Dugu Heng frowned, his expression darkening, and he slowly glanced outside. Li Muzhan chuckled, "Someone actually came knocking. What a pity for this fine spread..." ...It won't be too late to eat after we send them packing."

The feast spread before them was exquisite, its aroma and presentation surpassing any banquet Li Muzhan had ever attended; it absolutely could not be missed.

This Dugu family truly knew how to live. Perhaps by pretending long enough, it had become reality—they were the epitome of luxury and connoisseurs of pleasure.

Dugu Heng waved his hand dismissively, "No need. Just have someone chase them off. Brother Li, come, come, let's continue our drinking!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "You think they can actually be chased away?"

"Don't worry, don't worry!" Dugu Heng waved a hand nonchalantly and commanded in a deep voice, "Old Song, go see who it is and get them gone. Don't let them interrupt our meal!"

"Yes." A grey-robed elder drifted out from behind a pillar, nodded, and floated out lightly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Thank you for the trouble. Come, let's drink to that!"

The two men seized their large bowls, clinked them together, and drained them in one gulp, turning the bowls upside down afterward so not a drop remained. They looked at each other and roared with laughter, completely unrestrained—this was how drinking should be enjoyed.

Feng Mingxue shook her head subtly; drinking such fine wine this way was a waste.

This Hundred Herb Wine exuded a delicate fragrance, distinct from the mellow richness of ordinary spirits—it was truly refreshing and mouthwatering. Even she, who generally disliked alcohol, found her mouth watering.

The bowls went back and forth, and they quickly finished three more rounds. With a muffled thump, the ground shuddered. Li Muzhan frowned. Using his Eye of the Void, he saw ten black-robed elders facing off against the ten grey-robed elders outside. A moment ago, two elders had exchanged a palm strike.

Li Muzhan sighed, "It seems the Zhu family has really tracked me down!"

"Don't worry about them. I doubt they have the guts to barge in!" Dugu Heng waved his hand, unconcerned.

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. If the Zhu family dared to force their way into the Dugu Manor, the Dugu family certainly wouldn't show weakness. A fight was brewing between the two factions.

"May I ask where the Family Head is?" Li Muzhan inquired.

"My father?" Dugu Heng shook his head. "He’s in seclusion. He pays attention to nothing."

"Then who is managing affairs in the manor?" Li Muzhan asked.

Dugu Heng replied, "My Ninth Aunt."

"Ninth Aunt?" Li Muzhan was surprised. He truly hadn't heard of her. Outsiders seemed unaware as well.

Dugu Heng explained, "Everyone assumes Father is handling the manor's business, but he's always immersed in martial arts. These matters are all managed by Ninth Aunt."

"How do you keep that hidden from everyone?" Li Muzhan asked, astonished.

Dugu Heng chuckled, "Ninth Aunt disguises herself as Father. No one can tell the difference!"

Li Muzhan was even more surprised. Could this also be a Disguise and Transformation Art? If so, his own skills in disguise weren't unique in this world.

"Perhaps we should pay our respects to Ninth Aunt?" Li Muzhan suggested with a smile.

Dugu Heng waved him off. "Let's skip it. Ninth Aunt has quite a temper."

Dugu Meng pursed her lips and chuckled, "Big Brother likes to associate with fox friends and dog associates. Ninth Aunt calls them that, gives them cold stares, and scolds them until they dare not even breathe. It's quite amusing!" She finished with a delicate laugh, "In the end, Big Brother hasn't dared to bring people home anymore."

"Little Sister!" Dugu Heng glared at her. Dugu Meng merely laughed lightly, "Big Brother, I don't think Ninth Aunt will scold anyone this time."

Dugu Heng shook his head. "Better to wait. It's not too late to meet Ninth Aunt after Brother Li has visited a few more times!"

Feng Mingxue asked, "Young Master Dugu, how old is this Ninth Aunt?"

"About the same age as Miss Feng," Dugu Heng replied with a wry smile, shaking his head. "She's actually younger than us, but her seniority in the family dictates respect!"

"That is interesting," Feng Mingxue smiled.

Dugu Meng giggled, "Although Ninth Aunt is young, she acts perpetually old and serious. We don't dare play with her!"

Feng Mingxue glanced at Li Muzhan, "It sounds like she is a formidable female hero, much like Sister Haimei."

Li Muzhan understood the meaning in her look—a reminder not to let his thoughts wander. He shook his head, "These people outside won't settle down quietly. Brother Dugu, let's eat quickly. After we finish, we can fight them a bit to aid digestion."

