Li Shang chuckled, a grim sound. "Hmph. If Your Majesty had not personally ordered this day's events, the Li family would now be nothing but corpses; not a single soul would have survived! And Jun Zhantian's original intent was likely the same. Otherwise, he wouldn't have mobilized the army with such fanfare! But there must have been a reason that caused him to change his mind. And in the entire Tianxiang Kingdom, only one person could make Jun Zhantian abandon such a plan: His Majesty the Emperor. Oh, wait, perhaps there is one other—that wastrel, Jun Moxie. You just told me that scamp is ninety percent dead, but I doubt it. If Jun Moxie were truly deceased, even with His Majesty's obstruction, Old Man Jun might not have let the matter rest so easily. Therefore, Jun Moxie is likely not in mortal danger, and Old Man Jun must have only just received this news."

"Thus, even the old fox Jun Zhantian is quite helpless today. On the surface, we seem to be the innocent victims, but I believe there are those more unfortunate than us." Li Shang smiled faintly. "The Princess being stabbed has clearly wounded His Majesty deeply. So, with Jun Zhantian throwing a fit, His Majesty is perfectly positioned to reshuffle the deck among the Three Princes."

"Any family or official who has leaned toward any of the three princes will certainly see some warned tonight, some exiled, and some dealt with. Those inside the palace have likely already been handled. What a waste of our previous preparations!"

"While Jun Zhantian's rampage this time was unexpected, it was also inevitable. If our previous arrangements had secured Jun Moxie, this old man would likely have exploded long ago! And His Majesty is using this fit of madness to... hehehe... seize this opportunity to weaken the Jun family's military power, then strike against our great aristocratic families to completely bury the matter! Old Man Jun's backer is the Emperor! And the truly supreme player is also the Emperor! Tell me, can we truly bring down Old Man Jun?"

Li Youran was genuinely shocked. He had never imagined these seasoned political operators considered matters so deeply, even perfectly divining each other's intentions, especially the man positioned at the very apex of the Tianxiang Empire!

"His Majesty the Emperor possesses great vision and strategy; naturally, he doesn't want his successor to be incompetent. Therefore, while he wishes to see the Three Princes compete fiercely, he also does not want events to spiral out of control. If any side goes too far, they will all be wiped clean, and the game restarted. That is why, despite the constant clandestine struggles among the Three Princes, the true powerful families in the capital dare not involve themselves rashly. That is the most crucial reason!"

"Remember this: consider everything before today settled. Until the situation is absolutely clear, you must never take sides lightly! Look at the black smoke drifting everywhere in the sky tonight," Li Shang gestured toward the heavens. "All those who chose sides early are currently soaring heavenward."

"If that is the case, are we just going to let today's events slide?" Li Youran inquired.

"How could we possibly let it slide? Even if our Li family were willing, His Majesty would not allow it." Li Shang gave a cunning smile. "Therefore, we will definitely file a formal appeal tomorrow. This gives His Majesty the pretext to suppress the great families in one fell swoop, achieving his final objective. If we do not cooperate, things will be very difficult for us later."

Li Youran sank into deep thought. He was brilliant since childhood, grasping concepts quickly; a genius in both literary and martial pursuits. Yet, hearing these words now, he realized how young he was, still lacking a crucial political awareness and a seasoned strategic mind.

Gently touching the spot on his face where Jun Zhantian had struck him, Li Youran’s eyes instantly turned as cold and venomous as a serpent's.

Jun Zhantian, I will never forget this slap for the rest of my life.

The same chaotic turmoil was erupting at the Meng family residence!

The Meng family was battered even more thoroughly than the Li family; Jun Zhantian had practically dismantled their manor. Yet, even so, Jun Zhantian was utterly frustrated because this was not his original plan, nor the outcome he truly desired.

After this incident, the capital city would likely experience a long period of superficial tranquility.

