Li Muzhan said, "The Zhu family truly cannot be underestimated. If Concubine Zhu can call upon the Shadow Guards, might she also summon experts from the Royal family to assist?"

Dugu Jinghua shook her head. "This is the absolute limit. The Emperor will never send royal masters to aid the Zhu family; he'd be pleased enough if he didn't take advantage of their misfortune!"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "That's good to hear. The Grand Palace Guards are indeed formidable!"

These two Shadow Guards possessed profound cultivation. While manageable on the open street, defeating them inside the Imperial Palace or the Zhu Estate would require him to rely solely on his trump card: the flying dagger.

Even after achieving the Great Grandmaster realm, finding himself suppressed back to the Grandmaster level when facing the Four Great Families and the Royal power, the techniques that could save his life remained his Grandmaster skills—the flying sword, the flying dagger, and his exquisite swordplay.

His Sword Control technique needed continuous practice, as did all his other martial arts; they were vital lifelines in critical moments.

Dugu Jinghua remarked, "These Shadow Guards are tasked with protecting the Emperor and the Princes and Princesses, rarely leaving the Palace. Concubine Zhu must indeed be favored."

"The Royal Family won't interfere in this matter, will they?" Li Muzhan asked, sitting down with a smile.

Dugu Jinghua pondered for a moment. "Logically, this is an excellent opportunity to weaken the Zhu family, and they won't pass it up. Whether they use open means or covert ones remains to be seen."

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I truly don't wish to get entangled with the Royal Family!"

Dugu Jinghua nodded slightly. The Royal Family was indeed best left untouched; they were like enormous beasts that would swallow anything whole, whether friend or foe.

Take the Four Great Families, for instance. They were founding contributors; the Great Li Dynasty was essentially forged by the four Ancestors and the Ming Emperor working together. Yet now, they were consumed by mutual suspicion and vigilance, with the throne harboring a desire to eliminate them entirely.

Dugu Meng giggled, "Brother Li, what is that ten-finger plucking technique you use?"

Li Muzhan replied, "Sword Finger."

"Is that a unique skill of your Cloud Sect?" Dugu Meng inquired.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Interested in learning it?"

Dugu Meng laughed delightedly. "Learning that would be so impressive... and seem effortless."

Li Muzhan smiled. "It looks easy, but the training is arduous. You might lose a few sets of fingernails."

Dugu Meng's expression shifted immediately, and she quickly laughed it off. "A unique skill of the Cloud Sect certainly cannot be taught externally. Forget it, forget it... I won't push it."

Li Muzhan chuckled heartily. "A sensible girl, you know when to stop."

Dugu Meng said sweetly, "Brother Li, your martial arts are so profound, could you teach me?"

Li Muzhan replied with a smile, "I can, but my core techniques demand enduring intense pain. The greater the pain endured, the faster the progress. If you cannot bear suffering, you won't be able to cultivate."

Dugu Meng sighed helplessly... then shook her head. "Then I won't trouble Brother Li."

Li Muzhan laughed again. "Don't be like that. I genuinely think your martial arts are lacking, and I really want to teach you... starting tomorrow!"

Dugu Meng frantically waved her hands. "No need, no need! I appreciate Brother Li's kind offer, but my Master can teach me just fine; Brother Li need not trouble himself!"

Li Muzhan smiled mysteriously. "Really unnecessary?"

"No, no, truly unnecessary!" Dugu Meng nodded vigorously, like pounding garlic.

The next morning, Li Muzhan was practicing in a small courtyard within the Dugu Residence. This courtyard had been recently redecorated by Dugu Jinghua; it was quiet and exquisitely elegant.

Feng Mingxue was with him. Both were dressed in moon-white tight-fitting outfits, practicing the Zhu family's Divine Dragon Hand.

The Divine Dragon Hand was indeed supreme. Li Muzhan privately believed that among all unarmed martial arts he had encountered, nothing matched its pure, immense ferocity—it captivated him completely.

Feng Mingxue’s mastery of the Divine Dragon Hand was far inferior. This technique did not suit her temperament; she practiced casually, never achieving a sense of fluidity, and thus trained infrequently.