"Good!" Dugu Heng didn't argue further. The two began to devour the food like a great wind sweeping away clouds, and in moments, over half of the dozen dishes had vanished into their stomachs.

Seeing this, the two women also ate quickly, though their appetites were small, and they soon finished.

Thump-thump-thump-thump... A series of muffled sounds came, clearly indicating a fierce fight outside, punctuated by shouts: "Li Wuji, get out here!"

Li Muzhan took the snow-white handkerchief offered by Feng Mingxue, dabbed the corners of his mouth, and chuckled, "Let's go, Brother Dugu, let's see what's happening."

Dugu Meng paused in her movements, offered her silk handkerchief to Dugu Heng, who rewarded her with an approving smile, wiped his mouth two or three times, and handed it back before springing up, "Let's go!"

The four strode briskly across the threshold and stood before the main gate. Twenty-odd elders were locked in chaotic battle—the grey-robed group distinctly separated from the black-robed group.

Both sides relied on bare-handed martial arts, but the fighting was perilous. Bang-bang sounds were incessant; those whose internal energy was inferior to their opponents were quickly sent flying.

While they watched, one grey-robed elder and one black-robed elder were hurled backward, landing on the ground, unable to move.

Dugu Heng’s face turned cold, and he said sternly, "It seems the Old Zhu family means business this time. Very well, they have courage!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Brother Dugu, tell them all to stop. I'll handle this!"

Dugu Heng glanced at him and slowly nodded. He had already witnessed Li Muzhan's power; these dozen or so black-robed elders stood no chance.

"Old Song, all of you fall back!" he commanded gravely.

The grey-robed elders gracefully retreated, silently positioning themselves behind Dugu Heng.

Stepping outside the Dugu Manor, Li Muzhan finally felt relieved. He had instantly recovered his Grandmaster strength. Inside the manor, the Grandmaster level had been suppressed to mere Master level by a powerful field that interfered with his oneness with Heaven and Earth, preventing him from utilizing the unique abilities of a Grandmaster.

Outside the gate, a mere threshold separated him from full power. The pressure instantly eased; although not a vast difference, it was the critical line that allowed his extraordinary Grandmaster skills to return.

Li Muzhan stood on the steps, calmly surveying the black-robed elders. "I am Li Wuji. What business do you have with me?"

"You are Li Wuji?!" A square-faced elder frowned and spoke gravely, "Did you kill our Fifth Master?"

Li Muzhan replied, "And who might you esteemed sirs be?"

The square-faced elder was powerfully built, towering like a fortress. "We are men of the Zhu family!"

Li Muzhan nodded. "The Zhu family. Then what is your business with me?"

The square-faced elder stared intently at him. "You killed our Fifth Master, didn't you?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Fifth Master? I know nothing of this."

The square-faced elder sneered, "I didn't expect you to be such a coward, refusing to admit it! Our Fifth Master was killed by you on Sky Light Island!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Must I admit it?"

"We have investigated thoroughly. Fifth Master was killed by you!" the square-faced elder stated coldly. "You must pay with your life for our Fifth Master!"

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "Since you say so, then so be it. The Zhu family isn't exactly reputable anyway. If I killed him, I killed him. What of it?"

He said this deliberately to enhance his imposing aura. Admitting a killing made one a true hero, but for him, such labels held no constraint; he cared nothing for worldly judgment.

"Very well, then pay with your life for our Fifth Master!" The square-faced elder sneered, suddenly letting out a whistle. The sound was inaudible, but footsteps immediately followed as fifty-odd black-robed elders materialized.

"Old He, what is the meaning of this!" Dugu Heng called out coldly.

The square-faced elder replied, "Young Master, we seek vengeance for Fifth Master. We hope the Young Master will remain uninvolved and not jeopardize the relationship between our two families!"

Dugu Heng waved his hand. "Have someone else speak. You are not qualified to speak to me like that!"

The square-faced elder faltered, his face flushing crimson, but he didn't press the matter. He said coldly, "We are more than enough to deal with this fellow!"

Dugu Heng shook his head and said to Li Muzhan, "Brother Li, hold nothing back. Strike them down dead. If they die, it's on our hands. I want to see what the Zhu family will do then!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "Brother Dugu, I won't be polite then!"

"Kill them all!" Dugu Heng commanded.

Li Muzhan let out a chuckle, turned, and asked, "Are you coming all at once, or one by one?"

"Seeking revenge for Fifth Master, we need not adhere to martial etiquette. Everyone attack together!" the square-faced elder barked.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior He, is it? I will spare your life!"

The square-faced elder sneered, "I won't spare you. I intend to capture you alive and slowly torture you to death. Even a quick death will be difficult for you to attain!"

