Rumble! Crash!

Yang Yunfan sighed heavily as he saw the thunder rumble in the cloudy night sky. Lightning bolts struck the ground suddenly, they looked like silver spears piercing the Earth[1]. The weather today felt moody just like him. The rain made pitter-patter sounds against the roof of their house.

This whole month, Yang Yunfan learned the dirty tricks employed by big clans firsthand. Just after Shi Hao cruelly dumped his sister, rumors about how she was ‘already tainted’ and ‘was caught in the bed of another man’ spread across the village. It was especially bad as his sister learned about this first hand when she roamed around the village wanting to rid her mind of Shi Hao. The cruel rumors and disgusted looks had shattered her spirits and now she was holed up in her room. Sounds of sobbing and crying could be heard from time to time.

When he heard about the situation, Yang Yunfan felt as though he was going to explode! You’re tainted! Your entire family is tainted!

He wanted to go into the village and curse the entire village but he knew better than to worsen the situation. And how did the rumor spread in a single week? Of course, it was the Zu clan. How else would a rumor such as this spread? But it wasn’t just the Zu clan; the Shi family played a part in this if not the biggest part. If not for Shi Hao personally claiming he caught Yang Xin cheating, would the villagers doubt the Yang family for the words of an outsider?

Yang Yunfan never revealed the entire situation to Yang Xin and asked his mother not to as well. He feared she would end up doing something drastic. She was a carefree girl, not having experienced the harsh reality of society; how would she cope with this? When your life has always been sunshine and rainbows, it would take a miracle for you to cope when suddenly everything goes to shit!

With the Shi family personally scorning the Yang family, the villagers soon followed suit. The development of Shitou village was at its peak in Yang Yunfan’s grandfather’s era. In his father’s time, the development had slowed but it was just a hair away from being a town. But development wasn’t something people could perceive without thinking deeply and this slow development rate was even more imperceptible to the villagers. The ‘peace’ that the Shi family maintains is visible; rather the sergeant rank of the Shi family head bore greater weight.

The villagers didn’t think too deeply or rather, being the sheep they were, they followed the Shi family’s lead. The elderly who could’ve perceived the changes were either dead or fearful of the Shi family. The few who did speak up were quickly silenced with no news of them which spread more fear among the villagers.

His father, God knows where he went, had still not returned. Yang Yunfan wanted to assume the worst but seeing his mother who was calm like any other day, lessened his anxiety. But his father’s absence made Luo Mengmeng look like she aged a decade. She knew that she was a sort of spiritual pillar for the family now and couldn’t afford to panic. Yang Yunfan noticed this as well and tried to ease her worries in his own way.

His family was currently stable except for Yang Xin. Yang Ju wasn’t old enough to know or understand these things, so he could let her be. But he kept her inside the house, fearing what would happen if she would stray outside.

Yang Yunfan mostly spent his time with Yang Xin, consoling and accompanying her. The rumors kept on getting worse and so, he confined her within the house as well. If those rumors entered her ears, Yang Yunfan fears she might take her life.

Luo Mengmeng was calm but worried. The wrinkles on her face seemed to have deepened. Aside from decreasing her workload, massaging her, or keeping her company, Yang Yunfan couldn’t do a thing. Her worries stemmed from his father’s absence and there was nothing he could do about that.

The village as a whole was isolating the Yang family. The various vendors would hesitate to sell them anything and even if they did, they would sell them the rotten things. This also escalated gradually and at one point, the villagers didn’t even bother to conceal their mockery and disdain of them. It came to a point where they had to ask the employees of their father’s merchant group to bring them groceries. The loyalty of the employees gave them some sliver of hope.

Having finished reminiscing about the ups and downs of the past month, Yang Yunfan turned around to look at his sister whose eyes were looking a bit dim. Walking over to her, he sat in front of her on the bed. Grabbing her hands, Yang Yunfan looked at her, “Big sis, please cheer up! It’s not like you to keep on being sad like this!”

She did not respond and slowly looked up at him with her black eyes. Yang Yunfan continued, “It’s already been a month. If you feel that bad, I’ll ask father to move us away!”

Yang Xin suddenly started to tear up. Amidst her sobs, she stammered, “B-But, they called me a s-slut. How can I face them?” It seemed as though it pained her immensely to say those words.

Yang Yunfan shook his head, “That’s just what those bastards say! Does that mean you really are one? Tell me, are you?”

“N-No!” she hurriedly shook her head, denying that claim with all she had.

“That’s good!” he smiled. “As long as you believe in yourself, not even a thousand words will hurt you!”

It seemed Yang Yunfan’s smile was contagious as Yang Xin finally started smiling. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at him intently. Yang Yunfan sat there with a smile. If it would ease her mind, he had no qualms sitting still for hours.

