Dugu Jinghua stared at the black arrow embedded in his chest, her tender lips trembling slightly. She bit down with her jade teeth before she could speak, "Sir, your...

your injury...?" Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, reaching out to touch her fair cheek. "It's nothing serious, I won't die.

You've taken an arrow once before, have you forgotten?" "The God-Shattering Arrow! The Emperor is too cruel!" Dugu Jinghua bit her petal-like lips, hating him fiercely.

"To use the God-Shattering Arrow against me!" Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "I was careless this time." He gestured toward his embrace.

Dugu Jinghua, understanding his intent instantly, reached into his arms and retrieved a small, square box, no bigger than a thumb. It looked ancient, its material indeterminate, yet so plain and unadorned that it easily went unnoticed.

"What is this...?" Dugu Jinghua asked, holding it up. Li Muzhan replied, "Open it and take out what's inside." Dugu Jinghua obeyed and opened the small casket.

Inside rested a single, translucent bead, the size of a dragon's eye, resembling amber in its clarity. "What is this?" Dugu Jinghua gasped, lifting it into her palm.

A gentle warmth immediately radiated outward, traveling from her hand, up her arm, and settling directly into her mind. Instantly, her thoughts became clear and serene, her entire being filled with profound peace and a hint of quiet joy.

She knew instantly it was a treasure beyond compare. Li Muzhan explained, "This is a Sarira.

It's for suppressing one's vital energy. Otherwise, they would have tracked us here." "They’ll pursue us again?" Dugu Jinghua scoffed.

"Failing one assassination attempt, they are determined to kill me?" Li Muzhan smiled thinly. "It seems the Emperor is truly desperate this time, willing to strike lethally.

I wonder about the Patriarch and the others; I wonder if the Emperor will..." "Surely not?" Dugu Jinghua's expression shifted slightly. Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed.

"The Emperor's mind is rarely decipherable by common folk. What we see as madness, the Emperor considers perfectly reasonable, treating people as less than human." Dugu Jinghua frowned.

"I think you worry too much, Sir. No matter how frantic the Emperor becomes, he wouldn't stoop to such acts.

This is truly too much." Li Muzhan shook his head, letting out a breath. "I pray my foresight is wrong." "Sir, why must you involve yourself so deeply!" Dugu Jinghua sighed softly, offering the Sarira back to Li Muzhan as she stared at the black arrow in his chest, her eyes rimming red.

Li Muzhan smiled, accepting the Sarira and tucking it into his robes. "I am tough enough to take a blow; your frame is too delicate, I fear you couldn't bear it.

Alright, I must remove the arrow now." "Let me do it," Dugu Jinghua offered, extending her jade-like hand. Her eyes flowed with emotion, her movements delicate and soft.

This arrow was one Li Muzhan had taken for her; she was simultaneously moved and captivated, her heart sweet with affection yet heavy with worry, aching to rush into his arms but restraining herself fiercely because of his injury. Li Muzhan shifted slightly, evading her hand.

"The arrow is poisoned. Find something to use as padding." "Poisoned?!" Dugu Jinghua’s face changed color.

Li Muzhan assured her, "It's fine, as long as the arrow comes out." Dugu Jinghua grabbed her sleeve, tearing off a strip to cover the shaft, then gripped it firmly, looking at him intently. "Sir, how many of them were there in total?" Li Muzhan pondered.

"Six in all: three crossbowmen and three monks. The monks from Tianwang Temple carried sacred artifacts that masked my senses." "They resort to this trick because they know you are a Grandmaster!" Dugu Jinghua snorted.

Li Muzhan chuckled lightly, and a spurt of blood shot out, splashing onto Dugu Jinghua. She didn't dodge, her hand already closing around the dull, lightless long arrow.

She took advantage of Li Muzhan speaking to pull it out without warning, intending to spare him the agony of tensing his muscles against the pain. Li Muzhan merely flinched once, like a mosquito bite.

Dugu Jinghua's expression tightened as she examined the black arrow. Bits of flesh clung to the shaft; the arrow was venomously designed—easy to enter, difficult to withdraw, inflicting tearing wounds on both entry and exit.

