Seeing this situation, Han Feng almost burst out laughing. He deliberately covered his nose and mouth and sneered:
"Young Master Han Bing, you didn't wet yourself, did you?"
These words gradually brought Han Bing out of his terror. He looked at his uncooperative lower garments, tears welling in his eyes as he realized he had made a complete fool of himself today.
Seeing this, the surrounding crowd cast contemptuous glances, unable to believe that Han Bing had actually been scared to the point of wetting himself.
Han Feng withdrew his long sword and said coldly:
"Go back and change your pants quickly. Don't catch a cold."
Han Feng slung his sword across his back and strode away with a hearty laugh.
Watching Han Feng's retreating figure, a lingering trace of fear arose in everyone's hearts.
"Could Han Feng have already recovered?"
"It must be true. Look at how he defeated Young Master Han Bing in a single move and made him look so foolish."
"If Han Feng has really recovered, and we bullied him so much in the past, wouldn't he beat us to death?"
At this moment, the crowd buzzed with discussion, all debating what to do next.
Meanwhile, nobody paid any attention to Han Bing, whose pants were thoroughly soaked. A sinister smile quietly appeared in Han Bing's eyes as he silently watched the direction in which Han Feng had left.
In the main hall, the elders of the Han Family gathered to discuss the upcoming Four Great Families conference.
Because Han Tian was severely injured, this meeting was presided over by the Great Elder.
Just as the elders were each expressing their own views, a figure burst in.
Recognizing who it had come, the Second Elder immediately stood up and asked:
"Binger, why are you here?"
Han Bing wore a resentful expression, but after a brief adjustment, a smile replaced his previous look.
"Han Bing greets the elders."
Han Bing bowed humbly to the elders, every action filled with respect, though it was impossible to tell whether it was genuine or false.
The Second Elder immediately stepped forward, pulled Han Bing along with him, and said to the elders:
"In this old man's view, at this Four Great Families conference, only Han Bing can turn the tide."
Han Bing lifted his proud face, looking quite smug.
"I agree as well. After all, among the younger generation of the Han Family, Han Bing currently has the strongest strength, having already reached Peak Qi Condensation. Aside from that monstrous talent from the Lin Family, Han Bing holds absolute speaking rights. When the time comes, our Han Family won't lose all our allotted shares."
One of the elders stood up and stated the stakes:
"Han Yuan also felt somewhat helpless and sighed, saying:"
"Alas, if Fenger were still as he used to be, how could our Han Family have fallen to this state? We must anticipate the outcome a step ahead."
The Second Elder and Han Bing wore displeased expressions. They had not expected that even though Han Feng had been a good-for-nothing for so long, the Great Elder still had him on his mind.
The Second Elder exchanged a look with Han Bing, who understood immediately. He cupped his fists, stepped forward, and bowed:
"Great Elder, this nephew guarantees you that apart from that person from the Lin Family, I will surely outshine all the rivals. Although our Han Family's share will lose quite a bit compared to the past, it won't be too disastrous."
The Great Elder also felt deeply powerless regarding the current situation; for now, they could only rely on Han Bing.
The Great Elder clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly. After a long while, he finally calmed down, took a deep breath, and made up his mind.
"Han Bing, step forward."
Hearing this, Han Bing wore a wicked smile, his eyes full of triumph. The Second Elder also beamed with joy and stroked his beard with high spirits.
Han Bing stepped forward and stood respectfully in place, waiting for the Great Elder to speak.
"Han Bing, in the name of the Great Elder of the Han Family, I appoint you as the Young Master of the Han Family. Once the Patriarch's injuries ease, I will inform him to bestow the Young Master jade pendant upon you."
The Great Elder flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.
Both father and son in the hall were filled with triumph, wearing goofy grins on their faces. After all, having achieved a long-held aspiration, the Second Elder could not hide his inner excitement and earnestly exhorted:
"Binger, you must practice diligently these next few days. If you can bring glory to our Han Family half a month from now, the Patriarch will have nothing to say, and the clansmen will have nothing to say either."
Han Bing put away his smug smile and nodded slightly.
When everyone else had dispersed, Han Bing pulled the Second Elder aside, signaling that he had something to say.
Before long, the two arrived at Han Bing's room. The Second Elder flicked his sleeve and asked:
"What is it, acting so secretive?"
Han Bing did not answer, but suddenly dropped to his knees before the Second Elder.
Seeing this action, the Second Elder hurriedly pulled Han Bing up and asked:
"Binger, what on earth is the matter?"
At this moment, Han Bing's triumph was gone, replaced by gloom and despair.
"Father, this morning I ran into Han Feng and fought him."
Hearing this, the Second Elder breathed a sigh of relief and said dismissively:
"Pfft, I thought it was something major. Just that? You didn't beat him up again, did you?"
"Binger, listen to your father's advice. You are at a crucial stage right now, and whether you can successfully become the Young Master depends entirely on this moment. You should treat Han Feng a bit better from now on—at least in public, so as not to make the Patriarch look bad."
"No, Father, I lost."
Buzz!
Han Bing's words struck the Second Elder like a thunderbolt. He stood frozen in place, utterly motionless, taking quite a while to snap out of it.
"Binger, what do you mean by that?"
Thinking he had misheard, the Second Elder wanted confirmation.
Han Bing took a deep breath, closing his eyes tightly as he dared not look the Second Elder in the eye, fearing he would see a disappointed expression. Word by word, he said:
"I lost to Han Feng."
"What?"
The Second Elder instantly flew into a rage, veins bulging on his forehead, his complexion grim as an unnamed fury became difficult to suppress.
Han Bing lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.
Under the Second Elder's pressing interrogation, Han Bing recounted everything that had happened.
Upon hearing it, the Second Elder's expression turned grim, his brows furrowed tightly with a resentful look.
"Judging by what you said, it seems Han Feng's strength has indeed recovered."
This was the last result the Second Elder wanted to see. Han Bing finally had a chance to ascend to the throne of the Han Family's Young Master, yet Han Feng had to recover precisely at this time—wasn't this intentional?
Han Bing's gloomy face was filled with despair. Since he was no longer a match for Han Feng, was he just going to watch this wonderful opportunity slip away?
"Father!"
The Second Elder raised a hand, signaling Han Bing to stay quiet. He paced back and forth across the room with an anxious look, until suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit him, and he asked:
"You said you saw him go out?"
Han Bing nodded.
In an instant, a vicious plan took shape in the Second Elder's mind.
"As the saying goes: small minds make no gentlemen, and the truly ruthless stop at nothing."
The Second Elder gestured for Han Bing to lean in close.
He whispered in Han Bing's ear for a long time, gradually draining the color from Han Bing's face.
"Father, this..."
The Second Elder waved a hand to signal Han Bing to compose himself, saying:
"Binger, this is a great opportunity for you to become the Young Master of the Han Family, and it's your only chance. If you miss this time, there will never be another chance for advancement."
"You just need to do as I say; leave the rest to me!"