"Well well, little Yan'Er. Here to pick up your fool of a young master again?" a sneering voice piped up.
BOOM. The sound went off in Lin Hao's mind.
'Yan'Er... it really is Yan'Er!'
Yan'Er had no surname; she was Lin Hao's former handmaiden.
Lin Hao still remembered it clearly. When he was ten, he had slipped out of the Lin family estate to play. On the outskirts of the Heaven's Reach Mountains beyond War Dragon City, he had stumbled upon a young master from a branch of the Wu family harassing a woman.
Driven by a sense of justice, he had saved the woman from her attacker.
After he saved her, the woman hadn't thanked him right away. Instead, she had run off somewhere, which had annoyed Lin Hao at the time.
But soon after, the woman returned, pulling along a little girl with a smudged face. That girl was Yan'Er, and the woman was her mother, whom Lin Hao called Aunt Yun.
'How has Yan'Er gotten so tall? Just how long have I been out of it?'
A series of questions flashed through Lin Hao's mind, and he desperately wanted answers.
"How can you say that? Young Master Lin Hao was once the genius of our Lin family. Yan'Er, don't stoop to his level. I have two Spiritual Wisdom Pills here. You know my uncle—he procures pills for the Lin family. He paid a great price to get these. If you give them to Young Master Lin, a miracle might just happen."
Another voice, nasally and squawking, chimed in.
The Spiritual Wisdom Pill, as its name implied, was a medicinal pill that could awaken one's intellect.
Lin Hao felt Yan'Er's body tremble. She was clearly moved by the offer.
"What do you want?" Yan'Er's voice rang out.
"What are you talking about? Young Master Lin Hao has a noble status. My uncle received a favor from his father long ago and has always wanted to repay that debt," the squawking voice said with righteous indignation.
"Then... then give me the two pills." Yan'Er was silent for a long time before she made up her mind.
'As the saying goes, he who is unusually attentive is up to no good,' Lin Hao thought. 'What are they plotting? Are they going to poison me? They wouldn't dare.'
'When Yan'Er tries to feed me the pills, I'll just pretend to take them. They don't know I've recovered, so they'll never notice.'
Having made up his mind, Lin Hao waited for Yan'Er to set him down.
A moment later, Yan'Er did indeed set Lin Hao down. But then, Lin Hao heard an exclamation of shock. "Yan'Er, why did you take the Spiritual Wisdom Pill!"
"I don't trust you! If nothing happens to me, then whether a miracle occurs or not, I will be sure to repay you and your uncle," Yan'Er's voice replied, remarkably calm.
Lin Hao's heart jolted. 'Yan'Er actually tested the pill with her own body for my sake!'
"Hehehe, of course nothing will happen to you. That wasn't a Spiritual Wisdom Pill, it was a Carefree Pill! In a little while, I guarantee you'll feel as blissful as an immortal in paradise," the squawking voice suddenly turned lecherous.
The Carefree Pill stimulated a woman's physical desires. It was, in every sense of the word, an aphrodisiac!
"I knew you'd test the pill for this fool! Yan'Er, Lin Hao is destined to be a fool and a cripple! My position guarding the Blood-Swapping Pool might not be high, but it's better than following him. You never know where your next meal is coming from, you wash clothes late into the night, and when you get back, you still have to take care of this idiot all by yourself." The squawking voice revealed its true colors.
"Big brother is right. Look at you, you're skinny as a rail... except for two places," the sneering voice chimed in.
"Tsk tsk, my dear Yan'Er, just look at those curves. That amazing chest, that perky rear... I've been holding myself back for so long. You're only fourteen, but you've already developed so enticingly. Who knows how enchanting you'll be when you're your mother's age. Ai, what a pity about that great beauty. If she hadn't died, today we might have even been able to... hehehe..."
The man's words grew more and more vulgar.
The man's last sentence was spoken in a low voice, but Lin Hao still heard it.
The information revealed in that sentence shocked Lin Hao even more.
'Yan'Er is fourteen, which means I must be fifteen now. That means three years have passed since the incident!'
