Dugu Jinghua tightly pursed her red lips, her jade-like face darkening. She snorted, "Zhu Lang was just ambushed by a group of people."

"Is he dead?" Dugu Heng inquired.

Dugu Jinghua shook her head. "He sustained minor injuries..."

Dugu Heng cut her off immediately. "Truly, Heaven has no eyes! He didn't even die!"

Dugu Jinghua shot him an irritated look. "Whether he lives or dies makes no difference to us!"

"Then what is it that worries you, Aunt?" Dugu Heng asked, confused.

Dugu Jinghua huffed, "There were eight assassins in total, and every single one used the Xiaoyao Palm. Tell me, what do you think I'm worried about!"

"Xiaoyao Palm?!" Dugu Heng frowned.

Dugu Jinghua looked towards Li Muchen. "It seems Sir guessed correctly. It was the Imperial Guard! ... The Emperor's play here is far too clumsy!"

Li Muchen chuckled. "Too rushed?"

Dugu Jinghua snorted. "The gap between Heng's assassination attempt and Zhu Lang's is too short. How could we have time to react?!"

Li Muchen smiled and shook his head. "That's not necessarily true. What if you all thought of the same thing at the same time—simultaneously plotting to assassinate the other? ... Or perhaps Ninth Miss, your reaction was lightning-fast, and you retaliated immediately?"

Dugu Jinghua said, "How could such a coincidence happen?"

Li Muchen smiled. "The world is vast, full of odd coincidences. How can you definitively rule it out?"

Dugu Jinghua knitted her brows. "So you're saying we can't clear our names?"

Li Muchen shook his head. "This isn't a conspiracy; it's an open gambit. Truly brilliant. My compliments!"

Dugu Jinghua frowned, pondering a solution. Feng Mingxue was also thinking. Dugu Heng scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Brother Li, what do you suggest we do?"

Li Muchen replied, "One soft approach, one hard one. For the soft approach, go tell Zhu Lang, explain things—or perhaps invite him over to see the evidence. As for the hard approach, we simply ignore it."

Dugu Heng looked at Dugu Jinghua. "Aunt, should we go talk to Zhu Lang?"

Dugu Jinghua mused, "Zhu Lang might not understand! ... He won't believe the Emperor would move against the Zhu family. He'll think we fabricated this!"

"Then we deal with him!" Dugu Heng huffed. "If he's really that foolish, why be polite?"

Dugu Jinghua said, "We don't fear the Zhu family, but a fight won't benefit us either. The Zhu family is no pushover, and the Tang and Zhao families would surely seize the chance to stab us in the back, not to mention the Royal Clan getting involved!"

"...Then what do we do?" Dugu Heng asked.

Dugu Jinghua declared, "I'll go make a trip myself!"

"Aunt, absolutely not!" Dugu Heng quickly shook his head. "That fellow Zhu Lang is impulsive and reckless. He might lash out in a fit of rage!"

Dugu Jinghua stated firmly, "He wouldn't dare."

Dugu Heng just kept shaking his head, refusing to agree.

Li Muchen interjected, "Ninth Miss, I will accompany you."

Dugu Jinghua shook her head. "If Sir comes, won't that look like a threat?"

Li Muchen smiled. "I can conceal my true appearance; they likely won't recognize me. But I cannot feel at ease with Ninth Miss going alone."

Dugu Heng immediately nodded his approval. "With Brother Li accompanying you, I am also relieved!"

"...Then I must trouble you, Sir!" Dugu Jinghua nodded and smiled.

Dugu Jinghua left the Dugu Residence without any guards, accompanied only by Li Muchen. She wore a deep black long robe that made her flawless jade face appear even brighter.

Li Muchen, meanwhile, wore a flowing azure gown. His chin was adorned with a three-strand long beard, and his eyebrows were frosted white, giving him the appearance of a scholarly man in his late forties or early fifties, yet his bearing was astonishing, like a surging, furious ocean wave.

