After driving out of the cemetery, Chen Yuan asked for An Lan's home address and sped along the way, while An Lan leaned tiredly against the car window, looking at the scenery outside and recalling the scene just now, still feeling a lingering fear in her heart.
On the highway outside Yonghe Cemetery, there were dozens of black cars driving. Every so often, a group of brawny men in black would get out of their cars to question the passing vehicles and check the surrounding environment.
A white-haired old man, looking anxious, was searching non-stop with a group of men in black. With such a big commotion, it seemed they were looking for some important person.
"Stop the car, stop the car quickly." An Lan saw the sudden flash of lights and crowd ahead and became excited.
Chen Yuan saw the crowd and vehicles not far ahead and understood, pulling over to the side.
After getting out of the car, An Lan rushed over, calling out as she ran, "Uncle Li, Uncle Li, I'm here!"
The white-haired old man, seeing An Lan running from a distance, immediately relaxed his furrowed brows, and his cloudy eyes moistened. "Lanlan, it's so good you're safe. The old master knew you had been abducted and was so anxious he almost passed out. He's now personally leading people to search for you elsewhere." He quickly checked and asked if she was hurt.
"Uncle Li, I'm fine, thanks to someone..." As An Lan was speaking, she turned her head, only to find no one there...
"Huh? Where did that guy go? He was just here." An Lan looked around but could not find Chen Yuan. She hadn't even had the chance to thank him or ask his name.
The white-haired old man also looked around but did not see anyone, feeling a bit puzzled, but still, he led An Lan to the car, as the An family was already in chaos because of this incident.
'Could it be a hallucination caused by excessive shock?'
...
After leaving, Chen Yuan drove to a quiet spot not far from the city center and abandoned the car.
Having just been reborn, even though the memories had merged, there were still many things and places he was not yet clear about. This car belonged to those thugs, and it might bring him unnecessary trouble, so it was best abandoned.
Most importantly, when knocking down two people earlier, although it seemed effortless, only he knew he had been somewhat strained. This body's strength was too weak, and it would overflow with just a slight absorption of spiritual energy, which could lead to accidents if something were to happen.
Chen Yuan's cultivation level hadn't even reached the first realm, Foundation Establishment.
His main goal now was to intensify his cultivation.
Quickly, using the host's memories, Chen Yuan returned to a somewhat dilapidated courtyard.
This was where the host lived.
"This host is really pitiable; originally from such a grand noble family, now relegated to renting such a shabby house." Chen Yuan observed the room, which contained nothing but an old bed.
The spiritual energy on Earth was too thin, and the body too weak. If he wanted to improve his strength, he could only rely heavily on elixir pills for support, and the medicinal herbs in this world had to be purchased with money and could not be picked at will... It seems I'll need to find a job tomorrow to earn some money. "Chen Yuan, penniless, couldn't help but laugh at the irony.
Who would have thought that he, the mighty Heavenly Venerate, would end up in such a state today.
"Never mind, I'll wash up first and clean off the dirt and grime," he decided.
Soon after Chen Yuan returned, a cute girl arrived at his doorstep carrying a pot of chicken soup, extending her delicate little hand to knock on the door.
Not hearing any noise from inside after a while, the little girl pouted slightly, then let out an almost inaudible sigh.
"Still not interested in socializing, as always. But then again, after such a major upheaval, it's really tough on Brother Chen Yuan," she thought to herself, ready to turn away when she suddenly noticed the door was open.
Chen Yuan stood at the door, still wet with droplets of water.
The little girl's cheeks instantly reddened, and she quickly covered her eyes with her hands, "Ah! Brother Chen Yuan, how can you be like this!"
The little girl outside was Wang Zhilin, a neighbor whom Chen Yuan met after moving into the unfinished building and who lived next door.
Speaking of the little girl, her life was quite tragic too; her parents had died in a car accident when she was young, with only her physically impaired grandfather supporting her school and living expenses.
The little girl was very sensible, working hard at her studies and getting admitted to the best university in Lingnan Province—Qingzhou Academy.
Apart from that, she was very kind-hearted and simple. A year ago, after Chen Yuan had moved in, she took great care of him. As they got to know each other better, she often secretly brought over the chicken soup her grandfather made for her, suggesting he take it.
"Zhilin is getting prettier," Chen Yuan said with a light chuckle as he looked at the young girl who had grown into a graceful figure.
Hearing this, Wang Zhilin blushed slightly, coming back to her senses, yet somewhat astonished.
