He looked up abruptly, his eyes fixed on Jun Moxie, a strange, almost grinding hatred flashing within them. He spoke in a deep voice, “Mo Junye! Well done, owner of the Ethereal Physique! If you plan on causing trouble in the Misty Illusion Manor, this Young Master will not tolerate it!”
Jun Moxie frowned.
What was this fellow’s problem? His words were so nonsensical, so utterly contradictory. Clearly, he was just jealous. When had I ever caused trouble? Besides... if I were truly bent on villainy, “With your level, do you even deserve to know? You, a nobody of your caliber, dare compete with me for a woman? Go back and cultivate for another three to five thousand years!”
Jun Moxie always found this kind of groundless jealousy utterly tedious. Whether he was with Guan Qinghan, Dugu Xiaoyi, or Mei Xueyan—all peerless beauties—he had never once encountered this sort of petty contention. To him, such behavior was simply childish, incredibly boring. Therefore, for this third time, he had no intention of engaging with him...
“Qiu Peng! What do you mean by that? Are you trying to throw your weight around as the Qiu family’s young master in my Miao household?”
Before Jun Moxie could speak, Miao Xiaomiao erupted in anger first!
“Little Sister Xiaomiao,” Qiu Peng said, his handsome face twisting with malice, “you are too naive and unaware of the world’s dangers and the wickedness of men’s hearts. This Brother Mo has only just arrived at the Illusion Manor; who knows what kind of person he really is, or what motives brought him into the Manor? You must not be deceived by him!” He added seriously, “Little Sister Xiaomiao, you must be cautious.”
“Whether I am naive or cautious is none of your business! Also, Young Brother Qiu, please stop using the phrase ‘Little Sister Xiaomiao’ so frequently. Although our families are long-time acquaintances, it is sufficient for you to address me as ‘Sister of the Generation’!”
Miao Xiaomiao trembled with rage, nearly bursting out with curses. She certainly had no patience for niceties with Qiu Peng.
This detestable man dared to slander my Junye so brazenly! I... I wish he would deceive me; alas, he won’t even bother to trick me...
If not for today being the auspicious occasion of Grandfather’s birthday celebration, Miao Xiaomiao might have already lost control and delivered a good beating to him!
It was truly infuriating!
Jun Moxie, however, let out a light chuckle. He tilted his head, watching Qiu Peng with genuine amusement. “Young Master Qiu, if you speak this way, are you implying... that your Qiu family is investigating me?”
Qiu Peng froze upon hearing this, then forced a cold laugh. “True gold fears no fire! If you have a clear conscience, what is there to fear from an investigation?”
He could never have imagined this man’s intelligence was so sharp that he could deduce his family’s investigation based on a single sentence. But now that the matter was out, he had no choice but to face it. He continued, “Little Sister Xiaomiao, even if you... wait until this investigation is concluded. It won't be too late to discuss things then!”
“Get away from me right now! I never want to see you again! Nor do I want to hear you speak! And I don't want to see any investigation results from your Qiu family either! Also, are you deaf? Stop calling me Little Sister Xiaomiao!”
Miao Xiaomiao was clearly furious, stamping her foot as she commanded.
“Mo Junye, if you dare do anything sordid to my Little Sister Xiaomiao, watch your own life!”
Hearing Miao Xiaomiao issue the dismissal, Qiu Peng’s expression changed again. He took his anger out on the Ethereal Physique owner tenfold. Staring at Jun Moxie, he spoke one word at a time.
Having said that, he turned to leave.
“My life?” Jun Moxie murmured, a sudden glint of killing intent flashing through his eyes. Jun Moxie never vied for affection, but he possessed one virtue: he knew how to kill!
This brat’s threat instantly stirred a natural murderous impulse in the Young Master’s heart. Just then, four or five other young men walked over, chatting and laughing. One of them remarked, “Oh, Little Sister Xiaomiao and Brother Qiu are indeed here. It seems we haven’t searched in the wrong place.”
Qiu Peng watched them pass with a cold stare. Suddenly, his eyes darted, and he let out a bitter, sudden laugh. “Why have you all come here? Little Sister Xiaomiao’s heart is already pledged. Even if you came, it would be in vain. And stepping back ten thousand paces, even if we were allowed fair competition, could any of you truly contend with Mo Junye, the young master of the Qiu family, the owner of the Ethereal Physique whose future in the Illusion Manor is limitless?”
These former rivals, who usually engaged in constant covert skirmishes and never yielded to one another, now found the situation dramatically altered. The reason was simple: they now shared a common, formidable opponent!
Mo Junye! The legendary owner of the Ethereal Physique, the most promising rising star in the future of the Illusion Manor!
The four or five youths were stunned, their gazes turning sharp and piercing, fixing frostily upon Jun Moxie standing beside Miao Xiaomiao. One of them slowly asked, “Little Sister Xiaomiao, who is this gentleman?”
Miao Xiaomiao was inwardly incandescent with rage, but given the formality of the occasion, she was forced to formally reintroduce him.
When she had heard Qiu Peng’s malicious, provocative words just now, Miao Xiaomiao’s lungs had nearly exploded. Was I truly that naive before? How did I never realize that this ‘Brother of the Generation Qiu’ was such a repulsive hypocrite! Zhan Qingfeng was like this, and Qiu Peng is the same!
Jun Moxie glanced at Qiu Peng, deciding internally that this man was completely outside the category of a genuine enemy. With such a narrow mind, he felt he lacked even the desire to toy with him; he was far too low-grade! He wasn't worth fighting. At most, he could be killed casually when the time came...
