"Young Master, avoiding the fight would normally be the right path, but unfortunately, this time you have a reason you absolutely must go. Firstly, if you don't show up, these people will feel utterly swindled, essentially severing ties completely with every heir of the noble families attending today! This rift will take at least several decades to mend, which will undoubtedly be a massive constraint on your long-term development!" Miao Xiaomiao inwardly agreed with the strategy of not engaging, but if he didn't go, he would offend too many people—the consequences seemed to outweigh the benefits!

"Furthermore, there is another reason today why you simply must attend. Therefore, even knowing it's a den of dragons and tigers, you must still venture in. The process will definitely not be too severe—"

"A reason I must go?" Jun Mo’wu frowned. "What specific reason? Please, Miss, enlighten me!"

"Do you still remember the two guards who accompanied you? Cao Shenghuang's two registered disciples! You previously ordered them to kill the eight City Stewards, and now they have been arrested by Zhan Yushu under the charge of murdering public officials. If you fail to appear, this charge will reach the highest echelons of the Phantom Manor, and these two will be publicly executed!"

Miao Xiaomiao worriedly stated, "No matter what, that order was ultimately issued by you. If you don't go and something happens to them, I believe it will be difficult for you to face Cao Shenghuang." "Hmph? What kind of talk is that? When did I ever order them to kill anyone? This is nothing but groundless slander! Since I never issued the order, their conviction for unauthorized murder naturally has nothing to do with me?"

Jun Mo’xie laughed heartily: "Paying a life for a life and settling debts are fundamental principles of righteousness! The Phantom Manor still has laws and regulations in existence. With my capabilities, let alone not having the power, even if I did, I could not interfere with judicial impartiality, could I? Remember, a prince who breaks the law is treated the same as a commoner! As for accounting to Cao Shenghuang, how can that compare to accounting to the laws of the Phantom Manor? An individual obstructing justice—that is blatant favoritism! Cao Shenghuang is a reasonable man; what would he expect an accounting from me for? Miss, your words are wildly mistaken. Could it be that the scions of the Phantom Manor families are accustomed to standing above the law?..."

Jun Shu’xie spoke with weighty gravity. His lengthy lecture directly challenged the very nature of the Phantom Manor’s aristocratic families—a heavy accusation to level indeed!

What utter nonsense! How did the conversation twist so completely when spoken by this Young Master Mo? Zhan Yushu and the others thought they had captured a trump card, but who knew this card would be utterly useless against Jun Mo’xie? Not only did it backfire, but he also added the grave accusation of disregarding laws and regulations! His rhetoric was too sharp, too domineering!

And this fellow is too strange... Does he truly not care at all about the lives of those two guards? Those two, after all, were his fellow disciples...

Is this man’s nature truly so cold-blooded?

Those two entangled in a capital offense, though only Cao Guofeng's registered disciples, were veterans who had served by Cao Shenghuang’s side for decades. Regardless of exertion, they had earned their keep. Yet, judging by the tone of the person before her, he seemed utterly unconcerned with their fate, perhaps even hoping they would be justly punished by the law.

In a flash, an overwhelming surge of sorrow and disappointment washed over Miao Xiaomiao. She felt that Jun Mo’xie’s disposition was simply unforgivable! That he could be so heartless...

Miao Xiaomiao’s lovely face flushed crimson, and she said angrily, "Brother Mo, are the lives of your two senior brothers... not worth your attention? Even if you had no prior acquaintance or bond with them, Cao Shenghuang's prestige is still involved! If something happens because you stood idly by, how could you bear it?"

Jun Mo’xie looked at her with surprise, somewhat lightly remarking, "Miss Miao, what is wrong with you... You seem quite agitated?"

Miao Xiaomiao froze, instantly realizing her lapse in composure! Whether the other party chose to intervene or not, what did it have to do with her? She had never met Jun Mo’wu before, nor did she have any bond with those two guards; why was she so anxious?

For a moment, her face was bright red, and she stammered, lowering her head, unable to continue. But immediately, she raised it again, her eyes filled with angry disappointment as she looked at Jun Mo’xie.

Given Miao Xiaomiao’s status and experience, she had long since reached an elevated plane; ordinary people were like ants to her, and even experts at the level of Wang Neng and Li Jie were no different in her eyes. In truth, if this matter had happened to her, she too might have sacrificed those who erred in order to preserve her own reputation. But today, she was filled with three thousand zhang of righteous anger because of a single sentence from Young Master Jun—it was truly abnormal. Miao Xiaomiao failed to realize that her current fury was directed at the person, not the situation!