Dugu Heng said, "Brother Li, do you see? The Zhu family are all scoundrels like this—ungrateful and vicious. Just slaughter them!"

The square-faced elder’s face turned red as he glared furiously at Dugu Heng but dared not say more. He knew the weight of a noble heir's influence; if he truly lost his temper, being part of the Zhu family wouldn't help him.

He vented his accumulated rage onto Li Muzhan, waved his hand, and ordered, "Attack!"

The fifty-odd black-robed elders silently encircled him. Li Muzhan stepped down from the steps and slowly walked outward. With every step he took away from the manor, the pressure lessened incrementally.

The fifty-odd black-robed elders followed his slow pace, moving outward step by step, enclosing him completely. This maneuver astonished them, yet also filled them with caution. Such bearing suggested absolute confidence; no one would be foolish enough to walk to their deaths.

Li Muzhan stopped in the center of the street, smiling faintly as he surveyed the elders. He shook his head, "The Zhu family..."

"Attack!" the square-faced elder roared.

"Whoosh..." The elders' palm energies surged violently, instantly transforming into a gale sweeping toward Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan did not move. "Ugh..." Two black-robed elders suddenly clutched their chests and collapsed, leaving the others bewildered.

Li Muzhan smiled. "I am a disciple of the Cloud Firmament Sect. Everyone beware of flying swords!"

As his words fell, two more black-robed elders clutched their hearts and fell. The sudden, unpredictable attacks startled everyone. They abandoned the attack on Li Muzhan, prioritizing self-preservation. Their internal energy churned, their protective divine arts activated to their maximum, and their vital spirits focused to guard against assassination.

"Ugh..." Two more black-robed elders collapsed.

The square-faced elder’s face changed drastically, and he yelled, "It's a flying sword! Be careful!"

He saw a streak of light flash past, exiting one man's chest and shooting into the back of Elder Xie, who seemed unaware. Xie clutched his chest, grunted, and fell.

The square-faced elder broke out in a cold sweat. He knew Li Wuji was a Cloud Firmament Sect disciple, but intelligence indicated he was a late entrant, having only joined the sect a year ago!

He frantically looked around and commanded in a deep voice, "Which eminent figure from the Cloud Firmament Sect is visiting? Please show yourself!"

He refused to believe Li Muzhan had mastered the flying sword technique in such a short time. There must be a major figure from the Cloud Firmament Sect protecting him, striking from the shadows.

Li Muzhan smiled and beckoned with his hand. The flying sword immediately landed in his grasp. Feng Mingxue shot him a look of reproach; he had forcibly seized control of her flying sword, leaving her completely powerless. She had intended to assist secretly, but now he had forced her into the open, clearly intending to play some trick.

"How potent is the Sword Control Art of our Cloud Firmament Sect? Are you still planning to surround me?" He shook his head, tossed the small sword casually, and it transformed into a streak of light that shot instantly toward a portly elder.

The stout elder roared and pushed out with his palm. Hiss—the small sword pierced his palm, shot through his chest, emerged from his back, pierced the heart of another black-robed elder, then flew out again toward a third target.

In the blink of an eye, ten black-robed elders were dead, each pierced through the heart by the flying sword—there was no chance of survival.

Li Muzhan’s display of swordsmanship sent chills running down their spines; the formidable power of the flying sword had actually broken through their palm energy defenses. Li Muzhan himself only then discovered this exquisite application. He quickly understood: since the sword could cut through air, it could naturally cut through palm energy—a method to break through qi.

Feng Mingxue’s eyes lit up. Her refined flying sword had never seen true combat; she had only sparred with Li Muzhan. But when it came near him, it became disobedient. She hadn't known this small sword could pierce true qi.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Any more attempts?"

Dugu Heng coldly stated, "Old He, if you aren't an idiot, you'd scram now. Don't wait for Brother Li to wipe you all out, only to be executed yourself when you return!"

The elder named He glared fiercely at Li Muzhan, trying to gauge his true strength. Controlling the Sword Art must consume immense power; otherwise, the Cloud Firmament Sect would have long been invincible across the land!

He had already killed over a dozen men; surely Li Muzhan must be exhausted, perhaps clinging on by a thread. The deaths of these elders could not be in vain!

He spoke gravely, "To catch the leader, capture the king first! Everyone, ignore the flying sword—just kill him! Attack!"

The elders hesitated for a moment, then moved, lunging toward Li Muzhan. Their force was like a surging ocean, invisible power roaring violently. They attacked with fists, palms, kicks, and claws, each one fighting desperately, paying no heed to Li Muzhan’s flying sword.

