Gazing at the two pale, life-or-death unknown elders lying on the ground, Han Lin was stunned. When he recognized them, a shock flashed across his face, and he exclaimed, “Hong Lie? Hong Mu? How did they end up in your hands?”
“They wanted to stop me and capture me,” Han Xue said calmly.
“Is… this his doing?” Han Lin’s face twitched, unbelievably looking at Xiao Yan, with extreme doubt in his voice. As a member of the Han family, he was extremely familiar with Hong Lie and Hong Mu, knowing full well that these two old men were genuine Battle Emperor powerhouses. Together, their fighting power was enough to match a six-star Battle Emperor. Could it be that both of them had fallen at the hands of this youth who appeared even younger than he?
“Do you think any other among us could have done this?” Han Xue seemed somewhat unimpressed with Han Lin, speaking without much politeness.
After being rebuked by Han Xue, Han Lin’s face changed between green and white for a moment before he forcibly suppressed the jealousy in his heart. If his family elders found out how he treated a family venerated, they would surely punish him.
“Hehe, I was indeed too rash earlier.” Han Lin forced an unnatural smile at Xiao Yan and then quickly turned his gaze to Han Xue, saying, “Xue mei, let’s go back to the family. The patriarch and the others are very worried about you.”
Han Xue nodded slightly, ordered her people to carry the unconscious Hong Mu back to the carriage, and then turned to Xiao Yan, whispering, “Mr. Xiao Yan, come with me. I will introduce you to the family.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. He didn’t want to get too involved in the family’s affairs, but seeing the plea in Han Xue’s eyes, he sighed and waved, saying, “Lead the way.”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s nod, Han Xue’s pretty face couldn’t help but show another sweet smile. Her coldness seemed to melt away in front of him, making the jealousy in Han Lin’s heart surge. For so many years, he had never seen this famously icy cousin treat a man like this. Moreover, what made him most wary was that the man was around the same age as she was.
But after learning about Xiao Yan’s strength, he dared not show his emotions on his face, so he could only force a smile, turn around, and lead the way with a heart full of resentment.
In Tianbei City, the Han family indeed possessed considerable strength and prestige. This could be seen from the fact that they were exempt from searches when entering the city.
The carriage slowly entered the city, and the noisy clamor immediately greeted them. Xiao Yan, who had been in the desert for several days, found it hard to adapt.
Tianbei City was no smaller than any city Xiao Yan had ever seen. Perhaps due to its well-planned layout, the city gave off a sense of grandeur. The wide streets were bustling with non-stop people, revealing the city’s vibrant energy.
The Han family was located in the southern part of Tianbei City, while the rival Hong family occupied the northern part. These two families were like the twin rulers of the city, dividing it into two distinct halves.
Of course, there were other small forces within the city, but compared to the Han and Hong families, they were insignificant, living in the cracks, looking up at these two giants.
After turning through numerous streets for nearly half an hour, Xiao Yan’s group finally stopped in front of an expansive estate.
When the carriage reached the gate, they saw many carriages parked there, all bearing the same red emblem. Seeing this, both Han Xue and Han Lin’s faces changed, and the latter, with a dark expression, said, “The Hong family people? How dare they stir up trouble here?”
“Go in!” Han Xue’s face turned cold again. She first ordered Han Chong and the others to unload the goods, then jumped off the horse and walked briskly towards the estate. After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Yan followed.
Following Han Xue into the estate, and after encountering some maidservants and asking about the situation, they learned that not long after Han Lin left, the Hong family had brought people to storm the Han family. Both sides were now entangled in the council hall.
Knowing the location, Han Xue sped up, leading Xiao Yan and Han Lin through the narrow paths to a grand drawing room. From a distance, Xiao Yan could vaguely see the many figures gathered outside the council hall.
As they approached, Han Xue gently waved her hand, leading Xiao Yan to a corner where they could see inside the council hall. Her beautiful eyes stared intently at the hall.
Xiao Yan followed her gaze, scanning the hall, and then suddenly focused on a radiant silver figure. His face instantly became dumbfounded.
“Han Yue? Why is it her? She is a member of the Han family? No wonder I found Han Xue familiar; they are sisters…”
Xiao Yan had a deep impression of this senior in the Inner Academy. He always felt a bit guilty for secretly taking away the Heart Essence she had painstakingly found. But after spending three years in the Burning Lotus Pagoda, Han Yue had already graduated and left, leaving a regret in his heart. He never expected that the first force he encountered in the Central Plain would be her family. Fate was truly unpredictable…
Inside the council hall, the atmosphere was quite tense. Many Hong family powerhouses stood with their arms crossed, coldly watching the Han family members. At their forefront was a man in green robes, about twenty-six or seven years old. Though not particularly handsome, he exuded a compelling charm, and his brows carried a hint of arrogance. And he truly had the capital to be arrogant.
