Outside the island city, on a scenic mountain peak, the Han Corporation had built a luxurious resort villa complex. After Qin Hanchu took over the Han Corporation, this place became his property. Far from the city, it was an ideal location for a duel.
Two cars arrived consecutively outside the villa complex. As soon as Jin Aoyun alighted, he saw the Shen family patriarch arrive with two Grandmasters.
"Shen Wanfeng!"
There were only a few families in the Great Yan Kingdom with Grandmaster-level experts, so Jin Aoyun naturally recognized the Shen family patriarch. As Jin Aoyun saw Shen Wanfeng, the latter also saw him. They exchanged glares filled with animosity.
"No wonder Qin Hanchu dared to kill my Shen family members; it turns out you're backing him," the Shen family patriarch said. He was unaware of the conflict between Qin Hanchu and the Jin family and assumed Jin Aoyun was Qin Hanchu's hired help.
Hearing this, Jin Aoyun exclaimed, "Qin Hanchu killed your Shen family members?"
"Indeed," Shen Wanfeng stated angrily.
"I believe you are mistaken. I am not here to help Qin Hanchu," Jin Aoyun replied.
"Then why are you here?" Shen Wanfeng asked, puzzled.
Jin Aoyun pointed to Jin Longxing. "My descendant's arm was crippled by Qin Hanchu. I've come to seek retribution."
"This brat is so arrogant, provoking two great families simultaneously!" Shen Wanfeng exclaimed in shock.
"He has talent but lacks restraint," Jin Aoyun said dismissively. "With such a disposition, it's no wonder he'll meet an early end."
"Well said. This brat truly has no idea of his limits," Shen Wanfeng agreed, his voice filled with rage.
"With two Grandmasters present, Qin Hanchu is probably going to wet himself in fear," Jin Longxing thought with glee, convinced Qin Hanchu was doomed. Even if Jin Aoyun wanted to subdue Qin Hanchu, the Shen family would not allow it.
As they spoke, Old Ghost emerged. "Gentlemen, please come inside."
"Quite the grand entrance!" Shen Wanfeng scoffed.
Old Ghost did not reply, turning and walking into the villa. Led by Old Ghost, Jin Aoyun and the others were guided to the villa's backyard. The backyard was vast, featuring an artificial lake and rock gardens.
Qin Hanchu was seated in a pavilion by the artificial lake, sipping tea. Seeing Jin Aoyun and the others approach, he rose and stepped out of the pavilion.
"It is a great honor to have two Grandmasters grace us with your presence," Qin Hanchu said with a smile, holding his teacup.
Seeing only Qin Hanchu standing in the courtyard, Jin Aoyun and the others looked surprised.
"Where is the Grandmaster backing you? Why don't they come out to meet us?" Shen Wanfeng demanded coldly.
Qin Hanchu smiled. "Haven't you already met him? I myself am a Grandmaster."
"What did you say? You're a Grandmaster?" Shen Wanfeng was stunned.
"Qin Hanchu, do you even believe that yourself?" Jin Longxing retorted indignantly.
Jin Aoyun sneered, "Qin Hanchu, we are not three-year-old children. Do you think you can fool us with such words?"
"You don't believe me?" Qin Hanchu smiled. "Shall we make a bet?"
"If you want to stall for time, just say so. We can wait for your backer to arrive," Jin Aoyun said.
Shen Wanfeng nodded. "We are esteemed Grandmasters; we wouldn't stoop to bullying a junior like you!"
"As I told you, I am a Grandmaster." As Qin Hanchu finished speaking, a strong wind suddenly whipped around him.
"Qi diffusion! You... you really are a Grandmaster!"
"How is this possible..."
Jin Aoyun and the others stared at Qin Hanchu, dumbfounded. They could hardly believe their eyes. Reaching the ninth rank at the age of twenty was already considered a martial prodigy. But Qin Hanchu had reached the Grandmaster level! It was simply unbelievable. Was he even human?
Jin Longxing was overcome with fear. He had actually dared to provoke someone of the Grandmaster level. Recalling the events, he considered himself incredibly fortunate to have survived.
Qin Hanchu dispersed his aura and smiled. "Do you believe me now?"
"How... how did you cultivate?" After the initial shock, Jin Aoyun's eyes gleamed with greed. No matter how talented someone was, they couldn't be this terrifying. He believed Qin Hanchu must possess some secret technique. If he could obtain it, the Jin family could become the foremost family in the Great Yan Kingdom, earning the respect of even the royal family!
"If you tell us your method, we can overlook everything that has happened!"
"Even though you are a Grandmaster, you will still be at a disadvantage against the two of us," Shen Wanfeng stated directly, already demanding the secret technique.
Qin Hanchu smiled. "You two still haven't grasped the situation."
"What do you mean?" Jin Aoyun asked coldly.
"You have two paths before you: death or submission," Qin Hanchu said with a smile.
"The two of us combined cannot be killed even by a mid-stage Grandmaster," Jin Aoyun declared indignantly. "Even if you are a Grandmaster, you are, at best, our equal."
"What if I am a late-stage Grandmaster?" As he spoke, a semi-transparent protective aura began to condense around Qin Hanchu. The surging aura seemed capable of destroying everything.
"Protective aura!" Shen Wanfeng exclaimed in terror.
Late-stage Grandmastery was a watershed. Once this threshold was crossed, one's internal energy underwent a complete transformation. This qualitative change led to a significant leap in power, allowing late-stage Grandmasters to easily defeat mid-stage ones. Both Jin Aoyun and Shen Wanfeng were early-stage Grandmasters. Even fighting together, they were no match for a late-stage Grandmaster. Killing them would be effortless for Qin Hanchu.
Jin Aoyun stood frozen, his eyes wide with astonishment. He had spent a hundred years of arduous training to reach the Grandmaster realm. Yet, Qin Hanchu, at the age of twenty, had already achieved late-stage Grandmastery! Such power was enough to awe the world.
"My Shen family willingly submits!" After his shock subsided, Shen Wanfeng immediately bowed his head. The two Grandmasters behind Shen Wanfeng knelt in terror. Shen Wanfeng was already in his twilight years; he lacked the courage to confront a late-stage Grandmaster. Moreover, he needed to find a new patron for the Shen family. A twenty-year-old late-stage Grandmaster was more than capable of protecting the Shen family for a century.
"The death of Shen Jiuxiao, does your Shen family have any grievances?" Qin Hanchu asked sternly.
"A Grandmaster is not to be insulted. He was disrespectful to you; he deserved to die!" Shen Wanfeng said, clasping his hands.
Qin Hanchu turned to Jin Aoyun and asked coldly, "What are your Jin family's intentions?" Jin Aoyun was different from Shen Wanfeng. While Shen Wanfeng was nearing the end of his life, Jin Aoyun was still robust. As a Grandmaster, how could he willingly submit? However, in this situation, he had no other choice. Refusing Qin Hanchu would mean certain death. After a moment, Jin Aoyun reluctantly bowed his head. "The Jin family is willing to submit!"
"You seem rather reluctant," Qin Hanchu said, fixing his gaze on Jin Aoyun.