At this moment, Tom was hiding under the seat of the vintage car, his whole feline body curled into a trembling ball—absolutely terrified.
"Haha, sorry everyone! That’s my soul tool and my cat. I’ll take them away right now."
Tian Tieshan chuckled awkwardly, his brutish face full of flesh giving off a forced smile. He hurried over to the vintage car and peeked inside, where a cat was showing an almost human-like expression of pure fear.
Tom was panicking—this guy was clearly a cat trafficker! Help! Shen An! Jerry! Where are you guys?!
This cat’s so full of life... I might just strike it rich. But how the hell do I carry this soul tool away? Tian Tieshan frowned to himself. This was his first time seeing something like this.
"You’re lying! That cat’s not yours. You showed up first, and the cat came out after!" A little girl, no more than seven or eight, with a porcelain-doll face, spoke up with a childish voice.
As soon as she spoke, the crowd around them started whispering and pointing at Tian Tieshan.
"Get lost, you little brat! I don’t have time for your nonsense!" Tian Tieshan’s face darkened. Doing shady stuff was one thing, but being exposed in public was another.
"Damn it! That’s my cat! I dare anyone to say otherwise!" Tian Tieshan stomped on the ground, releasing a pair of Soul Rings—one white, one yellow.
The crowd instantly fell silent. A Soul Master—one of the most respected professions on the continent. Untouchable. Privileged.
"You’re lying!" The little girl pointed at Tian Tieshan again, still unafraid.
"You damn brat, spewing nonsense at your age? I’ll teach you a lesson your parents clearly forgot!"
Tian Tieshan, now both embarrassed and furious, charged at the little girl. His burly hand, thick as a club, swung straight for her.
The bystanders turned away. A slap from a Soul Master? That girl wouldn’t survive—she’d be ruined for life.
Tom, peeking his little head out of the car, saw what was happening. His whole body jolted with panic—No! I’ve gotta save her!
Shui Yu’er instinctively closed her eyes in terror.
Bang!
The expected slap never landed. Instead, Tian Tieshan staggered back, dazed, a huge lump swelling on his forehead.
Can a human even get a bump that big? Shui Yu’er bit her hand, trying hard to think through her confusion.
The crowd was dumbfounded. What did they just witness?
From inside the strange soul tool, a ridiculously long cat paw had reached out and whacked Tian Tieshan hard on the head.
Can a cat’s paw even stretch that far? The Soul Land citizens, who had never seen Tom and Jerry, were full of questions.
Tom retreated back into the car, his little heart thumping wildly. That was terrifying. He had just smacked a cat trafficker! Scared the fur off himself!
Tian Tieshan shook his head violently and touched the lump on his head. The pain made him suck in a sharp breath, and his rage only grew.
His meaty face twisted into something monstrous. "Who?! Who hit me?!"
Of course, no one was going to answer that.
"Fine, fine, fine! If no one’s going to fess up, then I’ll just kill this little brat today!"
He poured soul power into his arm and swung at the girl again. If this blow landed, Shui Yu’er wouldn’t survive.
Her big round eyes brimmed with tears. This man is awful... Sisters, where are you? You said you’d just go buy me a sugar-coated hawthorn and come right back...
Tian Tieshan grinned with malice. You’re not coming out? Then I’ll force you to.
After all, these were just commoners. Even if he killed one, who’d dare say a word?
But the next moment, his hand felt like it was caught in a steel vise—immovable and excruciatingly painful.
Covered in dust from rushing over, Shen An stood there, staring coldly at him. How twisted do you have to be to hit a little girl?
From the shadows, Tom jumped out excitedly—he hadn’t been abandoned! Shen An still cared!
Tom gestured wildly at Shen An, who quickly understood.
"You’re saying this guy tried to kidnap you? And even bullied someone else?"
Tom nodded his little head vigorously and pointed at Tian Tieshan: This guy is the big bad!
Cold sweat poured down Tian Tieshan’s face. He had just used all his strength and soul power, yet he couldn’t break free from Shen An’s grip.
He instantly realized—this man was not someone he could mess with.
"Brother! Since the cat’s yours, I’ll take off now. I just saw it wandering around, thought I’d help it find its owner..." Tian Tieshan’s eyes flicked about as he lied shamelessly.
Shen An gave a bright, gentle smile. "Oh? Then I should be thanking you, shouldn’t I?"
Tian Tieshan chuckled awkwardly. "No need, no need. Really, it’s nothing. Just let go of my hand, I have things to do."
Tom and Jerry were frantically waving gestures on the side—You can’t just let the bad guy go!
Shen An’s smile widened. "Alright. I’ll let go now."
Tian Tieshan lit up with joy. Saved!
But the next second, he felt a violent weightlessness and let out a shriek of terror.
Suddenly, Shen An’s long fingers clamped down hard and with a twist of his wrist, he flung Tian Tieshan into the air like a rag doll.
With cold indifference, Shen An raised his arm high—and slammed him down.
Boom!
The ground caved in. Tian Tieshan’s chest collapsed inward, and blood spurted from his mouth like a fountain.
"Please! Spare me! Have mercy, sir!"
Shen An’s face remained emotionless. Scum like this—who’d lay hands on a child—deserved every bit of punishment.
He lifted his right foot and stomped hard on Tian Tieshan’s dantian. At the same time, a sword aura shot into his body, tearing his meridians apart.
Pfft—!
Another mouthful of blood sprayed out. Shen An casually tilted his head to avoid it. Getting splattered by this guy’s blood would be disgusting.
Tian Tieshan could no longer speak. He simply stared up with a look of venomous hatred.
His soul power was gone. From now on, he was crippled—less than even an ordinary person.
Shen An stepped over him without a second glance. For people like him, stripping away their soul power hurt more than death.
Turning to Shui Yu’er, Shen An asked gently, "What’s your name? Why are you here alone?"
"I’m Shui Yu’er. Thank you for saving me! You’re such a good person! My big sisters will definitely repay you!" she said sweetly.
Shen An’s gaze shifted slightly. Shui Yu’er... Shui Bing’er... Shui Yue’er... Could it really be them?
(TLNote: Oldest → Youngest: Shui Bing’er... Shui Yue’er... Shui Yu’er, 3 different person. The youngest name got me in first half)
Shui Yu’er’s eyes sparkled as she tilted her head and asked, "Can I pet the kitty? He’s so cute!"
Shen An smiled. "Well, that depends if he’s okay with it."
Tom, who was about a head taller than her, looked at the little girl and slapped his thigh with laughter. This tiny brat wants to pet me?
"Kitty, may I pet you?"
Tom gave a devilish grin and reached out with a paw, pinching her chubby cheek.
Mission of the day: pet a human baby. Accomplished. So happy.