C1 Returning

In the twilight of July, the sky above Yangcheng was cloaked in a fiery red sunset. At the mouth of an alley in the eastern suburbs, a young man crouched on the ground, searching for any trace left by a past car accident.

The young man's name was Ye Yu. One evening a month ago, he and his parents were out for a stroll when they were struck by a yellow sports car right at this spot. His parents perished instantly, and a gravely injured Ye Yu pleaded for help from the driver. But the driver cruelly reversed to run them over a second and third time, deliberately avoiding Ye Yu's vital areas to prolong his agony before leaving him to die.

Ye Yu had thought his life was over, but he was miraculously reborn in the otherworld. He later learned from the Time Wizard's prophecies that time flowed differently across dimensions: a hundred years in the otherworld equated to just one day in the present world. Attaining the Martial Sovereign level would allow one to tear through the void and return to the present world.

After three millennia of cultivation in the otherworld, Ye Yu finally came back to this land after a mere thirty days apart. He had assumed the car accident would have been solved by now, given the prevalence of surveillance cameras. His return was simply to bring his fiancée to the otherworld for a new life.

But as he perused recent newspapers to identify the perpetrator, Ye Yu discovered the case was riddled with mysteries. The crime scene had been tampered with, surveillance disrupted, leaving the case unsolved and suspended.

With the police at a loss, Ye Yu resolved to seek justice himself. "If I don't avenge my family's murder, I, Ye Yu, would fail as their son!" he vowed through clenched teeth.

Just then, a ruckus erupted from the nearby alley. Ye Yu glanced over to see a woman encircled by a gang of thugs. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, her delicate features complemented by a smart business attire that accentuated her impeccable figure, particularly her prominent chest, which drew the eye.

Her facial muscles were tight, and her expression was detached, exuding an aura of unapproachable coolness.

Ye Yu's lips quirked into a smile. Even with his eyes closed, he could recognize the woman before him—his devoted girlfriend, Yang Yi.

...

"I don't know you. Please move aside, or I'll have to call the police!"

Surrounded by a group of seven or eight ruffians, Yang Yi maintained a composed exterior, but inside, she was starting to panic.

"Police? They don't scare me!"

The ringleader bellowed with laughter, treating the idea of police intervention as a mere joke. His grin was hideous, tinged with menace and sleaziness.

"If they actually show up, they can just help me tidy up the mess here, so no one has to see you looking all disheveled. Wouldn't want anyone thinking Yangcheng has a security problem!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yi's complexion turned pale. She was somewhat familiar with the thug standing before her.

His name was Zhao Biao, known to his lackeys as Biao. He was an outright hooligan.

Despite his bravado about not fearing the police, it was all bluster. If Yang Yi truly called for help, he would certainly intervene.

Zhao Biao squinted, leaning in close to Yang Yi with his greasy face, taking in her exquisite features.

"Dressing up like this in such a rundown alley, are you playing the lady or the demon? Trying to act innocent in front of me—are you worried I can't afford your price?"

Zhao Biao's sudden outburst startled Yang Yi, causing her to fall to the ground. Yet her vulnerable demeanor only fueled Zhao Biao's predatory instincts. He moved to unfasten the buttons on Yang Yi's blouse.

The other thugs, energized by the scene, began to hoot and whistle in anticipation of the lurid spectacle to come, their thuggish nature on full display.

But to everyone's surprise, an unexpected hero emerged, stepping in just as Zhao Biao's grubby hand was about to defile Yang Yi's clothing. A figure appeared, positioning himself between Zhao Biao and Yang Yi.

The abrupt turn of events caused Zhao Biao to hastily withdraw his hand.

The newcomer was none other than Ye Yu!

Zhao Biao and his henchmen were taken aback. They had the alley completely sealed off, so how had Ye Yu managed to slip through unnoticed? It was quite the mystery!

Yet, when they got a good look at Ye Yu's stature and attire, they couldn't help but scoff.

Zhao Biao was a hefty man, tipping the scales at 240 pounds. In contrast, Ye Yu was slight and wiry, resembling a utility pole—Zhao Biao's arms were thicker than Ye Yu's waist.

Moreover, Ye Yu's clothing was beyond plain; it was downright shoddy.

He wore a faded tank top with baggy shorts, and his feet were shod in worn-out canvas shoes.

At first glance, he looked like a rag picker!

"Hey, dummy, stand aside and watch. Uncle's going to show you how to act like an adult."

In his mind, Zhao Biao dismissed Ye Yu as a simpleton. Who else would be foolish enough to interfere at such a moment? It was practically a death wish.

After speaking, Zhao Biao playfully stuck out his tongue, attempting to pull a comical face.

But to his surprise, Ye Yu swiftly moved, his hand shaping into an eagle's claw, and snatched Zhao Biao's tongue, yanking it out as if it were a rubber band.

The onlookers were stunned.

They had heard of desperate acts like a cornered rabbit attacking an eagle, but never had they imagined an "idiot" would dare to lay hands on Zhao Biao's tongue.

Zhao Biao's eyes bulged as he emitted a muffled groan of pain. He pointed at Ye Yu, trying to bluster, but the pain rendered him speechless.

Ye Yu remained calm, casually wiping his saliva-coated hand on the sole of his shoe, his face twisted in revulsion.

"Damn, you dare to strike at Brother Biao? Kid, you must be tired of living!"

Seven or eight thugs clamored to thrash Ye Yu, but Zhao Biao, with a whimper, gestured for them to back off. He wanted to personally take care of this insolent youngster.

If word got out that Zhao Biao had been bested by an unknown upstart, the reputation he'd carved out in the martial arts world over many years would be ruined, and he'd become the butt of every joke.

Today, he was determined to personally flay Ye Yu to satisfy his rage.

"This kid's been reading too many fantasy novels, thinking he's some kind of knight in shining armor!"

"Exactly. He's like a toad lusting after a swan, getting all excited about reaching for the stars. Of all people to provoke, he had to mess with Biao. Let's see if he can even make it out of here alive today!"

"Right, Biao was once the undisputed street fighting champion of the city. He could knock out a bull with a single punch. This guy's so scrawny, Biao's going to turn him into minced meat."

"Do we need to call an ambulance?"

"Forget that, call the crematorium and reserve a hearse for him!"

Zhao Biao's speech was still slurred as he bellowed, while he also raised his fist—large as a punching bag—and hurled it toward Ye Yu.

Yang Yi shut her eyes, weighed down by guilt. It looked like she wouldn't be able to walk away today, and worse, she was dragging an unfortunate wanderer she'd just met into this mess…