They infiltrated silently, the only sound being the breaking of a window as they burst in with lightning speed, instantly surrounding the long couch and attacking Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan lay on the couch as if unaware. Just as the blades of their swords reached him, his body suddenly shifted sideways; the wall seemed non-existent, offering no resistance whatsoever as he slipped through.

The dozen or so men in black paused. They had considered many tactics Li Muzhan might employ, but never had they imagined he would simply phase through a solid wall, moving through it as easily as slicing soft tofu.

A surging power swept toward them, instantly locking them in place as if bound by ropes. Their eyes widened in shock, unable to move an inch.

Li Muzhan drifted back through the opening, watching them quietly before sighing and shaking his head. "You belong to the Qinghe Sword Sect, don't you?"

All the men in black had their faces masked, hiding any expression, but their gazes were icy, chilling to behold.

One of the masked figures sneered, "Indeed, we are from the Qinghe Sword Sect. You dare stand against us? You truly have no idea how you’re going to die!"

Li Muzhan surveyed the twelve men, shaking his head again. "No need to pretend. Your internal techniques and aura still carry the scent of the Qinghe Sword Sect. Though faint, the sect’s core methods are never taught externally."

The masked figures exchanged glances, sharp glints flickering between them.

Li Muzhan sensed their auras slowly intensifying, like a rising flood tide building pressure behind a collapsing dam. He smiled faintly. "You mean to silence me permanently?"

"Muzhan, you know too much!"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Whether I know or not, you all intend to kill me. I never expected the Qinghe Sword Sect to resort to such underhanded tactics—one open, one hidden—to eliminate dissenters... Alas, how many promising rising talents have perished at your hands over the years?"

He shook his head and sighed deeply. "This is hardly the bearing of a grand sect! Today, I will spare your lives. Take a message back: tell Zheng Haishi to stop provoking me. Next time, I will show no mercy!"

Saying this, he flicked his index finger in rapid succession. A chorus of chi-chi sounds erupted, and in the blink of an eye, twelve distinct gusts of finger wind shot out, striking each man precisely.

The furious energy they had just summoned instantly dissipated, deflating like punctured balloons.

Their eyes reflected mingled fury and terror as they collapsed limply. Li Muzhan glanced at them dismissively, then drifted out of the room, soaring directly out of Baishi City and into the endless, rolling mountains beyond.

He had not expected Zheng Haishi to be so decisive, moving to strike without investigating the full situation. He had originally hoped to delay things longer to gauge the true strength and intentions of the Qinghe Sword Sect.

Now, it seemed he would have to take a calculated risk.

The moment Li Muzhan plunged into the mountains, an alarm flared in his mind. Since mastering the Tianji Jue, his intuition had become incredibly sharp; even miles away, he could sense danger befalling those close to him.

He instantly returned to the Dong Residence, materializing before Dong Wanyi's room. The estate was engulfed in flames, filled with the sounds of chaotic slaughter—a group of assassins was rampaging through the compound.

Li Muzhan's expression immediately darkened. At that moment, Dong Wanyi rushed out of the room, panicked; she had never experienced such carnage.

Seeing Li Muzhan standing at the doorway, she instantly breathed a sigh of relief and regained her composure. "Young Master, what is happening?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "It's nothing. I will handle it."

Before Dong Wanyi could reply, he grasped her hand. Dong Wanyi blushed deeply, feeling as if a current had shot through her, rendering her too weak to struggle.

Li Muzhan let out a long, resonant cry. The sound rolled like massive waves, enveloping the entire Dong Residence in moments. Everyone heard it; those who did felt their blood churning, their hearts beating uncontrollably against their ribs, their bodies growing heavy and weak.

Dong Wanyi, standing close to him, was shielded by Li Muzhan's internal power. She only felt the immense volume of the sound, and curiously looked up at him.

Li Muzhan pulled her hand and drifted out of the small courtyard. Outside, three masked assassins lay struggling on the ground, unable to rise as if their bones had been cleanly extracted.

