Chapter 529: Innocently Lying Down, Turned into a Shield

What a perfect coincidence.

Just as today, Jiang Chen never expected to encounter so many coincidences.

He not only happened upon Lu Qingyu and her two friends, but also met Qiao Zhixin, as well as Huo Yuyao and the Blue Leaf Knight Order she leads.

Soon after, Yi Ning's figure also appeared in his sight, and finally Chu Yao arrived.

Chu Yao came together with Si Tu Yu, and their arrival instantly turned the previously calm scene into a lively one.

The gossip fire in Lu Qingyu's eyes, along with the two others, was already blazing fiercely, as if to burn away all secrets.

Nevertheless, Jiang Chen remained calm; he knew his conduct was proper and had no need to fear any rumors.

Yi Ning walked to the window and said softly, "Jiang Chen, if you have time, remember to find me."

Before the words finished, she tossed a Positioning Teleport Stone to Jiang Chen, then rode away on a Unicorn.

Jiang Chen understood that Yi Ning truly had important matters to discuss.

Otherwise, with her cold and aloof nature, she would never have taken the initiative to seek him.

Chu Yao walked over gracefully, slipped her arm around Jiang Chen's, and in a sweet voice said, "Junior Jiang, so you're here; I've been looking for you for a long time."

Chu Yao's behavior was completely different from before, and Jiang Chen couldn't help but be surprised—could she really be affected by some mysterious force?

Chu Yao whispered in Jiang Chen's ear, "Help me act out a scene; there's a guy who's really annoying."

As she spoke, warm breath brushed Jiang Chen's ear, bringing a slight tickle.

A blush spread across Chu Yao's face, but she forced herself to hold back her shyness.

At that moment, someone else ascended the stairs and happened to witness Chu Yao and Jiang Chen's intimate conversation.

A flash of anger flickered in that person's eyes.

Yuyao, is he the one you have a crush on?

Chu Yao nodded without hesitation, "Of course, now you can give up."

Jiang Chen sized up the newcomer, a man in his thirties, handsome yet with a hint of gloom.

The man looked at Jiang Chen, then at Chu Yao, and sneered, "So you like this type of pretty boy."

Lu Qingyu couldn't help but laugh out loud; someone actually called Jiang Chen a pretty boy.

Jiang Chen now understood Chu Yao's intention; he knew he needed to cooperate with her to play this scene well.

He had originally only planned to serve as a temporary shield, but now the situation seemed somewhat delicate.

When he heard someone call him a pretty boy, a sharp glint flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. He calmly asked, "Who are you?"

The man sneered, "You're just a nameless foot soldier; how dare you know my name?"

This was the second time, and the dangerous aura in Jiang Chen's eyes grew even stronger.

Seeing this, Chu Yao quickly whispered into Jiang Chen's ear, "He is the legitimate eldest son of the An family from Southern Crystal City, An Junzhi. He is an Ice Knight, a Mythic-tier Profession, with power at level 68."

The information Chu Yao revealed instantly erased Jiang Chen's disdain for An Junzhi.

But at this moment, An Junzhi cared more about Chu Yao's flirtatious whisper in Jiang Chen's ear.

In An Junzhi's eyes, this move was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire; his anger flared wildly, and his clenched fist seemed ready to strike at any moment.

However, at that instant, a flash of White Light streaked by, and Qiao Zhixin, wielding a massive war hammer, blocked in front of Jiang Chen, her gaze fixed on An Junzhi as if saying:

"If you dare move him, I won't hold back."

Qiao Zhixin's heroic spirit and bravery made everyone present pause. Her beauty was no less than Chu Yao's, and years of combat gave her a resolve that Chu Yao lacked.

An Junzhi's gaze lingered on Qiao Zhixin for a moment, a flash of greed and possessiveness in his eyes.

He said coldly, "Seems there are quite a few who like this kind of pretty boy."

Before he finished speaking, An Junzhi suddenly saw Jiang Chen appear before him. As a level‑68 Knight, An Junzhi's combat experience was extensive, and he reacted instantly.

However, reaction is one thing; executing the corresponding move was not easy.

Before he could act, his body was already covered by dense white bones.

This was Jiang Chen's Skill—Bone Prison! Against a practitioner like him, and being single‑target, Bone Prison not only has a very high success rate but also a considerable duration of Control.

The moment An Junzhi was seized by Bone Prison, Jiang Chen slapped his face hard.

Slap!

The crisp sound of the slap echoed in the air, causing a brief startle, followed by two more loud slaps.

Jiang Chen whispered, "Three slaps are just a minor punishment; if you dare speak recklessly again, I'll kill you outright."

The cold killing intent pierced An Junzhi's ear like a chilling wind.

Three consecutive humiliations were intolerable for him, a Divine General.