'And they said Aunt Yun is dead? Why did Aunt Yun die? How long has she been gone? How did Yan'Er survive all this time?'
But these questions flashed by in an instant, eclipsed by Lin Hao's towering rage.
In the Lin family, disciples over the age of sixteen who had not reached the Third Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm would be assigned to menial labor. Guarding the Blood-Swapping Pool was a step above that, but it was still a bottom-tier position in the family.
Now, even trash like this dared to harass and bully Yan'Er. He could only imagine what she must have suffered these past few years...
'Three years ago, Yan'Er was only eleven. A helpless little girl, all alone... her life in the family...'
Lin Hao didn't dare to think about it any further.
'Today, I will not let Yan'Er suffer any more grievances!' Sensing the two men closing in, their breathing growing heavy, Lin Hao realized his strength was nearly restored. He silently circulated his energy, preparing to strike.
"I was going to wait a little longer, but that brat Lin Cheng awakened his bloodline today, and it's a Spirit Body. Better for me to benefit than him. Yan'Er, big brother is coming to take care of you!" the squawking voice roared, and the man lunged at Yan'Er.
Yan'Er retreated again and again, her expression wretched and filled with despair. Two lines of clear tears streamed down her face. Then, her expression turned resolute. She closed her eyes, about to end her own life!
Just then...
THUD!
A muffled sound echoed.
Yan'Er opened her eyes to see a not-so-tall figure standing before her.
"Y-Young... Young Master!" Yan'Er's mouth fell open, her beautiful eyes wide with utter disbelief.
"L-Lin... Lin Hao!" Two cries of alarm came from the opposite side.
Lin Hao's eyes were glacial, radiating killing intent.
"You... You're awake? We... We..." The two men were incoherent, stumbling backward. But then one of them froze and said angrily, "So what if you're awake? You're just a good-for-nothing. Today, I'm going to have my way with your tempting little handmaiden right in front of you!"
"You... deserve to die!" Lin Hao took a step forward, about to strike, but someone suddenly appeared before him. It was Yan'Er.
"Young Master, run! I'll hold them off for you!" Yan'Er cried out urgently.
Yan'Er didn't know any martial arts. The two men opposite them were at least at the Second Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm. Her action was no different from an ant trying to shake a tree.
'This silly girl.' A warmth spread through Lin Hao's heart. He was about to speak when his gaze hardened. He took a step forward and threw two punches.
The two men were actually trying to attack the defenseless Yan'Er! What venomous hearts!
THUD! THUD!
Lin Hao's figure swayed slightly, but the two men were forced back three steps.
"You- you've recovered?!" Fear crept into their eyes.
A glint flashed in Lin Hao's eyes. "Only the First Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm," he said lightly.
That single blow had confirmed Lin Hao's earlier suspicion. Although he was only at the First Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm, his strength was no less than when he had previously been at the Second Layer.
These two lowlifes were the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. Lin Hao was worried they would be scared witless. Besides, he wanted to use them for practice, so he stated his realm truthfully.
His nonchalant demeanor was seen as utter contempt by the two men. Murderous intent flashed in their eyes as they attacked again!
The man on the left leaped into the air, his right hand balled into a fist. He descended like a tiger pouncing from a mountain. Before the punch even arrived, the force of it sent fallen leaves scattering across the ground. It was precisely the Lin family's Yellow Level Low Grade martial technique—Fierce Tiger Fist!
The man on the right sank into a low stance, his right hand forming a claw. He pushed off with one leg, launching himself at Lin Hao. A hissing sound filled the air, as if his claw was tearing through the very atmosphere. It was precisely the Lin family's Yellow Level Low Grade martial technique—Thunder Leopard Claw!
Lin Hao's eyes shone brightly. Instead of retreating, he advanced. He dropped low, arching his body like a bow, forming a claw with his left hand and a fist with his right, then shot forward like lightning.
While in mid-air, he twisted his body in an unbelievable way, turning his face upward. His left claw and right fist struck first, despite having been launched later.
THUD! THUD!
Lin Hao's hands struck both men over their hearts at the same time. With a sharp jolt of force, the two were sent flying backward like burlap sacks.
