When Zhu Zhuqing said she wanted to help him, a flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Se's eyes. He turned to look at her increasingly frigid expression, then chuckled and shook his head.
"No need. These two look like they've never been properly disciplined by society. Besides, if a man ever needs a woman to protect him… he may as well stop living."
Before Zhu Zhuqing could respond, the restaurant owner—who had been hiding behind the counter—finally found the courage to creep out, trembling all the way.
"M-my guests, please… p-please don't fight inside the restaurant. If you do, my little shop will be ruined. I rely on this place to survive…"
Seeing the man's honest, pitiful appearance, Xiao Se nodded slightly.
He released Dai Mubai's wrist.
Under everyone's stunned eyes, he grabbed Dai Mubai by the collar—lifting his two-hundred-and-fifty-pound body as if he were nothing more than a chick—and casually flung him out the door.
BOOM!
A dull, heavy thud echoed outside as the golden-haired fatty slammed face-first into the stone pavement. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He tried several times to crawl up, but with that impact, he couldn't even rise.
"Let's go. I'd like to see how amazing Shrek's so-called 'monsters' actually are. You dare cause trouble everywhere under the motto 'If you don't dare provoke trouble, you're mediocre.' What a joke."
Xiao Se stood up and walked out of the restaurant. Zhu Zhuqing rose immediately to follow.
Ma Hongjun stared at their departing figures and swallowed hard.
"What do we do, Little San? That guy's about the same age as Little Ao, but he casually took down Boss Dai and tossed him outside like he weighed nothing. I think we might really have provoked a monster this time."
Tang San replied calmly, "No need to panic. We still have a chance."
At that moment, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu gathered around.
"We don't know what his spirit is. But no matter how talented he is, at his age he can be, at most, a Spirit Elder."
Tang San's voice was steady, analytical.
"My teacher—the Grandmaster—once said that pursuing one attribute too extremely will create weaknesses elsewhere. His strength is insane—strong enough to lift a man as heavy as Mubai with ease and throw him several dozen meters. That means he must be on a strength-based build. His agility definitely won't be high.
If Fatty and I coordinate, with Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda support and Little Ao's recovery sausages, we might win."
As a transmigrator with Tang Sect techniques and dual spirits, Tang San wasn't afraid—he was excited. His eyes glowed with a sharp battle intent. Until now, among his peers, he had never truly found a rival.
Suddenly, a powerful youth appeared—how could he not feel fired up?
"Little Ao, once you make the sausages, stay with Mubai to help him. Rongrong, Xiao Wu's condition is unstable. After you buff Fatty and me, look after her."
Ning Rongrong nodded gently. She had not yet suffered Flender's "special education," so her mischievous nature hadn't fully surfaced. No one in Shrek disliked her yet.
And she also wanted to see how strong this mysterious boy was.
But the other three showed different expressions.
"Th-This isn't good…"
Oscar's face twisted bitterly.
There had been a time… when Dai Mubai had subjected him to inhumane treatment.
Now, never mind taking care of him—just looking at Dai Mubai made Oscar's skin crawl.
If Ning Rongrong hadn't come today—and if he hadn't resolved to pursue her—he would rather die than join this dinner outing.
"What difficulty? Mubai is our companion."
Tang San frowned, displeased with Oscar's reluctance.
"I…"
Oscar's face turned liver-purple under Tang San's stare.
Of course he couldn't say Dai Mubai had violated him two years ago.
Watching this scene, Ma Hongjun nearly burst into a pig-like laugh. He quickly stepped in to rescue Oscar.
"Little Ao, I'll move Boss Dai somewhere safe. You just stand far away and watch."
"…Alright."
Oscar gave him a grateful look.
Just then, the pale-faced Xiao Wu—who had kept her head lowered—finally raised it.
"Tang San… don't go. That person seems really strong."
Her voice trembled. She wasn't sure if her identity had been exposed, but the feeling of danger in her heart was overwhelming.
Tang San softened his voice. "Don't worry. We'll be fine. But you're right about one thing—just in case… Little Ao, go call the dean."
Retreat? That wasn't Tang San's style.
And he didn't believe he would lose.
After that, the group headed toward the outskirts of Soto City.
Having witnessed Tang San defeat Zhao Wuji yesterday, Ma Hongjun and the others were full of confidence.
If even a Soul Sage could be beaten like a child, then how strong could a boy their age possibly be?
Outside Soto City—
Xiao Se and Zhu Zhuqing stood side by side. Not far away, Dai Mubai hung upside down from a crooked tree, clutching his broken arm and howling like a dying pig.
Zhu Zhuqing shot him a cold glance before turning to the mysterious youth beside her.
Her voice softened unconsciously.
"You seem… very angry."
Xiao Se shook his head with a faint smile.
"Not angry. Just disgusted. Think about it—if I wasn't strong enough, what would've happened to us today?"
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent.
Indeed. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun probably wouldn't dare assault her in public, but harassment was inevitable. And Xiao Se…
He would have been beaten badly.
Her red lips pressed tightly together.
"They deserve it."
Xiao Se nodded slightly—then his eyes sharpened.
Above the clouds, a strong aura appeared.
Stronger than sea-bodong after recovering his strength.
Comparable in pressure to a peak expert.
Tang Ritian, huh…?
Xiao Se sneered inwardly.
Today, he would beat Tang San senseless—right in front of his face—and see what Tang San could possibly do about it.
Soon, Tang San and the others arrived—followed by a cluster of gossip-hungry spectators.
Oscar was missing, no doubt off to call Flender.
"Well, you're here."
Xiao Se greeted them with an easy smile.
Tang San and the others looked at Dai Mubai—hanging upside down from a tree and screaming like a butchered pig—and their mouths twitched uncontrollably.
(End of Chapter)
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