Engagement Canceled: I Can Extract Prefixes

Chapter 361: Chapter 360: The Mountain Sea Dean’s Interrogation

By the time Shen Han was thirty, nearly ten years had passed.

The Great Wei Emperor now had some distrust towards the Shen Family; how could he allow them to lie low for another decade?

The Great Wei Emperor’s eyes turned towards Shen Han.

He didn’t want to give up this opportunity, yet he was also a bit less confident in Shen Han.

Winning against Shen Ye in a competition wasn’t going to be easy.

After pondering for a moment, the Great Wei Emperor frowned slightly and looked at Shen Qingshan.

“If that’s the case, since Shen Ye is a bit older and has some advantages, let’s set some restrictions for this child.

Then let the two of them compete. What do you all think?”

The Great Wei Emperor threw the question to the officials directly, without asking Shen Qingshan.

But Shen Qingshan responded instantly without hesitation.

“When Your Holiness was a prince, though you were younger, you still surpassed many elder brothers.

Age might be a factor, but like Your Holiness back then, if one possesses great talent, how could age be a limit?

If this child Shen Han really has the ability, he could surpass his elder brother, even if he were a few years younger.

Imposing restrictions and having the brothers decide the winner, there would likely still be some resentment in one’s heart.”

After a long speech, the Great Wei Emperor couldn’t help but frown upon hearing it.

A long moment passed before he turned his head to look at Shen Han, seemingly making up his mind.

“Then let it be as General Shen said, let the two children compete.

The competition will decide the rightful talent, and only then is it fit to inherit the Shen Family’s Marquis title.”

Having said that, the Great Wei Emperor began inquiring about the timing of the competition.

Shen Qingshan proposed setting the time for two months later; the Shen Family’s internal evaluations for the year had yet to be conducted.

This would be an opportunity for the two to spar and compete.

With these matters settled, the important discussions of the day concluded.

The resources bestowed upon him, Shen Han had already stashed in his Storage Ring.

When he found the time, he would hand them over to Patriarch Yun, asking them to help refine Pills.

After the reward ceremony ended, Shen Han returned to the academy with Dean Tianyi.

Before leaving, he continuously bowed towards the Great Wei Emperor; only after the three from the Shen Family had departed did Shen Han retract his etiquette.

He found an excuse not to bow to the three from the Shen Family.

On the return carriage, Dean Tianyi looked towards Shen Han with some anxiety.

“His Holiness was a bit hasty, agreeing to the competition between you and Shen Ye.

If you lose, wouldn’t that mean the assured Marquis position would fall to Shen Ye?

In that case, these rewards would be in vain.”

Dean Tianyi was somewhat reproachful, but Shen Han understood the Great Wei Emperor’s predicament.

“His Holiness likely doesn’t want the situation to drag on endlessly.

If it dragged on, who knows what uncertainties might arise?

Currently, Old Duke from the Shen Family already shows subtle resistance.

Within the Eastern Garrison, His Holiness’ orders are no longer spoken with the same authority as the Shen Family.

His Holiness likely doesn’t want the Shen Family to continue lying low.

Furthermore, I defeated Zhu Mingxiang in the Ten Nations Grand Competition.

Perhaps because of this, His Holiness has a bit more confidence in me…”

Shen Han smiled slightly, showing more confidence than Dean Tianyi.

Having defeated Zhu Mingxiang from Yan Country, he believed he was strong enough to face Shen Ye.

Moreover, with the “Divine Abyss Formulas” such a profound Cultivation Technique in hand,

Assisted by the “Unceasing Skill”, using Divine Abyss – Six, there shouldn’t be much of an issue.

His strength realm could also leap from a Fifth Grade Half-Step Realm to a Fifth Grade Fruit Realm instantly.

At present, Shen Han truly had no fear of Shen Ye.

Dean Tianyi showed some hesitation, pondering for a while: “Perhaps we should seek Prince Qingyuan and have him persuade the emperor to withdraw the competition demand…”

“His Holiness’ words are not that easily retracted.

No need to worry, Dean. There is still time; I will train hard and improve.

Besides, he might not necessarily defeat me.”

Seeing the determination in Shen Han’s eyes, Dean Tianyi refrained from further persuasion, though he still had some hidden worries.

Following this reward ceremony, Shen Han’s reputation in the Capital City grew increasingly prominent.

Along with Shen Han’s legendary experiences, people talked about him more and more.

Initially, upon arriving in the Capital City, even at Tianyi Academy, many believed that Shen Han had entered thanks to Prince Qingyuan’s influence.

Back then, scarcely anyone took Shen Han seriously.

But over time, Shen Han gradually revealed his strength.

With the duel against Su Jinyu, the academy competition, the Ten Nations Grand Competition…

Time and again, proving Shen Han’s talent and potential.

These experiences were spread by storytellers, entertaining listeners.

News from the Imperial Palace now spread that Shen Han would compare himself with his elder brother, Shen Ye.

The victor would inherit the Shen Family’s Marquis title.

For a time, the civilians of Great Wei engaged in heated discussions.

Though Shen Han had more supporters, Shen Ye’s reputation had been long-established, as he bore the title of a distinguished talent for many years.

Additionally, he was several years older.

Even among those supporting Shen Han, many still believed Shen Ye had a greater chance of winning.

…

Mountain Sea Academy.

This was already the fourth time in a few days that Mountain Sea Dean had sent for Luo Zuchen to see him.

Finally, in the evening, Luo Zuchen arrived.

“It’s really not easy to meet Mr. Luo.

If I couldn’t get you this time, I was about to personally visit you, Mr. Luo.”

The words were calm, but anyone listening could sense the dissatisfaction of the Mountain Sea Dean.

Hearing this, Luo Zuchen responded with a wry smile of apology.

“Dean, please don’t say that. Luo has been busy with numerous matters; that child Shen Ye has been in intense training and needed guidance, leaving me unable to step away.”

With an excuse right off the bat, Mountain Sea Dean just waved his hand.

Whatever he was truly busy with, who knew?

“Do you know why I’ve invited you here today?”

Luo Zuchen didn’t think and just shook his head.

“Did you hear about the Ten Nations Grand Competition reward ceremony held today in the Imperial Palace?”

Mountain Sea Dean asked twice, but Luo Zuchen still pretended to be unaware and shook his head.

“If you don’t know, then let me tell you.

This time at the Ten Nations Grand Competition, the students of Great Wei were nearly defeated, with several students from Mountain Sea Academy confronting the talents of Qi and Yan.

You should know the outcome, right?

Only one claimed victory; several of our students not only lost but lost quite terribly, often failing to withstand even a single move from their opponents.”

As he spoke, Luo Zuchen pretended to suddenly realize: “Oh, Dean, you were referring to this. That I do know.

It seems each generation is weaker than the last. During our time, winning two or three rounds against Qi and Yan was already quite good.”

Luo Zuchen’s words clearly intended to avoid mentioning Shen Han.

But even if he avoided it, Mountain Sea Dean still pressed on.

“No need to beat around the bush; what I want to discuss, you should know, is about Shen Han.”