As Zhao Wuji arranged accommodations in the same inn from the original story, Tang Yin already sensed that trouble was brewing. But did he care? Not in the slightest. In fact, he even considered stirring the pot himself—especially when it came to a certain pair of lechers.
Tang Yin and the others sat around a large dining table while Zhao Wuji rented a separate room for a nap. Despite being seated together, the atmosphere was anything but harmonious. Dai Mubai and Fatty—aka Ma Hongjun—were ogling the waitresses and other customers like hungry wolves.
Next to them, Oscar stared at them in disbelief, utterly flabbergasted. Ever since the incident in the Star Dou Forest, these two's horny behavior had reached an entirely new level—like a pair of bulls in heat during mating season. Oscar shuddered. He made a mental note : cut ties with these degenerates as soon as humanly possible. Preferably sooner.
(Unbeknownst to them, Tang Yin had awakened their repressed desires permanently. They no longer saw their behavior as inappropriate... or even unusual.)
The result? An over-the-top display of lust that made nearby customers visibly uncomfortable. Still, seeing Dai Mubai's expensive clothing and arrogant air, most assumed he was some pampered young master and wisely chose not to speak up.
Most... but not all.
Enter Meng Yiran—the haughty, sharp-tongued young lady with fire in her eyes and zero tolerance for nonsense. Her grandparents had rented a room to rest before venturing into the Star Dou Forest, Unfortunately for her—and even more so for them—she had caught the eyes of both Dai Mubai and the pervy Fatty.
"Pheeew~!" Fatty whistled as he ogled her, eyes gleaming with lechery as his pudgy face jiggled. Dai Mubai smirked approvingly, leaning in for a better look.
That was the last straw.
With a flash of fury in her eyes, Meng Yiran stormed over to their table and slapped Fatty clean across the face with a sharp crack!, following up with a solid whack of her cane.
"You disgusting fat pig! First, you leer at me, then you have the audacity to whistle?! You wanna die?!" she shouted while whipping him again.
Tang Yin, who had been lost in melancholic "acting" (for the sake of his tragic backstory), blinked as he was snapped out of character by the chaos. When he turned to look—
He froze.
Standing before him was a petite girl with short blue hair falling to her ears, wearing sleek scaly goth-style clothing that hugged her impressive curves. She wielded a long, ornate serpent-headed cane. Tang Yin stared for a second too long before remembering to resume chewing on his chicken leg, feigning indifference.
Oscar, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong also ignored Fatty's pitiful cries and helped themselves to melons as if they were watching a mid-day drama.
Dai Mubai, on the other hand, reacted differently.
Instead of getting angry, he started breathing heavily, touching himself while staring at Meng Yiran with wild eyes.
Zhuqing and Rongrong exchanged horrified looks before scrambling away from him and practically leaping to Tang Yin's side.
Tang Yin arched a brow. "This tiger's kink is something else."
Meng Yiran noticed Dai Mubai's self-entertainment and exploded in rage. She raised her cane to hit him, but he caught it mid-swing with a lecherous smile.
"Little sister, don't fight it. Come with big brother—I'll show you a real good time," he said, voice dripping with sleaze.
"DAI MUBAI! Stop it!" Ning Rongrong shouted. "You're going too far! If you don't cut it out, I'm calling Teacher Zhao!"
But Mubai ignored her entirely.
Zhuqing stared at him in disbelief, unable to comprehend how this creep was supposed to be her fiancé. She sighed internally and glanced sideways at Tang Yin, who was engrossed in his acting.
Tang Yin, meanwhile, was thinking, Where the hell are her grandparents? If this keeps up, she's really going to be molested—and when that happens, those old monsters will probably kill Dai Mubai… and then all of us. Damn it. I really didn't want to get involved. But I guess this is partly my fault.
As Dai Mubai reached out to grope Meng Yiran, Tang Yin finally moved.
With a snap of his fingers, a blue vine shot out from his Blue Silver King and wrapped tightly around Dai Mubai's hand.
"ENOUGH!!!" Tang Yin growled, unleashing a wave of mental pressure.
