Chapter 70: The Conditions for Taking Action

No matter how desperately the middle-aged man pleaded, the group of robbers showed no shred of mercy. After a brutal beating, the man lay on the ground, unable to rise, weeping in utter despair.

Witnessing this, the others, though furious at heart, dared not utter a word. At this moment, everyone was focused on preserving their own lives; no one wished to invite further trouble.

“You’re not even human. Retribution will catch up with you,” Han Ruobing shouted angrily at the five men.

“Hmph, you don’t even know your own situation and still try to act the saint!” The young man with the pistol strode over. “Hand over all your money, or I’ll search you myself.”

His lecherous gaze roamed over Han Ruobing’s alluring figure, a flame of lust igniting within him. He already had a plan—after robbing the money, he’d have his way with Han Ruobing. After all, it would be a waste to let such a beauty go untouched. Especially for men like them, who were far from virtuous.

Sensing his malicious eyes, Han Ruobing took two steps back in fright.

“I told you to hand over your money. What are you backing away for?” the young man snapped impatiently.

He reached out and dragged Han Ruobing toward him, intent on searching her himself.

“Haha, Boss Cat, this girl’s not bad. Don’t forget about us brothers when the time comes!”

“Tsk tsk, beauties like this are rare. Just looking at her gets me excited. We have to enjoy her properly.”

“You guys wait your turn—I’ll go first. When I’m done, you can have her.”

“Qiangzi, that’s not fair!” the others protested.

The four other youths had already finished robbing the money and now watched as their companion pulled Han Ruobing aside. Faced with such a beauty, these beasts would never let her go. They were all desperados anyway—what did a few more crimes matter?

“Get over here, or I’ll shoot you!” The man gripped Han Ruobing’s wrist tightly, dragging her aside.

“Let go, you animals! May you die wretchedly!” Han Ruobing cursed furiously.

She struggled to break free, but her strength was no match for his. Despair flooded her heart. She looked to the bystanders, hoping someone would step forward to help her.

But no one dared move. Everyone was terrified—after all, these men were armed with guns and knives, not to be trifled with.

Guo Xiong avoided Han Ruobing’s gaze, choosing to ignore her plight. In such circumstances, his priority was preserving his own life. Though he fancied Han Ruobing, he wasn’t about to risk everything for his goddess. Besides, he stood no chance; to intervene would be suicide.

Han Ruobing’s hope faded into utter despair.

“Tough girl, aren’t you?” The man slapped Han Ruobing hard across the face. “You’d better behave, or I’ll rape you, strip you naked, and toss you onto the street.”

A bright red handprint appeared on Han Ruobing’s cheek, but she refused to yield, struggling ceaselessly.

Yang Fan watched indifferently, making no move to intervene—he was waiting for the right moment.

Everyone could only look on as Han Ruobing was dragged away.

“If you’re willing to give me that stone, I promise you’ll be safe,” Yang Fan finally spoke.

His voice was soft, yet everyone present heard him clearly.

All eyes turned to Yang Fan, puzzlement flickering within them. Was he seeking death? With the robbers armed, how could one man possibly prevail? Such bravado suggested he was mad.

A hero saving the damsel in distress? Clearly, he didn’t understand the situation.

If he were truly capable, why hadn’t he acted earlier?

They gazed at Yang Fan as if he were already a corpse—utterly oblivious to his own peril.

“Well, well, you’ve got a big mouth,” Boss Cat sneered, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. “You want to play the hero? I’ll turn you into a coward instead.”

Dragging Han Ruobing, Boss Cat swaggered over.

Yang Fan ignored him, his gaze fixed on Han Ruobing. “What do you say? If you agree, I’ll help you.”

At this point, Han Ruobing was beyond caring—she nodded hurriedly. “As long as you can save me, I’ll give you the stone.”

She couldn’t pass up even the slimmest hope. Though she doubted Yang Fan’s abilities, she had no other option, and the stone was worthless anyway.

“Damn it, I’ll cripple you first!” Boss Cat leveled his gun at Yang Fan’s forehead, finger twitching as if ready to pull the trigger.

They were only a step apart.

Yang Fan moved.

His hand struck with lightning speed—a knife-hand blow that snapped Boss Cat’s gun-wielding arm. Before Boss Cat could even scream, Yang Fan’s kick landed on his chest, shattering his breastbone and sending him flying ten meters away.

Lying on the ground, Boss Cat shrieked like a tortured wraith, his face contorted with agony.

Everyone was stunned, staring at Yang Fan in disbelief, eyes filled with awe and terror. None had seen how he attacked—before they could react, Boss Cat had been dispatched, utterly incapacitated.

“A pistol poses no threat to me—it’s nothing but scrap metal,” Yang Fan said coolly, bending the gun in his hands before tossing it aside.

When the crowd saw Yang Fan casually discard the pistol, they were shocked. Many cursed inwardly—what kind of idiot throws away a gun instead of using it?

The remaining four were dumbfounded, then exchanged glances and charged at Yang Fan with machetes.

Seeing the four men attack with blades, everyone thought Yang Fan was finished.

Yet, the next moment left the onlookers speechless with shock.

Yang Fan’s aura flared; his movements became ghostly and swift. The four attackers barely registered a blur before a tremendous force struck their chests, sending them flying with shattered ribs.

Standing before the five assailants, Yang Fan flashed a chilling smile, then stomped down, breaking both legs of each man.

Agonized screams filled the air, echoing far into the distance.

All five had been utterly crippled by Yang Fan.

The others shivered involuntarily at the sight of Yang Fan’s savagery.

Guo Xiong nearly wet himself. Remembering his earlier disrespect toward Yang Fan on the bus, he felt a surge of relief that Yang Fan hadn’t taken revenge on him.

Han Ruobing stared at Yang Fan in a daze, feeling as though she were in a dream. She couldn’t understand—why hadn’t Yang Fan acted earlier?

Suddenly, she realized he must have waited deliberately, wanting the white stone as his price. Anger flared within her—why hadn’t he acted sooner? It was too much; he had stood by indifferent while someone was beaten.

She thought Yang Fan was far too cold and heartless.

“Give me the stone,” Yang Fan said, standing before Han Ruobing and extending his hand.