The brilliance of the Four Great Inventions of ancient Huaxia was truly dazzling. The flourishing era of the Hundred Schools of Thought, the sheer dominance of Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han! Genghis Khan, the transcendent hero, nearly conquered the entire world!

But in the days that followed, the arrogance of the pedantic Confucian scholars and the narrow-mindedness of the Celestial Dynasty directly led to self-imposed isolation. While external enemies progressed at a staggering pace, the nation remained stubbornly stagnant, only to be attacked later with improvements made to its own inventions—suffering a crushing defeat in the end! This ultimately resulted in the current state of military and economic backwardness, forever chasing, rather than leading, the international curve.

These accumulated consequences owe much to those learned great scholars.

Were these men villains? No! Each one held himself with integrity, possessing rigid and proud temperaments, their characters beyond reproach; they were, by all accounts, decent men. Yet, they were directly responsible for the nation’s decline!

Whenever Jun Mo Xie recalled that history steeped in sorrow and helplessness, he couldn't help but sigh.

Good men, causing greater harm to the world than evil men ever could!

What kind of logic was this? Utter such a thought, and most people would surely gape in disbelief.

But for a period of time, this was the undeniable truth!

A truth that could not be erased, could not be smoothed over!

Just like Mei Gaojie and Kong Lingyang—were they good men? Yes! No one could deny that, and the Young Master would not deny it either. Yet, because of the actions of these two "good men," because of what they believed would secure their eternal fame, countless millions, perhaps tens of millions, in the Tianxiang Nation suffered grievously!

How, then, should merits and demerits be judged?

Jun Mo Xie felt a touch of melancholy, murmuring, "Perhaps it is merely a shift in perspective! In reality, every action an individual takes seems absolutely correct in their own eyes. Who can possibly foresee every consequence? If one truly sought to cover every contingency, the only recourse would be to do nothing at all! But those who do nothing are mere mediocrities!"

"Therefore, we must simply adhere to our true intentions," Jun Mo Xie stated heavily. "There is no need to dwell on those useless thoughts. In this world, no one else can interfere with our decisions! Absolutely no one! So rest assured, I will not cause you pain, nor will I let them go unpunished."

Guan Qinghan let out a soft sigh. Jun Mo Xie’s words seemed both profound and unsound, simultaneously making sense and yet brimming with rebellion. In short, she understood less than half of what he said.

"Let’s put these matters aside for now," Guan Qinghan managed, gathering her composure. "Why did you come to see me today?"

"Nothing particularly special. I heard you playing the xiao just now and wanted to come by," Jun Mo Xie replied. "However, after visiting Grandpa’s study earlier, some confusion has taken root in my mind." Jun Mo Xie briefly explained the Jun family’s intelligence network, concluding, "In the grand scheme of things, our current situation is relatively antagonistic toward the Royal Family. If certain suspicions prove true, we might very well end up locked in a life-or-death struggle. At that point, these personnel will inevitably become a massive hidden liability! It’s giving me a headache—how to untangle an intelligence network that has grown so complex."

"I see," Guan Qinghan frowned, tapping her delicate brow. After a moment's thought, she continued, "If the Jun family stands opposed to the Royal Family, how will the Crown deal with the personnel currently affiliated with the Jun family? Will they trust them? I doubt it! They can only eliminate them! Especially given the current Emperor’s degree of suspicion and paranoia—it will be a case of better to kill the innocent than let a foe survive."

"Precisely! Sister’s words are truly the awakening call I needed!" Jun Mo Xie felt a sudden clarity, laughing heartily. "I was too caught up in the immediate situation. The Royal Family will never allow them to exist. I’m suspicious, but they are even more so! I finally understand; that’s a huge relief! Thank you, my dear wife."

Guan Qinghan immediately flushed crimson. She had been genuinely pleased that he seemed to have grasped the issue, only to be blindsided by that final, flirtatious remark.

"Who—who is your wife? Don't talk nonsense!" Guan Qinghan scolded, burning with embarrassment and shame, feeling heat rise everywhere on her body.

"Uh... I! I am your wife... Is that better? Hahaha!" Jun Mo Xie roared with laughter and swiftly departed, leaving Guan Qinghan stamping her feet in vexation. It took a long while before she finally calmed down, though her face remained a deep shade of scarlet...

As the red sun sank, Jun Mo Xie, carrying a gift box, accompanied by Fatty Tang and several guards, proceeded in a conspicuous procession toward the Dugu Family estate.

Young Master Tang swayed leisurely within his palanquin, following Jun Mo Xie’s entourage.

A palanquin was usually a conveyance reserved for summer use. To be riding in one during such deep winter, not just in Tianxiang City, but perhaps across the entire continent, seemed to be the sole habit of Young Master Tang.

However, Tang Yuan had no choice. His physique grew exponentially larger, and his family’s original sedan chair was no longer usable. The new one hadn't been completed yet. The last time the fellow had gone out in a sedan chair, halfway through the journey, it suddenly collapsed with a loud thud, and he tumbled out, completely disoriented. The base simply could not bear his terrifying bulk.

Jun Mo Xie increasingly felt that finding a way to put the Fatty on a diet was an urgent necessity. If this fellow continued to gain weight at this rate, he might very well starve himself to death through sheer obesity!

If his earlier plumpness was somewhat normal, his current state was clinical obesity, perhaps even mid-to-late stage!

