Li Residence.

Li Youran confined himself to his room, before him sat a small portrait. The person in the painting, with bright eyes, pearly teeth, and a charming smile, was precisely Princess Lingmeng! Li Youran was indeed a scholar renowned for his exceptional talent in the art of fragrance; this hand-painted portrait was so lifelike it vividly demonstrated the profound impression Princess Lingmeng had left on him!

Yet, Li Youran's eyes were currently clouded with pain: surely "they" had already begun their move...

Lingmeng...

Li Youran threw his head back, fiercely squeezing his eyes shut, then suddenly roared from the depths of his heart, a sound like the death cry of a severely wounded beast—hoarse and muffled—as he smashed a fist violently into the wall!

This punch carried the full force of his ** power, colliding with the solid wall! Immediately, his fist was torn and bleeding profusely, the crimson droplets falling to the floor. Li Youran seemed completely unaware, stunned for a moment before his eyes darkened and closed slowly, two lines of pearlescent tears flowing silently...

Forgive me! My dearest love! For the sake of my grand future, I must sacrifice you now... because, at this moment, I still cannot do without the support of my sect...

Jun Moxie and Jun Wuyi walked slowly out of the Noble Hall. They repeatedly instructed Tang Yuan to ensure he purchased all those herbs and to store and preserve the acquired stock properly every day. Finally satisfied, they concluded the day's business and started their walk home.

It must be said that although a few unexpected incidents occurred today, overall, the day had been exceptionally successful. The auction of the fine wine had fetched a price far exceeding even Jun Moxie’s prior expectations. They could truly be called successful beyond measure!

Even the shameless, tyrannical snatching by the Third Prince at the end was not entirely a negative turn, because the great Master Jun had successfully planted a seed in the young heart of Xiao Yangmo; whether it would sprout or wither in the future rested entirely on a single thought.

Taking a step back, the final hundred jars of wine officially belonged to the King of Equality’s estate—it was the estate’s shares, seemingly having little to do with the Jun family or the Noble Hall. Although this line of reasoning was perhaps a touch unscrupulous, the factual outcome remained so!

Until he could truly consider the King and the estate as his own people, truly accept them, Jun Moxie would not step forward for them! Because... it wasn't worth it!

Jun Moxie was not a villain driven purely by profit, but he never undertook actions without a tangible benefit! This was the code of an assassin, and it was also his personal code. In his past life and this one, it remained the same!

Let others play the hero. I simply act as I please, following my own whims. Frankly put: I’ll do exactly as I damn well please, and nobody can tell me otherwise!

Absolute freedom! That was the ultimate goal Jun Moxie pursued his entire life!

Before the Noble Hall even opened, Jun Moxie had stated: "I want to make the Noble Hall reach a point where, if it doesn't open, it could sustain itself for three years from one day’s business!" But judging by today's results, it seemed far more than just three years of sustenance; perhaps the entire clan could live off the interest for a lifetime...

Hai Chenfeng, the great Gang Leader Hai, still failed to acquire even a single jar of the prized wine in the end. However, Jun Moxie generously separated fifty jars from his personal allotment and gave them to him—a free gift. Such treatment was certainly warranted for those considered his own people.

The so-called Heavenly Profound "Big Pimp," who had waved the one-million-tael bidding sign several hundred times, finally trotted off gleefully back to his lair with the wine. Of course, the official story remained that it was acquired through auction—after all, they were nobility!

Jun Moxie rode his horse while Jun Wuyi sat in his sedan chair. Uncle and nephew rode with a light breeze, their moods a mixture of elation and gravity, interspersed with plans for the future, scheduling maneuvers, and dispatching personnel. All the way, they were each lost in their own thoughts and schemes, not exchanging a single word.

Both uncle and nephew knew that the next scheduled operation would be an incredibly brutal battle! Yet, it was a battle they absolutely had to fight, and one they had to win spectacularly—winning cleanly and decisively!

But the enemy’s strength surpassed their own.

How exactly should this battle be fought?

From ancient times to the present, victories of the weak over the strong were always celebrated tales. But when it happened to oneself, how many could truly manage to win against superior odds without suffering heavy losses? Even if it wasn't purely a fantasy, it was certainly an exceptionally difficult feat!

The Jun family party had barely gone any distance when, suddenly, Jun Moxie’s expression shifted. A white shadow shot in from the distance. Before he could clearly discern what it was, the small white shadow darted into Jun Moxie’s embrace, squeaking urgently, its tiny paws waving frantically. Its watery eyes were filled with intense anxiety.

"What happened?" Jun Moxie noticed the thin strip of light green cloth tied to the small white creature’s hind leg. Jun Moxie distinctly remembered that when Dugu Xiaoyi left, she was wearing a light green dress, and now this light green strip was soaked with blood!

Dugu Xiaoyi is in trouble!!

A sudden tightness seized Jun Moxie’s heart! He felt as if his heart had been violently grasped by something! Even his usually steady breathing became disordered in that instant, and the image of Princess Lingmeng’s charming, mischievous, blooming smile suddenly flashed before his eyes...

When did I start caring so much about this girl?

Jun Moxie had no time to ponder that question; he had only one thought blazing in his mind: I must go save her!