Dai Mubai staggered as though he had been struck by lightning. He released Meng Yiran—not from guilt, but because his brain short-circuited from Tang Yin's spiritual bombardment. He took one shaky step forward… and fainted like a sack of meat.
Zhuqing and Rongrong both let out sighs of relief and looked at Tang Yin with a different light in their eyes.
Tang Yin stood and walked over to Meng Yiran, extending a hand to help her up. She blinked in surprise at the handsome boy before her, but quickly regained her composure and sniffed, "Hmph! Don't think saving me makes you some kind of prince. I'm not that easy."
Tang Yin blinked, then shrugged indifferently. "Think what you like. I'm not trying to impress you. But they're from our academy, so... I apologize for their rude behavior."
(He still had to keep up his grieving act for Xiao Wu's "death"—Tang Hao couldn't suspect anything.)
He knew Meng Yiran had been spoiled by her grandparents for being a genius, but in his eyes? She couldn't hold a candle to the Shrek Seven Monsters. Say what you want, Every last one of them was top-tier talent on the continent.
But to his surprise, Meng Yiran didn't get angry at his indifference. Instead, she looked at him for a few seconds and muttered, "I… forgive you. What's your name?"
Tang Yin, slightly relieved she wasn't exploding in rage, met her gaze and replied, "Tang Yin. And you?"
She blushed faintly. "Meng Yiran… Good night," she said, before hurrying back to her seat.
Zhuqing and Rongrong shared a knowing look while Tang Yin returned to his meal, only occasionally noticing glances of Meng yiran from the other table.
"Heh… am I really that charming? Well, of course I am," Tang Yin thought narcissistically, munching on a chicken wing.
As the farce wound down, everyone finally rented their own rooms, and the rest of the night passed without further chaos.
The Next Morning
Tang Yin was jolted awake by loud shouting.
"Ugh… What's going on now? Don't tell me those horny idiots caused more trouble…" he muttered, dragging himself to the dining hall.
The moment he entered, he saw the carnage: Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were kneeling on the floor, their faces swollen like pig heads, crying without tears. Zhao Wuji was trying his best to shield them from two terrifying elders.
Tang Yin instantly recognized them. The Unrivaled Dragon Serpent Duo. He hadn't expected them to still be here—let alone handing out divine retribution.
To his surprise, Meng Yiran was actively trying to stop them from beating the life out of everyone. Tang Yin felt grateful and stepped forward to greet Zhao Wuji and the girls (who were, of course, eating melons).
Oscar was still asleep, oblivious.
Seeing Tang Yin approach, Meng Yiran looked flustered. "Ta-Tang Yin! I'm sorry! I didn't think they'd beat them this badly," she said, avoiding eye contact.
Seeing her flustered, Her grandparents exchanged knowing looks.
Tang Yin chuckled. "They deserved it. I'm not blaming you. But…I request please don't let your grandparents accidentally kill them."
Meng Yiran pouted and looked up at her grandparents pleadingly. Softening under her gaze, they relented, though their eyes were now on Tang Yin.
"What academy are you from, boy?" Meng Shu asked. "How old are you? And what's your cultivation?"
Without hesitation, Tang Yin replied, "Shrek Academy. I'm twelve. My martial soul is Blue Silver King… and I'm a Soul Elder."
He deliberately withheld his exact soul level.
That revelation stunned them.
"A Soul Elder at twelve…" Meng Yiran stared at him, starry-eyed.
Tang Yin sighed inwardly. This continent is full of love-brained people... but hey, I guess it's not a bad deal for me.
"Very good!" Meng Shu said enthusiastically. He turned to his granddaughter. "Yiran! You're an adult now. Follow your heart—we support you! Go study at Shrek Academy. Our family's future is in your hands!"
Then he literally tried to hand Meng Yiran over to Tang Yin.
Zhuqing and Rongrong gawked. Are these old folks for real?
Tang Yin looked from the beaming old man to the blushing girl and quickly raised his hands. "Sorry. My girlfriend just passed away in Star Dou Forest. I'm still mourning. I don't think I can fall in love right now."
"Don't worry!" they said, patting him on the back. "You can mourn with her. Take your time. No pressure at all."
Then they waved and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
What the hell!!