Chapter 129: The Banquet Turmoil


    "Haha, Han Ming, do you know this guy?" The woman, annoyed by the sudden intrusion, flashed a hint of murderous intent in her eyes.


    Han Ming, growing impatient, turned his head away and shook it slightly.


    The grudge from two years ago had to be settled, but now was not the time.


    Han Ming wanted to humiliate those who had insulted him in front of everyone during the Tri-Nation Tournament.


    Wait!


    Han Ming!?


    Han Ming suddenly turned his head back to the woman, surprised to find that she knew his name? He hadn''t told her earlier.


    The woman had called his name before, but he hadn''t paid much attention at the time.


    "Kid, I don''t know if you''re lucky or unlucky to run into me every time. But I''m in a good mood today, so I''ll let you off. Get lost before I change my mind. I don''t want to see you again." Huang Ying waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly. It seemed he had completely forgotten the duel Han Ming and Shang Que had agreed upon two years ago. In his eyes, Han Ming was just a waste of space, not worth his time.


    Hearing Huang Ying insult Han Ming, the woman''s anger flared up, but she quickly calmed down and forced a smile.


    Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her big eyes looked at Han Ming with amusement, as if saying, "Can you really tolerate this?"


    Han Ming struggled to control his anger, telling himself to hold back, to endure!


    He knew that if he acted now, he might lose control and kill Huang Ying on the spot.


    He didn''t want to let Huang Ying off so easily, nor his accomplices. Letting him die here would be too merciful.


    "You... Han Ming? What are you doing here? How did you get in?"


    Fei''er, holding Shang Que''s arm, appeared in front of Han Ming, her face filled with disbelief.


    "Haha, it''s been two years. I wonder how much you''ve improved. Oh... still at the first stage, sixth rank, huh?"


    Shang Que teased.


    To avoid drawing too much attention, Han Ming had asked the demon spirit to conceal his core, displaying only the magic power of a first-stage, sixth-rank mage. Clearly, Shang Que had mistaken Han Ming''s lack of progress, his eyes filled with disdain.


    "Ah, I expected too much from you. After all, mud will always be mud, unable to climb the wall..." Shang Que shook his head with a smile.


    "Who knows? Maybe he used his pretty face to charm some young lady and sneak in, trying to see the world," Huang Ying sneered, clearly enjoying the feeling of putting someone down, as if belittling others gave him a sense of accomplishment.


    Fei''er looked at Han Ming with mixed emotions, her hand subtly trying to pull away from Shang Que''s grip.


    Shang Que tightened his arm, firmly holding Fei''er''s hand. After two failed attempts, Fei''er had no choice but to give up.


    Seeing Han Ming sitting with a woman even more beautiful than herself, Fei''er felt a pang of discomfort.


    "Han Ming! How could you be so reckless? Do you know where this is? The royal palace! How could you just barge in like this? What if someone finds out? If you accidentally offend some important figure, it''ll be a disaster. Listen to me, leave now while you still can. We won''t report you."


    The beautiful woman rested her chin on her hand, blinking her eyes as she watched the group''s performance, finding it all quite amusing.


    Han Ming, on the other hand, was dumbfounded. He thought Fei''er, usually fiery, could be so naive. Did she really think anyone could just sneak into the palace without an invitation?


    Shang Que and Huang Ying, however, were aware of this but chose not to point it out. They were too focused on humiliating Han Ming again, the same kid they had insulted two years ago. Besides, if Han Ming had managed to sneak in, maybe he really had charmed some young lady to get an invitation.


    The woman, finding the situation amusing, moved closer to Han Ming and wrapped her arm around his, pretending to be a naive girl. She pouted and said, "Don''t talk nonsense! Han Ming is so handsome! He has an invitation. I gave it to him, and he promised to spend the evening with me. What, are you jealous?"


    What the hell!?


    Han Ming stiffly turned his neck, staring dumbfounded at the woman who seemed to enjoy stirring up trouble. He thought, "Do I even know you?"


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    "Han Ming, you!!"


    Fei''er stomped her foot in frustration, pointing at Han Ming''s nose. "I used to admire you, but I never thought you''d actually... actually..."


    Han Ming coldly shook off the woman''s hand and slowly stood up.


    "If you like putting on a show, go ahead. I don''t have time for this."


    He then turned to Shang Que and said, "A reminder about our two-year agreement. At the Tri-Nation Tournament, if you lose to me, you''ll kneel and apologize."


    "Wow, such big talk!"


    A group of people surrounded Han Ming, led by Zhan Hu, another close friend of Shang Que.


    Zhan Hu was accompanied by a petite, adorable girl, clearly trying to show off in front of his new conquest.


    Zhan Hu slammed his hand on the table next to Han Ming and glared at him. "This isn''t a place for lowlifes like you. You don''t belong here, understand? Do you know what it means to not belong?"


    The beautiful woman suddenly stood up and tried to wrap her arm around Han Ming''s, but he dodged her, making it look like he was throwing a tantrum in front of others.


    The woman''s lips curled into a sly smile. She put her hands on her hips and pointed at the group, pretending to be fierce. "Stop bullying our Han Ming! He''s handsomer than all of you combined!"


    The crowd burst into laughter, leering at Han Ming.


    The woman quickly grabbed Han Ming''s arm again, leaning on his shoulder with a happy smile. In a voice only the two of them could hear, she whispered, "Are you angry? Should I kill them? Just nod, and none of them will leave here alive."


