Chapter Thirty-Nine: Settled with a Single Punch

“Oh, why are you drinking alone in the dark?” Chu Han walked in and, under Sun Hao’s surprised gaze, sat down without ceremony, pouring himself a drink.

“Brother Chu, what brings you here? I wanted to apologize to you—when the Lin family came to make trouble, I lacked the ability to help the Tang family, so I left. I’m truly sorry,” Sun Hao exclaimed, rising in shock and speaking with some embarrassment. Seeing his earnestness, Chu Han couldn’t help but laugh.

This fellow really is single-minded, feeling guilty over such matters. But precisely because of this, Chu Han found him worth befriending and had always lent him support.

“No need to worry. Lin Qiuhai’s strength is far beyond what you can handle. The trouble is already resolved. Now, tell me about your situation—anything I can help with?” Chu Han shook his head; Sun Hao had yet to break through to the Wheel Sea realm, so facing Lin Qiuhai was impossible, and Chu Han bore him no grudge for it.

Judging by his demeanor, it seemed his own struggle wasn’t going well either. Chu Han took a sip of wine and listened quietly.

After leaving the Tang family, Sun Hao had assembled a force of his own. Though the Lantian Camp was wholly under Dan Qing’s control, many veterans refused to obey him, as Dan Qing had seized power by usurpation.

Sun Hao gathered these dissenters to oppose Dan Qing, but their numbers were few and they lacked experts. Dan Qing himself was a master at the Wheel Sea realm, and the second God General, Zhang Xuan, was at the tenth level of Body Refining, a step away from the Wheel Sea. Sun Hao could never match them, and had been troubled by this. Now, the two forces were in a standoff, but soon battle would commence and Sun Hao would likely be defeated.

“I see. Then you needn’t worry. I’ll deal with Dan Qing and Zhang Xuan—just lead your troops into battle,” Chu Han smiled slightly. If that was all, it could be easily resolved; once the Lantian Camp matter was settled, a weight in his heart would be lifted.

Sun Hao was overjoyed at Chu Han’s words. He knew Chu Han’s abilities—once he acted, Dan Qing and Zhang Xuan would be finished. But Chu Han had previously stated he didn’t wish to get involved in the Lantian Camp’s dispute, so Sun Hao hadn’t sought him out.

“Thank you, Brother Chu. As long as those two are dealt with, the rest are of little concern. After all, these men were all brought up by General Lantian himself—I know how to turn them,” Sun Hao declared happily, launching into his plans. In military matters, Sun Hao was indeed a genius.

The night passed without further words.

Early next morning, shouts and curses echoed outside. Chu Han dressed and went out to look—it was the Lantian Camp’s rebel troops jeering.

Perhaps Dan Qing feared delay might bring unexpected changes, so he sought to resolve Sun Hao’s faction quickly.

Chu Han’s lips curled into a slight smile as he followed Sun Hao and his men outside. The leader opposite them was a man clad in silvery armor. Chu Han had never seen him, but the aura he exuded was that of a Wheel Sea realm expert—it must be the First God General, Dan Qing.

“Sun Hao, if you persist in your stubbornness, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Your brothers will die because of you, and you’ll be branded a criminal for the ages,” Dan Qing shouted, his spear gleaming. Yet Chu Han noticed that the soldiers behind Dan Qing dared not meet Sun Hao’s gaze.

They were rebels, after all, and guilt gnawed at them. Sun Hao’s plan was to exploit this guilt to quell the rebellion.

“Heh, Dan Qing, don’t be so arrogant. Just because you’ve broken through to the Wheel Sea realm doesn’t mean no one can deal with you. I believe your men are merely deceived by you—once you’re gone, they’ll see clearly. From antiquity to now, usurpers have never met a good end,” Sun Hao replied, his words striking home with the enemy troops, causing them to waver.

Dan Qing, no fool, immediately recognized Sun Hao’s intent and was alarmed. He quickly mounted his horse and charged forward, hoping to eliminate Sun Hao first. But at that moment, Chu Han stepped in front of him.

“Who are you? Get out of my way or I’ll kill you,” Dan Qing demanded, spear raised, unfamiliar with Chu Han’s face. But Zhang Xuan behind him called out, identifying Chu Han.

“Dan Qing, is it? Remember my name: Chu Han. If something can be settled with one punch, I won’t bother with a second. I hope you can withstand that punch,” Chu Han sneered coldly and rushed forward, his body wreathed in blue lightning, crackling loudly. The tremendous force beneath his feet splintered the ground with every step. Witnessing such power, the opposing soldiers gasped in shock.

They were but ordinary soldiers—never had they seen such might. Even the famed General Lantian, strongest in the camp, could not compare to Chu Han’s sheer strength.

A flash of lightning—Chu Han vanished from sight and reappeared before Dan Qing, knocking aside his spear and landing a brutal punch to his chest.

A thunderous crash followed. Dan Qing’s breastplate shattered, his chest collapsed, and he was hurled through the air—dead before he hit the ground, lifeless and silent.

Seeing this outcome, Dan Qing’s subordinates were dumbfounded. Never had they witnessed such terror; chaos erupted among them. Meanwhile, Sun Hao seized the opportunity, leading his troops in a charge, scattering the enemy in disarray.

“I know you were merely misled by Dan Qing. He’s dead now—those who surrender will not be harmed. But if you persist in stubbornness, don’t blame me for what happens next,” Sun Hao stood tall among the crowd, shouting his offer of amnesty.

Seeing Sun Hao, the enemy lost all will to fight. Overcome by guilt, they dropped their weapons and surrendered. The soldiers could be forgiven, but not the rebel God Generals—they were the true culprits of the uprising.

Zhang Xuan understood this well. He dismounted, removed his armor, and tried to slip away in the confusion. He had barely gone a few steps before running into someone and falling.

Looking up, he saw that he had collided with Chu Han, who gazed at him with a half-smile. “General Zhang, where do you think you’re going? With Dan Qing dead, you’re now the leader of these rebels.”

The display of Chu Han’s power had left Zhang Xuan utterly intimidated—he felt no urge to resist and sat helplessly on the ground, waiting to be bound by Sun Hao’s soldiers.

Thus the Lantian Camp rebellion was completely quelled. Dan Qing was dead, Zhang Xuan captured. Though the camp’s strength was diminished by the upheaval, the crisis was resolved.

“Sun Hao, things here are settled. I’ll head back now and leave the rest to you. If you run into trouble, find me at the Tang family,” Chu Han said, seeing his work was done and preparing to depart.

But Sun Hao stopped him. “Wait, let me take you to meet someone—you’ll be very surprised.”