A flicker of disturbance passed through Han Yingyang’s eyes, disbelief that Han Shan would dare to defy him so brazenly.

Upon reflection, he realized Han Shan’s stubbornness was very much like his mother’s.

Sitting to the side, Han He looked at Han Shan with a hint of mockery in his eyes, taking pleasure in the misfortune. He knew his father’s temperament all too well; the thing he hated most was disobedience.

“The so-called legitimate son is nothing but a joke.”

Han He mocked inwardly.

“With such disregard for manners, your master can’t be much better.”

Han Yingyang remained calm, his expression indifferent.

“Release my master, and let me bear the consequences alone.”

Han Shan, deeply concerned for his master Yu Beiting’s safety, faced the main branch of the Four Holy Sects without a trace of fear.

“Impossible,” Han Yingyang flatly refused. “A mere Divine Transformation cultivator dares to strike against the direct lineage of the Four Holy Sects, he must be severely punished. If we let him go, what face would the Four Holy Sects have left?”

“If my master is harmed, and I live, I will spend my life destroying the Four Holy Sects.”

Since things had come to this, Han Shan saw no need to back down and spoke out loudly.

“How audacious!”

An elder immediately rebuked.

The crowd showed their displeasure; had anyone else spoken such words, they would likely have been suppressed already.

“Do you realize what you’re saying?”

Han Yingyang asked sternly, barely containing his anger.

“Of course, I do,” Han Shan replied. “So, the best course of action for the Four Holy Sects would be to kill both my master and me. Cut the grass and remove the roots, that would be prudent.”

“The blood of the Four Holy Sects flows through your veins; the Sect is your foundation, do you understand?”

Han Yingyang slammed his hand on the table.

“Heh,” Han Shan scoffed with self-derision.

He was no fool; he could see the situation clearly.

If Han Yingyang truly regarded Han Shan as his son, he would have come to fetch him personally as soon as he found him, or sent a trusted envoy to bring him directly to the Four Holy Sects.

But what did Han Yingyang do?

He casually assigned some insignificant business to Han Shan, letting him tinker with it and showing no intention of meeting him, demonstrating complete disregard.

The question was, if Han Yingyang was unwilling to acknowledge Han Shan for the time being, why bother sending someone to make a perfunctory gesture?

Rules, face.

No matter what, Han Shan’s mother had died to secure Han Yingyang’s position as the Holy Lord. If not handled properly, it would damage his reputation.

“Lock him up, let him reflect for a few days.”

Han Yingyang didn’t know how else to punish Han Shan, so he decided to confine him for now and deal with it later.

“Yes, Sect Master.”

The guards on either side stepped forward to carry out the order, striding towards Han Shan.

Han Shan wanted to resist, but his cultivation was sealed, leaving him immobile and at their mercy.

Master, it’s all my fault, I’ve brought you into this mess.

Han Shan was filled with regret for involving his master. If he could do it over, he would stay far away from his master, and this calamity would have been avoided.

Han Shan had no ability to foresee the future; how could he have known that his half-brother would be so ruthless, showing no regard for their shared blood?

The struggle for power was far more brutal than what was apparent on the surface.

However, Han Shan had never aspired to vie for power; he only wished to live in peace.

But because of his status as the main branch’s legitimate son, Han Shan had no choice but to face it all.

Elsewhere, Chen Qingyuan used ten great teleportation talismans to rush to the Renling Star Domain in the shortest time possible.

He didn’t barge into the Four Holy Sects but headed for the Misty Sacred Ground.

“Hey, can you lend a hand?”

Chen Qingyuan revealed his identity and soon met with Zhangsun Fengye, the Holy Son.

Having witnessed Chen Qingyuan’s prowess at the Song Family, many of the Misty Sacred Ground’s high-ranking officials knew better than to take him lightly.

“Brother Chen, we meet again so soon. What do you need?”

Zhangsun Fengye’s demeanor was refined and scholarly, clad in plain clothes and holding a folding fan.

“There might be a fight, you in?”

Chen Qingyuan made clear the risk involved.

“In the Renling Star Domain, no one among the younger generation can match Zhangsun Fengye. He hadn’t met a worthy opponent in years and was feeling quite lonely.

“The Four Holy Sects,” Chen Qingyuan stated their destination.

“Oh?” Zhangsun Fengye’s interest was piqued. “What has the Four Holy Sects done to warrant a personal visit for a fight?”

“Urgent matters, I’ll explain on the way!”

Chen Qingyuan didn’t want to waste time.

“Alright, let’s go!”

Zhangsun Fengye agreed.

Thus, the two set off for the Four Holy Sects.

Seeking Zhangsun Fengye was a well-considered move by Chen Qingyuan. The Renling Star Domain was the core area of the Northern Wilderness, not some remote backwater.

If Chen Qingyuan went to the Four Holy Sects alone, even revealing his identity as a disciple of the Academy, he might be brushed off and find it difficult to meet with Han Shan.

But with Zhangsun Fengye, it was different. As the local powerhouse of the Renling Star Domain and the publicly acknowledged number one Heaven’s Pride of the Northern Wilderness, even the Four Holy Sects would dare not slight him and would have to act cautiously.

“Holy Lord, the Holy Son of the Misty Palace requests an audience.”

Just as Han Yingyang and the others were dealing with Han Shan, an elder arrived in the hall and announced loudly.

“Let him in.”

Han Yingyang thought nothing of it.

Having passed the mountain gate of the Four Holy Sects, Zhangsun Fengye was well-acquainted with the layout and didn’t wait for the welcoming elder; he led Chen Qingyuan straight to the main hall.

Chen Qingyuan sensed Han Shan’s presence and grew anxious.

Thanks to Zhangsun Fengye, the experts of the Four Holy Sects did not stop them.

“Old Han, I’m here!”

His voice reached them before he did.

Just as Han Shan was about to be forcibly taken away for confinement, he heard Chen Qingyuan’s voice, his heartstrings trembled, his eyes reddened slightly, and he turned to look at the void outside the hall, murmuring, “Am I hearing things?”

Whoosh!

A few breaths later, Chen Qingyuan appeared in the great hall, with Zhangsun Fengye following close behind.

“Who is this person?”

Some elders saw Chen Qingyuan for the first time, their brows furrowed, their eyes filled with confusion.

“Somewhat familiar, seems I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

Portraits of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness were circulated among the top powers, and many had seen them.

“Who are you?”

If unsure, it was best just to ask.

Ignoring the elders’ questions, Chen Qingyuan walked straight to Han Shan.

Seeing Han Shan bound by chains of law by two guards, Chen Qingyuan’s expression darkened, and he said coldly, “Release him.”

“Boy, this is the Four Holy Sects, how dare you run wild here?”

An elder scolded.

Chen Qingyuan had no time for words, drawing the low-quality holy sword given by his master Yu Chenran and cutting through the chains of law.

Then, sweeping his gaze across the room, Chen Qingyuan declared loudly, “I am Chen Qingyuan of the Academy, who dares to bully my brother?”