This was serious; his very life was at risk! Yet, the Hongjun Pagoda had no 'slimming pills' to offer—a true dilemma. Must they resort to carving away the layers of fat and lard from the Fatty’s body with a knife?

Upon reaching the gates of the Dugu Family, the four sedan bearers were already drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

When Young Master Tang finally managed to laboriously heave himself down from the carrier, the four bearers felt a collective urge to collapse from exhaustion.

Carrying a sedan chair for others was a way to earn money, involving some hard work. But carrying this gentleman was akin to inviting death. For a moment, all four bearers felt the urge to resign. The rate at which this Fatty’s weight increased was too terrifying. Just a few days ago, he was over three hundred jin, heavy by general standards, but still manageable for four men. After all, the Fatty paid handsomely—three times the wages of their peers—so while tiring, they enjoyed the envious glances of their colleagues everywhere they went.

But now, his weight had increased by nearly half again. The four bearers felt that lifting a wild ox would have been easier than carrying Young Master Tang, as even the weight of a wild ox probably didn't equal this man's mass.

Their peers now looked on with pity rather than envy; they were watching a spectacle.

Just as Jun Mo Xie had predicted, the Dugu Family immediately gave him a cold reception.

There was no one to greet them at the entrance!

He presented the invitation, waited for a considerable time, and finally, a guard, panting heavily, ran out saying, "The Old Master requests Young Master Jun to enter."

Jun Mo Xie responded with a noncommittal, "Oh? Why wasn't anyone sent out to greet me?"

The guard couldn't help but roll his eyes. I've made myself clear enough, and you still expect a welcoming party? He quickly replied, "The Old Master said that since you are not an outsider, there is no need for such cumbersome, formalized courtesies."

Jun Mo Xie nodded. "That is excellent! Since we are all family, I won't stand on ceremony. I have matters to attend to. The Old Master will surely understand that we are all intimate acquaintances. I will pay my respects another day."

The Young Master spoke as if he’d heard, The master is not home; please return another day. Without any lingering, he turned to leave. Damn it! You sent the invitation to me; do you think I wanted to come? And this is the reception I get? Do you think I’m so easily bullied?

You are the ones in a hurry; I am not! Who is afraid of whom? If you push me too far, I’ll marry your sister off and beat her eight times a day!

As he turned and walked away, the guards were instantly dumbfounded.

They had seen arrogance before, but never such brazenness displayed within the Dugu Family compound!

Tang Yuan’s sedan bearers nearly wept, "Little Ancestor, can you let us catch our breath? Have pity on us after carrying you so far..."

In the blink of an eye, Jun Mo Xie had walked several paces, looking as if he had no intention of returning.

Just then, a figure darted rapidly out from the Dugu Family gate: "Third Young Master Jun, please wait!" It was Dugu Chong.

"Third Young Master, the entire family is waiting inside! Why are you leaving? Since you've already arrived, surely a meal’s delay won’t matter?" Dugu Chong, his face dark, forced a familiar, warm expression, jogging up and grasping Jun Mo Xie's hand. "Come, come, let's go back in."

He then turned and snapped at the guard, "Didn't I specifically say I would come out to greet you immediately? What do you mean, no greeting was needed? How dare you, a mere gate guard, speak so carelessly to disrespect Young Master Jun? Go receive twenty lashes later as a small penalty!"

The guard closed his mouth in utter grievance and lowered his head.

Jun Mo Xie nearly burst out laughing internally. Dugu Chong was truly amusing. The moment he opened his mouth, he betrayed himself, yet still had the audacity to put on such an act. This skill was remarkable. No wonder rumors claimed that from the eldest to the youngest, the Dugu Family were all tough rascals; the rumors were clearly not false.

He first claimed he would personally come out to welcome them, then pivoted to blaming the guard for saying "no greeting needed"—this effectively proved he had been standing right there listening to the guard’s words!

To contradict himself so blatantly and yet appear so satisfied with his own quick thinking—Jun Mo Xie had truly never seen such a display.

"Heh heh, the servant lacks discretion, Third Young Master, please forgive him. Please, come in." Dugu Chong felt he had salvaged the situation, quite impressed with his own quick wit. Then he noticed a mountain of flesh: "Ah, and Young Master Tang as well... Young Master Tang is truly becoming more and more... mighty. Your elder brother is deeply envious."

Tang Yuan snorted, his face unmoving. "It is a rare honor for me, Tang Yuan, to finally inspire envy in the Dugu Elder Young Master. Truly an utmost honor," he drawled. Dugu Chong bristled at the sarcasm.

In the past, the unassertive Tang Yuan wouldn't have dared to challenge Jun Mo Xie, let alone retreat respectfully from the seven fierce Dugu warriors. But now, being worth over a hundred million, the Fatty’s confidence had swelled, and he even dared to taunt Dugu Chong.

Dugu Chong clenched his jaw, leading the way while inwardly calculating how to humiliate the Fatty today! And Jun Mo Xie—he found him utterly unbearable. With that slovenly demeanor, how could his sister possibly favor such a man? He wanted to be their brother-in-law with that character?!

What a family misfortune!

Dugu Chong fought a strong urge to raise his large, dark, gorilla-like face and sigh toward the heavens.

[Note to Dear Readers: The current chapter has reached the final page of this book.]