This was the first time in all the years she knew Chen Yuan that he had complimented her looks.
The Chen Yuan of the past was always gloomy, with no sparkle in his eyes, but today he seemed different.
However, the little girl couldn't quite put her finger on what exactly was different.
But no matter, a change was a good thing.
That he was no longer so gloomy was enough to make the little girl's heart flutter with joy.
Just then, a loud shouting came from downstairs.
"Zhilin, it's bad, your grandpa was beaten up at the entrance of the alley!" the landlady shouted loudly in the courtyard.
Upon hearing this, the little girl's expression changed, and she hurriedly ran towards the alley, with Chen Yuan following her out.
As soon as the two reached the entrance of the alley, they saw several young men holding an old man by the collar.
Nearby, a tricycle was overturned at the entrance of the alley, and a small car was parked next to it, with obvious scratches on the rear end of the car.
"Isn't that Lin Rong and his group?" the landlady muttered quietly, "They're usually bullying on this street with some influence from their older brother in the east district, and now they don't even spare Uncle Wang."
"Damn old thing, do you know how much this car is worth?" a muscular man with a sleazy appearance shouted loudly.
Chen Yuan looked at the scene and roughly guessed that these people were probably the car owners, looking to extort money.
These gangsters, led by the sleazy-looking Lin Rong, often bullied people in this area, and everyone else dared not speak out.
Lin Rong kicked the old man fiercely, knocking him to the ground.
"Grandpa!" Wang Zhilin saw her grandfather clutching his stomach on the ground, her eyes immediately teeming with tears, and she hurriedly went over to help him up.
"Girl, grandpa is alright, you go to the side." The old man's face was somewhat red, then he turned to Lin Rong and said, "I'm not refusing to compensate, I only have three to four hundred yuan now, could that work?"
"Is this small amount of money meant to dismiss a beggar?" Lin Rong scoffed.
After seeing Wang Zhilin, his eyes openly revealed a sleazy look, "Well, this little girl is pretty good-looking; why don't you pay your grandfather's debt, keep us company for a few days, and we'll call it even, how about that?"
The old man put Wang Zhilin behind him, and before he could speak, a voice came from the crowd.
"Are you looking for death?" Chen Yuan said calmly, walking towards Lin Rong and his group.
Lin Rong's face changed upon hearing this; no one in this place dared to talk to him like that. When he turned around and saw that it was a skinny, meek man who usually didn't fight back, he sneered contemptuously, "Oh, which hero do we have here?"
"So? Are you going to pay for them, or do you fancy playing the hero? Get lost quickly, or don't blame us for being rude!"
Lin Rong's gang burst into laughter behind him.
The landlady, seeing Chen Yuan standing up for them, was a bit surprised. That coward, who usually kept silent while paying rent, how dared he act mighty now?
Seeing Chen Yuan standing up for her, Wang Zhilin felt a warmth in her heart, but she also became worried. She knew these men were not righteous, and Chen Yuan's thin figure didn't appear to be a match for the sturdy men behind Lin Rong.
"With just you guys?" Chen Yuan said with a faint smile. Although he didn't have much cultivation strength now, dealing with these people was not an issue.
Lin Rong's eyes grew cold, "Boy, you're seeking death yourself! Guys, beat him to death!"
As he spoke, Lin Rong's clenched fist fiercely swung towards Chen Yuan's face.
Wang Zhilin screamed in horror, "Be careful!"
The crowd, seeing Lin Rong and his muscular men charge at Chen Yuan, couldn't help but cringe. How could a powerless youth confront several strong men?
Now, he is likely to be crippled by Lin Rong and the others.
Ah, why show off at such a time, isn't this seeking death?
"Bang!"
There was a muffled sound; Lin Rong was sent flying into the air, hitting the wall, and then he fell to the ground, curling up and clutching his stomach.
The three men accompanying Lin Rong had yet to react when they saw a figure move swiftly into the crowd, and with one punch each, they all fell to the ground.
People outside the alley only saw a shadow move, and Lin Rong and his group were already lying on the ground.
"He... he actually won?" the landlady widened her eyes, looking as if she had seen a ghost.
This was like something straight out of a TV drama!
This young man who usually didn't talk back when scolded or fight back when hit, was he actually a master?
Those who had insulted Chen Yuan before now felt as if they had made a huge blunder, and then suddenly, they shivered violently.
Everyone was stunned, and the scene fell deadly silent!
...