My apologies for the late update; I won't even go into the reasons why. Because no matter what, it can't hide the fact that the update was late. Only after I more than make up for it today will I explain everything to everyone, striving for your forgiveness! I'm sorry, my brothers and sisters, for making you wait so long!!!

That night, the heavens were drenched in fragrance and blood!

This was another night of carnage following the previous Bloody Night of Fragrance, and this time the scale of the slaughter was even greater!

This night was destined to be sleepless!

That day, first, Jun Mo Xie forcefully entered the city, followed by the sensational news of the Three Great Scholars publicly denigrating their own mentors. Before the shock of the first explosive piece of news had even subsided, news spread that more than seventy businesses belonging to the Meng family in Tian Xiang City had simultaneously come under attack—each piece of news more stunning than the last.

At the same time, Grand Marshal Jun Zhan Tian issued an order: All garrisons are to remain at their posts, under penalty of death for disobedience!

Not long after, Marshal Du Gu Zong Heng issued his own decree: No subordinate personnel are to move without orders, not a single soldier is to leave or enter the barracks, violation will be met with death without mercy.

Coincidentally, almost immediately after, the Murong clan recalled all personnel operating outside and retreated swiftly back to their ancestral home. Then the Li family maintained a stoic silence, not uttering a word, while the other major Tian Xiang families all chose to observe the situation.

Next, a sacred edict came from the Imperial Palace: All Imperial Guards are strictly forbidden from leaving their posts and are to await further command.

This essentially meant that Tian Xiang City, under the joint promotion and mediation of the various powers and the Imperial family, had become a power vacuum, a forbidden zone entirely enveloped by a single faction!

An absolute zone belonging to the Jun family's influence!

Hordes of warriors affiliated with the Jun family swaggered into the Meng family's properties, ruthlessly driving out all the Meng family's managers. Any slight resistance was met with brutal beatings, resulting in numerous broken limbs. Many even lost their lives. In short, all the peripheral forces of the Meng family within the capital were completely eradicated in a single day.

The assailants included not only the Jun family's forces and military elements, but surprisingly, forces from the Du Gu clan were also involved. For a time, Tian Xiang City descended into chaos, and panic spread. The news of Jun Mo Xie slaughtering people everywhere in the streets, blood flowing across the causeways, the cries on the flagpoles continuing until extinction, had barely settled, when this astonishing event followed!

Before evening arrived, the brutally mangled corpses of the three fleeing Scholars were discovered at the city gates.

These were the so-called counter-attacks from those hypocrites, but that was all they amounted to.

Because, immediately following that, a large number of high-ranking officials were suddenly killed...

In the dark, Zhao Cheng Jun, the Vice Minister of Rites, leaned over his desk, furiously writing a memorial denouncing the Jun family, preparing to risk his life to present it to the Emperor tomorrow. No matter what, the Jun family must be completely brought down.

At this moment, Vice Minister Zhao felt quite confident. With the forceful leadership of his two mentors, the entire strength affiliated with Wen Xing Academy had been mobilized, coupled with the vast network of connections they had cultivated over many years—this was an exceptionally powerful force! Over three hundred officials, both inside and outside the capital, jointly submitting a petition impeaching the Jun family—what a magnificent spectacle that would be!

Surely, no monarch could ignore such a display! Even if your Jun family holds sway over the court and controls the military power of Tian Xiang, you are still just one family. Can you truly stand against the entire bureaucratic system of Tian Xiang?

Although that little thief from the Jun family went on a killing spree today, attempting to intimidate everyone, so what? It was merely the reckless action of a brave fool. Hmph, the bigger he makes the fuss, the more people he kills, the better. That way, there will be no turning back for the situation, and the Jun family will be driven into a dead end from which there is no return!

Jun Mo Xie, just go wild, raise hell! What good will it do you to cause a commotion? If the Emperor wants you dead, you must die! But we people possess the ability to influence the Emperor's opinion!

We can absolutely secure your demise, and the demise of the entire Jun family, through the Emperor. One imperial decree, and you will be utterly ruined!

