10: Chapter 10 The Zhang Family's Coercion

"Hand over the Purple Blood Spirit Medicine, and pay ten million in compensation?"

Upon hearing this, Han Ming was filled with fury.

It was clearly the Zhang Family who wanted to rob the Han Family's Spirit Medicine and killed the Han Family's people, yet now they were turning around and demanding compensation from the Han Family?

This was simply going too far.

"Going too far!" Third Uncle Han Yongfeng slammed his hand on the table, making the dishes jump high. "Let's fight them! At worst, we'll drag them down with us!"

"Fight?" Second Uncle Han Yongan gave a bitter smile. "Third brother, what do we have to fight with? Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu of the Zhang Family is a five-star Great Martial Master. He alone could slaughter all dozens of us in the Han Family, not to mention the other experts in the Zhang Family."

"We can't just accept this!"

Third Uncle Han Yongfeng's eyes turned red, and he gripped his fists in grief and indignation. "They robbed us of our Spirit Medicine, killed several of our retainers, and now they want us to pay them money? Where in this world is there such logic?"

"Logic?"

Han Tianxiong sighed, a flash of unwillingness and exhaustion in his eyes. "In the world of martial arts, strength is the only logic. The Zhang Family is stronger than us, so whatever they say goes."

Everyone fell silent.

How could they not know that might makes right?

But that was a Tier 4 Spirit Medicine, the Purple Blood Spirit Medicine! It could allow Han Yonghui to achieve a Breakthrough to Great Martial Master without side effects, giving the Han Family an extra bit of foundation.

Furthermore, having to pay ten million in compensation was a huge chunk of the Han Family's capital; the Zhang Family was trying to cut off the path to the Han Family's rise!

"That's enough, everyone disperse! Prepare the ten million and hand it over to the Zhang Family tomorrow."

The Old Master waved his hand helplessly at the crowd, then looked at Han Yonghui and Second Uncle Han Yongan.

After saying this, his originally straight back instantly stooped, and he looked ten years older, losing his usual vigor.

Without the Purple Blood Spirit Medicine, he didn't know how long it would take for his eldest son to achieve a Breakthrough.

"Yes, Father."

Although Han Yonghui and Second Uncle Han Yongan were unwilling, they knew this was the best outcome. They stood up, bowed to the Old Master, and left the council hall.

At nine o'clock the next morning, a black hovercar stopped at the Han Family's entrance.

The car door opened, and an old man wearing a gray robe stepped out. The old man had white hair and a beard, a thin face, but eyes as sharp as an eagle's, scanning the surroundings with a condescending gaze.

Behind him followed four burly middle-aged men, each possessing the strength of a high-level Martial Master.

Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu, Grand Elder of the Zhang Family, a five-star Great Martial Master.

"Grand Elder Zhang, your arrival is an honor. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner."

Han Tianxiong went up to greet him, cupping his hands in a salute.

Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu nodded and stepped into the Han Family residence.

The group arrived at the main hall and sat down according to status. The servants served tea, but Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu didn't even glance at it, speaking directly: "Family Head Han, you should know why I am here. Where is the item?"

Han Tianxiong was silent for a moment, then took a jade box from his robes and placed it on the table.

The jade box opened, revealing a palm-sized Spirit Medicine that was purplish-red all over, emitting a dense Spiritual Qi.

The Purple Blood Spirit Medicine, a Tier 4 Spirit Medicine worth millions.

Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu picked up the Spirit Medicine, examined it for a moment, nodded in satisfaction, and casually handed it to the person behind him.

"Very good. And the ten million?"

Han Yonghui took a deep breath, stepped forward, and placed a bank card on the table.

"Grand Elder Zhang, this is the ten million."

Han Yonghui's voice was low, and his fingers holding the bank card trembled slightly.

Although this ten million wouldn't break the Han Family's bones, this feeling of humiliation made him incredibly uncomfortable.

Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu took the bank card and handed it to the person behind him. That person took out a palm-sized device, scanned it, and nodded.

"Grand Elder, the money has arrived."

Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu smiled with satisfaction.

