Chapter 20: Don’t Rush, One at a Time

Just as Su Yifan returned home, he noticed his parents were nowhere to be seen. He was about to head to his room when—

“Young master, you’re back.”
A Su family bodyguard approached him.

“What is it? Is something wrong?” Su Yifan asked, noticing the tension on the man’s face.

“Young master, these past two days, many people have been investigating our family. The main ones are the police and the military,” the bodyguard replied truthfully.

Su Yifan’s eyes flickered, and he fell into thought. The police investigating the Su family was understandable, but the military? Was this the backing behind the Wang family?

“Do my parents know about this?” Su Yifan asked.

“Not yet, young master. We were waiting for the master to return before reporting it.”

“Don’t tell them about this,” Su Yifan instructed. “From now on, your primary task is to protect the Su family. Report matters like this directly to me.”

“But young master…” The bodyguard hesitated, wanting to say more.

Su Yifan cut him off with a glance. “My parents are already exhausted managing the company. Knowing about this won’t help them; it’ll only add to their worries.”

He hadn’t planned to explain, but these men were the most loyal in the Su household—some softness was necessary.

After hearing him, the bodyguard understood the young master’s intentions and nodded. “Yes, young master. We know what to do.”

Su Yifan nodded in satisfaction. Then he asked, “By the way, how far have you four progressed in your training?”

“Young master, ever since we took your pills, our bodies have strengthened greatly, and our cultivation speed has increased. Now we’re all at the peak of the Body Refinement stage, just one step away from breaking through to External Power practitioners,” the bodyguard said proudly.

Just two days ago, all four of them were only at the late stage of Body Refinement. In less than two days they had reached the peak. The pills the young master gave them were miraculous!

Su Yifan shook his head. “Your strength is still too weak. If an External Power practitioner at the early stage appears, you might manage a fight. But if your opponent is at the middle stage, even together you’re no match. Where are the other three?”

The bodyguard’s pride faded at his words. So this was still slow?

“They’re all outside, young master.”

“Go call them in,” Su Yifan ordered.

The bodyguard was puzzled—what was the young master planning? Though unsure, he obeyed.

Soon, all four Su family bodyguards assembled, exchanging confused glances.

Su Yifan stood before them. “All of you are too weak. If a formidable enemy comes, you’ll be beaten. For the Su family’s safety, I’ll help you improve your strength now.”

Before the four could react, Su Yifan pressed his sword-formed fingers against one bodyguard’s forehead. In the next moment, a stream of spiritual energy flowed from his fingertips into the man’s body, causing a tingling, pleasant sensation.

The energy circulated throughout the bodyguard, expanding his fragile meridians. Su Yifan controlled the force precisely, knowing their meridians were delicate.

In less than five minutes, the bodyguard’s meridians were strengthened several times over, and some blocked pathways were cleared. When it was done, Su Yifan withdrew his hand, having completed the process smoothly.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

The bodyguard checked himself, and his eyes went wide with disbelief. “Young master, I’ve… I’ve broken through, and it’s to the middle stage of External Power!”

What?

The other three stared at him intently.

“You’re serious? You really broke through?” one asked.

The bodyguard nodded, excited. “It’s true, I really broke through!”

He felt full of strength—he could punch a bull to death without trouble.

Hearing this, the others finally believed him, their hearts racing. What sort of divine method was this? Helping someone break through in mere minutes! The young master was incredible!

Su Yifan smiled at their stunned reactions. “Don’t rush, one at a time.”

Soon, in about ten minutes, the other three received the same treatment. All four had their bodies enhanced, especially their meridians, which were several times stronger.

Now, all four had reached the middle stage of External Power.

“Thank you, young master!”
The four knelt on one knee, hands clasped in gratitude.

“Get up! You’re grown men, don’t kneel at every turn,” Su Yifan said with a glance. “If you wish to thank me, then protect every member of the Su family well. Also, you’ve just taken the Body Tempering Pill—while the effects last, train hard. If anyone dares slack off, they won’t stay in the Su family.”

Strength matters most, always. Though his own power was strong, he couldn’t protect everyone alone—he needed people to share the burden. These men might not be exceptionally talented, but with effort and the aid of his pills, they could become formidable in time.

“Rest assured, young master! We four shall not disappoint you!”
They spoke in unison.

Their young master had saved their lives, given them pills, and now helped them advance. They would give their all, even their lives, to repay him.

“All right, go about your work,” Su Yifan said, and departed.

…

He had just returned to his room when—

“Ding!”
His phone chimed.

Su Yifan took out his phone and saw a friend request on WeChat. He tapped to find a note: Han Qingqing.

Without hesitation, he accepted.

Just as he was about to set his phone aside—

“Ding—”
Another message.

He opened it—Han Qingqing had sent a note.

“Brother Yifan, you were so handsome today!” (followed by a cheeky emoji)

Su Yifan smiled and replied.

“How did your school leaders handle today’s incident?”

Not ten seconds later, Han Qingqing responded.

“The school leaders are investigating, but we don’t know the outcome yet.”

Seeing the message, Su Yifan didn’t reply further and put down his phone.

But barely three seconds had passed when Han Qingqing sent another message.

“Brother Yifan, um… do you have a girlfriend?” (followed by a shy emoji)

Just as Su Yifan was about to answer, his sister Su Meng messaged him.

“Brother, just ignore her, that gossipmonger.”

Su Yifan: …

…