Chapter 29: Tang San Gets Outplayed Again

Tang San leaned against the wall, hunched over, and took deep, gasping breaths of fresh air.

He had been cursing for so long that he was nearly exhausted.

At this moment, he was somewhat bewildered. Why was it that despite his loud exclamations, neither Xiao Wu nor Xu Ran had reacted at all?

This wasn't normal!

Perhaps Xu Ran, being the despicable person that he was, had thick skin and didn't care about anything. But Xiao Wu wasn't like that. She was definitely not someone who could tolerate insults easily. Given her current attitude towards Xu Ran, if she knew that Tang San was cursing him, she would definitely lose her temper. She wouldn't be this calm.

So, where did things go wrong?

Could it be that Xu Ran had used some sort of magical technique to prevent Xiao Wu from hearing what he was saying?

At that thought, Tang San was so furious he couldn't speak. Xu Ran was really despicable. If Xiao Wu couldn't hear what he was saying, how would he ever be able to explain things to her in the future? If he wanted a private meeting to clarify things, Xu Ran would definitely not give him the opportunity.

"Xu Ran, you're truly despicable, preventing my voice from reaching Xiao Wu's ears," Tang San said, almost spitting blood. Suddenly, he looked up and caught Xu Ran's gaze on him. That gaze was filled with contempt, as if mocking him: See? Your woman is now in my arms. Soon she will turn against you and become your enemy.

"Aaaaah!"

"Xu Ran, Xu Ran…"

"I'll kill you!"

Tang San was utterly incensed by Xu Ran's contemptuous gaze. No matter how calm his temperament, these events had taken their toll. His cherished Xiao Wu was now estranged from him, he'd been made a fool of, and Xu Ran even had the audacity to hold Xiao Wu in his arms just to taunt him. Each of these incidents was enough to make his blood boil.

Despite all of this, he didn't blame Xiao Wu. His hatred was directed solely at Xu Ran. Why did he have to steal Xiao Wu from him and then treat him this way afterward?

"As long as you die, all of this will end," Tang San said coldly, his eyes filled with a murderous crimson hue. No man could stand idly by watching the woman he loved held by another, especially when that person was the detestable Xu Ran.

A one-foot-long, pitch-black hidden weapon case materialized in Tang San's hand.

He had crafted this hidden weapon just a few days ago. Although he was only at the level of a Soul Grandmaster, this weapon had the power to kill even a Soul Ancestor.

Ding, no insulting comments detected towards the host, removing the mute status!

At the same moment, Xiao Wu's delicate body trembled violently; she had heard Tang San's voice. She heard everything he had just said.

When did Tang San arrive?

Was he planning to ambush and kill Xu Ran?

Xiao Wu's face turned pale as she lifted her head to look in Tang San's direction while still in Xu Ran's arms. One glance was enough to make her expression darken considerably. Was Tang San acting out of humiliated rage?

Xu Ran had only revealed his true face; he hadn't provoked him. Yet, Tang San was contemplating delivering a fatal blow to him now.

"Be careful," Xiao Wu quickly said, a wave of panic flooding over her when she saw Tang San pulling out his hidden weapon. She had seen the potency of Tang San's weapon before; even a Soul Ancestor might not be a match for it.

"Die!" Just as Xiao Wu warned Xu Ran, Tang San shouted and activated the trigger on his concealed weapon case.

Instantly, twelve razor-sharp darts shot towards Xu Ran, their velocity causing a series of sonic booms in the air, indicating that they had reached an extreme speed.

Tang San, you've come to provide me with another boon, I see, Xu Ran thought with a slight smile. How convenient that Tang San would show up just as he was running out of strategies.

Without hesitation, Xu Ran released his martial soul; two yellow and one purple soul rings appeared around his hand.

At the same time, a pitch-black sword materialized in his hand. Focused on the incoming darts, he promptly activated his third soul skill.

"Sword Qi Unleashed!" Xu Ran grasped the hilt and swung his sword in the air. In mere moments, over a dozen streams of Sword Qi were unleashed, precisely targeting the darts.

T/N: Changed name of the third soul skill from Sword Qi to Sword Qi Unleashed.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

The sword aura deflected all of the darts. However, Xu Ran intentionally left one dart untouched to show off in front of Tang San and gain some favor from Xiao Wu.

As Xu Ran executed his third soul skill, he subtly moved, shifting Xiao Wu to his original position.

At that instant, one dart was heading straight towards Xiao Wu.

"Be careful!" Xu Ran shouted as his body tensed.

Realizing the danger, Xiao Wu prepared to activate her martial soul. But Xu Ran quickly held her close, pivoting 180 degrees to face the incoming dart with his back, shielding Xiao Wu in the process.

Simultaneously, he swung his sword again, releasing a faint Sword Qi that hit the dart, slowing it down considerably. By the time the dart hit Xu Ran's back, his body—strengthened by the Qilin bloodline—only suffered minor injuries.

However, a trace of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, dropping onto Xiao Wu's beautiful face.

"Xu Ran, are you alright?" Xiao Wu's voice trembled as she asked, held tightly in his embrace. She could distinctly feel his body stiffening up. She looked up at his face only to see blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, falling onto her face. The blood that touched her face carried a warmth, some even splashing onto her lips, its taste a mix of salty and slightly sweet.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Wu's body quivered, and tears rolled down her delicate cheeks. They mingled with the raindrops on the ground, shining brightly when illuminated by a flash of lightning. The tears looked like crystal-clear gemstones, incredibly beautiful.

Xiao Wu lay in Xu Ran's arms, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on him. Xu Ran, in turn, looked at Xiao Wu, his gaze somewhat weary but astonishingly luminous.

Eventually, Xu Ran's strength gave out. His hand could no longer grip the umbrella handle, and the umbrella that had sheltered them both tumbled to the ground. Torrential rain poured over them. Compounded by this, fresh blood dripped from Xu Ran's back and lips. Aided by the rain, his clothing was entirely stained red, a sight both startling and heartbreaking.

The ground beneath their feet swiftly turned into a puddle of blood.

Xu Ran's injuries appeared severe at this point, but he continued to hold the girl in his arms tightly.

"From now on, with me by your side, no one will be able to harm you in the slightest. Remember, no matter when, I will always stand behind you, supporting you," Xu Ran spoke in a raspy voice. As he opened his mouth, rainwater mixed with more bright-red blood flowed out.

T/N: ok, dude.