PFFT! PFFT!
At the same time, a mist of blood sprayed through the air.
As Lin Hao landed, two dull thuds sounded. The two men crashed to the ground, unable to get back up.
"You... you..." The two men clutched their chests, their faces full of disbelief.
They couldn't understand how Lin Hao, at the First Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm, could possess such terrifying combat power. Two cultivators at the Blood Coagulation Realm Second Layer were not even a match for him for a single exchange!
Behind Lin Hao, Yan'Er's small mouth was slightly agape, also stunned by this turn of events.
Then, her beautiful eyes lit up. She took a step forward, her red lips parting. "You what? My young master was learning these two martial techniques before you two were even initiated! And you called my young master a good-for-nothing? You two are the biggest good-for-nothings in the world!"
Only then did the two men remember Lin Hao's reputation as a genius. But it was too late.
Hearing Yan'Er's words, one of them clutched his chest and spat out another mouthful of blood. Then, his eyes flew wide, and he died with a look of eternal grievance.
"So what if he's not a good-for-nothing? I'm afraid he's just recovered today, only to be sent to the underworld tomorrow once the family finds out!" the other man snarled, propping himself up and staring at Lin Hao with surging hatred.
Hearing this, Yan'Er looked as if she'd been struck by lightning.
"Hahaha, Lin Hao, you'd better let me go. My uncle dotes on me the most. If he pleads on your behalf, he might be able to spare your dog's life." Seeing Yan'Er's expression, the man looked even more smug.
"I have to admire your courage. Staring death in the face, and still spouting such nonsense. I'm not the one who killed you. The two of you fought viciously over Yan'Er. You were killed by his Thunder Leopard Claw, and he died from your Fierce Tiger Fist." Lin Hao's gaze was ice-cold.
After the incident three years ago, the Lin Hao who reawakened was no longer the innocent and naive boy he once was.
The youth on the ground's face changed drastically. He finally understood why Lin Hao had used those two specific martial techniques. From the very beginning, he had planned to kill them and had already figured out how to cover it up.
Only then did fear finally appear in the youth's eyes.
"Don't kill me! Lin Hao, Young Master Lin, I swear, I won't say a word about what happened today!" The youth shuffled backward relentlessly.
"Too late!" Lin Hao's gaze remained frigid, unmoved. Only a fool would believe the promises of a cowardly wretch on the brink of death.
"You... you... Haha, go on, kill me! Your little handmaiden will be joining me soon enough. She's been poisoned by the Carefree Pill. How can a good-for-nothing like you possibly satisfy her? She'll burn to death from her own lust..."
Lin Hao struck without hesitation, and the voice stopped abruptly.
Only then did he have a moment to take a good look at Yan'Er.
The fourteen-year-old Yan'Er had grown into a lovely young woman. Her face was flushed red, and she already showed a hint of Aunt Yun's graceful charm.
Moreover, she was only wearing a thin layer of clothing, and the small dudou underneath was faintly visible, its contours like rolling hills. She had developed quite maturely.
"Young Master." Yan'Er threw herself at him, hugging Lin Hao and sobbing uncontrollably, her small body trembling.
It was the first time in his life Lin Hao had been held by a woman. The pleasant sensation made his mind wander.
However, remembering everything Yan'Er had done for him, Lin Hao cursed himself internally. He quickly took off his outer robe and draped it over her.
At the same time, he said solemnly, "Yan'Er, from now on, your surname is Lin. You are Lin Yan'Er. I won't allow anyone to bully you ever again!"
"Young Master." Yan'Er's body trembled. She looked up, her eyes misty with tears.
"Don't call me Young Master anymore."
Yan'Er stubbornly shook her head. "No. Ever since you saved my mother and me five years ago, you will always be Yan'Er's young master."
Lin Hao didn't know what to do. He suddenly remembered the Carefree Pill, and his expression changed. "Yan'Er, how are you feeling?" he asked urgently.
Yan'Er's body stiffened. She didn't say a word.
'Damn it,' Lin Hao thought. He swept Yan'Er up in his arms and ran.