Li Muzhan’s mastery was incredibly deep; he practiced diligently and tirelessly, already grasping the essence of the Divine Dragon Hand. He was frustrated by being repeatedly suppressed below the Great Grandmaster realm, relying on these martial arts during critical moments. Consequently, his current diligence far surpassed his previous efforts.

They were currently dissecting sequences of moves when Xiao Xi rushed over, panting heavily. "Mister Li, Miss requests you come quickly!"

Li Muzhan ceased his movement and turned. "What happened?"

Xiao Xi was clad in an ink-green silk gown, perfectly tailored to accentuate her naturally graceful figure. She gasped for breath, her face flushed. "The Young Master is injured!"

"Hm—?" Li Muzhan frowned, taking a single step that made him vanish before Xiao Xi.

Feng Mingxue asked, "Xiao Xi, is the Young Master badly hurt?"

"Judging by Miss's expression, the Young Master is in grave danger!" Xiao Xi nodded hastily.

The two walked out side-by-side. When they arrived at the main hall, Li Muzhan was already bent over Dugu Heng, rapidly tapping pressure points with his fingertips. The touch was sometimes gentle, sometimes forceful; sometimes like a spring breeze moisturizing the earth, sometimes like a wild horse rearing up. Dugu Heng was suspended a meter above the ground, level with Li Muzhan's waist.

As Li Muzhan’s fingers descended, Dugu Heng's body trembled incessantly.

Feng Mingxue surveyed the scene: Dugu Jinghua, Dugu Meng, Qu Wanying, and a young woman in purple robes, beautiful and delicate, with exquisite features, appearing utterly vulnerable. The purple-robed girl stared anxiously at Dugu Heng, unblinking, seeming even more nervous than Dugu Jinghua.

Feng Mingxue didn't know who she was and didn't ask. She looked at Dugu Heng; blood stained the corner of his mouth—he had clearly vomited blood. A large patch on his chest was saturated with it; he must have suffered a severe internal injury.

Li Muzhan lifted both hands empty in the air. Dugu Heng rotated, suspended face-down, hovering at Feng Mingxue's eye level. Feng Mingxue frowned; there were no external wounds on Dugu Heng, confirming it was an internal injury. However, Dugu Heng’s cultivation was profound; ordinary strikes were hard-pressed to harm him. Only an absolute peak master could inflict such damage.

Seeing her junior brother's expression, Dugu Heng's injury was life-threatening, yet it showed no external signs—a clear indication that the attacker possessed supreme cultivation, striking with enough internal force to rattle his five viscera without even tearing his clothes.

"Pfft!" A mist of blood sprayed from Dugu Heng’s mouth, forming a flower-like stain of purplish-black color on the moon-white carpet.

Li Muzhan let out a long breath and slowly withdrew his hands. Dugu Heng settled slowly onto the floor, lying flat on his back.

"Mister, is Little Heng...?" Dugu Jinghua, dressed in an ink-green silk gown, her skin fair with a rosy tint, fixed her long, bright eyes on Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan replied, "No danger."

Dugu Jinghua sighed in relief. "Thank you, Mister!"

Li Muzhan waved his hand, observing the purple-robed girl who had rushed to Dugu Heng's side. Dugu Jinghua introduced her: "This is Tang Tang."

Li Muzhan understood. At that moment, the purple-robed girl saw only Dugu Heng... oblivious to everyone else. Her snow-white little hand clasped his large one tightly as she gazed fixedly at his face.

Dugu Heng groaned softly, and Tang Tang cried out joyfully, "Heng Ge, Heng Ge!"

Dugu Heng slowly opened his eyes... regaining clarity from his confusion. He looked at Tang Tang and smiled. "Tang Tang, I didn't die, did I?"

"No, you've come back to life!" Tang Tang nodded hard, her bright eyes welling up.

Dugu Heng quickly said, "Don't cry, don't cry. You should be happy I survived!"

