Dugu Meng managed a strained smile, took a deep breath, sprang up, and strode out of the main hall with long, vigorous steps.

Li Muzhan chuckled, "It truly is difficult for little sister!"

Dugu Heng sighed, "Brother Li, you haven't experienced my aunt's severity. With a cold face, every word cuts like a knife, rendering you speechless yet overwhelmingly ashamed, as if you were the most useless person in the world, living purely in vain—better off dead."

Li Muzhan laughed heartily, "So formidable?"

"Alas... this is hardly surprising. It's all because Father was lazy and dumped all the responsibility onto Aunt, making her temper grow worse and worse," Dugu Heng shook his head.

Li Muzhan asked, "So little sister is destined to be scolded then?"

"She has to come back crying, and it's not the first time; she'll be fine in a couple of days," Dugu Heng said with a smile.

Li Muzhan pondered, "Such a powerful Ninth Aunt! I'd actually like to meet her. Brother, announce my visit; I'll go see her!"

"No, no, maybe another day!" Dugu Heng waved his hands hastily.

Li Muzhan insisted, "I have thick skin; it's better for me to go myself than for your sister to be scolded because of me. I'm very keen to meet your Ninth Aunt!"

Dugu Heng forced a wry smile, "My aunt, she..."

Li Muzhan waved his hand with a smile, "It's alright, I can handle it."

"...Very well then, I'll inform my aunt," Dugu Heng nodded helplessly, seeing Li Muzhan’s determined expression, and turned to leave.

Feng Mingxue asked lightly, "Are you serious about meeting this Ninth Aunt?"

Li Muzhan replied, "The leader of the Dugu family—of course, I must meet her. We need to build a good relationship to prevent Brother Dugu from being caught awkwardly in the middle."

"She must be a beauty," Feng Mingxue remarked.

Li Muzhan laughed, shaking his head, "Senior Sister is overthinking things!"

Feng Mingxue glanced at him sideways, saying coolly, "If you provoke anyone else, Senior Fu won't agree to your relationship with Sister Hai even if he beats you to death!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "He won't agree even now."

"There's always a sliver of hope," Feng Mingxue stated.

Li Muzhan shook his head helplessly, "Senior Sister, what kind of person do you take me for!"

Feng Mingxue cast him a sidelong look, "All men grow tired of the old and crave the new; you are no different!"

Li Muzhan rubbed the bridge of his nose. In front of his Senior Sister, he felt as transparent as if he were naked, every aspect of his true nature laid bare.

Feng Mingxue asked, "My flying sword is useful, isn't it? Do you want one too?"

Li Muzhan thought for a moment and shook his head, "My flying daggers are sufficient."

The daggers were once his ultimate trump card, his final and strongest move. That was no longer the case; the Grandmaster realm was now his true apex. Reaching the Grandmaster stage required an open mind; otherwise, one’s state of mind would limit their achievement, making earlier cautious efforts insufficient.

Feng Mingxue said, "I truly didn't expect a flying sword could breach True Qi!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "That is your fortune, Senior Sister. With this sword, you can make a name for yourself and move freely; no one below the Grandmaster level can stop you."

"As long as I don't become a burden to you!"

While the two were speaking, Dugu Heng drifted over, smiling, "Brother Li, follow me!"

The three left the hall, turned right, passed through a moon gate, and crossed three courtyards to arrive at a secluded small yard.

Li Muzhan surveyed the small yard: two peach trees stood before the main house window to the north, a bamboo forest to the left, and an old well with a winch set up in front of the forest. To the right was a flower bed; though it was late autumn, flowers still bloomed there, their faint fragrance swirling around the courtyard, refreshing the spirit and calming the mind. Li Muzhan looked toward a few small white blossoms; these were clearly no ordinary flowers; just by the effect of their fragrance, they were extraordinarily precious.

Dugu Heng stopped as soon as he entered the small courtyard and called out loudly, "Aunt, Brother Li is here."

The moon-white curtain of the main house shifted, and Xiao Xi, a young maid in green, parted the curtain and said sweetly, "The Miss invites Young Master Li to enter."

"Yes," Dugu Heng gave Li Muzhan a meaningful look.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Senior Sister, wait a moment."

Feng Mingxue nodded, "Speak carefully; don't say anything inappropriate!" She worried about Li Muzhan’s proud nature; if he clashed with the Ninth Aunt, it would be disastrous—offending the Zhu family first, and now the Dugu family, inviting trouble upon himself.

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile, "I know. Brother Dugu, I'm going in."