Yang Xin reached out her hands and started pinching his cheeks before kneading his face. After a while, she sighed heavily, “You really are too handsome! Stay loyal to Qiqi!”

“What?” Yang Yunfan felt flabbergasted. How did Qiqi come into this?

“Don’t try to deny it!” She looked at him with a knowing look, “She likes you!”

“I…” For a while, he couldn’t find any words to refute her. He exhaled, “Even if she likes me, I’ll think about it when we grow up.”

“Hmm?” she looked at him with a menacing look. “Is it because of White Eclipse?”

“Absolutely not! She’s pretty even with them!” As soon as he finished speaking, he saw his sister look at him with a teasing look. Realizing what he had just said, his face scrunched up in embarrassment.

“Haha!” his sister giggled. Seeing his sister’s laugh, he smiled as well.

“AHHH!!” a shrill scream reached their ears. The siblings’ eyes widened in alarm. Yang Yunfan looked at his sister and stood up, “Stay here! Let me go see what happened.”

“But-!” Yang Xin wanted to refute because that sounded like their mother’s voice.

“No buts! Stay here!” he ordered sternly before running off.

It sounded like it came from the front! Thinking anxiously, he ran towards the living room. As soon as he burst into the living room, his jaw slackened and he looked at the sight with gaping eyes.

His father was here. B-But he was wounded and bloody! His mother was looking at Yang Kai with horror in her eyes. Yang Ju was in his mother’s eyes but was covering her eyes with her chubby hands.

“W-What happened?” He rushed up to his father and noticed the stack of a book in his hands which were dyed with blood as well.

“This is not the time to explain!” Yang Kai started pacing around anxiously.

“Then when is the time to explain!?” Luo Mengmeng complained. Just what in the heavens had happened for her husband to be so worried?

“Stop speaking!” Yang Kai yelled. “Just do as I said-!”

Knock! Knock!

But before he could speak any further, they heard violent knocks coming from the front door. Yang Kai looked at the door with a frightened expression while the rest were confused.

Yang Jai turned towards his family, “Fan’er, take Ju’er!”

Seeing his father anxious like never before, Yang Yunfan did as he asked without hesitating. Taking Yang Ju from his mother, he looked at his father with a grim expression. Just what the hell happened!?

“Take your mother and hide!” Yang Kai persuaded them.

“I understand!” Yang Yunfan nodded and pulled on his mother’s arm but she wasn’t budging.

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Yang Kai saw this as well, so he folded his hands and pleaded, “Meng’er, please leave!”

“No!” She folded her arms across her chest. “Regardless of who it’s out there, they dare not lay a hand on a daughter of the Luo clan!”

Looking at his wife’s, Yang Kai sighed in resignation. He knew his wife the best; with her like this, it’d take a miracle to change her mind. He then looked at his son, “Go! Hide with your sisters!”

Yang Yunfan hesitated but not for long. With Yang Ju in his arms, he ran out of the living room.

Crash!

“Ahh!”

Just as he had left, he heard something smashing and his mother’s screams. Gritting his teeth, he ran to Yang Xin’s room when she saw the latter coming towards him.

“Why’re you running?” she asked worriedly.

“Don’t talk, come with me!” he grabbed her hand and led her into her room, and closed the door behind.

“W-What are you doing?” Yang Xin asked, this time a bit afraid seeing Yang Yunfan’s grave expression.

“I don’t know.” he shook his head and looked for a hiding place. “Father didn’t explain shit to me! But it’s most probably the Zu clan.” He rushed towards his sister’s dress closet and opened it. Seeing that there was enough space, he took both of his sisters and hid inside.

“Zu clan?” Yang Xin wasn’t that well aware and asked.

“Shh!” Yang Yunfan covered her mouth and whispered, “We’re in danger! So, stop talking.”

Yang Xin shut her mouth as they hid inside the dark closet. Yang Yunfan had already covered Yang Ju’s mouth and was silently coaxing her.

Back in the living room, Yang Kai stood in front of Luo Mengmeng as they slowly cowered backward from the group of vicious-looking men in front of them. They had swords and sabers sheathed on their waists and emitted bloodthirsty auras.

“Who are you people and why have you barged into our room!?” Yang Kai screamed.

“Stop playing the fool! That ledger in your hands-” a man with grey hair pointed at the set of books in Yang Kai’s hands “-should tell us who we are!” The man had a bloody aura emanating from him which made people shiver instinctively. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye.

“Storm Wolf Bandits!” Yang Kai snarled and looked at the grey-haired man, “Liu Chengfeng!”

“Good of you to know!” Liu Chengfeng chuckled. He then looked at them with a menacing smile and grabbed Yang Kai by the collar, “Regardless, you’ll die tonight!”