Regardless of the angle of removal, a layer of flesh would be scraped away. "Sir..." she looked at him with pain etched on her face.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "I have medicine in my robes." Dugu Jinghua quickly retrieved several small porcelain bottles from his embrace.

Li Muzhan directed, "The red ones." Dugu Jinghua hurriedly opened a small red bottle. Inside was a pinkish paste.

She carefully smeared some onto Li Muzhan's chest. Li Muzhan exhaled deeply; a cooling sensation spread from the wound.

Seeing the gash in his chest, through which one could glimpse his internal organs, Dugu Jinghua could hold back her tears no longer; they began to stream down her cheeks. Li Muzhan smiled gently.

"It’s nothing. A superficial wound.

I need to circulate my energy now. Help me stand guard; I don't believe anyone can track us here." "Yes," Dugu Jinghua nodded quickly.

Li Muzhan settled into a cross-legged position on the ground. A radiant, clear moon materialized behind his head.

Dugu Jinghua stared, astonished by the divine spectacle, which momentarily eased the guilt and anxiety in her heart. Li Muzhan's Xiangshen (Manifested Body) had not yet fully recovered from its previous exertion, but this God-Shattering Arrow was exceptionally vicious, draining the Xiangshen's power once more to slowly replenish the flesh.

However, the Xiangshen's restorative speed was incredibly fast; at this rate, the wound would scab over within a day, allowing him to move freely even if not fully healed. As he concentrated on his internal circulation, his expression suddenly changed subtly, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"What is it, Sir?" Dugu Jinghua asked quickly. Li Muzhan stated, "Something is happening with Brother Dugu!...

No, I must go and see!" "Little Heng's side?" Dugu Jinghua's face paled instantly. "Could your prediction be true?

Is the Emperor launching a full-scale massacre?" Li Muzhan nodded. "Highly likely.

I'll take you with me!" "But Sir, your injury..." Dugu Jinghua glanced at his chest. A thin membrane had already formed, but the sight was still terrifying.

He couldn't possibly engage in combat in this state. Li Muzhan declared, "There's no time to worry about that now.

I can forcibly suppress the wound." Without waiting for Dugu Jinghua's reply, he hooked his arm around her slender waist, flashed, and vanished from the spot. They reappeared inside the Dugu Residence.

Within the great hall, Dugu Heng was holding Dugu Jue, loudly calling out, "Father!" Li Muzhan’s face was grim. Dugu Jinghua rushed over.

"Little Heng, what happened?!" The hall showed no signs of a struggle, only Dugu Heng clinging to Dugu Jue and shouting, while blood soaked the carpet beneath Dugu Jue, emitting a pungent, metallic scent. Dugu Heng looked up, his eyes wide with shock, and quickly cried out, "Brother Li, quickly save my father!" Li Muzhan nodded, approached, and took a quick look.

Dugu Jue’s face was as pale as paper, his eyes dim, his breathing ragged. Blood welled from his mouth, making a guttural 'huk-huk' sound—he tried to speak but couldn't, only staring fixedly at Dugu Jinghua.

Dugu Jinghua nodded toward her elder brother. "Big Brother, rest assured, I will protect Little Heng!" Dugu Jue's eyes briefly brightened, and he nodded once before his body began to tremble violently.

Dugu Heng cried out, "Father! Father!" Li Muzhan said in a deep voice, "Set him down, I will try." Dugu Heng nodded frantically.

"Brother Li, you must save my father!" Dugu Jinghua turned to look at him worriedly. "Sir, your injury..." Li Muzhan shook his head.

"Given the circumstances, I can only try my utmost. I fear I cannot complete the cure perfectly; we must leave the rest to fate and human effort!" "Your injury...

it's not too severe, is it?" Dugu Jinghua asked. Li Muzhan assured her, "I won't die.

You two step back and ensure no one disturbs us." Dugu Heng knew Li Muzhan's capabilities; seeing him agree to help eased his anxiety by half. He quickly set down Dugu Jue and positioned himself at the hall entrance.

Dugu Jue was now motionless. Dugu Jinghua watched, her expression sorrowful.