An Junzhi was stunned by the three slaps; his inner fury far exceeded the pain on his face. Under the gaze of so many, he felt his dignity trampled to worthlessness.

Worthless.

He roared, his body emitting a cold blue light, preparing to activate his own Skill to break free of control.

However, at that moment, a Flame silently drifted into his mind.

An Junzhi gaped in shock, only to find he could not utter a sound. Bone Prison not only paralyzed his movements but also left every part of his body, except his eyes, immobile.

The soul‑derived pain made him suffer immensely; in an instant, he felt an unprecedented terror.

Jiang Chen's mastery over Soul Burn had reached a consummate level; he freely adjusted the intensity of the Flame.

A single Soul Burn interrupted An Junzhi's Skill, forcing him to stand still.

An Junzhi dared not move again; he never wanted to experience that pain a second time.

Jiang Chen gave him a faint glance, "Reflect here properly and remember this lesson."

Having said that, he turned and walked toward the exit of the tavern.

Chu Yao, seeing this, quickly moved to Jiang Chen's side and slipped her arm around him. Qiao Zhixin, seeing that, also ran over, tightly hugging Jiang Chen's other arm.

She glared at Chu Yao, her face full of resentment, as if contesting something.

Chu Yao looked at Qiao Zhixin, realizing she might have been mistaken. Yet she didn't intend to explain, just savored this rare "left‑embrace right‑hug" moment.

Under the envious gazes of the crowd, Jiang Chen and the two beauties left the restaurant together.

Feng Xiu watched their backs and muttered, "Why aren't we leaving?"

Lu Qingyu glared at him, "What are we leaving for? The dishes aren't finished yet."

Han Li coldly laughed, "Are we going up to be a human lantern? Or did you set your eyes on some girl?"

Feng Xiu quickly waved his hand and shook his head, "No, no, I wouldn't have the nerve. Let's keep eating, keep eating."

Inside the restaurant, An Junzhi stood alone in place, the red palm prints on both cheeks conspicuous. His Skill had been interrupted, requiring a ten‑minute wait before it could be used again. At this moment he could only endure the gazes and chatter of the onlookers.

During those ten minutes, An Junzhi seemed forgotten by time, standing like a statue, letting the onlookers' eyes sweep over him.

Inside the restaurant, Huo Yuyao's Blue Leaf Knight Order, with over twenty beauties seated around a table, whispered about what had just happened.

Although their topics varied, An Junzhi constantly felt they were all discussing him, as if he were the protagonist of this farce.

"Bastard! I will make you pay, I will tear your body to pieces!"

"And that slut Chu Yao, I won't let her go either; she disgraced me, I will make her regret it!"

An Junzhi's heart was filled with anger and hatred; he already regarded Jiang Chen and Chu Yao as mortal enemies.

From birth until now, he had never been so embarrassed; the humiliation of today, he swore to repay double.

After leaving the restaurant, Chu Yao suddenly released Jiang Chen's arm, a shy flush on her face, "Jiang junior, thank you so much this time for acting in this scene for me."

Jiang Chen shook his head, smiling, "Senior, no need to be formal; helping you is my honor."

"After this, that An Junzhi should give up harassing you, right?" Jiang Chen said.

Chu Yao let out a light laugh, "Hatred is always

better than harassment; I'm not afraid of him, I just find him as annoying as a fly every day."

"Ah!" Qiao Zhixin suddenly gasped, snapping her hand back sharply.

She only then realized that Jiang Chen and Chu Yao were just acting, not as she had thought.

And her own performance just now… Qiao Zhixin's cheeks flushed bright red in an instant.

Chu Yao regained her usual elegance, looked at Qiao Zhixin, and lightly laughed, "Little sister, you don't need to be jealous of your elder sister."

Qiao Zhixin quickly waved her hand, "I… I am not jealous."

Chu Yao saw Qiao Zhixin's innocence and thus didn't tease further, "Jiang junior, did you also come for the Divine Stone Instance this time?"

Jiang Chen shook his head, "I only came as a guest, senior?"

Chu Yao sighed, "I was forced to come to a blind date, didn't expect to meet that annoying guy. He pesters me every day, I'm fed up."

Jiang Chen smiled, "If he bothers you again, just tell me, and I'll teach him a lesson for you."

Chu Yao let out a giggle, "Alright, I'll remember that. Yi Ning just now also had something for you, right?"

Jiang Chen nodded, "I don't know the details, but she seemed quite urgent."

"What else could it be, the same as me," Chu Yao said, "When you have time, go see her; she's been quite annoying these days."

Chu Yao said, turned and left, leaving a faint coquettish smile.

Jiang Chen watched Chu Yao's back, both laughing and crying. He thought that perhaps his attributes had indeed gained a new "human shield" Skill.