Zhang Zongnian watched as Shu Er bent over, puckered his filthy mouth, and actually tried to kiss Lin Xue. His mind buzzed, almost exploding.
His fury erupted like a volcano, and all the blood in his body surged straight to the top of his head.
“Don’t touch her!”
He roared, sprang up from the ground at once, formed his fingers into a sword, leapt forward, and unleashed the Swiftwind Sword Manual, thrusting directly at Shu Er’s throat.
Just as Shu Er’s mouth was about to touch Lin Xue, the corner of his eye caught a black shadow darting over at incredible speed.
Before he could react, a sharp pain shot through his throat as Zhang Zongnian’s finger jabbed him.
Shu Er staggered, stumbling several steps to the side.
Elder Huai wanted to reach out and stop Zhang Zongnian, but he was too late.
Though he had lived a long life, his cultivation was not high—only at Body Tempering Middle Stage.
The Swiftwind Sword Manual excelled in speed, and he simply could not stop the furious Zhang Zongnian.
He could only sigh, standing by with his arms folded.
Shu Er’s two cronies finally reacted, shouting, “How dare you!” “Looking for death!”
The two lunged at Zhang Zongnian, kicked him to the ground, and began to rain punches and kicks upon him.
Both Rat Demons were at Mid Body Refining Stage, their strength far surpassing Zhang Zongnian’s.
He tried to block a few blows, but soon his arms went numb, and he was too exhausted to resist.
Fists and kicks fell on him like a torrential downpour.
Fortunately, the two Rat Demons remembered that he might become Shu Er’s “brother-in-law” in the future. They held back somewhat, avoiding his vital spots.
Even so, Zhang Zongnian was soon covered in wounds, blood pouring from his mouth.
A few days ago, he had just suffered punishment, and his injuries had not yet healed.
Now, being beaten so severely again only made things worse, and he could hardly endure it—he was on the verge of losing consciousness.
Shu Er clutched his throat, eyes swimming with stars, feeling as if he could not breathe.
It was a long time before he finally caught his breath.
He looked at Zhang Zongnian, who lay on the ground, unable to fight back, and flames of anger ignited in his eyes.
This human cultivator actually dared to attack him, the Second Lord of Xixia Mountain?
Utterly reckless!
He shouted hoarsely:
“You damn bastard, looking for death!”
Shu Er rolled up his sleeves, glared with his beady rat eyes, and walked toward Zhang Zongnian, ready to personally get even for what had just happened.
A weak little human cultivator actually dared to be arrogant in front of your Grandpa Rat?
Today, Grandpa Rat will show you what Body Tempering Peak strength really means!
If I don’t smash all your bones today, I’ll take your surname!
Elder Huai, seeing things take a turn for the worse, hurriedly stopped Shu Er.
Shu Er was already at Body Tempering Peak, far above the two lesser Rat Demons.
If he attacked, Zhang Zongnian would not survive.
Elder Huai could not bear to see Zhang Zongnian beaten to death by Shu Er.
He tried to persuade him,
“Second Lord, please calm your anger. There’s no need for you to get your own hands dirty. With your formidable skills, compared to you, this man is nothing but a little bug. A mere touch from you would kill him.”
“After all, he is the Snake Spirit’s older brother. If you killed him, once the Snake Spirit awakens, she will surely bear a grudge, and that would surely affect the loving life between you and your wife, wouldn’t it?”
“Though he is ignorant, as a Lord of the Mountain, you are magnanimous—he’s not worth your anger. Just sit aside and let your two men teach him a lesson. That’s more than enough.”
“This man is quite handy at managing the warehouse. The Great Cave Lord also appreciates his talents. Second Lord, show your generosity and spare his miserable life. Let him remember your kindness and continue to serve you brothers well in the future. What do you say?”
With these flattering words, Elder Huai made Shu Er swell with pride.
That’s right, what was his status—why lower himself to argue with such a lowly bug?
If he killed him, and then the Snake Spirit woke up crying and fussing for the man, it would certainly be troublesome.
Besides, seeing Zhang Zongnian beaten until he vomited blood by his two henchmen had already vented his anger and made him feel much better.
He snorted coldly, pointed at Zhang Zongnian, and cursed, “On account of Old Huai Head, Second Lord will spare your pitiful life today. But if you ever disrespect me again, I’ll break every bone in your body!”
Zhang Zongnian’s ears rang, his vision blurred, and darkness kept threatening to overtake him—he was at the edge of passing out.
Shu Er’s words seemed to come through a layer of cotton, fuzzy and indistinct in his ears.
“Just a bug like you, and you dare stop me from touching the Snake Spirit? What right do you have? She’s my wife! Today, I’m going to touch her, I’m going to kiss her—what can you do about it?”
“You two, prop him up! Make this lowly bug watch as I kiss the Snake Spirit!”
Zhang Zongnian was dragged from the ground and held up by the two Rat Demons.
One grabbed his hair, forcing him to look at Shu Er.
His vision was already doubled, and he saw Shu Er bending over again, bringing that ugly, lecherous rat face closer to Lin Xue.
Shu Er deliberately puckered his lips in an exaggerated way, glancing sideways at Zhang Zongnian as he moved his mouth toward Lin Xue’s cheek.
Zhang Zongnian nearly ground his teeth to pieces.
Why did this keep happening in front of his eyes?
Yang Yuhai, Yang Yuxiang, Hong Huzhi, and now Shu Er.
Time after time, all because he was too weak to protect those he wanted to protect, he could only watch helplessly as Lin Xue fell into danger right before him.
He glared fiercely at Shu Er, his eyes bloodshot, swearing to himself:
No matter what, no matter the cost, I, Zhang Zongnian, will become stronger!
I will never let this happen before my eyes again!
One day, I will crush all the bastards who dare to humiliate me and those I wish to protect!
Zhang Zongnian watched helplessly as Shu Er brought his ugly face closer to Lin Xue, his heart full of rage and despair.
He wanted to close his eyes, unwilling to witness the scene of utter hopelessness.
Shu Er, seeing the look of despair and anger in Zhang Zongnian’s eyes, felt a surge of delight.
This feeling of defiling the woman someone else wants to protect, right before their eyes—it was truly intoxicating.
He should try it more often when he had the chance.
Shu Er suddenly awakened a peculiar, dark hobby.
Just as he was about to kiss Lin Xue, a crisp slap suddenly rang out with a “smack”—a fair palm landed heavily on his ugly face.
Shu Er let out a miserable “squeak,” his robust body spinning as he flew through the air, completing two full spins—a total of seven hundred and twenty degrees.
Several teeth shot out from his mouth, scattering in all directions with his spinning body.
With a loud “thud,” Shu Er crashed to the ground, motionless, his eyes rolling back, foam bubbling from his mouth—he had fainted on the spot.
Lin Xue sat on the bed, her beautiful face drained of color, left hand clutching her chest, right hand still poised mid-slap, her face frozen in shock.
She had happened to awaken at this critical moment.
The look of horror on her face clearly showed that she had just woken up, only to be terrified by the sudden appearance of a puckered-mouthed rat head before her.
Zhang Zongnian felt his heart relax all at once.
He saw it clearly—Shu Er hadn’t managed to kiss Lin Xue.
He forced a smile and fainted.