He followed Xiao Xi into the main house. As soon as he stepped across the threshold, a fragrance flooded his senses. A woman clad in green sat quietly in the main seat, with Dugu Meng seated to her left. Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow. This woman in green was petite yet graceful, with a delicate melon-seed face, almond eyes, a delicate nose, cherry lips, and exquisitely beautiful features. Her slender eyebrows held a cool detachment.

She stood up, cupped her hands, and revealed a slight smile, like clear snow after a sudden clearing: "Young Master Li, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Please be seated!"

Li Muzhan smiled and returned the salute, "Greetings, Miss Dugu."

"I am Dugu Jinghua," the green-clad girl smiled and gestured.

Li Muzhan moved to sit on the right, directly facing Dugu Meng, who now wore a smile, not the worried expression he had anticipated.

Dugu Jinghua lightly sipped her cherry lips and smiled faintly, "Meng'er told me what happened. Young Master Li's actions were truly exhilarating; Zhu Wu deserved to die!"

Li Muzhan laughed, "I only brought trouble upon your household!"

Dugu Jinghua smiled faintly, "We do not fear such trouble. Let the Zhu family come if they dare. Young Master Li killed so many of the Zhu family's top experts in one go; you are indeed a worthy disciple of the Cangxiao Sect."

Li Muzhan said, "Miss Dugu is too kind; I'm usually the one causing trouble for the sect... Originally, I was hesitant about Zhu Wu because of his status, I didn't want to kill him, but he was simply too brutal; I couldn't live with myself if I didn't. I had to kill him."

Dugu Jinghua said, "To be honest, we have long wanted to kill him ourselves, but we couldn't find the opportunity; he was protected by top experts. Young Master Li did what we wished but couldn't achieve! ...Little Heng rarely makes such a good friend!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, "I'm just glad you don't blame me, Miss Dugu!"

Dugu Jinghua said, "If Young Master Li has time, why not stay at our residence for a while? Keep Little Heng company."

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "No need. I bought a residence in the west; I'll stay there."

"...That's fine. It's not far anyway; come visit often. Little Heng dislikes loneliness and always wants a friend by his side; having a friend like Young Master Li is truly fortunate for him, his destiny." Dugu Jinghua stated.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Then I shall impose upon you."

Dugu Jinghua smiled again, "This young lady gets to witness the flying sword techniques of the Yunxiao Sect again. With this skill as protection, we don't fear the Zhu family's experts. As long as we are careful, the Zhu family cannot harm us."

Li Muzhan replied, "The Zhu family certainly has many top experts; I will be careful."

He paused in thought, then smiled, "I speak too frankly, but Miss Dugu, you don't practice martial arts?"

His biggest surprise was that Dugu Jinghua seemed to know no martial arts, not possessing a shred of internal energy; she wasn't a martial artist, yet she was a lady of the Dugu family.

Dugu Jinghua shook her head and smiled, "There’s nothing to be done; the Dugu family rules dictate teaching sons, not daughters."

Li Muzhan looked toward Dugu Meng. Dugu Jinghua continued, "Meng'er is not practicing the Dugu family's inner cultivation; she is a disciple of the Floating Cloud Palace."

"Floating Cloud Palace?!" Li Muzhan exclaimed in surprise.

The Floating Cloud Palace specialized exclusively in saber arts, renowned as the world's foremost saber school. They were secretly competitive with the Yunxiao Sect, maintaining a low profile but were not enemies. He truly hadn't expected the gentle, sweet, and innocent Dugu Meng to be a disciple of the Floating Cloud Palace, nor did he see her carrying a saber.

Dugu Jinghua shook her head, "She cannot endure the hardship of the Palace and ran back to seek ease. I have been planning to force her back to the Palace these last few days."

Dugu Meng quickly protested, "Aunt, I'm not going back!"

Dugu Jinghua frowned, "You are a disciple of the Floating Cloud Palace. No matter how difficult saber arts are to master, you must practice them well; failure to do so is suicide!"

Dugu Meng argued, "I don't like saber arts; they are too fierce!"

Dugu Jinghua scoffed, "Then you want to practice the sword?"

"Yes, practicing the sword is good," Dugu Meng immediately nodded, smiling, "Swordplay is elegant and composed; it's beautiful to execute—I like it!"

Dugu Jinghua huffed, "If your master heard you say that, she would surely break your legs!"

Dugu Meng giggled, "She won't hear it; I'm not going to learn saber arts!"

Dugu Jinghua smiled faintly, "Your master will be here soon; I have already sent someone to invite her."

"Aun—t!" Dugu Meng pleaded coquettishly.

Li Muzhan laughed, "Little Sister, you really shouldn't have run back. The Floating Cloud Palace's saber arts are not for just anyone to learn; this is a rare opportunity!"

