198: Family background

Fang Bai stayed in the small village for three days.

Over these three days, Fang Bai had been very steady, hardly ever leaving the medical clinic.

Although a few villagers who came for treatment learned of Fang Bai's existence, fortunately, they didn't think much of it.

To Fang Bai's pleasant surprise, his body began to recover gradually.

"I can finally mobilize a sliver of Alien Energy."

Fang Bai sat cross-legged on the bed, his face showing a hint of pleasant surprise.

Being able to recover was a good thing; it meant he now had the power to protect himself.

Fang Bai tried to communicate with the space ring, but he still failed.

The Alien Energy he could mobilize was still too little; a conservative estimate suggested he needed two more days of recovery.

After finishing his cultivation, Fang Bai walked out of the medical clinic and saw Old Master Hisamura lying on a rocking chair, basking in the sun.

"Old man, let me ask you something."

Old Master Hisamura said irritably, "Do young people have no manners? Do you know what it means to respect your elders?"

Fang Bai nodded. "Alright, old man."

Old Master Hisamura: ...If it weren't for the fact that you gave so much, I would definitely show you what it means to be beaten black and blue!

"Where are there demonic beasts nearby?"

Old Master Hisamura frowned. "Why are you asking this?"

Fang Bai smiled. "Just asking."

Old Master Hisamura said calmly, "There aren't any. It's very peaceful around here. If there really were demonic beasts, this village would have been gone long ago. However, some did appear a few years back, but they've already been cleared out."

Fang Bai looked at him suspiciously. "It couldn't have been you, could it?"

The old master chuckled. "Smart!"

Fang Bai was a bit disappointed. To quickly restore his strength, he still needed to kill demonic beasts.

The old master seemed to have guessed something and said, "Your current strength is too weak. Don't go looking for death; just live quietly."

Fang Bai shrugged. "Old man, don't you have any ambitions? For example..."

"No! I just want to enjoy my old age in peace. Don't joke with me at my age!"

Old Master Hisamura interrupted flatly.

Fang Bai felt it was a pity. "Sigh, this old guy really knows how to slack off. Seventy is the prime age for striving, yet he has no ambition at all."

Old Master Hisamura's eyelids twitched. "You really are asking for a beating!"

Fang Bai instantly lost interest in the conversation and went back on his own.

Cultivate!

During dinner, Old Master Hisamura started nagging again. "You young people really lack character. You even trouble an old man like me to cook. Are you people from the Dragon Kingdom really this barbaric?"

"???"

Fang Bai was immediately displeased. "Wait, old man, what do you mean by that? Is that a personal attack? It's just a few grains of your rice, right? You're making it sound like I didn't pay."

Old Master Hisamura snorted. "Three days at most. After three days, get the hell out of here!"

"Stingy!"

Fang Bai curled his lip, not bothering to argue with him.

Being able to cook for a future Martial God is your honor!

"Oh, right. Why didn't Yumi come today?"

Fang Bai suddenly remembered the young girl and asked curiously.

Old Master Hisamura frowned. "She probably has something to do."

"Old man, tell me about Yumi's situation."

Although he had become somewhat familiar with Yumi over these three days, he didn't know much about her family situation.

Old Master Hisamura paused, then without hiding anything, told Fang Bai about Yumi's family background.

After listening, Fang Bai frowned. "It really is ridiculous, but there's nothing that can be done. After all, living in such a family, no one can choose their birth."

Old Master Hisamura snorted and said, "It's only because that little girl is kind and was willing to spend all her savings to save you. Otherwise, why would I give her any face?"

Fang Bai fell silent; he understood what the other meant.

"I'll go find her."

Old Master Hisamura raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you afraid of being reported?"

Fang Bai rolled his eyes. "I'm a mute, what the hell do I have to fear!"

With that, he stood up and left.

Old Master Hisamura shook his head. "Being young is great!"

"Old man!"

A sudden voice rang out from behind!

Old Master Hisamura was startled, his face darkening. "You brat, scaring an old man?!"

Fang Bai scratched his head. "Uh... where is Yumi's house?"

Hisamura: ... "Clear Leaf! You want to divorce me?!"

Mukaihara stared wide-eyed at his wife, his expression gradually becoming distorted.

Clear Leaf—Yumi's mother—kept her head down, not daring to look at him, but her voice remained firm as she said, "Yes, Mukaihara-kun, I want to divorce you!"

Mukaihara said coldly, "Why?"

Clear Leaf lifted her pretty face and looked directly at him. "I want to send Yumi to a dojo to study. Since you are strongly opposed, we will find a way ourselves!"

"Hmph! Clear Leaf, how many times have I told you? The money needed to enter a dojo is an astronomical sum. What kind of capability do you have?"

Mukaihara was extremely furious.

Clear Leaf's expression was indifferent. "That's none of your concern!"

Hearing this, Mukaihara's anger flared up instantly, and he spat out malicious words, "Fine! Are you planning to go sell yourself?! Clear Leaf! You're so cheap!"

Clear Leaf's face turned pale instantly, and she glared at him. "What nonsense are you talking about?!"

Mukaihara sneered, "Hehe, I can't think of any other way you could scrape together that money. Hmph! You mother and daughter are both spendthrifts!"

Clear Leaf's tone was icy. "If that's the case, then there's nothing left to say. Let's just end it here!"

A trace of malice flashed in Mukaihara's eyes. "Without me, you'll starve to death sooner or later! You think you can fly up a branch and become phoenixes? Keep dreaming!"

With that, he directly pushed Clear Leaf down and pinned her!

"You damn woman! Who gave you the courage to mention divorce to me?!"

Panic appeared on Clear Leaf's face. "Mukaihara-kun, what are you doing?!"

"What am I doing?! Fulfilling marital duties, of course! Hehe, this marriage isn't something you can just leave whenever you want!"

Mukaihara's eyes were filled with ruthlessness, showing a destructive desire that if he couldn't have her, no one else would!

Just as a corner of Clear Leaf's clothes was torn, a furious shout rang out: "Don't touch my mother!"

A petite figure rushed over and actually knocked Mukaihara flying!

The latter crashed into a wooden rack, coughing repeatedly!

Yumi helped her mother up and asked with concern, "Mother, are you alright?"

Clear Leaf shook her head repeatedly, her face pale.

Yumi glared at Mukaihara. "You animal!"

Mukaihara stood up, his expression pained, and cursed, "Damn bitch! You've got some strength!"

At this moment, he didn't look like a father or a husband at all, but rather like a piece of scum driven to desperation.

"Fine! Very well! Today, I'll teach you both a lesson! Let's see who is really the master of this house!"

...PS: The plot requires it; just a transition.