Li Shang’s voice was heavy with import: “Youran, do you understand? The driving force that compelled Jun Moxie to change was precisely that pressure! It was this overwhelming pressure that forced Jun Moxie onto the stage. When the conditions of Heaven, Earth, and Man conspire to push a person toward transformation, even the most cowardly soul will become a hero! But you lack that pressure! Therefore, Jun Moxie’s transformation was both unexpected and entirely logical.”

Li Youran sank into profound contemplation, his expression thoughtful, before slowly nodding.

Grand Tutor Li’s conjecture held some merit, yet he could never fathom that following his hypothesized path would only lead one further astray! Because this Moxie was not that Moxie! A hair’s breadth of difference can lead to a thousand miles of error, let alone starting from a fundamentally flawed premise.

“Regarding this Jun Moxie, as your grandfather, I offer you one more piece of counsel: unless you are absolutely certain you can deliver a killing blow in one strike, then you must not push him too hard.” Li Shang moved his white eyebrows and smiled faintly. “What you desire, and what our Li family desires, is ultimately nothing more than power. But what Jun Moxie desires is not power; he even disregards it. Therefore, Jun Moxie has no substantial conflict with us. The enmity between him and you, or between me and that old fellow Jun Zhantian, is entirely different.”

“He disdains power? On what grounds do you make such a claim?” Li Youran raised an eyebrow. High office, immense wealth, absolute control over the realm—who wouldn’t desire that? The exquisite intoxication of being second only to the sovereign, commanding ten thousand men, who wouldn’t yearn for it? Why is Jun Moxie somehow able to stand apart, untouched by this pursuit?”

He did not believe it. He genuinely did not believe it!

“In truth, this is discernible in every move Jun Moxie makes. This man cares nothing for the opinions of others, nor does he fret over life, death, honor, or disgrace. Naturally, he cares even less for wealth and glory. He possesses the ability to dissipate fortunes worth billions with a mere gesture, yet can conjure boundless luxury amidst laughter and conversation. He is inherently someone who views the world askance, following his own path, doing as he pleases, flowing freely, desiring not a shred of constraint upon himself.”

Li Shang sighed softly. “He truly is such a person. Therefore, the goals he pursues are higher than ours! Higher than yours! This is something I loathe admitting, yet I must concede it!”

“Higher than mine, higher than mine…” Li Youran slowly savored the phrase, suddenly feeling a wave of bitterness wash over him. Was what he sought with all his efforts something others dismissed entirely without a second thought? For the habitually proud Li Youran, this was a stinging irony of the cruelest sort!

“Higher, precisely, higher than you. I see your ambition clearly, I see it plainly.” Li Shang’s sparse white eyebrows twitched lightly. “All you strive for in your lifetime amounts, at best, to the position of an earthly emperor! To dominate one territory, to possess thousands of miles of mountains and rivers. If even that proves unattainable, the next best aspiration is eternal renown for your lineage, being second only to the heavens in prestige! That is your goal. The exquisite taste of controlling power can utterly captivate you; for this marvelous flavor, you could abandon nearly everything.”

“Yes,” Li Youran’s gentle eyebrows lifted, a hint of bloody killing intent arising within him. “Titles and ranks are not fixed by birth; a true man must strive for himself. Emperors change in rotation—it is my Li family’s turn next! If the opportunity arises, I shall certainly raise the banner of rebellion and establish my Li family’s immortal dynasty! The Li Dynasty!”

“But what Jun Moxie pursues is clearly a superlative power that transcends all things, beyond the reach of imperial authority! For instance, the Wind and Snow Silver City, or perhaps the Blood Soul Manor. Or, it could be something even loftier, who knows!” Li Shang sighed. “And His Majesty sees this very clearly now, just as we do. That is why he is far more tolerant now than before—though, undoubtedly, regretful too.” Grand Tutor Li offered a meaningful smile.

“Having heard your instruction, Grandfather, I can understand His Majesty’s regret. But why is he more tolerant than before? Was there ever a time when he wasn't tolerant?” Li Youran was puzzled. There seemed to be some hidden aspect here?

Grand Tutor Li smiled but did not answer. “That is merely reaping what one sows. Our conflict with the Jun family is, at best, the old grievance between me and Jun Zhantian. Beyond that, there is no real clash. And we are both old now.”

“Grandfather means—” Li Youran felt bewildered. Hearing his grandfather’s tone, was the deep-seated hatred spanning three generations truly going to be set aside?

“Youran, you must remember this: when dealing with the Jun family, and especially with a figure like Jun Moxie—unless you possess twelve parts of certainty that you can annihilate his entire clan in one fell swoop! And then you must personally see Jun Moxie’s corpse lying before you—only then should you act!” Li Shang closed his eyes, looking weary. “Otherwise, do not make any rash moves!”

“Then this current campaign against him, we—” Li Youran lowered his head, his soft hair spilling forward to conceal his face, hiding whatever expression he held.

Li Youran was deeply shaken in his heart. His grandfather’s statement just now was identical in meaning to what he had said earlier: unless you are absolutely certain you can deliver a killing blow in one strike, then you must not push him too hard. His grandfather had emphasized this point twice!

What did this mean? Li Youran understood perfectly! It meant that his grandfather… ...was absolutely incapable of enduring Jun Moxie’s counterattack, and the day Jun Moxie retaliated would spell the doom of the Li family! Li Shang had not stated this plainly, but both grandfather and grandson understood it implicitly!

Li Youran found this conclusion difficult to accept!

