"The Old Ancestor is truly the Old Ancestor; arriving like a shadow, departing without a trace—a technique truly fit for an immortal."

Another elder gazed at the window with immense reverence, murmuring softly before slowly descending the stairs and departing.

In the dark corner behind the Fragrant Tower, a bundle of oilcloth shifted slightly, then slowly rose, revealing a head flecked with white hair. In the eyes of that head, endless confusion now swam.

"What is the War Family truly aiming for with this stunt? And why would that old fossil from the War Family bother showing up today to observe such a tedious spar? What are they really planning?"

"Furthermore, the possessor of that Ethereal Physique is far too intriguing. Just what is this Mo Junye plotting? I have prided myself on being clever and resourceful my entire life, yet today I find myself utterly baffled by both sides?"

"There must be a profound secret beneath all this. I must return and notify the family. Young Miao is clearly developing feelings for Mo Junye—how should this be handled? Will this Mo Junye ultimately become an asset to our Miao Family? What a headache this is." Without a sound, the figure floated upwards and vanished in a swish. In the distance, a streak of light slowly faded, its direction clearly pointing toward the Miao Family estate. Inside the Fragrant Tower, Jun Mo Xie’s ears twitched almost imperceptibly, and a brilliant smile slowly spread across his lips. Zhan Yushu and Zhan Qingfeng stared blankly at the arrogant, strutting Cat-Body Tiger still dominating the arena. A profound grayness settled in both their hearts. Was it truly over just like that?

But—"We prepared a plan so meticulously detailed, designed to completely reclaim this Ethereal Physique and thereby cement the future of our War Family in the Illusion Mansion, not to mention all the subsequent arrangements..."

"These preparations began the very moment we learned the individual possessing the Ethereal Physique had arrived in the Illusion Mansion..."

"We planned for so long, even mobilizing the entire peripheral strength of our clan..."

And yet, they lost to some bumpkin? Even worse, they were outmaneuvered by him?

"Say, brothers, why are you standing there like statues? Shouldn't you be fulfilling the terms of the wager we agreed upon?"

Jun Mo Xie rocked his head back and forth. "I recall the first condition was that your War Family guarantees me one spot to enter the Spirit Herb Garden. You aren't going to renege on that, are you?"

"A lost bet must be honored. Rest assured! Our War Family will certainly fulfill this requirement, no matter what."

Zhan Qingfeng was sweating profusely, but now he couldn't afford to back down.

"Good! Straightforward enough! I’ll wait for those five days to enter the Spirit Herb Garden. What’s important is that you remember, I must enter, but Miss Miao’s spot cannot be neglected..." Jun Mo Xie snapped his fingers. "The third condition states I can make any single request of your War Family. Naturally, I don't intend to cash that in right now... so we can put it aside for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Qingfeng and Zhan Yushu felt not relief, but a tightening in their chests.

Anyone could tell from his tone that what he truly wanted now was the fulfillment of the second condition! Right here, ten kowtows, ten calls of 'Grandpa'! "Indeed... but the second condition isn't difficult; it seems quite simple. Since both of you principals are here, why not settle it right now?"

Jun Mo Xie spoke lightly, his gaze chillingly venomous. "Now, you’ve lost. As previously agreed, you two brothers will bow to me and kowtow ten times, calling me 'Grandpa' ten times!"

The moment these words left his mouth, the entire crowd gasped in shock!

Although a wager had been made beforehand, no one expected this great genius, Mo Junye, to be so audacious! To demand a fulfillment so extreme it could incite unending, deathly hatred between them and his family! If he insisted on this today, it meant the entire War Family would harbor an eternal feud with him, leaving no possibility for reconciliation for generations to come! Any individual intending to establish a long-term future in the Illusion Mansion would never act this way; the truly wise know when to yield. Because... offending the War Family so severely within the Illusion Mansion was practically equivalent to suicide!

"You!"

Zhan Qingfeng’s usually gentle and refined expression had long vanished, replaced by bloodshot eyes staring at him, his words grinding out one by one between clenched teeth: "Mo Junye! Don't push people too far!"

"What? Planning to default?"

Jun Mo Xie sneered. "That was sealed with a blood oath sworn upon the ancestors and all future descendants of your War Family! Even if I were to let you off... your War Family elders wouldn't agree, would they?"

Zhan Qingfeng and Zhan Yushu were instantly struck dumb.

The reason the Zhan brothers shot back was likely because the act of kowtowing and calling someone 'Grandpa' was too humiliating. Given their status, fulfilling the agreement would mean losing all face in public forever—such shame was almost unbearable, leading naturally to the thought of reneging.

