127: Chapter 127 The Stunning Little Chef Falls into the Trap

"What are you laughing at?"

The man who had spoken first upon entering barked the question at Ning Yuan, then took a few steps forward, looking ready to strike.

Ning Yuan waved his hand, trying to stop laughing, but he couldn't manage it; his shoulders were still shaking.

"It's nothing, I just thought of something funny!"

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? Don't scare away my guest!" Tang Jingyi hurriedly stepped out from behind the counter and shielded Ning Yuan, shouting at the thugs.

By now, the thugs' leader had a distorted expression, his eyes bloodshot as he said:

"Shopkeeper Tang, we're only overlooking this because we're giving you Face. If you don't get out of the way, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

"You wouldn't dare! Try touching him and see how I deal with you later!" Tang Jingyi stood with her hands on her hips, her beautiful eyes flashing with anger as she confronted the thugs, though her legs couldn't stop trembling slightly.

Although she and Ning Yuan were strangers, she didn't want her troubles to involve him or bring him unnecessary grief.

Ning Yuan's impression of her immediately soared; she was clearly so scared her legs were shaking, yet she still stood up to protect him!

This made Ning Yuan even more determined; he was definitely taking this Spirit Chef, Tang Jingyi. That Soul Transformation expert could go to hell!

"Hehe, I'm not in the habit of letting a woman shield me!" Ning Yuan chuckled as he pulled Tang Jingyi behind him. Startled, she hurriedly said:

"Are you crazy? They aren't people you want to mess with!"

"Hahaha, you're quite sensible! Don't worry, we'll make it quick; you won't feel a thing! I'll teach you that laughing here comes with a price!"

The thugs' leader laughed maniacally. If the man hadn't stepped forward, he might not have dared to act out of consideration for Tang Jingyi. But since he wanted to play the hero, he needed to learn that heroism had a price.

"Oh? How do you know it's painless? Have you died before?" Ning Yuan asked calmly. A Grey Light flickered in his eyes, and instantly, the thugs' life force vanished. As he watched them slowly collapse to the ground, he added:

"Hmm, it seems you really have! Though it looks like you won't get the chance to do anything to me."

"You... you..." Tang Jingyi stared at the scene in shock, her voice faltering. Her legs trembled even more violently now.

*Whoosh!*

Ning Yuan raised his hand and sent out a wisp of Extreme Yang Fire, incinerating the thugs' corpses into ashes. With another wave of his hand, the ashes vanished as well.

They were just Golden Core thugs; he could wipe them out with a flick of his wrist.

At this moment, Ning Yuan looked incredibly impressive. Tang Jingyi's expression said it all—her mouth was wide enough to fit an egg, and her eyes were nearly popping out of her head.

She was completely dazed. The thugs who had been bullying her were wiped out just like that, with a mere wave of a hand. What was his cultivation level? Nascent Soul or Soul Transformation?

The scene lingered in her mind, and Ning Yuan's figure grew taller in her heart, as if he were glowing.

"Alright, the trouble is taken care of!" Ning Yuan turned back to Tang Jingyi. Seeing her shock, he felt a secret thrill. Showing off really required an audience; otherwise, it would be a waste of effort.

"Sister Tang, would you be willing to become my private Spirit Chef? If you are, I can take you away from Triangle Island."

"Okay, I ag— Huh? Private Spirit Chef?" Tang Jingyi immediately snapped out of her daze and asked with wide eyes again:

"What did you say? Say that again!"

Ning Yuan repeated, "Become my private Spirit Chef!"

"Are you serious? I'm only a Rank Three Spirit Chef; the food I make can't improve your cultivation!"

Tang Jingyi still couldn't believe it. With Ning Yuan's strength, how could he possibly be interested in her?

To Ning Yuan, improving cultivation was secondary; taste was what mattered. Whether it was her skills, her looks... cough, her character, Tang Jingyi met all his requirements. She was the perfect candidate.

"It's true! Do you have any concerns, Sister Tang? If you're worried about that Soul Transformation expert, I can easily take you away before they even realize what's happened!"

Ning Yuan spoke confidently, putting on a self-assured front so Tang Jingyi would follow him without hesitation.

Hearing Ning Yuan's words, Tang Jingyi was indeed tempted. If she stayed on Triangle Island, her fate was predictable.

But if she left with Ning Yuan just like that, what if he also had ulterior motives?

In that case, she would just be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire!

Seeing her lost in thought, Ning Yuan immediately understood her concern—she was afraid he had designs on her. But how could that be?

He was a true gentleman who never went against a woman's wishes!

Ning Yuan spoke again, "Don't worry, Sister Tang. I, Ning Yuan, am a man of principle. I won't do anything untoward. I simply want you as my Spirit Chef, nothing more!"

Of course, those were just words; his heart told a different story. If the timing was right, things could certainly go further!

Once she was by his side, with his methods, wouldn't she be... easily won over?

Ning Yuan's repeated assurances gradually dispelled Tang Jingyi's worries, but she still proposed a condition:

"I can agree, but on one condition. If you can fulfill it, it's not out of the question for me to... follow you in every sense later on!"

"No problem! I'll agree to whatever condition you have, Sister Tang! There's no time to lose, let's go!" Ning Yuan promised solemnly, then thinking of something, added:

"Sister Tang, do you have anything you need to pack?"

"Don't talk so big, or you might end up failing unexpectedly! Wait for me, it won't take long!" Tang Jingyi teased, then turned and left to pack her things.

"Aren't you afraid you won't be able to do it and the prize will slip through your fingers?" Suddenly, Tao Yao's voice transmission rang in his mind. Ning Yuan replied calmly:

"That's why I have you! Is it settled?"

"Tch, you really think highly of me. What if I fail? Let's see what you do then. That Soul Transformation guy is taken care of."

"Tao Yao, you're so powerful, how could you possibly fail? It must have been a piece of cake!"

"Hmph, you only know how to say sweet things when you need something from me!"

"When have I ever not—"

Before he could finish, Ning Yuan cut himself off as Tang Jingyi reappeared. She said plainly:

"Alright, I'm done packing! Let's go!"

"You got it!"

Afterward, Ning Yuan and Tang Jingyi left Shuxin Pavilion together. Before leaving, Tang Jingyi looked back at the tavern she had poured so much heart and soul into.

"Sister Tang, if you want to open another tavern in the future, we'll find a place to start a new one! We'll call it 'Quiet Far Study.' What do you think?"

"Why does it have to have 'Far' in it?"

"Hey, didn't you say it yourself? Since you're going to follow me, the tavern naturally needs to include my name!"

"Nothing is certain yet..."

As the two walked further away, their voices grew faint until they eventually vanished into the curtain of rain...