Naturally, if the Second Prince, or Jun Moxie, or anyone else had heard these words, they would have immediately understood why every assassin sent by the Second Prince from the Blood Sword Hall had always come within a hair's breadth of completing their target, yet never quite succeeded.

The mastermind behind the Blood Sword Hall—an assassin organization renowned throughout the Tianxiang Empire, and indeed the entire Profound Profound Continent—was someone utterly unexpected!

Yet, upon deeper reflection, perhaps this was the only way it could make sense; the most rational scenario!

Was it not so?

Why could an assassin organization, known to many upper echelons in Tianxiang, operate with such near-open impunity and recklessness? They were able to maintain close dealings with many powerful court families, and even members of the Imperial Clan!

Such behavior might not be surprising in weaker nations where might makes right. But in Tianxiang, a nation boasting formidable military strength and a highly centralized government, especially under the current ruler—a rare genius of this age—how could such a man permit the existence of an organization operating with such blatant disregard for authority, one that dared to attempt the assassination of Princess Lingmeng and massacre the lineage of high officials? It all seemed far too much like a childish game!

And the game was far from over. Taking the assassination attempt on Princess Lingmeng as an example: a foremost assassin group on the continent should always prioritize intelligence. While Ye Guhan's existence was certainly a secret and a sensitive topic, how could an organization as meticulous as the Blood Sword Hall fail to uncover the presence of a powerhouse like Ye Guhan? Yet, they only dispatched two Golden Profound experts.

Against a target guarded by a Heaven Profound expert, what use, what meaning could Golden Profound rank possess?!

It was truly pitiful that the Second Prince remained utterly oblivious, placated by a meaningless excuse of "your intelligence was flawed." Perhaps, for his entire life, this royal highness would never realize that everything he had done was merely utilized by his imperial father as a pretext and a tool to purge the bureaucracy, rectify the court, and even cleanse the inner palace.

He had been used completely and thoroughly. It was believed that even the peerless assassin Jun Moxie, upon learning of this scheme, would have no choice but to offer a salute of respect to His Majesty, the Sovereign of Tianxiang!

The Inner Palace.

"Meng'er, tell your mother honestly, did something happen? Are you ill?" A noblewoman of supreme grace and magnificent bearing, clad in yellow robes and adorned with an imperial crown, was the current Empress, Murong Xiuxiu, the birth mother of Princess Lingmeng.

"N-no, Mother, this daughter's health is fine. Everything is completely normal. I don't know why Mother asks?" Princess Lingmeng naturally refused to admit anything. If her mother discovered Ye Guhan's current wretched state, Lingmeng dreaded what might happen next, leading her only to vehement denial.

"Normal? My child, you have never been able to lie since you were little; that stuttering habit when you lie has always remained," the Empress smiled gently, gazing at her daughter with loving warmth. "For the past few days, you've been alternately anxious and secretly giggling. And at night, you often weep, wetting your pillow... Do you still consider all this normal?"

"Mother," Princess Lingmeng pouted playfully, "would this daughter ever deceive you? There is truly nothing unusual with me."

"Could it be?" The Empress laughed, playfully pinching her daughter's nose with some indulgence. "Perhaps you've taken a liking to some young gentleman?"

"Mother!" Princess Lingmeng exclaimed, blushing crimson, though her heart hesitated. Should I take this opportunity to mention Jun Moxie to Mother? The mere thought of that person caused the Princess's cheeks to flush with a rosy glow.

Seeing her daughter's expression, how could the Empress not know what was happening? She herself had experienced such girlish agitation years ago. Her daughter was finally growing up!

"You little imp, do you know whose son has captured the affection of my precious daughter?!" The Empress teased her daughter.

"Mother," Princess Lingmeng shifted slightly, hesitating for a long moment before finally deciding not to voice the secret in her heart. Lingmeng was no fool; she understood the inscrutable nature of Jun Moxie's attitude. She was certain that this young man held little affection for her; mentioning it rashly might only lead to embarrassment.

However, within the Princess's romantic heart burned a spark of defiance: You spent years feigning debauchery; no girl would fall for you. Even if you flattered me endlessly then, why would I pay attention! Now that I have no issue with you, this rake suddenly puts on airs—Hmph!

"The little miss is shy; if you won't say, then don't. Mother won't force you," the Empress chuckled. "Meng'er, if you find someone you care for, tell your mother sooner rather than later, do you understand? Otherwise, your age isn't getting any younger. If one day your Imperial Father decides on a whim to arrange a marriage for you, raising objections then will only cause trouble." The Empress stroked her daughter's hair affectionately.

"Yes, Daughter understands." Princess Lingmeng leaned into her mother's embrace, and inadvertently recalled the years of dedication shown by Uncle Ye Guhan. His current miserable state suddenly brought a sting to her nose, making her want to weep.

"I don't know why, but these past few days I've felt a continuous dread, a nagging feeling that something terrible is about to happen," the Empress murmured softly, lost in thought. What could possibly happen... A sharp pain pierced Lingmeng's heart.

