dared not rest, struggling desperately to evade the opponent's attacks.

Nearby, Xiao Mei watched with anxiety and rage, feeling utterly helpless due to her insufficient strength.

"Hurry up and surrender. You won't win even if you keep fighting, Xiao Yu." Luo Ling yawned, looking rather bored.

Sweeping his gaze over the two women outside the combat circle, Luo Ling sneer: "Xiao Mei, you still refuse to agree to my demand? Do you really want to watch Xiao Ning get expelled? Tomorrow, Senior Brother Ke will be coming to demand the monster core of the Tier 3 Shadow Leopard. Surely you don't think you still have any hope."

With that, a cautious look flashed past Xiao Xun'er as Luo Ling frowned slightly.

Why had this woman come along to meddle? She usually never showed her face. Damn it, how was he supposed to carry out his plan later?

Beside Luo Ling, someone lowered their voice and asked, "Boss, should we make a move? The time is almost right, I'm afraid things might go wrong if we drag this out."

As he spoke, a heated glint flashed across the depths of his eyes, sweeping over Xiao Mei and Xiao Yu.

They had done things like this countless times before. After all, the迦南 Academy had a vast number of students, the vast majority of whom came from the Black-Corner Region or some remote, obscure little cities.

And within the strictly hierarchical迦南 Academy, they held numerous advantages.

"Don't do anything reckless," Luo Ling said sternly. The aura of the mysterious person who had attacked him last time felt as though a mere flick of a finger could kill him. With Xiao Xun'er present now, he couldn't guarantee whether that person was hiding in the shadows.

Bang!

In the arena, Xiao Yu was momentarily careless and took a kick to the shoulder, sending her flying sideways.

"You've lost." The young man cupped his fists, refraining from pressing his advantage.

"Cousin!" Xiao Mei hurried over, supporting Xiao Yu as she got up. Hearing Luo Ling's loud laughter, the two of them turned their gazes toward him together.

Luo Ling rolled his neck and said with a tone of mock pity, "Sigh, I gave you a chance. It's your own lack of capability. If you can't produce the item tomorrow, Xiao Ning can just wait to be expelled."

Pausing for a moment, he added, "Of course, there are other methods—it just depends on whether you're willing or not. After all, anyone can find out where my room is just by asking around. Tonight, I won't lock my door. Do you understand my meaning?"

"You're truly shameless! Truly despicable!" If looks could kill, Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei would have torn Luo Ling into a thousand pieces.

At that moment, Xiao Ning rushed over. Seeing that his older cousin and cousin were safe, he let out a breath of relief.

"Yo, Xiao Ning, to think I'd still see you here. Where did you take a tumble this time? You look positively wretched." Luo Ling feigned ignorance.

Xiao Ning stared at him and said, "Luo Ling, don't be so smug. To be honest with you, your good days are coming to an end."

Luo Ling smiled disdainfully and was about to retort when he saw a strange young man walking out leisurely. Behind him, the man was dragging a massive magical beast, pitch-black all over, its fur faintly marked with intricate patterns.

"Isn't it just a Tier 3 magical beast? Xiao Yu, you don't even have this much capability? I find it embarrassing just to claim you as my maidservant," Hun Cang said indifferently.

"Lord Cang Wang?"

"Brother Hun Cang?"

Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, and Xiao Xun'er were all stunned at the sight of Hun Cang.

Hun Cang gave them a faint smile and looked at Luo Ling: "Be more careful when you do things from now on, or else your fate might just end up like this magical beast."

As he spoke, the Shadow Leopard burst into flames, and within an instant, nothing was left except a single monster core, which Hun Cang grasped in one hand.

Afterward, he ruffled Xiao Xun'er's hair and left with the others, leaving behind Luo Ling and his group, who stood frozen in utter shock and horror.