Chapter Ninety-Two: Awe in the Imperial Capital

Then his long spear shook out more than a dozen spear-blossoms in the air, each as large as a bowl, like the final flowers blooming at the end of life. In the blink of an eye they were before Chu Han, and at that moment his legs could no longer move; he could only watch helplessly as the spear-blossoms closed in.

"Die."

Xue Ren’s expression grew more and more ferocious. Victory was within reach, and he would never let this chance slip away.

Yet when the spear-blossoms struck Chu Han, they did not so much as stir a ripple. Chu Han’s face remained expressionless. The blossoms pierced his body, leaving only a small wound, and even that was healing at a speed visible to the eye.

Seeing this, Xue Ren was shocked. His cultivation at the Yin Realm was unable even to pierce Chu Han’s skin. At once, he sagged in despair. The man before him was simply invincible.

A faint smile curved at the corners of Chu Han’s mouth. He exerted a little force with both feet, breaking free of the ice’s restraint, then struck the long spear from Xue Ren’s hand and drove a punch into his chest.

His armor burst apart instantly. He vomited blood in torrents, flying backward before crashing heavily to the ground. Chu Han walked toward him step by step, his face pale.

In truth, even receiving that attack head-on had cost Chu Han dearly. His internal injuries were severe, though they could not be seen from the outside. The attacks of a master in the Yin Realm were indeed formidable; with his current cultivation, blocking them was still far too strenuous.

"How did you do it? Why is my attack useless against you?"

Lying on the ground, Xue Ren had lost all ability to continue fighting. He looked at Chu Han with unwilling eyes. His blows were strong enough to shatter boulders, yet they could do nothing to Chu Han.

"That has nothing to do with you. You should be thinking about your own situation."

Chu Han gave a cold snort, grabbed him by the collar, and his killing intent surged forth from his eyes as though it would devour him whole.

"What is there left to say? The victor is king; the loser is a criminal. Since I have lost, you may kill me or maim me as you please. Ever since I stepped onto the battlefield, I have long since cast life and death aside. I knew this day would come sooner or later. Do it."

Xue Ren smiled faintly, his gaze crystal clear, as though he had long since seen through life and death and felt no fear at the face of death.

Seeing him like this, Chu Han gave a slight nod. Whatever else might be said, Xue Ren could at least be called a man. Truthfully, Chu Han even felt some admiration for him. But they were enemies, after all, and to let him off so easily would leave Chu Han unwilling.

Then Chu Han seized his right arm and applied a little force. The arm snapped cleanly. Xue Ren clenched his teeth so tightly he would not cry out, enduring the pain with sweat streaming coldly down his brow.

"Your arm has been broken by my secret art. No one can heal it except me. Let this be the price you pay for opposing me. In future, I hope you will place your courage on the battlefield, not in petty quarrels with others, because without the Xue family, you are nothing."

Chu Han tossed him to the ground and spoke softly. Then he raised his right hand, and a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking directly into the Xue residence. The tremendous force blew the house apart, and all those who had been hiding inside were buried beneath the ruins.

After destroying the Xue family, Chu Han turned to leave. Hearing his words and seeing his actions, Xue Ren was taken aback.

"Why do you not kill me? Are you not afraid of my revenge?"

"Heh. If you want revenge, you may come at any time. I’ll be waiting. As for why I spared you, perhaps it is because I am in a good mood."

Chu Han smiled, then walked out of the Xue residence, leaving Xue Ren alone, still sitting on the ground.

By now he could no longer feel the pain in his arm. Instead, he was pondering the matter. After considering the exchange they had just had, he seemed to understand something.

"So that is how it is. Chu Han, you are indeed no ordinary man. In time, you are bound to soar to great heights. To have fought someone like you is my honor."

Xue Ren looked toward the direction in which Chu Han had departed and nodded inwardly. He was deeply impressed, and he also regretted very much having made an enemy of Chu Han.

He rose and looked at the Xue family estate, now reduced to ruins. He felt neither sorrow nor rage. His heart was as calm as water. It seemed he had understood what Chu Han had wanted to tell him. From this moment on, Xue Ren changed greatly as well.

After dealing with the Xue family, Chu Han found a corner to sit in and recover from his injuries. With the aid of medicinal pills, in only an hour the wounds within his body were fully healed. After these successive battles, his cultivation also showed signs of rising. Once he reached the realm of the second palace of the Dao Palace, his strength would soar again.

After that, he went to the Ma family. The Ma family, unlike Xue Ren, had no such backbone. Faced with Chu Han’s overwhelming power, they all dropped to their knees and begged for mercy, including the head of the Ma family.

After fighting Xue Ren and then looking at the people before him, Chu Han felt a certain weariness. In a fit of anger, he destroyed the Ma family and crippled the cultivation of the family’s experts. From that day onward, the Ma family disappeared into the long river of history.

Chu Han naturally knew that he had caused a great disturbance. The Xue family and the Ma family were both renowned houses in the imperial capital, and now that he had crippled both clans, the emperor would not let him off. So he entered the palace alone. He intended to take full responsibility himself and not let his actions implicate Tang Hao. That was the most important thing.

Imperial Palace

"Oh? Is that true?"

A young eunuch knelt before the emperor, seemingly reporting some matter. The emperor grew interested and asked in surprise.

"Yes. The Xue and Ma families are now both ruins. The Ma family’s top experts have all been rendered crippled, and the Xue family has suffered heavy casualties. Xue Ren’s arm has been broken."

The eunuch nodded and replied. He was specifically responsible for reporting major events in the imperial capital to the emperor. With such a commotion caused by Chu Han, it was impossible for the emperor not to be informed.

Hearing the eunuch’s words, the emperor suddenly burst into laughter.

"Haha, I was right about him after all. This child’s future achievements are boundless. With his current strength, even if he enters the Heavenly Unity Sect, he would still be among the best. Good, very good."

Just as the emperor finished speaking, a voice came from outside.

"Your Majesty, Chu Han requests an audience."

"Haha, he truly arrives right on cue. Let him in."

The emperor paused, then nodded. The young eunuch kneeling on the floor tactfully stood up and left, dispersing the guards around the area as well, until the room was left with only the emperor.

Not long after, Chu Han pushed open the door and entered. He cupped his hands toward the emperor but said nothing.

"What brings you to me?"

The emperor was slightly taken aback. Chu Han did not kneel, but he did not mind such a thing. In his view, Chu Han was a genius, and geniuses were often prone to unconventional behavior.

Chu Han then recounted everything that had happened today in full, and stated his request: that Tang Hao be spared blame, and that whatever punishment was due should fall on him alone.

"Everything you have done is now known throughout the entire imperial capital. One might say you have already shaken the whole city. At this point, whenever people mention your name, they all give a thumbs-up. Though you destroyed the Xue and Ma families, this world has always revered the strong. You are strong, and therefore you will be admired by all."

The emperor spoke. These conclusions had been drawn from investigations among the common people by his subordinates. In truth, it was only natural: if you were a worthless nobody and murdered someone, you would be despised by all. But in a nation like Great Chu, a man who on his own had stood against two major powers could only earn respect.