Li Muzhan glanced at the trio and asked coolly, "Who are you?"

"Who are you?" one choked out weakly, his gaze dim but venomous, like a cornered wolf. Dong Wanyi turned her eyes away.

Li Muzhan already understood their affiliation. He snorted. "The Mu family grows increasingly audacious. How bold of you!"

"You..." The three were visibly startled.

Li Muzhan pressed on. "How many men did your Mu family send this time?"

The three exchanged glances and clamped their mouths shut.

Li Muzhan possessed Youtong (mind-reading) and now knew the answer. He frowned slightly. "I underestimated the Mu family. Quite the bold maneuver you've planned!"

The three stared back at him, exchanging silent looks.

Li Muzhan stated flatly, "I will give you a swift end!"

He then flicked his fingers three times. The three men instantly slumped over, falling silent.

"Young Master, those people...?" Dong Wanyi asked hesitantly.

Li Muzhan replied, "They are dead! They slaughtered many of the Dong family's people; such bloodshed cannot be forgiven by letting them live!"

Dong Wanyi nodded slowly. "They deserved to die!" If they hadn't killed anyone in the household, she might have felt pity, but since they had murdered, they could not be spared. Their deaths were just desserts.

Li Muzhan then brought Dong Wanyi with him as they swiftly traversed the Dong Residence, mercilessly wiping out all one hundred-plus assassins.

Simultaneously, he tended to the gravely wounded, stabilizing their lives. The Dong household lost three people—most killed instantly by decapitation, a fate even Li Muzhan’s heaven-defying skill could not reverse—but the remaining seven who had been near death were pulled back from the brink of the Yellow Springs by Li Muzhan.

Dong Wanyi remained constantly by his side, witnessing both his killing and his healing. She was shocked watching him execute over a hundred people without changing expression, yet felt a profound mystery as he used his divine hands to save dozens.

Dong Yufei sustained only minor injuries, protected by his personal guards, so he fared better. Afterward, he followed Li Muzhan, assisting him wherever he could.

After tending to everyone, Li Muzhan rose. "Eldest Young Master, the Mu family still has another contingent stationed nearby. I might as well resolve them all at once."

The bright moonlight made Dong Yufei's face look even paler. He managed a wry smile. "I never imagined the Mu family could be so ruthless!"

Li Muzhan said, "The situation has reached this point; it's a fight to the death. We can no longer entertain illusions!"

"Brother Li, can our Dong family hold them off?" Dong Yufei sighed, completely lacking confidence. If Brother Li hadn't intervened this time, the Dong Residence likely wouldn't have survived. The power the Mu family displayed was terrifying, far beyond what the Dong family could match.

Li Muzhan smiled gently. "We can."

Dong Yufei shook his head, offering a bitter smile. "I am still aware of my own limits."

"Let me handle it!"

"It's all up to you, Brother Li!" Dong Yufei's spirits lifted immediately. With Li Muzhan present, his confidence soared. If Li Muzhan’s single cry could paralyze everyone, what good would more Mu family men do?

Li Muzhan waved his hand. "This trouble started because of me, so I should deal with it first." He looked toward Dong Wanyi. "Wanyi, would you like to come with me?"

Dong Wanyi quickly shook her head. Witnessing Li Muzhan take lives with a mere flick of his finger—human lives treated like mere grass—she found it unbearable. Even towards enemies, the sight was unsettling.

Li Muzhan nodded and smiled. "Very well. I will be back soon."

He returned half an hour later, completely composed. Dong Wanyi, along with Chunhua and the others, had already prepared a late-night supper. Everyone in the Dong Residence was wide awake, and the atmosphere was lively.

After returning, Li Muzhan ate, then spoke with the eager Dong Yufei about the Mu family contingent he had just encountered, noting that there were three peak masters among them—confirming the Mu family's formidable strength.

He decided to preempt their next move and go directly to the Mu family to negotiate. (To be continued)