Dugu Meng pouted, "I might as well join the Yunxiao Sect then; I want to learn flying swords, they are so magnificent!"

"Be silent!" Dugu Jinghua glared at her.

Li Muzhan understood the underlying reasons why she wouldn't join the Yunxiao Sect. First, the entry requirements for the Yunxiao Sect were too high; even if one managed to get into the outer sect through connections, insufficient aptitude would prevent entry into the inner sect. Second, an elder in the Dugu family was a disciple of the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect, making her a Martial Aunt to Hai Yulan, and also Dugu Heng's aunt. The Yunxiao Sect and the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect were rivals. Dugu Meng's idea was overly naive; the Yunxiao Sect was the hardest sect to join, which explained its small number of disciples. The Floating Cloud Palace was different: the entry to saber arts was easy, mastery difficult, but the power of their techniques was immense, granting considerable might even without full mastery. However, the Floating Cloud Palace had too few elite disciples, meaning they were suppressed by the Yunxiao Sect over the years, leading to resentment.

Li Muzhan studied Dugu Jinghua and vaguely realized that it wasn't that she couldn't learn the inner cultivation; it was her physical condition—her blood energy was weak, her complexion pale, as if she rarely saw the sun.

"How was it, how was it? Did Aunt scold you?" Dugu Heng rushed forward as Li Muzhan stepped back into the main hall, eagerly asking.

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "Miss Dugu is gentle and kind, not at all like what you described."

"Ah—?" Dugu Heng's eyes widened. He turned to look at Dugu Meng, who was following him in. Dugu Meng shook her head, confused, "Perhaps Aunt is in an exceptionally good mood today because Zhu Wu was killed, so she changed her disposition and isn't lecturing people?"

"Is Aunt alright?" Dugu Heng quickly asked.

Dugu Meng replied, "Aunt was wonderful to Brother Li! She's never been this nice to anyone—polite and gentle, like a different person! ...Hehe, does Aunt perhaps have feelings for Brother Li?"

Dugu Heng was startled and quickly scolded, "Don't talk nonsense!"

Dugu Meng, unafraid of Dugu Jinghua though she feared Dugu Heng, pouted, "Hmph, I'm not talking nonsense. Otherwise, why would Aunt be so gentle with Brother Li? ...Brother, you have many friends, but which one of them hasn't been scolded by Aunt, and which one would dare visit again?"

Li Muzhan laughed heartily. This Dugu Meng was truly childishly naive, daring to voice any strange idea. Dugu Jinghua was not the type to fall in love at first sight; she was deeply calculating, viewing emotions lightly, prioritizing the Dugu family's interests above mere affection. Despite her young age, similar to Dugu Meng, her heart was like a dry well.

"Brother Dugu, why doesn't Miss Dugu practice martial arts?" Li Muzhan asked.

Dugu Heng looked around left and right and whispered, "Brother Li, it's best if you don't bring this up in front of my aunt."

Li Muzhan said, "I mentioned it once; she didn't want to talk about it."

Dugu Heng whispered lowly, "Aunt's body is too weak; she cannot practice martial arts!"

"Hmm—?" Li Muzhan raised his eyebrows slightly, "Is it because of her meridians?"

Dugu Heng sighed and shook his head, "Her meridians are blocked, and her lifespan is short. Aunt is a pitiable soul! ...This is a top secret of our Dugu family." Mingxue spoke up, "Short lifespan?"

Dugu Heng nodded, "It is said Aunt won't live past thirty."

"What is the illness?" Feng Mingxue inquired.

Dugu Heng shook his head, "It's a strange illness that cannot be named—blocked meridians. If it weren't for the elixirs from Divine Physician Hua, she wouldn't have lived past twenty."

Feng Mingxue asked, "Even with the Dugu family's power, they cannot save her?"

Dugu Heng sighed helplessly, "We sought out the world's number one divine physician, Hua Murong. He prescribed this formula after treating her; without Divine Physician Hua, Aunt would have been gone long ago!"

"Life and death are decreed by fate; one cannot force what is not meant to be," Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed.

Feng Mingxue glanced at Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan shook his head, "Forget it, let's go back. Brother Dugu, come visit us in a couple of days."

"Must you really leave?" Dugu Heng was reluctant. "Why not sit here for a while? We could spar or go out for an excursion together."

Li Muzhan smiled, "There is plenty of time; we’ll do it slowly. Let's go!" He glanced at Feng Mingxue and rose to walk out. Feng Mingxue followed suit. Dugu Heng couldn't stop them and reluctantly escorted them to the main gate.

The four stood at the main entrance to bid farewell.

Dugu Meng smiled, "Sister Feng, Brother Li, I'll come visit you tomorrow!"

