"This is a guesthouse. Why are you causing trouble and fighting here? Do you not know that within the Heaven Dou Empire, Soul Masters are forbidden by law from attacking civilians at will?"
The young man's voice was as gentle as the breeze, yet it carried a faint authority. Before Jiang Xuan, the bearing of someone long accustomed to a position of power was impossible to conceal.
Although Jiang Xuan did not yet know who he was, it seemed that he might have been saved.
His eyes shifted, and Jiang Xuan hurriedly began playing the victim.
"Kind sir, your timing is perfect! That shameless old bastard was just about to kidnap me by force! He's far too strong—I'm completely no match for him. Please save me!"
Hearing Jiang Xuan's words, Flender froze for a moment, but he did not take them too seriously.
Though this young man looked presentable enough, he was ultimately just a slightly older brat.
So what if he had a little influence behind him?
He, Flender, was a mighty Soul Saint. How could he be so easily cowed by power and influence?
Thus, he directly threatened the young man without restraint.
"Kid, I'll compensate this guesthouse for the damages later at full price. As for the rest, it has nothing to do with you. I advise you not to meddle in others' affairs and make trouble for yourself!"
As he spoke, he released his Soul Saint pressure toward the young man without holding back, intending to crush any thought of meddling out of him.
Yet events unfolded completely differently from what he had imagined.
Not only was the young man not intimidated into losing his composure by the pressure, but his calmness and poise made it seem as though he had not been affected at all.
Clearly, this young man who had appeared out of nowhere and loved meddling in other people's business was no ordinary person!
This discovery immediately made Flender narrow his eyes.
"Who might you be, sir? I do not recall having any prior dealings with you. If I have inadvertently offended you before, then allow this old man to offer you an apology. Could you perhaps do me a favor today? I will surely repay you in the future!"
He surrendered and sought peace at lightning speed, but Flender did not feel embarrassed in the slightest. In fact, he believed his choice was entirely correct.
After all, luring Jiang Xuan back to Shrek Academy as soon as possible was the only important matter before him.
However, the young man did not respond to Flender's attempt to make peace. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Jiang Xuan and asked in a gentle tone.
"Young brother, don't be afraid. With me here, no one can forcibly kidnap you. Could you tell me exactly what happened here from beginning to end?"
Since someone was willing to stand up for him, Jiang Xuan naturally did not refuse. He immediately explained, quickly and concisely, how Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai had made noise in the corridor, been taught a lesson by him, and how their master Flender had then appeared and tried to abduct him.
After hearing this, Flender looked at his disciple Ma Hongjun with some surprise.
He had arrived rather late. By the time he got there, his disciple had nearly been beaten to death, so he had not known what had happened beforehand.
Who would have thought that the whole mess had been caused by his own disciple...
Seeing Flender's questioning gaze, Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai both turned their heads away in shame, not daring to meet his eyes.
Though neither of them said anything, that single gesture was no different from a direct admission.
Seeing this, the young man's face instantly darkened.
"Good! Your disciples provoked trouble, and after being taught a lesson, not only did you, their master, fail to educate them, you even tried to kidnap someone and drag him outside the city to murder him and silence him! Such viciousness is unforgivable! Like master, like disciples indeed! My Heaven Dou Empire will never tolerate scum like you and your disciples!"
Flender: ???
Was that right? When had he ever intended to silence anyone?
After berating him, the young man merely clapped his hands casually. Two masked figures wrapped in black robes silently appeared behind him like ghosts.
"Escort these three scum to the city lord's manor. Tell the city lord that I ordered it, and have him punish these three strictly according to the laws of the Heaven Dou Empire!"
Hearing the young man's command, the two masked men nodded, then stepped forward to act.
Naturally, Flender was unwilling to surrender without a fight.
However, just as he prepared to resist, he discovered in horror that his Soul Power had been simultaneously suppressed by two immensely powerful forces of Soul Power!
This was...
Titled Douluo!
And there were two Titled Douluo!
Just who had he provoked?
Without question, under the simultaneous pressure of two Titled Douluo at such close range, Flender did not even have a chance to flee. He could only watch as he and his disciples were restrained and captured, then forcibly dragged out of the inn without being able to say a single word.
This wasn't right!
Was the script supposed to go like this?
Just minutes ago, he had held an absolute advantage. How had his future turned completely dark in the blink of an eye?
The two masked men in black quickly took Flender away, along with the utterly bewildered Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai.
Honestly, even Jiang Xuan himself had not expected things to develop this way.
He had merely acted on a sudden impulse and tried his luck at the last moment, yet he had truly found someone powerful to rely on—and not just anyone powerful.
Now that someone else had resolved the trouble, surely a sincere expression of thanks would bring this matter to a perfect close.
With that thought, Jiang Xuan clasped his hands toward the mysterious and powerful young man and thanked him earnestly.
"Thank you for stepping in, sir. I am deeply grateful!"
At that, the young man's smile remained gentle.
"It was nothing, merely a small effort. Maintaining peace within the Heaven Dou Empire is what I should do. May I ask where you live, young brother? Are any elders accompanying you nearby? If necessary, I can escort you safely home."
The young man's words seemed to contain a kind of magic that made one instinctively want to draw close to him...
For a moment, Jiang Xuan almost nodded without thinking and accepted his offer of an escort.
However, just as the words reached his lips, Jiang Xuan suddenly realized something was wrong and quickly stopped himself.
Thinking about it carefully, although the young man had phrased it differently, his core objective did not seem much different from Flender's!
This fellow also seemed to be trying to probe into his background!
He had just escaped one plague god, and now an even fiercer one had come along?
After rapidly considering the matter, Jiang Xuan decided to test him.
"Thank you for your kind offer, sir. I appreciate it, but I won't trouble you over getting home. To be honest, I sneaked out without telling the elders in my family. If I go back now, I'll definitely be in for a severe punishment!"
At that, the young man's eyes immediately lit up. Then, in a highly enticing voice, he extended an olive branch.
"Then do you have a fixed place to stay, young brother? If not, why not come with me? Since you and I met here today, it proves that we are fated! I would gladly provide you with some conveniences!"
Before you continue