Li Muzhan and Feng Mingxue drifted back to his residence, immediately reinforcing the existing formations and adding two more arrays to deter any unwelcome intrusions.

The pair arrived at the pavilion situated over the lake.

Li Muzhan sank heavily onto a seat and reached for a teacup, but Feng Mingxue snatched it away.

No matter how robust the body, drinking chilled tea was detrimental; the best constitution required maintenance, and habits were paramount—once a bad one took root, even the strongest body would suffer.

She took the teapot and left, returning swiftly to pour two fresh cups.

Holding the steaming vessel, she began to speak.

“Junior Brother, you intend to storm the Zhu estate and seize the Danxin Iron Scroll, don’t you?” She lifted the lid of her cup, blew gently on the heat, and fixed her gaze upon Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan chuckled, “Senior Sister, you see right through me!” “You truly dare to contemplate such a thing! How could the Danxin Iron Scroll ever be so easily snatched?” Feng Mingxue shook her head.

Li Muzhan sighed, “This time, I nearly succeeded.

It was a pity they revealed trump card after trump card.

Truly impossible to guard against.

They are indeed a grand aristocratic family; their foundations are deep.

I wonder if those four Divine Monks were their final recourse!” “The critical factor was Zhu He returning to the manor, wasn't it?” Feng Mingxue commented.

Li Muzhan nodded, “With them inside the manor, given his profound cultivation, I truly couldn't touch him.

It's a shame that once he stepped outside, all his advantage vanished.

Killing him would have been child’s play! And those other fellows, parading their might outside the residence—it seems they’ve grown too comfortable, too careless because no one has truly provoked them!” “How did the confrontation end when you saw the four old monks?” Feng Mingxue inquired.

Li Muzhan lamented, “Those four old monks were unfathomable in depth, and they possessed Sacred Artifacts capable of suppressing me.

I had no choice but to withdraw before the confrontation became unsightly!” “They possess Sacred Artifacts too?” Feng Mingxue frowned.

“Could it be the Danxin Iron Scroll?” Li Muzhan replied, “It should be something from the Buddhist sect.

I don’t know what it is, but we must find a way to investigate thoroughly! ...

Those four old monks are the real threat!” “Should we eliminate them?” Feng Mingxue asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head, “Killing disciples of the Buddhist sect brings endless trouble.

The Buddhist sect possesses mysterious divine abilities that operate outside the path of martial arts; they are impossible to guard against.” “The flying sword cannot harm them?” Feng Mingxue asked.

Since acquiring this small flying sword, its power had multiplied several times over, and wielding it felt perfectly natural; she was overjoyed by its capability.

Li Muzhan shook his head, “I fear it wouldn’t inflict damage.

Alas, after all my calculations, I never factored in a group of eminent monks protecting the Zhu family!” “Could it be that the Emperor granted them these monks because of the Danxin Iron Scroll?” Feng Mingxue mused.

Li Muzhan’s brow twitched, and he slowly nodded, the more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed.

Feng Mingxue laughed, “If they hadn't barred your way, you would have smashed your way in and annihilated the Zhu estate?” Li Muzhan shook his head, “No.

I would have snatched the Danxin Iron Scroll.

Once I possess that scroll, the Zhu family becomes a toothless tiger.

I could enter whenever I pleased!” “A pity you didn't anticipate the four monks carrying Sacred Artifacts, did you?” Feng Mingxue smiled, shaking her head.

“They say man proposes, but heaven disposes; there will always be unknowns.” Li Muzhan corrected, “Only the oldest monk possessed a Sacred Artifact; the others did not.” Feng Mingxue sighed with regret, “What a rare opportunity wasted.

It will be difficult to find another like it.

However, you have now made the head of the Zhu family your enemy; this feud is deeply entrenched!” Li Muzhan smiled, “By killing Zhu Wu, the feud was already one of no quarter given.

Adding this matter changes little.