“What are you doing!?” Luo Mengmeng tries to come forward and grab her husband. But before she could, Liu Chengfeng throws Yang Kai into the hands of his men and stopped her.

He sneered, “Don’t pull the family card on us! We know all about you, disowned daughter of the Luo family. I don’t know how you have the gall to still bear the name ‘Luo’?”

“You-!” Luo Mengmeng felt appalled. Liu Chengfeng restrained her by the hands and with a lecherous look in his eyes, he said, “But that’s better. The disappearance of a woman without a surname makes our job much easier!”

The group of bandits holding Yang Kai sniggered.

“Whoo~ boss! This old guy also has two daughters, you must let them have us!” one of the younger bandits yelled out.

Liu Chengfeng laughed heartily, “Of course, but only after I’m done with them. I heard that the older one is quite the beauty!” The bandits erupted into cheers and laughs.

“Don’t you dare!” Yang Kai roared and tried to rush forward but the bandits kept a firm hold on him.

“Ho?” Liu Chengfeng looked at him mockingly and then directed his gaze back to Luo Mengmeng, “Let’s show him whether I dare or not!” He then looked back to his lackeys, “Little Huo and two of you stay here. The rest of you, search for those brats!”

“Yes!” the bandits replied in unison and did as their boss asked. Soon, three bandits remained in the room. Two held onto Yang Kai while the remaining, Little Huo stood by the side. Yang Kai looked at Little Huo and felt like strangling someone. You call him ‘Little’ Huo? Where’s the 'little'? This fucker’s massive!

Indeed, Little Huo was massive at a staggering 2 meters tall. His muscles bulged on his body and his thighs were as wide as Yang Yunfan’s body.

“Little Huo, come here!” Liu Chengfeng beckoned.

“Yes, boss!” Little Huo had a deep voice and looked a little dumb. But the smell of blood emanating from his saber was in no way to be overlooked.

After he walked over, Liu Chengfeng shoved Luo Mengmeng over to him and said, “She’s all yours!”

Grabbing onto her, Little Huo licked his lips lecherously and said, “Thanks, boss!” He looked at the fearful Luo Mengmeng and pushed her down.

“Stop!” Yang Kai roared. Hearing his pleas, Liu Chengfeng chuckled and walked towards him, “Why should we? You’re already going to die, at least let the future widow come to use!”

Yang Kai looked at them in horror before hanging his head in resignation and pleaded, “Please s-stop…”

“That’s it!” Liu Chengfeng reassured him mockingly, “Don’t worry, I’ll tell Little Huo to be gentler.”

“You…” Yang Kai felt a lump in his throat and couldn’t speak.

“Little Huo, don’t be-” but before he could turn around, he heard a roar, “YOU BITCH!”

Thud!

Luo Mengmeng’s decapitated head fell to the ground, the shock on her face still visible as the light in her eyes extinguished.

“You…” Liu Chengfeng looked at Little Huo in shock.

“I…uh…” it seemed Little Huo also came back to reality. He scratched his head awkwardly and looked at his boss, “She scratched me…”

Liu Chengfeng looked at Little Huo’s face. There was blood coming out of two scratch marks from his face.

“You…” Liu Chengfeng pinched his brows from all the exasperation he felt. He then turned around and tried to apologize, “Look man, I’m so so-”

But he couldn’t even finish his words when he saw Yang Kai looking at his wife’s corpse lifelessly. He was broken.

“Haah~” Liu Chengfeng sighed, “Looks like my fun ends here.” He unsheathed his sword and with a swift swing decapitated Yang Kai. Even as Yang Kai’s head rolled on the ground, his lifeless expression didn’t change. The already dim light in his eyes was no more!

A Few Minutes Earlier.

Yang Yunfan was still hiding in the closet in his sister’s room. Trying to control his breathing, he couldn’t hear the noises in the other room feeling anxious and afraid. Rubbing his jade pendant, he calmed himself and reduced his breathing.

Thump! Thump!

Heavy footsteps sounded from outside the room. He felt his older sister shivering beside him.

“Hold Yang Ju,” Yang Yunfan passed Yang Ju to his older sister.

Kachak!

The door opened. Yang Yunfan’s pupils dilated. Someone had come inside! Yang Xin had covered her mouth with her hand to not make any sound. Yang Yunfan’s calmed himself down and got ready.

The bandit who came inside looked around the room and laid his eyes on the closet. He smiled sinisterly and headed straight to the closet. Grabbing hold of both handles, he swung the door opened, “Found you-!”

Bam!

“Ahhh!” Yang Yunfan had sent a jab straight to the bandit’s crotch. Upon impact, the bandit’s face scrunched up like a prune and he bent forwards like a shrimp before falling to the ground with a scream.