Li Muzhan closed his eyes to focus his breath, slowly raising both hands to form dozens of intricate hand seals in the air, tracing a path from above his head down toward his Dantian. Then, he formed his right hand into a sword shape with fingers pressed together and gently pointed toward Dugu Jue.

His movements were slow, and with every finger strike, there was a faint sound of wind and thunder, seeming to emanate from a remote void yet strangely near—the scene was bizarre. With each finger Li Muzhan pointed, his own complexion grew paler.

After the fourth strike, the bloodstain on his chest expanded and began to seep out anew. Dugu Jinghua watched him anxiously.

Seeing his pallor and the flowing blood, she felt the pain as if it were her own, longing to trade places with him. Dugu Heng, with his back to Li Muzhan, also noticed the wound on his back.

He looked back with apology but kept his mouth shut; despite Li Muzhan being injured, his father’s life was hanging by a thread. Threads of white mist began to drift slowly from Li Muzhan's hair.

Initially sluggish like sleeping snakes, they soon grew in number and speed until they coalesced in the air, forming a white cloud that obscured his face. Li Muzhan struck sixteen times in total before slowly drawing his power back, holding one final seal, utterly still.

The white cloud above his head gradually dispersed, revealing his face—ashen and completely devoid of color. Blood poured continuously from the wound on his chest, having already stained a large patch of the carpet.

His extreme pallor was largely due to severe blood loss. Dugu Jinghua was consumed by worry and impatience but dared not approach to reapply the medicine.

The pink porcelain bottle spun between her fingers; she longed to act immediately but held back. If she disturbed him now while he was channeling energy, she might disrupt his concentration, leading to Qi deviation—at best, the ruin of his martial arts; at worst, death.

She had to endure silently. Time seemed sluggish, as if frozen.

Every finger strike was agonizing, and her heart pounded violently, wishing it would all end at once. After what felt like an age, Li Muzhan finally ceased his exertion.

She rushed forward to apply the pink balm to both the entrance and exit wounds, then turned to Dugu Jue. Upon seeing Dugu Jue, a slight color had returned to his face, his expression was calm, and his breathing steady—he had been saved.

She whispered softly, "Big Brother..." Hearing the soft call, Dugu Heng shot forward, reaching Dugu Jue's side, and pleaded, "Father! Father!

Wake up!" Li Muzhan slowly opened his eyes and sighed. "Don't rush to call him.

He is too severely wounded; he needs to sleep to recover his vital energy." "Brother Li, you’re awake!" Dugu Heng bowed quickly. "Truly...

I, I..." He was overwhelmed by gratitude and guilt. Li Muzhan was gravely injured, yet he exerted himself in a vital art that clearly demanded immense internal power, likely leaving severe residual effects even normally.

Now, burdened by heavy wounds, the consequences would be far worse. Li Muzhan shook his head with a sigh.

"I did my best, but alas..." "Ah, Father, he...?" Dugu Heng’s face shifted with alarm. Li Muzhan nodded.

"I could not achieve complete success." Dugu Heng asked hastily, "How long can Father live?" Li Muzhan replied, "His life is safe, but his martial arts prowess..." "Hoo..." Dugu Heng let out a long sigh, slapping his chest, and managed a wry smile. "Brother Li, you nearly scared me to death!" Li Muzhan shook his head with a faint smile.

"Martial arts are the lifeblood of a warrior. If the Patriarch loses his cultivation, I fear he will..." "As long as his life remains, losing martial arts is secondary!" Dugu Heng quickly insisted.

"Besides, Father is the Patriarch; he doesn't need to charge into battle. Losing his cultivation won't matter much." Dugu Jinghua nodded.

"Sir, you did all you could." Li Muzhan murmured, "Without his martial arts, I fear he will fall into despair." Dugu Jinghua scoffed. "Good riddance.

He won't be so obsessed with cultivation all day that he has time to pay attention to us." Dugu Heng smiled bitterly. "Aunt, if Father heard you say that, he would certainly be angry." "Wasn't that your sentiment?" Dugu Jinghua shot him a look.

Dugu Heng scratched his head. "That is true." Li Muzhan watched the two bicker, smiling faintly as he closed his eyes to begin regulating his internal energy.