He reached out to touch her face... but halfway there, he heard a gentle cough. Dugu Jinghua covered her mouth and coughed, startling him.

Dugu Heng turned his head... seeing everyone looking at them with faint smiles. He blushed instantly. "Aunt, Brother Li, Miss Feng, Senior Qu."

Dugu Jinghua asked, "Are you alright now?"

Dugu Heng pushed himself up, alarming Tang Tang, who quickly tried to press him back down—not wanting him to rise—but failing. Dugu Heng laughed, "I'm perfectly fine!"

Dugu Jinghua snorted. "You were lucky this time. Mister Li saved your young life!"

Dugu Heng smiled. "With Brother Li here, it’s hard to lose one's life! ... Brother Li, you saved me again!"

Li Muzhan smiled and waved his hand.

Dugu Jinghua’s melon-seed face tightened... exhibiting a distinct air of authority as she frowned. "What happened?!"

Dugu Heng shook his head. "Aunt, I'm puzzled too. Who exactly ambushed me?... Perhaps the Zhu family did it."

Dugu Jinghua turned to Li Muzhan. "Mister, what do you think?"

Li Muzhan looked deeply at Dugu Heng and smiled. "That's highly possible. The Zhu family is going mad right now. I've been staying put within the residence, unable to vent their fury anywhere else... Young Brother Dugu just happened to walk right into their path."

Dugu Heng's gaze flickered, and upon meeting Li Muzhan's discerning eyes that seemed to see everything, he felt uneasy and quickly looked away.

Dugu Jinghua frowned. "The Zhu family has truly lost their minds, daring to provoke us now!... It seems they need a lesson."

Li Muzhan quickly interjected, "No need to rush; let's wait a while longer."

Dugu Jinghua asked, "Does the Mister have a subtle strategy?"

Li Muzhan replied, "The Zhu family is still a major noble house with capable young talents. They will likely calm down soon. It is ill-advised for the Dugu family and the Zhu family to clash at this moment."

"They are going too far," a frostiness settled between Dugu Jinghua's delicate brows.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "They are irrational now, acting like lunatics. Engaging them is unwise. Let's wait and see."

"Then we will listen to the Mister," Dugu Jinghua slowly nodded.

"Brother Li, this is Tang Tang. Tang Tang, this is Brother Li."

In the pavilion situated over the small lake in the rear garden, Dugu Heng was introducing his beloved to Li Muzhan.

Tang Tang sat quietly beside Dugu Heng and bowed with a gentle smile. "Greetings, Big Brother Li."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Miss Tang need not be so formal. ... Brother Dugu has always boasted to me about how gentle, virtuous, and uniquely intelligent Miss Tang is, praising her beyond compare in this world. I initially thought he was blinded by infatuation, but seeing you now, I realize he wasn't exaggerating!"

Only the three of them were in the pavilion at this time. Feng Mingxue and Dugu Jinghua were conversing together elsewhere; they hadn't followed Li Muzhan because they felt awkward joining him, especially since Dugu Meng had mentioned whether Sister Feng was worried about Brother Li and wanted to keep a constant eye on him to prevent other women from stealing him away. Feng Mingxue's delicate face had flushed crimson, making her retreat from Li Muzhan's side.

Tang Tang blushed, lowering her head with a smile. "Big Brother Li flatters me; thank you for saving Heng Ge."

Li Muzhan waved his hand and laughed. "Brother Dugu and I share a deep bond, kindred spirits. Though not blood brothers, we are closer than true siblings. Miss Tang need not stand on ceremony."

Dugu Heng grinned widely. "Brother Li, you shouldn't be so distant either. Stop calling her Miss Tang; just call her Tang Tang." He was overjoyed by Li Muzhan's praise for Tang Tang, his smile stretching ear to ear.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Alright, I won't be distant. Then, Brother Dugu, tell me truthfully, who exactly attacked you?"

His smile slowly faded, his expression darkening, and a chilling aura permeated the air, making the atmosphere in the pavilion heavy.

Dugu Heng glanced at him, then at Tang Tang, and gave a wry smile. "I knew I couldn't hide it from Brother Li!"

