At that moment, Zhang Long began to threaten Erniu. "Erniu, everyone says you're a filial son. You wouldn't want to get your mother killed just for the sake of a stranger, would you?"
"I... I... Little Ye is my friend, not a stranger."
Hearing his mother being threatened, Erniu panicked. He pleaded incessantly, "Brother Long, Boss Zhang... you, you and Cuihua already did that, and I never said a word. Please, just spare Little Ye this once! I—I'll kowtow to you, will that work?"
Erniu was not afraid of death, but he was terrified that something might happen to his mother or Ye Chen. Hearing Zhang Long's threat, he dropped his sickle in a panic and said, "I—I'll kowtow to you!"
With that, Erniu prepared to drop to his knees.
*Thwack!*
Just as Erniu's knees were about to hit the ground, he suddenly felt a force pull him back up. Looking back, he saw it was Ye Chen.
"Little Ye... you, how did you get out!"
"Don't you ever kneel to people like this!"
Ye Chen glared at Erniu, his expression a mix of anger, emotion, and guilt.
"I—I won't kneel, don't be mad! Little Ye, t-then let's fight them to the death!" Erniu said.
"I'm not angry. You’ve already done well enough... It's me who feels guilty."
Ye Chen patted Erniu gently on the shoulder and said, "Leave them to me."
"Solve us? Hahaha, who do you think you are? Damn it, you're the one who stabbed my brother, right? Today, I’m going to scrap your hands!" Zhang Long roared.
"Brother, this kid hits hard and has some vicious moves. You and the boys be careful," Boss Zhang warned.
"No matter how good he is, he can't take on ten men at once, can he?"
Zhang Long snorted coldly. "Brothers, rip his arms off!"
"Yes!"
At that command, the thugs behind Zhang Long rushed forward, shouting.
"Little Ye!"
"Don't move..."
Ye Chen glanced at Erniu, telling him to stay out of it. When he turned back, his eyes were filled with murderous intent. Coming to Nanshan this time, he had seen the miserable state Erniu and Auntie Niu were living in, as well as the arrogance and bullying of Boss Zhang and Li Cuihua.
All his rage erupted in this single instant.
"You're courting death!"
Seeing the lead thug lunging with a knife, Ye Chen’s expression turned icy, and he threw a punch.
*BOOM!*
Before the thug could even see the shadow of the fist, he felt an immense force strike his chest. It was as if he had been hit by a motorcycle—no, a speeding truck.
*BANG!*
His body flew backward over ten meters, and with another *thud*, Ye Chen’s punch had sent him flying from the courtyard to outside the main gate.
When he hit the ground, he was already dead to the world, a sunken fist print visible on his chest; it seemed as if the bones beneath had been shattered.
***
**Chapter 37: He is My Brother**
This single punch stunned everyone in the courtyard.
Even though they were thugs who fought often, they had never seen anyone killed with a single punch!
Though they weren't certain if the man was dead, the display of power had terrified them. These hoodlums began to tremble with fear.
They wanted to retreat, to run away... but Ye Chen gave them no such chance. Before they could turn to flee, Ye Chen dashed forward.
Then came a series of *thud-thud-thud-thud* sounds, as loud as beating drums. Each sound was accompanied by the screams of men being sent flying. In less than ten seconds, every thug who had rushed him had been sent reeling by Ye Chen’s fists.
"This..."
*Gulp!*
Seeing this, Zhang Long and Boss Zhang were frozen. Their legs shook so hard they couldn't even speak.
How could someone be this powerful?
Damn it, is he even human?
*THUMP!*
Watching Ye Chen stand before them like a god of death, his murderous intent palpable, the two brothers could no longer withstand the pressure. They dropped to their knees.
"Spare, spare our lives!"
"We were blind! We didn't dare to provoke you, I—I was wrong! I'll kowtow to you, will that do?"
Zhang Long and Boss Zhang kowtowed frantically. Having witnessed Ye Chen’s methods, they feared they would be killed with a single punch, so they smashed their foreheads against the ground with all their might. Within a few moments, their faces were covered in blood.
