His Majesty sighed; it seemed nothing substantial could be gleaned from the fat man today, yet his answers were delivered with such uncanny smoothness, such ready rhetoric? Annoyed and fatigued, he returned to the Dragon Throne, frowning in contemplation.

He rose from his seat, hands clasped behind his back, and stood before Fatty Tang. This posture was intended to maximize the solemnity of the grand hall, projecting his supreme authority to further press upon the fat man's psyche. This pressure had initially been quite successful, but he should never have asked his very first question after standing up about Jun Moxie's methods.

By doing so, he inadvertently stirred the fat man's admiration for Boss Jun, subtly neutralizing the intended oppressive aura. “I understand. You may leave now,” the Emperor said, rubbing his forehead with a gesture of exhaustion, waving his other hand dismissively.

Fatty Tang felt an immense wave of relief, as if granted amnesty from heaven and earth; he had finally survived. Just as he was about to rise and offer his thanks, suddenly! His Majesty lifted his head, two sharp gazes, like piercing arrows, shot directly into Tang Yuan’s eyes, and he asked in a chilling, direct manner, word by deliberate word: “The one who came up with this idea, was it Jun Wuyi?!”

Tang Yuan, whose guard had dropped the moment he relaxed, felt his limbs go weak. Hearing the Emperor’s question, the very sound of the name ‘Jun’ instantly panicked him. He hadn't even registered what His Majesty had asked, freezing in utter dismay, his mouth agape, instinctively crying out: “Ah?!” The Emperor looked at Tang Yuan and gave a faint smile: “Or was it not?” +AA+++AAA

Meanwhile, Young Master Jun strode forward a couple of steps, waving his hand, calling out: “Hey, you masked boy who can’t show his face to the world!” He was addressing Li Youran.

Li Youran stopped gracefully, standing quietly to await Jun Moxie’s arrival. The few young noblemen beside him intended to stay, but Li Youran waved a gentle hand. Though he spoke no words, his intent was perfectly clear. In that air of casual detachment, he conveyed his wishes, and yet not a single person behind him offered dissent; they all departed.

This, this was an invisible form of majesty! Although Jun Moxie could see it as pure posturing, to be able to maintain such a pose constantly, to the point where even the poser believed it, was a level unto itself! Li Youran carried one hand behind his back, every movement seemingly effortless, natural, and free, naturally radiating an elegance that suggested he was a majestic figure, aloof and refined.

He looked calmly at Jun Moxie, a complex expression flickering faintly in his eyes. There was placidity, fighting spirit, and apprehension... but all vanished in a fleeting moment.

“I wonder what advice Young Master Jun wishes to impart?” Li Youran’s demeanor was neither overtly friendly nor distancing. His voice was clear, pitched neither too high nor too low, immensely pleasing to the ear. “Your attitude is acceptable; you have some manners. Since this young master has come, I naturally have some instruction for you,” Jun Moxie declared brazenly. “Please, proceed,” Li Youran’s eyes swam with a watery smile, and he spoke softly, “It is my great honor to listen to the teachings of Young Master Jun. I am all attention.”

“I just wanted to ask you, why do you wear that veil all the time? Aren't you tired? Aren't you hot? Is it just for show, or are you truly unable to face people? Or perhaps you’re trying to flirt with some respectable lady?” Jun Moxie squinted at him, his opening words nothing short of provocation. “Or perhaps… you’re disfigured?!”

Li Youran normally never showed his face, and Jun Moxie was intensely curious about this man, only a few years his senior, yet possessing a terrifying reputation. In some respects, he even felt a sense of caution towards him!

The reason was simple: this man was too elusive, his schemes too profound, and his reserve frighteningly deep! He seemed to be calculating constantly, yet on the surface remained eternally calm, modest, and sincere. Against such a smiling tiger, the Great Assassin Jun had always harbored caution! Who knew when this man might target him?

The Great Assassin Jun never feared villains, madmen, heroes, valiant men, or gentlemen, nor did he fear petty men! But what he feared most, and what disgusted him most, was the hypocrite! Li Youran’s degree of hypocrisy had reached the zenith of seeming genuine, feigning sincerity with consummate skill, reaching perfection!

The Meng Fei whom Jun Moxie had just disciplined, and the crowd he had cursed, were essentially under Li Youran’s wing! Yet Li Youran showed no reaction, instead subtly observing him! Scrutinizing him! Moreover, there was a hint of apprehension in his eyes! Could Yu Kuaoyou (a presumed typo for Jun Moxie, or another character) already be wary of me? Or has he discovered something? Therefore, Jun Moxie decisively chose to make the first move this time, to test the waters slightly, gauge this fellow’s true attitude towards him, and decide how to proceed in the future.

“Young Master Three guessed correctly! I am indeed disfigured.” A trace of pain seemed to flash across Li Youran’s eyes. He was in no way offended by Jun Moxie’s words, his tone remaining placid, as if he were cautiously guarding himself, or perhaps, that someone like Jun Moxie wasn't even worth his anger.

“Take off that scrap of cloth and let me see!” Jun Moxie looked at the veil with great interest, commanding lightly, “Brother hasn’t seen what a disfigured face looks like yet. I heard you used to be quite the handsome lad; what a pity.”

