Chapter Nine: Lesson

The Summer Retreat Winery was the most prestigious establishment in Jingyuan City, far beyond the means of ordinary citizens. Only the city’s nobility could afford to dine there.

“You fat pig, do you think wealth makes you special? Can’t you see I’m standing here? And how dare you insult Brother Chu—do you need another beating?” Li Qingli could no longer restrain herself. She stepped forward, her voice ringing out in rebuke.

The Li family was also among the city’s nobility. They couldn’t compare to the Ou family in status, but were still one of the foremost clans. More importantly, Li Qingli’s strength far surpassed Ou Tian’s.

Now that Li Qingli had stepped in, Ou Tian’s expression darkened. He had once gone to great lengths in pursuit of Li Qingli, but in the end, he lost to Chu Han.

“Chu Han, are you expecting Miss Li to pay for you? Ha! Some man you are—hiding behind a woman and spending her money like a cowardly turtle.”

Ou Tian, stung by humiliation, sought to provoke Chu Han. He could see Chu Han possessed no discernible strength. If only he could drive Chu Han into a rage and force him to act, then he would have cause to teach him a lesson.

Li Qingli was about to speak, but this time Chu Han stepped forward and gently moved her behind him. He wasn’t one to hide behind a woman.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but we’re fully booked. Please dine elsewhere,” said the Summer Retreat Winery’s hostess coldly, having exchanged a knowing glance with Ou Tian.

Enough was enough. Chu Han’s face grew grim, but before he could respond, a stir arose behind him.

“Look, it’s the Sixth Divine General, Sun Qing! What could bring him here today?”

“No idea, but his aura alone is so overwhelming, I don’t even dare approach.”

The crowd erupted in whispered speculation. Turning, Chu Han indeed saw Sun Qing approaching at a leisurely pace.

Ou Tian was surprised and puzzled by Sun Qing’s presence, but he forced a smile and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting. Though the Ou family was powerful, they were nothing compared to the Lantian Garrison, which held military authority over Jingyuan City.

“General Sun, what brings you here for a meal today?” Ou Tian said obsequiously, assuming Sun Qing came to dine. He shot Chu Han a resentful glance—as long as Sun Qing was present, he could not cause trouble for Chu Han.

“What a coincidence, young man. I came to give you some instructions, but I didn’t expect to run into you here,” Sun Qing said with a hearty laugh, ignoring Ou Tian completely and clapping Chu Han on the shoulder.

Chu Han smiled back and saluted him. At once, he noticed the looks of astonishment around him. Especially Ou Tian, who had tried so hard to ingratiate himself with Sun Qing to no avail, only to see Sun Qing greet Chu Han with evident familiarity.

“Well, I’m just here to let everyone know—from today on, this winery and all its staff belong to Chu Han. You all work for him now,” Sun Qing announced, his words so shocking that they nearly made everyone faint.

Only just had they realized that the winery belonged to Sun Qing—and now, he handed it over to Chu Han. Envy and jealousy surged in the crowd, but with Sun Qing present, no one dared voice their discontent.

Chu Han was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Sun Qing to come in person for this purpose, and felt a surge of gratitude towards him.

“General Sun, you must be mistaken. Are you saying you’re giving the Summer Retreat Winery to Chu Han? On what grounds?” Ou Tian finally lost all restraint. After so thoroughly humiliating Chu Han, to find the winery now bore Chu’s name was a slap to his own face. What baffled him even more was why Sun Qing would give such a gift to Chu Han.

“Are you talking to me, young master of the Ou family? Before you speak, weigh your own strength,” Sun Qing replied coldly, barely sparing him a glance.

Ou Tian forced a sheepish grin. Even out of his senses, he would never dare cross Sun Qing; it would be all too easy for Sun Qing to bring down the Ou family.

Ou Tian cast a venomous glare at Chu Han, his jealousy swelling uncontrollably. His fists clenched tight—if not for Sun Qing’s presence, he would have struck already.

Chu Han snorted coldly. After thanking Sun Qing, he prepared to enter the winery with Li Qingli. As he passed Ou Tian, he said, “Don’t think a bit of filthy money makes you special. In my eyes, you are nothing.”

As the words fell, Ou Tian could take no more. Although he knew his next move might incur Sun Qing’s wrath, his pride demanded it.

“Trash! Die for me—Earthshattering Palm!” Seizing the moment when Chu Han’s back was turned, Ou Tian burst forth, his aura blazing. His right palm struck out, the force swirling around him—a display of formidable power.

Ou Tian’s attack was so sudden that no one had time to react. Both Sun Qing and Li Qingli were startled and tried to intervene, but it was already too late.

Ou Tian’s speed was incredible; in a flash, he was behind Chu Han and, smirking, imagined the scene of Chu Han kneeling and begging for mercy.

But Chu Han, though his back was turned, smiled faintly. As if he had eyes in the back of his head, he half-turned and raised his right leg. “Get lost.”

A whip-like kick landed squarely on Ou Tian’s abdomen. A loud crack echoed; everyone heard the sound of ribs breaking. Ou Tian was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground, vomiting blood before falling unconscious, his fate uncertain.

What seemed a casual kick from Chu Han had sent the nearly two-hundred-pound Ou Tian flying ten meters. The onlookers gasped, covering their mouths in disbelief.

Li Qingli’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Chu Han. She had always believed he would one day stand at the pinnacle of the world.

But the most astonished of all was Sun Qing. With his insight, he could tell Chu Han possessed no visible cultivation or strength, yet the power and speed of that kick rivaled his own.

“You hide your strength well, young man. Impressive,” Sun Qing said meaningfully, a hint of displeasure in his voice. Chu Han had concealed his true abilities, and even Sun Qing had failed to notice.

“It was merely because his strength was lacking,” Chu Han replied with a smile and a salute. He had achieved his goal: to demonstrate his strength before Sun Qing.

The reason was simple—he hoped Sun Qing would take the Tang family more seriously, especially after offending the young prince the previous day. Chu Han was not afraid of the prince, but he could not always be there for the Tang family. If trouble came, Sun Qing’s help would be invaluable.

“Well then, I won’t disturb you any longer. If you ever need anything, come find me at the Lantian Garrison,” Sun Qing said with a hearty laugh, then turned and left, leaving the crowd abuzz with whispers.

The Tang family had now forged a powerful connection with Sun Qing, promising limitless future prospects. But with that came even more jealousy—malicious, envious eyes now followed Chu Han wherever he went.