Zhu Lang glanced at Li Muchen, then at Dugu Jinghua, and sneered, "Miss Dugu certainly takes this young man to heart. No wonder..."

Li Muchen frowned: "Patriarch Zhu, say less! ............ Since the matter is settled, I won't see you out. You should attend to your own business!"

"Oh, the Master hasn't seen the guest off, and you're taking charge for him. It seems indeed..." Zhu Lang sneered.

Li Muchen shook his head and sighed: "A scoundrel like you deserves to be beaten to death. I won't see you out!"

He flicked his sleeve, and Zhu Lang shot into the air, roaring in anger, "Li—Wu—Ji—!" The sound faded into the distance as he was thrown outside the manor gates.

Tang Haoran's face darkened: "Young Hero Li..."

Li Muchen smiled: "Patriarch Tang, thank you for being the mediator. I hear the Tang family's influence is vast, even surpassing the Zhu family. I haven't had the chance to witness it firsthand; I must pay a visit when I have leisure!"

Tang Haoran frowned, pondered for a moment, and slowly nodded: "Good. It would be my honor if Young Hero Li deigns to visit!"

Li Muchen nodded secretly. It seemed that in the eyes of these four family heads, he was indeed worth taking seriously; a small gesture of goodwill could change their minds.

He glanced at Zhao Huairen, who had been sitting there calmly as if watching a play—this man also hid his depths and could not be taken lightly.

Among the four family heads, Zhu Lang was the most foolish. Killing Zhu Jun had been doing him, and the other three families, a favor.

The four families entangled each other, sometimes uniting, sometimes engaging in internal conflict. The complexity was dazzling to outsiders, but in the end, it all came down to profit.

There was no genuine affection between them, only gain. It wasn't that they were heartless; sitting in the position of Patriarch, they could only seek benefits for their families and speak of no sentimentality.

It was like a monarch; occupying that position meant there was no 'self,' only the chair they sat upon. Fulfilling the duties of that station, the four great families had no enemies and no friends. Their so-called alliances were merely for self-preservation—the Tang and Zhu families, the Dugu and Zhao families, all were the same.

Li Muchen turned to Dugu Jinghua: "Ninth Miss, since that is the case, I shall take my leave now. I have other guests waiting."

"Yes, Sir, please feel free," Dugu Jinghua smiled.

Tang Haoran rose following suit: "Miss Dugu, forgive our intrusion; I shall take my leave as well!"

"No need for a formal farewell." Dugu Jinghua nodded faintly, watching them depart the main hall.

Only Dugu Jinghua and Zhao Huairen remained in the hall. She rose and walked to the entrance. Li Muchen had already vanished. She watched the receding figure of Tang Haoran, frowning: "Uncle Zhao, what sort of scheme are they hatching?"

"Jinghua, that old Zhu had some perception, didn't he," Zhao Huairen chuckled.

Dugu Jinghua's pretty face flushed, and she quickly said: "Uncle Zhao, his words were pure nonsense, what perception! ... Why did the Zhu family suddenly show weakness?"

The Zhu family never suffered a loss; they possessed a certain ferocity. Once injured, they would seek retribution no matter the cost.

Zhao Huairen offered: "Perhaps it was Consort Zhu's idea."

"Hmph—?" Dugu Jinghua frowned: "What trick is Consort Zhu playing now?"

Zhao Huairen shook his head: "Consort Zhu's methods are masterful; we cannot discern them."

Dugu Jinghua slanted a look at him and said lightly: "Uncle Zhao, if others cannot see through Consort Zhu's methods, can you not? Tell me what you see."

"Little girl, teasing your Uncle Zhao!" Zhao Huairen shook his head and smiled at her.

Dugu Jinghua smiled: "Father once told me about your passionate history with Consort Zhu. A grand affair, but ultimately it didn't come to pass."

Zhao Huairen's smile remained, but he shook his head: "We can only blame fate. I was not born into the imperial family, and she willingly sacrificed herself for her clan; what could be done?"

"Alas............ You stirred up such a fuss back then, ending in regret. Xiao Heng, he..." She frowned, shook her head, and sighed: "I fear he might follow your old path!"

Zhao Huairen shook his head and sighed: "That fellow Old Tang dotes on his daughter; he won't send him into the palace. Besides, the Emperor wouldn't accept him."

"Indeed............" Dugu Jinghua nodded lightly and sighed: "If the Emperor hadn't made a discreet visit back then, he never would have met Consort Zhu. If it hadn't been love at first sight, he certainly wouldn't have taken women from our four families into the palace."

"His vigilance toward us grows deeper," Zhao Huairen sighed and shook his head: "Yao'er... Consort Zhu doesn't have an easy time either."

"With the Emperor's temper, how could he tolerate such things? Consort Zhu's life must be difficult. However, her skills are superb; you needn't worry too much, Uncle Zhao." Dugu Jinghua sighed.