“So, you must be Brother Mo Junye, the owner of the Ethereal Physique who recently shook the Illusion Manor?”
The young man smiled slightly. “I am Li Xingyue of the Li family.”
“I am Meng Xianru of the Meng family.”
“I am Zhang Qishu of the Zhang family.”
“And I am Yun Xiao of the Yun family.”
The four introduced themselves in unison, bowing together. Li Xingyue then laughed heartily, “It seems we have gained another formidable rival. Brother Mo, your arrival has truly caused us brothers a great deal of trouble.”
Jun Moxie’s gaze flickered, and he smiled faintly. “How so? Brother Li’s words are mistaken. I am hardly your opponent. Your opponent has always been only Miss Miao alone; all the choices rest entirely in her hands. This matter, it seems, has nothing to do with me.”
“Ha!” Li Xingyue clapped his hands and laughed loudly. “Brother Mo speaks soundly, truly well said. Although Brother Mo’s words attempt to clear himself of suspicion, they are still the great truth. We have been foolishly struggling amongst ourselves, merely providing Miss Miao with entertainment. Brother Mo’s words have just sobered us clowns caught within the game!”
The others also laughed along. Jun Moxie felt a flicker of surprise; these men appeared to possess considerable grace, at least possessing some inner depth. They were certainly not the petty, vinegar-spilling trash he had initially imagined.
“Hmph, you are all gathered here exchanging compliments. When Little Sister Xiaomiao finally chooses her lifelong companion, I’ll see how many of you are left capable of crying!”
Qiu Peng sneered. He had always prided himself on his elegant features and handsome appearance, considering himself superior to the others, which made him increasingly disdainful of them. Seeing that things were not developing according to his expectations, he finally couldn't resist stirring the pot again.
“Qiu Peng! Who Little Sister Xiaomiao favors is her own affair. We have absolutely no right to interfere! Nor do we have the standing to interfere!” Meng Xianru frowned and rebuked him. “Even if she does not choose any of us, as long as Miss Miao genuinely favors someone, I, Meng, can only bless them and wish them a happy union! What is your purpose in repeatedly provoking us with such petty thoughts? Do you truly wish for us to fight each other to the death, causing pain and heartbreak to Miss Miao caught in the middle? What is your real motive for repeatedly stirring up trouble between Brother Mo and us?”
These men had all harbored ambitions toward Miao Xiaomiao before. However, they had all been warned by their families: absolutely do not provoke the owner of the Ethereal Physique! Therefore, they dared not act presumptuously now, even deliberately seeking to build good relations. But toward Qiu Peng, they showed no courtesy, diverting all their pent-up frustration and resentment onto him.
In fact, Qiu Peng’s elders had also given him stern warnings before he came. But the moment he saw the affectionate closeness between Miao Xiaomiao and Jun Moxie, he was instantly blinded by jealousy, rushing forward regardless of the consequences to disrupt the situation...
“Hmph! If words lead nowhere, I disdain engaging in verbal sparring with you all. Today is the 500th birthday of the Lord of the Miao Mansion. May I ask, Young Master Mo, what valuable birthday gift have you brought for this celebration?”
Qiu Peng smiled coldly. According to the investigations, before arriving at the Illusion Manor, Mo Junye had been merely an ignorant youth with no personal fortune or foundation. What kind of decent gift could he possibly present? The other youths silently cursed Qiu Peng for his shamelessness—if it were just based on their own means, could they present anything respectable?
“What? Young Master Qiu, are you planning to cover my birthday gift for me?” Jun Moxie asked without lifting his eyelids, his tone faint.
“Ha!” Qiu Peng laughed loudly. “This Young Master has always managed his household frugally; where would I find enough silver to pay for someone else’s gift?” He paused, then added, “We shall see each other at the birthday banquet later. In front of all the elders, I certainly look forward to seeing what precious gift the renowned owner of the Ethereal Physique, Mo Junye, can produce!”
With that, Qiu Peng roared with laughter and swaggered away.
“Truly sickening!”
Yun Xiao spat downwards in disgust. “The Qiu family has always had strict discipline in their upbringing; how could they produce such trash? It completely spoils one’s appetite!”
Li Xingyue, however, spoke with caution. “Everyone, please do not be careless. I heard that today is not only the esteemed Lord Miao’s birthday celebration, but the Lord of the Manor also intends to select an ideal husband for Miss Xiaomiao from among the capable young talents of the Illusion Manor. Qiu Peng’s outburst today likely stems from some underlying reason. However, competing over birthday gifts... that is a bit too childish and trivial...”
Everyone present was aware of this matter, and Li Xingyue’s comment was clearly a subtle reminder to Jun Moxie. Rumors about this matter had been circulating since last year, which was why so many people from the younger generation had gathered today, all hoping to achieve instant success. If one became Miao Xiaomiao’s husband, they would truly attain wealth, status, and power...
But Li Xingyue and the others, having seen the intimacy between Jun Moxie and Miao Xiaomiao today, had evidently prepared to give up their hopes. This remark was simply a reminder, a deliberate gesture of goodwill.
Miao Xiaomiao smiled faintly, casting a gaze filled with boundless tenderness toward Jun Moxie, and said softly, “Xiaomiao thanks Elder Brother Li for the reminder on behalf of Junye.”
The implication of her words was that she was already speaking from the position of Mo Junye’s wife. It was as if a gentle, considerate young wife was thanking a friend for their help on behalf of her husband...
(No separate chapter will be issued for this. I ask here for monthly tickets! If any brothers and sisters have monthly tickets, please show your support and help out. Thank you! X To be continued. For future developments and more chapters, please support the author and legitimate reading!)