Sword Sovereign Against The Heaven

With that, Han Zhen sheathed the sword and delivered a swift kick that sent Han Kuan sprawling to the ground.

The situation had become critical. Killing Han Kuan now would only escalate things further. This was the only option that made sense.

Han Kuan's lackeys rushed forward, hastily lifting him up and dragging him away, their faces twisted in fear.

"Zhen'er..."

Han Mei, her face pale, raised a trembling hand toward her son, wanting to touch him, to confirm that this was real. But she hesitated, afraid that if she made contact, it would all shatter, and she would lose Han Zhen once more.

Han Zhen, sensing his mother's turmoil, stepped forward. The intense emotions surging through him made it difficult to keep his composure.

For a moment, the memories of the woman who had raised him, fought for him, and never once abandoned him flooded back. The memories of the past life, where he had never bowed to anyone, not to the gods, not to any authority, seemed distant and irrelevant now.

This was his mother, the woman who had given him everything, and no pride or arrogance could compare to the pure love he felt for her.

"Mother, I am unfilial and made you worry!" Han Zhen's voice cracked, and before he could stop himself, he dropped to his knees in front of Han Mei.

The sight of her son kneeling before her, apologizing, shattered Han Mei's heart. She had lived through so much hardship, sacrificing everything to provide for her son.

And now, the man who had once been a child who couldn't even cultivate was showing her a level of devotion that left her breathless.

Han Mei's eyes filled with tears, but she didn't reach out to stop her son. Instead, she looked at him with pride, her trembling hand resting at his side, the words stuck in her throat.

She had never expected this moment, the moment where her son, who he had feared was lost to the world, would return not as a broken man, but as the son she had always hoped for.

For the first time in years, Han Mei felt something that she hadn't in a long time: hope. Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was filled with warmth. "Zhen'er… you've returned to me."

The powerful, unyielding son who had once been a Sword Sovereign, who had ruled the Holy Firmament, was no longer that person.

In this moment, he was simply Han Mei's son, a son who loved and respected his mother, no matter what. And in return, Han Mei's heart was full of pride, full of love, and full of an overwhelming sense of relief that her son was safe.

"Stinky boy, get up quickly!" Han Mei repeated, her hands trembling slightly as she helped Han Zhen to his feet. Her voice, filled with emotion, wavered between joy and pain. This was the son she had raised, the boy she had fought for despite all odds, and yet, now she had to make a sacrifice that would tear at his very soul. "It's good to have you back... It's good to have you back."

Han Zhen remained silent, feeling the weight of his mother's love and sacrifice. The woman who had raised him, who had never once faltered in his devotion despite all their hardships, was now offering up her own life's work, and her hopes for her son's future to save him.

Han Zhen knew that he could never repay this level of love, but his heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of responsibility to protect this woman who had done so much for him.

After a moment of silence, Han Zhen gently pulled away from his mother's embrace.

"Mother, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go somewhere more private," he said, his voice low but firm. He could see the fear and worry etched on his mother's face, and he knew the gravity of the situation he was in.

The three of them made their way to Hall, the place that had been Han Mei's residence for many years.

Once inside, Han Mei seemed to calm down slightly, the tension in her shoulders easing as she sat down. But as soon as Jin Shuiyue began to speak, Han Zhen noticed a change in his mother's expression.

"Zhen'er, Shuiyue, tell me what happened," Han Mei said, her voice steady but filled with concern. She looked from one to the other, clearly seeking answers to the questions that had been weighing on her mind.

Jin Shuiyue, who had been quietly standing by, spoke up first. "Aunt Han, I used the fact that there is insufficient evidence to push the Mayor's Mansion into giving us more time. I also used the Azure Sky Sect's name to force them into a corner. But they don't seem to relent. If we can't find the truth quickly, they'll send Brother Zhen to the Demon-Sealing Burial Grounds."

The mention of the Demon-Sealing Burial Grounds caused Han Mei's face to darken. Her relaxed demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a grave expression that spoke volumes about her understanding of the situation.

The Demon-Sealing Burial Grounds were known for their cruelty and were a fate worse than death.

At that moment, Han Zhen's gaze shifted to Jin Shuiyue, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and admiration. The strength it must have taken for her to make such a bold move, using the influence of the Azure Sky Sect to pressure the Mayor's Mansion, was incredible.

But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that Jin Shuiyue had been carrying a heavy burden, silently enduring hardships for his sake.

Before he could express his thoughts, Han Mei suddenly spoke again. "Shuiyue, there's something I've wanted to say for a long time. Today feels like the right time."

Jin Shuiyue's eyes widened, and she glanced at Han Zhen, sensing what was about to unfold. She knew that Han Mei was a woman who always spoke her mind, but this... this was different.

"Aunt Han, please speak,"

"Shuiyue," Han Mei said, turning her gaze toward Han Zhen, as if preparing for a difficult conversation "Your talent is unmatched in the entire Yuan Dynasty. Staying here will only hold you back. You're meant for greater things. You're too gifted to be bound by the circumstances here"

Jin Shuiyue, sensing what Han Mei was about to propose, shook her head, trying to interrupt again, but Han Mei's words continued, gaining momentum.

"Cancel your engagement with Zhen'er. He may be my son, but he's not worthy of you." She let out a deep sigh before continuing. "Our Han family can't tie you down with a marriage contract. You deserve better, Shuiyue. Leave Sunreach City, go to the Azure Sky Sect, and reach your full potential."

Silence filled the room. For a moment, it felt as if time had frozen. Han Zhen stood between his mother and Jin Shuiyue, sensing the storm of emotions, his mother's deep concern, the love she held for the girl she had raised, and the fierce determination in Jin Shuiyue's eyes. It was overwhelming, yet so clear.

Eighteen years ago, the agreement between Han Mei and her Martial brother Jin Suhan had seemed like a simple promise, a future set in stone.

If both had sons, they would be sworn brothers; if both had daughters, they would be like sisters; and if one was a boy and the other a girl, they would be engaged.

But fate had a way of rewriting things, shortly after Jin Shuiyue was born, the Jin family was massacred. Han Mei, upon hearing the news, rushed to save the infant Jin Shuiyue and brought her back to Sunreach City to raise her as his own.

After Han Zhen awakened his soul memory, he developed a fondness for Jin Shuiyue.

However, he had no objections to his mother's decision. Forcing Jin Shuiyue into marriage just because of an old agreement felt unfair to her and Han Zhen refused to do such a thing.

"You two will follow my decision today," Han Mei declared firmly.

"I agree," Han Zhen said.

"I don't!" Jin Shuiyue's refusal was immediate.

Han Zhen was stunned.

Han Mei sighed. "Shuiyue, listen to me..."

"Aunt Han, say no more. I know what you're thinking, but I won't abandon you. I won't leave Zhen'er at this crucial moment. You saved my life, raised me, and taught me. You are more than family to me."

...

[A/N: Need someone like her. Is it too much to ask for?]