Li Muzhan quickly said with a smile, "Wait a few days. I need to deal with the Zhu family these next two days; Sister, don't get involved!"

Dugu Meng pouted dismissively, "Hmph, I doubt they'd dare do anything to me!"

Li Muzhan said, "They are like mad dogs right now; they might bite randomly. There's no need to invite unnecessary trouble, right?"

Dugu Meng tilted her head, considered it, and said, "Fine, you are right. I'll hold back for a few days. They won't be leaping around for long, right, Brother?"

Dugu Heng said sternly, "Just give up the thought! Stay in the residence properly. You are not allowed out without me accompanying you. After visiting the Floating Cloud Palace, you just lazed around and didn't practice hard, and you still have the nerve to come back!"

Dugu Meng whined, "Bro—ther—!"

Dugu Heng waved his hand, "Forget it, forget it, I can't manage you. Wait until Aunt says something to you!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Practicing martial arts well is necessary, but with such powerful protection, you don't need to be afraid of much... Let's go!" With that, he waved his hand, and he and Feng Mingxue drifted away.

When the two returned to their residence, they suddenly stopped. A group of elderly men in black stood silently before the mansion, watching them. Each elder had a cold, emotionless face, appearing almost mechanical. The leading elder wore black, his face withered and his figure small; beneath the black robes, he looked even more slight, as if a gust of wind could blow him away. He was smiling faintly at Li Muzhan and Feng Mingxue, saying pleasantly, "Little Brother Li, I never expected we would meet again so soon!"

Li Muzhan frowned, "Senior Zhu honors us with your visit. Please, come in and sit." His residence was protected by an array; outsiders could not enter. This was a precaution against the Zhu family. If he were present, it would be fine, but if he were absent, they needed defense against the Zhu family storming in to vent their anger on the servants. The Dugu, Zhao, or Tang families were unlikely; they valued their reputation. The Zhu family, however, would resort to any means to achieve their ends.

Zhu He's withered face showed a smile that was particularly unpleasant, "Little Brother Li has great skill. A master of the Yunxiao Sect, peerless in flying sword techniques. I haven't seen the Yunxiao Sect's flying sword arts in many years!"

Li Muzhan replied, "You flatter me; mere trivial skills are hardly worth mentioning!"

"When we clashed before, why didn't Little Brother use your flying sword?" Zhu He asked with a smile.

Li Muzhan smiled, "I merely wanted to gauge your true strength; there was no need to fight to the death. I didn't expect your esteemed household to be so efficient in finding me so quickly!"

"Little Five died unjustly!" Zhu He shook his head and sighed, "He dismissed his guards privately, allowing Little Brother to strike when he was vulnerable; it was his own fault."

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Zhu, you came here to avenge him?"

Zhu He shook his head and sighed, "Life and death, birth and demise—it’s not a great matter. I am here to experience your flying sword techniques, Little Brother!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed, "Once the flying sword is out, it doesn't return without drawing blood. I suggest Senior Zhu reconsider."

Zhu He offered an ugly smile, "I once encountered the flying sword technique before; it seemed quite ordinary, not very formidable."

Li Muzhan laughed, "Who did Senior clash with?"

"Yi Xingzhi," Zhu He replied.

Li Muzhan smiled, "So you've crossed swords with our Sect Master. What was the outcome?"

"I held a slight advantage," Zhu He smiled.

Li Muzhan asked, "Could Senior Zhu be a Grandmaster?" He asked this knowing the answer; after leaving the Zhu residence, Li Muzhan could clearly sense his power—he was a (Master), not a (Grandmaster), but deep cultivation combined with secret techniques could still pose a significant threat.

Zhu He sighed, "I spent my entire life pursuing that step, but alas, it was all in vain."

Li Muzhan smiled, "The Grandmaster realm is heaven-bestowed. Perhaps the Zhu family's actions have harmed the heavenly harmony, bringing divine retribution, thus blocking Senior Zhu's path to advancement. Watch my sword!"

A streak of light flashed and vanished, instantly shooting toward Zhu He’s back. With a crisp ding, Zhu He moved like a phantom, instantly appearing before Li Muzhan and thrusting out a palm strike.

Pop! The two palms met, making a sound like small pebbles hitting a lake, yet generating a powerful force that swept over the onlookers. Their robes fluttered, and they were pushed back two steps.

Ding! Another crisp sound. Feng Mingxue frowned; the flying sword failed to pierce Zhu He's body. He wore armor, an extremely miraculous protective layer.

Zhu He smiled faintly, "This is the secret I discovered: the kinetic energy of your Yunxiao Sect's flying sword is rather weak."

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