"Was it someone from the Tang family?" Li Muzhan inquired.

Tang Tang widened her eyes at Li Muzhan. She had heard Dugu Heng praise him before, saying this Brother Li was truly a marvel—cultivation like the sea, wisdom like the abyss, a rare man in the world. She had secretly thought Heng Ge exaggerated, likely due to his good relationship with this Li Wuji, making him see everything favorably. Interacting with Li Muzhan for this short while—his smiling, gentle demeanor—he seemed ordinary. But this question instantly changed her impression of him.

"Alas—!" Dugu Heng nodded with a bitter smile. "Don't tell Aunt."

Li Muzhan frowned, glancing at Tang Tang. Dugu Heng quickly added, "It has nothing to do with Tang Tang; they acted covertly, keeping their identities hidden."

Li Muzhan shook his head... it couldn't possibly have nothing to do with her; without her, why would the Tang family resort to such measures?

"Who is the Young Master of the Zhu family?" Li Muzhan asked.

Dugu Heng replied, "Zhu Shiping."

Li Muzhan nodded slightly. "Draw me a portrait."

"Brother Li... what are you planning?" Dugu Heng was bewildered.

Li Muzhan stated, "I'm going to slaughter him, cutting off the Tang family's fantasies."

Tang Tang lowered her head. Dugu Heng quickly protested, "Forget it. The Zhu family is currently crazed and looking for you. If you go now, you're walking into a trap." Hiding here in the Dugu Residence, the Zhu family dared not attack, nor could they break in. With the Four Saint Monks guarding them, the estates of the Four Great Families were impregnable fortresses, achieving a stalemate.

Li Muzhan laughed. "I simply can't be bothered with them, nor do I wish to cause further slaughter and risk being nagged by my Senior Sister... You worry about the rest; first, we eliminate Zhu Shiping!"

Dugu Heng shook his head and sighed. "Brother Li, it's useless. Even if you eliminate Zhu Shiping, the Tang family won't agree."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Man proposes, God disposes. As long as one strives, there is always a chance... If the Zhu family declines, will the Tang family still be tied to them?"

Dugu Heng considered this and shook his head. "Hard to say. The Four Great Families cannot fall... The Ming Emperor once swore an oath: as long as the Chai family stands, the Four Great Families stand."

Li Muzhan said, "Enough talk. If I tell you to draw, then draw!"

Tang Tang whispered quietly, "Heng Ge, if you really kill Zhu Shiping, Father might..."

Dugu Heng shook his head helplessly. "Your stubborn father won't change his mind; he'd rather see you widowed than marry you to me!"

Tang Tang lowered her head and fell silent, her expression bleak. Dugu Heng quickly leaned close to comfort her, saying all the nice things he could think of, forgetting Li Muzhan was present.

Li Muzhan watched Dugu Heng with a sense of resignation. This sworn brother was deeply entangled and unable to extricate himself. This Tang Tang, who looked so delicate and pitiable, was clearly the one who held sway over Dugu Heng.

Dugu Heng sighed, stood up, and went to the writing desk. Tang Tang gracefully approached him, grinding ink for him, then picked up a brush from the rack and handed it to him. Dugu Heng took the brush and began to draw. A moment later, he put down the brush, blew gently on the paper, and examined his work, quite pleased. "Tang Tang, how is my painting?"

"Mm, very good," Tang Tang murmured with a slight smile of praise. Then she picked up a brush, touched the painting lightly, and Dugu Heng laughed. "Good! That stroke is wonderfully placed—it looks even more like him!"

He picked up the painting and handed it to Li Muzhan. Li Muzhan glanced at it, nodded. "Brother Dugu, what do you intend to do about this incident?"

"Pretend it never happened," Dugu Heng said helplessly, glancing at Tang Tang. Even though he was bashed senseless and nearly lost his life, what could they do when they were Tang Tang's family!

Li Muzhan raised his thumb. "You truly are a devoted fool!"

Dugu Heng blushed, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head. "This matter is impossible to handle; we can only play dumb. If we turn hostile..."