Zhao Huairen said faintly: "She chose this path herself; what use is my worrying! ... Jinghua, you must not follow my old road."

"Uncle Zhao, why do you say that!" Dugu Jinghua's face reddened, exquisitely lovely.

Zhao Huairen said seriously: "This Li Wuji, so young yet possessing such cultivation—truly a genius rarely seen in a century. But figures like this are often unwilling to settle for mediocrity. Following him will bring too much suffering. Jinghua, you must use wisdom to sever the threads of affection; do not truly fall for him!"

"Uncle Zhao, you have misunderstood," Dugu Jinghua shook her head.

"I hope I have misunderstood," Zhao Huairen sighed: "Love is the most damaging thing; if you can avoid it, do so, and you will enjoy a carefree life!"

Dugu Jinghua said: "Uncle Zhao, I worry about Xiao Heng and Tang Tang. From Patriarch Tang's demeanor, he absolutely will not allow the two of them to be together!"

"That's not necessarily true," Zhao Huairen smiled and shook his head: "If it were before, Old Tang would single-mindedly marry his daughter into the Zhu family to maintain the relationship between the two houses. But now............"

Dugu Jinghua pondered: "Are you saying, now that the Zhu family is severely weakened, Patriarch Tang might have other ideas? He might allow Xiao Heng and Tang Tang to be together?"

Zhao Huairen stroked his beard and smiled: "Judging by Old Tang's style, he is certainly capable of that!"

Dugu Jinghua frowned, thought for a moment, and shook her head: "With Consort Zhu in place, the Zhu family will not fall. Patriarch Tang might not change his mind."

"We can only wait and see then," Zhao Huairen smiled: "No rush. Old Tang is cautious; he won't make a decision immediately............ Tell Li Wuji to be careful. If the Zhu family doesn't act, perhaps the Imperial Household's Grand Masters will be dispatched."

"...That is true," Dugu Jinghua nodded slowly.

When Li Muchen returned to the Water Pavilion, Feng Mingxue was already there. Seeing him, she immediately asked for details. Dugu Heng and Tang Tang were also staring at him.

Li Muchen recounted what happened. Feng Mingxue shook her head, sensing something was amiss; the Zhu family was unlikely to swallow such humiliation and might resort to other means.

Dugu Heng laughed: "The Zhu family actually knows how to back down. Truly satisfying!"

Tang Tang's delicate eyebrows were slightly knitted: "Brother Li, the Zhu family's methods are despicable. Just because they say they won't pursue the matter doesn't mean they will keep their word."

Li Muchen smiled: "I'll just stay put and see what methods they have."

Tang Tang pursed her lips and smiled: "Yes, as long as we are within the Dugu Manor... they can do nothing. Brother Li, please be careful and don't trust the Zhu family."

Li Muchen nodded and smiled: "I will be careful... But the matter of Zhu Shiping will have to be postponed; there is no immediate rush."

Dugu Heng hurriedly said: "Brother Li, no rush, no rush."

He was rather disappointed inwardly; he was actually anxious. If the obstacle to the Tang family's intentions wasn't removed, they would surely devise other schemes to separate him and Tang Tang.

But this was clearly not the time to go out... If he were injured because of it, his sin would be great.

Li Muchen stated: "Let's observe the Zhu family's situation first—whether they've simply lost their footing or if they have other intentions—then we'll decide how to respond. As for your matter with Tang Tang... I will do my best."

Dugu Heng laughed: "Knowing you say that, I am relieved. But just doing your best is enough."

He himself was struggling to handle his own affairs; how could he help him? This sentiment was kind, but one shouldn't hold too much hope.

Feng Mingxue asked: "Junior Brother, haven't you seen Sister Hai for a few days?"

Li Muchen slapped his forehead: "Look at me!"

These past few days he had been completely engrossed in treating Dugu Jinghua's injury, focusing entirely on it. After curing her, he worked on repairing things. Upon arriving at the Dugu Manor, he had been busy wrestling with the Danxin Iron Scroll, and he had truly forgotten to visit Hai Yulan.

Feng Mingxue gave him a look, muttering under her breath—this Junior Brother was truly fickle, forgetting Sister Hai so quickly! She must be terribly worried!

Seeing Feng Mingxue's exasperated look, Li Muchen scratched his head sheepishly and said helplessly: "I was truly caught up in the chaos and forgot. Senior Sister, I'll go now!"

"Go, go! Have a good talk with Sister Hai!" Feng Mingxue waved him off good-naturedly.

After he left, Dugu Heng asked: "Miss Feng, can Brother Li actually see Miss Hai?"

"Yes, he has a secret technique that allows him to meet Sister Hai," Feng Mingxue nodded slightly and smiled: "Tang Tang, have some more food."

Tang Tang nodded quickly and looked at her curiously: "Meeting at the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect?"

Feng Mingxue smiled: "Mm."

Tang Tang asked: "It's quite far from the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect, isn't it? How long will it take?"

