Wang Xiue frowned, letting out a clipped sound. "If you have something to say, just say it! ... You, you are nothing like that old fellow; you lack his straightforwardness!"

Li Muzhan offered a slight smile, musing, "Your junior has some words, but I am unsure if they are appropriate to speak, fearing you might not wish to hear them, Elder."

"Stop the nonsense, let's hear it!" Wang Xiue huffed.

Li Muzhan’s demeanor turned grave, and he slowly stated, "In this junior’s view, it would be best not to escalate this matter; resolving it privately is paramount."

"Resolve it privately?" Wang Xiue looked thoughtful, the delicate arch of her eyebrows drawing together.

After a moment of silent consideration, she shook her head. "This has already become common knowledge across the realm; it is too late for a private settlement. Alas... an arrow loosed from the bow cannot be recalled."

"In my estimation, it is not too late," Li Muzhan countered with a smile.

"Tell me why!" Wang Xiue revealed a serious expression.

Li Muzhan rose, hands clasped behind his back, and began to pace through the flower garden, a cool breeze lifting the edge of his robe.

Wang Xiue followed his steps, adopting an attentive posture.

Li Muzhan paused before a peony, observing the moon-white blossoms, and smiled faintly. "Your disciple believes this affair is not as simple as it seems; there is a faint shadow of others involved."

"Oh—?" Wang Xiue’s expression shifted, then her brows immediately knitted in deep thought.

Li Muzhan glanced at her, offered a small smile, and bent down, meticulously admiring each vibrant bloom. The hundred flowers burst forth in unrestrained beauty, and he seemed utterly lost in the sea of blossoms.

After an indeterminate time, Wang Xiue cleared her throat. "Zhanran, continue."

Li Muzhan straightened, smiling gently. "It is possible that someone covertly gave things a push, or perhaps someone had already acted in the shadows, leading to the current situation!"

Wang Xiue nodded. "Mmm, that holds some merit. The Wang family has countless enemies; such a possibility cannot be dismissed."

Li Muzhan pressed, "When two great clans clash, the snipe and the clam fight while the fisherman profits. Are not the other major families delighted to see you tearing each other apart?"

Wang Xiue nodded slowly.

Li Muzhan suddenly grinned. "Even if no one schemed, you could still firmly assert that someone did, and secretly negotiate compensation with the Nangong Clan on other fronts."

Wang Xiue frowned. "Do you think the people of the Nangong Clan would agree?"

Li Muzhan offered a slight smile. "It is better to resolve old grievances than to foster new ones; the Nangong Clan understands this principle... With Nangong Sidao alive, the Nangong Clan is unparalleled in strength, but even if he possesses the world's finest martial arts, he cannot live forever, can he? ... Tides ebb and flow, and great families rise and fall. Leaving a sliver of room for retreat and cultivating a thread of goodwill can never be a disadvantage!"

Li Muzhan added, "Furthermore, concerning this matter, someone may genuinely have plotted against you. The Nangong Clan is not foolish; why would they willingly serve another's design?"

"Mmm..." Wang Xiue fell silent in contemplation, her expression flickering.

After a pause, Wang Xiue looked up and slowly stated, "Very well, we shall try that approach!"

Li Muzhan smiled, lowering his gaze to admire the exquisitely beautiful flowers, inhaling their faint fragrance.

"Zhanran, I need you to do me a favor," Wang Xiue said.

Li Muzhan looked up and smiled. "Your Elder need only command."

Wang Xiue stated, "I want Yuanchu to travel to the Nangong Clan. He has ample ferocity but lacks steadiness. You are to accompany him and offer him guidance."

Li Muzhan nodded. "Your junior obeys!"

Wang Xiue sighed. "Yuanchu, that boy, has too stubborn a temper. Please overlook his faults for this old woman’s sake."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Elder, rest assured, your disciple understands."

Wang Xiue gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I worry because I care, making mountains out of molehills... You can tolerate that old fellow's temper, you get along with anyone!"

Li Muzhan chuckled softly but remained silent.

"Feng'er, go call Yuanchu over!" Wang Xiue clapped her hands, and a young woman in green clothes floated over. Upon hearing the instruction, she nodded and turned to leave.

This green-clad maiden was slender, beautiful, gentle, and dignified—a true beauty. Her movements were swift, light, and silent; her movement skills (Qinggong) were truly exceptional.

Li Muzhan observed her briefly and nodded. As expected of a great noble house, their foundations were profound; this young woman possessed considerable internal energy despite her youth.

Wang Xiue revealed a tender smile. "This little girl, Feng'er, has been with me since childhood. It's a pity she is a daughter... but she is adequate, perhaps?"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Is she your great-granddaughter?"

Wang Xiue replied, "Yes, the legitimate eldest great-granddaughter, Yuanchu's eldest daughter."

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Beautiful in appearance and wise of heart; Elder, you are truly fortunate!"

Wang Xiue laughed, shaking her head repeatedly. "You, you are about Feng'er's age, yet you speak with the air of an elder. Truly precocious, this young man..."

Li Muzhan laughed heartily. As they were talking and laughing, a burly man entered from outside—a lion's nose, broad mouth, eyes like bronze bells, imposing and rough.

He followed the maiden Feng'er in, suddenly paused, his steps faltering, startled by the scene before him.

The Old Ancestor was usually cold as ice, offering no kind word to anyone, even dismissing visitors from other grand houses with a few curt sentences. He had never witnessed her engaging in such lively conversation.

He glanced at Li Muzhan, musing, this young man is not simple. Could he be the Old Ancestor's illegitimate great-grandson? At home, the Old Ancestor was only gentler when speaking to the girl Feng'er.