Perhaps Zhu Lang should thank me; he’ll be taking over as the family head.” “Even if he thanked you, he’d still have to kill you to secure his position,” Feng Mingxue countered.

Li Muzhan sighed, “I truly dislike killing, but alas, I am compelled to do so!” Feng Mingxue gave him a sharp glare, “Stop your self-pitying theatrics!” At the break of dawn in the Dugu Estate, Dugu Heng was practicing his martial arts, clad in a sharp, white silk tunic, radiating martial grace.

Dugu Meng, dressed in an apricot-yellow silk robe, ran up to him.

“Big Brother, Auntie is looking for you!” “So early? Has Auntie risen?” Dugu Heng paused his movements.

Dugu Meng giggled, “Auntie is up early today.

Hurry, or you’ll be scolded again...

But why is Auntie up so early today?” “Why?” Dugu Heng asked.

Dugu Meng tilted her head, pondered for a moment, and then smirked, “Is it because of Brother Li?” “Stop talking nonsense!” Dugu Heng shook his head.

“Don’t speak such baseless things, or Auntie will surely punish you if she hears!” Dugu Meng tittered, “Then Auntie must feel guilty!” “You absolutely cannot say that again.

If Auntie hears, she’ll be furious, and Brother Li will be implicated too!” Dugu Heng spoke sternly, giving her a sharp look.

Dugu Meng quickly nodded with vigor, “I know, I know, I won't say it.

But do you think Auntie developed a sudden affection for Brother Li?” “Are you still going on?” Dugu Heng snorted in exasperation.

“Brother Li already has Miss Hai, and Miss Feng.

Auntie would never harbor any other thoughts!” “Which Miss Hai?” Dugu Meng inquired.

Dugu Heng waved his hand dismissively, “Forget it, you don’t know.

Stop asking so many questions.

I’m going now!” Dugu Meng then asked, “Are Brother Li and Sister Feng a pair?” “Nine times out of ten, yes!” Dugu Heng conceded.

Dugu Meng pondered, then shook her head, “It doesn't feel like it, yet it also feels like it.

It’s a very strange feeling.

What do you think?” Dugu Heng waved his hand impatiently and started walking out, “Only you have the time for these thoughts.

Who cares about such things? It’s their private business; stop meddling!” Dugu Meng thought for a moment, “I don't think Brother Li is worthy of Sister Feng.

Look how beautiful Sister Feng is, how skilled in martial arts, and how wonderful her temperament is!” Dugu Heng’s eyes widened, “You think too little of Brother Li! Then why did you say Auntie favors Brother Li?” Dugu Meng retorted, “Auntie’s behavior makes me think that! Look, which of Big Brother’s friends before has not been scolded by Auntie? She never gives anyone a kind face, except Brother Li.

Why? Isn’t it because she favors him!” “That is because Brother Li’s cultivation is profound!” Dugu Heng shook his head helplessly, his pace unwavering.

He soon reached the entrance of the small courtyard.

“Alright, you absolutely must not repeat these words.

If Auntie hears, it will be a disaster!” “Fine, I’m not an idiot; Auntie won’t hear!” Dugu Meng rolled her eyes at him, chiding him, “Such a fuss over a grown man!” Dugu Heng glared at her, a look of helpless, bitter amusement on his face, and entered the courtyard.

Inside, he saw Dugu Jinghua standing quietly, executing a set of movements resembling the Tai Chi of later ages—slow, deliberate, each transition almost sluggish, possessing no apparent force.

“Auntie!” Both siblings saluted simultaneously.

Dugu Jinghua was dressed in a white robe, similar in cut to Dugu Heng’s practice attire, giving her a look of spirited heroism mixed with a hint of fragility.

“Sit,” Dugu Jinghua commanded, her movements continuing in that slow, flowing rhythm.

The two sat down.

Dugu Heng inquired, “Auntie, why did you summon me?” “You have heard of your friend Li’s great exploit, haven’t you?” Dugu Jinghua clenched her small hand, her motions gentle and graceful, exquisitely captivating.

