Unusual Brothers

"Do you remember that night three years ago, brother?" 

In his remarkably calm tone, Yang Lei spoke with an unprecedented emotion, his voice quivering subtly beneath the surface. 

"That night, snow fell like feathers from the sky. We had just returned from the Rain Mist Manor, laden with supplies, when we sought refuge in a cave, only to encounter two practitioners of the Demonic Path." 

Yang Lei's face was tranquil, as if he had sunk deeply into the abyss of memory, momentarily transported back to that fateful night. 

Yang Fan remained inscrutable, listening intently, as if anticipating the tale that was about to unfold. Three years prior, Yang Fan had attained the pinnacle of the Qi Refinement stage, while Yang Lei was merely in the mid-stages of his cultivation. 

"We had entered that cave and engaged in a tense standoff with the two demonic practitioners, swords drawn and tempers flaring, yet neither side dared to strike first. I longed for nothing more than a peaceful resolution, to wait out the snowfall and part ways once it cleared." 

"Finally, the protracted snowfall came to an end... Yet, at that very moment, just as those two practitioners were about to leave, you suddenly struck, unyielding and relentless, fighting to the death. We suffered grievous wounds and were severely weakened. In the advantage of surprise, we managed to slay one of them, chasing the other, who was gravely injured, for hundreds of miles before dispatching him. I remember that winter we spent a month recuperating in the wilderness, only returning home once our injuries had healed..." 

Yang Lei's gaze shifted back to Yang Fan, inhaling deeply as he continued, "At that time, you told me that demonic practitioners bear grudges that never fade, and we must be even more ruthless, eliminating potential threats before they can bloom. Only in this way can we secure our place in the world of cultivation and protect our family." 

"Indeed, any entity that poses a threat to my loved ones must be exterminated without mercy. For this cause, I can embrace coldness, assume the role of a butcher, even tread the path of the demonic." 

Yang Fan spoke with unwavering resolve, his eyes flashing with a chilling intensity. At that moment, any trace of the healer's compassion had vanished, and the gentle aura he often exuded was suppressed to the point of immobility. This was the true nature of Yang Fan—a facade of a healer, the ruthlessness of a butcher, and the mindset of a demon king. 

Yang Lei restored his haughty demeanor, speaking languidly, "I have never doubted your stance toward our enemies. So, who is your next target? Hu Banshan? Or perhaps that rotund man?" 

"First, we must eliminate the malignant tumor in Mist Willow Town. Li Pangzi is the favored grandson of our ancestor and can only be lightly punished. You have a direct interest in Yang Guang; you two will keep each other in check at Yang Family Fortress. Leave the rest to me. Focus on your cultivation and build a solid foundation—do not reach for the unattainable." 

Yang Fan spoke with a calm authority. 

"Ha ha." Yang Lei's expression darkened, a hint of sarcasm dancing on his lips as he replied, "Brother, you're starting to issue orders again. Shouldn't those words come from my mouth?" 

"Hu Banshan can be dealt with soon, but as for Li Pangzi, he must be closely monitored for a year or two. The moment he makes any move, he will find it impossible to escape my grasp. When the time is ripe, I will unite with Yang Man as dual cultivation partners, positioning ourselves as the next generation's successors to Yang Family Fortress. Then, I can eliminate him and frame it on Yang Guang—two birds with one stone." 

Yang Lei's smile deepened: "What do you think of my plan, brother?" 

Yang Fan's expression darkened, ready to respond when he felt an overwhelming surge of spiritual pressure emanate from Yang Lei, crashing toward him like a tidal wave. 

"Brother, in the world of cultivation, strength reigns supreme, and authority at home follows suit..." 

Yang Lei stated coolly. 

Yang Fan's eyes narrowed as he studied his younger brother. After a long moment, he replied, "I am pleased to see you have successfully graduated, capable of standing on your own in the world of cultivation, but the one thing you must rein in is your ambition." 

Ambition—the very distinction that set Yang Lei apart from Yang Fan in this moment. 

