Ye Fan had been crippled by severe injuries, and someone had ordered them to "take care of" the mother and son. Today, he had come with his men to seize their home.
"Steward Luo, this courtyard was granted to my son by the family. How can you just take it away?"
Su Xi pleaded anxiously. With Ye Fan still unconscious from his injuries, Luo Fu was exploiting their vulnerability to confiscate the courtyard. How could she possibly comply?
This courtyard symbolized their status within the Ye family. If taken, they would be reduced to mere servants. Ye Fan's injuries were grave—without the family's medical resources, he would surely die.
"Hmph! Past rules don't apply now. Your son is a waste. The family doesn't support idlers. This courtyard must be reclaimed. Men! Find the deed!"
Luo Fu declared triumphantly. Once Su Xi was cornered, she'd have no choice but to submit to his demands.
"No! You can't do this! It's against the rules! Steward Luo, aren't you afraid of repercussions from the elders?"
Su Xi rushed to block his men.
"Ha! Repercussions? Su Xi, who do you think cares about you now? No elder will intervene. And did you truly believe a mere steward like me would act so boldly without backing?"
"Wake up! Your son is useless. He'll be a menial laborer from now on. Such a fine courtyard? You no longer deserve it."
Luo Fu sneered, his lips curling with disdain. His subordinates swiftly retrieved the courtyard deed. Desperation seized Su Xi. She fell to her knees, begging:
"Steward Luo, I implore you... spare us! We can't lose this courtyard! My son will die without treatment. Please... show mercy!"
A predatory smile spread across Luo Fu's face. He paused, leering down at her.
"Mercy is possible, Su Xi... but it requires... sacrifice."
"Anything! Whatever you want—I'll give it!"
Hope flashed in Su Xi's eyes as she clutched at this fragile lifeline.
"Anything?"
Luo Fu's grin widened, his bloated face twisting with lust.
"Then listen well. Serve me to my satisfaction, and not only will you keep the courtyard—I'll even ensure your son's recovery."
"What?!"
Su Xi's face drained of color. She'd never imagined this depravity.
"My son sacrificed his cultivation to save the family's eldest daughter"
"Shattered his cultivation for the family's young mistress? Such grand merit! Pity he remains broken—a cripple should know his place. Since you refuse to serve me, let your worthless son rot away!"
Luo Fu turned to leave, his men following.
Su Xi stared at his retreating figure, thoughts racing to Ye Fan's fragile state. She bit her lip until it bled, pallor deepening, ready to surrender.
"Leave? None of you will."
A voice, cold as winter steel, cut through the air.
All eyes snapped toward the courtyard's side gate. A young man stepped forward, clad in plain gray robes devoid of ornamentation. His features were sharp—arched brows beneath a steady gaze, eyes holding depths beyond his years. Austere, yet radiating an unnerving aura of weathered resolve.
Ye Fan.
Panic flared in Luo Fu's chest—briefly. He's crippled. Worthless. The fear curdled into contempt.
"You dare stop me?"
Luo Fu's jowls quivered with malice as he stomped toward Ye Fan.
"Know the cost of those words, cripple!"
Su Xi's heart shattered. Why is he here? Luo Fu was Qi Refining Tier 2(Each layer comprises 9 tiers , with Tier 1 as the weakest and Tier 9 as the strongest in theory.). A single touch could kill Ye Fan now.
"Son! Run!"
She lunged forward, only to be seized by Luo Fu's thugs.
"Run? He couldn't escape with four legs! Stay down like the trash you are!"
Luo Fu reveled in the perverse thrill—the genius who once overshadowed him now lay helpless.
Ye Fan's gaze was glacial. In his past life, he'd returned to the capital seeking answers about his mother's death, only to find the Ye family annihilated. Now, he understood: this swine had tormented her into suicide after she endured his defilement to save him.
Killing intent, raw and volcanic, ignited within him. As Luo Fu swung a meaty palm, Ye Fan sidestepped—fluid as shadow—and drove an elbow upward.
Thud!
Vital energy erupted. Luo Fu howled, clutching his stomach as he staggered back. Did he... recover?
No—a Tier 9 cultivator would've pulped me. This is just... pain.
Ye Fan advanced. Death would be too merciful for this beast who targeted his mother.
"How unexpected. Even with his cultivation shattered, Young Master Ye's battle instincts remain sharp. But today—I dare you to show me how many times you can strike like that!"
Luo Fu channeled energy to numb the pain, adopting a combat stance. His right palm blazed with light.
"MOUNTAIN-TOPPING PALM!(Offensive Combat Art)"
He charged like a mad bull.
Ye Fan's feet blurred—Nine Phantom Steps(Mobility Combat Art). An afterimage dissolved as Luo Fu struck air. Then—
CRACK!
Ye Fan's open hand snapped Luo Fu's head sideways. The steward pirouetted grotesquely before face-planting into the dirt.
Luo Fu lifted his mud-caked face, dazed. Rage replaced confusion.
"You dare slap me?! You're dead!"
He scrambled up, spitting soil.
"Kill him! He's not a genius anymore—just trash!"
His thugs surged toward Ye Fan.