Wu Hao was so scared that he just stood there, completely at a loss for words, terrified of angering the demon-like Xu Ran.
"You can go now, and remember to mind your own business in the future. You should have learned this lesson in the Black Corner Region," Xu Ran said to Wu Hao.
Wu Hao was a member of the Canaan Academy enforcement team, often active in the various corners outside the academy, carrying out missions.
"I understand."
Wu Hao paused, deep in thought.
During their time in the enforcement team, they were taught much about this. Don't meddle in affairs that aren't your concern; sticking your nose where it doesn't belong will sooner or later bring trouble upon you from forces you can't afford to offend, and that will be a certain dead end.
And that's exactly what he had practiced outside as well.
It was just that upon returning to the academy, he had let his guard down and had not expected that there would be someone within the Outer Court capable of threatening him.
Wu Hao bowed deeply and turned to leave.
He understood that Xu Ran had shown him mercy; if Xu Ran dared to kill Bai Shan, he would dare to kill him.
"You, you demon," Hu Jia watched Wu Hao leave in desolation, her eyes full of fear. She didn't dare to put on airs now. Xu Ran was simply too terrifying, having reduced Bai Shan to ashes with a single punch.
Is there no justice in this world?
She feared that even many from the Inner Court couldn't do what he just did.
Moreover, she had the feeling that Xu Ran hadn't even exerted his full strength and still had power to spare.
"Do you also want to… Hm?" Xu Ran looked at Hu Jia, intending to scare the Little Demoness a bit.
"No, please, I was wrong. Let me go, I won't fight with you over Xun Er anymore," Hu Jia shuddered, Xu Ran's expression might seem gentle, but in Hu Jia's eyes, it looked as if he wanted to devour someone.
"Hm? You still have designs on Xun Er?"
"No, not at all," Hu Jia vigorously shook her head, looking at Xu Ran with pitiful eyes like a small, helpless lamb, praying for mercy.
She was genuinely afraid of being killed by Xu Ran with a slap just like Bai Shan.
She might be prideful and hot-tempered, but she wasn't a fool.
She never wished to die.
Bai Shan hadn't done anything, yet the moment he made a move, he was erased by Xu Ran. Having continuously offended Xu Ran, wasn't her fate sealed? Now that Xu Ran had tied her up, was he planning to torture her for a while before killing her?
Hu Jia's expression turned exceedingly sorrowful.
She was in despair.
Xu Ran was definitely going to kill her, that was certain.
"Xu Ran, you can't kill me, my grandfather is the Vice Dean. If you dare to lay a hand on me, you won't get off easily," Hu Jia suddenly remembered her status, breathed a sigh of relief, and hastily spoke.
Her grandfather was the Vice Dean; surely Xu Ran would give her that much face.
"What about the Vice Dean? Are you threatening me? I hate people who threaten me the most in my life. I have said before that if someone dares to threaten me, then I will wipe them out," Xu Ran said indifferently.
"Wu wu, no, don't, Xu Ran, I really was wrong. I didn't threaten you," Hu Jia was truly terrified, tears welling in her eyes with mist spreading, about to cry for real.
The sight of Bai Shan instantly turning into a cloud of blood was still lingering in her mind and difficult to shake off.
If she were to end up like that, with no complete corpse, then, then, then…
"Xu Ran, Xun Er and I are good friends, please let me go," Hu Jia pleaded with Xu Ran again.
"Xu Ran, just let Hu Jia go. Stop teasing her," Ruo Lin, seeing that Xu Ran was not really trying to bully Hu Jia but was merely playing with her, couldn't help but intercede on Hu Jia's behalf.
"Grandpa, grandpa, you finally came! If you hadn't come soon, your granddaughter would have been bullied to death." Before Xu Ran could release Hu Jia, they heard her frantic yell. Her voice was mixed with a hoarse cry of tears, filled with the joy of having survived an ordeal.
Hu Qian looked at Hu Jia, who was tied up like a zongzi, with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"You girl, didn't I tell you to restrain yourself? If you keep playing around like this, what will become of our reputation? Sooner or later, you'll even bring ruin to these old bones of mine," Hu Qian said in an annoyed tone.
Luckily, Xu Ran had a good temper; otherwise, Hu Jia might not have escaped with her life this time.
On the surface, Xu Ran was a new student at Canaan Academy, but in reality, he was one of the elders.
Moreover, if Xu Ran wished, he could take over the Alchemy Department immediately, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Great Elder.
Such a person's status was much higher than that of his assistant dean of the Outer Court.
Although he was an assistant dean, he was only for the Outer Court, which was essentially worthless and at best only on par with an ordinary elder at Canaan Academy.
As for Xu Ran...
Let's just say that if Xu Ran wished, he could even vie for the top position at Canaan Academy.
Hu Qian had long wanted to foster good relations with Xu Ran, hoping to obtain an elixir from him to make further progress. He also wanted to secure an elixir for Hu Jia.
If Xu Ran were willing to practice alchemy, would Hu Jia still merely be a genius of the Outer Court?
No, she would be able to hold her own in the Inner Court as well.
At this point, Hu Qian didn't know that Hu Jia had previously turned down an opportunity to be taught by Xu Ran; otherwise, he might have been so angry that he could have had a heart attack.
Even Elder Huo of the Alchemy Department wanted to learn from Xu Ran, let alone others.
"Grandpa, are you focusing on the wrong thing?"
"Your granddaughter is being bullied here, tied up like this, and her life was even in danger. Can't you see that? If you had been any later, you might only have seen your granddaughter's corpse," Hu Jia wailed.
Hu Jia saw that her grandfather had arrived but was scolding her first, which was unprecedented. Even though he didn't like her causing trouble, he always cared deeply for her.
She thought her grandfather didn't understand her current predicament, so she deliberately described her situation as even more tragic.
She thought, this way, her grandfather would surely pity her.
At the very least, he would rescue her.
"I have been too indulgent with you in the past, which is why you developed such a bad temperament. You've been causing trouble everywhere in the academy, and now look, someone else has disciplined you. Good, you should suffer a bit to learn your lesson," said Hu Qian with a cold snort, not even glancing at Hu Jia.
"Lord Xu Ran, Hu Jia is young and doesn't know better. She has offended you – please show mercy. You disciplined this girl for me, and I, Hu Qian, will remember this kindness," said Hu Qian with a benevolent smile.
"Grandpa, what's gotten into you? How could you... wuu wuu wuu, your granddaughter is being bullied by him, he even tied me up and spanked me, and you're thanking him?" Hu Jia looked at Hu Qian in disbelief, somewhat unable to comprehend.
Was this still her loving grandfather?
How could he now seem to be in cahoots with Xu Ran, this devil?
What kind of magic did Xu Ran, this devil, have?
Hu Jia felt as if she couldn't understand, almost suffocating from frustration. How could her grandfather, who had always cherished her since she was little, suddenly change?