Han Qishan's Predicament

East Continent Empire, Han Family of the Imperial Capital.

Han Qishan smashed the tables and chairs in the main hall into dust with a single slap.

Han Qilin, standing beside him, asked with some confusion, "Big brother, weren't you supposed to be at court? Why are you so furious?"

Han Qishan roared, "That old dog Pang Ren has gone too far! He actually colluded with the Sun family to strip me of my military power. It's infuriating!"

Han Qilin: "So the Pang and Sun families have joined forces? What did the Emperor say?"

Han Qishan shook his head, "The Pang family has that intention, but the Sun family doesn't seem to want to get involved. After all, it's always been the Pang and Han families competing. The Sun family has always just focused on their own territory. As for the Emperor, he seems to be leaning towards the Pang family."

"I heard Pang Ren's eldest son has returned. He's a core disciple of the Divine Sect and is destined to become a high-level manager of the Tianyuan Divine Sect in the future. This is probably the main reason the Emperor is favoring the Pang family, right?"

Han Qilin said, "Our Han family also has returnees from the Tianyuan Divine Sect, right? Although there are only two of them. Oh, right, shouldn't Han Fei be back too?"

Han Qishan sighed, "Yes, my son Han Fei has also been away from home for ten years. He should be back in the next few days. But even if we have three graduated disciples from the Tianyuan Divine Sect, it won't help. Even if Fei'er is the head disciple, the gap between him and a core disciple is not small."

"It seems our Han family is in for a tough time this time. After all, even the Emperor has to show some respect to a core disciple of the Divine Sect."

Han Qilin sighed. Seeing the red invitation in Han Qishan's hand, he asked, "Big brother, what is this?"

Han Qishan replied, "What else could it be? The Emperor is hosting a banquet at the Imperial Palace tonight to welcome Pang Ren's eldest son. I don't think you should go and get yourself upset. I'll go alone."

Han Qilin said, "Oh."

As the sun set, Han Qishan set off for the Imperial Palace to attend the welcome feast hosted by the Emperor.

Just as Han Qishan entered the Imperial Palace, Han Fei returned with Qi Xuanxuan.

In front of the Han family's main gate, two rows of guards scanned the passing pedestrians vigilantly.

Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan had no intention of stopping and were about to enter when the guards immediately blocked them.

"What brat is this? Don't you know what kind of place this is? Get lost."

Han Fei frowned, "This is my home, where do you expect me to go? My father is Han Qishan, and my uncle is Han Qilin. Go and announce that Han Fei is back."

The leading guard, upon hearing Han Fei claim this was his home, was about to curse when Han Fei uttered the names of the Twin Heroes of the Han Family.

Seeing that Han Fei didn't seem to be lying, and they had indeed heard that Han Qishan's son had left home many years ago, they didn't dare to jump to conclusions. They sent someone to quickly go inside and report.

Qi Xuanxuan laughed so hard she could barely stand, "Hahaha... The Eldest Young Master of the Han Family can't even get into his own home. I'm dying of laughter."

Han Fei said irritably, "Tch! I was only ten when I left. I'm twenty now. It's normal for the people at home not to recognize me. What's so strange about that?"

A moment later, Han Qilin led the way, running out. Upon seeing Han Fei, Han Qilin was overjoyed and hugged him tightly.

"Han Fei, it really is you! You've grown so tall and strong. I've missed you so much."

Han Fei took a step back and knelt on the ground, "Han Fei is unfilial. I've been away from home for many years and made you worry, Uncle."

In the memories Han Fei had integrated, this Uncle Han Qilin had doted on him the most. When Han Fei was young, Han Qishan was quite strict with his education, and it was always Uncle Han Qilin who mediated.

Moreover, Han Fei knew that his father and uncle were true heroes. They had fought their way from ordinary citizens to become one of the three most important ministers in the East Continent Empire. After they became famous, his uncle retreated behind the scenes, giving all the spotlight to his father.

Han Qilin helped Han Fei up. Han Fei asked doubtfully, "Where's my father?"

Han Qilin's eyes dimmed, and he sighed, recounting the day's events to Han Fei.

Han Fei frowned, "Welcome feast? Coincidentally, Xuanxuan and I haven't eaten yet. Why don't we go freeload a meal?"

Qi Xuanxuan nodded, "I'll follow your lead."

Han Qilin advised, "You two shouldn't go. I heard Pang Ren's son is a core disciple of the Divine Sect and has a very high cultivation. You should stay home and not make things difficult for your father."

Han Fei gave Han Qilin a reassuring smile.

"Uncle, trust me, I know what's important."

With that, he didn't even enter the house and pulled Qi Xuanxuan towards the Imperial Palace.

Han Qilin watched the backs of Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan riding the Swift Beasts and sighed helplessly, "I can't let Fei'er cause too much trouble. I'd better follow and see."

