Li Youran locked himself in his room, before him resting a small portrait. The person in the painting, with bright eyes, white teeth, and a captivating smile, was none other than Princess Lingmeng! Li Youran truly deserved the title of a talent among scholars; this painting, meticulously done by his own hand, was so lifelike it revealed the depth of Princess Lingmeng’s impression upon him! But now, Li Youran’s eyes were filled with pain: no doubt, “they have already begun their move.”

Lingmeng…

Li Youran lifted his head, slammed his eyes shut, and suddenly roared from the bottom of his heart—a deep, guttural sound like a mortally wounded beast’s dying cry. With a heavy fist, he smashed it into the wall! This punch was pure brute force colliding with the unyielding wall! Instantly, his knuckles were bloody and streaming, drops falling onto the floor. Li Youran seemed oblivious, standing stunned for a moment before his eyes dimmed in sorrow, two streams of pearl-like tears silently escaping.

Forgive me! My dearest love! For the sake of my eternal hegemony, I must sacrifice you now… because I still depend on the support of my sect…

Jun Moxie and Jun Wuyi walked slowly out of the Noble Hall, repeatedly instructing Tang Yuan to be absolutely sure to acquire all those medicinal herbs and to store them properly every day after procurement. Only then, satisfied, did they conclude the day’s busy work and start on their way home. Indeed, although a few unexpected things had happened today, overall, the day was tremendously successful. The auction of the fine wines had fetched prices that even Jun Moxie himself hadn’t dreamed of beforehand. They could certainly be called richly rewarded! Even the shameless appropriation by the Third Prince at the end, using his authority like a fox borrowing a tiger's might, hadn't been entirely negative, because the great Master Jun had successfully planted that seed in the young mind of Xiao Yangmo; whether it would sprout or wither in the future rested entirely on a single thought. Even taking a step back, the final hundred jars of wine belonged under the banner of the Equality Prince’s Estate; they were the estate's shares, seemingly having little to do with the Jun family or the Noble Hall. While this reasoning felt slightly shameless, that was the factual outcome! Until he truly considered the Prince and the Estate as his own people, until he truly acknowledged them, Jun Moxie would not step forward to defend them! Because… it wasn't worth it! Jun Moxie was not a petty man driven solely by profit, but he never engaged in matters that yielded no benefit! This was the code of an assassin, and it was also his code of conduct. In his past life and this one, it remained the same. Let others be heroes. I simply follow my own will, do as I please. To put it plainly: I’ll do whatever the hell I want, and no one can dictate to me! Absolute freedom! This was the ultimate goal Jun Moxie pursued in this life! Before the Noble Hall even opened, Jun Moxie had once said: I want the Noble Hall to reach a point where, unless it doesn't open at all, when it does, it earns enough for three years! But looking at today's results, was it more than just three years' worth? Perhaps the entire family could live off the returns for a lifetime…

Gang Leader Hai Chenfeng had ultimately failed to secure even a single jar of the fine wine. But Jun Moxie distributed fifty jars from his own allotment to him, gifted freely—such treatment was certainly due to one of their own. That 'Great Booker' of the Xuan Heaven realm, who had held up the million tael placard and shouted for hundreds of times, finally left gleefully with the wine back to his lair. Of course, the public declaration remained that it was acquired through auction—after all, they were Nobility.

Jun Moxie rode the horse, while Jun Wuyi sat in the sedan chair. The uncle and nephew, with riches flowing freely, carried feelings of elation mixed with gravity, along with their respective plans for the future and arrangements for operational manpower. Throughout the entire journey, they each contemplated their own schemes, managing not to exchange a single word. Both uncle and nephew knew that the upcoming planned operation would be an incomparably fierce battle! Yet, it was a battle that must be fought, and they must win! Not only win, but win spectacularly, decisively, and cleanly! But the enemy’s strength surpassed their own.

How should this war be fought? Since ancient times, victories achieved by the weak against the strong have always been the stuff of legends. But when it concerns oneself, how many can truly manage to defeat the strong while being the weaker party, and still emerge unscathed? Even if it’s not a fantasy, it is certainly a monumental achievement!

The Jun family contingent had barely traveled far when, suddenly, Jun Moxie’s expression shifted. A white shadow shot towards him from the distance. Before he could clearly make out what it was, the small white shadow zipped into Jun Moxie’s embrace, squeaking urgently, its tiny paws waving non-stop, its watery eyes filled with anxiety. “What happened?” Jun Moxie immediately noticed a strip of light green cloth tied to Xiao Bai Bai’s hind leg. Jun Moxie distinctly remembered that when Dugu Xiaoyi departed, she was wearing an outfit of light green, and now, this strip of light green cloth was stained deeply 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 breath became disordered in that instant, and the charming, playful, smiling face of Dugu Xiaoyi flashed before his eyes…

When did I start caring about this girl so much?