The Jun family is destined for destruction!

That is why Vice Minister Zhao stayed up all night rushing to draft a passionate and logically structured document attacking the Jun family, intended to be a sharp weapon in the grand hall tomorrow! Finally, it was complete!

Vice Minister Zhao let out a long breath and couldn't help but softly recite it aloud. The more he read, the more impassioned he became, as if His Majesty were standing right before him. Indeed, the article was brilliantly written, portraying the Jun family, the revered protectors of Tian Xiang, in the worst possible light. Their crimes were so heinous that confiscation of property and extermination of the clan wouldn't seem enough; perhaps even grave-robbing and whipping the corpse would be necessary!

As for the chief culprits, Jun Mo Xie and Guan Qing Han, they were painted as utterly shameless. To call them thieves and whores would be the most polite description; they were utterly vile and indecent, lacking any semblance of propriety or morality. Leaving them alive in the mortal world would be an insult to the Emperor, the people, Tian Xiang, and the entire world—in short, their crimes were unforgivable by ten thousand deaths!

"A good piece of writing. This will be the best written petition of my official career; I doubt I will ever write such a fine piece again..." Vice Minister Zhao recited the piece with immense satisfaction, nodding proudly, feeling extraordinarily pleased with himself. It was the first time since leaving Wen Xing Academy that he had produced such a masterful work. An article so sharp in language, yet seemingly filled with the most concrete evidence, while actually being entirely baseless. And one that could seal someone's doom—such articles were rare indeed.

"Indeed, a good piece of writing!" Just as Vice Minister Zhao was basking in self-praise and self-admiration, a sudden sigh echoed from behind him.

"Not bad! Hmm," Vice Minister Zhao nodded smugly, then suddenly started in shock, "Who is there?"

"The writing is genuinely good, but the person is truly not so great! However, you are absolutely right about one thing. You will definitely never write such a good piece again! Because you won't have the chance, Zhao Cheng Jun. Where in this world can a man like you fully exercise your exceptional talent? Better go to hell; it's a much better fit for you."

As the voice softly spoke, a young man in white robes slowly paced forward and stood before Zhao Cheng Jun. He snatched the memorial, and as if casually unfolding it in the breeze, suddenly—whoosh—the memorial instantly turned to ash and scattered away.

Then, the youth’s gaze, sharp as an electric flash, fixed coldly upon Zhao Cheng Jun's face.

It was like two materialized blades of ice!

"Jun Mo Xie? How did you get in here?" Zhao Cheng Jun stood up in a panic under the young master's piercing stare, shouting incoherently, "Guards! Guards!" But for some reason, his voice wouldn't carry at all. Even he felt his own voice was desperately weak; if he hadn't known what he was shouting, he might not have even heard himself.

Jun Mo Xie smiled with chilling coldness, suddenly extending a hand and clamping onto Zhao Cheng Jun's throat, hoisting him up so his feet dangled clear of the ground.

Vice Minister Zhao was paralyzed with terror, unable to utter a sound or a coherent word. The air was choked from his lungs, his face instantly flushed deep red, his legs kicked feebly in the air, and his eyes pleaded for mercy.

He wanted to beg for his life but still couldn't manage to speak a single syllable.

"You dared to try and harm me?" Jun Mo Xie’s calm eyes resembled two deep, dark pools as he looked into Zhao Cheng Jun's face and asked softly.

"If you had only targeted me, I might not have cared so much. But you dared to harm my family—then you must die!" Jun Mo Xie increased the pressure slightly. A series of crackling noises erupted from Zhao Cheng Jun’s neck, his tongue lolled out, hanging nearly to his chest. Zhao Cheng Jun’s expression was pitiful beyond measure.

"And you dared to harm my woman, using such vicious methods!" Jun Mo Xie squeezed harder, showing not a trace of pity, his gaze as placid as ever.

But Zhao Cheng Jun's neck emitted a crisp snap—it broke!

"To twist merit into fault, right into wrong, and black into white—that truly is a magnificent skill. That is why you hypocrites who wear masks of virtue are utterly deserving of death!"

