The situation was a bit urgent, so Shen Qingshan did not wait for the soldiers' training to finish.

He walked forward and signaled them to stop their practice.

Then he took Shen Lingsheng aside.

"Just now, your mother sent a message saying that Shen Han has already gone to Heyang City to participate in the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering."

Upon hearing this from his father, Shen Lingsheng reacted the same way as Shen Qingshan.

Subconsciously, he assumed that Shen Han had already been defeated in Stepping into the Thousand Autumns.

He was ready to speak but was interrupted by Shen Qingshan, who gestured him to stop.

"Listen to what I have to say first and do not interrupt.

The child Shen Han is unexpected; contrary to what you and I thought, he does have talent in the Martial Path.

Instead, he has been hiding his strengths all along.

Just now, your mother sent a message about this. Your son has reached the fiftieth step of the Thousand-Autumn Stairs."

Shen Qingshan tried to make it as clear as possible.

However, upon hearing these words, Shen Lingsheng still felt he had misheard.

"Father, are you saying that Shen Han...? That's impossible!"

Shen Qingshan patiently repeated:

"You did not hear wrong. We have all been blind and failed to see Shen Han's talent in the Martial Path.

He went to participate in the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering and reached the fiftieth step.

Passing the fiftieth step, he is probably the most talented in his generation, except for Shen Ye and Shen Ao'Er.

I respect your opinions. The engagement between Shen Han and Su Jinyu definitely needs to be withdrawn.

But you should protect Shen Han, and I agree as well. However, it's just a matter of returning to the Capital City to meet His Holiness and requesting him to withdraw the engagement."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingsheng remained silent for a moment.

Only for a moment, though, before he shook his head repeatedly.

"If that's the case, all our Shen Family's plans for over a decade will be wasted."

Shen Lingsheng knew well that this was a scheme set by the Imperial Family.

For Shen Qingshan to plead for a withdrawal of the engagement, a price would certainly have to be paid.

According to the current intelligence, the Imperial Family plans to grant Shen Qingshan a higher title. Yet, along with this promotion, Shen Qingshan would be required to attend court in the Capital City for two years.

And the Eastern Garrison would need to assign a new general to come here.

With outsiders taking over for two years, who knows what the military of the Shen Family would be infiltrated into.

Shen Lingsheng pondered for a little while and didn't dwell long; he wasn't particularly fond of Shen Han.

He even felt embarrassed because of Shen Han's mother and had always held a grudge in his heart.

"That child Shen Han has been rebellious since childhood; in the mansion, he never listens to advice and often gets into trouble.

After returning home for a conversation after the Mid-Autumn Festival, this child seemed even worse, with a more peculiar temper.

He has no sense of gratitude and always feels that the Shen Family has treated him unfairly."

Shen Lingsheng frowned. Whenever Shen Han came up, he seemed unable to feel happy.

"Protecting him this time, I'm afraid this unfilial son will not appreciate the Shen Family, but would instead ruin the Shen Family's decade-long planning."

Shen Qingshan nodded slightly: "So, you have decided to give up on him."

Shen Lingsheng nodded: "As a member of the Shen Family, one naturally has the awareness to give everything for the Shen Family.

All these years, the Shen Family has provided him with food and clothing. Without the Shen Family, he wouldn't be where he is today.

This is all that the unfilial son should repay."

Upon hearing his son's words, Shen Qingshan involuntarily sighed, seeming somewhat emotional.

After a while, he then spoke: "Actually, I think in this matter, your mother cannot escape blame; if she had discovered Shen Han's talent earlier, it wouldn't have come to this..."

Shen Lingsheng waved his hand: "How can we blame mother? Shen Han can only blame himself for his misfortune.

Growing up in the Shen Mansion, his cousin Shen Ye excelled from a young age, but he did not. He cannot blame anyone else."

"Very well, Father understands what you're thinking. Let's proceed according to the initial plan.

Although Shen Han has crossed the fiftieth step, he certainly cannot surpass the Su Family's Pride.

As agreed between you and him, I hope he can conduct himself well and not cause any more trouble."

Finishing his words, Shen Qingshan mounted his black-maned horse again and headed back to his tent.

Once back in the tent, he took out the Sound Transmission Magical Artifact.

"I have discussed this matter with the third son, and you have been working hard at home, so your son does not blame you. Do not feel guilty."

Upon hearing these words from Shen Qingshan, the stone in Madam Shen's heart finally dropped.

"If Shen Han can reach the fiftieth step of the Thousand-Autumn Stairs, his future should not be too poor.

But Lingsheng says this child is rebellious and ungrateful, always thinking that the Shen Family owes him.

Raising such a descendant might not offer much benefit to the Shen Family; instead, it could easily bring some trouble."

Hearing Shen Qingshan's words, Madam Shen repeatedly agreed.

"The third son knows the priorities. Shen Han, this unfilial son, indeed doesn't let people rest easy."

Understanding Shen Qingshan and her son's attitude, Madam Shen also knew what to do.

"Keep the plan to withdraw the engagement as originally intended. If Shen Han still refuses to cooperate, invite Su Hongyi.

After withdrawing the engagement, give Shen Han some compensation.

His reaching the fiftieth step of the Thousand-Autumn Stairs shows some talent; consider it an extra care from the Shen Family for him."

Once everything was explained, Patriarch Shen Qingshan stood up and continued busying himself with military matters.

In the ancestral hall, Cai Xue helped Madam Shen stand up.

Understanding the attitude of her husband and son, she felt much more at ease.

To be honest, she had been really scared before.

All along, in Madam Shen's eyes, Shen Han had been a useless junior and particularly annoying.

Over these years, she hadn't shown him much kindness.

But in this Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, this junior, whom she looked down upon, surprisingly leaped to the fiftieth step.

But now it didn't matter. Even though he reached the fiftieth step, the Shen Family decided to sacrifice him.

Returning to the hall, she looked over at Madam He and Madam Xie.

Their expressions were just as before, with tightly knit brows.

"Has Shen Han not come down from the Thousand-Autumn Stairs yet?"

Unable to resist, Madam Shen asked.

"Fifty-two steps now, and still going steadily..."

While speaking, the Sound Transmission Magical Artifact transmitted another voice.

"Young Master Shen Han has passed the fifty-second step and stepped onto the fifty-third..."

The hall was very quiet; even the surrounding servants suppressed their breathing to avoid displeasing their masters.

The first fifty steps of the Thousand-Autumn Stairs are just the basic level.

After the fiftieth step, the difficulty increases by a dimension.

Madam Shen instinctively thought that fifty steps was Shen Han's limit.

After all, reaching fifty steps was already very surprising.

On the Thousand-Autumn Stairs.

Shen Han stepped onto the fifty-third step.

His consciousness sank into a dim world.

Before he could stand firm, dozens of figures had already attacked.

After stepping into the fiftieth step, Shen Han already realized the stark difference from before.

Each step presented countless opponents, all attacking with deadly moves, each strike targeting vital points.

His counterattacks also had to be ruthless; otherwise, if any of these opponents retained a breath, they would attack again with covert means.

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