Yet the branch not only remained unbroken, but tightened even more, squeezing his calf painfully and causing his Soul Power circulation to become sluggish.
Tianya's face turned ashen as he attempted to tear the branch apart with his sharp claws, but his fingertips only left shallow scratches where they passed.
The three of them were firmly pinned to the ground like turtles in a jar, their fierce expressions replaced by astonishment and panic.
"Daring to lay hands on my woman - you can die now!"
Su Yu's voice was cold as ice. Without pausing in his steps while holding Ye Lingling, he walked straight out of the alley.
Behind him, the branches that had merely restrained the three suddenly turned violent, like awakened beasts. The vines madly grew, twisted, and tightened!
"Crack—crack—"
The crisp sound of bones being crushed was particularly piercing in the silent alley.
Bu Le, E Kao, and Tianya were tightly constricted by the thick branches.
The excruciating pain of their bones deforming twisted their features, while blood continuously gushed from the corners of their mouths, staining their chests red.
"Mer... mercy..."
Bu Le used his last bit of strength to beg for mercy, his voice broken and incoherent.
But before he could finish speaking, the branches abruptly contracted inward, like countless icy hands clutching their chests.
"Thump—"
Three dull, heavy sounds rang out almost simultaneously as the branches directly crushed the three men's breastbones, instantly shredding their hearts.
The fear in their eyes froze in their final moments before their bodies went limp and hung completely silent.
The branches slowly loosened, and the three corpses fell powerlessly to the ground, soon completely covered by the wildly growing vines as if they had never existed.
Ye Lingling buried her face in the crook of Su Yu's shoulder. Though she didn't look back, she could clearly hear the commotion behind them, causing her body to tremble slightly.
Su Yu noticed her reaction, paused his steps, lowered his head to gently nuzzle the top of her hair with his chin, and softened his voice:
"Don't be afraid. When dealing with such people, no mercy is needed."
Ye Lingling didn't speak, only burying her face deeper, her arms subconsciously tightening around Su Yu's neck.
Su Yu carried her out of the alley, the moonlight stretching their shadows long.
He didn't look back at the dark corner again, as if he had merely crushed three annoying insects.
To him, anyone who dared harm those close to him had only one ending.
Leaning against his warm embrace, listening to his steady heartbeat, the last traces of unease in Ye Lingling's heart vanished like mist.
When Su Yu carried Ye Lingling out of the alley, the night was deep and the streets were sparsely populated.
He had already used the Flying Thunder God Technique to safely return Ning Rongrong and the others to Shrek Academy.
Considering how late it was and that Ye Lingling was still frightened, Su Yu took her to the hotel where the Royal Battle Team was staying.
They traveled in silence, Ye Lingling relaxing gradually in his arms, though her occasionally trembling eyelashes still revealed the lingering fear from earlier.
Entering the guest room, Su Yu gently placed Ye Lingling on the soft bed. Just as he turned to leave and let her rest, the corner of his clothes was lightly tugged.
Ye Lingling kept her head lowered, her fingers clutching his clothes so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, filled with dependence:
"Holy Son... could you stay and keep me company? I... I'm still scared."
Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, clearly having mustered all her courage to speak these words.
After speaking, she quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to look at Su Yu's expression, only her slightly trembling shoulders betraying her nervousness.
Su Yu watched her timid and dependent demeanor, recalling her terrified tears in the alley earlier, and ultimately couldn't bring himself to refuse.
He paused briefly, softening his voice: "Alright, I'll stay right here beside you."
Ye Lingling abruptly lifted her head, a flicker of delight flashing in her eyes before she lowered it again, softly murmuring "Mm."
Su Yu sat down in the chair by the bed, calmly gazing at the night scenery outside the window.
The room was quiet, with only the sound of their steady breathing. Ye Lingling lay on the bed, secretly watching Su Yu's profile.
Lying on the bed, Ye Lingling kept her eyes open watching him for a long time, completely sleepless.
The fright from earlier had already faded, replaced now by an indescribable emotion swirling in her heart.
After hesitating for a moment while watching Su Yu's face, she tugged lightly at the hem of his clothes and whispered:
"Your Highness! I like you!"
As if afraid Su Yu would refuse, Ye Lingling continued with her head bowed:
"I know you already have a fiancée, but I just like you! I don't need any status!"
Su Yu looked at her flushed ears and nervous appearance, remained silent for a moment, then reached out to pat her head.
"Lingling, you're wonderful. I'm quite fickle, but if you don't mind, from now on you'll be my woman!"
Ye Lingling's eyes flew open, the tension in them completely overwhelmed by immense joy. She moved forward to wrap her arms around Su Yu's waist:
"Your Highness! I don't mind! I'm willing to be your woman!"
Su Yu looked at Ye Lingling in his embrace and wrapped his arms around her:
"Lingling, I, Su Yu, will never let you down in this lifetime!"
Holding onto Su Yu, Ye Lingling rested her head against his chest and asked:
"Your Highness, could you sleep with me tonight?"
"Every time I close my eyes, that person's face appears. I'm really scared!"
Su Yu looked at her flushed ears and nervous appearance, remained silent for a moment, then lay down on the bed with her in his arms.
She looked at Su Yu so close beside her - his eyes closed, breathing steady, emanating a reassuring presence.
She quietly moved her cheek a little closer to him, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum:
"Thank you... Your Highness..."
Su Yu reached out to hold her shoulder and said softly:
"Sleep now. Don't worry, with me here, no one can harm you!"
"From now on, don't call me 'Your Highness' anymore. You're my woman, just call me by my name. If that's too difficult, you can call me A-Yu!"
"I like calling you 'Your Highness'! Is that okay?"
Ye Lingling hugged Su Yu's arm and shook it playfully.
Su Yu reached out and gently tapped her nose.
"As you wish, whatever makes you happy. Sleep now. Don't worry, with me here, no one can harm you!"
"Mm, thank you, Your Highness!"
Ye Lingling's tense body completely relaxed. The clean, crisp scent surrounding him filled her senses, and the terrifying images from earlier gradually faded away.
Pressed closely against him, her eyelids grew heavier until she fell into a deep sleep, even the furrow in her brow smoothing out.
The next morning, sunlight streamed gently through the carved wooden window, spilling across the bed.
Ye Lingling's eyelashes fluttered lightly as she slowly opened her eyes. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and instinctively glanced beside her.
Su Yu was still asleep, lying on his side facing her. His long lashes cast faint shadows beneath his eyelids.
His usually aloof features appeared much softer in the morning light, the usual detachment replaced by a quiet serenity.
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