This time, the cost was immense. To use the secret art to extend Dugu Jue's life, he had depleted himself severely.

If not for the sake of Dugu Jinghua and Dugu Heng, he would never have saved Dugu Jue; but now that it had come to this, he had to suppress his injuries. Seeing Li Muzhan close his eyes, the pair wisely fell silent, allowing him a moment of undisturbed recovery, and they too closed their eyes to regulate their own energy, remaining perfectly still.

Dugu Jue awoke about half an hour later. The moment his eyes opened, Dugu Heng knew and softly called out, "Father, you're awake!" Dugu Jue frowned, looking at him.

"Little Heng, why are you here too?" Dugu Heng replied, "Of course I am here." "Were you killed too?!" Dugu Jue's face darkened. Dugu Heng quickly corrected him.

"Father, you aren't dead! Brother Li saved you!" "I'm not dead?" Dugu Jue frowned, eyes widening in disbelief.

He looked around and spotted Li Muzhan opposite them, breathing steadily while circulating his power. His foolish sister was staring at him raptly, her bright eyes unblinking—an unbearable sight to him.

He let out a soft snort. Dugu Jinghua turned toward him, managing a strained smile.

"Big Brother, you're awake?" "Yes, I'm fine. What happened to him?" Dugu Jue looked toward Li Muzhan.

Dugu Jinghua huffed. "It's all because he saved you!

...Sir was already injured, but seeing you like that, he couldn't stand by and watch you die. He had to risk further harm to himself to save you, and now he’s ended up like this!" "I owe Mr.

Li a favor!" Dugu Jue stated slowly. Dugu Jinghua retorted sharply, "You owe him your life!

This was a sacrifice to save you—a mere favor can never repay that!" "A life debt demands offering oneself in return; I'll marry my sister off to him as repayment!" Dugu Jue joked. Dugu Jinghua immediately blushed crimson.

"Big—Brother—!" Dugu Jue coughed a few times and clutched his chest. "Little Heng, help me up." Dugu Heng stepped forward as instructed.

"Father, are you alright now?" "Much better," Dugu Jue nodded, slowly standing up. Dugu Jue leaned on Dugu Heng to rise, letting out a long breath.

"Truly, I was lucky; to have my life spared this time is heaven's grace. And I must thank Mr.

Li!" Dugu Heng nodded eagerly. "Indeed, Father.

This life was pulled back from the brink by him. At any other time, or without Brother Li arriving, you would have been off to reincarnation this time!" "Silly boy, I know that!" Dugu Jue nodded.

Dugu Heng said quickly, "Then there is something you must know, Father." "What is it? Spit it out, stop hesitating!" Dugu Jue said testily.

Dugu Heng glanced at Dugu Jinghua, who nodded. "You were bound to find out sooner or later; better sooner than later!" "What exactly happened?!" Dugu Jue's face changed subtly.

Dugu Heng gritted his teeth and admitted helplessly, "Father, you will likely have to start cultivating martial arts anew." "...What?" Dugu Jue froze, then his face contorted in shock. "My martial arts are ruined?" "...Yes," Dugu Heng sighed helplessly.

"Brother Li saved your life, but regrettably, your martial arts... Father, lost cultivation can be regained; as long as you live, that’s what matters.

Didn't you always tell me, 'As long as the green hills remain, one need not worry about firewood'?" "...Fine, I understand," Dugu Jue frowned and nodded. "It’s just a set of skills.

I am fortunate to have kept my life!" "Father, you’ve accepted it!?" Dugu Heng found it hard to believe. He knew his father’s lifelong obsession with training; all that effort was now washed away, his cultivation completely destroyed, yet his father remained so placid!

Dugu Jue sighed. "It was incredibly fortunate to escape this deadly snare.

I am content! ...Little Heng, contentment is vital for a person; greed only invites trouble!" "Yes, Father, it’s best you think that way!" Dugu Heng nodded quickly.

Dugu Jue continued with a sigh, "It was a near-fatal trap. The fact that I lived...