Yang Lei's scheme was to become the family's premier prodigy, to wed a daughter of the clan, thus controlling all of Yang Family Fortress and the entire Yang family of Nanling over the coming decades, laying the foundation for his grand aspirations. 

"Brother, I do not require your lectures," Yang Lei retorted, retracting his spiritual pressure, his voice tinged with displeasure and distaste. 

Suddenly, a faint sound interrupted their exchange, startling both brothers. 

Instantly, Yang Lei and Yang Fan restored their facade of warmth and amiability. 

"Brother, you've returned! I've heard you've surpassed all with your medical skills, defeating Hu Banshan and becoming the town's foremost physician. Now, this is splendid! With the arrival of our third brother, our family can finally gather together!" 

Yang Huixin entered with a radiant smile, her light makeup enhancing her features. Clad in an orange dress, her graceful figure and clear, unblemished complexion could steal any man's heart. 

"Elder sister, you've grown even more beautiful…" Yang Lei teased playfully. 

"Enough, enough…" Yang Huixin's cheeks flushed a rosy hue. "I'll go fetch the dishes. You two should catch up over a drink…" 

Before long, the family enjoyed a cheerful reunion, filled with laughter and playful banter. 

After their lunch, Yang Lei slipped away to attend to some matters, his demeanor mysteriously aloof. Meanwhile, Yang Fan headed to his clinic, the Puai Medicine Hall. 

Upon arriving near the Puai Medicine Hall, Yang Fan was greeted by a cacophony of voices. Glancing over, he saw the clinic was packed to the brim. 

Lin Zhong, along with several doctors and apprentices, appeared to be overwhelmed. 

As Yang Fan stepped in, the crowd erupted into a lively commotion. 

"Look! Look! Yang the Healer is here!" 

"Yang Gongzi, indeed, he is the renowned physician of Mist Willow Town." 

"Don't be fooled by his youth; I've heard he possesses divine medical skills, surpassing even Hu Banshan and several other esteemed physicians." 

… 

Yang Fan reveled in the clinic's bustling atmosphere, his spirits lifted as he joined the doctors in attending to patients. 

For common injuries, Yang Fan employed the "Rain Dew Technique" or "Jade Bone Technique," quickly remedying ailments. For internal injuries, he prescribed a few herbal formulas, efficiently addressing those as well. His medical knowledge from the "Holy Healing Chapter" was not in vain; he had learned a considerable amount from the hunchbacked elder during that month of training. 

In the process, Yang Fan's own cultivation gradually advanced. 

Indeed, treating ordinary people yielded limited benefits for him. 

However, after his triumphant battle, his fame had begun to spread through the nearby realms of cultivation. 

It was only a matter of time before cultivators sought him out for treatment. 

After a couple of hours of busyness, Yang Fan felt somewhat fatigued but was pleased to find his cultivation inching closer to the later stages of Qi Refinement. 

As twilight approached, the flow of patients dwindled. 

Yang Fan decided to return home, bringing Lin Zhong along. 

Upon arriving home, Yang Fan discovered Yang Lei was already there. 

"Little sister, we shall be visiting the town chief's house tonight; you needn't prepare dinner," Yang Fan informed Yang Huixin. 

Yang Lei scrutinized Lin Zhong with a few glances but refrained from asking too many questions. Lin Zhong, however, greeted him enthusiastically. 

"Brother, why must you lower yourself to attend the banquet of a mere mortal like Liu Town Chief?" Yang Lei questioned, puzzled. 

"This matter is, of course, relevant to our plans, as Hu Banshan has made repeated attempts on the Liu family. Moreover, before departing, Liu Degui had spoken mysteriously of a precious heirloom he wishes to present to me." 

Yang Lei chuckled lightly, "So that's why my brother has been acting unusually. I see there's something to gain—tut, tut. What treasure could a mere mortal like Liu Town Chief possess to entice you?" 

"Humph, we shall see when we arrive. But the treasure is of secondary concern…" 

Yang Fan responded nonchalantly. 

Lin Zhong, seated nearby, sensed an unusual tension between the two brothers, feeling that their relationship was indeed peculiar.