He tucked the bank card into his robes, stood up, walked over to Han Tianxiong, patted his shoulder, and smiled meaningfully: "Family Head Han is indeed sensible. Alright, I've received the items; the matter with your Han Family is now settled."

After saying this, he didn't wait for the Han Family to react and left with his subordinates.

"Pfft..."

Not long after Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu and the others left, Han Tianxiong couldn't hold back and spat out a mouthful of blood, staggering a few steps and nearly collapsing to the ground.

"Father (Grandfather, Master), what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Seeing this, everyone rushed forward to support the Old Master, calling out in panic.

"I... I'm fine... That bastard Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu ambushed me before leaving. He used his Internal Qi to strike me twice, shattering many of my Meridians. It will be fine after a few months of recovery."

The Old Master wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and whispered, waving his hand weakly.

"What? Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu actually injured you before leaving?"

"Damn that Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu, he doesn't want us to have a good life!"

Everyone was furious upon hearing this, their eyes red and filled with righteous indignation. If they didn't know they were no match for the Zhang Family, they would have wanted to storm the Zhang Family right then and there.

This was simply going too far. Not only did they steal the Purple Blood Spirit Medicine and extort ten million, but now they had even injured the Old Master.

"That's enough. Butler Han Fu, help me back to heal my wounds. You all should keep a low profile recently and improve your strength as quickly as possible."

Han Tianxiong waved his hand to stop the crowd who were still venting their anger.

It wasn't as if the Han Family didn't have other enemies. To have established a firm foothold in Jiangbei Base City over the years, competition was inevitable.

Now that the Old Master was seriously injured and several Martial Master retainers had died, their strength was greatly diminished. It was possible that some people might not be able to resist taking action against the Han Family.

Han Ming stood where he was, watching his grandfather stagger away, supported by Butler Han Fu, his chest feeling as if it were blocked by something.

The Old Master had just said it would be "fine after a few months of recovery."

But Han Ming saw clearly that when his grandfather spat out blood, there were dark clots in it—that was a sign of damaged internal organs.

A palm strike from a five-star Great Martial Master, even if done casually, was not something easily recovered from.

But it was useless for him to say anything now.

"Strength, strength, it's all about strength. Zhang Family... just you wait!"

A cold glint flashed in Han Ming's eyes.

Although he had undergone Transmigration, he had merged with the original owner's memories and still held quite a bit of affection for the original owner's family.

How could he watch them being bullied by others?

Besides, since he had inherited someone else's body, he had to bear the corresponding consequences.

Han Ming ignored the gloomy atmosphere of the Han Family and returned to his room; strength was fundamental.

"System, open panel."

As Han Ming's voice fell, a pale blue light screen appeared before him:

[Host: Han Ming]

[Age: 18]

[Talent: D (Fire Element Affinity)]

[Cultivation Technique: Guiyuan Naling Jue (Yellow Rank High Grade), Ten Thousand Dao Scripture (Immortal Rank)]

[Martial Skill, Divine Ability: None]

[Qi and Blood Value: 203 points]

[Realm: Two-star Martial Apprentice]

[Current Disciple Slots: 1/1 (One disciple slot can be unlocked for every major Realm Breakthrough)]

[Currently Bound Disciple: Lin Fan]

That's right, Han Ming's Qi and Blood Value had already exceeded two hundred, achieving a Breakthrough to a two-star Martial Apprentice.

Although he hadn't Cultivated, Lin Fan had already provided him with dozens of points of Qi and Blood Value since yesterday afternoon, evening, and today.

He was truly worthy of being a child of Luck; he worked like a maniac when Cultivating, and even Han Ming had to admire him.

"But it's still too slow. I must become strong as quickly as possible, at least enough to have some self-preservation ability."

Originally, he didn't want to Cultivate himself; wouldn't it be nice to just let the protagonist Cultivate for him?

But after experiencing this incident with the Zhang Family, he understood the importance of strength.

"Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu, just wait for my revenge! I believe it won't take long..."

A cold glint flashed in Han Ming's eyes and vanished, then he cleared away all distracting thoughts and began to Cultivate the Ten Thousand Dao Scripture. This was his first time formally Cultivating.

Instantly, he triggered the heaven and earth energy within a radius of several hundred meters.