Chapter 16

Ye Feng spoke with determination, each word like a precious gem, giving Ye Wen no chance to respond.

"Truly a sharp-tongued brat!" Ye Wen glared at Ye Feng with cold eyes.

"You say self-defense is self-defense, but you crippled Hu'er's dantian. Moreover, he is an elite disciple of the Dalu Academy. Do you know the value of an elite disciple? In the future, they have the chance to enter the Inner Court, and from then on, our Ye family will only grow stronger."

"Is self-defense also wrong? Should the person being attacked be humiliated and not allowed to fight back? What kind of logic is this? I haven't heard of such a family rule in the Ye family." Ye Feng retorted.

"Moreover, can such a person be considered a genius disciple? Can they be considered an elite disciple? They couldn't even withstand one move from me. They are nothing but a waste. Such a waste, not just in the Dalu Academy, but even in the Ye family, there are plenty. It's better that they are now crippled; it's a waste of resources to invest in them."

Ye Feng spoke with firm resolve to the crowd.

The crowd began to murmur. Ye Feng's appearance indeed disrupted everyone's thoughts. Defeating Ye Hu in one move was hard for everyone to accept, and it seemed that Ye Wu was still the only choice for the position of family head.

"Tsk, tsk, this Ye Feng is really impressive. Just now, he managed to withstand a strike from a Ninth Rank Later Heaven expert. I doubt there are many in the family who can do that." Someone in the crowd began to comment.

"That strike was almost invincible. I think even an Eighth Rank Later Heaven expert couldn't withstand it." Another person added.

...

"Alright, this matter is settled. Whether Ye Feng has violated the family rules will be discussed later. Let's continue with the selection of the family head."

The Great Elder spoke. The situation had escalated beyond what the elders had expected, and they could only try to resolve the conflict between them.

Ye Wu returned to his seat, and Ye Feng had already left, standing beside Ye Wu. The atmosphere was very tense. In the end, eight elders agreed to Ye Wu's re-election as the family head. The selection of the family head concluded, and no one paid attention to whether Ye Feng had violated the family rules. As long as Ye Wu was the family head, no one dared to touch Ye Feng.

Back in his residence, Ye Feng stayed at home for about four or five days, spending some time with his parents. The date of the academy's internal competition was drawing near, and he had to advance to the Inner Court before the competition.

"Father, Mother, I have to leave. Take care of yourselves!"

Outside the Yellow City, Ye Feng respectfully said to his parents. He was leaving the Yellow City to return to the academy to complete his studies. He had to join the Inner Court by the end of the year, as only the Inner Court was a paradise for cultivation.

"Feng'er, be careful in everything you do. Plan before you act, and don't be rash. I see that your character has grown much stronger than three years ago, and I am very proud. Come back to visit your mother when you have time."

Ye Wu patted Ye Feng's shoulder and said earnestly.

"I will remember, and I will definitely come back to visit my parents when I have time."

"En, it's not early. You should be on your way."

Ye Wu patted Ye Feng's mount, and with a whistling sound, the figure quickly disappeared from sight. Ye Feng's mother wiped her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

"Only the outside world can make Feng'er grow. All we can do is support him silently. If we keep him under our protection, he will never grow up." Ye Wu held his wife in his arms, looking in the direction Ye Feng had disappeared.

On the way back, Ye Feng was not in a hurry. He slowed his pace, enjoying the scenery along the way. A small town appeared ahead. He had passed through it quickly on his way there, but this time, Ye Feng planned to rest and regain his strength before continuing his journey.

The town was not very large, with about a hundred households. There were few shops, and most of the residents were ordinary people, mostly at the Third to Fifth Rank. Their main source of income was from the nearby mountains, where they hunted low-level demonic beasts to exchange for resources to sustain their livelihood.

Finding a small inn, Ye Feng walked in. It was quite dilapidated, with only a dozen tables. He found a table by the window and sat down.

"Sir, what would you like?"

A young servant in a green robe came over, wiped the table, and asked Ye Feng.

"Bring me some of your specialties."

Ye Feng had no particular requests; it was much better than eating dry rations.

"Sure, sir, please wait a moment!" The servant left, and Ye Feng looked out at the street, watching the passersby. Suddenly, a惨叫声 (cry of pain) came from ahead.

"Please, don't take Ya'er. She is too young. Please let us off."

An old man knelt on the ground, bowing his head repeatedly. In front of him, three large men were binding a young girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old. One of the men kicked the old man.

"Let her go? How will you pay the ten spirit stones you owe us? Since you can't pay us, we'll take her as collateral." The man spat, spitting a thick wad of phlegm on the old man.

"Please give me three more days. I will definitely gather the spirit stones and pay you back. Please let Ya'er go; she is too young."

The old man got up from the ground and continued to bow. Ya'er was his daughter. If they took her, the consequences would be unimaginable; she would certainly be sold to a brothel.

"You think too highly of yourself. We've already given you three days. Since you can't pay, don't blame us for being ruthless!" The man kicked the old man, sending him flying.

"Father!" The bound girl screamed in anguish, seeing her father kicked away, and began to struggle.

"Sir, here is your order. Please enjoy." The servant brought a few精致的小菜 (delicate dishes) and placed them in front of Ye Feng.

"What's happening outside?" Ye Feng, not knowing what was going on, asked the servant.

"Sigh, it's a pitiful family. Old Wang borrowed a few spirit stones from the Three Tyrants because his wife was seriously ill. He exchanged them for some medicinal herbs. Who knew the Three Tyrants would double the amount of spirit stones every day? No matter how much Old Wang pays, he can never clear the debt. Now they are taking his precious daughter to sell her to a brothel."

The servant sighed helplessly.

"How can this be? Such a thing is happening." Ye Feng was extremely angry. This was clearly a case of usury, causing families to break apart and people to lose their homes.

"Sir, don't get involved. The Three Tyrants are very powerful and tyrannical in the town. No one can stand up to them. I heard they are disciples of some academy. How can we ordinary people dare to offend them?"

The Three Tyrants, carrying the girl, walked down the street, and from a distance, one could hear some obscene remarks.

"Brat, who are you? Why are you blocking our way?" The Three Tyrants looked at the sudden appearance of a young man, speaking coldly.