There was suddenly no sound in the air.
Sword and Bone Douluo and Ning Fengzhi were both over fifty. How could they not understand what Lin Yan meant? He was clearly declaring his claim over her!
Their little princess, whom they had doted on since she was a child, had personally told them to leave—and even made it clear that she and Lin Yan would be going inside together afterward...
How was that about discussing something important? They were clearly going to discuss Ning Rongrong herself!
He was killing them and twisting the knife. They had only tried to put the boy in his place, but Lin Yan had come up with this way to get back at them.
All three looked at Ning Rongrong, hoping she would refuse Lin Yan's request for the sake of the elders standing nearby.
However...
"Um... Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, why don't you go back first?"
The girl nestled in Lin Yan's arms, looking utterly bashful. It seemed that Lin Yan's forceful grab had just now stirred every thread of affection in her heart.
She continued to explain.
"If the others from the academy come back later and see you, they'll call me a little princess again and say I can't live without my family's protection..."
"Anyway, just go back first. I'm fine here."
"Rongrong, you..."
Chen Xin's face darkened as he tried to stop her, but Lin Yan was quicker, shielding the girl behind him.
"All right, I've wasted enough time on you already."
"Since the three of you have made your decision, then..."
"I won't see you out."
With that, he ignored their expressions, put an arm around Ning Rongrong, and turned back into the house. The door panel was already broken, so he simply used Blue Silver Grass to seal the gap.
The three stared at the wooden house, its doors and windows now sealed with Blue Silver Grass, and felt their hearts bleed.
Sword and Bone Douluo in particular had doted on Ning Rongrong so much that it was carved into their bones.
Who could understand? The little girl who used to call them "Grandpa" every other word had now publicly told them to hurry up and leave, all for some pretty boy.
"Argh!"
"Old Swordsman, do you dare help me drag that brat back? I'll make him wish he were dead!"
The nine mood lights beneath Gu Rong's feet began pulsing wildly again.
Chen Xin was no better. His knuckles had gone white around the Seven Kill Sword.
Only Ning Fengzhi remained relatively calm, but even his expression had grown utterly grim.
To dare provoke him like that in front of him, the sect master, and the two Douluo who guarded the sect...
"Heh."
"Judging by his expression, he seems to have you two right where he wants you."
At that, Chen Xin and Gu Rong both stiffened.
They suddenly realized that their affection for Ning Rongrong was the biggest flaw in their position during this confrontation, while Ning Fengzhi was more like a powerful leader with nowhere to direct his strength.
As the thought occurred to them, both Titled Douluo felt somewhat ashamed.
That was right. If they had followed Ning Fengzhi's plan, Lin Yan would already be a prisoner, and their side shouldn't have been at such a disadvantage.
Had Ning Fengzhi's thinking really been that far ahead? Had they, as Titled Douluo, been the ones holding him back?
But then they reconsidered. If things had really come to that, would Rongrong still acknowledge them as her grandfathers?
The answer was certainly no.
So... this outcome was both awful and good.
Awful because Lin Yan had used Ning Rongrong as leverage and had actually seized the initiative in this confrontation without anyone realizing it.
Good because Ning Rongrong hadn't yet reached the point of breaking with these old men—or even taking her own life.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong quickly sorted through their thoughts. Their eyes held both relief and frustration.
At last, Gu Rong suddenly spoke.
"What about Rongrong's Soul Ring?"
Ning Fengzhi gave a disdainful laugh. It was one of the few times he showed any negative emotion.
"Isn't he so capable? Can't he even handle a third Soul Ring?"
With that, he slowly unclenched his tightly balled fist and, without looking back, walked away in the direction opposite Shrek Academy.
The two Titled Douluo could clearly sense Ning Fengzhi's mood. He wasn't merely displeased with Lin Yan; he seemed to harbor a trace of resentment toward them as well...
Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged glances, each seeing the other's complicated emotions. In the end, a sigh said everything, and they hurried after Ning Fengzhi.
And so, their trip to Shrek Academy finally came to an end.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword and Bone Douluo hadn't learned the secret and left with a bellyful of anger.
Lin Yan hadn't given up the secret, but he'd been threatened and was just as angry.
Only Ning Rongrong...
The silly girl had enjoyed both the affection of her elders and the love of her boyfriend—and even after making a mistake, she was still enjoying Lin Yan's "punishment"...
Inside the room.
Lin Yan looked at the girl.
"You don't blame me for making you speak to your elders like that, do you?"
Ning Rongrong answered at once.
"Of course not!"
"I was the one who caused trouble and revealed your secret to my father and my two grandpas. How could I blame you?"
"If you hadn't spoken that way earlier, you might have been in danger."
Lin Yan was quite pleased with the silly girl's response.
All in all, Ning Rongrong wasn't very bright and had a bad temper, but she was sincere and obedient toward him.
Well, women could be a little foolish. He'd just have to keep her out of important decisions in the future.
He stroked Ning Rongrong's hair.
"It's enough that you understand I had your best interests at heart."
"Think before you act from now on. This time, luckily, you were decisive enough. Otherwise..."
"You know what your father is capable of."
Once he sensed that the three presences outside had disappeared, Lin Yan gradually relaxed and flopped down onto the sofa.
Putting aside the mental battle earlier, merely fending off Chen Xin's sword energy had already drained all his strength and Soul Power. Now that the tension suddenly eased, he naturally felt all his strength leave him.
Seeing this, Ning Rongrong hurried over and knelt on the sofa, putting on a sweet, obedient look.
"Um... my father and the others have left."
"Don't be angry anymore."
Lin Yan replied casually, "Mm, it's fine! I'm not angry anymore."
At that, Ning Rongrong's expression froze. She seemed surprised by Lin Yan's generosity, and also as if she were waiting for something.
She asked tentatively,
"You're not angry about how Sword Grandpa treated you?"
"That fight must have been dangerous. It was all because of me that things turned out that way..."
Lin Yan did feel a little displeased when she brought it up.
But it was all in the past, and he hadn't gone out of his way to think about it. Why was Ning Rongrong bringing it up now?
He looked at the girl in confusion. There wasn't the slightest trace of apology in her eyes—instead, they were full of anticipation.
Only then did Lin Yan remember that when he'd threatened Sword and Bone Douluo, he'd mentioned punishing Ning Rongrong...
Maybe it was because of that forceful grab just now, or maybe she'd missed him after they'd been apart for days. Whatever the reason, Ning Rongrong's lustful look could not have been clearer.
If Lin Yan still couldn't read the signs, he might as well be dead...
"Are you afraid I'll get back at your elders later? Do you want to pay some interest on your Sword Grandpa's behalf?"
At that, Ning Rongrong was like a startled kitten. Her cheeks flushed red as she turned her head away.
"I... I'm not. I just don't want you to stay upset."
"Of course, if there's anything I can do to help you cool off, I... I'll do anything."
"Don't keep all your feelings bottled up..."
Sometimes, that was just how men and women were. When they understood each other's kinks, their bond was even stronger than an ordinary couple's.
Inside the room, although Lin Yan had no Soul Power left and his body was exhausted, he still rolled over and pinned the girl beneath him.
His pale, wickedly handsome face curled into a smirk as he spoke slowly.
"Get ready to bear the brunt of my fury on behalf of your family, you little slut..."
Before you continue