Chapter 33 - Repay Malice with Kindness? No, I Prefer with Justice

Murong?

Hearing these two words, the crowd shuddered. The middle-aged man was actually a member of the Murong family—a clan so powerful, revered even by the Great Qi imperial family.

No wonder Steward Song was terrified out of his wits!

No matter how domineering he appeared in front of outsiders, to Murong Chuan, he was nothing but a lowly servant.

The crowd stared at Gu Han with complex expressions. Just how did the reckless youth whom they’d dismissed as ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth become Murong Chuan’s honored guest?!

Could it be because of that unremarkable iron token?

Steward Song was still kneeling as he trembled, not daring to raise his head. Not far away, Liu Tong went pale. Besides resentment and unwillingness, there was also a trace of poorly concealed fear in his eyes. As for Liu Ying, her heart had grown cold. This scene was eerily similar to what had happened in front of Divine Physician Xue’s door.

Seeing Murong Chuan’s politeness, Gu Han was puzzled. “Sir, today...”

Murong Chuan waved his hand, completely dismissing the incident, and instead asked, “Don’t worry, it’s just a trivial matter! By the way, you mentioned the young lady’s name earlier. May I ask how you know her?”

“Young lady? Murong Yan?”

“Yes!”

“She...

cough

...”

The word “sister” was stuck in Gu Han’s throat as he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Fortunately, Ah Sha came to his rescue. “She told us to call her sister!”

This time, it was Murong Chuan’s turn to be stunned. “Sister?”

Ah Sha’s small face was full of seriousness. “Yes! Sister Murong is very nice and warm to us. It’s just that she’s a bit too passionate. She almost patted Young Master into pieces...”

Gu Han felt a mental pain in his shoulders.

Calling each other brother and sister?

Murong Chuan’s eyelids twitched. Gu Han and Murong Yan’s relationship was even closer than he had imagined. No wonder she had given him that incredibly precious and significant token from the clan!

Liu Tong couldn’t suppress his dissatisfaction, yet remained extremely humble. “Manager Murong, about today’s matter, I—”

Murong Chuan ignored him completely and turned back to Gu Han. “Little Brother, I see you’re quite injured, likely from the recent demonic beast riot. To avoid lasting damage, you should rest and recuperate as soon as possible.”

Liu Tong’s face flushed red with humiliation. Yet, he didn’t dare show the slightest hint of displeasure. As arrogant and domineering as he was, he wasn’t stupid. He knew Murong Chuan was someone he couldn’t afford to offend. Not even his cousin, the crown prince, could save him if he provoked this man.

Hadn’t forgotten how aggressive he’d been earlier, Ah Sha glared at Liu Tong. “But... this person said Young Master isn’t qualified to stay in the first-class room.”

Gu Han felt grateful.

Ah Sha really has become smarter.

Murong Chuan sneered. “Not qualified? Nonsense! As the Murong family’s most honored guest, not only is the first-class room beneath you, but even the heaven-class room is yours to stay in as you please!”

The crowd exchanged glances.

“Heaven-class room?”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Right, isn’t the first-class room the most expensive one here?”

“I’ve heard a little about it. The heaven-class room is never open to the public because it’s reserved for the most distinguished guests. The lowest-ranking people who qualify to stay there are at least at the level of the imperial family’s elders!”

Imperial family’s elders?

The crowd was shocked. Those elders were unfathomably powerful and rarely made public appearances. Aside from the king, they were the most esteemed figures in the Great Qi!

After the murmurs died down, silence fell. The reckless youth they had looked down upon turned out to be the Murong family’s most honored guest. The sheer contrast left them with mixed feelings and a sour taste.

Murong Chuan finally glanced at Liu Tong. “Are you Liu Tong?”

“Manager Murong, I—”

“No need to explain. By offending the Murong family’s honored guest, you’ve offended the Murong family itself. Here’s what we’ll do. I won’t bully you. Kneel and apologize to this little brother, and today’s matter will be settled. Otherwise, don’t think you’ll leave alive today.”

His words were almost identical to what Liu Tong had said to Gu Han earlier. The crowd turned extremely lively. They never expected the tables to turn so quickly! The one who had demanded Gu Han to kneel was now forced to kneel himself.

However, Gu Han wore a strange expression. He had realized something. Murong Chuan’s earlier claim of not having welcomed him in time was just an excuse.

Murong Chuan had likely witnessed the entire incident from the beginning, but hadn’t intervened. If Gu Han hadn’t produced the token and mentioned Murong Yan’s name, he wouldn’t have bothered with such a trivial matter.

Liu Tong was so humiliated he wished for death. “I...”

Now, he was in the exact same position Gu Han had been in earlier. He finally understood the agony of being caught in a dilemma. It was worse than death.

Murong Chuan frowned slightly. “Are you going to kneel or not? If this little brother’s injuries worsen because of your delay, kneeling will be the least of your worries.”

Outside, the crowd began whispering again.

“What do you think? Will Young Master Liu kneel, or—”

Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of knees hitting the ground echoed through the room.

