Guan Qingyue found it truly difficult to believe Jun Moxie's words, yet the vivid manner in which Jun Dianxie spoke—even detailing the three moles on Yue'er's most private areas—caused Guan Qingyue to completely collapse under the reality of it. He paid his father no mind, breathing in ragged gasps. He raised his left hand, his fingers trembling as he pointed at Jun Moxie. His lips quivered; he was so enraged he couldn't even speak coherently: "Jun Moxie! You... good! If I do not kill you, may I never be human again!"

By the time he finished, tears slowly welled up in his eyes—a mixture of indelible despair, soul-shattering pain, and indelible shame.

Jun Moqi’s heart jolted: this simpleton had actually developed genuine feelings for that Yue'er!

The atmosphere in the grand hall instantly plummeted from late autumn to deep winter with Guan Qingyue’s declaration! Jun Zhantian and Jun Wuyi’s faces suddenly darkened, and a surging tide of murderous intent erupted from them!

To declare in the Jun residence, in front of the Old Master Jun and Jun Wuyi, that he intended to kill Jun Moxie, the sole descendant of the third generation of the Jun family? If this news got out, any soul in Tianxiang City would treat it as a joke! And now, this joke had materialized into objective reality...

Who in the city didn't know that Jun Moxie was the most vital reverse-scale—the untouchable core—of the Jun family?

Guan Dongliu, Guan Rushan, Guan Qingbo, and even Guan Qinghan—all four of their faces instantly turned ashen white!

"Beast! What nonsense are you spouting?!" Guan Dongliu could no longer remain seated. He sprang up swiftly and slammed a harsh slap across his son’s face: "Apologize to Young Master Jun the Third immediately!"

"I will not apologize to him! And I spoke no falsehoods!" Guan Qingyue stood rigidly, glaring fiercely at Jun Moxie. Blood trickled slowly from the corner of his mouth, yet he made no move to wipe it away: "Jun Moxie, I challenge you to a duel, in the name of a man!"

"A duel? Why?" Young Master Jun seemed utterly confused, even smiling vaguely: "Second Young Master Guan, I don't recall having offended you in any way. This is our very first meeting today! We are in-laws, after all. You came to Tianxiang City, ate what the Jun family provides, drank what the Jun family provides, and lived under the Jun family roof. We have given you every possible hospitality. And now, in full view of everyone, the Second Young Master curses me and demands a duel! Even openly stating you wish to kill me! May I ask what this reasoning is?"

"You... you don't need a reason! What, are you afraid? If you are still a man, then accept it cleanly!" Guan Qingyue stared unblinkingly at Jun Moxie, issuing the challenge.

"Insolent wretch! Did you not hear what this old man said?" Guan Dongliu roared, delivering another heavy slap, his fury and anxiety colliding. If this matter were not handled properly today, even if the Jun family spared them due to the in-law relationship, Guan Qingyue certainly would not leave easily! And if the Jun family decided to deal with the Guan family over this, it would be entirely justified!

Who was Jun Moqi? He was the only precious sprout of the Jun family! The words and actions of the Second Young Master just now clearly betrayed a killing intent toward Jun Moxie. If one put themselves in another's shoes, if someone harbored such murderous intent toward one's own son, there would be no hesitation—direct action to kill! What choice would Old Master Jun make in the same position?!

Guan Qingyue continued to glare fiercely at Jun Moxie, his expression stubbornly set, his eyes unblinking, showing no intent to evade his father’s strike! Guan Dongliu's hand hung in mid-air, just about to connect with Guan Qingyue's face, when suddenly his wrist was seized tightly by someone. Turning, he saw it was Jun Wuyi.

Jun Wuyi smiled gently, saying lightly: "Brother Guan, I believe there must be a reason for what your son said. We should investigate the root of this matter before making any judgments. Moxie has always been a rake; perhaps he inadvertently offended Second Young Master Guan. Moreover, this is ultimately a friction between the younger generation. It is not appropriate for us elders to interfere rashly and forcefully suppress it. What if this causes a mutual misunderstanding between our two families? That would be most unfavorable!"

Jun Wuyi smiled, his expression amiable, but Guan Dongliu felt a shock in his heart. Although Jun Wuyi’s words were gentle, the subtle pressure within them was self-evident. It was like a heavy mountain floating serenely above Guan Dongliu’s head; if he mismanaged the response, it might crash down and crush everyone from the Guan family present into meat paste.

"Third Uncle, please calm your anger. Let me inquire," Guan Qinghan quietly bowed and approached Guan Qingyue: "Qingyue, what is the reason for today's events? Why did you suddenly become so reckless when we were speaking so pleasantly? If Moxie said something improper, speak up boldly; your sister will uphold justice for you!"

She had only seen the three youths gathered, speaking in low voices, all with lecherous expressions, assuming they were discussing something unsavory, so she had spat aside and sat quietly. Who could have guessed the situation would turn so abruptly?

However, Guan Qingyue was still her own younger brother, and she trusted her usually well-behaved brother would not cause trouble without reason. It must be Young Master Jun who provoked him first, and her brother acted only out of unbearable necessity.

