The old man was truly enraged this time, bouncing around and roaring his fury, his face flushed with agitation and choked with indignation.
General Dugu Wudi was equally incensed; the muscles in his face twitched, and the flesh on his cheeks visibly jumped. He was beside himself with anger! His daughter, Xiaoyi, had finally found her ideal husband. Looking back over this period, Jun Moxie was indeed a dragon among men. Though Dugu Wudi put up a stubborn front, his heart had long ago given consent.
What’s more, his daughter had entered the city with child. Besides Jun Moxie, which family would have taken her in? After all the turmoil, the matter had finally been settled. The father-in-law and the son-in-law were now inside, drinking merrily, and Jun Moxie had even promised to treat the old man's long-standing injury—for the Dugu Clan, this was truly a case of double happiness, a joyous occasion made even better!
Yet, at this critical juncture, this nephew was trying to shove his new son-in-law into the latrine! Dugu Wudi wiped a bead of cold sweat! Thank heavens the one mistakenly shoved in was Tang Yuan, not Jun Moxie. If Jun Moxie had truly been pushed into the privy—
Dugu Wudi could not even begin to imagine what would have happened! At least one thing was certain: his daughter Dugu Xiaoyi’s hopes would have been utterly dashed, and his own decades-old affliction would have no hope of cure. As for Jun Zhantian, he would be coming with an army to attack one hundred percent! Given Jun Zhantian's temperament, how could he tolerate his grandson suffering such a profound humiliation?
As the saying goes: A scholar may be killed, but never disgraced!
The two families would inevitably be locked in a life-or-death, utterly disastrous standoff!
The father and son roared for a while, then noticed a commotion in the inner courtyard, as a group of women hurried toward them.
“What in the world are you two making a scene about so early in the morning?” It was the Old Madam’s sharp voice posing the question.
“Not only am I going to make a scene today! I’m going to kill someone!” Dugu Zongheng jumped up and cursed, “What despicable thing!”
The Old Madam glared, about to flare up, when suddenly a richly dressed, delicate-featured woman rushed out from behind her, her face a mask of panic: “Liu’er... Liu’er, what is wrong with you? Why are you lying on the ground?”
Calling out repeatedly and seeing Huang Shuliu unconscious, she looked up in alarm: “Master, what is happening to Master?”
“What is happening? Ask your nephew! Your Huang family certainly raises fine descendants! I truly never expected your Huang family to be so far-sighted! What cunning, what calculation!” Dugu Wudi was beside himself with rage. He glared, his face icy, and berated her, “What a good family education you provide!”
Jun Moxie, watching the family quarrel, grew deeply impatient. Moreover, he was still an outsider at this moment. He took a step to leave, then stopped abruptly, turned back, and pointed at Huang Shuliu on the ground: “For the sake of the Dugu Clan’s reputation, I won’t lay a hand on this man! But he is guaranteed to die! There is absolutely no room for negotiation on this matter! If the Huang family has any objections, I, Jun Moxie, am ready to debate them anywhere, anytime!”
“He shouldn't have framed my brother like this! I don’t care what he did before, nor whether he was kind and honest previously, but for this single act today, he deserves death tenfold! Who dares bully my brother? Not even Heaven will allow it! Furthermore, I don’t know how Fatty intends to return the favor to him. As for punishing the Huang family, I won’t guess Fatty’s mind; I will only support him unconditionally. That is all I have to say!”
His tone was chillingly cold and ruthless; his few simple sentences were like the ultimate decree of a supreme sovereign announcing a death sentence upon an individual!
No one noticed that from the finger he pointed, an invisible, traceless, silent current of energy pierced into Huang Shuliu’s skull. Even if the Dugu Clan wished to cover up the crime, this man would certainly not see the next sunrise! No quarter given! Absolutely none!
I will not leave my enemies any hope of ever rising again!
The enemy of my brother is the same!
Having spoken these few words, Jun Moxie walked forward coldly. Wherever he passed, people instinctively parted to make way for him.
“Hold it!”
That Second Madam suddenly stood up, her face cold: “Young Master Jun, you are Young Mistress Xiaoyi’s future husband, so we are not entirely outsiders here. May I ask how my nephew offended you to such an extent that you must see him dead? Shouldn’t you give me an explanation?”
Jun Moxie did not turn around, saying coolly, “As to how he offended me, you should ask General Dugu. I am fortunate enough to inform you that if it weren't for the Dugu Clan today—if it weren't for the Dugu Clan—the entire Huang family would have been reduced to ashes before sunset this afternoon! Not a single chicken or dog would remain!”
