C17 Punishing the Vile Servants

Inside the Han family's kitchen, a man in his thirties, clad in grey, wore a look of distress as he faced a middle-aged man in his forties. The latter, with a plain face but eyes that glinted with malice, flashed a grin beneath his mustache, revealing yellowed teeth. "Zhang, relax. If anything goes south, I've got your back."

Zhang grimaced. "Manager Gu Wan, even though Han Tiancheng has erred, he remains the Family Head's son and a direct descendant. His status is esteemed. If I fail to deliver his meal and the Family Head learns of it, your support won't spare me from trouble."

Gu Wan's expression soured. "Are you questioning my authority, Zhang? As the kitchen manager, I fear no one, not even Han Tiancheng. The Family Elders would rather see him dead than alive. They won't utter a word if they catch wind of this. Just so you know, I wouldn't dare act without powerful backing."

"I'm counting on you, then," Zhang said, pausing before offering Gu Wan a sycophantic smile, which earned him a nod of approval.

"A lowly servant dares to speak of me and my father in the same breath? Utterly clueless about the consequences," came a chilling voice from behind Gu Wan.

Startled, Gu Wan turned, but it was too late. A formidable force sent him flying, crashing to the ground amidst a clatter of pots and pans. His face turned ashen as he coughed up blood.

Han Feng's kick, fueled by rage, was no trifling matter. Such a blow could be fatal to someone like Gu Ba.

Gu Wan, despite his title as manager, had a modest cultivation foundation, only reaching the Middle Period of Mortal Rank with two Main Bloodlines unlocked. He wasn't meant for the role.

Han Feng knew that Gu Wan owed his position to the Fourth Elder, who had saved him a decade ago. It was only through the Elder's influence that Gu Wan had risen to manager.

Gu Wan was an ordinary man, lacking in talent and barely ranking above the lowest grade. Rumor had it that when he was rescued ten years prior, he was just a Martial Cultivator at the Early Period of Mortal Rank, comparable to Gu Ba's present level of strength.

Gu Wan had reached the Middle Period of Mortal Rank, with two Main Bloodlines unlocked, all thanks to his position as a manager.

At this moment, Gu Wan was seething with shock and rage. "You dare to launch a sneak attack on me!"

Blinded by his fury, Gu Wan had failed to notice the surge of Internal Strength from Han Feng. Gu Wan was convinced that without the element of surprise, he wouldn't have been so easily wounded.

"You're asking for it!"

Leaping into action, Gu Wan lunged at Han Feng, his hands striking with the precision of an eagle's talons.

He was employing the Basic Upper-grade Martial Skill, the Eagle Claw Technique.

With a cold smirk, Han Feng swiftly countered using the Claw Condensation Technique. To Gu Wan's astonishment, Han Feng seized his wrist. With a quick twist, Gu Wan was soaked in sweat, screaming as he collapsed to the ground.

"Damn you! I would never have lost if you hadn't blindsided me!"

Being effortlessly subdued by Han Feng was something Gu Wan had never imagined. Humiliated and enraged, he bellowed repeatedly.

Han Feng taunted, "Your son once ambushed me, too. Consider this payback. Besides, you're over forty, and I'm still so young. I barely have any cultivation foundation, so really, you're the one with the upper hand."

"To lose like this only proves your incompetence. It's no surprise you have such a worthless son!"

Gu Wan treasured his only son dearly, and Han Feng's words drove him to spit out another mouthful of blood in fury.

"The one who oppresses others will end up oppressed themselves. You've only got yourself to blame," Han Feng said with an icy demeanor.

Han Feng was well aware that his victory was due in part to the formidable Internal Strength he had developed through the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art, which had brought him to the peak of the Main Bloodline.

The ambush also played a role. With the contest imminent, Han Feng had no intention of engaging in a fair fight with Gu Wan, unwilling to squander his energy and Internal Strength.

Abruptly, Han Feng turned to Zhang. "Why are you still standing there? Do I need to spell out your next move?"

"Yes, I understand."

Zhang quickly got to his feet, taking the meal to where Han Tiancheng resided. Once Zhang's figure had vanished, Han Feng leaned down, his face stern as he warned Gu Wan, "My father and I are no longer the pushovers we once were. Do your job, or next time, it won't be as simple as coughing up blood."

Han Feng had departed.

Outside the kitchen, Yu Lao materialized as if from thin air, his face brimming with satisfaction. "He truly is your son, Miss. His temperament even bears a resemblance to yours. Seeing Young Master Feng reminds me of you."

Yet, a hint of doubt flickered in Yu Lao's eyes. "However, the rate at which Young Master Feng's strength has advanced is peculiar. Such progress is beyond the reach of someone with Lower-class Aptitude."

"In a mere month, he's gone from lacking Internal Strength to unlocking a Main Bloodline and achieving its peak. That's a feat not even someone with Medium-class Aptitude could accomplish, perhaps only achievable by those with Upper-class Aptitude."

"Nevertheless, as the Miss's son, the stronger he becomes, the more peace of mind she'll have."

Inside the kitchen, Gu Wan was seething with indignation. "He expects me to swallow this bitter pill? Fat chance! You'll regret this, you insolent boy. The Fourth Elder's questioning will see to that."

Gu Wan soon gathered himself and went to report to the Fourth Elder.

In the Han family's council hall, Han Yu and the six Elders were seated across from one another.

The Great Elder cleared his throat and inquired, "Fourth Elder, what urgent matter has prompted you to convene us all?"

The Fourth Elder recounted the incident involving Han Feng and Gu Wan, albeit with some fabrications. The reality was that Gu Wan had withheld Han Tiancheng and Han Feng's breakfast in an attempt to weaken Han Feng's stamina and strip him of his eligibility.

Yet, the Fourth Elder presented it as if Han Feng had been the instigator.

The Elders' brows furrowed in concern.

"Gu Wan may be a servant, but we mustn't stoop to such contemptible behavior. If word gets out, what will the other servants think?" the Fourth Elder exclaimed in anger. "This young upstart has only just developed his Internal Strength and already he's so brazen!"

Amidst the Elders' contemplation, Han Yu issued a cold chuckle.

The Fourth Elder, taken aback, demanded, "Family Head, what is the meaning of this?"

With an icy demeanor, Han Yu retorted, "What do I mean? I should be the one asking you that, Fourth Elder. Has the Han family somehow become yours?"

With that, Han Yu laid bare the true sequence of events, leaving the Elders astounded.

The Fourth Elder's face registered shock. "How could this be?"