After receiving the call from Yu Xuanji's clone, Gao Dafu immediately ordered his bodyguards to secure the villa's main gate, preventing anyone from intruding.
Gao Dafu was no ordinary figure in Daba Village. Despite his humble origins as a farmer, he had used his sharp intellect to learn the construction trade years ago. Within a few years, he had built his own construction team. Later, Gao Dafu expanded his ventures into the chemical industry and restaurants, eventually establishing a group of companies and becoming a local tycoon.
Money spoke volumes. In Daba Village, his villa alone occupied nearly a hundred mu of land. He also employed thirteen bodyguards, all burly and imposing, standing like iron towers. They were known collectively as the Thirteen Protectors. In addition to the guards, each was equipped with a powerful and fierce wolfhound.
Thirteen bodyguards, each leading a wolfhound, stood in a line at the villa's entrance. They all had black rubber batons tucked into their belts. As they took their positions, a dark shadow descended from the sky.
"Who's there?" one of the bodyguards shouted. The others swiftly drew their batons, ready for a fight. Who was this person, descending from the sky?
The figure landed with his hands behind his back, a cold smile on his face. "My name is Cheng Xiaofan. I've come from Wangjiang City. Tell your master to hand over Feng Ying's photograph, and all will be well." He paused, then added, "Otherwise, don't blame me for being merciless!"
"Woof woof woof..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the bodyguards noticed their wolfhounds collapsing onto the ground, their front paws clasped together, repeatedly bowing to Cheng Xiaofan. The dogs were trembling uncontrollably, clearly terrified. The thirteen bodyguards were dumbfounded. What was wrong with these dogs? Why were they so afraid of this young man?
Seeing the bodyguards frozen in place, Cheng Xiaofan roared, "Are your ears deaf? Did you hear what I just said?"
"Ah, we heard you!" Cheng Xiaofan's furious shout, like thunder, jolted the thirteen bodyguards.
Cheng Xiaofan continued, "Then why aren't you doing as I say?"
One of the bodyguards stammered, "Mr. Cheng, I'm sorry, but Gao Dafu ordered us to guard the entrance and not let anyone in. We have no choice. We're paid to obey, please forgive us!"
"Forgive your head!" Cheng Xiaofan, pressed for time, couldn't be bothered to waste more words. He thrust his right hand forward.
Boom!
A surge of dragon power erupted from his palm, sending all thirteen bodyguards flying over ten meters away. Amidst cries of pain, seven fell unconscious, while the remaining six were seriously injured, spitting blood.
As Cheng Xiaofan strode into the courtyard, Gao Dafu, having heard the commotion outside, rushed out of the villa with a group of men. Gao Dafu spotted Cheng Xiaofan immediately and shouted, "Kid, who are you? Why are you trespassing into my villa's courtyard?"
Cheng Xiaofan asked, "Are you Gao Dafu, the owner of this villa?"
Gao Dafu arrogantly replied, "That's right, I am Gao Dafu, the owner here. Do you know that people who trespass into my villa without permission usually have their legs broken!"
Cheng Xiaofan sneered, "Is that so? Whoever dares to break my legs, let them step forward!"
Gao Dafu turned to a burly man behind him. "Master Wu, go up and let this ignorant brat experience the taste of your iron fists!"
"Yes, Master Gao!" The burly man stepped out from behind Gao Dafu, flexing his fists. "Kid, if you prostrate yourself on the ground, kowtow to me three times, call me 'Master,' and then get lost, I might spare you!"
"Stop showing off in front of me!" Cheng Xiaofan sneered. "Since you're a martial artist, you should know about Withers in America, right?"
The burly man raised his head. "Of course, I know Withers. He's the world boxing champion and my idol. Why do you mention him?"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled. "The world champion you mentioned was defeated by me in Chinatown, America. He's now managing my casino in Chinatown. If even he's no match for me, what makes you think you can?"
"Ah, you, you, you... I thought you looked familiar. Could you be Cheng Xiaofan?" the burly man asked, his face paling with shock.
Cheng Xiaofan knew this guy had probably seen news online. He replied, "That's right, I am Cheng Xiaofan!"
"You are my Master, I'll kowtow to you!" The burly man immediately knelt before Cheng Xiaofan, repeatedly bowing. "I'm sorry, I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. I was wrong. I'll disappear from your sight immediately!" He kowtowed several times, then scrambled to his feet and fled the Gao family's villa compound in a flash. His actions were remarkably swift.
Gao Dafu was stunned by what he had just witnessed. That burly man was his personal bodyguard, usually capable of taking on a dozen skilled fighters. He never expected his most formidable bodyguard to be so terrified upon hearing the young man's name that he fled without a word.
"Young man, what business do you have at my Gao family's estate?" Gao Dafu recalled the female Taoist's words: if he could stall for half an hour, his son could take Feng Ying's soul away. Now, his only option was to play for time with Cheng Xiaofan. As long as his son took Feng Ying's soul, he wouldn't care how much trouble this young man caused.
Cheng Xiaofan said to Gao Dafu, "Gao, the reason I'm here is to retrieve Feng Ying's photograph. If you know what's good for you, hand over the photo immediately!"
Gao Dafu feigned ignorance. "Young man, you're confusing me. Who is Feng Ying? I've never met her. What photo do you want me to give you?"
Cheng Xiaofan saw through Gao Dafu's delaying tactics. He said sternly, "Gao Dafu, don't play dumb with me. Your son had congenital heart disease. His death has nothing to do with Feng Ying. Don't drag another innocent life down to the underworld with your son!"
"You..." Gao Dafu was instantly shocked. His son's name was Gao He, and he did indeed suffer from congenital heart disease, diagnosed more than two years ago. Doctors had warned him that his son would not live beyond ten years. Gao Dafu had kept his son's condition a secret, both from his son and from the outside world. His intention was to marry his son off while he was still alive, allowing him to experience the joys of having a wife. However, Gao Dafu never imagined his son would die before even three years had passed.
Cheng Xiaofan said, "Gao Dafu, I understand you are grieving for your son, and I don't wish to resort to force. Please hand over Feng Ying's photograph quickly."