Patrolling the Streets

"Father, Chen Han has successfully taken up a post in my branch. Looking at these past few days, there have been no issues."

Chen Qiuyu reported this good news to her father with great delight.

Chen Qiuyang froze, looking quite astonished. He gazed at his daughter, whose beauty could topple kingdoms, his expression shifting uncertainly.

"Father, shouldn't you be happy that your daughter managed to secure Chen Han without the slightest effort?"

Chen Qiuyu asked, also puzzled.

Chen Qiuyang tapped his fingers absentmindedly. "I heard that Chen Huaiyan sent his own granddaughter, the flower of the clan, to approach Chen Han, only to be ignored. Even the head of Chen Shanhe's branch offered heavy rewards, yet failed to move him. How did you, a mere girl, manage to persuade him?"

Chen Qiuyang suspected that his daughter might have reached some unspeakable physical arrangement with this boy, Chen Han, to achieve her goal.

Chen Qiuyu was dressed in a form-fitting outfit today, her waist slender enough to be gripped by a hand, her figure graceful and her chest full, carrying a hint of allure.

Her gaze became somewhat unnatural, which made Chen Qiuyang even more convinced of his suspicion, his face growing increasingly unsightly.

"Father, there is no need for you to dwell on this. I have my own methods."

Chen Qiuyang felt a sense of agitation in his heart, along with an urge to find Chen Han and give him a couple of slaps. "Fine, fine, suit yourself. Just see to it that no trouble arises."

Chen Qiuyu felt confused, thinking her father was acting strangely today.

"By the way, Father, Chen Han broke through to the Transformation Realm a few days ago."

"What!"

Chen Qiuyang stood up with a start, his eyes filled with disbelief and excitement. "Is this true? Has Chen Han really broken through to the Transformation Realm?"

Chen Qiuyu nodded. "It is absolutely true. I saw it with my own eyes."

"Hahahaha, good, very good! In the past, our branch was weak and thin, unable to compete with the Shan branch in wealth and resources, or the Huai branch in talent. Now, with the addition of this boy Chen Han, our branch will surely take the lead!"

If Chen Han were merely a Dark Realm martial artist, he would only have a fifty percent chance of winning. But now that Chen Han had crossed the threshold into the Transformation Realm, those odds had risen to an absolute eighty percent.

Eighty percent! That was already a very high probability.

Hearing this news, Chen Qiuyang laughed heartily, his previous dissatisfaction and agitation vanishing in an instant. "Good, Qiuyu, you have done well. Remember, you must maintain a good relationship with this boy; do not let any mishaps occur."

Chen Qiuyu nodded in agreement. "That goes without saying."

I previously humiliated Chen Han, so he must hold quite a grudge against me. I was indeed too excessive back then. Moreover, he once saved me, yet I repaid his kindness with enmity; that was truly uncalled for.

I shall find an opportunity to pay him a visit and apologize.

That day, after Chen Han finished his boxing practice, he was blocked by a group of people just as he was about to return.

He stopped in his tracks, eyeing the group with an unfriendly gaze.

There were six of them in total, all young members from wealthy families within the clan.

"Hey, little Junior Brother Chen Han, tired from training? Come on, the boys will take you to the Spring Fragrance Pavilion for some fun."

The group laughed, their eyes filled with disdain and mockery.

For the past few days, they had been frequently reprimanded by the elders of the clan, who claimed they were lazy in their training, sluggish in their work, and indulgent in debauchery. Their daily four-hour training sessions had been increased to six hours as a result.

This had made their lives miserable, and they hadn't seen the little vixens at the Spring Fragrance Pavilion for days.

When it came down to it, it was all because of Chen Han.

The appearance of this person had left their elders dumbfounded.

Why could Chen Han transform from a cripple into the most talented prodigy the Chen Family had seen in a decade, while they could not, failing to even reach half his level?

It must be because they were greedy for pleasure and lax in their training.

They were truly ruthless this time, with no intention of showing any mercy.