“Over there!” a scream came from outside the room which alerted the other bandits.

“Shit!” Yang Yunfan grabbed his sister’s and ran towards the window in his sister’s room.

“Go now!” Yang Yunfan gestured the other two to go out the window. As they left through the window, Yang Yunfan got ready to climb when the sounds of rushed footsteps sounded just outside the room.

“Stop right now!” a bandit shouted at him from the door. Yang Yunfan said nothing and leaped out the window.

He saw his sisters standing anxiously outside before grabbing their hands and started running. The rain battered their bodies as they ran down the hill. The moon hid behind the clouds making it hard to see anything in the darkness, though that played to the advantage of Yang Yunfan. Living here for 8 years, he knew this small hill like the back of his hand.

“I found them!” they heard a shout from the left and panicked. It seems like the bandits were well experienced with such a situation.

Yang Yunfan continued down the hill with his sisters and the bandit’s pursued them. Amidst the rain, many of them slipped on the mud before getting up and chasing again, reducing their speed.

The siblings were almost at the foot of the hill when he felt his grasp on his sister slip. Looking back, he saw his sister fall on the floor.

“Ahh!” Yang Xin exclaimed.

Yang Yunfan came forward and helped her, “Shit! Don’t tell me you sprained your ankle!”

Yang Xin was dumbfounded, “How did you know?”

Yang Yunfan clenched his aching chest. Is this the damn time?

“Get up!” he tried to pull her up. But she shook her arm away.

“No,” she shook her head and smiled helplessly, “I’ll only drag you down. Take Yang Ju and run.” She pointed at Yang Ju who had been scared silent all this time.

“No! Are you crazy?” he denied, “If I did that, what kind of a brother would I be?”

“The kind who listens to his sister,” Yang Xin kept on smiling but a tear still rolled down her face.

“You-!” Yang Yunfan wanted to dissuade her but a shout cut off his pleas, “They’re over there!”

“Go!” Yang Xin pushed him away sternly.

Yang Yunfan grit his teeth as his eyes reddened, “Don’t worry! I’ll come back no matter how long it takes!”

“I know you will…”

Yang Yunfan grabbed Yang Ju and turned around. “Ahh!” he got startled and stumbled backward before falling. T-The will o’ wisp had appeared in front of him!

“Fan’er, what are you doing?” Yang Xin screamed.

“I…” he wanted to point to the wisp but a large hand grabbed his neck, “Got you brat!”

“Ahh!” Yang Xin’s frightened screams could be heard from behind him. Yang Yunfan struggled to look behind and saw the bandit he had punched in the crotch earlier looking at him with a livid expression. Yang Yunfan shifted his gaze to his older sister only to see her being restrained by another bandit looking at her with a lecherous expression. The bandit jeered, "The Storm Wolves have found another helpless lamb!"

“Let her go, you fuckers!” Yang Yunfan roared and struggled furiously. The bandit who held onto him slapped him and smiled, “Oh? What will you do if we don’t?”

“If I somehow live through this, I’ll slaughter every one of you bastards!” Yang Yunfan vowed.

“Unfortunately, you’re not going to live through this,” the bandit unsheathed his blade. “This is for before!” The bandit placed the blade on Yang Yunfan’s neck and sliced!

Puchi!

The blade penetrated his skin, leaving behind a long and deep wound. Blood spurted out from his neck. The bandit let go of him and backed away, watching the dying Yang Yunfan with an amused expression. Yang Yunfan grabbed his neck to stop the bleeding. The power in his limbs was leaving quickly.

He looked at Yang Xin only to see her looking at him with a hysterical and disbelieving expression. He couldn’t hear her. She seemed to be screaming something. But he couldn’t hear her; rather everything seemed to sound muffled. The howling wind, the deafening thunder, or the battering rain, he couldn’t hear any of it. He reached his bloody left hand out to Yang Xin but he couldn’t keep that up for long before his hand fell back limply. He didn’t want to walk anymore. He felt tired, incredibly tired. He fell to his knees but didn’t stop looking at his sister. She still looked hysterical and struggled furiously in the arms of the bandit restraining her.

He smiled weakly. I’m still here…don’t…cry…

He fell to the ground. His eyes stayed on Yang Xin as they lost their light rapidly. He saw the bandits take both his sisters away as his vision darkened.

Blood pooled beneath his head as his hand finally let go of his neck. I…hope you…find a…way…out…of…

The light in his eyes extinguished. Yang Yunfan laid in the mud as the rain battered his body and washed away the blood. Unseen to anyone, the blue will o’ wisp appeared above Yang Yunfan before diving straight towards his chest.

In the year 1586, Yang Yunfan aged 9, died.