If it were before, Shen Ao would have stood up without hesitation.

Not to mention Shen Han stepping forward to challenge, even if Shen Han tried to avoid him, Shen Ao would have come out to force a match.

But just now, Shen Ao realized how naive he had been.

In these past few months, Shen Ao had been practicing diligently in the Capital City.

His cultivation during this period was extremely serious.

It's safe to say Shen Ao had never been so diligent before, and this continued for several months.

In his view, the improvement during this time was immense; at such a young age, he had already touched the edge of the Seventh Grade.

If he used the techniques he had cultivated, he could definitely unleash the power of the Seventh Grade.

In Shen Ao's eyes, his current strength was more than enough to handle Shen Han.

The shame at the Shen Mansion, he would repay.

The opportunity was right before him, yet Shen Ao remained silent.

There was even a hint of timidity on his face, constantly wanting to retreat.

But with everyone's eyes on him, he couldn't bring himself to move his legs.

Everyone watching could see that Shen Ao was scared.

After all, he was just a child, with a child's temperament.

Vengeful, yet bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

He thought that with his serious training over the past few months, he would surely surpass Shen Han by a mile.

But the truth told him otherwise – while he was improving, so was Shen Han.

And even faster than him!

In Wutong Villa, everyone's gaze fell on Shen Ao, wanting to see what decision he would make.

The once arrogant and domineering Shen Ao now cast a pleading look toward Madam Shen and his own mother.

After hesitating for a moment, Madam Shen leaned on her cane and stepped forward.

"As an elder brother, with just a little achievement, you want to bully your own cousin?

Is there no compassion for your own brother?"

Once again, she's twisting the truth.

Hearing these words, Shen Han wasn't too surprised, as it was within his expectations.

In contrast, standing in the corner, Shi Yuezhu frowned, already harboring some anger.

"Please, Old Duke, Madam Shen, see clearly – it was my cousin who issued the challenge, and I merely responded.

Neither in emotion nor in reason does it constitute bullying."

Shen Han argued logically; everyone present heard Shen Ao arrogantly issuing the challenge.

"Please rest assured, elders, I will exercise restraint.

The match with my cousin will only result in minor injuries, not harm his fundamental health."

Minor injuries to the muscles and bones...

In his life, aside from the time Shen Han hit him, Shen Ao had never been beaten before.

He was terribly afraid of pain.

He couldn't even endure superficial wounds, let alone the pain of injuries to the muscles and bones.

After this retort, Madam Shen's face was full of displeasure.

But she couldn't think of a way to reprimand Shen Han.

After all, just now, it was indeed Shen Ao who proposed the challenge.

During the stalemate, Shen Qingshan suddenly slapped the table.

"Enough! Must this match be canceled?

As the head of the Shen Family, do I not even have that bit of authority?"

Shen Qingshan spoke these words somewhat shamelessly, insisting on protecting Shen Ao.

Just like before, even when Shen Han showed his strength,

the Shen Family continued to despise and reject him.

Shen Han had long foreseen all this.

At this moment, Wutong Villa was incomparably quiet.

With the great anger of Patriarch Shen Qingshan, who dared to speak out?

In the corner, Shi Yuezhu, who had remained silent, finally couldn't hold back.

She stepped forward a few paces:

"General Shen, as the ancient saying goes, a family's disharmony often stems from favoritism.

Even if the elders do have a preference for the younger generation, there should still be reason."

Before Shi Yuezhu could finish her words, Shen Qingshan waved his hand to interrupt her.

"Moon Bamboo Peak Master, I respect you as the Peak Master of Xiaoyao Peak, and also as the teacher of that child Jinyu.

Due to the close and friendly relations between the Shen Family and the Su Family, I have always treated you with courtesy.

But still, I ask you to be cautious when it comes to the Shen Family's internal affairs."

The Shen Family holds military power and is a solid force in Great Wei.

With nearly forty thousand troops under his command, Shen Qingshan did not fear Xiaoyao Peak.

Seeing Shi Yuezhu seemingly still wanting to speak up for him,

Shen Han quickly spoke up, somewhat pleadingly.

Shen Han really did not want to drag Shi Yuezhu into this.

"Moon Bamboo... Peak Master, I know your intentions, but for this Shen Family matter, let's do as the Old Duke says."

Shi Yuezhu naturally understood Shen Han's intentions, hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help speaking again.

"Before the family's assessments began, didn't they say the best would be rewarded, and the worst punished?

Now, what about the reward...?"

Shen Qingshan's lips twitched slightly, his annoyance at Shi Yuezhu increasing a bit more.

"Shen Han will be rewarded with a hundred taels of silver for the best assessment, others will be punished with three months' confinement!"

A hundred taels of silver...

Not quite a reward, not quite a punishment.

The partiality was apparent to everyone.

Dropping these words, Shen Qingshan led his deputy general and left Wutong Villa.

Madam Shen and others were also assisted by maids as they left.

Before leaving, almost everyone turned back to glance at Shen Han.

The formerly weak and despised Fifth Young Master of the Shen Family seemed... completely different.

Many of the Shen Family servants were lost in their thoughts,

recalling if they had ever bullied Shen Han.

With his current strength, even if Shen Han was not favored by the Shen Family's high ranks, it would still be easy for him to deal with a few servants.

Some servants, remembering their past actions, were already beginning to feel apprehensive.

Shen Han didn't linger long in Wutong Villa; he left with Shi Yuezhu, heading toward his humble quarters.

Before long, there weren't many people left in Wutong Villa.

Aside from the servants tidying up, only Phoenix Fool and Qianmu Fan remained.

Phoenix Fool had long regained his senses.

Truth be told, he hadn't expected this outcome either – that Qianmu Fan would lose...

"Brother Qianmu..."

After several calls, Qianmu Fan finally snapped back to reality.

Turning his head to look at Phoenix Fool beside him, he still seemed unwilling to accept reality.

"Brother Feng, did I... lose?"

Hearing Qianmu Fan's question, Phoenix Fool hesitated for a while, and eventually nodded.

Over the years, Qianmu Fan had lost before.

He wasn't a stranger to failure; victories and losses are both part of the journey.

But today's loss, Qianmu Fan found hard to swallow.

Thinking back to all the preaching and grand speeches he gave before the match,

even talking about "virtue should precede cultivation"...

But in the end, Shen Han seemingly defeated him with just three moves.

The more he thought about it, the more Qianmu Fan felt embarrassed, even feeling utterly ridiculous.

Once this spreads, it would certainly become the talk of the town.

"Brother Qianmu, that Shen Han must have seen through your chess strategy.

If a chess player's moves are perceived, their power greatly diminishes.

Perhaps that young man has some studies in the Chess Path."

Qianmu Fan, having studied the Chess Path for years, understood perfectly well why he lost.

It wasn't because his moves were seen through, but rather overwhelming hard power...

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