Chapter 557: The Thatched Cottage
“Chi!”
One after another, divine light shot up, interweaving in the high sky to form a slaughter formation, converging on Ye Fan to grind him down, killing intent soaring to the clouds.
The city wall was ancient, covered with endless array patterns. At this moment, they all emerged, imprinted in the void like ghostly symbols, profound and unfathomable, chilling the soul.
Ye Fan sucked in a breath of cold air, activated the Stride Art, and rapidly retreated backward, evading the world-shaking strike.
The array patterns of this ancient city were terrifying. He estimated they were at least at the extreme level. These ancient trees had stood here since time immemorial, remaining unchanged, yet they had never transformed into spirits.
From then on, Ye Fan came here every day, wandering around and learning many things.
By now, sitting in meditation and closed-door cultivation had little effect. Instead, walking outside, observing the bubbling spiritual springs and the falling leaves and drifting flowers, made it easier for him to comprehend the Dao.
After half a month, everyone in Lu City knew that this lord had nothing to do all day, spending his time sightseeing and enjoying the scenery, neglecting his duties. Fortunately, he was kind to others, had no airs, and never punished anyone.
As for the villagers of the Thatched Cottage, they grew increasingly familiar with him. Even many snot-nosed little children were no longer afraid of him and liked to run after him, because Ye Fan always brought some candy every time he came.
“Er Gouzi’s snot-nosed kid, why are you crying?” Ye Fan saw a child who usually liked to follow him asking for candy, now wailing loudly, tears and snot streaming down his face.
“Uncle Er Gouzi was beaten by someone in the fields. He’s bleeding a lot and can barely hold on. Snot-nose is heartbroken.”
“His grandfather went to reason with them and got beaten too. His bones are broken.”
Other children ran over, chattering and recounting these events.
“City Lord Big Brother, please go take a look and save them.” A little girl cried.
These villagers were all very simple. Their names were things like Er Gouzi or Da Shitou, supposedly to make them easier to raise. They almost never had conflicts. How could something this serious happen? Ye Fan frowned.
“City Lord Big Brother, please go save Uncle Er Gouzi. Many uncles and aunties went to reason with them and are bleeding a lot.” More children ran back crying.
Ye Fan had no airs. Coming to this village every day, many children grew close to him and addressed him casually.
“Snot-nose, don’t cry. I’ll go take a look.” Ye Fan strode out of the ancient locust forest and headed toward the fields, with a group of children following behind.
From the fields a few li away came cries and shouts. Snot-nose’s father lay on the ground covered in blood, clearly with more breath out than in. An elderly man, also with blood at the corner of his mouth, sat slumped on the ground, shaking Er Gouzi, trying to wake him.
Many villagers gathered around, angry but afraid to speak. Not far away stood a few people, arrogant and indifferent, clearly cultivators at a glance.
In the fields were several strange beasts, one of which was a Dragon Horse eating the crops. The cause of the conflict was obvious at a glance. When Snot-nose’s father saw the crops being ruined and went to reason with them, this was the result.
“How can you bully people like this?!” A villager couldn’t help but shout.
“It’s just eating a bit of your crops. I already said I’d give you some silver. Stop making a fuss here. If you disturb the Dragon Horse, your lives won’t be enough to compensate!” One person impatiently glared over.
“The crops are our lives. You’re trampling on us too much.” Many villagers were indignant.
“So noisy!” That person sneered, contemptuously sweeping his gaze over the crowd.
Ye Fan saw clearly that those strange beasts were all rare in the world, not ordinary animals. They had long become spiritual and could probably run at extreme speed.
Although these people were dressed in fine clothes, they were clearly servants, responsible for tending these strange beasts. It was easy to associate them with the geniuses and outstanding talents of the Extraordinary Scholars Mansion.
The Extraordinary Scholars Mansion was located in the Immortal Mountain, not too far from here. It wasn’t impossible that their mounts were being tended and grazed outside.
Soon, a villager confirmed his guess. These strange beasts indeed came from the ancient Immortal Mountain. These people had been appearing frequently recently, always arrogant and overbearing.
“Apologize, compensate for the losses, and leave this place immediately!” Ye Fan shouted coldly.
He crouched down, took out a bit of divine spring, and poured it into Er Gouzi’s mouth. He massaged his body and revived him. Then, he reconnected the broken bones for Snot-nose’s grandfather. The old man, with white hair and cloudy eyes, wept tears of old age, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth—a truly pitiful sight.
Ye Fan stood up and said, “I’m talking to you. Did you hear me?”
“Who are you? Do you really think you’re someone important?” One person sneered, while the others also snorted arrogantly.
“Just a bunch of servants, and you dare act wild here? Even your masters wouldn’t be worth a glance!” Ye Fan shouted loudly.
“You… who are you? How dare you interfere with us?” Their expressions changed.
“I am the lord of this land. Everything within a hundred li is under my jurisdiction. No matter who comes in, they must follow my laws!” Ye Fan said coldly.
“Haha… just a petty lord, and you dare speak so arrogantly? If you disturb our strange beasts, even ten of your lives won’t be enough to compensate!” One person laughed loudly.
“Ignorant fool.” Ye Fan slapped out. Although these people were all experts, how could they block it? They all spat blood and collapsed to the ground.
“You… dare treat us like this? Do you know who we are?” They blustered, outwardly fierce but inwardly weak.
“Aren’t you just a bunch of servants? Come over, kneel, and apologize.” Ye Fan sneered. “I’m taking this Dragon Horse. I’ll slaughter it for the villagers to eat. If you don’t accept it, tell your masters to come see me!”