    Huang Ying, seeing the woman he admired holding Han Ming''s arm in front of everyone, felt as if he had swallowed a toad. His face turned cold.


    "Huang Ying, you don''t want to lose face in front of the woman you like. I don''t care. I''ll teach this kid a lesson for you!"


    Zhan Hu laughed, flicking a crystal wine glass into the air. He extended his right hand, thumb and index finger poised, and snapped his finger against the glass.


    The glass shot toward Han Ming at high speed.


    Han Ming hadn''t expected Zhan Hu to dare attack him in the palace. He quickly dodged, narrowly avoiding the glass.


    "What''s going on here? Let me join the fun."


    A group of people pushed through the crowd.


    Upon seeing the newcomers, everyone immediately stood straight, bowing respectfully and murmuring, "Good evening, Elder Mai Lun."


    The newcomer was Mai Lun, who had noticed Han Ming being surrounded.


    "So, young friend Han, are you enjoying yourself?" Mai Lun asked, his eyes glancing subtly at the woman still holding Han Ming''s arm. The woman met his gaze, and Mai Lun chuckled, his eyes filled with a knowing look. He thought to himself, "Young friend Han, you''re quite lucky. To have this woman''s favor is truly enviable."


    "Enjoying myself? Of course," Han Ming replied with a smile.


    The group was stunned, their jaws dropping as they looked back and forth between Han Ming and Mai Lun, their shock indescribable.


    How did this kid know Elder Mai Lun? And they seemed to be on familiar terms!


    Some of the troublemakers, seeing how close Han Ming was to Mai Lun, began to regret their actions, wishing they could leave but not daring to move. They stood awkwardly, trying to look uninvolved.


    "Mr. Han, it''s good to see you again."


    Queen Vivian, accompanied by a large entourage, walked over, smiling warmly. She extended her hand and shook Han Ming''s firmly.


    "Mr. Han, since we last met, I never thought we''d see each other again. I often dream of the moments we shared with Charles. I truly thank you for your bravery. If there''s anything you need, just ask. I''ll do my best to fulfill your request, no matter how difficult."


    "Your Majesty."


    The group surrounding Han Ming was no longer just shocked—they were terrified.


    What kind of joke was this? This kid knew Queen Vivian? And it seemed the queen owed him a huge favor!?


    Even Shang Que, Huang Ying, and Zhan Hu were dumbfounded. Fei''er, who had always claimed Han Ming was beneath them, now looked as if she had been slapped in the face.


    Who said he was insignificant? He was on such good terms with the queen, an honor they could only dream of.


    "Young friend Han, is there something troubling you? Has someone been unfriendly? Don''t worry, I''ll make sure justice is served."


    Mai Lun smiled, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. Those who met his gaze immediately panicked, lowering their heads and praying Han Ming wouldn''t say anything incriminating. Mai Lun was a figure at the pinnacle of the Northern Continent, a fifth-stage War King! If he decided to make trouble for them, even their families combined wouldn''t be able to save them.


    They still vividly remembered how, years ago, the son of a deputy commander of the imperial army had joked with Prince Charles, leading the prince to search for some dragon bones. No matter how many people pleaded, Mai Lun had the entire family hanged on the city gates for three days and nights.


    The more they thought about it, the more terrified they became. Some were already trembling.


    Queen Vivian, on the other hand, remained silent, clearly endorsing Mai Lun''s actions. She was sending a message to everyone present: no matter who offended Han Ming, no matter how Mai Lun chose to retaliate, she would support it.


    The small area around Han Ming fell into complete silence, everyone too nervous to even breathe. Shang Que, Huang Ying, and Zhan Hu, being mages affiliated with the Mage Guild and top students of the magic academy, were slightly less worried. Even Mai Lun, as powerful as he was, wouldn''t easily touch them unless absolutely necessary.


    The atmosphere grew tense.


    Seeing this, Han Ming suddenly laughed.


    "It''s nothing. We were just chatting and accidentally knocked over a glass."


    Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they had narrowly avoided disaster.


    "Is that so?" Mai Lun asked with a smile.


    "Indeed," Han Ming replied, giving Mai Lun a look that said, "Don''t worry, I''ll handle this myself."


    Having fought side by side, Mai Lun understood Han Ming''s unspoken message.


    "Good. Everyone, enjoy yourselves. We need to attend to the envoys from other nations. Mr. Han, would you like to join us?"


    Queen Vivian extended the invitation.


    Han Ming shook his head. "No, I''m a bit tired tonight. I''ll head back and rest."


    "Very well," the queen nodded.


    As Han Ming stood to leave, the crowd quickly made way.


    Walking past Zhan Hu, Han Ming patted his shoulder and whispered, "The reason I didn''t kill you all on the spot is that the empire needs experts like you to fight the demons. The reason I didn''t humiliate you here is that I want to crush Shang Que and Huang Ying in front of everyone at the Tri-Nation Tournament. The reason I''m telling you this alone is that our grudge is the smallest. Ending you now wouldn''t be too regrettable."


    With that, Han Ming left, laughing softly.


    Zhan Hu narrowed his eyes, coldly watching Han Ming''s retreating figure. He sneered inwardly, thinking Han Ming was just arrogant because he knew Mai Lun and Queen Vivian. At the Tri-Nation Tournament, he would teach Han Ming a lesson, and even Mai Lun wouldn''t be able to say a word.


    But he didn''t know that death was already by his side.


    A small red worm lay quietly in Zhan Hu''s coat pocket.


    Strangely, the worm seemed to be smirking, almost human-like.