"Yuanchu, come here!" Seeing Wang Yuanchu shrinking back slightly, Wang Xiue's expression instantly reverted to coldness as she beckoned him.

Wang Yuanchu hurried over with a smile, bowing deeply. "Old Ancestor, you summoned this child?"

Though powerfully built, he appeared somewhat timid now, watching Wang Xiue cautiously. This made Li Muzhan suppress a smile; the Old Ancestor’s majesty was indeed significant.

Wang Xiue glared at him and huffed, "Yuanchu, this is Zhanran, the direct lineage disciple of the Canghai Sword Sect. His identity is forbidden to be revealed to outsiders, not even your wife!"

Wang Yuanchu quickly nodded. "This child obeys! Brother Zhanran, greetings!"

Li Muzhan removed his cap, cupping his hands in salute. "Senior Wang, honored to meet you!"

Wang Yuanchu realized with sudden clarity that a two-character name was likely a dharma title, and he quickly waved his hands. "No need for such formalities, no need at all!" The status of a direct disciple of the Canghai Sword Sect was weighty, signifying he would inevitably be a figure shaping the martial world's future; he could not be slighted.

The green-clad maiden Feng'er watched him several times, curiosity stirring in her heart.

Wang Xiue instructed, "Yuanchu, you depart tomorrow for the Nangong Clan. Talk things over with them properly and prevent this affair from escalating."

Wang Yuanchu’s thick brows shot up. "Old Ancestor, are we turning over the culprits?!"

Wang Xiue shook her head. "We cannot hand over people, but we can offer compensation in other ways—perhaps a few shops, or some silver... Wealth moves the heart. The person is dead; what use is further pursuit? It is better to gain something tangible!"

"This..." Wang Yuanchu's brows were tightly locked; he was clearly unconvinced.

Wang Xiue stated calmly, "Regardless, our disciple killed someone; we must pay a price. We cannot offer nothing!"

Wang Yuanchu snorted, "That is because he was unskilled in martial arts and engaged in wickedness; his death was well-deserved!"

Wang Xiue’s delicate eyebrows creased slightly. "You fellow, you are so single-minded! If it were an ordinary person, let them die. But they are from the Nangong Clan! ... Put yourself in their shoes: if someone killed one of our disciples, even if he was at fault, could you easily forgive it?"

Wang Yuanchu stubbornly retorted, "In any case, we did nothing wrong!"

"Shut up!" Wang Xiue hissed coldly.

Wang Yuanchu immediately closed his mouth, adopting an obedient posture.

Wang Xiue continued coldly, "If this matter blows up, countless lives will be lost. Even if we win, our strength will be severely diminished. The Yang family, the Murong family, the Gongsun family—will they not take the opportunity to strike while we are down?"

"They dare—!" Wang Yuanchu’s eyes widened, his imposing aura instantly surging, becoming rather intimidating.

Wang Xiue snorted impatiently. "They wouldn't dare not!"

Wang Yuanchu pouted and grumbled, "If they dare, I’ll make sure they never return!"

Wang Xiue glared at him. "You only know how to fight head-on all day. Even Nangong Sidao isn't as reckless as you are! ... If the Wang family is in your hands, it will surely be ruined!"

"Yes, this child was wrong," Wang Yuanchu quickly conceded.

"Enough, listen to me!" Wang Xiue had intended to persuade him and make him understand, but she finally gave up. This blockhead simply could not be reasoned with; she would have to force the issue.

Wang Yuanchu responded with a dutiful "Yes," and listened obediently.

Wang Xiue instructed, "When you go to the Nangong Clan this time, you must not diminish the Wang family's prestige, yet you must avoid a genuine conflict. Can you manage that balance?"

Wang Yuanchu nodded vigorously. "Old Ancestor, please be assured, I understand. Rest easy!"

Wang Xiue huffed, "Your skin is thick enough, which is why I'm sending you. At the critical moments, listen to Zhanran, don't act rashly!"

"Yes, Old Ancestor!" Wang Yuanchu nodded, then seemed slightly embarrassed. "Old Ancestor, my skin isn't that thick..."

"Hmph, if your skin weren't thick, how could you utter such words?" Wang Xiue cast him a sidelong glance.

Wang Yuanchu chuckled sheepishly, turned to Li Muzhan, and said, "Brother Zhanran, I hope you will guide me often!"

Li Muzhan cupped his hands and smiled. "I would not presume to."

Wang Xiue then said, "Feng'er, you will go as well, to broaden your experience."

She turned back to Li Muzhan and smiled. "Zhanran, I entrust Feng'er to you; please ensure her safety."

Li Muzhan looked at her and slowly nodded. "Your junior understands!" He caught the deeper meaning in Wang Xiue's words: in a crisis, protecting Feng'er was more important than protecting Wang Yuanchu.

Li Muzhan observed Feng'er again: an oval face, defined eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and pupils clear as autumn water—she possessed a pure and serene demeanor, bearing a slight resemblance to Mei Ruolan's temperament. It appeared the next family head would not be Wang Yuanchu, but this Feng'er. This Feng'er's composure was easygoing, causing people to overlook her presence, like a gentle spring breeze that revealed neither power nor water—truly rare.

Wang Xiue stared at Feng'er and said sternly, "Feng'er, you must defer to Zhanran in everything; do not act on your own initiative! ... You shall call him Martial Uncle!"

"Yes, Old Ancestor," Feng'er curtsied gracefully, then turned. "I impose upon Martial Uncle!"

Li Muzhan cupped his hands in return and smiled faintly.