Li Muzhan, however, did not meet their attacks head-on. He dodged gracefully, weaving through the surging forces as easily as a fish traversing water, darting freely among them.

The small flying sword was not idle. With every flash, another life was taken. In moments, ten more black-robed elders had perished, claimed by the sword striking their hearts.

"Retreat!" the elder named He roared, turning to flee.

The others paused briefly, then scattered and fled. Li Muzhan did not relent; the streaks of light flashed again and again, claiming four more lives in quick succession.

He shook his head. "Letting them run away. A pity."

Feng Mingxue snapped her fingers, shot him a sidelong glance, pulled out her snow-white handkerchief, and gently wiped the small sword. The blade shone brightly, and after the light swipe, it returned to its pristine luster.

As she tucked it into her robes, Dugu Heng’s eyes widened. "This... this is...?"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Brother Dugu, you see it now? These men weren't killed by me. This was my Senior Sister's masterpiece!"

"This is truly..." Dugu Heng stared at Feng Mingxue in utter shock.

Feng Mingxue smiled faintly. "You mock me."

She was indeed controlling the small sword. Li Muzhan's single hand gesture had merely forced a temporary seizure of control, which he had returned afterward.

Dugu Meng’s bright eyes widened in admiration. "Such an amazing flying sword! Is it truly yours, Sister Feng?"

Feng Mingxue smiled, "It's alright. I only succeeded because my Junior Brother drew everyone's attention to himself upfront."

Dugu Heng shook his head and sighed, "Even if they had prepared defenses, they couldn't have dodged it. With swordsmanship like this, no wonder the Cloud Firmament Sect is known as the number one sword sect under heaven!"

Dugu Meng nodded vigorously. "I once thought the Cloud Firmament Sect was overrated, just because they knew swordplay. But to see real, potent flying swords—it truly opened my eyes!"

Feng Mingxue smiled gently. "Our sect’s greatest asset is the flying sword, though few ever master it."

Dugu Meng patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief, laughing, "That’s a relief! If everyone could master the flying sword, there would be no living for anyone else! Then the Cloud Firmament Sect would truly be number one!"

Dugu Heng stepped forward and took Li Muzhan's arm. "Brother Li, let's go inside for tea. All that action didn't even aid digestion! Come on!"

Li Muzhan smiled weakly. "I'm currently embroiled in trouble; perhaps I should decline."

"Are you afraid of the Old Zhu family?" Dugu Heng scoffed, pulling him along and leading him inside. As he entered the gate, he called out instructions to have the bodies dealt with, placed in coffins, and sent back to the Zhu family.

The four had just sat down in the main hall, before tea was even served, when a young girl in green robes floated in, looking Li Muzhan up and down.

"Little Xi, what is it? Does Aunt have an order?" Dugu Heng quickly asked.

The green-robed girl was graceful and pretty, with traces of childishness lingering in her eyes. She asked in a sweet voice, "Miss asked me to inquire what happened."

Dugu Heng replied, "It was the Zhu family challenging us. They've already been beaten back!"

"Oh, very well then." The green-robed girl nodded, then pointed at Li Muzhan. "And who is this?"

Dugu Heng quickly interjected, "Little Xi, don't be rude. This is the esteemed disciple from the Cloud Firmament Sect, Brother Li Wuji, and Miss Feng Mingxue."

Little Xi’s delicate eyebrows twitched. "Cloud Firmament Sect? The one that has a Grandmaster?"

"Exactly. These aren't just fox friends and dog associates; they are my closest companions!" Dugu Heng hastily confirmed.

Little Xi’s gaze softened slightly, and she looked Li Muzhan over a few more times. "Oh, alright then. I'll go tell Miss."

With that, she turned and darted away. Dugu Heng shook his head helplessly. "Brother Li, don't take offense at her. This little girl was spoiled by Ninth Aunt..." ...Little Sister, you go tell Aunt for me."

"Me again!" Dugu Meng looked thoroughly displeased.

Dugu Heng sighed, "If I go, Aunt will likely scold me first without asking questions, and then interrogate me."

"Fine, fine! I'll go!" Dugu Meng conceded reluctantly.

She wore an expression like someone heading to the execution ground as she slowly addressed Li Muzhan and Feng Mingxue. "Big Brother Li, Sister Feng, I'm going now."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Perhaps I should explain it to her myself."

"No, no!" Dugu Meng quickly waved her hands. "Aunt won't show you any mercy!"

Li Muzhan nodded, not insisting. "Then I must trouble you, Little Sister!" (To be continued)