East Continent Empire, Han Family of the Imperial Capital.
Han Qishan slapped the tables and chairs in the main hall into powder.
Han Qilin, standing nearby, asked in confusion, "Big Brother, didn't you go to court? Why are you so angry?"
Han Qishan said furiously, "That old bastard Pang Ren has gone too far. He actually joined forces with the Sun Family to strip me of my military authority. It's infuriating."
Han Qilin asked, "The Pang Family and Sun Family 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 willing to get involved. For all these years, it has always been the Pang Family and our Han Family competing. The Sun Family has only ever cared about its own territory. As for the Emperor, he seems inclined to favor the Pang Family as well."
"I heard Pang Ren's eldest son has returned. He's a Core Disciple of the Divine Sect, and it has already been decided that he will become a High-level Manager of the Tianyuan Divine Sect in the future. That should be the main reason the Emperor favors the Pang Family, right?"
Han Qilin said, "Our Han Family has Returnees from Tianyuan Divine Sect too, doesn't it? Though there are only two of them. By the way, shouldn't Han Fei be returning soon as well?"
Han Qishan sighed. "Yes. My son Han Fei has been away from home for ten years, so he should return in the next few days. But even if we have three graduates of Tianyuan Divine Sect, it would be of no use. Even though Fei'er is a Head Disciple, the gap between him and a Core Disciple is far too great."
"It seems our Han Family will have a difficult time this time. After all, even the Emperor has to show a Core Disciple of the Divine Sect some respect."
Han Qilin sighed. Seeing the red invitation in Han Qishan's hand, he asked, "Big Brother, what is this?"
Han Qishan said, "What else could it be? The Emperor is holding a banquet at the Imperial Palace tonight to welcome Pang Ren's eldest son. You shouldn't go and suffer there. I'll go alone."
Han Qilin gave an "Oh."
As the sun set, Han Qishan set off for the Imperial Palace to attend the Emperor's Welcome Feast.
Just as Han Qishan entered the Imperial Palace, Han Fei returned with Qi Xuanxuan.
Outside the Han Family gates, two rows of guards vigilantly scanned the passing pedestrians.
Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan had no intention of stopping and headed straight inside, only for the guards to block them.
"Where did these little brats come from? Don't you know what place this is? Get lost."
Han Fei frowned. "This is my home. Where am I supposed to get lost to? My father is Han Qishan, and my second uncle is Han Qilin. Hurry up and report this. Tell them Han Fei has returned."
When the lead guard heard Han Fei say this was his home, he was about to curse at him, only for Han Fei to name both Twin Heroes of the Han Family.
Seeing that Han Fei did not seem to be lying, and remembering that Han Qishan's son had indeed left home many years ago, they did not dare jump to conclusions. They sent someone running into the residence to report it.
Qi Xuanxuan laughed until she trembled. "Haha... the Eldest Young Master of the Han Family can't even get into his own home. I'm dying, I'm dying of laughter."
Han Fei said irritably, "Tch! I was only ten when I left, and now I'm twenty. It's perfectly normal that no one at home recognizes me. What's so strange about that?"
Before long, Han Qilin led the way as he ran outside. The moment he saw Han Fei, he was overjoyed and pulled Han Fei into an embrace.
"Han Fei, it really is you! You've grown so tall and strong. Your second uncle missed you so much."
Han Fei took a step back and dropped to both knees. "Han Fei has been unfilial. I left home for many years and made Second Uncle worry."
In the memories Han Fei had merged with, this second uncle, Han Qilin, had loved him the most. When he was young, Han Qishan had been strict in teaching Han Fei, and every time, Han Qilin had stepped in to protect him.
Moreover, Han Fei knew that his father and second uncle were true heroes. They had risen from commoners to become two of the three great ministers of the East Continent Empire. After making a name for himself, his second uncle had retreated behind the scenes and given all the glory to his father.
Han Qilin helped Han Fei up. Han Fei asked in confusion, "Where is my father?"
Han Qilin's gaze darkened. He sighed and told Han Fei about what had happened that day.
Han Fei frowned. "A Welcome Feast? Perfect. Xuanxuan and I haven't eaten either. Why don't we go mooch a meal?"
Qi Xuanxuan nodded. "You decide. I'll follow you."
Han Qilin advised, "You'd better not go. I heard Pang Ren's son is a Core Disciple of the Divine Sect, and his cultivation is extremely high. You should stay home and not make things difficult for your father."
Han Fei gave Han Qilin a reassuring smile.
"Second Uncle, trust me. I know my limits."
Without even entering the house, he took Qi Xuanxuan's hand and headed for the Imperial Palace.
Watching Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan ride away on their Swift Beasts, Han Qilin sighed helplessly. "I can't let Fei'er make this worse. I'd better go take a look."
On the way, Qi Xuanxuan said, "You seem to have a very good relationship with your second uncle."