Jun Mo Xie released his grip, and Zhao Cheng Jun’s body slammed onto the floor. His limbs twitched a few times, and then he lay still, silent. Though dead, his eyes remained wide open, filled with terror and disbelief!

"Still daring not to rest in peace!" Jun Mo Xie wiped his hands and gracefully lowered a towel. Then he took a step forward.

That step landed directly on the face of the fallen Zhao Cheng Jun, and then he vanished without a trace.

After he disappeared, there were suddenly two sharp sounds: Zhao Cheng Jun's eyeballs abruptly burst...

A piece of paper covered in writing drifted in from outside the door and gently adhered itself to Zhao Cheng Jun's bloody and mangled face, obscuring the scene of extreme brutality...

The white shadow moved like a ghost, flickering like the wind, appearing and disappearing across many locations in Tian Xiang City. Wherever it went, one or more officials met their grim end, their deaths invariably horrific.

Almost eighty percent of the officials who had emerged from Wen Xing Academy were slaughtered!

In just one night, the death toll exceeded thirty!

These individuals lived in the east of the city, some in the west, not close to each other, nor gathered in one place, yet all met their doom that night! Those paying close attention deduced that the assassination organization must have deployed at least ten first-rate assassins simultaneously that night to achieve such astonishing results!

Whether high court officials or city magistrates, were they not all heavily guarded? But even with tight security, they were silenced and eliminated without a sound, leaving no trace whatsoever...

Several officials were even killed in their sleep; their pillow companions remained completely oblivious. They only discovered the next morning that they had spent the entire night cuddling a corpse.

And the expression on this dead person's face clearly showed extreme fright or torment, yet the person sleeping beside them noticed nothing...

Such assassins, such methods of killing, were truly unprecedented and horrifying!

And these dead men shared one common trait: every corpse had a piece of paper placed upon it explaining the reason for their execution. Incredibly, every single one was described as having committed unforgivable sins, with detailed accounts of tears and suffering, and seemingly ironclad evidence!

After news of the officials' deaths spread, countless people in Tian Xiang City spontaneously set off firecrackers! The city celebrated as if it were New Year's Day.

Many burned incense and prayed, kowtowing to heaven with tears streaming down their faces.

It was fortunate that the New Year was approaching, providing everyone with access to firecrackers and incense. At any other time, procuring such a large quantity of firecrackers so quickly would have been difficult, but this caused the price of firecrackers in the capital of Tian Xiang to skyrocket!

Those celebrating and praying were all the suffering masses who had been persecuted by these officials. They had sought justice through many channels before, crying out to heaven to no avail, appealing to man to no avail! But now, heaven had finally opened its eyes: good receives good, evil receives evil; eventually, all deeds are repaid. Although no one knew which great hero or benefactor was responsible for this immensely satisfying act, this nameless hero undoubtedly...

Countless families erected longevity plaques for this "Nameless Benefactor."

Most people surmised that the Jun family must have been behind this, as all these victims were the absolute core of the faction trying to bring down the Jun family by exploiting the matter involving Jun Mo Xie and Guan Qing Han.

Perhaps this was retaliation from the Jun family!

But these thoughts remained locked in their hearts, as no one dared speak them. Those who received the favor had no way to repay it, so they could only consecrate the memorial tablet of the unknown benefactor!

Just as dawn approached, Jun Mo Xie, still clad in his snow-white robes, reappeared at the gate of the Jun family residence with a faint, satisfied smile. His aura was unusually warm and gentle, and though his eyes remained sharp, they were peaceful. His sword rested lightly at his waist, his entire person spotless, looking like a young master returning leisurely after an early morning stroll and gathering dewdrops while admiring flowers.

No one would ever imagine that this gentle, amiable, and handsome young master was the executioner who had just slaughtered his way across Tian Xiang City, claiming more than thirty high-ranking official lives!

The treasured sword at his waist—clear as water, yet it had drunk its fill of the blood of corrupt officials!

The Wen Xing Academy's efforts over several decades—those who managed to climb to high positions in a place like the capital—none of them were ordinary folk. They had invested immeasurable silver, connections, and painstaking effort to successfully integrate themselves into that circle!