Dugu Heng shook his head, “What exploit?” Dugu Jinghua stated calmly, “Yesterday, he killed Zhu Jun and a large contingent of top-tier Grandmasters.

He attempted to breach the Zhu estate, ultimately forcing the appearance of the Four Divine Monks!” “Ah? The Four Divine Monks were mobilized?” Dugu Heng showed surprise.

Dugu Jinghua commented, “Your friend is truly remarkable!” Dugu Heng smiled, “Indeed.

Brother Li’s martial arts are as deep as the ocean.

If not for his youth, I would believe him to be a Great Grandmaster myself!” A young woman named Xiao Xi, clad in green, arrived and presented a teacup.

She returned to Dugu Jinghua’s side, watching intently, holding a snow-white towel.

Dugu Jinghua sighed with admiration, “To kill Zhu Jun single-handedly and force out the Four Divine Monks—this level of cultivation is truly supreme.

I wonder how he achieved such power at such a tender age.” “According to Brother Li, he acquired his martial prowess through fortuitous encounters, not entirely through arduous practice,” Dugu Heng explained.

Dugu Jinghua shook her head, “He is deceiving you.

Without arduous practice, he could never exert such might!” … “And Miss Feng is also a formidable figure!” Dugu Heng chuckled, “Miss Feng is indeed powerful.

According to Brother Li, Miss Feng surpasses him, only lacking his luck in receiving a fortunate encounter.

But she is destined to be a future Great Grandmaster, certain to reach that realm!” Dugu Jinghua raised an eyebrow slightly, “Miss Feng is that formidable?” Dugu Heng confirmed, “Brother Li would not lie.” “The disciples recruited by the Cloud-Soaring Sect are all geniuses among geniuses.

This Miss Feng is truly exceptional!” Dugu Jinghua nodded slowly, her movements never ceasing.

Dugu Heng, however, felt an itch of impatience.

“Auntie, what exactly happened with Brother Li?” Dugu Jinghua narrated the entire incident, describing it as if she had witnessed it firsthand—every detail clear and precise.

Dugu Heng praised, “A magnificent Brother Li! It’s truly satisfying.

Zhu Jun, the dignified head of a family, dies just like that.

The old Zhu family has disgraced itself this time!” Dugu Meng’s eyes grew distant, “Brother Li is so amazing! I must go see Brother Li!” Dugu Heng quickly clapped her shoulder, “Little sister, don’t make trouble!” Dugu Meng shot him a look, “How is that trouble? I want to see if Brother Li was injured.

He fought so many people; it’s hard to avoid injury!” “It’s fine for Meng’er to check.

Little Heng, you go too,” Dugu Jinghua instructed.

She slowly concluded her movements, took the towel offered by Xiao Xi, wiped her hands lightly a few times, and sat down beside Dugu Heng.

“The Tang and Zhao families will likely make a move as well.” “The Tang family is going to act?” Dugu Heng frowned.

Dugu Jinghua shook her head, “Not necessarily.

The Tang family will also have reservations.

Young Master Li has stunned everyone with this display.” “Heh, interesting,” Dugu Heng laughed.

Dugu Jinghua cautioned, “Don't celebrate too soon.

It’s possible these families will join forces this time.” “Oh?” Dugu Heng frowned, knowing his aunt’s wisdom surpassed ordinary measures and she would not speak idly.

Dugu Jinghua explained, “The strength Young Master Li displayed this time is too shocking.

Seeing one perish, the others feel the sorrow of the fox; they sense a threat.” Dugu Heng sneered, “There are plenty of things in this world that threaten them! Have they killed all of them?!” Dugu Jinghua shook her head, “They naturally wouldn't dare kill a Great Grandmaster, but someone like Young Master Li...” “Auntie, what should we do?” Dugu Heng asked.

Dugu Jinghua stated, “We cannot stand idly by.

We should invite Young Master Li to stay here with us.”

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