I wonder if Old Tang and Old Zhao managed to escape?" Dugu Heng asked, "Father, you should have worn the inner armor!" Dugu Jue shook his head. "It would have been useless.

Against the God-Shattering Arrow, no treasure armor offers protection!... Is Mr.

Li’s injury serious?" Dugu Jinghua snorted. "He was nearly fine, but to save you, we don't know the extent of the damage now!...

He took an arrow for me, and now he’s compounded his wounds to save you. Our Dugu family truly..." Dugu Heng laughed.

"Aunt, just marry him and compensate him!" "Impudent boy, stop talking nonsense!" Dugu Jinghua's face flushed again. Dugu Jue’s expression turned thoughtful.

He shook his head. "Little Sister, who was trying to assassinate you?" "A few monks and some experts," Dugu Jinghua replied.

"I couldn't see clearly before Sir pulled me away to escape." "Hmm, then there's no mistake, they were masters from the Inner Court," Dugu Jue nodded grimly. "The Emperor means to wipe us out completely!" "Exactly, exactly," Dugu Heng added quickly.

"He tries to kill you, and then tries to kill Aunt. This is too much!

What should we do?" He shuddered remembering the previous scene—a group suddenly surged in, fired their crossbows, and vanished like a gust of wind, arriving abruptly and departing evasively. The estate's elite guards hadn't even managed to react.

This wasn't an assassination; it was a direct intrusion, and their top experts couldn't stop them or even detect them—the thought was disheartening. If they failed to stop them this time, they wouldn't be able to next time either.

In that case, his own life was completely subject to the Emperor’s whim. Dugu Jue grasped these thoughts as well.

His face darkened, and he shook his head. "We underestimated the Emperor.

The progress of the Inner Court experts is astonishing!" "Are the Inner Court experts stronger than our own masters?" Dugu Jinghua inquired. "How exactly did you encounter the assassins?" Dugu Heng explained, "Aunt, they rushed directly into the Great Hall to kill openly.

The guards hadn't noticed beforehand and had no time to react before the assailants had already burst out." Dugu Jinghua frowned. "They snuck in?" Dugu Heng nodded forcefully.

"Yes, Aunt. I feel our estate’s defenses are too lax.

They come and go as they please without any obstruction—it's terrifying!" Dugu Jue shook his head. "They must have a secret technique allowing them to achieve this, but don't be overly frightened.

Such a technique cannot be used lightly; the cost is significant." "Let's hope so," Dugu Heng sighed. "If it happens one more time, we won't escape, will we, Father?" Dugu Jue frowned, his face grim, and scoffed, "Since he wants to butcher us all and has broken all boundaries, we will fight him to the death!" "Big Brother, what are you planning?" Dugu Jinghua asked quickly.

Dugu Jue stated, "He dares send people to assassinate us; why shouldn't we dare assassinate him?" "Big Brother, you're insane!" Dugu Jinghua shook her head vehemently. "This violates the rules!" Dugu Jue sneered, "He broke the rules first!" Dugu Jinghua frowned.

"Big Brother, if we do this, there will be absolutely no room for reconciliation. I believe after this assassination attempt, he won't send anyone else." "I just don't know if Old Tang and Old Zhao managed to evade them this time!" Dugu Jue sighed, shaking his head.

"If they didn't, then we truly are standing alone against the tide!" Dugu Jue then commanded, "Little Heng, send people out quickly to gather intelligence!" "Got it!" Dugu Heng nodded quickly. "Aunt, I'm leaving now!" "Don't go yourself," Dugu Jinghua cautioned.

Dugu Heng smiled and nodded. "Aunt, rest assured, I will be careful!" As soon as Dugu Heng left, Li Muzhan slowly awoke.

Dugu Jinghua rushed to his side. "Sir, how are you?

Is it serious?" Li Muzhan shook his head, looked down at the wound, and smiled. "Nothing major, a bit of rest and I’ll be fine...

Has the Patriarch woken up?" "Sir, your immense kindness cannot be repaid with mere words!" Dugu Jue bowed his fist. Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head.

"The Patriarch was fortunate; if the arrow had struck even a fraction differently, I truly would have had no recourse... It is a pity my skill is insufficient; I could not preserve the Patriarch's martial arts."