From the previous requirement of four hours a day, it was now six hours. If there was still no progress, it would be eight or nine hours.

This meant they couldn't even think about going to the Spring Fragrance Pavilion to find women; they couldn't even rest for a moment.

Recalling the suffering they had endured these past few days, the group looked at Chen Han with increasing hostility, even harboring hidden rage.

Facing such a situation, Chen Han's gaze remained cold. He did not respond, simply uttering a single, emotionless word: "Scram!"

"You little bastard, you're courting death!"

"Beat this kid up properly! He's just at the peak of the Dark Realm. If we all go together, are we really afraid of being beaten by him?"

The group were also experts who had crossed the threshold of the Dark Realm. They figured that while they might not be Chen Han's match in a one-on-one fight, if they attacked together, it would just be a matter of how long Chen Han could hold out.

No matter how strong Chen Han was, he was still only in the Dark Realm; it was impossible for him to deal with all six of them at once.

"I have no interest..."

Chen Han turned around, walking around the group without looking back.

A bunch of idiots...

Chen Han cursed inwardly. To him, the insults from these people were nothing more than the impotent rage of the incompetent.

What he wanted to do, and what he needed to do, had nothing to do with these people.

However, if these people truly insisted on looking for trouble, Chen Han wouldn't mind giving them a taste of his power.

He had already reached a consensus with Chen Qiuyu not to reveal the news that he had crossed into the Transformation Realm. Otherwise, the other two branches might resort to underhanded tactics and join forces to target him.

"Haha, this brat is scared."

"Better that he's scared. I hope he learns his place in the future so the martial arts elders stop comparing us to him all the time."

"That's right. Let's go. It's rare to get off early today; I'm going to spend a fortune on the top courtesan... I've been holding back for days, I'll show her what a real man is made of."

Listening to the conversation behind him, Chen Han remained expressionless. In truth, he had once been just like them.

Before he transmigrated, he was an aimless college graduate who often fantasized about what the courtesans of this era were like, what the brothels were like, and how the wealthy of this time must have it even better than those in the modern world.

He had imagined what it would be like if he ever transmigrated to ancient times and became the young master of a wealthy family—three wives and four concubines? A house filled with beauties?

Now, as a genius who had reached the Transformation Realm at twenty, these things were within his grasp. As long as he showed a little interest, he could easily integrate into this circle and indulge in such pleasures.

But now, such thoughts could no longer appear in his mind.

Having experienced many setbacks, he only wanted to become stronger, to become even stronger.

How could a man of his stature spend his life wallowing in luxury?

This world was perhaps far more complex than the simple path of martial arts he had imagined; there were demons, ghosts, rare treasures, and perhaps even immortal realms and the world of cultivation.

"Martial arts supreme, cultivators... immortality..."

Chen Han yearned for it, longing for it...

In the blink of an eye, over half a month had passed. As the sun set behind the mountains, it was time for Chen Han to work. Aside from their daily martial arts training, Chen Family disciples were all assigned positions within the family.

After all, the family would not support them for nothing. If they only ate and did not work, they would have been kicked out to fend for themselves long ago.

However, their working hours were much shorter than those of commoners, so it did not affect their martial arts training in the slightest.

The inner city was brightly lit at night. Chen Han arrived at the designated location to wait. Before long, a man dressed in plain clothes, looking travel-worn, appeared before him.

This person had shoulders as broad as Chen Han's, and judging by his age, he was a few years younger, his face still bearing the traces of youthful innocence.

"You must be Senior Brother Chen Han. I am the Junior Brother patrolling the streets with you; just call me Huaijin."

A polite and graceful smile appeared on Chen Han's face. "That is correct. I only took this position today and this is my first time patrolling. Are you familiar with the patrol procedures, Junior Brother Huaijin?"

The latter smiled and nodded repeatedly. "I am somewhat familiar. Just follow me, Senior Brother Chen Han, and I will explain the precautions along the way."

"Then please lead the way, Junior Brother."