Yet, they dared not stop. As long as Ye Chen didn't speak, they had to keep kowtowing.
"You were indeed blind..."
Ye Chen finally spoke, his voice as cold as millennial ice. "Because Erniu is my brother!! Bullying him is even worse than provoking me directly!"
*Rumble...*
Hearing this, Zhang Long and Boss Zhang’s heads spun. They didn't even dare to utter another word of plea.
Over the years, Zhang Long had bullied the villagers relentlessly, and Erniu had been his primary target—eating at his restaurant without paying, dragging him off for unpaid manual labor. Boss Zhang was even worse; seeing that Erniu’s wife was somewhat pretty, he used money to sleep with her, then ate and drank for free at the restaurant, never treating Erniu like a human being.
Thinking of these inhuman acts, Zhang Long and Boss Zhang began to shiver violently.
"It seems you’ve bullied him quite a bit in the past."
Seeing their reaction, Ye Chen understood everything, and his rage flared once more.
*THUD! THUD!*
Two muffled sounds followed, and two sunken fist marks appeared on Zhang Long and Boss Zhang’s chests. However, they didn't fly away like the thugs; instead, their eyes went wide, and their bodies went limp as they collapsed.
Ye Chen had aimed his fists directly at their left chests—their hearts.
The two were dead instantly.
"L-Little Ye, how are you so powerful?"
After Zhang Long and Boss Zhang had been lying on the ground for a full two minutes, Erniu finally snapped out of his trance. "How—how are you so capable? Did you go to the Shaolin Temple? That’s amazing, you’re just like the heroes on TV."
Shaolin Temple?
Ye Chen shook his head with a faint, bitter smile. It wasn't the Shaolin Temple he had gone to, but Kunlun!
However, such things couldn't be explained in a few words. After he was saved by his master, those first few days on the peaks of the Kunlun Mountains felt like a dream... It had taken him several days to realize that this world contained many things ordinary people knew nothing about.
Things like alchemy and medicine, which were considered ethereal legends... But if they were merely legends, why would ancient emperors hold alchemists in such high regard, begging them to refine pills of immortality?
Although Ye Chen didn't believe in immortality, he had truly seen many pills that could save lives or strengthen the body.
Then there was inner energy. While Ye Chen couldn't launch blasts of golden dragon qi like in the movies, internal force was real. A single punch could unleash energy that sent people flying from a hundred meters away. Was this not the "hundred-step divine fist" of martial arts novels?
And then there were the I Ching, Bagua, Qimen Dunjia, and Feng Shui divination... These were things passed down by ancestors thousands of years ago, and they certainly weren't simple.
The summit of the Kunlun Mountains held a massive spirit-gathering formation, and Ye Chen had learned all his skills from his master within that formation.
But explaining all this to Erniu was pointless; he might not understand, and even if he did, he might not believe it.
After a moment of thought, Ye Chen simply said, "I never went to the Shaolin Temple! But I met a master who taught me many skills. Now, not only am I great at fighting, I can also heal the sick! Erniu, do you believe me?"
"I believe you! I believe you!"
Erniu nodded desperately. "You’re so capable, I’ll believe anything you say. Plus, I know Little Ye would never lie to me!"
Ye Chen smiled with relief. This was something only Erniu would believe; even if he told Xia Qingyue, she likely wouldn't.
"Since you believe me, take this Spirit-Gathering Pill... I gave Auntie Niu one earlier, and she’s already asleep."
Ye Chen took out another Spirit-Gathering Pill and said, "This pill is refined from thousands of precious medicinal herbs, and it contains plenty of spiritual energy... Originally, I should have given you a Body-Strengthening Pill, but this is the only kind I have on me, so just make do with this for now."
"Ah... Little Ye, what are you saying? I don't really understand." Erniu looked at him blankly.
"Hahahaha!"
Seeing Erniu’s expression, Ye Chen couldn't help but laugh happily.