"I am content merely to have survived," Dugu Jue said with a wry smile, shaking his head. "I can even take pride in escaping the God-Shattering Arrow with my life!" Li Muzhan sighed.

"The power of that God-Shattering Arrow is indeed extraordinary, terrifying and formidable!" "It is," Dugu Jue nodded. "The true terror of the Imperial Court's experts lies mostly in this God-Shattering Arrow.

Without it, although the court is full of masters, they wouldn't be so much of a concern." Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "I suspect the Emperor has other trump cards up his sleeve." Though the Imperial Court boasted many masters, the combined strength of the Four Great Families far surpassed them.

If there were no checks in place, given the audacity of the Four Great Families, they would have rebelled long ago. That is why the Emperor had always been wary of the Four Great Families, suppressing them when the opportunity arose, even wishing to eradicate them.

It was only due to the Iron Vouchers of Loyalty and the founding decree of Emperor Taizong that he could not act entirely as he pleased. Few of the founding elders survived across the dynasties; without the Vouchers and Taizong's mandate, the Four Great Families would have long since vanished into dust.

Dugu Jue frowned. "Sir, do you know anything more?" Li Muzhan shook his head.

"I feel this God-Shattering Arrow is merely the visible might. What lurks beneath the surface—the stronger, more fearsome power—must be the Divination Masters within the palace." "That would be the Celestial Mystery Pavilion," Dugu Jue stated.

"They observe the stars at night to divine fortune and predict the future." "They are the most dreadful of all," Li Muzhan countered. "To see clearly into another's strengths and weaknesses, to possess foresight—they are truly not to be made enemies of." "The people of the Celestial Mystery Pavilion have no martial arts, so they are not that utterly bizarre.

We need not fear them," Dugu Jue replied. Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, slowly nodding, and sighed.

"They always manage to calculate my movements. There must be a reason for this." He vaguely suspected why they could deduce his whereabouts.

As a Grandmaster who commanded a sphere of influence, his impact was naturally immense; they could surely perceive him. It was akin to looking down from a great height onto the ground: large targets could be seen, but small ones could not.

Divination must operate on a similar principle, which is why they could always predict his location. What was even more infuriating was that they invariably carried Sacred Artifacts.

Only the combined Sacred Artifacts of the monks from Tianwang Temple had managed to interfere with his own divine calculations, preventing him from foreseeing the impending danger. The three had exchanged only a few words when Dugu Heng strode in, his face grim.

Seeing his expression, Dugu Jue frowned. "Xiao Heng, this is not good news?" "Both Family Heads are gravely wounded, their lives hang in the balance," Dugu Heng reported.

Dugu Jue’s face darkened, and he sneered coldly. "Truly outrageous!

He struck against both simultaneously. Does he really dare to do such a thing!" Li Muzhan sighed and shook his head.

"It seems the odds are heavily stacked against them," Dugu Jinghua murmured, frowning. Dugu Jue nodded slowly.

"They lack my good fortune. A pity, a real pity!" Li Muzhan pondered.

"If it can be done, I will go take a look." "Sir...?" Dugu Jinghua's expression shifted, and he quickly protested. "Your injuries haven't healed!" Li Muzhan replied, "The matter is too important; I must contribute what I can." "...Very well.

Xiao Heng, find a sedan chair, and select strong martial artists to carry it. Sir, please wait here for now," Dugu Jue deliberated, then gave a sharp command.

"Yes, Father!" Dugu Heng nodded hastily and hurried out. With Dugu Jue injured, Dugu Heng seemed to mature instantly, feeling the weight settle heavily on his shoulders, truly sensing the presence of responsibility.

Li Muzhan nodded. "Bringing them here might be best, but do it quickly.

Ideally, no longer than an hour." "We are relying entirely on you, Sir!" Dugu Jue nodded slowly. Dugu Jinghua frowned, urging, "Sir, don't overexert yourself!" Li Muzhan simply shook his head.

"Let's try." "But your injuries..." Dugu Jinghua looked at him with worried concern. Li Muzhan stated, "I cannot worry about that now.

I won't die from it."