11: Chapter 11: Market Encounters, Young Master Robs a Person

Silence lasted for only three breaths.

When Gu Yan's eyes, no longer clouded, locked onto Steward Wang Fu, the arrogant bluster the Wang Family's head steward had accumulated over half a lifetime was instantly extinguished, as if doused by a bucket of icy snow-water.

He felt as if he were being stared down by a sleeping tiger. The person before him was clearly just a man in his fifties, yet behind that calm gaze lay a terrifying pressure that made his hair stand on end.

"You... don't come any closer!"

Steward Wang Fu's voice cracked as he involuntarily backed away. He released his foot from Uncle Zhong's back, desperate to distance himself from this eerie man.

But for every step he took back, Gu Yan took a step forward.

The unhurried footsteps felt like they were treading directly on his heart; with every step, his heart seemed to skip a beat.

"Pro... protect me! What the hell are you all standing there for? Get him! Kill him!" Steward Wang Fu finally snapped out of his fear, pointing at Gu Yan and screaming at the servants behind him who were already paralyzed with fright.

However, not a single person dared to move.

They had seen with their own eyes how their companion had been sent flying. In their eyes, this "rejuvenated" Gu Family Old Ancestor was no different from the demons and monsters of mountain legends.

Fear overrode Steward Wang Fu's orders.

"A bunch of useless trash!" Steward Wang Fu cursed in exasperation, then scrambled backward, trying to hide behind the servants.

Gu Yan ignored those shivering small fry.

His only target was Steward Wang Fu.

His figure blurred, and the crowd only felt a flicker before their eyes as he ghosted across several meters to appear right in front of Steward Wang Fu.

A hand, not particularly thick but firm as a steel pincer, seized Steward Wang Fu by the throat.

All of Steward Wang Fu's sounds were choked back into his throat. His obese body was lifted off the ground by Gu Yan with one hand, his feet kicking helplessly in the air.

His face turned the color of pig liver from lack of oxygen, and his eyes bulged, bloodshot. At this moment, he truly felt the shadow of death.

"I... was... wrong..." he managed to squeeze out a few words from his throat.

Gu Yan looked at him expressionlessly and raised his other hand.

Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!

Four crisp, loud slaps landed ruthlessly on Steward Wang Fu's fleshy face.

Each slap was heavy and powerful, knocking a mouthful of teeth flying out along with bloody foam.

"The first slap is for Uncle Zhong."

"The second slap is for the Gu Family workers you beat."

"The third slap is for my deceased son, Changfeng."

"This last slap..." Gu Yan's voice suddenly turned cold, "is to make you remember that there are some people you cannot afford to provoke."

As the words fell, he flicked his wrist.

Steward Wang Fu's bloated body was thrown out like a tattered sack, flying backward and knocking over several bewildered servants before crashing heavily onto the bluestone street outside the shop. A dull thud echoed as he fell unconscious on the spot.

Gu Yan shook his hand as if he had touched something filthy.

He turned around, his sharp gaze slowly sweeping over the remaining Wang Family servants in the shop.

Wherever his gaze landed, everyone's legs went weak, and their clubs fell to the ground with a series of clatters.

Thump! Thump!

As if by prior agreement, several people knelt in unison, desperately kowtowing to Gu Yan for mercy.

"Exalted Immortal, spare us! Exalted Immortal, spare our lives!"

"It has nothing to do with us! Steward Wang Fu forced us to come!"

Gu Yan didn't say a word. He simply walked over and carefully helped Uncle Zhong, who was still lying on the ground, to his feet.

"Old Ancestor..." Uncle Zhong looked at Gu Yan, tears streaming down his face, too moved to speak.

"I've let you suffer." Gu Yan patted his shoulder, transferring a stream of gentle True Qi into him, which instantly eased most of his pain.

He surveyed the wreckage of the shop and the injured workers. His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"All of the Gu Family's losses today, and everyone's medical expenses—tenfold—will be paid by them."

He pointed at the servants kneeling on the ground.

"As for this one..." He glanced at the unconscious Steward Wang Fu outside. "Drag him back and tell Family Head Wang Zhenshan to wash his neck clean. I, Gu Yan, will personally pay him a visit very soon."

...

The disturbance at the rice shop came to a temporary close.

Gu Yan did not stay long, leaving the follow-up matters for Shen Qingxue, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, to handle.

He, meanwhile, headed alone toward Luoyun Town's only market.

The market was located at the southernmost tip of the town. It didn't occupy much space, but the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi here was slightly denser than in other parts of town.

Gu Yan needed some herbs, not only to consolidate his cultivation after just entering the First Level of Qi Refining, but also to nourish the bodies of Shen Qingxue and Yaya. They had been overworked over the years and had depleted much of their vitality.

Stepping into the market, a unique scent mixed with herbs, animal hides, and Ore assailed his senses.

Both sides of the street were lined with various stalls. There were white-haired elders selling unknown herbs, burly men peddling the hides and bones of Yao Beasts, and some teenagers who looked only in their teens holding a few greyish pieces of Ore, hoping to encounter a buyer who knew their worth.

The people in the market were a mixed bag from all walks of life.

There were Mortals like him, as well as Martial Artists with bulging temples and long, steady breaths.

Of course, the majority were Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators like him, with faint traces of Qi within their bodies.

However, most were only at the first or second level of Qi Refining; here, they were already considered "experts."

Gu Yan walked and observed, gaining a more direct understanding of the lowest level of this cultivation world.

The resources here were simply too meager.

The so-called Spirit Medicines sold at the stalls were mostly just mundane items with slightly better medicinal properties than ordinary herbs; they couldn't even be considered the lowest "Grade One Spirit Medicine."

Just as he was about to look for a decent pharmacy, a sudden commotion broke out in the crowd ahead. People moved to both sides, clearing a wide path.

"Quick, get out of the way! Wang Tianba is here!"

"Why is this evil young master here again? How unlucky!"

Suppressed murmurs came from the crowd.

Gu Yan followed everyone's gaze and saw a pale young man dressed in fine silk walking over arrogantly. He was followed by seven or eight lackeys, each acting pompous and kicking the roadside stalls aside.

This person was none other than the Wang Family's only son, Wang Tianba.

Gu Yan's gaze turned cold.

It truly was a small world.

Wang Tianba clearly hadn't noticed Gu Yan in the crowd; his gaze was drawn to a scene in the center of the market.

There, a young girl who looked only fifteen or sixteen was kneeling alone on the ground.

She wore a coarse cloth dress covered in patches. Her figure was thin and frail, as if a gust of wind could blow her over. Though her small face was covered in dust and tear stains, it still couldn't hide her delicate beauty.

Beside her stood a crude wooden sign with crooked characters written on it:

"Father has passed away; no money for burial. Willing to sell myself into slavery for three taels of silver."

Clearly, this was a poor soul whose family had met with a great misfortune.

A heated light appeared in Wang Tianba's eyes. He licked his lips and walked straight to the girl, tilting her chin up with a condescending air.

"Tsk tsk, what a pretty little beauty. Three taels of silver? That's too cheap."