While the Spirit-Gathering Pill wasn't the most effective for simple physical strengthening, it was immensely powerful for cleansing the meridians and cultivation. If this pill were to enter the Martial Dao World, it would be auctioned for tens of millions at the very least.
But Ye Chen could only give it to Erniu to make do. Seeing Erniu’s blank stare, he just smiled and said, "You don't need to understand. Just eat it; I’m not going to harm you!"
"Yeah."
Erniu nodded earnestly. "I know Little Ye won't harm me."
With that, Erniu popped the Spirit-Gathering Pill into his mouth and swallowed it.
The pill melted instantly, fragrant and devoid of any bitterness. After swallowing it, Erniu felt a warm current slowly spreading from his chest, flowing through his limbs and bones.
"Little Ye, it feels like my body is changing."
"I feel so light!" Erniu exclaimed.
"Don't worry about A-Hu... I'm going to open your meridians!"
Ye Chen’s eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Erniu, are you willing to follow me from now on and see things and scenery you've never imagined before?!"
***
**Chapter 38: Constitution**
"Things I've never seen before?"
Erniu was stunned. He sensed something indescribable in Ye Chen’s tone. It seemed that if he agreed to this, his life would undergo a world-shaking change.
"Things I've never seen, and scenery I've never witnessed?"
Erniu murmured the words. He felt the warm current from the pill flowing through his body, eventually surging into his limbs and bones, making him feel light and nimble.
"I’m willing! I am!"
Erniu said loudly, "Little Ye, are you going to turn me into a martial arts master, too?"
"Martial arts?"
Ye Chen smiled faintly. These days, what "martial arts world" was there? At best, there was only the Martial Dao!
However, this was hard to explain to Erniu. Ye Chen nodded slightly. "Something like that. From now on, you'll come with me!"
As he spoke, the light at his fingertips grew brighter. He was altering Erniu’s constitution.
After half an hour, beads of sweat had formed on Ye Chen’s forehead, but the results were excellent.
"Done!"
Ye Chen let out a breath and said, "Your current constitution far exceeds that of a world-class Olympic champion. You won't suffer from minor illnesses like colds or coughs again. Even if you don't practice the Martial Dao, you will be as strong as an ox, and living to a hundred will be no problem."
"Huh?"
Erniu listened in a daze, then clenched his fist. "I—am I really that strong?"
"Don't believe me?"
Ye Chen smiled and scanned the courtyard. "Try lifting this millstone."
"Ah! I—I'll try!"
The millstone looked to weigh three to five hundred pounds, but after hearing Ye Chen, Erniu didn't hesitate and walked toward it. He felt full of power and believed he could lift it.
*Thwack!*
Erniu wrapped his hands firmly around the sides of the millstone. Standing at six-foot-three with long arms, he braced himself and exerted force!
"RAAAAGH!"
Erniu gritted his teeth, his muscles tensing instantly. To his own shock, the heavy millstone was actually lifted off the ground.
Erniu’s eyes widened, his expression one of someone who had just discovered an alien.
The millstone rose ten centimeters, twenty... half a meter... a meter...
*THUD!*
At about a meter high, Erniu’s arms began to ache, and he couldn't hold it any longer, letting it crash back to the ground. But the result was enough to leave anyone stunned.
"Little Ye, d-did I really do that?"
"Yes."
Ye Chen nodded and continued, "Erniu, tell me honestly: after I left, did anyone else bully you?"
Li Cuihua alone wouldn't have been enough to break Erniu down into such a scruffy, frail state; he used to be very strong, twice the build of Ye Chen.
"It was the Zhou Family..."
After half a minute of hesitation, Erniu finally spilled the truth. "After Uncle Su and Mumu died and you went missing, people from the Zhou Family came to the village. Even Zhou Qianxiong came... When he heard I was close to you, he asked if I was hiding you. I said I didn't know, so they broke my legs and burned everything valuable in my house..."
"To protect me, my mom got hurt... Later, when we went to the hospital for a check-up, they found out she had coronary heart disease."
