Li Muzhan let out a sigh and pondered, "How about this: we have a literary contest. I make one move; if you can take it, then we'll spar." As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a branch from a tree twenty feet away flew over.

Li Muzhan gave it a gentle flick, making a lazy gesture as if a child were wildly waving something around. Li Muzhan smiled, "If Young Master Tang can withstand this single strike, then it won't be too late for you to challenge me." He tossed the branch lightly, and it fell back to its original spot.

With a sharp chi whistle, a deep gully, nearly ten feet long, suddenly appeared on the ground, as if plowed by an iron share. The crowd was startled.

The blade energy erupted only after the branch was thrown, clearly having been suppressed before being released casually. This level of mastery and control was something no ordinary person could achieve; they privately admitted they couldn't manage it.

Tang Tianming's expression shifted slightly. He looked at Li Muzhan, then at the trench in the ground, taking a deep breath, "Well spoken.

Your reputation is indeed deserved!" Li Muzhan smiled, "Young Master Tang flatters me; it is merely a trivial skill. If Young Master Tang is interested, practice for a few years and then come find me!" Tang Tianming felt a choke in his chest, a surge of anger nearly rushing to the crown of his head, but he forcefully suppressed it.

Li Muzhan's words clearly implied he was not yet worthy of a direct fight; if he wanted to fight, he should go practice diligently for a few years before returning. The dismissiveness in those words infuriated him.

Since childhood, no one had dared to treat him with such contempt; this was truly too much! Li Muzhan smiled faintly, "Young Master Tang, I won't see you out." Tang Tianming gritted his teeth and snorted, "I am staying with my sister, I won't leave!" Li Muzhan's eyebrows twitched slightly.

He let out an "Oh," surprised that this fellow possessed such a thick skin—truly rare and worthy of respect. To withstand such a blow and still remain composed after being mocked showed remarkable psychological fortitude; worthy of being a disciple of a renowned family.

Tang Tang quickly intervened, "Big Brother, don't say another word!" Tang Tianming said angrily, "I can't be bothered to talk more. You all just leave me be!" Dugu Heng laughed, "Brother Tang, please have a seat.

We are friends forged through conflict. Fishing, fishing—I shall ask for your guidance another day!" He felt a pang of guilt.

If Brother Li hadn't helped just now, he certainly wouldn't have triumphed over Tang Tianming. As the fight began, he heard Brother Li's voice offering aid.

Then, without giving him a chance to refuse, an influx of profound internal energy, like a warm spring, poured into his body, instantly revitalizing him and doubling his internal strength. Crucially, this surge of internal energy showed no signs of spiraling out of control; it remained entirely within his command.

Otherwise, the deception would have been exposed, and Tang Tianming would have seen through the truth. Tang Tianming shot Dugu Heng a resentful glare, then sullenly returned to his original spot.

Li Muzhan smiled and sat down too, resuming the fishing. Tang Tianming then settled down, keeping quiet, his ambition temporarily shelved.

His ability to yield and recover earned Li Muzhan a few more appreciative glances. However, considering that he had once led the charge to attack Dugu Heng, and seeing Dugu Heng's expression suggested he held no grudge against Li Muzhan, Li Muzhan was disinclined to interfere further.

It was family business, after all. The group sat there fishing from morning till noon.

Tang Tang preferred tranquility, as did Feng Mingxue. Dugu Heng, with Tang Tang by his side, was oblivious to everything else.

Li Muzhan also preferred quiet activity over restless movement. Only Tang Tianming, who craved action but lacked the confidence, was forced to forcibly suppress his agitation, sitting rigidly by the water.

He channeled his frustration into his fishing rod, but thanks to Li Muzhan's trickery, he didn't catch a single fish. Li Muzhan caught one after another, but instead of reeling them in, he let them go directly.

Only Dugu Heng fished earnestly, catching over a dozen. Then he built a fire and started roasting the fish.

Once a skewer was ready, he offered it first to Feng Mingxue, then to Tang Tang, then to Tang Tianming, and finally to Li Muzhan and himself. Li Muzhan sat to one side.

Tang Tianming, unable to vent his anger, could only eat in silence, converting his fury into fuel, consuming one fish after another. Li Muzhan shook his head and murmured with mock resignation, "He can't catch fish, yet he eats this much.

People..." Tang Tianming glared at him resentfully but stopped eating. Dugu Heng breathed a sigh of relief; his roasting efforts hadn't been quite enough for Tang Tianming's appetite.

After everyone had eaten their fill and rested for a while, the sun was high overhead, making them feel drowsy. Dugu Heng suggested returning to rest at the Dugu Residence, and everyone agreed.

Though Tang Tianming curled his lip in disdain, he made no objection. Li Muzhan's gaze occasionally swept over him, causing him to shiver inwardly.

He wasn't a fool; he knew he couldn't catch a single fish because of Li Muzhan. Moreover, he felt occasional palpitations.

He finally realized how far behind he was—like a lamb before a fierce tiger, utterly incapable of resistance. It was better to be obedient than to invite further humiliation.