Now, under the young master's blade, all of it was destroyed in a single night!

These tasks, the young master could have easily arranged for his subordinates to handle, but Jun Mo Xie hadn't engaged in this type of assassination mission for too long. He was itching for action, so he decided to do it himself for the sheer thrill, sending all these human parasites straight to hell!

Although this was inherently a matter concerning the Jun family, the satisfaction of rooting out societal pests truly refreshed Jun Mo Xie's spirit! It was a spiritual solace, a redemption of conscience. Though the entire process was filled with bloody slaughter, the young master felt no guilt whatsoever! Instead, there was an exhilarating sense of controlling reward and punishment, feeling that "Heaven's law is on my sword, justice is in my hand."

To outsiders, he appeared cruel and bloodthirsty, but Jun Mo Xie had no such self-awareness.

Let outsiders say what they will; what does it matter to me?

I act with a clear conscience before heaven and earth!

I send them to divine judgment, justice resides in my heart!

Jun Wu Yi stood at the entrance of his small courtyard, smiling as he watched him.

Since brutally mistreating Xiao Han before the Ten Thousand Horse Army, the secret of Jun Wu Yi’s healed disability could no longer be maintained. Third Master Jun had finally and truly escaped the wheelchair, so these past few days he had been standing whenever possible, wishing he could even sleep standing up.

A person who has never been disabled can never truly appreciate the bliss of supporting one's body with one's own legs! It was an absolute delight.

When I first stood up, I kept practicing standing at attention out of sheer excitement. Damn it, I finally have legs again! Going from three legs to two, and now finally back to two again...

Moreover, Jun Wu Yi standing up now was a trivial matter compared to the sudden rise of the Jun family. The original offense of deceiving the monarch had now become a non-issue.

"Finished? Was it satisfying?" Jun Wu Yi asked.

"Uh... it was extremely satisfying! But, I couldn't kill them all... which made it slightly unsatisfying," Jun Mo Xie chuckled sheepishly. Seeing that Jun Wu Yi was about to launch into a lecture, he quickly slipped into his own courtyard, leaving behind the words:

"Ah, I haven't slept all night; I'm so sleepy! See you tomorrow, Third Uncle!"

See you tomorrow? It was only the early hours of the morning, and he was already talking about tomorrow? Jun Wu Yi was about to reprimand him but stopped himself. He smiled helplessly. His nephew had grown up, his skills were uncanny, and his actions were measured. He decided to just let him be.

Meanwhile, precisely that night, below Wind and Snow Peak, a fierce battle raged! A desperate, brutal slaughter!

One side was the Third Elder and others who had returned from a journey of ten thousand miles. The other side... was a large group of experts led by Xiao Xing Yun, the First Elder of Wind and Snow Silver City!

The Wind and Snow Silver City contingent returned after traveling a thousand miles, the atmosphere throughout the journey intensely somber!

They were escorting three men who were barely alive. These three were originally from Silver City, but now they were traitors. Such a powerful reversal was hard for an elder like the Third Elder, who had lived seventy or eighty years, to bear.

Two of these men were old brothers he had grown up with! Though they had experienced friction and internal struggles over the years, even scheming against each other, they had still weathered eighty years of storms together!

Eighty years as sworn brothers!

Although one belonged to the Han family of Silver City and the other to the Xiao family, after eighty years of association, even bitter enemies would develop some subtle connection, or at least a feeling of mutual dependence. Even if it wasn't friendship, after eighty years together, seeing him left half-dead and crippled would surely stir some sorrow in the heart.

But why did they betray? If they had just continued like this, all united for Silver City, wouldn't that have been fine? Whether the Han family or the Xiao family controlled Silver City, it was still Silver City, wasn't it?

Who in the world didn't know that the Han and Xiao families of Wind and Snow Silver City were one and the same, never separating themselves? Was the title of City Lord truly that important?

Could the Xiao family renaming the city if they took control? This wasn't a change of dynasty for a nation!

Why?

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