Jun Moxie stood with his hands behind his back, looking grimly resolute: “You truly should be grateful!”
With that, Jun Moxie turned and walked away without a backward glance! No matter who it was—do not touch my brother! If you do, you will pay the corresponding price.
A price too heavy to bear!
The Second Madam was about to say more when General Dugu landed a sharp slap across her face, roaring, “You wretched woman, how dare you pester him! You have disgraced the Dugu Clan with your behavior! Don’t tell me your intentions weren’t impure when you married me in the first place, you slut?”
That Second Madam was also a clever woman. In a moment, piecing together the entire situation before her eyes, she was stunned by the General’s slap.
“Jun Moxie, Young Master Jun! I beg you! Spare my nephew!” the Second Madam cried out, weeping. For a moment, she couldn't think of any valid reason to plead. Facing a titan like the Jun family, what bargaining chip could she possibly offer to gain mercy? After thinking for a long time, she suddenly recalled a legend of her clan and cried out desperately, “Young Master Jun, Young Master Jun! My Huang family—my Huang family also has an ancestor who reached the Boundless Blood Sea…”
“Boundless Blood Sea?” Jun Moxie paused in the distance, then said slowly, “If he dares to touch my brother, even if his own father sits on the Dragon Throne in the High Heavens Palace right now, it will be useless!”
Finally, he strode away without another word.
“You wretched woman, get back to your room this instant! You’re only causing embarrassment here! Go back, lock yourself in your room, and reflect on your actions. Hurry, go!” Dugu Wudi shouted angrily. Deep down, he favored this Second Madam, which was why he had agreed to let her nephew stay. He hadn't even pursued the matter of the nephew bypassing him to propose to the Old Madam last time, yet he never expected such a huge incident to erupt!
The Old Master Dugu Zongheng, his face dark, was arranging for someone when he suddenly roared at his son, “You worthless fool, can’t you control your woman! Crying and wailing like that—what kind of spectacle is that! Dugu Hao, quickly take your mother back to her room! Dugu Wudi, why are you just standing there, you scoundrel? Go see Tang Yuan!” By the last sentence, the Old Master was practically stamping his foot.
Dugu Wudi suddenly woke up. In the end, the key to this matter wasn't with Jun Moxie, nor with the Dugu family; the key lay with Tang Yuan.
Jun Moxie, partly to protect Tang Yuan’s reputation and partly to consider the Dugu Clan, since the two families were future in-laws, had to be mindful of them. Since only a few people had seen what happened by the edge of the second vein pattern, maintaining secrecy was essential.
The key was Tang Yuan. If this matter could be concealed, it would be for the best. Even if it couldn't be completely suppressed, it absolutely could not be made public. Once word got out and Old Master Tang found out, the consequences would be catastrophic! Therefore, Dugu Wudi agreed immediately and hurried in the direction Jun Moxie had left.
However, through this incident, both father and son understood one thing.
When the news arrived that Jun Moxie had killed Mei Gaojie and Kong Lingyang, Old Master Dugu Zongheng had uttered a sentence: “Jun Moxie is ruthless, decisive in his actions, truly a remarkable figure. From now on, no one should provoke his women or his family!”
Jun Moxie’s women, Jun Moxie’s family—these were undoubtedly his reverse scale! A dragon has a reverse scale; touch it, and it rages! In its rage, three thousand miles of blood will flow!
Now, they gained further clarity: besides his family and women, one must not touch Jun Moxie’s brothers! Especially those brothers he acknowledged!
For the sake of a brother, he dared to cause such a ruckus on his very first visit to his future father-in-law’s home for a drink!
He showed absolutely no regard for the Dugu Clan’s reputation!
It was a pity that these two perceptive men had overlooked another, very important matter. Or perhaps, the father and son had overestimated their own standing: even if the Eldest Young Master didn't pursue it, would Fatty let it go?
Wealth can command demons and even connect with the divine; in the vast majority of cases, money is omnipotent!
With Fatty’s current status and his new standing as the financial god of the capital, could this matter really be settled so easily?
Glancing at his six grandsons who were still busy, Dugu Hao escorted his mother inside. The Old Master Dugu sighed softly and murmured, “I am much relieved about Xiaoyi’s situation, but if only someday you all could earn Jun Moxie’s recognition as brothers... that would truly put this old man’s heart at ease.”
Old Master Dugu’s voice was very soft. The six brothers didn't hear clearly and all craned their ears to ask, “What? Grandfather, what did you say?”
“Nothing. Hurry up and drag this brat out and feed him to the dogs! I get annoyed just looking at this fellow,” Dugu Zongheng said, clearly losing interest. After the spectacle Jun Moxie had caused, he felt no anger whatsoever.
