"Brother!"

Li Xiaofan suddenly shouted with excitement. Luo Fang's hair stood on end as he channeled his inner Qi, bracing his shoulders for an impact.

Yet, he was shocked to find that the grip on his shoulder was as solid as a rock, and the inner Qi was equally formidable. The two streams of inner Qi wrestled secretly. While Luo Fang was holding onto Li Xiaofan, Li Xian, who had rushed over, still had one hand free.

He clenched his fist, and in his anger, utilized a move called "Eight Directions Fist." This punch was aimed at being solid and weighty, and the moment the fist was released, the surroundings were leveled.

Luo Fang's scalp tingled, and he jerked his head back to find a punch coming straight for him, landing with a solid thud.

"Bang—"

This punch was filled with killing intent, leaving no room for any reserves. Luo Fang knew he couldn't dodge it, so he could only use his inner Qi to protect his face.

But Li Xian was well-prepared, whereas Luo Fang was caught unawares. The difference was vast. In an instant, his nose was flattened, and a few teeth were knocked out.

His body was flung out, plowing a deep trench several meters across the snow.

Li Xian, like a demon god of death, his face full of malice, helped his younger brother up, brushing the snow off him. "Brother, are you okay?"

"Brother, I'm sorry for causing trouble." Li Xiaofan lowered his head in shame.

"It's not your fault." Li Xian looked coldly at Luo Fang, his killing intent unmistakable, like a needle of ice.

In Yihetang Manor, D-class Nursing Home personnel conduct linear patrols, while C-class personnel conduct "block" patrols.

They also have the authority to mobilize D-class personnel to a certain extent.

He had heard the commotion outside the manor and had D-class personnel report to him. He came to investigate, only to see Luo Fang forcing his brother to sign an indenture contract.

Naturally, he was enraged and indignant.

"Tch!"

Luo Fang spat out a mouthful of blood and took the initiative to attack first, "Li Xian, how dare you attack me, a steward, just for some outsider!"

"Do you know that you've violated the manor's regulations? You've abandoned your duty, and I'm going to report you to Commander Pang!"

Li Xian replied coldly, "Sorry, but the patrol in this area falls under my jurisdiction, not yours. Now... it is I who will hold you accountable for abandoning your duty, causing disruption in the manor's peace, as a steward."

"You're just a D-class Nursing Home member, yet you speak as if you own the place!" Luo Fang jumped with anger.

"D-class?" Li Xian brought out the "C" token, "Open your damn eyes and take a good look. What token is this?"

Luo Fang cleared his head and saw clearly. It was the C-class Nursing Home token, something he knew all too well. He used to be C-class, as he grew older, he could never get promoted.

With his vigor declining, he lacked the strength of his youth. Helpless, he stepped down from Nursing Home duties to a more leisurely role as a Servant steward.

"You've become a C-class Nursing Home member!?!" Luo Fang's eyes widened in horror.

His fierce aura was immediately suppressed by several degrees.

"Uncle, don't listen to his nonsense. He's only been in the Nursing Home for such a short time; there's no way he could be C-class!" Bi Hao couldn't hide his jealousy and exclaimed hysterically.

"Shut up!" Luo Fang barked.

"That's right, I am now C-class Nursing Home." Li Xian said coldly, "You servants are shirking your duties, disrupting the manor's order. According to the manor's regulations, I have the right to impose punishment."

The words had barely left his mouth before Li Xian stepped forward and first directed his punishment at Bi Hao, injecting a stream of inner Qi into his already wounded area.

Martial Artists aren't afraid of external wounds, but they fear inner Qi entering the body, where it cannot be dissolved. This can cause the injury to recur, leading to severe chronic conditions.

Li Xian darted further, his hands grabbing onto the shoulders of the other servants, twisting forcefully, the sound of bones breaking echoed.

Any servant who had participated, had the hand that touched Li Xiaofan broken.

"Steward Luo... save... save us." The terrified servants looked to Luo Fang for help.

But Luo Fang's face darkened and brightened, how could he speak for them?

"Damn it, how did this kid become a C-class Nursing Home so quickly!"

"This is too fast, it took me six years to barely touch the C-class threshold, while he did it in just over a month, just over a month!"

Luo Fang didn't know if it was from the cold or fear; his body wouldn't stop trembling.

