"System, indicate the location of the Taiyin Physique."
Following the direction indicated by the system, Li Yu set off. Before long, he arrived before a dilapidated little shop.
A crowd had gathered at the shop entrance.
"You old bastard, we ate one meal at your place and you dare ask us for money?"
"Hit him! Beat this bastard to death!"
"Waaah! Don't hit him! Don't hit my grandpa! Don't hit my grandpa!"
Curses, blows, and the little girl's cries came from beyond the crowd.
"Hm?"
Seeing this, Li Yu frowned, waved the crowd aside, and stepped forward.
In the middle of the scene, a gaunt old man lay sprawled on the ground. His grizzled hair hung in disarray, blood stained his face, and his patch-covered clothes bore one footprint after another.
A sallow-faced middle-aged man stood with his arms folded, a cold sneer across his face.
Three young men surrounded the old man, cursing and laughing. Whenever the old man struggled to get up, they kicked him back down.
"Waaah! Don't hit my grandpa! You bad people! Waaah..."
A five- or six-year-old little girl sat on the ground, crying out helplessly until her voice was hoarse.
"Stop!"
Seeing a helpless old man and a young child bullied so badly, Li Yu's anger flared.
Strength brought confidence. When faced with injustice, one had to speak up; when it was time to act, one had to act! A direct descendant of the Great Emperor, a member of the Jiang Clan's main bloodline, was being bullied like this. How could Li Yu ignore it?
"Huh? Where did this fool come from? You dare meddle in our Li family's affairs?"
The sallow-faced middle-aged man turned around, shot Li Yu a sidelong glance, and snorted. "Kid, meddling in other people's business will bring disaster upon you. If you don't want to die, get the hell out of here!"
"Hahaha! He must have eaten leopard guts!"
"Someone actually dared to stand up for them? He really doesn't know death from life!"
"You dare provoke our Li family? Kid, get lost if you don't want to die!"
The three young men laughed as they closed in, surrounding Li Yu. Their clenched fists cracked loudly.
"Little brother, hurry and leave!"
Old Jiang struggled to his feet and kept waving at Li Yu, urging him to leave quickly.
"Leave?"
The sallow-faced middle-aged man sneered. "Do you think you can still leave? Since you dared to stick your neck out, I'll make sure you remember this. Kid, remember this: if you want to meddle in other people's affairs, you need the ability to back it up. Otherwise, you won't even know how you died."
"Break all four of his limbs and throw him outside town."
The sallow-faced middle-aged man waved his hand and sneered disdainfully.
Over the past few years, he had relied on the prestige of the main family to oppress the common people and run rampant. He was thoroughly experienced in handling matters like this.
"Get lost!"
An angry roar erupted. Powerful force burst forth with the sound, blasting the three young men surrounding him away and sending them crashing heavily to the ground.
"Argh!"
"It's broken! My arm is broken!"
"Argh! My leg is broken too!"
The three young men sprawled on the ground clutched their arms and legs, howling miserably.
"You..."
The sallow-faced middle-aged man's expression changed drastically. Shocked and furious, he pointed at Li Yu and shouted, "You dare attack us? We're people of the Li family! Several of our young masters cultivate immortality at Yanhsia Grotto-heaven, kid, you..."
"Shut up!"
Li Yu's face was frosty. With a cold snort, another burst of force surged out and sent the sallow-faced middle-aged man flying.
"Take these lackeys and get out of here!"
Li Yu flicked his sleeve and roared at the sallow-faced middle-aged man.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
The sallow-faced middle-aged man hastily helped up the three young men, and they fled in disgrace.
"Good!"
"Well done!"
"Those scum who bully others by relying on power deserved a beating."
When the onlookers saw Li Yu drive off the lackeys, they immediately burst into cheers.
"Stop shouting. The Li family isn't easy to provoke. Do you want to bring trouble upon your own families?"
An old man offered a warning. Everyone's expressions changed, and they quickly scattered.
"Thank you, young sir, for helping us."
Old Jiang approached with the little girl and bowed to thank Li Yu.
"Big Brother, you're amazing."
The little girl looked at Li Yu with a face full of admiration. Her bright, watery eyes did not blink, making her look utterly adorable.
"Please, there's no need for such courtesy."
Li Yu smiled and reached out to steady Old Jiang. He swept his gaze over him and noticed blood seeping from the old man's mouth. It seemed his injuries were not light.
"Sir, you're injured. Let me help you inside to rest."
As he spoke, Li Yu supported Old Jiang and led him and the little girl into the dilapidated shop.
"Young sir, hurry and leave."
As soon as they sat down inside, Old Jiang urgently said to Li Yu, "Young sir, the Li family has considerable influence. Someone in their family cultivates at Yanhsia Grotto-heaven. You'll be in danger if you stay here. Hurry, leave!"
"That's right! Big Brother, you should leave quickly. Those people are very bad. If you don't leave, they'll bully you."
The little girl stood beside him, her eyes wide as she looked anxiously at Li Yu.
"Don't worry! Big Brother is very strong."
Li Yu smiled at the little girl, then turned to Old Jiang. "Sir, your injuries are serious. Let me treat you."
"Young sir, there's no need. Hurry and leave..."
Before Old Jiang could finish speaking, the sight before him left him stunned.
Li Yu smiled and extended a finger. Brilliant spiritual light swirled around his fingertip, radiant and dazzling like splendid fireworks.
The spiritual light fell like rain.
Specks of spiritual light merged into Old Jiang's body. He felt as though he had been immersed in a warm spring, while vigorous life blossomed within him.
The pain in his body vanished. His old coughing ailment was gone, and his waist and back no longer ached. He seemed filled with strength from head to toe, as if his body had returned to its prime.
"Heehee! Grandpa, your hair has turned darker, and there are fewer wrinkles on your face."
The little girl widened her eyes at the miraculous sight, clapping and laughing. "Big Brother is amazing. Big Brother is amazing."
"A cultivator?"
Seeing the miraculous changes in himself, Old Jiang looked up at Li Yu in astonishment. "So you're a cultivator, young sir!"
"It was only the Spring Return Technique."
Li Yu smiled, turned, and found a stool in the shop to sit on. "Sir, I'm a cultivator too. I'm not afraid of the Li family, so rest assured."
"I can never repay your great kindness, young sir."
Old Jiang got up and beckoned to the little girl. "Tingting, come here. Let's kowtow to the young sir and thank him for his great kindness."
"Don't! You mustn't! You mustn't!"
Hearing this, Li Yu hurriedly rose to stop them. Having an elderly man kowtow to him was more than he could bear.
"Young sir, you should still leave quickly!"
Stopped by Li Yu, Old Jiang could only give up on kowtowing. He got up, grabbed Li Yu's hand, and tried to lead him outside.
"Young sir, several young masters of the Li family cultivate at Yanhsia Grotto-heaven, and they are very powerful. It would be best for you to leave as soon as possible."
"Leave? After offending our Li family, you still want to leave?"
An angry roar sounded from outside.
Boom!
The shop door was smashed apart, and several figures rushed inside.