C9 Young Master Jian

Inside the private room, Shen Xuan stood before Han Dao, his hands striking the sides of Han Dao's forehead.

Previously seething with murderous intent, Han Dao now stood frozen, his expression blank and his pupils dilating slowly.

The room fell into a deathly hush.

Flanking Han Dao were four of the Han family's guards, exchanging uncertain glances, unsure of how to react.

They were all aware of Han Dao's formidable strength, and Shen Xuan appeared frail by comparison. It seemed impossible that he could pose any threat to Han Dao.

The Su family's manager, who had been clutching his forehead and backing out, sensed that something was amiss with the noise inside. He returned just in time to witness the unfolding scene.

Onlookers gaped at Shen Xuan, their eyes wide with astonishment.

"Kill me? You think you're worthy?"

Shen Xuan gazed up at Han Dao, who towered over him by half a head, and let out a light chuckle. Then, he removed his hands and delivered a palm strike to Han Dao's chest, sending him stumbling back into the arms of the Han family guards.

The tremendous force made it a struggle for the three guards to catch him.

"Young Master, Young Master!"

The guards propped up Han Dao, desperately trying to rouse him, but it was futile; he was as unresponsive as a corpse.

"Save your efforts. He's as good as dead now."

Shen Xuan dusted off his hands, speaking with a nonchalant tone. Moments before, he had channeled a burst of energy through his palms into Han Dao's brain, scrambling his nerves. Although he appeared unharmed on the outside, he was now effectively a mindless shell, a living dead man.

"Shen! Young Master Shen, what should we..."

The shopkeeper's mouth twitched as he spoke, at a loss for what to do next.

"Tell them it was my doing."

With that, Shen Xuan ushered Shen Xiaomei out of the room. As they departed, no one dared to intervene.

Shen Xuan's actions had left an indelible impression on all who witnessed it. How could this seemingly delicate young man so effortlessly incapacitate a warrior of Han Dao's caliber, a half-step Martial General? The rumors that the Young Patriarch of the Shen family was useless were clearly unfounded.

"Brother, you've injured Han Dao. The Han family won't let this go. Shouldn't we leave Emergence City for now?"

Seated in her wheelchair, Shen Xiaomei voiced her concerns to Shen Xuan. She understood the Han family's might all too well and feared the repercussions of staying.

"Little sister, you've grown up. There's no need to fear. The Han family isn't capable of touching us."

Shen Xuan reassured her with a smile, cherishing the concern she showed for him.

As they reached the restaurant's main hall, a line of guards filed in. These were no ordinary guards; clad in flying fish robes with broadswords at their waists, they exuded a strength surpassing that of the Han family's own guards. Each one was a Martial Master, with half of them at the Advanced Rank.

Following them, two young men entered.

One, dressed in a white and gold feathered robe and holding a feather fan, exuded an air of elegance. The other was Han Feng, the Young Patriarch of the Han family.

"Young Master Jian, this way, please."

Han Feng was deferential in the presence of the young man.

"Judging by what I've seen, the Han family just barely meets the mark. I'll inform the Sect Master upon our return, and you may be considered for affiliation with the Sword Sect."

The young man spoke with a casual flick of his feather fan.

"Mr. Xie, Mr. Xie."

Han Feng's heart swelled with elation upon hearing Young Master Jian's words. With the support of the Sword Sect, the Han family's ascent to power was imminent.

Yet, in that very moment, he sensed a familiar presence. Whirling around, he caught sight of Shen Xuan ushering Shen Xiaomei into the tavern's main hall.

"Is that you?"

"Please hold a moment, Young Master. I must deal with a matter first."

With that, Han Feng strode briskly into the hall, confronting Shen Xuan.

"What brings you here?"

Han Feng was taken aback; he hadn't expected anyone to have the audacity to cause trouble here. Besides, he had tasked Han Dao with clearing out the tavern beforehand. How had this happened?

"Where is Han Dao?"

A sense of foreboding washed over Han Feng as he faced Shen Xuan. He had witnessed Shen Xuan's ruthlessness in the Shen family's council hall—killing without a second thought—a coldness even he did not possess.

"Young, Young Master! The Young Master, he..."

At that moment, several Han family guards emerged from a private room, supporting a battered Han Dao. They eyed Han Feng with trepidation, dreading that he might redirect his fury towards them.

"Hmm?"

Han Feng hastened to Han Dao's side, checking his pulse. There was still a flicker of life; despite the disarray of his inner energy, he was largely unharmed, much to Han Feng's relief.

"Wake up! Come on, wake up!"

He slapped Han Dao's cheeks, only to find his eyes hollow, devoid of any spark of life.

"Wake up! Please, wake up!"

But no matter how much he pleaded, Han Dao remained unresponsive.

"What have you done to him?"

Han Feng's gaze bore into Shen Xuan, demanding an explanation. He knew Shen Xuan was an enigma, but he never imagined he would dare to strike a member of the Han family. And considering Han Dao's prowess as a near-Martial General, the fact that Shen Xuan had subdued him without a scratch spoke volumes about his formidable strength.

"Rest assured, he's still alive. He's just... lost his wits."

Shen Xuan was well aware that a confrontation was inevitable today, and he was confident of his victory over Han Feng.

"Lost his wits!"

The words made Han Feng's jaw clench in anger.

For a decade, the Han family had reigned supreme in Emergence City, unchallenged by any other clan. But today, someone had brazenly struck down one of their own. The thought of Han Dao's father sent a shiver of apprehension through Han Feng.

"I don't care who you are or where you hail from. Today, you've harmed one of mine, and for that, you'll pay with your life."

Han Feng's words were calm, but a surge of Battle Energy emanated from him, underscoring his intent.

Young Master Jian, who had been observing from behind, took a seat with a flicker of interest in his eyes. Judging a family's worthiness as an affiliate to the Sword Sect required assessing the heir's mettle. Now, he was curious to see how Han Feng would handle the situation.

Shen Xuan carefully moved Shen Xiaomei aside, clearing a generous space in the tavern's lobby.

His concern at the moment wasn't Han Feng, but rather the so-called Young Master Jian.

The individual who had targeted him with soul power on the street had an aura strikingly similar to Young Master Jian's. Shen Xuan was uncertain if they were one and the same. If so, he had to admit his own strength might not measure up.

If he wasn't there, then the person was surely lurking nearby, which spelled trouble for him either way.

The very next moment, Han Feng transformed his hand into a claw and lunged at Shen Xuan. With a swift motion, a torrent of powerful Battle Energy erupted, showcasing his impressive skills.

Meanwhile, Shen Xuan kept nimbly avoiding confrontation, refusing to engage Han Feng directly.

...

"An Intermediate Rank Martial General, huh? Impressive," Young Master Jian remarked as he sat leisurely, gently waving his feather fan and nodding in approval.

Reaching the Intermediate Rank of Martial General by twenty was a mark of true talent. With such prowess alone, he'd be a valuable asset to their Sword Sect.

"Uncle Gu, what's your take on Han Feng?" Young Master Jian whispered, almost as if he were speaking to the air itself.

"My young master, it's best not to antagonize that youngster. Should the need arise, consider bringing him into our fold."

At that moment, a seasoned voice materialized from thin air, resonating in Young Master Jian's ears.