Li Xian disposed of all the miscellaneous people, and approached Luo Fang calmly, "Steward Luo, last time you sought my guidance, I didn't agree. This time… I seek yours. Do you dare accept?"

"This... this..."

Before Luo Fang could answer, his cowardice had already shown.

He had indulged in comforts for too long, although he hadn't neglected his martial arts, he couldn't withstand the loss of vigor. Despite years of experience, he might not necessarily lose.

But a punch fears the vigor of youth...

Once the fight starts, regardless of the outcome, he would gain nothing.

He suddenly realized, the last time they met, he was confident of victory, yet in just a few days, circumstances had changed so drastically.

"Not speaking is as good as consent!"

Li Xian kicked the snow on the ground, and with a swoosh, snowflakes flew everywhere. Luo Fang felt a chill in his heart, his vision was blocked by the snowflakes.

"Bang!"

The back of his head received a heavy blow, nearly knocking him off his feet. In anger, he shouted, "This is too much, kid, you really think I fear you?" and swung a punch around.

Yet it missed completely. At this time, he suddenly heard the whistling of a fist on his right, he quickly raised his hand to block. However, pain shot up from below as he was kicked in a sensitive spot.

"Ow!" Luo Fang cried out loudly.

"When Martial Artists compete... you must use the terrain to your advantage!"

Although Li Xian was angry, he didn't let it cloud his judgment. Though confident, he was never arrogant.

After exchanging a few punches, he would sweep his leg to kick up the snow on the ground, blocking the other's vision. Li Xian's vision was also affected, but when employing the "Four Directions Fist," he seemingly had an advantage.

His movements were unpredictable.

"Enough!"

After over a dozen moves, a loud shout echoed out, dispersing the swirling snowflakes.

Pang Long had arrived.

Pang Long was still over four meters away, but with a single powerful shout, it was as if the winds blew, sweeping away the snowflakes.

Li Xian was secretly amazed, thinking to himself, "Commander Pang's skills are deep, his inner Qi incredible, beyond imagining!"

"Commander... Commander Pang." Luo Fang was beaten black and blue, bent over, clutching his lower side, tears from the pain.

He felt a wave of relief, this kid was hitting too hard, if Pang Long hadn't come, he might have really beaten him to death.

"I am already aware of the situation, neither of you need to explain. Let's put a stop to this." Pang Long declared once he appeared on the scene.

Then he looked deeply at Li Xian, "I'm allowing you a day's leave to spend time with your brother."

Li Xian cast a cold glance at Luo Fang, seeing this was as far as things had come, he had to let it rest for now, "Alright, I'll follow Commander Pang's instructions."

...

"Brother, the winter exams are near, I have to follow the team to Huangtian County."

Seeing his brother, Li Xiaofan was naturally delighted. His eyes were full of admiration, it seemed his brother had become very powerful already.

Bad people could no longer bully the brothers.

"Do your best." Li Xian smiled easily, gently patting his brother's head, and said warmly, "Even if you don't pass, it's okay, I am doing better now and can take care of you."

"Oh right."

Li Xian took out a pouch from his chest, "Inside are over three hundred coins, keep them well, if you need anything, just use them, don't try to scrimp and save."

"As they say, 'A man is known by his clothes, a horse by its saddle.' When you go to the exam, throw away the old clothes and reveal the ones inside, so you won't be ridiculed."

Li Xian sighed heavily, "When both of us become successful, we'll buy a proper house in the county with an acre of land, that would be wonderful. Mother passed early, wasn't this what she hoped for?"

"Brother..." Li Xiaofan was reluctant to part, and his eyes were damp, but he didn't want his brother to worry, so he pretended to be proud and said:

"Brother, if I manage to succeed all the way and become a top scholar, I'll buy you a mansion in Shengjing."

"Hahaha." Li Xian laughed, "It's a deal. With a top scholar as a brother, it will be very honorable."

The two brothers chatted for a while longer, and Li Xiaofan, seeing it was getting late, hurried back.

But in the wind and snow, that slim figure grew further and further away.

Li Xiaofan sometimes lost his bearings, unable to tell direction, but if he glanced back and saw Li Xian's figure, the direction became clear again, and he walked faster.

Li Xian watched his back, seeing him off, his heart filled with worry and reluctance. With this step his brother took, what he could offer for protection would be less.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.