Han Fei nodded. "My second uncle has always treated me well. His cultivation is the same as my father's, both at the Peak Tenth Level of the Innate Realm, but he always yields to my father. He never fights for fame or profit, and he always protected me when I was young."
At the gates of the Imperial City, Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan were stopped by a large group of guards. Most of these guards were below the Third Level of the Body Refining Realm, only slightly stronger than ordinary people.
"Who dares trespass into the Imperial City? Are you tired of living?"
Han Fei did not even dismount from his Swift Beast, and his voice was cold. "I'll give you two choices. Either open the city gates, or I'll kill you and open them myself."
The guard commander immediately flew into a rage. He was in charge of security at the Imperial City gates, a position of great importance. Even high-ranking ministers treated him politely. Since when had two immature youngsters dared speak to him like this?
"Men, take them down."
Han Fei narrowed his eyes. "You're courting death."
He raised his right hand, and a thread of Sword Qi gathered at his fingertips. Once he unleashed that finger of Sword Qi, the squad of guards before him would undoubtedly all die.
Han Fei was already suppressing his anger. After hearing from his second uncle how his father had been ostracized, the fact that he had stopped to talk to these guards was already giving them plenty of face.
Buzz. Just as the Sword Qi was about to be released, Han Qilin's voice came from behind him.
"Fei'er, don't attack."
Han Fei dispersed the Sword Qi. After Han Qilin arrived, the guard commander immediately saluted. "General Han, he..."
Han Qilin waved a hand. "He is my nephew. He has just returned from Tianyuan Divine Sect. I'm taking him into the palace. Open the gates."
The guard commander hesitated briefly, then turned and signaled to the men above to open the city gates.
The guard commander said, "General Han, the Emperor is holding a banquet at the Imperial Palace tonight. I need not emphasize how important that is. Please proceed."
Han Qilin led Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan into the Imperial Palace.
With Han Qilin leading them, they encountered no more guards blocking their way.
Of course, though the guards appeared formidable, they were utterly useless against Han Fei. It was merely that there was no need to use force.
At the Imperial Palace, there were only twenty or thirty people attending the banquet. All were powerful and influential figures, each one an important person in the East Continent Empire.
Among them, a young man dressed in the robes of a Core Disciple of Tianyuan Divine Sect drank arrogantly. He ignored the respectful attitudes of those around him, acting as though he kept everyone at arm's length.
Every important guest at the banquet had a rectangular table filled with food and wine.
Whether deliberately or not, Han Qishan, one of the three great ministers, had been assigned a seat by the entrance. Such a seat was normally reserved for those of the lowest status.
Pang Ren and Sun Hao, likewise two of the three great ministers, were seated closest to the Emperor.
Pang Ren said with a smile, "Last time, this old minister proposed taking the initiative to share General Han's burden by helping him manage the army. I wonder how General Han has considered the matter? After all, battles are not frequent these days. Is it not somewhat wasteful for General Han to be burdened with so many troops?"
The Emperor looked at Han Qishan, then at Pang Shuai. Seeing Pang Shuai merely drinking without speaking to anyone, he found himself in a difficult position.
He knew Pang Shuai disdained speaking with others. The reason he had come today was undoubtedly to support Pang Ren. He did not need to say anything; merely sitting there was intimidation enough.
A Core Disciple of Class Eighty-Seven of Tianyuan Divine Sect was bound to hold a significant position in Tianyuan Divine Sect in the future. Even the Emperor could not ignore him.
Although he favored Han Qishan and remembered Han Qishan's contributions to the East Continent Empire over the years, Pang Ren was pressing too hard, leaving him genuinely troubled.
How could Han Qishan fail to see the Emperor's predicament? He sighed helplessly and took out the East Continent Military Commander's Token from his chest. He directly tossed it toward Pang Ren.
Bang! The force dispersed, and the commander's token appeared in Pang Shuai's hand. He had stretched out his arm to shield Pang Ren.
Pang Shuai frowned. "Don't you know my father isn't a Martial Artist? You actually attached spiritual energy to the commander's token."
As he spoke, he tossed the commander's token out again, its target Han Qishan.
A flash of light streaked by. Even after Han Qishan used his strongest defensive technique, he was still unable to withstand the token's attack.
Bang! Han Qishan was sent flying, crashing directly into the pillar by the entrance behind him and coughing up blood.
After the attack, Pang Shuai lifted his wine cup and elegantly took a sip. With a mocking expression, he said, "A mere Tenth Level of the Innate Realm, yet you dare overestimate yourself. Negotiating with you was already showing you respect, yet you kept spouting so much nonsense."
He then looked at the Emperor with a smile. "Emperor, didn't you arrange a song and dance performance? It can begin now."
The moment Pang Shuai finished speaking, a spinning Black Broken Sword flew into the royal hall and plunged directly into the center of the main hall, half its blade buried in the floor.
"You want to watch a song and dance performance, right? Want me to dance for you myself?"
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