Chapter 10: You Beast

"Young master... please stop! Allow me to go ahead and announce your arrival!" As soon as he reached the fourth floor, the beautiful attendant summoned the courage to step forward and block Jiang Fan’s path.

She had changed both the way she addressed him and how she referred to herself, not daring to show the slightest disrespect. Even though Jiang Fan appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen years old, his ferocity had been deeply etched into her mind.

"You dare to block me?" Jiang Fan said coldly, pushing her aside without a shred of pity. In a place like the Daxuan Inn, which of the female attendants hadn't been exploited countless times? It was likely that even her first time had been taken by Deacon Ling himself.

To Jiang Fan, this was simply the reality of the situation; after all, people had to make a living, and it was their own choice. Or perhaps she had been forced into this life—but to him, it made no difference.

"Young master... you... you cannot go in there..." Though the attendant was anxious and terrified, she dared not try to stop him again.

Jiang Fan strode directly toward the only three rooms on the floor. Two of them stood open, and it was clear that Deacon Ling must be inside the only one that remained closed. Outside this door stood two black-uniformed guards, scanning their surroundings with vigilant eyes.

"Are they up to no good in there?" As Jiang Fan approached, he heard a young girl’s voice pleading for mercy, filled with fear and humiliation.

"Please... please let me go! Wuwuwu..."

"My dear, just submit to me! I promise that as long as you yield, from this day forward, as long as you serve the guests here at the Daxuan Inn properly, I will ensure you never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of your life." Deacon Ling’s voice followed, dripping with the greed of a starving wolf.

"Wuwuwu... I, I don't want to stay at the Daxuan Inn to serve guests. I want to go home, wuwuwu... please... please let me go..." The girl’s terrified pleas and her tears were heart-wrenching.

"Let you go? My men went to great lengths to capture you! I can let you go, sure—pay me ten taels of silver for their trouble, and I’ll release you." Deacon Ling spoke coldly.

"I... I have no money!" the girl sobbed pitifully.

*Slap!*

Deacon Ling struck her across the face, leaving a clear handprint and knocking her to the floor.

"If you just cooperated, you wouldn't have to suffer. You force me to use violence, which is just asking for it! But no matter, now, let me show you how I treat my favorites!" Deacon Ling began his next move, forcefully tearing at the girl's clothes.

Outside the door, Jiang Fan grabbed a chair from the adjacent room and charged toward the two brawny guards.

"Damn you bastards! I’m going to end you today!" Jiang Fan activated his "Damage Transfer" ability and ferociously attacked the two men.

"Kid, what do you think you're doing?"

"Brat, you dare to strike?"

*Bam! Bam! Bam!*

Jiang Fan didn't give the guards a chance to react. He swung the long bench with a strength far exceeding that of an ordinary adult, delivering a terrifying blow to one of the men. After seven or eight heavy strikes, the guard was knocked unconscious.

The second guard pulled out a large machete and slashed at Jiang Fan. Within moments, Jiang Fan was struck three times. Yet, he didn't have a single scratch, nor did he feel any pain. Meanwhile, Old Demon Xu, who was busy adjusting his state, suddenly opened his eyes and roared in agony: "Argh... damn it, again... I..."

"I'm going to finish you!" Jiang Fan swung the bench again, unleashing a flurry of attacks on the stunned guard. A few more strikes left him unconscious, with a massive lump rising on his head.

*Boom!*

Ignoring the two guards, Jiang Fan kicked the door open and saw the shocking scene inside. The girl was nearly stripped bare, her fair skin exposed, and the room was filled with an atmosphere that no man could resist.

Deacon Ling, in the middle of his assault, jumped up in shock.

"Who the hell are you? How dare you ruin my fun?" Deacon Ling drew the long blade hanging by the bed. It shimmered with a cold, icy light, and a strong, murderous aura radiated from him. He looked like a furious beast, ready to tear his enemy apart.

"You don't even know who I am? Then how did your lackeys dare to lay a hand on me?" Jiang Fan said coldly, holding the large machete he had snatched from the guard outside.

Deacon Ling looked quite different from what Jiang Fan had imagined. He had expected a middle-aged man or perhaps an elder, but the man before him appeared to be in his twenties or thirties. To possess the strength of a Houtian martial artist at such a young age meant his status was likely significant—which, to Jiang Fan, was excellent news.

"You... are you Jiang Fan, the disciple of that 'Immortal' Xu?" Deacon Ling’s expression turned mocking. He sneered, "If Immortal Xu himself had come, I would naturally treat him with respect. But you? You are merely an insignificant disciple of his. And you... you dare to come to my Daxuan Inn to cause trouble? It seems if I don't teach you a lesson, you won't know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

"Perfect. You are a beast who forces women into prostitution! I’ve been looking forward to dealing with you!" Jiang Fan gripped his machete, his eyes filled with ferocity. "Your lackeys were too weak. I just hope you’re a bit more useful. Don’t disappoint me."

"It seems my men have all been dealt with by a little animal like you! But they were just trash. I am a Houtian martial artist; I am not to be compared with such garbage!" Deacon Ling sneered. "If you had followed the rules, I might have entertained you properly, perhaps even waived your costs! But you made a grave mistake—you drove away the honored guests of my inn and caused a scene... Though I won't kill you because of your special status, I must teach you a lesson today so you learn to keep your tail between your legs."

With that, Deacon Ling held his precious blade, his Houtian aura erupting outward. A gust of wind stirred around him, confirming that his strength was not to be underestimated. With a sinister grin, he lunged at Jiang Fan.

"Do you think I’m afraid of you?" Jiang Fan raised his machete and charged to meet him.