At this moment, Miao Xiaomiao felt an indescribable sensation. In reality, if Jun Mo’xie had suddenly become agitated and recklessly decided to force his way in, Miao Xiaomiao would certainly have been disappointed, perhaps even scolding him: That place was a perilous trap; rushing in without understanding the situation was just courting humiliation—nothing more than a brute’s courage!

But now that Jun Mo’wu had flatly refused, Miao Xiaomiao felt uncomfortable too, even more so. In any case, his course of action was vastly different from what she had envisioned. Yet, she couldn't quite determine what she truly thought or how she wished he would act. His reasoning was clearly sound; why did she feel ill at ease? Was it purely because of his cold-hearted nature?...

It was like seeing a treasure that should have been flawless suddenly reveal a tiny speck of imperfection. It was a heartbreaking feeling...

"These two men... nominally they are my sect brothers, but since I arrived in this realm, they have..." Jun Mo’xie paused in thought before explaining faintly, "...truly wished for my immediate death! While I am not without passion and spirit, and I do care about the underlying causes, I find it hardly worth the risk to rush into great danger to save these two. Therefore, I will not go!"

"How can that be? You possess the innate talent of the Ethereal Body, the very disciple Cao Shenghuang dreams of his entire life..." Miao Xiaomiao only managed half a sentence before suddenly letting out an 'ah,' realizing with clarity, "I understand. If that is the case, it truly isn't worth risking yourself for them."

Although Jun Mo’xie hadn't been explicit, the two men’s decades-long desire to become Cao Guofeng's true successor was common knowledge. Jun Mo’wu’s arrival had immediately snatched that coveted spot, shattering their lifelong hopes. If they held no resentment... Miao Xiaomiao wouldn't believe it herself.

Miao Xiaomiao shot him a sidelong glance, but immediately a warm, almost comfortable feeling rose in her heart. She pinched her own delicate hand hard, thinking to herself: It was just a simple compliment, perhaps merely teasing; why are you so happy? What is wrong with me today? My emotional fluctuations are so strangely erratic!

However, the warm, small satisfaction welling up inside her continued to bubble forth relentlessly, entirely beyond her control...

"Then what do you plan to do next?" Miao Xiaomiao struggled to restrain her emotions, yet failed, the beautiful brows beneath her veil curving slightly.

"What to do next? Nothing at all. After sightseeing, naturally, I go home to sleep!" Jun Mo’xie widened his eyes in surprise. "It seems like none of this concerns me; why should I go meddling in other people's affairs?"

Miao Xiaomiao was caught between laughter and tears. The entire Phantom Manor had nearly moved heaven and earth for this one man... yet he claims it has nothing to do with him? That statement was enough to send chills down one's spine, making one want to laugh...

My emotional shifts in this short time seem more frequent than in a month, perhaps even a year! Help me, what is happening to me?!

"Brother Mo's principles of action are profound and untraceable; little sister is truly left speechless," Miao Xiaomiao smiled helplessly. "Since that is the case, then you may do as you wish, Brother Mo. However, this time, little sister intends to borrow your momentum to reap a significant advantage."

"Use me to gain an advantage?" Jun Mo’wu looked down at himself nervously, checking all over. "May I ask, Miss Miao, whose advantage are you planning to take using me?"

"Isn't it about today’s events? Several dozen of us had a bet beforehand. If Brother Mo had chosen not to go, I would have fortunately won." Miao Xiaomiao smiled slightly, seemingly unbothered by the Young Master's double entendre.

"A bet? What kind? Exactly how did you wager?" Jun Mo’wu was even more curious.

"In five days, it will be the centennial opening day of the Spirit Medicine Garden. All the venerable seniors of the Phantom Manor will attend. Only on this day are the seniors permitted to enter the inner grounds to search for the spirit medicines they require. Furthermore, the Seven-Colored Sacred Tree within the garden flowers and bears fruit once every five hundred years, while it branches once every century. This day happens to coincide with the Sacred Tree’s branching and flowering. It requires the combined power of all the Manor's Sacred Emperors to converge the spiritual energy of the Garden in a concentrated effort to cultivate a sapling," Miao Xiaomiao stated calmly.

And this time, one from the younger generation would also enter. The person chosen must strive to win the recognition of the Sacred Tree. If a connection is established, that person will become the next Master of the Spirit Medicine Garden. If no immediate connection is forged, that person will still be allowed to enter once every year for the next hundred years!"

"As for this coming time in five days, there are two candidates competing for that spot: myself and the eldest son of the Zhan family, Zhan Qingfeng." Miao Xiaomiao smiled. "Our engagement was that the loser must relinquish this opportunity to enter the Spirit Medicine Garden and yield the spot to the other!"

"I see!" Jun Mo’wu drew a deep breath, his gaze becoming serious.

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