Li Muzhan conceded, "Fine, if that's the case, let it go. Don't all the Four Great Families possess an armor artifact? You had better wear one!"

"It's with Aunt," Dugu Heng replied.

Li Muzhan sighed helplessly. "That won't do. I have one; you wear mine for now."

"That's unacceptable!" Dugu Heng quickly waved his hands.

Li Muzhan insisted, "My inner armor isn't as good as that of the Four Great Families, but having something is better than nothing. If you had worn it this time, you wouldn't have been injured so severely!"

Dugu Heng shook his head repeatedly. "No, no! Brother Li, you are in greater danger than I am!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "What danger am I in hiding here? Besides, my ability to escape is far superior to yours!... Alright, be a man, stop dithering!"

Dugu Heng looked at him. Seeing his firm expression, he realized he couldn't refuse. He nodded. "Fine then, I'll wear yours first!"

Li Muzhan instructed, "Tang Tang, go tell my Senior Sister to send it over."

"Okay," Tang Tang smiled faintly and nodded, casting a look at Dugu Heng before rising gracefully to leave.

After she left the rear garden, Li Muzhan lowered his voice. "Brother Dugu, speak now... do you want me to go teach the Tang family a lesson?"

Dugu Heng waved his hands frantically. "Brother Li, please don't!"

Li Muzhan frowned. "The Tang family sees you as easy to bully, which is why they are so reckless. That heavy strike was clearly meant to take your life, and you've shown no reaction?"

Dugu Heng hurriedly explained, "Brother Li... if I turn into an enemy of the Tang family, Tang Tang will be stuck in the middle..."

Li Muzhan glared at him. "You only think of your Tang Tang! Constant yielding and tolerance will only make the Tang family look down on you more! Show some masculine spirit and give them a scare!... Don't worry, I won't kill anyone, just teach them a lesson!"

Dugu Heng shook his head and sighed. "Brother Li... perhaps we should drop it."

Li Muzhan frowned. "Brother Dugu, usually you have such presence, but now you've become soft. Listen to me!"

Dugu Heng grabbed Li Muzhan's arm. "Brother Li, Big Brother Li, I'm begging you!"

Seeing his anxious expression, Li Muzhan sighed resignedly. "You... loving a woman requires doting on her... but also requires proper methods and tactics!"

"Enough, Brother Li, stop boasting!" Dugu Heng released his arm and laughed. "Have you settled things with Miss Hai over there?"

Li Muzhan paused, then snorted. "I am talking about your business!"

Dugu Heng chuckled slyly. "If you can handle that situation... then I'll truly respect your methods. Otherwise, don't even compare yourself to me!"

Li Muzhan pointed at him, exasperated. "A dog's flesh can never make it to the main table. Forget it, I won't bother with you!"

Dugu Heng secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "I'll just endure a little longer. Once I achieve a few earth-shattering feats, Master Tang will surely agree!"

"Keep dreaming!" Li Muzhan pouted... picked up his wine cup, and drank it down in one gulp.

Tang Tang reappeared gracefully, her face pale, making her look even more delicate and lovely. She approached Li Muzhan and said softly, "Big Brother Li, some guests just arrived. Aunt asks you to come over."

Li Muzhan looked up and smiled. "What guests?"

Tang Tang replied, "It's my father, the Head of the Zhao family, and it seems... the Head of the Zhu family is here too."

"A Zhu dares to come!" Dugu Heng snorted. "Tang Tang, did your father see you?"

"Not yet; Xiao Xi intercepted me," Tang Tang shook her head, revealing a worried expression.

Li Muzhan mused. "It seems they're here to mediate over the Song family affair?" He set down his wine cup, slowly stood up. "I'll go take a look. Brother Dugu, you stay with Tang Tang; you don't need to come."

Dugu Heng replied, "Right, I won't go. Brother Li, be careful not to offend those two families."

Li Muzhan smiled and waved his hand, departing gracefully.

"Your Brother Li is quite remarkable!" Watching Li Muzhan's figure completely disappear, Tang Tang smiled faintly.