That current of energy, though slender, was undeniably tenacious. Yet, Jun Xie was not entirely satisfied, as this initial surge of energy was merely the threshold of his mastery; it lacked any significant efficacy. While it might suffice for petty tricks or subtle cheating, allowing him to act undetected, it was utterly insufficient for a life-or-death confrontation where blades were drawn and swords brandished!

Even a strand of Celestial Silkworm Thread, capable of supporting two hundred jin, was certainly valuable, but Jun Xie yearned to possess a rope woven from one hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand such threads as his inner strength!

Therefore, to truly empower this slender stream and fill his meridians instead of leaving them as just an empty filament, Jun Xie felt he still had an immense journey ahead!

However, one immediate benefit existed: for clandestine operations, it was truly undetectable! Jun Xie closed his eyes, carefully contemplating the utility of this peculiar current within his body, and slowly slipped into a state of complete self-forgetfulness...

The Li family manor. Old Master Tang Wanli’s furious arrival was like punching a pillow of cotton; he met the enthusiastic reception of the Li family’s eldest grandson, Li Youran. The meticulous adherence to etiquette and the warmth of his demeanor made Old Master Tang profoundly uncomfortable—there was simply nothing to fault. Though eager to vent his anger, the persistent, gentle smile on Li Youran’s face prevented him from unleashing it. The suppressed frustration was agonizing. He took a sip of tea and slammed the cup down; the exquisite porcelain immediately cracked into eight pieces.

Li Youran’s smile remained calm and gentle. He said lightly, "Servants, quickly bring another bowl of steeped tea for the Old Marquis." Then, his tone sharpened slightly, "Why the previous delay? Hurry and fetch the finest Hanyan Tea from my grandfather's chambers. I recall Grandfather mentioning that Old Marquis Tang favors this superior Hanyan Tea above all else."

He immediately lowered his posture again, looking apologetically at Old Master Tang Wanli. "Old Marquis, I took the liberty of deciding on your behalf; please do not take offense. If I have made any oversight, please point it out immediately, and I will have the servants change it at once."

Old Master Tang’s eyes widened, and his mouth opened, finding himself cornered like a dog gnawing on a hedgehog. After stammering for a long time, he finally managed, "Summon those three little beasts—Li Feng, Li Zhen, and the other—out here. I have questions for them."

Li Youran’s expression turned troubled. "It is their blessing to receive guidance from the Old Marquis. It’s just unfortunate timing, Old Marquis. These three have erred and are currently receiving family discipline. Could the Marquis perhaps step aside briefly? Once these three have endured their punishment, we can await the Marquis's valuable counsel..." The Tang contingent exchanged startled glances upon hearing this.

The group proceeded in single file to the Li family's Hall of Discipline. Seeing Li Feng and the other two beaten until their flesh was unrecognizable, Old Master Tang’s initial fury subsided by half. After a few inquiries, however, when he learned that the Meng family was the instigator, and furthermore, that Meng Haizhou had long harbored designs on Tang Yuan's fiancée, and that Li Zhen and the other two were punished precisely because of this matter, Tang Wanli’s resentment toward the Li family vanished almost entirely. Instead, his rage against the Meng family flared up, sending him into an even greater fit of thunderous fury.

After a brief, hurried farewell, Old Master Tang and his retinue swiftly mounted their horses and sped toward the Meng manor.

Li Youran personally escorted them to the manor gates, profusely apologizing for any lapse in hospitality, bowing deeply in farewell. He watched the dust cloud of Old Master Tang's cavalry recede into the distance.

Straightening up, a faint, ethereal elegance graced Li Youran’s face, though a fleeting shadow of icy coldness crossed his eyes before vanishing instantly. Lifting the hem of his white robe, Li Youran strolled leisurely back into the manor, his movements graceful, untouched by earthly concerns...

The sky suddenly darkened. With a low rumble of thunder, rain began to pour down in sheets, gradually intensifying until heaven and earth merged into a single gray expanse. Li Youran abruptly stopped his walk. He looked out at the driving rain for a moment, chuckled softly, shook his head, and murmured, "It seems Old Marquis Tang will be staying at the Meng residence for a while longer... Hehehe..."

** resting her delicate chin on her hand, stared blankly out the window at the downpour, her gaze growing somewhat hazy.

Jun Xie finished his practice, stood up, and approached her from behind, asking softly, "**, what are you thinking about?"

** gasped, spinning around, standing up awkwardly, and looked down. "Young Master."

"What are you thinking?" Jun Xie walked over to a nearby chair and sat down, habitually crossing his legs. He looked at the young girl before him; she was exquisitely pretty and endearing, making Jun Xie unable to resist teasing her sometimes. Precisely because he noticed this little darling was burdened with thoughts, he couldn't help but inquire.

"I... I was thinking, the Mid-Autumn Festival is just a few days away..." **'s voice was meek. "I remember three years ago, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, I was nine, and I was still with Father and Mother. Back then... I was so joyous... so happy... Father, Mother..." Tap, tap—two large tears rolled down her cheeks, splashing onto the floor. She couldn't finish her sentence.

"And where is your father now?" As Jun Xie asked this, he dredged the memory from his mind: **’s father had been a squad leader directly under the Jun family banner, accompanying Jun Moxie’s elder brother, Jun Moyou, on an expedition, and never returned. **’s mother, weakened by grief and overwork from missing her husband, eventually succumbed to illness. On her deathbed, she entrusted ** to the Jun manor, requesting the family look after her. Now, ** was an orphan.

Recalling how that brat Jun Moxie used to strike or scold ** without ever showing kindness, and how this poor girl silently endured it all, Jun Xie felt an inexplicable pang of pity. He sighed lightly, reaching out to gently stroke her hair without speaking. Hearing the mention of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and calculating the date, he realized the festival was fast approaching. A sudden wave of bitterness washed over Jun Xie.

It seemed he would have to spend this traditional Huaxia festival entirely alone in this world.

** felt Jun Xie gently stroking her hair, finding the touch surprisingly soft, and remained silent. Yet, in her heart, she sensed Jun Xie's pity and genuine remorse, immediately feeling a surge of warmth, like a little sister separated from home suddenly finding a big brother—a softening and intimacy bloomed in her heart. Suddenly, she felt that this spoiled young master, who often scolded and beat her, now felt like the closest person to her. This change was abrupt and quite strange. She instinctively leaned her small body toward Jun Xie's, drawing comfort from his warmth, and suddenly felt that the torrential rain outside the window had nothing to do with her anymore.

After a long moment, Jun Xie ruffled **'s fine hair. "Get some rest, perhaps try to sleep for a while. I need to step out."

"Young Master, it’s raining so heavily. Where are you going?" ** sounded concerned. "What if you catch a chill? Let me prepare your rain gear!"

"It won't be a problem," Jun Xie said with a faint smile, his face still impassive. He casually grabbed a bamboo hat, placed it on his head, pushed open the door, and his tall, slender figure vanished into the driving rain... Behind him, **’s face was filled with worry. She could sense that her Young Master’s heart was currently filled with an inexpressible pain and suffocating distress...

Also sensing the unrest within Jun Xie's heart, the Hongjun Pagoda in his mind glowed with increased white energy, spinning rapidly. The white mist surged through his meridians alongside Jun Xie's agitated circulation, seemingly striving to soothe the unhappiness and vexation in Jun Xie’s soul.