In Jun Moxie’s heart, there was another reason. He remembered clearly how Li Youran had pursued Princess Lingmeng without reservation; from the way Li Youran looked at the Princess in the Aristocratic Hall, it was evident that his devotion to her was profound. This part, at least, could not be faked!

Yet, this very man, when faced with his own interests, could ruthlessly consign the woman he deeply loved to death, utterly unconcerned. Furthermore, this deadly plot had clearly been orchestrated by him!

Young Master Jun would never forget that Lei Jianhong and others were Li Youran’s martial brothers. And it was they who had moved against Princess Lingmeng; moreover, it was clearly done under Li Youran’s instruction.

The objective was merely to uncover the hidden 'Heavenly Profound Peak Flying Dagger Master' whom he himself was impersonating! He vaguely sensed that the existence of this mysterious figure might pose a threat to him, so he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice the woman he loved to gain that piece of intelligence! Merely intelligence! His affection wasn’t fake, but he could discard it anytime, like trash!

Jun Moxie felt that such a person could hardly be called human anymore! Only scum, a pervert! But on the surface, he possessed a dignified, elegant, and flawless bearing, which only deepened Jun Moxie’s dissatisfaction!

Can’t you be openly wicked like me?! What’s the point of playing all those deceptive games! That’s why I must tear off your mask! Expose your true colors!

The first direct confrontation between the two great young talents: one brimming with hooligan spirit, the other possessing peerless grace. Both wore disguises; the question remained, who would be the first to strip the other’s mask? This, too, was a contest!

“A disfigured appearance is naturally not pleasant to look at,” Li Youran observed him calmly, smiling slightly. “But if Young Master Jun is willing to slice a couple of cuts into his own exquisite face, he can see for himself in the mirror when he returns home.”

“Is that so?” Jun Moxie drawled, casting a sideways glance at him. “Young Master Li certainly speaks with great conviction. But although this young master wishes to see it, I first want to know: what does it feel like when a once handsome lad suddenly becomes unpresentable? Quite thrilling, isn't it?”

Even Li Youran’s excellent composure began to fray under Jun Moxie’s repeated provocations. His smile grew colder, his eyes slightly chilling. “It is indeed thrilling, and rather a satisfying sensation. If Young Master Jun is unwilling to do it himself, perhaps I can assist; I guarantee I can make Young Master experience ecstasy and intoxication.”

“Hahaha…” Jun Moxie laughed heartily, clapping Li Youran on the shoulder. He boomed, “So, Young Master Youran is also a man of similar tastes! I had no idea before; what many good times I’ve missed! Brother Youran is truly remarkable; with just one sentence, you hit upon the thoughts of this junior brother and reminded me of the beautiful times I spent carousing by the Spirit Mist Lake, hah! Since we are both kindred spirits in the pursuit of pleasure, when will Brother Youran enlighten this junior with a few of your secret techniques?”

The crowd, even those who had walked further away, turned back to look at the pair.

Someone was openly discussing visiting courtesans with Li Youran, the acknowledged foremost talent and most exemplary young gentleman of Tianxiang City. This was big news, and judging by the tone, Li Youran was revealed to be an old hand in the pleasure quarters, even commanding the submission of Tianxiang’s foremost rake, Young Master Jun Moxie! This was extremely unexpected.

A flash of anger crossed Li Youran’s eyes. He suddenly looked at Jun Moxie and stated, “In this regard, although this humble elder is a few years older, how could I possibly compare to Young Master Three? I must concede defeat. Young Master Three is accomplished not only in this area, but in other aspects as well… extraordinarily so.” “Oh? So I’m actually that formidable? Tell me more. I, Jun Mo, love being praised by others the most,” Jun Moxie shrugged, smiling widely.

“It is as if you are saying, Young Master Three’s world-shaking gambling skills when he helped Tang Yuan win back his wife are truly breathtaking,” Li Youran murmured, looking down at his own shoe tips, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment, he spoke this sentence, as if having made some decision. “Oh? Not bad, not bad, that did happen! It’s just that the Goddess of Luck follows me; there’s nothing that can be done about it!” Jun Moxie looked at him with great interest.

“And for example, Young Master Three and Tang Luo beat Qin Xiaobao up at noon, and after just one night, the North City Gang was annihilated…” Li Youran smiled faintly, strolling forward, his eyes seemingly not focused on Jun Moxie, yet Jun Moxie’s divine sense told him that this fellow was closely monitoring every reaction of his!

“That was because the North City Gang committed too many evils, and Heaven decided to collect them. Besides, I didn't consider those small fry trash worthy of mentioning, yet they deserve Young Master Li’s attention?” Jun Moxie raised an eyebrow. “It seems Young Master Li has some connection with the North City Gang.”

Li Youran gave a slight smile, saying leisurely, “And for example… Young Master Three pontificating at Shengbao Hall, causing Li Zhen to pay a huge price to acquire that extremely precious Jade Coral…”

Li Youran smiled placidly, gazing tenderly at Jun Moxie, and said in a low voice, “But no one expected that after buying it back, it unexpectedly exploded…”