Jun Moxie didn't have time to ponder this question; only one thought dominated his mind: I must go save her! “Third Uncle, Dugu Xiaoyi is in trouble, I have to go check!” Jun Moxie squeezed his legs together, and his fine steed neighed loudly, rearing up on its forelegs. Before its hooves touched the ground, the hind legs pushed off fiercely, and the horse shot forward like an arrow. The sound of frantic, rapid hoofbeats thundered like rolling thunder. Jun Moxie, one man and one horse, followed the shadow of Xiao Bai Bai ahead, speeding away!

Just as they rounded a street corner, a gust of wind hissed through the air, and a figure in a blue robe descended like a light cloud onto the back of the galloping horse. Yet, the weight seemed nonexistent; the strong steed didn't notice at all, continuing its frantic run! The newcomer was none other than Jun Wuyi! The face of this general in blood-red attire was etched with bone-chilling killing intent!

Jun Wuyi, being someone who had experienced life, could not fail to see the affection Dugu Xiaoyi held for Jun Moxie. In Jun Wuyi's mind, Dugu Xiaoyi was already his nephew's future wife; how could he allow anyone to bully her? Not even the slightest harm! He absolutely forbade it! This was the Jun family’s core belief—it applied to Guan Qinghan, and it applied equally to the young girl! Jun Wuyi would never allow the tragedy that befell him to repeat itself on his nephew! If necessary, Jun Wuyi would sooner destroy everything than let his nephew and nephew’s wife be harmed! Therefore, upon hearing of this matter, how could Jun Wuyi stand idly by? The warhorse screamed and raced madly, like a frenzied beast. The duo sped through several streets, turning several corners, vanishing in an instant! Leaving behind only a trail of dust, which the autumn wind gusted through, slowly dissipating!

Dugu Xiaoyi and Sun Xiaomei had the same intention: send Xiao Bai Bai to the Dugu family to call for reinforcements! Facing such powerful enemies, only the full might of the Dugu family experts stood a chance of turning the tide. Any other reinforcements, even if they arrived, might prove useless; the opponents were five Heavenly Profound masters! But while their intentions were aligned, the young Xiao Bai Bai couldn't understand. In its young mind, it clearly sensed that its master was in danger. It also understood that its master releasing it meant it was going to seek help! But who should it seek out? Naturally, it should find the most powerful help!

It must be said, Xiao Bai Bai was quite intelligent! In this world, only two people it felt close to: one was naturally its master, Dugu Xiaoyi, and the other… was the great benevolent person in Xiao Bai Bai’s eyes, the most formidable being: Jun Moxie! This person, who could even elevate Xiao Bai Bai’s cultivation level when it was just an infant—just how incredibly powerful must he be? Now that its master faced danger, whom else should it seek for aid if not him? So, Xiao Bai Bai diligently found Jun Moxie. In its mind, it never once considered going to the Dugu Clan for help. Those extremely rude bearded men—who were they? Would finding them be useful? They were far inferior to this great, kind, supreme expert… even little Xiao Bai Bai looked down on them… But then again, if Xiao Bai Bai had truly gone to the Dugu Clan for aid, by the time the Dugu family gathered all their experts, the situation would likely be long past saving. Thus, unconsciously, Xiao Bai Bai did the most correct thing! Because even if Xiao Bai Bai had reported to the Dugu family, being unable to speak, the Dugu family, even if they deduced the young girl was in danger, might not send all their top experts to rescue her. Considering the enemy’s formation—five Heavenly Profound experts! Sending too few would be pointless?!

The swords descended simultaneously! And the palm imbued with sky-blue profound energy slammed down fiercely!

At this precise moment, Ye Guhan was facing attacks from all four directions almost simultaneously! If it weren't for Princess Lingmeng, escaping and retreating at this instant would still not have been particularly difficult for Ye Guhan! He only needed to expend all his remaining power, fly back rapidly, and he could retreat instantly, perhaps still suffering some injuries but retaining the possibility of a complete escape. But Princess Lingmeng hadn't moved far! If he retreated, given the Heavenly Profound strength of these five individuals, they would surely capture Princess Lingmeng within moments! 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 not do, and what he must! Knowing death awaits, he rushes forward regardless of the multitude! What is death to be feared?!

Ye Guhan stood firm as a mountain. At the instant the swords closed in, he suddenly twisted his body, flashing back sharply, then immediately lunging forward again! Simultaneously, the longsword in his hand flashed a brilliant, sorrowful blue circle of light, as if the blade itself had become curved—a flick, then a thrust! Puff!

One long sword was the first to pierce deeply into the left side of Ye Guhan’s lower abdomen, while two other swords grazed past his body at an angle, tearing his clothes. Large swathes of flesh flew out amidst the blood spray. Then, a pair of bare palms, carrying the force of crushing thunder, slammed heavily into Ye Guhan’s chest! With several grinding, creaking sounds, Ye Guhan’s ribs shattered! Blood simultaneously seeped from all seven orifices! But at this moment, a look of ecstatic smiling—or perhaps, a gentle, savage grin—spread across Ye Guhan’s face! Combined with the blood streaking across his face, it appeared utterly tragic! Because…