Chapter 16: Arriving with a Coffin on His Shoulders!

Three days—a span neither long nor short—can pass in the blink of an eye or seem as drawn-out as three years. Today was the appointed date for Mo Han and the Tan family to settle their old scores.

Before the main figure even appeared, the sky was already shrouded in dark clouds; a storm was brewing, and the stifling air pressed down on everyone’s chest. During these three days, the Tan family had mustered every force they could command within Qian City. Even the third and fourth elders, who had long retired, as well as Tan Fuhua, who was at the height of his influence in the war division, had all been called back.

To the shock of many, Tan Fuhua’s superior, General Ding Si, had also arrived with them, making the Tan family the center of attention. The reason for such an ostentatious display was not that the Tan family feared Mo Han. Rather, they wished to flex their muscles before the city’s powers, to remind all of Qian City of the Tan family’s unrivaled influence. Though they had lain low for nearly two decades, their strength remained among the city’s greatest.

The rumor that Mo Han had threatened to bathe the Tan family in blood, and the Tan family’s conspicuous preparations, had spread like wildfire through the city three days earlier. Now, before the principal had even shown himself, throngs of powerful figures had already surrounded the Tan family’s villa, making it impenetrable.

They had come, of course, to see the spectacle. More importantly, they wanted to see if the Tan family was as formidable as legend claimed. Most of these onlookers were prominent figures in their own right, and the Tan family treated them accordingly, setting out more than a dozen tables in the courtyard and offering fine tea and wine. But with the atmosphere so tense, not a soul touched the refreshments. Everyone simply sat quietly, waiting for Mo Han’s arrival.

Yet a question lingered in everyone’s mind: Who was Mo Han? On the surface, he was merely a live-in son-in-law of the Li family. But none of these people were fools; they could hardly believe that a mere son-in-law would dare challenge the Tan family. Clearly, this Mo Han must possess another identity unknown to the public. What could it be? This mystery was one of the reasons so many powerbrokers had gathered today.

A space of a hundred square meters had been left clear in the center of the courtyard, reserved for the coming reckoning with Mo Han. In the seat of honor sat General Ding Si, with his personal guard Tan Fuhua to his left, and the Tan family patriarch, Tan Taijun, to his right. Below them sat the third and fourth elders, Tan Tailun, and other core members of the Tan family. All waited for Mo Han.

“My lord, I’ve heard that wretch is extremely powerful—he may even be at the rank of general. The fate of our Tan family rests entirely on your shoulders!” Tan Taijun said obsequiously to Ding Si.

In fact, Tan Taijun did not truly take Mo Han seriously; this was merely a chance to flatter Ding Si. With Ding Si’s immense power, if the Tan family could secure his favor, their future status would be secure.

“He’s nothing but a useless parasite, yet look at how he’s frightened the master of the Tan family. Don’t worry—if he dares show his face, I’ll have Fuhua snap his neck,” Ding Si replied with a light laugh, his eyes full of contempt.

Ding Si had come to the Tan family only because there had been no recent conflicts in the Western Territories and at his personal guard Tan Fuhua’s request—a chance to give Fuhua a boost by his presence. As for Mo Han, who had thrown the Tan family into such a panic, Ding Si didn’t give him a second thought. In his eyes, only the Four War Gods were worthy of respect and fear.

“Uncle, rest assured—if that wretch dares appear, I’ll break his neck and avenge Rong,” Tan Fuhua declared confidently from beside Ding Si.

Tan Taijun was privately displeased, but outwardly he smiled, saying, “Good, good, Fuhua—you are truly the pillar of our Tan family. With your words, your uncle can rest easy.”

Tan Taifu, Fuhua’s father, was thoroughly pleased with his son’s display, elated at heart. With Tan Xiaorong a cripple, he had no hope of inheriting the family legacy. From now on, the future of the Tan family would be in the hands of father and son.

Thunder rumbled overhead, and everyone instinctively looked up. The clouds were racing, and it seemed a downpour was imminent. As everyone lowered their heads again, they saw a green-armored war vehicle slowly approaching the villa gates.

A war vehicle? The crowd’s spirits were jolted—was another figure from the military arriving? The Tan family members were visibly excited, and when they glanced at Ding Si, their eyes brimmed with respect. In their view, though the vehicle belonged to a local division, it must have come in honor of General Ding Si. After all, General Ding Si was one of the two most powerful generals under the War God of the Western Territories, his status far above that of Wu Yue, the regional commander. With Ding Si in Qian City, it was only natural for Wu Yue to come and pay his respects.

“It’s all thanks to Lord Ding—if not for him, Wu Yue would never have come to the Tan family,” Tan Taijun flattered.

Ding Si smiled coolly, pride flickering in his eyes. “He’s just a regional commander—of course he should come pay his respects to me.”

With a single sentence, he made clear his supreme authority. The gathered guests felt a tremor in their hearts, harboring a deep awe for the war domain’s powerhouses. In the Divine Land, the Four War Domains were locked in constant strife and fraught with peril, yet their commanders and generals wielded overwhelming authority—far more so than any local official.

“My lord, please remain seated. I’ll go greet Wu Yue myself,” Tan Taijun offered.

Ding Si waved him off. “Let him come on his own.”

Tan Taijun arched his brows and nodded, sitting back down, elated. Wu Yue, though not as exalted as Ding Si, was still a regional commander, a figure with immense power in the eyes of businessmen like Tan Taijun. Today, however, this man whom they would normally never dare approach was about to appear before him personally. From now on, the Tan family’s standing would soar beyond all challenge.

The other prominent guests, gathered for the spectacle, clearly sensed this as well. Each wore a grave expression, their thoughts hidden behind furrowed brows.

The war vehicle rolled into the courtyard and came to a stop in the center of the open ground. Wu Yue stepped out from the passenger side, sparing not a glance for the crowd. Instead, he walked to the rear and personally opened the door.

This gesture stunned everyone present. Could it be that someone from the Northern Imperial Capital’s main war headquarters was in the back seat?

Ding Si and the Tan family were equally shocked. Wu Yue was, after all, the regional commander of Qian City. Only someone from one of the Four War Domains or the Northern Headquarters could command such deference. But the war domains would not send anyone else; that left only the Northern Headquarters.

Could it be that the headquarters, displeased with Ding Si’s presence in Qian City, had sent a high-ranking official to confront him?

As the crowd watched in astonishment, the rear door opened and a young man stepped out. He looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five, his expression cold and indifferent. What shocked everyone even more was the respect in Wu Yue’s eyes, and the invisible aura of authority that emanated from the young man.

“A true powerhouse!” At first glance, Ding Si’s eyes flashed with utter shock. From this young man, he sensed a pressure incomparable to anything he’d ever experienced—it nearly made it hard for him to breathe.

The jaws of the Tan family dropped in disbelief; they leapt from their seats, eyes full of incredulity.

Mo Han.

The man whom even Wu Yue treated with such reverence was none other than Mo Han.