As the group rose to leave, the moment they entered the woods, Li Muzhan suddenly held up a hand. Feng Mingxue quickly pulled Tang Tang back, and Dugu Heng stopped upon seeing this.

Li Muzhan waved them still, frowning intently at the depths of the forest ahead. "Junior Brother?" Feng Mingxue whispered.

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Sister, do you sense anything?" "Sense what?" Feng Mingxue frowned and asked. After carefully feeling the surroundings, she shook her head; her intuition told her nothing was amiss, that they were safe.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Something is wrong." Tang Tianming seized the opportunity to sneer, "Li Wuji, why aren't you moving?" Li Muzhan frowned in thought, "Senior Sister, all of you stay put. I'll go check ahead." "...Be careful then," Feng Mingxue nodded softly.

She trusted Li Muzhan's intuition. Furthermore, as a Grandmaster, he possessed a divine, perceptive intuition capable of foreseeing danger.

It was precisely because he felt no danger that they had dared to venture out today; otherwise, they would have remained hidden within the Dugu Residence. Li Muzhan turned, "Brother Dugu, Tang Tang, stay close to my Senior Sister!" "Brother Li, what's happening?" Dugu Heng inquired.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "I don't know yet. I just feel something isn't right.

It might be directed at me. Don't follow me for now!" Dugu Heng asked, "Is it the Zhu family?" Li Muzhan shook his head, "Unclear.

Perhaps I'm mistaken." Dugu Heng showed concern, "Then Brother Li, you must be extremely careful. If the Zhu family truly means to assassinate you, they must be confident!" Li Muzhan laughed, "I know.

You look after Tang Tang." "Alright, don't worry," Dugu Heng nodded. Tang Tang murmured softly, "Big Brother Li, be careful." Li Muzhan smiled at the others, completely ignoring Tang Tianming, and turned, gracefully gliding forward.

In a flash, he vanished into the depths of the forest. "Whoosh—!" "Whoosh—!" Suddenly, several sharp whistles echoed from ahead, strange sounds like arrows piercing the air.

Feng Mingxue's expression changed slightly, yet she remained composed, her bright eyes sweeping the surroundings, a faint aura of authority emanating from her. "Ha!

An ambush indeed!" Tang Tianming laughed loudly, drawing angry glares from the others. Dugu Heng had always been respectful to him, partly out of consideration for Tang Tang.

Even when Tang Tianming brought men to attack him, Dugu Heng hadn't wanted to press the issue, lest Tang Tang be caught in the middle. But this single laugh completely enraged him, and sharp light instantly burst from his eyes.

"Don't move," Feng Mingxue said calmly. Her gaze was cold, her demeanor steady.

She said faintly, "Young Master, Tang Tang, be on guard!" Brushed by Feng Mingxue's chilling look, Tang Tianming shivered inwardly, secretly acknowledging her formidable power. He knew she was a disciple of the Yunxiao Sect, highly skilled in the Sword Art, and not to be provoked.

Dugu Heng whispered, "Miss Feng, Brother Li... he's..." Feng Mingxue shook her head faintly, "If Junior Brother is overwhelmed, us going there will be useless—just an encumbrance." Dugu Heng sighed and nodded, feeling rather dejected.

"I'm truly useless; all my practice means nothing if I can't help Brother Li!" "No one can handle him," Feng Mingxue stated. Her tone was light and her voice placid, as if stating an established, certain fact.

Among them, only she knew Li Muzhan was a Grandmaster. The others, unaware, couldn't help but worry.

Tang Tang clutched her arm, staring tensely into the distant woods. "Woo-woo-woo-woo..." The sharp whistles sounded one after another, indicating the fierce battle raging in the distance.

Dugu Heng longed to rush over and see what was happening, but he couldn't risk Tang Tang's safety. Suddenly, Feng Mingxue said, "Let's go.

We'll return from here!" Dugu Heng hurried to ask, "Miss Feng, aren't we waiting for Brother Li?" "He left first; there's no need to wait for him!" Feng Mingxue said, frowning as she glanced toward the distant woods, where faint "woo-woo" sounds still occasionally drifted. "This..." Dugu Heng hesitated.

He could tell the fighting was still ongoing; clearly, Li Muzhan was embroiled in a bitter struggle, yet they were to leave first. Though he knew it was the wise choice, it felt wrong, like abandoning a comrade to flee.

Feng Mingxue said, "If we leave, he will have no distractions to worry about!" "Good!" Dugu Heng said in a deep voice. Tang Tianming tried to speak, but a faint glance from Feng Mingxue caused him to swallow his words.

He followed Feng Mingxue, moving gracefully back, then stepped across the river to the other side, following the riverbank west toward the city. Feng Mingxue, holding Tang Tang, moved with surprising speed.

The two men had to exert themselves to their utmost to keep pace with her steps. Even after entering the city, Feng Mingxue didn't slow down, weaving through the crowds like a swimming fish until they reached the Dugu Residence.

She stopped only after entering the back courtyard, setting Tang Tang down. She whispered, "You all wait here.

