This time, Xue Yinzhou didnât intend to kill Shen Tang, just wanted to teach her a lesson.
But he didnât expect heâd almost fail and kill her.
Shen Li noticed Xue Yinzhou hesitating not far away, a meaningful glint in his eyes. He asked softly, "Xiao Tang, how did you fall into the river?"
"I threw her into the river."
The moment the cold, deep voice sounded from behind, Shen Tangâs body stiffened abruptly, like a mouse being stared at by a cat. Her face turned pale instantly, her nails digging hard into her palms.
Shen Li sensed the stiffness in her body, and suddenly understood everything. His expression darkened slightly, a stream of fire flashing from his fingertips, blocking Xue Yinzhouâs path.
Shen Li stood up and walked forward, confronting Xue Yinzhou, his tall and lean figure just enough to shield Shen Tang behind him.
"Yinzhou, this time youâve gone too far, even mischief has its limits." Shen Liâs face was somber, devoid of his usual gentle smile.
Seeing Shen Li protecting Shen Tang, Xue Yinzhouâs face was strange, curving his lips mockingly, "Even if I wanted to act against her, do you think you could stop me?"
Shen Li chuckled, "Youâre welcome to try."
The two confronted each other, tension thickening between them.
Shen Tang was surprised, not expecting Shen Li to actually stand up for her. She thought of how he gently held her earlier, his soft words of comfort, and felt a flutter in her heart.
But she knew clearly that Shen Li didnât like her. After all, they were childhood friends growing up together, naturally sharing some affection, so he couldnât possibly watch an outsider bully his sister.
Xue Yinzhou looked coldly at Shen Li, lips curling disdainfully, "Just you? Youâre not worthy to be my opponent."
"What about the three of us?" Three tall and imposing figures emerged from the forestâit was Xiao Jin, Jia Lan, and Lu Xiao. They stood with Shen Li, forming a line of confrontation against Xue Yinzhou.
"Did you call them here?" Xue Yinzhouâs face grew increasingly grim and strange, his entire aura cold and intimidating.
Were these fools fed Enchanting Soup by this female that they are so protective of her?
Among the strong, there was always mutual admiration. Xue Yinzhou deeply disliked Shen Tang, but he regarded her beast husbands highly, having shared life-and-death experiences with them. Yet, he didnât expect them to be so foolish, deceived by the flowery words of this fat woman.
"Donât forget the things she did before!" Xue Yinzhouâs eyes were icy as he pointed toward Xiao Jin, speaking each word deliberately, "Drugging you in secret, with intent to harm."
Turning to Shen Li, "To seize your inheritance, poisoning your food, completely disregarding sibling affection."
His slender, jade-like fingers grazed past Jia Lan and Lu Xiao, his voice full of mockery, "Forcing you into arranged marriages, squandering your wealth. This female is despicable and shameless, insatiably greedy, having done so many disgusting things, have you all forgotten?"
Listening to Xue Yinzhou list the original masterâs crimes, Shen Tang felt both angry and helpless. These actions "she" indeed had done, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldnât cleanse her of them.
"What female hasnât made mistakes in this world? As long as she is willing to reform, life can still go on." Shen Liâs eyes darkened slightly, interrupting Xue Yinzhou, smiling, "As beast husbands, we must be more forgiving, not petty and narrow-minded."
His words were spoken so offhandedly that even Xiao Jin, Lu Xiao, and Jia Lan glanced oddly at this sly fox. Since when had this fox become so accommodating?
Could the fat woman really have fed him Enchanting Soup?
Lu Xiao pondered for a moment and nodded indifferently, "The current Shen Tang is much better than before. As long as she doesnât revert to her previous ways, I can let bygones be bygones."
Xiao Jin folded his arms, curling his lips roguishly, "This fat woman is only for me to bully, no one else gets to."
Jia Lan frowned slightly, recalling something from that day, his eyes flickering with a hint of discomfort, his expression steady and calm, "No matter what, her crimes donât warrant death."
Xue Yinzhou laughed in exasperation.
Shen Liâs smile faded as he looked at him coldly, speaking slowly, "No matter what, Shen Tang is still our Female Master. Xue Yinzhou, think carefully, donât act rashly again."
Xue Yinzhou remained silent, his tightly clenched fists at his sides exposing the violence simmering within him.
Shen Li frowned, "Some things, no matter how much others say, it wonât help. Otherwise... why donât you listen to Xiao Tangâs explanation?"
"I donât want to hear her excuses!" Xue Yinzhou turned to leave, casting a cold glance at Shen Tang, mocking, "Youâve got skills, making them all stand by your side, very nice!"
"I hope they can protect you always, and I donât find a chance to strike."
With that, he disappeared, leaving Shen Tang shivering.
After all this strategy, why does it feel like this snake increasingly loathes her, wishing to eliminate her promptly?
Shen Li, Xiao Jin, Lu Xiao, and Jia Lan all wore varying expressions, unsure whether to breathe a sigh of relief or catch their breath again.
Xue Yinzhou was exceptionally powerful. If he truly wanted to kill Shen Tang, even the four of them might not be able to stop him.
Jia Lan cast a complicated gaze at Shen Tang, accustomed to seeing this femaleâs arrogant and domineering demeanor; it was the first time heâd seen her so pitifully wretched.
After regaining consciousness that day, he initially thought heâd escaped by luck, but checking the surveillance revealed that Shen Tang had visited his room later. Even if he was unwilling to believe it, he had to admit it was Shen Tang who performed a mental calming on him that day.
From that day onward, his feelings toward her became somewhat complicated. He certainly didnât like this fat woman, but he didnât dislike her as much as he used to either.
"Thank you for that day." Jia Lan said awkwardly, his ears reddening, turning to leave, "I still have contaminated creatures to deal with in my area, Iâll go first."
Xiao Jin and Lu Xiao were also just about to turn and leave.
Suddenly, noises came from the dense forest behind them.
Hundreds of beastmen emerged, surrounding them completely.
From the crowd stepped out the City Lord, White Lizard, and a female with a face wrapped in bandages, glaring with immense hatredâShi Yin.
Shi Yin cared nothing for her appearance anymore, her eyes bloodshot as she stared intently at Shen Tang, letting out a mad laugh, "You damned ugly monster, letâs see where youâll run this time!"
"What does the City Lord mean by this?" Shen Li looked at the aggressive troops, clearly not here with good intentions.
"At this point, thereâs no need to beat around the bush. Hand over the energy core obediently, and I might spare your lives. Otherwise, donât blame me for taking it myself!" City Lord Shi Lun stepped forward, the pressure of a Peak Eighth Rank flooding out, suffocating the lower-ranked beastmen with its terrifying power!
Even Shen Li and the others felt the oppression.
"Sly fox, you take the fat woman and leave first, weâll hold them off here." Xiao Jin faced the full-force City Lord, cracking his wrist audibly. Even though he was a rank lower, he showed no fear, his golden eyes gleaming with an eager battle spirit.
Shen Li twitched his mouth, couldnât be bothered with the dead leopardâs terms, and turned with Shen Tang to run, trying to force a path to escape.
The City Lordâs face was cold and sinister, not at all like his usual gentle and sincere self, "Today, none of you will escape!"