He wondered how Moxie was faring now? Was there any hope of recovery? The anxiety was stifling. Jun Zhantian sighed heavily. He mounted his horse, glanced back at the weeping and wailing members of the Meng family, and urged his steed forward. His expression was hardly better than theirs.

Since His Majesty said Moxie was not dead, then this old man would serve as His Majesty's spear one more time; it was worth it. But this whole affair ended rather anticlimactically. My original intention was to kill all these people. While I have dispatched the majority, the one I most wanted to kill remains untouched...

Just then, an urgent voice suddenly rang out: "Jun Zhantian, you, you old bastard! Have you had enough?!"

Jun Zhantian's body stiffened instantly, as if he couldn't believe his ears. He slowly turned around; his eyes immediately widened, and his face erupted in a look of ecstatic joy.

A small, thin old man, holding a person in his arms, flew toward him like the wind; panting heavily and drenched in sweat. But Jun Zhantian paid him no mind. With a "swish," he leaped from his horse, covering the distance in three quick steps, and took the person from the old man's grasp, his voice trembling slightly: "Moxie?!"

These two had indeed timed their return perfectly, arriving just as the matter was nearly concluded.

Jun Xie watched the old man before him, whose sudden, overwhelming joy clearly emerged from despair. He held Jun Xie as if clutching the most precious treasure in the world! Deep lines on his face were etched with intense concern, and the elation of having recovered something lost made his fingers tremble. The old man's eyes were actually red with emotion, brimming with tears! Jun Xie’s heart violently trembled...

This was a hardened veteran who had commanded a million troops and returned from a hundred bloody battles! Yet, the moment he saw his grandson alive, this fierce warrior became as frail as a man nearing the end of his years, overwhelmed by the deep, blood-bound affection of kin—the ecstasy of recovery!

In that instant, a sharp, poignant sweetness welled up from the depths of Jun Xie's heart—a feeling that was warm, comforting, and brought a prickle to the bridge of his nose... Jun Xie suddenly felt his throat tighten and his nostrils constrict, overwhelmed by the urge to weep.

Was this the family affection he had yearned for in his dreams?

In both his past and present lives, who had ever cared about him this much?

In both lives, who could mobilize a nation's army for his sake?

In both lives, who had ever disregarded everything for him?

Who had ever despaired for him? Who had ever been overjoyed because of him? Who had ever disregarded reputation, life, family... everything for him?

Looking at the old man before him, Jun Xie had no doubt that this man could punch a hole through the heavens for his sake! Because... he was his only hope! His only remaining desire!

"Grandfather..." A wave of emotion made Jun Xie's nose tingle, and these two words burst from his mouth; this was the first time since arriving in this world that he had called out this title with genuine willingness from the bottom of his heart; in two lifetimes, this was the first time!

Yes! This is my grandfather! Not just Jun Moxie's grandfather, but my grandfather, Jun Xie's grandfather!

Beside them, Jun Wuyi's disabled body had somehow floated down from his horse, sitting right there on the cold ground, watching Jun Xie with eyes full of relief, surprise! And deep satisfaction. The crystalline tears in his tiger-like eyes were quickly blinked away; he secretly turned his head, let a drop fall, then turned back, offering a gentle smile...

These are my kin!

Must I still resist?

No!

In this moment, Jun Xie completely accepted this body, accepted this family! He accepted this world! Both in thought and in spirit!

For the sake of the old man before him, for this home!

From this day forward, my name is Jun Mo Xie! I am a member of the Jun family! The Tianxiang Kingdom, Tianxiang City, the Jun family! This is my clan!

Old Master Jun was almost too overcome with emotion to weep. His grandson, though looking close to death, was not dead after all! And his injuries didn't seem as severe as rumored.

Heaven has blessed us!

As long as he's alive, that's all that matters! The joy of regaining him made the old man's eyes wet and his frame tremble, swaying precariously—the agony of this one night...

Starting tomorrow, updates will follow a nine-to-six schedule. Extra chapters will be announced separately, trying not to post them past midnight or in the very early morning. Everyone get a good night's rest and build up your strength, haha.