Chapter 10 - Punish

Just as he was processing this, he was interrupted by voices coming from outside the room. He instantly recognized one of the voices.

A cold, murderous light flickered in Han Zhen's eyes. He had endured enough disrespect from the Han family, and now they dared to invade the residence of his mother. The audacity of these people was beyond belief.

The door crashed open with a deafening "bang," and two warriors from the Spirit awakening realm barged into the room.

Their faces were twisted into malicious smiles, clearly confident in their superiority.

But just as the two of them stepped onto the threshold, Han Zhen's voice rang out cold and clear, like the distant rumble of thunder.

"Get out!"

His words were sharp, and as they reached the ears of the two intruders, it was as if the very air had thickened with pressure.

The force of his shout shook their minds and stunned their senses for a fraction of a second. But that was all Han Zhen needed.

In the blink of an eye, he shot out from the house like an arrow released from a bow, his movements too fast for the human eye to follow.

The sheer force of his motion sent waves of wind crashing into the surroundings, and a moment later, Han Zhen was already in front of the two warriors.

"Bang! Bang!"

With two resounding claps of his hands, the warriors were struck with overwhelming force. Their chests caved in instantly under the pressure of his blows, and before they could even register the pain, their bodies were sent flying backward as if they were mere ragdolls.

They crashed against the walls, leaving deep dent before crumpling to the ground, unconscious.

The shock of this sudden turn of events rippled through the crowd outside. The onlookers were left stunned and speechless as they witnessed the dramatic display of power.

The man who had once been considered a waste, someone who couldn't even absorb the energy of heaven and earth, had just taken down two spirit-awakening realm warriors in a heartbeat.

No one could believe their eyes. This was the same Han Zhen, the one who had been reduced to the lowest status in the family, dismissed as a useless cripple! How could he have transformed into such a powerful being? What had happened?

He stood in stark contrast to the pitiful figure he once was, now exuding a presence of terrifying strength. It was clear that he had crossed some invisible threshold in his cultivation, and no one was more surprised than the onlookers.

The words that once defined him, as incapable and useless, were now nothing but hollow words of the past. Han Zhen had become someone entirely different, someone who was no longer to be underestimated.

The crowd fell into stunned silence, their expressions a mix of awe, fear, and disbelief. Murmurs rippled through them like an uneasy tide.

"How... how is this possible?" someone whispered from the back.

"Han Zhen? That useless fool can actually cultivate now?" another voice exclaimed, laced with shock and doubt.

"Hmph!" A man scoffed, his eyes narrowing in disdain. "What's there to fear? He's barely stepped into the Spirit Awakening Realm, nothing more than an insect before true experts."

"Shameless!" another sneered. "First, he dares to attack Young Master Kuan, and now he strikes against our people? Does he really think he can stand against us?"

"Exactly! With his measly Spirit Awakening Realm, what is there to fear? Anyone at the sixth level could crush him with ease!"

As the initial shock faded, murmurs swelled among the gathered crowd. Their disbelief lingered, but their scorn soon returned.

"So what if Han Zhen can finally cultivate?" one sneered. "The two men he defeated were the weakest among us, not even worth mentioning!"

Laughter and scoffs rippled through the onlookers, their confidence restoring itself in numbers.

Suddenly, an enraged voice shattered the chatter.

"Han Zhen!"

Seated in his wheelchair, his legs still crippled, Han Kuan roared with fury. His face twisted with resentment, his hands clenching the armrests so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"You dared to injure me? You dared to humiliate me?!" His voice trembled with rage, and his eyes burned with venomous hatred. "I'll make you pay for this, right here, right now!"

He sneered, his lips curling into a cruel smirk.

"If you have even a shred of intelligence left, kneel before me! Crawl like the dog you are, and perhaps, just perhaps, I might show mercy!" His voice rang out, dripping with arrogance. "Otherwise, I swear you'll regret ever being born!"

The crowd tensed, awaiting Han Zhen's reaction. Instead of being angry or afraid, Han Zhen remained silent.

He didn't even spare Han Kuan a glance.

His eyes were locked onto someone else.

Standing beside Han Kuan was a man whose features bore a striking resemblance to him, about half similar, yet vastly different in presence.

Unlike Han Kuan, whose arrogance burned recklessly, this man carried himself with composed confidence. His posture was straight, his expression calm, his entire aura exuding a natural superiority.

Dressed in an elegant long gown, a sword resting at his waist, he looked like a man of true talent, someone who didn't need to boast about his strength.

This was Han Yun.

Han Kuan's older brother.

Within the main family of the Han Clan, Han Yun was revered as a prodigy. His talent had propelled him to the pinnacle of Sunreach City, earning him a reputation that few could challenge.

At such a young age, he had already reached the peak of the Essence Refinement Realm, a feat that cemented his superiority over most martial artists in the region.

"I already know everything about you," Han Yun said coldly. "If you want to avoid punishment, someone from the main family will have to plead for you at the Mayor's Mansion."

He let those words settle before continuing. "You injured my brother. That alone proves your ingratitude toward the family. No matter how much your mother begs, we will not intervene on your behalf again. The mistakes you've made are unforgivable!"

His eyes darkened, his expression turning frigid.

"You and your mother, mere branch members of the Han family, should know your place. We are the direct descendants, and the rules are absolute. Your crimes are severe, and your actions disgraceful." His voice dropped lower. "By the laws of our family, you deserve to be punished."

Han Yun took a step forward, his aura pressing down like a storm about to break.

"Today, I will cut off your legs." He tilted his head slightly, a mocking glint in his gaze. "Do you have any objections?"

A tense silence gripped the room. The declaration hung in the air, suffocating and absolute.

Then, Han Zhen laughed.

It was not the laugh of a man cornered, nor one of nervous defiance. Instead, it was calm, steady, filled with an unshakable confidence that sent a ripple through the gathered crowd.

A smile tugged at his lips as he met Han Yun's gaze without an ounce of fear.

"The rules of the Han family?" Han Zhen scoffed. "I don't care for them."

"All I know is that this is the Iron Sword School. Everything here belongs to my mother. You come here, eat at our table, consume our resources, and yet, you dare to stand in our home, issuing orders like a tyrant? You even have the audacity to try and humiliate her?" His voice rang through the hall. "I won't allow it."

"As for your threats, cutting off my legs?" Han Zhen chuckled. "If you have the ability, come and try."

…

[A/N: "Nah I'd Win" Ah MC]