“Everything proceeds according to your plan. You should have a clearer idea than I do how things should unfold. I cannot voice an opinion on every matter; the future of this family ultimately rests on your shoulders! So, as long as you believe it is right, then do it! Do not worry about my feelings.”

The Grand Tutor closed his eyes tiredly and waved a hand. “You only need to remember two things: under the current political climate, do not defy His Majesty. And toward Jun Moxie, exercise extreme caution. Control everything, do not provoke the bottom line of those two. If you manage that, our Li family is certain to see the clouds clear and the sun shine through.”

Li Youran remained silent. The conversation between the two elders finally concluded.

Although it was only early winter, a large brazier had already been lit in the room where Li Shang rested. Previously, Li Youran had felt it was too early, too warm, to light a brazier at this time. But after this conversation, Li Youran suddenly felt a chilling cold, a cold that penetrated deep into his heart.

This sensation of cold made his unusually erect posture slump slightly, forcing him to involuntarily draw closer to the warmth of the brazier.

Upon his handsome face were etched expressions of deep thought, complex and contradictory: resentment, unwillingness to submit, and a measure of despondency. Am I truly so far behind him? The things I strive for desperately, which remain just beyond my grasp, are things he never even considered. Has Jun Moxie, without realizing it, already surpassed me by several leagues?

Is the Immortal realm truly that formidable? So impossible to equal? Li Youran sighed deeply.

Li Shang lay languidly on the couch, squinting, sighing inwardly. He knew perfectly well what his grandson was thinking, but beyond analyzing the pros and cons, everything else relied on Li Youran himself.

“Master, Young Master; the head of the Meng family, Meng Youwei, requests an audience with the Master,” came the announcement from outside the door.

“Tell him the Grand Tutor is unwell and requires rest, unable to receive guests; and tell him the Young Master has an errand and has not yet returned,” Li Youran’s voice was thick with weariness.

Meng Youwei’s arrival was surely to coordinate with the Li family on how to deal with the Jun family. But now, Li Youran was extremely reluctant to even hear the words, Jun family. Everything could wait until this storm had passed.

Gazing at the three thick piles of documents concerning Jun Moxie before him, Li Youran offered a bitter smile. He suddenly picked up one stack and began tossing the papers, one by one, into the brazier. The flames in the room suddenly surged, the fire licking high. The temperature instantly rose.

Yet, Li Youran’s face grew increasingly vacant. The firelight painted his handsome features a deep red, adding a layer of eerie strangeness.

A sound of wings beating sounded in the sky. Someone reported, “Young Master, news of the Southern Sky Army’s return.”

Li Youran continued to toss papers into the brazier, his movements unhurried, his tone faint. “Enter! Read it.”

“Yes!” A sturdy man entered with extreme caution, first bowing respectfully before unfolding the dispatch and reading aloud: “Ninth day of the army’s return journey: Xiao Buyu, the Second Elder of Xiao family of Wind and Snow Silver City, led five Divine Profound experts; the Seven Swords of Snow Ridge and two Heavenly Profound blocked the path. Xiao Han engaged in a decisive battle with Jun Wuyi—”

Grand Tutor Li’s eyes suddenly snapped open, and he sat bolt upright. Li Youran also stopped tossing papers into the brazier, his entire body falling utterly still.

The burly man was startled and stopped reading.

“Continue reading,” Li Youran ground out through clenched teeth.

“Jun Wuyi achieved a great victory over Xiao Han, crippling Xiao Han! The Seven Swords of Silver City participated, only to be blocked by Ying Bokong, one of the Eight Supremes, leading to a massive engagement; Xiao Buyu challenged Jun Moxie—”

“Xiao Buyu challenged Jun Moxie?” Li Youran’s body jolted, and he looked up sharply.

“Yes, Xiao Buyu challenged Jun Moxie and was defeated—tricked by a stratagem employed by Jun Moxie, he was forced to strip and dance in full view of the crowd, ultimately dying of shame and suicide! Jun Moxie slew Xiao Fengwu with his sword, severed the legs of the eighth and ninth Divine Profound Elders of Silver City with a single stroke, and impaled the sixth Divine Profound Elder of Silver City through the chest. Finally, Jun Moxie fought alone against four Divine Profounds and won a decisive victory! The people of Wind and Snow Silver City—”

Li Youran heard nothing further in the report. His mind was struck by a heavy blow, his vision went dark, and blood rushed violently to his head. His mind and consciousness were occupied only by this passage: Xiao Buyu challenged Jun Moxie and was defeated; tricked by a stratagem employed by Jun Moxie, he was forced to strip and dance in full view of the crowd, ultimately dying of shame and suicide! Jun Moxie slew Xiao Fengwu with his sword, severed the legs of the eighth and ninth Divine Profound Elders of Silver City with a single stroke, and impaled the sixth Divine Profound Elder of Silver City through the chest. Finally, Jun Moxie fought alone against four Divine Profounds and won a decisive victory!

Jun Moxie fought alone against four Divine Profounds and won a decisive victory! Jun Moxie fought alone against four Divine Profounds and won a decisive victory!

It was as if continuous thunderbolts were exploding right beside his ears, shaking his spirit so fiercely that it detached and soared up into the clouds, drifting aimlessly. Li Youran swayed, and the thick stack of documents he held in his right hand slipped, falling entirely into the brazier. The dense pile of paper completely smothered the roaring flames, causing thick, black smoke to billow upwards!

【Ti: Dear reader, the current chapter has reached the final page of this book】