Not long after they left the compound, Li Muchen suddenly frowned. Dugu Jinghua noticed his change in expression. "Sir, what is it?"

Li Muchen murmured, "Someone is concealed nearby."

"Is it someone from the Zhu family?" Dugu Jinghua asked.

Li Muchen pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Not necessarily the Zhu family. Perhaps Imperial Guard experts... The crucial thing is there is no one visible around—it's just my intuition!"

Dugu Jinghua considered it, then shook her head. "It might be a Zhu family master. Let's watch for now."

Li Muchen slowly nodded, his face grim. He did not turn his head to look around, but his spirit grew tense, tightening steadily—he faintly detected an aura of danger.

This sensation was subtle, almost imperceptible; others might dismiss it as delusion or overreaction, but he was absolutely certain, frowning deeply.

This feeling indicated someone was plotting against him, requiring caution, but they hadn't revealed themselves yet; otherwise, he would have seen them using his Void Eye.

He took a deliberate step forward, moving in front of Dugu Jinghua. She watched him, said nothing more, and followed quietly at his side toward the Zhu Mansion.

As she walked, she mentally rehearsed her words, considering how best to move Zhu Lang. Zhu Lang, by nature, was straightforward, artless, and enjoyed indulging in rash bravery and contests of honor.

To sway Zhu Lang, she first needed to show weakness, using softness to overcome hardness. If they confronted him head-on, a fight would inevitably erupt. A short-sighted fellow like Zhu Lang cared little for the bigger picture, focusing only on reputation and pride, refusing to tolerate contradiction.

Being a woman, showing weakness was not difficult for her; in fact, it was a strength. However, Zhu Lang might not easily believe the Dugu family was innocent of this affair.

But perhaps he didn't need to believe it completely. As long as she offered him a clear path to retreat, he wouldn't act. Given the Zhu family's current strength, they were far inferior to the Dugu family; initiating a war would only result in losses.

Yet, if he harbored the idea of borrowing troops from the Royal Clan, the outcome would be unpredictable. Therefore, this trip was essential—she had to placate Zhu Lang properly.

"Halt!" Li Muchen let out a soft cry. She was lost in thought and was caught completely off guard when he suddenly stopped, causing her to bump into his back.

Li Muchen's vital energy instantly washed over her chest. She quickly checked herself and asked, her face flushed, "Sir, what is it?"

Li Muchen whispered low, "There is something amiss ahead. We cannot proceed!"

Dugu Jinghua murmured back, "Is it an ambush?"

Li Muchen nodded. "Precisely. Let's take a detour!"

Dugu Jinghua agreed without hesitation. "I shall follow your instructions!"

Li Muchen suddenly encircled her soft waist, and in a flash, they vanished from their spot, reappearing on a rooftop ten zhang away. Just as they disappeared, four elderly men in black robes drifted into view, looking left and right, their eyes flashing with cold menace.

Enveloped by Li Muchen's aura, Dugu Jinghua felt a flush spread through her body. She narrowed her eyes slightly, looked toward the men, then frowned and shook her head.

Li Muchen knew she was assessing these masters. Judging by her expression, they were not from the Zhu family.

After glancing around, the four elders finally drifted away. Li Muchen turned back. "They aren't from the Zhu family?"

"No," Dugu Jinghua confirmed. "I know all the Zhu family masters by sight; these are not their disciples."

Li Muchen raised an eyebrow slightly. "You remember them all?"

Dugu Jinghua smiled. "I still have some skills of my own. I have portraits of all the Zhu family experts and have memorized them. These are not them."

"It seems they must be the Imperial Guard experts," Li Muchen sighed.

Dugu Jinghua's delicate face grew solemn. Though she suspected it, seeing it firsthand was chilling. After a moment of silence, she sighed, "Are they really from the Imperial Guard?"

Li Muchen replied, "Since they aren't Zhu family and they wield the Shenlong Hand, they must be Imperial Guard experts. Forget it; we'll just avoid them."

"Sir doesn't wish to strike them down?" Dugu Jinghua asked.