"My legs were broken, my mom had heart disease, and our family was in despair. We scraped together some money, and once my legs healed, I took manual labor jobs to pay it back!"
"After half a year of being tossed around, my body weakened. Later, when I opened the restaurant and made some money, I married Li Cuihua... Turns out, she’s that kind of woman!"
Erniu didn't want to mention Li Cuihua's name again. He added, "But it’s all in the past... Little Ye, don't go provoking the Zhou Family. They aren't like Zhang Long. The Zhou Family is a powerful clan, and they have guns!"
"Hah!"
Ye Chen sneered, the killing intent in his eyes nearly tangible. He had never planned to let the Zhou Family go, but knowing that Erniu had been bullied because of him only fueled his rage.
The Zhou Family... they couldn't be left standing!
"Little Ye, don't do anything reckless. Uncle Su and Mumu wouldn't want to see you throwing your life away. They definitely want you to live well," Erniu said, sensing Ye Chen’s resolve. "If you really must go, I’ll go with you. I can lift millstones now; I’ll definitely be a tough fighter."
"I’m not going for revenge right now, don't worry yourself!"
Ye Chen patted Erniu’s shoulder. "Auntie Niu should be waking up soon. Go take care of her, and shave that beard. I’ll find you a beautiful wife another day!"
"Don't tease me. I—I'm not looking for a wife," the big, burly Erniu said, his dark face flushing red. "I just want to take good care of my mom."
"Hehehe."
Ye Chen grinned. "Alright, go look after her. I have other things to attend to, I’ll come by another day."
"Okay, you have to come back!" Erniu said sincerely.
***
Leaving Nanshan, Ye Chen headed to the cemetery.
His foster father Su Tianhao’s remains were buried in the best spot, though the grave next to his was empty.
"I’m back, Foster Father!"
"I’m sorry... I only just returned. You must be very angry because my sister went missing!"
"But don't worry, I will find her. And the Zhou Family—I will make them pay!"
"When the time comes, I will use Zhou Qianxiong’s blood to pay tribute to you both!!"
Ye Chen knelt before the grave, pouring a cup of wine for his foster father. He talked about the past and everything that had happened over the last five years until night fell, at which point he slowly stood up.
"It seems there is no moon tonight!"
He looked up at the hazy night sky—cold, moonless, with bitter winds blowing through.
A dark night and a high wind.
The perfect night for killing.
Half an hour later, Ye Chen arrived at an empty, private villa complex. He stared coldly at the iron gate and slowly drew his right hand back.
"Hey, who are you? Don't stand here blocking us from cleaning!"
A servant responsible for the cleaning at the Zhou residence urged him impatiently.
Ye Chen didn't move. He simply threw his clenched fist toward the iron gate.
A sound like the heavens cracking followed.
*BOOM!*
The two-meter-tall iron gate was deformed by the punch, the door panel ripped from its frame and sent crashing into the Zhou Family courtyard!
Ye Chen stepped inside, his presence as imposing as a rainbow.
***
**Chapter 39: Sending You to Hell**
*BOOM!*
The massive roar sent a tremor through everyone in the Zhou residence.
At that moment, Zhou Qianxiong was in his study practicing calligraphy. Brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones lay on the table. Zhou Qianxiong held his brush, writing four characters in a sweeping, dragon-like script:
*"A Grand Blueprint"*
As he was finishing the last character, "Plan," he was so startled by the loud crash that his hand shook.
The characters were ruined!
Zhou Qianxiong frowned immediately, his mood for calligraphy broken, replaced by a lingering sense of unease.
He slammed his brush onto the table and shouted angrily, "Someone! Go out and see what’s going on!"
"Yes!"
Before Zhou Qianxiong’s voice had even faded, the butler who had been grinding the ink hurried out.
He saw the courtyard filled with bodyguards, all circling a young man. After a quick inquiry, he scrambled back to the study.
Bowing, the butler said, "Sir, a young man destroyed our iron gate. He... he is currently surrounded by our bodyguards. Please issue your orders on how to deal with him."
"Destroyed the gate? How?"