“Who are you?” They were taken aback.
“I am Yadonis, Anqiluo’s boyfriend. If you know where he is, please tell me.” Shuichang’s face bore an anxious and worried expression.
A few male beastmen exchanged glances and said, “He’s under the camphor tree by Galan Lake, surrounded by a crowd. You can see him if you head over there.”
“Thank you.” After saying this, Shuichang rushed out and transformed into his beast form outside the classroom building, sprinting toward Galan Lake.
Shuichang let out a long howl from the edge of the crowd, attracting most people’s attention. He walked over gracefully, and without realizing it, the crowd parted for him. He spotted Anqiluo’s fragile figure, trying hard not to cry, with a massive black cat lying at his feet, claws gripping the fabric of Anqiluo’s trousers stubbornly.
Shuichang lunged forward, causing the crowd to scatter in fear. He opened his mouth and grabbed the cat by the neck, swinging it forcefully away.
Anqiluo’s trousers were torn into shreds, but he hardly cared. He knelt down, hugging the head of the white tiger, burying his face in its fur. “Yadonis…” He knew Yadonis would come to save him.
“Grr—” Shuichang growled softly, transforming back into his human form.
Anqiluo’s tears soaked into the cloth at Shuichang’s chest, the heat mingled with a sour, spicy sting that made Shuichang’s nose tingle.
“Be good, Anqiluo. I will protect you; there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Shuichang planted a gentle kiss on Anqiluo’s shimmering silver hair. “You stay right here; I will handle this.”
Anqiluo’s eyes were red, and he bit his delicate lower lip so hard that it drew blood.
Shuichang lowered his head and licked his lip, the taste of rust spreading in his mouth. “This is mine; don’t you dare hurt it, understand?”
Those around them couldn’t help but gasp with surprise.
Under the gazes of so many, Anqiluo’s face flushed as he whispered, “I understand.”
Shuichang chuckled lightly and turned towards Alfred, the one he had just flung away.
Alfred stood up in his human form, dusting off his dirty clothes, looking utterly disheveled.
His furious gaze fell on the troublemaker, Yadonis—an arrogant kid with black hair and jade-green eyes.
“What’s your name? Which major are you in? I’m going to report you! Picking on an elder like you have—beastmen like you will ruin society!” His hopping around and blaming Yadonis made him look less like a cat and more like a monkey.
Shuichang mocked, “You bullied my boyfriend; I just got you off him. If I really decided to teach you a lesson, do you think you could walk out of Beastman Academy alive?”
Shuichang released his full pressure, and Alfred’s hair instantly stood on end, fear flashing in his eyes. His body trembled slightly as he tried to appear unafraid. “Are you threatening me?” How could Anqiluo find such a bully as a boyfriend?
Shuichang shook his head lightly. “To be precise, I’m stating facts. You might want to think about the consequences of reporting this to the teacher. Even if you make it out of Beastman Academy today, I will find your home and kill you. Go ahead; test me.”
His dark green eyes gleamed with murderous intent, leaving Alfred feeling as if he were choking, unable to suppress his gag reflex.
Shuichang saw that he had sufficiently frightened Alfred and retracted some of his pressure. “Mr. Negs, have you thought it over?”
Alfred crumpled to the ground, his legs giving way, tears and snot streaming down his face as he trembled. “I get it, I’ll leave here immediately and won’t seek out Anqiluo again.”
“Oh! Uncle is quite perceptive!” Shuichang raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I hope you maintain this perception; otherwise, I won’t hesitate to uphold justice on a personal level.”
Alfred transformed into his beast form and hurriedly fled.
The crowd erupted in cheers, with some even whistling at Shuichang.
“Well done, man!”
“Anqiluo picked a good boyfriend!”
Shuichang walked back and took Anqiluo’s cold little hand, offering a slight smile. “Thanks to all of you today, Alfred didn’t hurt Anqiluo. I appreciate it! Anyone interested in going to the Dark Forest can come find me. Everyone here today has one chance—regardless of how many fallen beastmen you hunt in the Dark Forest, I will pay two beast fangs as a reward.”
Shuichang’s offer was undeniably attractive.
“Why don’t we head to the Dark Forest right now?” a male beastman suggested.
Shuichang shook his head. “Not right now.”
“Why? You’re not trying to trick us, are you? If you say something today and don’t follow through tomorrow…”
Shuichang wrapped his arms around Anqiluo, helplessly saying, “Of course, it’s because I want to accompany my boyfriend. He just experienced a scare and needs comfort. If I leave him alone for the Dark Forest now, do you think I would be instantly dumped?”
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
“Fine, but do you know who we are? What if someone pretends to be us?”
“That’s simple,” Shuichang said. “Just give me your student ID. After you’ve been to the Dark Forest, I’ll return it to you. The ID has a photo, so there won’t be any confusion.”
That was indeed a good solution.
Shuichang collected thirteen student IDs into his pocket and said to the male beastmen, “Starting tomorrow morning, one at a time. You all hash it out among yourselves before coming to find me.”
Shuichang was skilled at hunting fallen beastmen but not at safeguarding beastmen. In the past, bringing Yalin along meant he didn’t worry about life matters, but these beastmen had varying levels of combat strength, so unexpected incidents couldn’t be ruled out.
Only bringing Shuichang along could ensure their safety while letting him hunt fallen beastmen recklessly.
Many, upon hearing about the two beast fangs reward that Yadonis had offered, regretted not going to the Galan Lake to watch the excitement.
Someone, filled with jealousy, remarked, “Just be careful; you may go but not come back. If you end up in trouble, what’s the use of a few beast fangs?”
Yalin naturally heard about it and understandingly expressed to Shuichang that he could go to the Dark Forest with others.
Shuichang questioned, “If you go with others, who will protect the new beastmen?”
Yalin was taken aback. “Boss, are you saying… let me protect the new male beastmen?”