Li Muchen shook his head. "Seeking temporary satisfaction only invites endless trouble. This Emperor is not a simple man to deal with; it's best not to provoke him."

Beneath the surface, his killing intent surged, but the suppression of the Sacred Artifact held everything back. Once he could break that suppression, he could enter the Imperial Palace and slay the Emperor himself to exact revenge. For now, however, compliance was necessary; circumstances dictated humility.

"Sir is truly rare," Dugu Jinghua sighed.

Having reached his height of martial prowess at such a young age, it was easy to become arrogant, especially unable to stomach humiliation. Yet Li Muchen endured the insult without changing his expression, mastering his spirit—this was truly extraordinary.

Li Muchen gave a wry smile. "If not for myself, I must endure this for the sake of the sect."

One must bear burdens and endure disgrace; this was an immutable principle. A little personal slight meant little, as he wasn't some pampered young master or lady. Suffering humiliation was inevitable in life.

However, the thought of revenge burned within him, and he constantly sought a path to increase his strength without success. Dugu Jinghua said, "Few can achieve this level of restraint... Shall we continue on?"

"Good." Li Muchen nodded, gathering her slender waist, and they floated up, taking a wide detour until they finally reached the front of the Zhu Mansion.

Four hulking men stood by the stone lions, glaring watchfully. Seeing Dugu Jinghua and Li Muchen, their eyes brightened, and they glared harder, hands resting on their sabers.

Li Muchen stated firmly, "Kindly announce our arrival. Dugu Jinghua wishes to speak with the Head of the Zhu Family."

"...Wait a moment," a shrewd-looking middle-aged man stated solemnly.

Normally, they would have simply turned visitors away; the Zhu Mansion was not a place just anyone could enter. But seeing Dugu Jinghua's distinguished bearing, and knowing her surname, they vaguely guessed her identity and dared not slight her.

In recent years, the Dugu family had gradually ascended to the position of the foremost among the Four Great Families, growing ever more prosperous.

Moments later, a middle-aged man walked slowly forward, followed by eight black-robed elders, his expression grave. He arrived at the main gate, cupped his fists, and bowed. "For Miss Dugu to grace us with your presence, we failed to welcome you properly!"

Li Muchen assessed the man. He had a distinguished appearance, though his complexion was dark, making him slightly inferior to Zhu Lang in looks, but his composed demeanor suggested he was not to be underestimated.

Dugu Jinghua returned the gesture with cupped fists. "Fourth Master Zhu, how is the Head of the Family?"

Fourth Master Zhu said faintly, "I thank Miss Dugu for your concern. The Head of the Family is unharmed. Miss Dugu must be quite disappointed?"

Dugu Jinghua shook her head and sighed. "Just now, Xiao Heng and Tang Tang were attacked simultaneously, struck by your esteemed household's Shenlong Hand, and nearly lost their lives. Before I could react, I heard the Head of the Zhu Family was attacked. This incident is too bizarre. Did the Head of the Family perhaps sustain injuries from the Xiaoyao Palm?"

"...Indeed!" Fourth Master Zhu slowly nodded.

Dugu Jinghua declared, "I believe someone is intentionally stirring up trouble, fanning the flames from the shadows!"

"Who?" Fourth Master Zhu frowned.

He had also received the news and sensed the strangeness. Since the Head of the Family, Zhu Lang, was still unconscious, no action had been taken. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If the Head of the Family had been awake, no matter the message, he would have caused an uproar immediately.

Dugu Jinghua pointed toward the north and sighed. "No one outside our two households understands the secret martial arts of both. I wish to visit the Head of the Zhu Family to discuss what should be done."

"The Head of the Family is still indisposed; perhaps another day," Fourth Master Zhu replied.

Dugu Jinghua nodded. "This matter must be investigated thoroughly. On my way here, I also encountered an ambush, which I managed to evade in advance. Fourth Master Zhu and the Head of the Family must be cautious when leaving the residence again."

Saying this, she did not enter but cupped her fists in farewell and departed.