But upon hearing Young Master Jun’s warning, they suddenly remembered: now that the bet's result was confirmed, the stakes were instantly enforced. If they failed to kowtow and call him 'Grandpa' as agreed, according to the wager's terms, they would effectively be cursing their own ancestors and offspring!

Even understanding the situation, if the two brothers kowtowed to this country-bumpkin outsider in such a public spectacle... how could they ever hold their heads up again? Even if they eventually inherited the War Family mantle, today's failure and humiliation would remain an indelible, massive disgrace!

In that instant, veins bulged on their foreheads, their eyes nearly splitting in rage. The two were truly caught between a rock and a hard place. Though they desperately wanted to offer a defense, not a single word could escape their lips.

"Since you dared to make the wager, you must accept the loss. Paying debts is the natural order of things!" Jun Mo Xie drawled. "It can't be that you reap all the benefits while imposing all the harsh terms on others, only to resort to excuses when the failure falls upon yourselves? Such leniency towards oneself and strictness toward others is the greatest failing in conducting oneself!"

At this moment, the great genius's eyes held nothing but ice and unyielding determination. Anyone who met his gaze knew clearly that this matter would not end amicably today! With Mo Junye's resolute stance, it was obvious he intended to force the two Zhan brothers to complete the full ten kowtows and shout 'Grandpa' ten times.

Resolving this situation could have been simple. If only this great genius possessing the Ethereal Physique would relent with a magnanimous statement: "Actually, we were just joking earlier, why kowtow?"—then everything would smooth over! This way, the Zhan brothers could save face, and everyone would end up happy, writing it off as, "It wasn't that we refused to honor the wager, but rather that he was too generous to insist."

However, besides Jun Mo Xie, no one else possessed the qualification or authority to utter such words!

At this moment, Young Master Jun held the initiative firmly in his hands, his face etched with a forbidding aura. Anyone who thought of bravely stepping forward to mediate upon seeing his expression wisely abandoned the idea. Forget those who were not familiar with Mo Junye; even acquaintances would only be courting humiliation by approaching him now.

Finally, amidst the profound silence of the onlookers, an old man with a head of white hair stepped forward, squinting his triangular eyes, attempting to smooth things over with a dry chuckle. "Young Master Mo, you see, the witness has confirmed your victory, and the wager is concluded. Perhaps... hehe, this jesting wager... can be let go? After all, the spot you requested for the Spirit Herb Garden is already secured... why not...?" Almost everyone recognized the old man. He possessed some scholarship but was notorious for his abysmal character, having always been a hanger-on to the War Family, relying on their influence. His sudden intercession was unsurprising to the crowd.

"Who are you? What right do you have to interfere here?"

Jun Mo Xie turned his head, fixing the elder with a frigid glare. "Between me and the two Zhan brothers, is there any room for your commentary? A jesting wager? A joke? Did you participate in this gamble? What exactly are you? Do your words represent the War Family?"

The old man froze at the response, his face instantly flushing a deep purple. He had long been accustomed to trading on his age, relying on his white hair. Even if people scorned his actions, most would grant him some deference in minor matters. After all, respecting elders, regardless of the world, is a basic human courtesy.

Though this old man was far from 'virtuous' and perhaps didn't even qualify for 'elderly' in merit, his white hair at least afforded him the title of 'old.' This is why he dared to step forward to mediate, hoping to help the two Zhan brothers save face. He presumed that his advanced age and standing—even if intervening was presumptive—was an attempt to reconcile the parties, greatly aiding the War Family while simultaneously creating an opportunity to connect with the future strongest figure in the Illusion Mansion. He took a great risk by stepping in, but he never expected to encounter such an impudent upstart who not only refused to grant him face but countered with an absolute, scorching rebuke.

"Naturally, I cannot represent the War Family, but..." The old man intended to preface his point before launching a stern counterattack, vehemently criticizing how this fellow lacked basic respect for seniority, suggesting he was deficient in elementary morals, intending to escalate the matter until the young man was thoroughly shamed. If he couldn't persuade the youth, he could at least muddy the waters, offering the two Zhan Young Masters a chance to retreat gracefully. However, before he could launch into his lengthy tirade, Jun Mo Xie instantly cut him off: "If you can't represent the War Family, then why are you spewing nonsense here? Do you think your [expletive] reputation is so lofty? Why should I give you face? You dare to yap when you can't speak for the War Family—are you overfed? Huh? Or is it because it’s spring and you’ve got [expletive] running wild?"

The old man was so enraged by Young Master Jun’s string of curses that his chest heaved violently. He thrust a finger out, roaring indignantly: "You... you... you you..."