“Hong Chen, you bringing people to invade my Han family is going too far. Don’t think that being a disciple of the Wind Lightning Pavilion means you can act recklessly. My Han family has stood in Tianbei City for so many years, not because we were trampled on!”
In the hall, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe spoke slowly, his tone not loud but carrying a stern authority.
“Uncle Han, there’s no need for threats. I am here to ask if our previous conditions have been answered,” the green-robed man, Hong Chen, smiled without any concern, then abruptly turned to the silver-haired woman with an unreadable expression, grinning.
“My Han family does not have the custom of two women serving one husband, and I will not allow such a thing. Your Hong family’s request, my Han family, will never agree to!”
The middle-aged man replied firmly.
“Since that’s the case, don’t blame my Hong family for being unsympathetic!” Hong Chen’s face darkened, and he sneered.
“Even if my Han family is inferior to yours, eating us will definitely break your bones and tear your muscles!” The middle-aged man glared at Hong Chen, speaking slowly and coldly.
Hong Chen snickered again, stood up, and said casually, “Perhaps Uncle Han doesn’t know, but I recently became an inner disciple of the North Pavilion of the Wind Lightning Sect.”
This statement was like a bomb dropped in the hall. Everyone’s faces changed, and even the usually calm Han Yue’s long eyelashes trembled slightly.
The middle-aged man’s eyes grew even darker, with a hint of bitterness. He hadn’t expected Hong Chen to become an inner disciple of the North Pavilion, which significantly increased his influence in the Pavilion, enhancing the Hong family’s dominance…
“Given the past friendship between the Han and Hong families, I’ll give you an opportunity. Three days later, on the Celestial Stone Platform, if your Han family can find someone of the same generation to defeat me, regardless of whether that person is from your family, my Hong family will not cause trouble for you for ten years. Of course, if you fail, Han Xue and Han Yue will be mine! What do you say?”
Seeing the Han family’s change in expression, Hong Chen laughed and continued.
Hearing this, the middle-aged man and some elders of the Han family’s faces changed slightly. Though Hong Chen was arrogant, his cultivation talent was remarkable, which caught the attention of the Wind Lightning Pavilion and led to his admission as an inner disciple. His current strength was probably at the level of a seven-star or eight-star Battle Emperor, and in the same generation, it was hard to find anyone in Tianbei City who could match him. Such a match seemed to be taking advantage.
But if they refused, the Hong family might resort to using force, and with the possible intervention of the North Pavilion, the Han family would be in dire straits…
Silence lingered in the hall for a long time before it was broken by a clear, cold voice.
“Fine, my Han family accepts. But if we lose, I’ll marry you, but not my sister!”
Hong Chen lifted his head, his gaze hotly fixed on the long silver-haired Han Yue. After a moment, he laughed, “Deal, I’ll marry the older sister first! Then, I’ll take my leave. We meet on the Celestial Stone Platform in three days!”
With those words, Hong Chen waved his hand, and a large group burst out laughing, quickly disappearing outside the courtyard.
Watching Hong Chen and the others leave, the hall remained silent. After a moment, the middle-aged man sighed, “Yue er, do you have confidence?”
“No…” Han Yue’s hands clenched slightly, and she took a deep breath, “But do we have other options? In Tianbei City, there are very few of our generation who can reach the Battle Emperor level, and no one can match Hong Chen. They are pushing our Han family into a dead end. This is the only way to gain some breathing room.”
“Who said that? I have a better candidate!” Just as Han Yue finished speaking, a clear, touching voice came from outside the hall. Everyone looked up, pleased to see Han Xue running in.
“You’re finally back, but you shouldn’t meddle in this,” the middle-aged man said affectionately, then waved, “Hong Chen has the confidence to say that, and in Tianbei City, he is almost unbeatable in his generation. Within the Han family, who could be more suitable than Han Yue?”
Without explaining, Han Xue called out, “Come in.”
Everyone in the hall looked up, curious. Was there really a better candidate?
Under everyone’s gaze, a young man in linen clothes, with a reluctant expression, stepped in. Seeing her, Han Yue stood up, and he forced a smile, “Senior Han Yue, it’s been a few years. I hope you’ve been well…”
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