Feng Mingxue pondered for a moment and shook her head: "I don't know either. About a day, I suppose."

"But it's not safe outside right now..." Tang Tang looked worried.

Feng Mingxue smiled: "Don't worry. If he doesn't want to be seen, no one can see him."

Dugu Heng scratched his head, envious: "Senior Fu can't stop him at all, can he!"

"Yes," Feng Mingxue nodded: "Senior Fu has been blocking him; it's not easy for him to make a trip, yet he enjoys it tirelessly. Men, honestly..."

She shook her head as she spoke.

Li Muchen returned to his small courtyard and first changed into a set of clothes. Dressed in a flowing azure robe, he suddenly drifted out of the Dugu Manor. Not far away, he abruptly vanished.

The Danxin Iron Scroll within the Dugu Manor suppressed his Grandmaster realm and interfered with his spirit. Although he could use the Great Teleportation technique, he feared any deviation, so using it outside was the better option.

"Hmph, you finally remembered to come over!" Hai Yulan lay on the couch, facing the wall with her back to him, refusing to acknowledge him.

Li Muchen sat on the edge of the couch, placing one hand on her fragrant shoulder, and smiled helplessly: "Yulan, I truly had matters to attend to, but I was wrong to not tell you beforehand."

"What matter?" Hai Yulan asked coldly.

Li Muchen sighed: "I got into a fight with the Zhu family."

"The Zhu family?!" Hai Yulan flipped over, sitting up. Her hair was messy, and she looked languid, yet there was an allure of delicate beauty that stirred Li Muchen's heart, making his eyes gleam.

Hai Yulan felt the warmth of his gaze and chided: "We're talking serious matters, how did you end up fighting the Zhu family?"

Li Muchen reached out, pulled her close, and kissed her fiercely. Hai Yulan struggled and writhed at first, lightly beating his back, but slowly she yielded.

After a while, when Li Muchen released her, her jade-like face was flushed crimson, her cherry lips swollen and full. The sight made him kiss her fiercely again.

"Stop fooling around, hurry and tell me the main business," Hai Yulan scolded, hitting his shoulder.

Her aggressive demeanor vanished, replaced by one of soft beauty, her eyes flowing with captivating charm.

Li Muchen recounted the entire incident. Hai Yulan frowned in thought, the previous softness and allure disappearing, replaced by a grave seriousness.

"Consort Zhu............" Hai Yulan mused: "So, if the Zhu family doesn't act directly, they plan to use the Imperial Household's Grand Masters to deal with you."

Li Muchen nodded: "Nine times out of ten. The Imperial Household's Grand Masters... ...."

"The Imperial Household's Grand Masters are not ordinary martial artists!" Hai Yulan said quickly: "You must not underestimate them. They are meticulously trained from childhood, possessing perfect elixirs and ultimate skills. Even the Four Great Families are inferior!"

Li Muchen laughed: "If they were so superior, why would they be so wary of the Four Great Families!"

Hai Yulan shook her head: "Their caution towards the Four Great Families must stem from something else, not just the masters... The Danxin Iron Scroll?"

"You mean the Danxin Iron Scroll hides other secrets?" Li Muchen raised an eyebrow.

Hai Yulan got up, left his embrace, stepped off the couch, poured him tea, and pondered: "The Danxin Iron Scroll must conceal a great secret."

"The Patriarchs of the Four Great Families might not know," Li Muchen shook his head.

Hai Yulan replied: "If they knew, it would invite disaster. Perhaps their ancestors didn't pass it down, or perhaps... it is hidden elsewhere, only revealed at a critical moment."

Li Muchen chuckled: "You certainly have an imagination."

Hai Yulan shook her head: "Actually, I have been researching the Four Great Families. Since you provoked Phoenix Island, I've had nothing to do here, so I studied the intelligence reports on the Four Great Families from our Sect."

"Your Sect has intelligence on the Four Great Families?" Li Muchen's brow twitched.

Hai Yulan replied: "Of course. Our intelligence is rich and highly accurate. In this regard, your Cloud Heaven Sect is far inferior to ours!"

Li Muchen nodded. The Cloud Heaven Sect had too few disciples, and most lived in seclusion on the Eighteen Islands, detached from the world and uninterested in worldly affairs, thus lacking intelligence.

Hai Yulan continued: "I believe the root of the Four Great Families lies in the Danxin Iron Scroll. The claim that it can restrain Grandmasters is definitely not an empty boast, otherwise the Four Great Families would have perished long ago!"

Li Muchen sighed: "The Danxin Iron Scroll can indeed restrain a Grandmaster; it brought me back to the Master realm."

Hai Yulan said: "The Danxin Iron Scroll is the root of the Four Great Families. Once it is lost, the families are finished too."

Li Muchen pondered: "The Royal Family would covet the Danxin Iron Scroll?"

Hai Yulan replied: "Each family has four High Monks guarding the Danxin Iron Scroll. I suspect there are secrets hidden within that protection as well."