Young Master Liu surrendered so fast!

Liu Tong wasn’t Gu Han as he didn’t have Gu Han’s unyielding stubbornness. Those who liked to bully the weak were inevitably terrified of the strong.

“I was disrespectful.” He spat out the words through gritted teeth.

Gu Han remained silent, lost in thought. He was certain of it. The fact that Murong Chuan could force Liu Tong to kneel with just a few words proved that the former’s family power and influence far exceeded his imagination.

When Liu Tong saw that Gu Han didn’t even bat an eye, he clenched his fists until his knuckles went white. His eyes were bloodshot. Without another word, he stood up and left, paying no heed to his so-called goddess, Liu Ying.

As for Liu Ying, she had lost all dignity. She took a deep breath, suppressing her shame and anger, preparing to leave.

Gu Han suddenly said, “Wait.”

Liu Ying froze, wishing she could vanish under the crowd’s mocking gazes. “What?”

Gu Han said firmly, “Don’t you dare forget. This is the last time. Next time, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

Today’s incident had been a coincidence, but without her instigation, it wouldn’t have escalated to this point. He only let her off due to the faint remnants of their past relationship. Of course, after today, even that would be gone.

His words drove the thorn in Liu Ying’s heart even deeper. Without responding, she pushed through the crowd and vanished from sight.

Ah Sha frowned. “Young Master, why has Miss Liu become so hateful?”

Gu Han shook his head. “More like, this is just who she is.”

At that moment, Murong Chuan said, “Little Brother, this ungrateful dog has offended you with his blind eyes. How to deal with him is up to you.”

He was referring to Steward Song.

Steward Song was scared out of his wits. “Please, spare me! Manager, I’ve served you for so many years. If not for merit, then for my toil! Please, have mercy and spare me this once!”

All that earlier bravado only deepened the disgrace of his fall.

Murong Chuan sighed. “Song Xing, over the years, you’ve embezzled and schemed in the shadows, fattening your pockets. I’ve turned a blind eye out of consideration for our past relationship. However, today is different. You know the significance of that token. Begging is useless!”

Song Xing suddenly turned to Gu Han, pleading desperately. “Little Brother, I was blind! I didn’t recognize a true dragon! You... you’re the Murong family’s honored guest. Please, speak to the manager for me! Spare me this once! I... there’ll never be a repeat!”

Gu Han’s expression was indifferent. “Senior, this is the Murong family’s internal affair. As an outsider, it’s inappropriate for me to interfere.”

Murong Chuan was surprised. “

Oh?

Then what do you suggest?”

“It’s simple. Just follow the Murong family’s rules. No need to consult me.”

Murong Chuan sighed again. “I understand. Take him away. Send him back to the clan and punish him according to our laws.”

After hearing this, Song Xing’s face turned pale, going limp like mud as two expressionless men in black robes dragged him away. What awaited him was the Murong family’s most severe punishment.

Murong Chuan smiled wryly. “I thought you would repay his malice with kindness and let him go.”

He’d intended to spare Steward Song by handing the decision to Gu Han, fully assuming that the youth would relent under the latter’s pleas. However, Gu Han didn’t take the bait and tossed the responsibility right back. Now, even if Murong Chuan wanted to show leniency, it was impossible because he was bound by clan rules.

Gu Han shook his head. “Repay malice with kindness? Others might, but I prefer repaying with justice.”

Repaying with justice.

Murong Chuan mulled over these words, then burst out laughing. He finally understood why Murong Yan held Gu Han in such high regard.

He stopped dwelling on it. “Very well.”

Besides, it was Steward Song’s own undoing. Murong Chuan’d be a fool to resent Gu Han for it.

As the spectacle concluded, the crowd outside gradually dispersed. Soon, today’s events would spread throughout the imperial capital. Gu Han aside, Liu Tong’s name would also be on everyone’s lips.

Murong Chuan gestured invitingly. “Little Brother, come with me. The heaven-class room has been vacant for years, almost as if it was waiting for you.”

Gu Han was tempted. “Senior, how much does the heaven-class room cost?”

Murong Chuan was taken aback. “

Huh?

For just staying, it’s not too expensive. It’s just ten spirit sources per day. If you want to activate other functions, that’s extra—”

Gu Han interrupted him. “Senior, I think the first-class room is just fine.”

“Why? Do you know how many people would kill to stay in the heaven-class room?”

“Senior, I... don’t have that much money,” Gu Han said in shame.

Ten spirit sources a day was at least ten thousand essence crystals, and that was just the base rate. Even if he spent his entire fortune, he couldn’t afford to stay for more than a few days.

Ah Sha nodded vigorously. “Yeah! Young Master is very, very poor!”

Murong Chuan was speechless.

“Little Brother, you didn’t actually think you’d have to pay to stay in the heaven-class room, did you?”

Gu Han’s eyes lit up. “

Hmm?

It’s free?”

Murong Chuan burst into laughter, suddenly finding Gu Han quite amusing.

“You don’t seem to understand the weight of the token in your hand.”