What Semi-Saint, what Fu Tao Technique, it’s simply vulnerable to a single blow. But this is no surprise, even Feng Qingyu suffered a silent loss under her sword due to letting his guard down, let alone Wu Zifeng.

Remember, Feng Qingyu is the Sword Saint among Sword Saints, the strongest of the strong, how could Wu Zifeng compare to him? To dare challenge me, simply not knowing how to live or die.

Yet she didn’t know that Wu Zifeng previously thought of her in the same way, but she returned the sentiment verbatim in her heart.

"By the way, I remember someone saying they wanted to challenge me, right?" Han Yan suddenly remembered something and looked towards He Yangqiu seated on the left.

She wasn’t genuinely interested in engaging He Yangqiu in a fight, just found this guy somewhat amusingly mindless, wanting to tease him.

"Not me, not me." Witnessing the might of Han Yan’s sword, He Yangqiu was already scared out of his wits, where’d he find the courage to challenge her, fervently denying while cold sweat dripped profusely down, almost breaking into tears.

"How could it not be? I distinctly remember it being you." Han Yan found his panic-stricken demeanor amusing and teased relentlessly.

Others watched He Yangqiu with faces that barely concealed amusement, having witnessed his challenge to Han Yan firsthand, now keen to see how the impulsive youth would manage to extricate himself.

"Did I say that? Why can’t I remember? Alright, even if I did, I can’t challenge you. This is the Jinlan Palace banquet, where only descendants of the Yue and Wu Families can challenge each other. I’m not from the Wu Family, what right do I have to challenge you? No, no, I simply cannot challenge you." He Yangqiu realized he couldn’t bluff his way out and, in desperation, tried his best to wipe off the sweat, suddenly his eyes flickered with rare inspiration and said.

Han Yan was surprised looking at He Yangqiu, who claimed this guy was oblivious, wasn’t he rather clever?

Seeing his nervousness, Han Yan lost interest in teasing him further and returned to her seat.

"Thankfully, luckily I was clever, otherwise this would have been a total disaster." He Yangqiu was relieved as Han Yan turned away, his body softening and sliding under the table. Climbing back up, he couldn’t resist but mutter joyfully.

Seeing his foolish expression, the surrounding crowd didn’t resist chuckling lightly. Rarely does the famous dimwit from Shangyue Country display such quick wit, worthy of being Lu Nianxin’s granddaughter, that sword’s menace really wasn’t trivial.

Once back at her seat, Han Yan immediately took an elixir. Although that sword easily defeated Wu Zifeng, the Qi expenditure was immense, almost depleting her entirely. Huayue and others weren’t much better off, showing signs of fatigue.

This time, however, having learned from experience, they had prepared elixirs beforehand. As soon as Han Yan’s fight ended, they quietly took their elixirs, starting energy movement, and swiftly regaining their usual complexion.

"Han Yan, why did you leave so abruptly? That’s very impolite." At this moment, Lu Nianxin scolded sternly, but while scolding, she winked at her subtly.

Han Yan raised her head, puzzled, at her grandmother, who continued, "Although blades and arrows are blind, injuring him wasn’t your intention. But since the Yue and Wu Families are as close as family, how could you leave without a second glance after injuring him?"

"Oh, should I go take another look at him?" Han Yan probed, wondering why her words felt so off.

"Yes, it’s the polite thing to do. If his injury isn’t too serious, maybe seeing him a few more times might save him; if he’s dead, seeing him more might ensure prompt arrangements for after matters." Lu Nianxin spoke earnestly.

"Alright, I’ll go take several more looks then." Han Yan said, walking forward, bending over and glancing at Wu Zifeng, though saying to look a few more times meant dozens by now.

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, I’ve taken many looks, he’s unsalvageable, thoroughly ruined." Han Yan stated earnestly.

"Then return." Lu Nianxin waved her hand, turning to Wu Tianxiong, "Brother Wu, after Han Yan’s repeated confirmation, Zifeng is grievously injured, his cultivation completely wasted, but as he previously stated, blades and arrows are blind, I assume he would accept such an outcome. Please, Brother Wu, restrain your grief, don’t let it harm your health."

This statement was spoken with expressions feigned of sickness, making her look all the more sorrowful.

However, Han Yan couldn’t help herself laughing, and not just she, even the civil and military officials below struggled to suppress their laughter, faces red from suppressed amusement.

Wu Zifeng’s injury was so obvious that even a blind man could see it, needing left and right glances for confirmation, no doubt the Empress Dowager was salting Wu Tianxiong’s wounds.

Though talented individuals arise from the Wu Family, few manage to cross the chasm of a Sword Saint. And Wu Zifeng’s age and potential made him a likely candidate to become the pillar of the Wu Family. Alas, he was crippled by Han Yan’s sword, nullifying all potential, let alone advancing to Sword Saint, he’d struggle to lead a normal life thereafter.

Prior to this, Wu Tianxiong’s only son was similarly disabled by Han Yan, and supposedly, the infamous Jing Jianjue, Wu Tianxiong’s illegitimate son, ended up in the same state by Han Yan.

One could say, all of Wu Tianxiong’s hopes were shattered by Han Yan.

The Empress Dowager’s phony consolation was more than salting wounds, it was equivalent to stabbing them.

Yet observing Wu Zifeng’s malicious intent in his sword earlier, if not for Han Yan’s superior skill, she might have ended up seriously injured or dead, thus no one felt sympathy for Wu Zifeng.

This grandmother is too dark-hearted, too interesting, but I like her. Han Yan felt more intimate looking at Lu Nianxin.

Beside them, Wu Tianxiong was shaking with rage, fists clenched, unclenched, clenched again, and unclenched.

"Carry him away." Ultimately Wu Tianxiong restrained the urge to act, waving his hand.

Several Wu family members stepped forward, carrying the now crippled Wu Zifeng away.

"Brother Wu, after today’s first sparring turning out like this, to avoid harm, let’s cease further contests." Lu Nianxin suggested to Wu Tianxiong.

Retreat to advance. Now having come to understand her grandmother’s ways, Han Yan immediately discerned her intent. As her earlier act of stabbing Wu Tianxiong’s wound was somewhat overt, Lu Nianxin cunningly staged a tactical retreat to lure him in.

It seemed that grandmother was truly deciding to seize today’s opportunity to take down Wu Tianxiong and his cohorts thoroughly.