Chapter 71: Interception

Looking at Yang Fan before her, Han Ruobing felt a surge of anger in her heart, thinking he was utterly despicable. He could have easily subdued the five men, yet he purposely delayed, obviously with an ulterior motive—his eyes were set on the white jade.

"You're truly hateful," Han Ruobing said bitterly, showing no fear toward Yang Fan.

Zhu Xiaomei, seeing her forthright friend daring to scold Yang Fan, was startled. She had just witnessed Yang Fan ruthlessly cripple five robbers, his methods fierce and lacking any pity.

Many people were silently worrying for Han Ruobing.

Yang Fan did not get angry; instead, he shrugged and remarked, "I’ve never claimed to be a good person. I only do things that benefit me. I have no interest in pointless affairs."

He understood Han Ruobing’s implication, but cared little. His goal from the start had been to obtain the Cold Jade Stone.

Seeing Yang Fan’s shameless demeanor, Han Ruobing felt an urge to hit him.

“Hurry up and hand me the stone. I have no patience to keep talking,” Yang Fan said calmly.

If Han Ruobing dared to go back on her word, he would show no mercy.

Without another word, Han Ruobing took the white stone from her backpack and handed it to Yang Fan. She felt certain this white stone was no ordinary rock and must possess some quality that caught Yang Fan’s attention.

Han Ruobing sensed that Yang Fan’s exceptional skills meant he was someone formidable.

Yang Fan received the Cold Jade Stone and put it away.

“All right, hurry and retrieve your money. Get on the bus and leave,” Yang Fan instructed the others, then walked toward the vehicle.

Everyone had kept still, but now, hearing Yang Fan, they began searching for their stolen wallets and phones.

They felt lucky; had Yang Fan not intervened, all their possessions would have been lost.

Especially the middle-aged man, who boarded the bus and immediately thanked Yang Fan.

Yang Fan merely waved him off without a word.

Once everyone was aboard, the driver quickly started the bus and drove away.

As for the five battered robbers, they still lay on the ground, though someone had already called the police, who would arrive soon.

After the bus departed, the young man known as Cat Bro pulled out his phone and dialed a number with difficulty.

“Boss, our legs have been broken. Hurry and send someone, or the police will take us away,” Cat Bro said weakly.

His arm and both legs had been shattered by Yang Fan—he was nearly crippled.

Recovery would take a long time.

“Damn it, what happened? Wasn’t it just a simple robbery? How did you end up ruined?” came an angry voice over the phone. “Where are those people?”

“They boarded the bus and left. It’s bus number 985,” Cat Bro replied, giving the bus’s number.

“Wait there. I’ll send people. Damn, someone dares to mess with my men on my turf—they must have a death wish,” the voice cursed furiously.

Yang Fan and the others had made a mistake—they didn’t stay to wait for the police, giving Cat Bro a chance to contact his boss.

Yang Fan himself avoided staying because he didn’t want unnecessary trouble. If the police arrived, he would likely have to follow them to the station for a statement.

No one was willing to remain; everyone wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

The bus moved slowly toward Mayuan District. After about ten minutes, a large truck suddenly barreled out ahead, blocking the road.

The entire street was sealed off; the bus could not move forward.

“What’s going on? Who parked a truck in the middle of the road? Are they idiots?” a passenger cursed upon seeing the obstruction.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” a man said nervously.

Everyone’s faces changed at those words.

Then, another large truck came up behind, blocking their retreat.

“Another robbery!” someone cried out in terror.

Seeing the situation, everyone’s first reaction was that they were about to be hijacked.

More than fifty people got off the trucks, wielding machetes and iron pipes, surrounding the bus.

A man in his thirties strode in front, his upper body bare, covered in tattoos.

He held a pistol and pointed it at the driver. “Open the door! Everybody get off!”

The driver turned pale with fright.

“Damn it, you dare mess with my Hongyuan men? You must have guts! Don’t you know this area belongs to Hongyuan?” the tattooed man shouted arrogantly.

“Hongyuan—these people are gangsters, the local tyrants of Mayuan District.”

“So those five earlier were Hongyuan men. We’re done for.”

“What now? They have numbers and weapons—machetes and guns.”

The passengers were gripped by terror, uncertain what to do.

Hearing the name Hongyuan, some recognized it as a notorious crime syndicate rampant in Mayuan District.

“Bring out the one who can fight, or I’ll burn the bus and send you all to hell!” the tattooed man threatened fiercely.

Everyone turned their gaze to Yang Fan, their expressions conflicted.

It was clear to all that Hongyuan was here for revenge against Yang Fan.

If he got off, there was only one fate—death by a hail of blades.

“Maybe you should go. Don’t drag us all down,” a passenger said to Yang Fan, now thinking only of his own survival.

The others watched Yang Fan, each hoping he would face them alone and not implicate everyone else.

After all, it was a matter of life and death.

Yang Fan gazed coldly at the crowd, his eyes icy.

Human nature was truly laid bare by these people.

“You’re shameless! Why should he go?” Han Ruobing couldn’t stand it anymore and scolded the others. “If not for him, would you still be safe here?”

Her words brought blushes of shame to their faces, and no one dared retort.

“Damn it, I told you to open the door!” the tattooed man fired a shot at the bus, cursing.

The passengers screamed, ducking and covering their heads in fear.

“Open the door,” Yang Fan stood up and told the driver.

“Are you crazy? You’ll be killed if you go out,” Han Ruobing tried to stop him.

Though Yang Fan could fight, their opponents were many and armed—even he would be courting death.

“If I don’t go, all of you will burn to death,” Yang Fan glanced at Han Ruobing and spoke coolly.

Fifty men—he was not afraid. Even with guns, what could they do?

He was now in the middle stage of Qi Refinement, his strength formidable and speed swift enough to dodge bullets.

As long as he subdued the tattooed man, everything would be resolved.

Han Ruobing was left speechless, looking at Yang Fan with complicated emotions.

Though she had disliked him, at this moment, that feeling faded.

Yang Fan was willing to risk his life for everyone, which touched her deeply.

The driver pressed the button and opened the door.

Just as Yang Fan was about to get off, the sound of police sirens blared from behind.

“Boss, the police are coming!” a henchman ran up to the tattooed man and shouted.

Upon hearing the approach of the police, the driver quickly closed the door and ducked inside the bus.

“Damn it, just wait—you’ll pay for this!” the tattooed man cursed, ordering his men to drive away.

As the gangsters left, the passengers inside breathed a sigh of relief.

The police soon arrived, asked some questions, then sped off in pursuit of the fleeing tattooed man.