"I... I... I..." Guan Qingyue stammered for a long time but could not voice the words. His face was etched with anger and embarrassment. He truly found it impossible to speak of it. Regardless of Yue'er’s original status, her current public identity was merely a top courtesan from the Ningshang Pavilion of Misty Fog Lake. To put it plainly, she was a prostitute! Even if she were a virgin courtesan, or one who sold art but not her body, a prostitute was still a prostitute!

If her usually pure and spirited sister and father knew that he was ready to duel the Third Young Master of the Jun family over a mere prostitute, would they not be driven mad with anger?

No matter how Jun Moxie had slandered and defamed Yue'er just now, at most, people would only say Jun Moxie lacked decorum. No one would leap to defend the honor of a mere prostitute!

In truth, although Guan Qingyue had known Yue'er back in their hometown, and they re-encountered each other in Tianxiang, he was completely unaware of this Miss Yue'er's true origins! But regardless, this woman was the one Guan Qingyue had decided upon—the goddess of his heart! This point was resolute in Guan Qingyue; he would defend his goddess to the death against any blasphemy.

"Second Young Master Guan, I truly wish to know what I did to offend you? If it was truly something I, your little brother, did, I am willing to apologize. Second Young Master Guan, please speak plainly!" Jun Moxie adopted a look of confusion mixed with sincerity, seizing the opportunity to press his advantage.

"Speak!" Guan Qingmei’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Young Master Jun’s attitude could be considered perfectly upright. Looking at her brother again, she felt a pang of sorrow—was her brother truly inferior to a rake like Jun Moxie?!

"Let me explain this matter," Guan Qingbo calmly took over the conversation, casting a troubled look at his brother. He knew the situation had escalated to a severe point; if they did not explain it truthfully, it could spell disaster for the entire Guan family.

And so, from Guan Qingbo’s mouth, the story of Guan Qingyue and Yue'er was spun into a remarkably poignant romance, portraying them as lovers bound by an eternal, unbreakable bond, separated by some unknown, irresistible fate. Then, Yue'er, by some twist of fate, ended up in Tianxiang City, becoming a... well, a singing girl temporarily lodging in a pleasure house.

Coincidentally, Guan Qingyue arrived in Tianxiang City at this very time. Through a stroke of fortune, the two met again. And the greatest coincidence was that Jun Moxie happened to be this young lady's... ah, former patron...

Guan Qingbo’s telling was exceedingly tactful, and the story he crafted was certainly sympathetic; the emotion he described between the two lovers was deeply moving. Yet, even so, Guan Dongliu was so enraged his vision swam in black spots! He nearly fainted.

Was anyone present not astute? Hearing Guan Qingbo’s version, everyone could guess the genesis of today’s events. Two great rakes, relatives by marriage, openly turning hostile over a courtesan! This was nothing short of a colossal joke!

The onlookers muttered inwardly, and the gaze they directed at Guan Qingyue carried a touch of disdain. For the sake of some common pleasure house woman, he dared to openly vie for favor with the Jun family heir? This Second Young Master Guan was truly an utter fool!

Among those watching, the one whose opinion mattered most was not Guan Dongliu, the head of the Guan family, but the eldest daughter, Guan Qinghan. Guan Qinghan had always disdained the profligate habits of her brother-in-law, Jun Moxie. But now, her own usually docile brother turned out to be the same sort?

Guan Qinghan never imagined that the sordid affair she volunteered to investigate would be this ugly. In a fit of anger, her lovely face flushed crimson. She shot a fierce glare at Guan Qingyue, then another fierce glare at Jun Moxie, and retreated to the side. Jun Moxie felt a moment of injustice: Your brother started this mess, why are you glaring at me? You don't even know your brother was one of the primary assassins who tried to kill me just now; I'm the one who is truly wronged!

"You beast, you’ve utterly infuriated this old man!" Guan Dongliu roared, his voice shaking the hall with thunderous force: "For the sake of such a woman, you—you—you actually demand a life-or-death duel with your sister's relative, your sister's brother-in-law?" Guan Dongliu trembled with rage: "You rebellious whelp! Ungrateful son! You—you—you have disgraced the face of our Guan family!"

Seeing his father's terrifying anger, Guan Qingyue felt a tinge of regret and fear, but he refused to yield or show weakness verbally. He stubbornly retorted: "Yue'er is the person I cherish. Yue'er is no ordinary woman! Besides, this boy won't be my sister's brother-in-law for much longer; we came precisely to annul the engagement for my sister! Once the engagement is broken, he will have nothing to do with our Guan family!"

"Beast, shut your mouth!" Guan Dongliu cried out in alarm, quickly stopping him, but the words had already flown out like an arrow. It was too late now.

Guan Qinghan raised her head in terror, looking at her father in disbelief. Her face suddenly turned bone-white, her red lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

Old Master Jun and Jun Wuyi’s faces were as dark as water, and even Jun Moxie was greatly astonished. The hall fell into a deathly silence!

"This old man feels somewhat drunk; I will take my leave," Old Master Jun stated coldly, rising to his feet. The remark was strange; the banquet had not yet begun—not a single bite of food eaten, not a drop of wine drunk—yet the Old Master claimed to be intoxicated.