Princess Lingmeng's heart tightened, daring not to speak further. She worried terribly about Uncle Ye's current condition, and that infuriating enemy who wouldn't even allow her to visit Uncle Ye!

The Jun Residence.

Jun Moxie stared at the small, flailing girl before him, utterly speechless.

Truly speechless, because...

"I'm going too!" Dugu Xiaoyi announced proudly, clutching Little White.

"Big Sister, what are you going for? To fill a Profound Beast's belly? Are you planning to help me, or help the Profound Beasts?" Jun Moxie rolled his eyes in exasperation. Heavens, spare me! This girl has been pestering me all morning!

"Hmph, you're the one who feeds Profound Beasts! I am quite formidable now. Once I unleash my blade techniques, even my seven elder brothers can't match me. Below Golden Profound, I am invincible. How could a mere handful of Profound Beasts possibly threaten this young lady?" Dugu Xiaoyi declared with great bravado. "Besides, look at Little White's miserable state; he’s only an eighth-grade Profound Beast, isn't he just like a little dog? If they're all like that, what do I have to fear? Killing eight hundred or a thousand in a day would be like playing a game. Maybe I can even find a few more Little Whites."

Little White let out a dissatisfied whine, as if to say, Is a top-tier Profound Beast of my caliber so easily dismissed? He rolled his eyes at his mistress, knowing it was unwise to reason with her, so he ignored her and went back to sleep.

Jun Moxie felt a wave of weakness. "Big Sister, how can you compare them like that? Whitey is a high-grade Profound Beast, but he's not even fully grown! Ah, no, he’s just been born! How can you compare them? Haven't you seen other Profound Beasts? Even if you haven't eaten pork, haven't you seen a pig run?"

"What nonsense are you spouting! This young lady has never seen a pig run. As for other Profound Beasts? What about them? The moment they see this young lady, they immediately become listless and don't dare to lift their heads!" the girl boasted proudly.

Young Master Jun nearly wept. Of course they do! How could a rich young lady have seen a pig run? The ones you’ve seen are all trained, low-grade Profound Beasts...

"Big Sister, please stop causing trouble. Every time you go out, you hold Little White. He is a standard high-grade Profound Beast. Any Profound Beast in Tianxiang seeing him will surely become lethargic—what does that prove? While Little White is powerful here, over at Tianfa, Little White is nothing, he’s a nobody!" Jun Moxie patiently tried to counsel her.

"Are you trying to fool a child? Little White is so powerful, yet you say he's nothing?! Regardless, I must go! I absolutely must go! In just over two months, it will be my grandfather’s seventieth birthday. My esteemed grandfather fought on battlefields in his early years and sustained injuries; the wind cannot touch his waist, nor can the cold penetrate. I heard that wearing a Snow God Fox fur cloak close to the body can prevent his old ailments from recurring. I plan to hunt a Snow God Fox this time and bring back its pelt as a birthday gift to show my filial piety."

The little girl spoke as if the Snow God Fox was already waiting there, requiring only a trip to collect it.

Jun Moxie nearly fainted. "Big Sister, my venerable aunt, do you think that Snow God Fox is a cat kept by your family, easy to catch? That creature is of a higher grade than your Iron Winged Leopard! It is a genuine eighth-grade high-level Profound Beast, and even calling it eighth-grade is the most conservative estimate. That means it can evolve! Do you understand?"

During this recent period, the little girl had displayed such gentle grace that Jun Moxie had almost forgotten her former arrogance. Now, it seemed, her old nature had returned. It truly confirmed the saying: you can change a river's course, but not a person's inherent character!

"So what? No matter how fierce it is, it’s still just a Fox. What's the big deal?" Dugu Xiaoyi waved her hand carelessly, paying no mind to Jun Moxie's words. Her eyes darted, and she instantly lowered her head, pleading, "Brother Moxie, take me with you! It’s just the matter of one extra horse, isn't it? Please, okay?"

"No! This is not up for discussion!" Jun Moxie refused outright without a second thought. How is this just one extra horse? If anything happens, won't your whole Dugu family of tough nuts flay me alive? Besides, this brother is no gentleman. What if my beastly nature flares up along the way and I... take care of you? That would be a considerable hassle.

"Let me go, Brother Moxie, please..." Dugu Xiaoyi grabbed his arm and began to act spoiled.

"No! Calling me 'Good Brother' won't work!" Jun Moxie snorted, then added after a pause, "Calling me 'Good Husband' won't work either!"

"You wish!" Dugu Xiaoyi wrinkled her nose and stuck out her tongue. "Hmph, if you won't take me, I'll just go with my elder brothers! Is it really that hard? Can this young lady not reach Tiannan without you?"

"Be my guest!" Jun Moxie spread his hands. "As long as you aren't following me, then everything is negotiable. If your three brothers are willing to take you, that saves me trouble. Please thank them for sharing the burden of carrying you!"