"Third Uncle, Dugu Xiaoyi is in trouble; I have to go check!" Jun Moxie squeezed his legs, and his fine steed let out a loud neigh, rearing up on its hind legs. Before its hooves touched the ground again, the rear legs pushed off fiercely, and it shot forward like an arrow! The sound of frantic, rapid hooves thundered like rolling thunder. Jun Moxie, man and horse, chased the shadow of the small white creature, speeding away!

They had just rounded a street corner when a sound of wind rushed through the air, and a figure in blue robes drifted down like clouds onto the horseback. Yet, it seemed to carry no weight at all; the sturdy horse did not even notice.

The newcomer was none other than Jun Wuyi!

The face of this Blood-Robed General was covered in a chilling, murderous aura!

How could an experienced veteran like Jun Wuyi fail to see the affection Dugu Xiaoyi held for Jun Moxie? In Jun Wuyi’s mind, Dugu Xiaoyi was practically his nephew’s future wife; how could he allow anyone to bully her?

Even the slightest harm was absolutely forbidden!

This was the core of the Jun family’s values—it was the same for Guan Qinghan and the young girl! Jun Wuyi would never permit the tragedy that befell him to repeat itself with his nephew! If necessary, Jun Wuyi would rather destroy everything to protect his nephew and nephew's wife!

Therefore, upon hearing of this matter, how could Jun Wuyi stand idly by?

The strong horse neighed wildly, galloping as if maddened, carrying two riders. They tore through several streets in a frenzy, turning several corners, and vanished instantly!

Behind them, only a trail of dust remained, stirred occasionally by the sighing autumn wind as it gradually dispersed!

Dugu Xiaoyi and Sun Xiaomei shared the same thought: send Little White to the Dugu family to summon reinforcements! Facing such powerful enemies, only the full might of the Dugu family experts offered a chance to turn the tide. As for any other reinforcements, even if they arrived, they might not be useful—the enemy numbered five Heavenly Profound masters!

But although their intentions were united, the young Little White could not understand. In its simple mind, it clearly recognized that its master was in danger. It also understood that its master had sent it out to find help!

But who should it seek out for aid?

Naturally, the most powerful help available!

It must be said that Little White was very clever! In this world, only two people it felt truly close to: one was naturally its master, Dugu Xiaoyi, and the other... was the great good person in Little White’s mind, the most formidable figure: Jun Moxie!

This person could even elevate Little White's rank while it was still in its infancy—how powerful must he be, that was self-evident? Now that its master was in danger, if not him, whom should it seek aid from?

Thus, Little White very diligently found Jun Moxie.

In its heart, it never considered going to the Dugu Clan to seek reinforcements—those overly crude, bearded men. Who were they? Would finding them be useful? They were far inferior to this great good Master expert, by a long shot... even Little White itself held them in disdain...

But, to speak frankly, if Little White had truly gone to the Dugu Clan for help, by the time the Dugu experts mobilized and arrived, it would have been far too late! Therefore, without fully realizing it, Little White unwittingly did the most correct thing!

Because even if Little White had gone to the Dugu Clan to report the news, Little White couldn't speak. Even if the Dugu Clan realized the girl was in danger, they might not send out their top experts to rescue her, given the enemy's lineup—five Heavenly Profound powerhouses! Would sending too few people even matter?!

Swords fell simultaneously! A palm condensed with sky-blue profound energy hammered down fiercely!

At this very moment, Ye Guhan was facing simultaneous attacks from all four directions! If it weren't for Lingmeng, escaping right now would still not have been particularly difficult for Ye Guhan! If he used all his remaining power to retreat rapidly, he could vanish in an instant. Even if he still suffered some injuries, the possibility of a complete withdrawal would exist.

But Princess Lingmeng had not gotten far enough away! If he retreated, given the Heavenly Profound strength of these five individuals, they would surely capture Princess Lingmeng moments later! Ye Guhan didn't know why they wanted to capture Lingmeng, but he knew one thing: he would rather die himself than let Lingmeng fall into their hands!

A true man knows what he must do and what he must refrain from doing!

Knowing certain death awaits, yet facing thousands of foes without hesitation!

What is there to fear in life or death?!

Ye Guhan stood rooted like a mountain. At the instant the swords were upon him, he suddenly twisted his body, flashing back, then immediately advancing again! Simultaneously, his long sword flashed, forming a dazzling, sorrowful blue halo, as if the blade itself had curved—a flick, then a thrust!

Pfft!

One long sword was the first to pierce deep into the left side of Ye Guhan’s lower abdomen. Two other swords grazed obliquely past him, almost brushing his body. His robes were shredded, and large patches of flesh flew out along with the blood. Another pair of bare palms, carrying the force of a crashing thunder, struck heavily against Ye Guhan's chest!

With several grinding, cracking sounds, Ye Guhan’s ribs shattered! Blood began to seep from all seven orifices simultaneously!

Yet, at this moment, a smile of sheer delight—or perhaps, a gentle, ferocious grin—suddenly bloomed on Ye Guhan's face! This expression, accompanied by the streaks of blood crisscrossing his face, looked utterly tragic and ferocious!

Because...

(Monthly tickets, recommendation tickets (To be continued))