A true man should be like this!
For his brother, he fears no heavenly power! This is a man’s spirit! A man’s loyalty!
Old Master Dugu Zongheng recalled Jun Moxie’s last sentence: Boundless Blood Sea? If he dares to touch my brother, even if his own father sits on the Dragon Throne in the High Heavens Palace right now, it will be useless!
What an arrogant young man! What an endearing young man!
How could I have ever thought he was just a wastrel before?
The Old Master shook his head, utterly bewildered. Had he truly become senile?
“Grandfather, must we really kill him?” Dugu Jie looked distressed, tilting his head up to ask. He had always been closest to the third brother, Dugu Hao, and was somewhat familiar with this more distant cousin, so he found it hard to carry out the order.
“Kill him! Do it immediately!” Dugu Zongheng’s eyes flashed with severity as he emphasized, “This is a military order!”
The six men rose in unison, standing ramrod straight, “We obey the order!”
When Dugu Wudi arrived, Tang Yuan was still unconscious, snoring thunderously!
Seeing him enter, Jun Moxie understood his meaning: “Tang Yuan drank quite a bit yesterday. He might not remember anything.”
“That would be for the best!” Dugu Wudi sighed deeply, his dark face flushing slightly. He coughed a few times before saying, “This whole mess… really…”
Jun Moxie smiled in surprise, seemingly not expecting this rough fellow to apologize. “Don't worry. Even if Tang Yuan remembers, I will instruct him not to speak of it.”
“That’s even better,” Dugu Wudi wiped his brow again, then remembered to ask, “So Tang Yuan didn't know about all this earlier? You handled all of this yourself? Tang Yuan didn't come to you to complain?”
“Brotherhood means sharing hearts. If I have to wait for my brother to ask me for help before taking action, what kind of brother am I? What use is brotherhood then?” Jun Moxie smiled faintly. “That kid’s target was me all along. Tang Yuan took the blame for me, suffering undeserved disaster. If I remained unmoved, I wouldn't be a brother either.”
Jun Moxie smiled slightly, his eyes glancing at Tang Yuan’s sleeping face, then turning to look out the window, he said calmly, “My brother’s affairs are my affairs!”
Dugu Wudi shuddered, instantly feeling as if struck by lightning!
Jun Moxie’s statement suddenly reminded him of the elder brother he most admired, Jun Wuhui, and his second brother, Jun Wumeng. He vividly recalled a time when the brothers were picnicking outside Tianxiang City, all in the prime of their lives! Their elder brother, Jun Wuhui, standing atop a mountain peak, gazing at the rolling sea of clouds in the distance, feeling the ephemeral nature of worldly affairs, had clapped Dugu Wudi on the shoulder and said calmly, “Wudi, you are my brother, just like Wumeng and Wuyi—you are my own flesh and blood brothers!”
To this day, Dugu Wudi still remembered how Jun Wuhui spoke while standing there, his stance majestic against the vast heavens and earth, the boundless sea of clouds! That calm tone carried within it such deep fraternal affection!
It was an unyielding vow made against the very heavens!
Brother! These two words are sacred! That sentence had been etched into Dugu Wudi’s heart for life!
Now, the expression on Jun Moxie’s face when he spoke those words carried the exact same composure and resolute bearing as Jun Wuhui’s tone back then—absolutely identical! Even viewed from the side, it was as if Jun Wuhui himself were speaking!
Even their eyes were the same!
Brother!
My brother’s affairs are my affairs!
Wudi, you are my brother, just like Wumeng and Wuyi—you are my own flesh and blood brothers!
The words of Jun Wuhui seemed to echo again in his heart, resounding over and over. Jun Moxie, for the sake of his brother, was willing to disregard everything, willing to disregard a behemoth like the Dugu Clan. And what had Dugu Wudi done for his own brother?
When he knew clearly that his brother had died feeling wronged, died meaninglessly, died unjustly—what had he done?
Dugu Wudi suddenly felt a lump in his throat, as if he couldn't breathe. A powerful emotion surged from the depths of his heart. He coughed awkwardly a few times, then suddenly covered his mouth and rushed out—but he rushed out covering his head and eyes... just like that!
He didn't say anything more; nothing more needed to be said.
He ran all the way back home to the memorial tablet he had privately set up for Jun Wuhui. He stared at the cold tablet for a long time, his fingers trembling as he whispered, “Big Brother, Big Brother, I miss you. Your little brother… I have failed you…” And then, tears streamed down his face without warning! He collapsed onto the ground and wept aloud!