I need to go somewhere." Tang Tang quickly asked, "Sister Feng, are you going to find Big Brother Li?" Feng Mingxue nodded, "He has encountered a formidable foe. I need to go see." Tang Tang suggested, "Should we send some experts along?

More hands make light work!" Feng Mingxue shook her head and sighed, "It won't help. I'm going." Just as she turned to leave, she paused immediately.

"Senior Brother is back!" Her figure flashed like a streak of light, vanishing instantly. The three of them exchanged bewildered looks.

Dugu Heng quickly said, "Brother Li is back! Let's go see!" Feng Mingxue arrived at Li Muzhan's small courtyard and entered the room directly.

She saw Li Muzhan sitting cross-legged on his couch, three arrows deeply embedded in his chest. "Junior Brother!" Feng Mingxue gasped, hurrying forward.

Li Muzhan opened his eyes and smiled wryly, "Senior Sister, I was careless!" "How could this be?" Feng Mingxue looked at him in disbelief. She found it impossible to believe that anyone in the world could manage to hit him with an arrow, let alone penetrate his defenses, given his lightness skill and acute senses—even a flying sword couldn't touch him.

Li Muzhan shook his head, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and managed a bitter smile, "Careless. There are many strange artifacts in this world, and these arrows are one kind." Feng Mingxue stepped forward to gently support him, lowering her head to examine the arrows.

These arrows were different from ordinary ones: pitch black without the slightest sheen. Touching them lightly, they felt like iron, yet were not wood, possessing a special material.

These three arrows were small and exquisitely crafted, looking more like works of art than lethal weapons, yet they had pierced through her Junior Brother's chest. She quickly moved to support his back, channeling a surge of internal energy into him, only to feel his own internal energy rapidly depleting.

Fortunately, he possessed a unique skill that allowed him to replenish his power at will. Li Muzhan shook his head, "It's nothing serious; I won't die yet." "Senior Brother, what should we do?

Should we pull them out?" Feng Mingxue asked urgently. Li Muzhan smiled, "I'll circulate my energy to force them out.

The arrows are poisoned; pulling them out would allow the poison to spread completely. Truly vicious arrows!" As he spoke, he closed his eyes again.

Feng Mingxue took a deep breath, walked outside, and stopped the three people who were entering the courtyard. "Miss Feng, is Brother Li...?" Dugu Heng asked anxiously, his breathing heavy.

Feng Mingxue said, "He sustained minor injuries, nothing serious. He's treating them now...

We shouldn't disturb him." "Is Brother Li's injury really not severe?" Dugu Heng pressed. Feng Mingxue smiled faintly, "It's fine.

Let's go outside." Tang Tianming blurted out, "He didn't die, did he?" Feng Mingxue frowned and said coolly, "Does Young Master wish my Junior Brother dead?" Tang Tianming snorted, "Of course! ...But as the saying goes, good men don't live long, while scourges last a millennium.

He probably won't die that easily!" "Bi—g Bro—ther—!" Tang Tang stomped her foot, admonishing him, "Look at the time! You're still joking!" Tang Tianming asked, "Did the Zhu family injure him?

Does the Zhu family have that capability?" Feng Mingxue said faintly, "Everyone, let's go out. We will discuss the details tonight after Junior Brother has healed." The three withdrew from Li Muzhan's courtyard and waited in the waterside pavilion in the rear garden.

Dugu Jinghua also rushed over and waited with them. Dugu Jinghua merely glanced at Tang Tianming once, then looked away.

Though Tang Tianming might speak disrespectfully to Dugu Jinghua behind his back, the moment they met, he became immediately compliant, afraid to speak loudly. Dugu Jinghua radiated an inexplicable majesty that commanded respect without anger, making people feel suffocated.

He recognized this same aura from his father, which left him with lingering trauma. The wait felt like an eternity.

Dugu Jinghua, despite his duties, didn't leave, sitting beside Feng Mingxue and watching the sun slowly drift from its zenith toward the west. As sunset neared, Dugu Jinghua couldn't help but speak, "If the Zhu family truly did this, I will never let them off lightly.

The dignified Four Great Families cannot go back on their word." Feng Mingxue said, "It's likely connected to the Zhu family, but Junior Brother hasn't specified exactly who did it." As they were speaking, Li Muzhan, clad in a flowing azure robe, suddenly appeared. In a few steps, he reached the pavilion, glanced at everyone, and laughed, "Everyone has gathered!" "Junior Brother, are you alright now?" Feng Mingxue looked him up and down.

Li Muzhan laughed, "I can't die yet." Dugu Jinghua also stared intently at him, assessing him, and then breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good. Sir, what kind of people did you encounter?" Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, "I really failed this time.

There were six old monks and six old men, each armed with a crossbow of terrifying power!" "Monks? Crossbows—?" Feng Mingxue frowned and pondered, "Could they be experts from the Imperial Guards?...

What about the arrows?" Li Muzhan pulled one from his robe and handed it over. The shaft was no longer stained with his blood; it was pitch black, completely unremarkable save for its delicate craftsmanship.

"Po Shen Arrows!" Dugu Jinghua’s jade-like face darkened. (To be continued)