The old dowager's actions are indeed ruthless.

The clan brother wanted to mend the brotherly relationship, but not going himself was not only not to associate with his brother but also to defy the old dowager of the Shen Family.

In his mind, Shen Han pondered many countermeasures.

Though the crisis was dangerous, at least he still had his trump card.

His ability to extract prefixes of entries was unknown to anyone, which was precisely the key to his surprising victory.

Moreover, after advancing to the Eighth Grade, he had never revealed this to outsiders.

To the people of the Shen Family, he was still considered a Ninth-Grade martial artist.

Their plans against a Ninth-Grade martial artist would naturally differ from those against an Eighth-Grade.

One night passed.

At 5:00 PM, Cai Xue, the maid by Madam Shen's side, worried that Shen Han had not gone to Xue Yun's courtyard, even ran to remind him.

Madam Shen completely lost the demeanor of a clan elder and began to bully the younger generation of the clan.

He abandoned all his heart's longings for the Shen Family, as enmity outweighed favor between him and the Shen Family.

Having prepared everything, he walked south towards Yun'an City.

Upon reaching the south of the city, he had to cross a winding cobblestone bridge.

Beyond, a grove of plane trees and a courtyard in the classic style came into view, the famous Xue Yun courtyard.

The attendant at the door saw Shen Han arriving and hurried to greet him.

Stepping into Xue Yun's courtyard, a round table sat at its center.

The round table was large, seemingly able to seat more than twenty people.

Madam He and Shen Ao were already waiting there.

"Shen Han, you've always had a hard time at the manor. The servants say you often fill your stomach only with baked cakes.

Today's meal is prepared entirely for you, so please enjoy it."

Madam He spoke softly, no longer bearing previous resentment, as if she had come to terms with it all.

Shen Ao, this child, lacked such skilled expression management, his face filled with hatred, eager for Shen Han to die soon.

"You're considered clever; otherwise, you wouldn't still be this fine.

But today, something must happen to you."

Madam He left a remark, preparing to leave with Shen Ao.

"Mother, I want to watch him beg for mercy."

Shen Ao wore a hint of smugness, seemingly relishing the satisfaction of revenge.

Hearing her son's words, Madam He smiled helplessly but still pulled him away.

After all, they were all part of the Shen Family; if Shen Han encountered danger, they were supposed to help, being caught in such a situation would be disadvantageous.

After they left, a lean man walked out from the shadows.

Standing by Shen Han's side.

"Kindly, Young Master Han, please eat quickly; I have some farm work to take care of at home."

He glanced at the food before him.

[Dishes containing poison]

Madam He was meticulous; all this food in front of him was indeed poisoned.

To ensure nothing went wrong, it's indeed thorough.

Shen Han's attention sharpened, extracting the [Dishes containing poison] entry, then began to eat.

"Care to join me?"

"This humble one does not dare to dine with Young Master Han."

Shen Han couldn't help but chuckle: "It's rare for someone to claim a humble status before me; remembering before, our family servants, all looked down on me."

"What's your name?"

"This humble one's name is Yin Man, a farmer from the west of the city."

"The attack today, what reason was given?"

"In response to Young Master Han's inquiry, it was publicly announced that you assaulted this one's wife while drunk.

This humble one takes this as the reason for taking action against you, Young Master Han."

While eating, Shen Han nodded.

That reason was indeed good, making Shen Han out to be a despicable person, which provided grounds for breaking off an engagement.

If he was handicapped, that was another reason for breaking off an engagement.

"But if that's how you say it publicly, it would ruin your wife's reputation. What benefits did Madam He promise for you to be willing to sacrifice so much?"

Yin Man lowered his head slightly, a look of reverence on his face.

"This humble one is not working for Madam He but for Young Master Ye.

As long as Young Master Ye is satisfied, even if this one's wife dies, it would be worthwhile."

Shen Han glanced at Yin Man: "To marry you, how pitiful it must be."

Putting down his chopsticks, Shen Han drew a soft sword from his body.

The Shen Family attendants who were watching from the shadows couldn't help but widen their eyes.

They hadn't expected Shen Han to have a sword wrapped around his body...

"Young Master Han carrying a sword, as expected you've anticipated today's danger.

But even though this humble one is a farmer from the west of the city, three years ago I reached the Eighth Grade, and a month ago, ascended to the Seventh Grade.

If Young Master Han resists, this humble one might injure you even more severely."

Holding a hoe, Yin Man maintained the same calm expression as before.

Yet Shen Han disregarded his words, thrusting out his soft sword.

The Sunset Swordsmanship slashed out, a flash of silver light, like a crack opening in the void.

Misty Sword Intent!

Silver light erupted, intertwining reality and illusion.

The singular sword light split instantly into threads.

Their exchange, only then did Yin Man stow away his calm façade.

Madam He had said Shen Han was a Ninth-Grade martial artist, yet Yin Man now distinctly felt the pressure.

Particularly that strange Sword Qi, one swing emitted over a hundred Sword Qi!

Lifting his hoe to block, he exerted quite some effort to fend off the hundreds of Sword Qi.

But while blocking, Yin Man felt he had only fended off a single Sword Qi.

Just from that move, his face grew more solemn, losing its prior composure.

"The young masters of the Shen family are indeed geniuses; but for Young Master Ye's sake, the more outstanding you are, Young Master Han, the less you can be allowed to grow."

As his words fell, Yin Man's momentum abruptly condensed.

The hoe in his hand struck with the force of breaking a mountain.

This was a strike from a Seventh-Grade martial artist; with their greatly enhanced perception, if one hadn't mastered the Body Techniques, escape would be impossible.

Yet Shen Han, having practiced the Lonely Wind Snow-Treading Step for nearly two months, naturally had the ability to dodge.

Dodging, Shen Han's gaze was fixed on the hoe in his hand.

It turned out to be a purple entry, [Extremely Sharp Hoe].

Shen Han hadn't expected this hoe to be an [Extremely Sharp] entry.

Focusing his mind, the long sword in his hand countering with the Sunset Swordsmanship and Misty Sword Intent.

The illusory and real techniques of Misty Sword Intent were truly difficult to counter.

Though he had identified some feints, ignoring what he presumed to be feints led to being grazed by a Sword Qi.

This was not a Ninth-Grade martial artist, but could easily rival one at the Peak of Grade Eight.

After about two quarters of an hour, Shen Han finally caused the purple entries to tremble.

Gathering his spirit, extracting!

The [Extremely Sharp] entry fell immediately, then dropped into his mind.

At the same moment, a [Inferior] gray entry floated up, affixing itself to Yin Man's hoe.

The hoe, once impeccably crafted, instantly became rusty and decayed.

The Sword Qi clashed with the hoe, and with a scrape, the hoe split in two.

The sword pierced through!

Yin Man's eyes widened, the skin around his eyes cracked open.

Having dealt with one, Shen Han set his gaze on the family servant observing not far away.

Today, he had unmistakably demonstrated his strength, but Shen Han did not want other members of the Shen Family to find out.

With a swing of Sword Qi, he ended it.

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