Along the way, Qi Xuanxuan said, "You seem to have a good relationship with your uncle."

Han Fei nodded, "My uncle treats me very well. His cultivation is the same as my father's, both at the peak Tenth Level of the Innate Realm, but he always lets my father have his way and never fights for fame or fortune. And he always protected me when I was young."

At the entrance of the Imperial City, Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan were stopped by a large number of guards. These guards were mostly below the Third Level of the Body Refining Realm, only slightly stronger than ordinary people.

"Who dares to trespass into the Imperial City? Are you tired of living?"

Han Fei, without even dismounting his Swift Beast, said with a slightly cold voice, "I'll give you two choices: either open the city gate, or I'll kill you myself and open it."

The leading guard captain was instantly enraged. He was responsible for the security of the Imperial City gate, a position of extreme importance. Even high-ranking ministers treated him courteously. When had he ever been spoken to like this by two young people?

"Guards, apprehend them!"

Han Fei's eyes narrowed, "You're asking for death."

He raised his right hand, and a trace of Sword Qi condensed. If this single finger of Sword Qi were unleashed, the entire squad of guards in front of him would surely be annihilated.

Han Fei was filled with anger at this moment. After hearing from his uncle about the ostracism his father had suffered, the fact that he could stop and chat with the guards was already a great concession.

Buzz Just as the Sword Qi was about to be released, Han Qilin's voice came from behind.

"Fei'er, don't do anything."

Han Fei dispelled the Sword Qi. After Han Qilin arrived, the guard captain immediately saluted, "General Han, he..."

Han Qilin waved his hand, "He is my nephew. He just returned from the Tianyuan Divine Sect. I need to take him into the palace, so open the city gates."

The guard captain hesitated, then glanced at his subordinate above and signaled for the city gates to be opened.

Guard Captain: "General Han, the Emperor is hosting a banquet at the Imperial Palace tonight. I don't need to stress its importance. Please, proceed."

Han Qilin led Han Fei and the other into the Imperial Palace.

With Han Qilin's escort, they encountered no further obstructions from guards along the way.

Of course, even though the guards appeared strict, they were useless against Han Fei. It was just that he didn't need to resort to force.

At the Imperial Palace, only about twenty to thirty people were attending the banquet. They were all high-ranking officials, influential figures in the East Continent Empire.

Among them, a young man dressed in the core disciple attire of the Tianyuan Divine Sect was arrogantly drinking wine. He ignored the respectful attitude of others towards him, maintaining an aloof demeanor.

Each important guest at the banquet had a rectangular table laden with food and wine.

Whether intentionally or not, Han Qishan, one of the three great ministers, was assigned a seat by the door, a position usually reserved for those of the lowest status.

Pang Ren and Sun Hao, also among the three great ministers, were seated closest to the Emperor.

Pang Ren said with a smile, "Last time, this old subject suggested that I actively help General Han share his burdens and manage the army. I wonder if General Han has considered it? After all, wars are not frequent nowadays, and it seems like a waste of talent for General Han to be worrying about so many troops."

The Emperor glanced at Han Qishan, then at Pang Shuai. Seeing that Pang Shuai was merely drinking wine and not interacting with anyone, he found himself in a difficult position.

He knew Pang Shuai disdained interacting with others. The fact that Pang Shuai was present today was undoubtedly to support Pang Ren. He didn't need to speak; his mere presence was a deterrent.

As a core disciple of Class 87 at the Tianyuan Divine Sect, Pang Shuai was destined for a high position within the sect in the future. Even the Emperor could not ignore him.

Although he favored Han Qishan and remembered his contributions to the East Continent Empire over the years, Pang Ren was pressing him hard, and he was truly troubled.

Han Qishan, unable to miss the Emperor's predicament, sighed helplessly and took out the East Continent Military Commander's Token from his chest. He directly threw it towards Pang Ren.

Bang. The surge of energy dissipated, and the token appeared in Pang Shuai's hand. He extended his arm, blocking in front of Pang Ren.

Pang Shuai frowned, "You know my father isn't a martial artist. Why would you imbue the token with spiritual energy?"

With that, he threw the token again, its target Han Qishan.

A flash of light streaked past. Even though Han Qishan used his strongest defensive move, he couldn't withstand the token's attack.

Bang. Han Qishan, sent flying backward, crashed directly into a pillar by the entrance behind him, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

After the strike, Pang Shuai picked up his wine cup and elegantly took a sip, sneering, "A mere Tenth Level of the Innate Realm dares to be so overconfident. I was being generous by discussing it with you; stop spewing so much nonsense."

He then turned to the Emperor with a smile, "Your Majesty, didn't you arrange for a song and dance performance? You can begin now."

As soon as Pang Shuai finished speaking, a spinning black broken sword flew into the royal hall and embedded itself in the center of the great hall, half of its blade submerged.

"You want to watch a song and dance performance? How about I dance for you myself?"