Closing the Door on a Dog
"Hmm? Where did he go?"
Uncle Ba, accompanied by a few local ruffians, entered the courtyard but found no trace of Yang Fan. They had followed closely behind him, so it was inconceivable that they would not see him.
"Search for him!"
A cold glimmer flickered in Uncle Ba's eyes as he commanded the three thugs to scour the area. In ordinary circumstances, they would have thought twice before behaving so brazenly. However, today was the day of the **Questioning Heaven Conference**, a unique occasion when most members of the family were away. More importantly, the once-great genius had lost all his powers and become a mere shell of his former self, emboldening them in their recklessness.
"Ah!"
A sudden shriek echoed from the courtyard, as two young maids, aged around fifteen or sixteen, were left paralyzed with fear at the sight of the brutish thugs. These maids were typically responsible for attending to Yang Fan's daily needs. In the family, there were no more than five descendants who could enjoy such privilege.
"Hehe… These little girls are quite charming!"
The ruffians' eyes glinted with lewd intent as they cornered the two maidens. Life for these thugs wasn't as glamorous as it appeared on the surface; they often endured hunger and hardship. In the Yang Family Fortress, there were rules to adhere to, and their mischief usually involved harmless teasing of the local women. However, seeing these two modestly attractive maidens awakened their pent-up desires.
"You lot, focus on the task at hand! Damn it, haven't you touched a woman in eight lifetimes?"
Uncle Ba reprimanded them harshly.
"Yes, yes, Uncle Ba," the three thugs replied hastily, shifting their focus to searching the courtyard thoroughly.
"You two maids, tell me the truth. Have you seen your master?"
Uncle Ba's icy gaze bore down on the trembling girls.
"W-we haven't seen our master return," one of the maids stuttered.
"Humph! If you don't reveal your master's hiding spot, I'll hand you over to these three starved hounds. You can imagine the consequences…"
Uncle Ba's expression darkened as he threatened them.
"Please, spare us!"
"We really haven't seen our master. He went to the **Questioning Heaven Conference**!"
Both maids burst into tears, trembling with fear. Uncle Ba's expression shifted to contemplation.
"Uncle Ba, we've searched every nook and cranny, but there's no sign of him. However, we did manage to find some valuable items in this house," the three thugs reported moments later, brandishing various antiques, paintings, jade vases, and books like a bountiful harvest.
"You idiots…" Uncle Ba's face turned a shade of iron as he scolded them, "I didn't send you to loot; I sent you to find someone!"
Crash!
The three thugs, wearing expressions of grievance, tossed the assorted items onto the ground.
"I can assure you, Yang Fan is still hiding somewhere in this courtyard…" Uncle Ba's eyes scanned every corner, determination creeping into his demeanor.
"Could it be…" Uncle Ba suddenly thought of a possibility, muttering to himself, "No way… He has lost his powers; logically, he should be unable to cast any spells."
With that thought, he halted, taking a deep breath. He intertwined his hands and chanted a series of incantations, summoning a wave of spiritual energy.
Suddenly, a glimmer of spiritual light appeared in his eyes. This was a low-level technique often employed by cultivators—**Spirit Eye Technique**. Through this technique, cultivators could perceive things invisible to the naked eye, such as spirits and souls. Additionally, the Spirit Eye Technique had a limited ability to uncover hidden things.
"Alas… you're only digging your own grave."
At that moment, a voice emerged from the entrance of the courtyard, and Yang Fan's figure materialized. He sighed softly and proceeded to shut the courtyard gate.
Creak!
The door closed behind him.
"Master!"
The two maids exclaimed with delight.
"You… you really are here!"
Uncle Ba's face turned pale with shock as he saw Yang Fan close the door, suddenly sensing impending doom.
"Get him! Charge!"
Uncle Ba shouted.
"Onward!"
The three thugs lunged toward Yang Fan.
"Hehe, you three mortals dare to lay hands on me?"
Yang Fan remained composed at the doorway, his demeanor calm and collected.
"Ah!"
The three thugs hesitated, intimidated by Yang Fan's former reputation.
"What are you afraid of? He's a paper tiger now that he has lost his powers. Attack him, and I'll reward each of you with a hundred taels of silver once the job is done."
Uncle Ba urged fiercely from behind, his gaze flickering as he scrutinized the unflappable Yang Fan.
"Yes, Uncle Ba!"
The prospect of receiving a hundred taels of silver reinvigorated the thugs, their fear dissipating as they charged toward Yang Fan, emboldened.
"You really don't fear for your lives, listening to his prodding?"
Yang Fan chuckled, his eyes shimmering with brilliance as he slowly raised a hand, an undercurrent of oppressive energy emanating from him.
"Ah!"
The three thugs, upon nearing Yang Fan, froze in place, unable to move. At this moment, Yang Fan emanated an aura of a seasoned expert. Though he had lost his magical abilities, the assistance of the green earth from the **Immortal Hong Space** had gifted him with the formidable physique of a practitioner at the **Concentration Phase**, far surpassing the strength of an ordinary person.
"You three useless wretches…"
Uncle Ba nearly spat blood in frustration.
Bang!
Suddenly, Yang Fan unleashed a punch, sending the nearest thug flying.
The sheer force was tremendous; the thug lay on the ground, gasping for breath, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
The other two thugs, now terrified, were left in a state of utter confusion.
Thud!
With a sweeping kick, Yang Fan knocked down the remaining two thugs.
A loud crack resounded as both thugs' legs shattered under the impact.
In less than three breaths, Yang Fan had incapacitated the three ruffians.
"How… how is this possible?"
Uncle Ba's face drained of color as he gazed incredulously at the so-called "family's first waste."
He could never have anticipated that even after dispersing his powers, Yang Fan would possess such formidable martial strength, sufficient to deal with a ragtag group of misfits.
"Tell me, who sent you?"
Yang Fan's eyes glinted with intensity, sharp as a blade.
"Y-you think I'm afraid of you? A waste without powers? I don't even regard you as a threat!"
Uncle Ba blustered, though he stepped back cautiously.
"Hahaha… You, a beginner at the **Qi Refinement Stage**, dare to flaunt your skills in front of me? In the past, I could have crushed you with a mere finger."
Yang Fan laughed heartily.
"Humph, even if you refuse to speak, I know who's behind this."
Yang Fan advanced steadily, closing in on Uncle Ba, who began to feel immense pressure.
"Is the mastermind that fool Li Pangzi?" A strange smile crept onto Yang Fan's face.
"You, you…"
Uncle Ba gasped, his expression shifting in horror as Yang Fan's words struck home.
"Stand still. If you come any closer, I won't hesitate to make a move!"
Uncle Ba stammered, his hand glowing with energy as fire spiritual power began to swirl around him, gradually coalescing into a fiery orb.
"Hehe, you need this much time just to cast a fireball?"
Yang Fan mocked coldly, realizing Uncle Ba was a mere half-baked cultivator.
In a flash, Yang Fan produced a talisman from his hand, biting his fingertip to draw blood.
He then splashed the blood onto the talisman.
"Now!"
He shouted, sending the talisman soaring through the air, transforming into a fireball that struck Uncle Ba first.
Boom!
Flames erupted around Uncle Ba, causing him to roll on the ground, screaming in agony.
Yang Fan looked on coldly, retrieving a few more talismans from his possession.
"Spare me! Please, spare me!"
As the flames subsided slightly, Uncle Ba cried out in desperation, fear evident in his eyes.
"What do you think? How should I deal with you, these mutts?"
Yang Fan inquired nonchalantly, a sly smile playing on his lips.