Returning to the Shen Mansion from the government office, Madam Yun escorted Shen Han to the courtyard and then refrained from disturbing him further.
After today's incident, she thought Shen Han also needed some rest to calm his nerves.
Lying on his own bed, Shen Han stretched his body.
After two consecutive attempts against him failed, who knows what underhanded tactics Madam He and her ilk might use next time.
However, his countermeasures were not lacking either, and Madam Xie could understand what it felt like to be falsely accused.
In Shen Han's view, it was all karma.
When using underhanded methods to deal with others, they should expect to meet with retribution.
Inwardly, he felt somewhat relieved.
After the relief, Shen Han did not continue to sleep deeply.
The law of the world is that the strong are always revered.
Just like today, without evidence, Shen Lei could still use the excuse of impulsiveness to act against him.
If he succeeded, he'd only face some punishment, but Shen Han would probably end up disabled.
Luckily, he had his own power to protect himself.
Shen Han looked at his fist; today, when he faced Shen Lei, he felt as if Shen Lei wasn't quite like a Ninth-Grade Martial Artist.
After being tempered by the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill," Shen Lei's power was no match for his own.
He must continue to persist in his cultivation, not only for self-defense but also to seek a sense of freedom.
The people believed that the Imperial Family bestowing Su Jinyu's hand in marriage to him was like a toad eating swan meat, a rose grafted onto cow dung.
They thought him unworthy of the Su Family's pride.
But Shen Han insisted on trying, wanting to see if one day, when he stood atop a high mountain, people would say Su Jinyu wasn't worthy of him.
Sitting on his bed, the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" continued to enhance his cultivation.
He had already entered the Ninth Grade, now striving towards the Eighth Grade realm.
To reach the Eighth Grade in the Martial Path, a martial artist needs to comprehend the world's Qi mechanism, the marker of entering the Eighth Grade is developing a sense of Qi.
A punch releasing a gust of wind, a sword strike producing Sword Qi.
Moreover, starting from the Eighth Grade in the Martial Path, martial artists can scale walls and walk on rooftops.
Proficient utilization of the world's Qi mechanism greatly enhances a martial artist's speed.
Without mastering body technique moves, a Ninth-Grade martial artist almost certainly loses to an Eighth-Grade expert, with no chance of victory.
Inhale, exhale, condense, gather.
The "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" had been practiced in depth, the momentum of the body already contained the essence of mountains and rivers.
Going further means incorporating the essence of mountains and rivers into the body.
If he could reach that level, every move of such a tempered body would carry the might of mountains and rivers.
This was the greatest mystery of the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill."
Besides, in his mind, the "Celestial Dao Sword Momentum" was not neglected.
This mysterious sword momentum technique, merely visualizing it in his mind allows him to feel his spiritual power being honed.
Originally, his spiritual power was just a shallow basin of water.
But through visualization over these days, the source of his spiritual power now held a pool.
If mere visualization yielded such benefits, imagine the pressure when the "Celestial Dao Sword Momentum" is unleashed.
He trained until 3:00 PM, and when Shen Han checked his supplies, it seemed he had consumed all the food.
With some broken pieces of silver in hand, Shen Han intended to buy some outside.
Upon leaving the Shen Mansion, Shen Han noticed the look in people's eyes towards him had subtly changed.
Previously, the servants and retainers of the Shen Mansion looked at him with contempt and mockery.
But today, there was a hint of fear in their eyes.
Especially the maids, like Cai Yan, who quickly lowered their heads upon seeing Shen Han.
Shen Han roughly guessed the reason: yesterday's confrontation with Shen Lei had shown he was evenly matched, and everyone wasn't foolish.
To stand against Shen Lei in combat implied he naturally possessed Ninth-Grade strength.
Even if Shen Han still wasn't favored by the high-positioned figures of the Shen Family, he could now shake this group of household servants, wouldn't they be afraid?
No time to bother with them, he headed straight for the bustling market and bought some dry provisions.
"Unpalatable baked pancakes," "astringent buns"...
Shen Han picked some cheap dry provisions to buy, knowing that the shopkeeper was aware of the inferior quality and sold them cheaply.
It suited Shen Han quite well, as he extracted the negative qualities, the taste was decent.
If he wanted to eat something delicious, he'd just pass by the kitchen and extract some "tasty" qualities from the items.
Walking through the bustling area, many people greeted Shen Han.
"Young Master Shen, we all believe you didn't engage in those thievery activities.
Real thieves, as soon as they get money, can't resist splurging; they'd hardly eat these pancakes and buns."
"That's right, stolen money isn't cherished. It'd be spent dining at Yun'an Tavern..."
In response to what the people said, Shen Han smiled, appreciating their trust.
Returning to the Shen Mansion, as Shen Han headed towards his courtyard, he overheard two older servants chatting.
Their topic of conversation was his barely-remembered father, Shen Lingsheng.
It seemed they intentionally wanted him to hear.
Old Marquis Shen had three sons, and Shen Lingsheng was the third and most gifted and powerful among them, wielding a long halberd and slaying countless enemy soldiers and wronged souls.
In those days, Shen Lingsheng probably deserved the title of pride too.
However, in Shen Han's memory, apart from scolding him, there seemed little interaction with this father.
If he could have protected him just a little, he wouldn't have to live by the fish pond and vegetable garden.
Suffering through heat in summer and cold in winter, enduring each year.
After Shen Han's mother fled the Shen Mansion, Shen Lingsheng quickly married Madam Yun, seemingly finding it disgraceful, departing for the eastern frontline three months into their marriage.
Over the years, he returned once every three years, mostly during the year-end.
From the calculation, this year marks the third year.
This once-prideful father, whether he'd return was uncertain.
If he did return, how would he handle the underhanded tactics against him by the Shen Family?
Pondering it over, Shen Han didn't place much weight on it.
After all, he wasn't sure if he'd return this year.
Even if he did return, whether or not he'd protect him was questionable.
If Madam Yun had that capability, she'd surely protect him.
Shen Han thought highly of Madam Yun, for only with her did he feel a sense of home.
Back in his courtyard, Shen Han busied himself.
Tomorrow, he was invited to Prefect Xu's house.
The saying goes, "Etiquette demands reciprocity"; though everyone knew he lived a modest life, he shouldn't go empty-handed.
Regarding Prefect Xu, Shen Han had gathered some information.
Having served as an official for many years, the usual tricks were something he must have seen before.
To present a suitable gift, Shen Han targeted Prefect Xu's son.
This young man wasn't fond of revelry or obsessed with women.
Instead, he was entranced by the art of forging, spending his days immersed in shaping and casting.
Although Prefect Xu disliked his son's pursuits, he could not outright oppose them.
After all, it's better than the sons of other families who rely on sheer force to bully and make trouble without reason.