บท 24: Chapter 24: Liu Laoda

Liu Laotai and Liu Sanshen no longer saw Liu Yunan as a child but as a terrifying ghost from the depths of the eighteenth level of hell. Terrified, they turned and fled from the Liu family courtyard.

Only after watching them disappear into the distance did Liu Yunan finally let down the tough facade he had been holding up. His arms dropped limply to his sides, completely exhausted.

He had only just broken through and had to use a burst of strength to hurl his aunt, a middle-aged woman, out of the courtyard. But he was still new to this power, not yet able to circulate spiritual energy to regulate his meridians properly.

Meanwhile, back at the Lin family home.

As Lin Xiao was eating with Lin Dayou and Lin Yun, he suddenly heard the system notification in his mind.

"Ding—Congratulations to your disciple Liu Yunan for advancing to Qi Refining Level One."

Lin Xiao: Huh?

Just before they had parted ways at the mountain base, everyone had discussed their progress. At that time, Tuzi had mentioned that he felt he was still some way from a breakthrough. What could have changed?

Outside, a light drizzle began to fall, but with Lin Xiao's current eyesight, he could still see clearly.

Everyone should have made it home by now, he thought. Perhaps Tuzi had continued cultivating after getting home and managed to break through.

On the other side of town, Liu Laotai and her two daughters-in-law fled from Liu Yunan's home in disarray. Liu Laotai and Liu Sanshen half-dragged Liu Dabo's wife, who had been thrown out of the courtyard, stumbling back to the Liu family's main residence.

Seeing their disheveled appearance, Liu Laoda, Liu Laotai's eldest son, frowned and asked, "Where's Shengsheng? Didn't you bring her back?"

Liu Dabo's wife began to wail, "Husband! You have to stand up for me—Liu Yunan, that little brat! He doesn't respect me as his aunt, and he doesn't respect you as his uncle either! Waaah—"

Liu Laoda scowled and snapped, "Stop crying and talk properly!"

Her wailing lessened but didn't stop entirely as she explained, "That little bastard, he... he actually threw me out of the courtyard!"

Liu Laoda eyed her wide frame skeptically. "Him? That skinny kid managed to throw you out? More likely you got scared by him waving a stick around and ran out yourself."

But Liu Laotai chimed in, "No, no, it's true, Laoda! The kid was like he was possessed! His strength was terrifying—he grabbed your wife and just flung her out! And he threatened me too! If I hadn't run, I'd be lying in their yard right now!"

Hearing his mother's words, Liu Laoda was half-convinced but still determined to assert his authority as the elder. "That little brat! He dares to disrespect his elders! I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget!"

With that, he slapped his thigh, stood up, grabbed a thick wooden stick from the courtyard wall, and marched off in the direction of Liu Yunan's home.

Back at the Liu household.

After Liu Laotai and her companions left, Liu Yunan struggled to close the courtyard gate, cutting off the prying eyes of the night.

He helped his mother and sister back into the house and reassured his still-hiccuping little sister, Liu Shengsheng, "Don't worry, little sister. As long as I'm here, no one will take you away."

Liu Shengsheng, still hiccuping but now with her eyes shining, looked up at him with admiration. "Brother, I'm not afraid! You can chase them away!"

Their mother, Liu Widow, lovingly patted her daughter's head, then turned to her son with a mixture of pride and concern. "Yunan has grown up. You can even protect your sister now."

But then, her worry resurfaced. "You didn't hurt yourself with that throw, did you?"

Not wanting to worry her, Liu Yunan shook his head and lied, "Don't worry, Mother. I'm fine. If they come back, I'll throw them out again."

"You're still so young, and you haven't fully grown yet. Your aunt is tall and strong. How could you have such strength? Don't try to tough it out for my sake. Tomorrow, let's go to the town clinic—" Despite his assurances, Liu Widow believed he was just trying to ease her worries.

Seeing this, Liu Yunan explained, "Mother, I told you I've been cultivating with Brother Xiao. Earlier, I felt something click inside me, and everything in my body aligned perfectly. Before I knew it, I had broken through! That's why I had the strength to throw that wicked woman out. You don't need to worry about me."

Liu Widow was surprised. She hadn't expected that Lin Xiao really did have the ability to cultivate immortals!

Their conversation hadn't been private, and Liu Shengsheng, listening intently, suddenly exclaimed, "Mother, Brother, I want to cultivate too! I want to protect you and Brother!"

Liu Widow gazed lovingly at her daughter, about to say something, when a loud bang echoed from the courtyard gate.

A second, harder blow followed, and the already fragile gate collapsed with a crash.

Standing outside the gate was Liu Laoda, seething with anger. Behind him, Liu Laotai and Liu Sanshen peeked out, craning their necks to watch.

Liu Dabo's wife, too battered to join them, had stayed behind.

With the gate down, Liu Laoda stormed into the courtyard, making a beeline for Liu Shengsheng.

Liu Yunan immediately stepped out to block his path.

"What are you doing here, Uncle?"

Outside the courtyard, some of the neighbors, drawn by the noise, began to whisper.

"Liu Laoda, what are you doing? Why are you knocking down their gate? Can't you talk things out?"

Another voice, quieter, responded, "Shush! Don't get involved! You know how that Liu Laoda is. Do you want him to come after us next?"

"He wouldn't dare! If he tries anything, I'll go straight to the village chief—"

The voice abruptly stopped, as if someone had covered the speaker's mouth.

In the darkness, a man's voice muttered softly, "You know he's the type to even defy the village chief..."

Liu Laoda paid no attention to the neighbors' mutterings. He sneered down at Liu Yunan, who barely came up to his chest.

"What's this? You showed off some tricks with your aunt, and now you think you can stand up to me?"

Towering over Liu Yunan like a massive wall of muscle, Liu Laoda exuded raw strength, making the difference in power painfully clear.

Liu Yunan knew he was no match for his uncle. Even though he had reached Qi Refining Level One, it was still just the beginning. His physical strength was only slightly better than an ordinary person's.

But his uncle was notorious for his brute strength and constant brawling. His muscular build alone was enough to intimidate the average villager.

Still, Liu Yunan knew he couldn't back down. If he did, his sister would face a fate worse than death.

Liu Laoda hefted the thick wooden stick, as wide as an adult's arm, and said, "Are you going to step aside or not?"

Liu Yunan stood firm, his back straight, silently conveying his answer.

Liu Laoda laughed angrily, "Alright, you've got some guts! But I won't hold back!"

With that, he raised the stick high and swung it down hard toward Liu Yunan's shoulder, aiming to cripple the boy's arms.

Liu Yunan quickly dodged, causing the first swing to miss.

Inside the house, Liu Shengsheng was about to cheer for her brother when Liu Laoda suddenly grabbed Liu Yunan's thin arm with one hand and raised the stick again with the other.

This time, Liu Yunan had no chance to avoid the blow. The thick wooden stick smashed down on his left arm with a sickening crack, the sound of bones breaking echoing through the air.

"Ugh!" The force of the blow sent a jolt of pain from his arm to his chest, and Liu Yunan coughed up a mouthful of blood, feeling as if his ribs had been shattered by the impact.