But this move would give the other two princes pause, preventing them from inviting the Jun family again, thus affording the Jun clan a period of quiet respite. In my estimation, this was Jun Zhantian’s idea. However, this solution presents another terribly vexing problem, one that is truly exasperating.” Fang Bowen sighed, frowning.

“Please enlighten me, Teacher.” The Second Prince seemed to have already guessed what he was about to say; his expression grew even more somber. “Your Highness already mentioned the core of the matter yourself,” Fang Bowen sighed again. “As things stand, everyone knows that Jun Moxie has fallen out with Your Highness, openly acting arrogantly and showing you absolutely no respect.

If, during this time, Jun Moxie were to suffer any harm, or if someone…” Then, the greatest suspicion would undoubtedly fall upon Your Highness. And I believe the First Prince and the Third Prince will certainly not let slip the chance to frame you.” “What nonsense is this?” The Second Prince erupted in anger. “After being so thoroughly humiliated by him today, am I now expected to send men to protect him?” “That is for Your Highness to decide.

If Your Highness does not fear the Hundred Battles Army that the elder Jun Zhantian commands when he flies into a rage, then, naturally, you can afford to disregard it.” Fang Bowen stated slowly. The Second Prince was silenced. To say he wasn't afraid would be a lie.

Just a few days prior, over a thousand heads had rolled—Jun Zhantian’s wrath had purged nearly a third of the imperial court. If pushed too far, perhaps even an attack on the Prince’s manor was not beyond the realm of possibility. “Insolent cur!

Bastard!” The Second Prince kicked out violently, sending a pebble near his foot flying far into the distance, as if that small stone were Jun Moxie himself. “A simple dinner and drinks resulted in such massive trouble today?” The Second Prince was overcome with bitterness and frustration. Some people truly should not be provoked.

Jun Moxie, indeed, was a legendary harbinger of misfortune! Anyone who got entangled with him was doomed to bad luck. Here he was, not only having lost all face and gained nothing, but he had also offended Miss Yue'er because of Jun Moxie.

What was the point of all this misery! On the roof of the Nishang Pavilion, a delicate figure watched the Second Prince’s entourage depart, her exquisite face colder than frost. “Under those circumstances, you still held reservations and failed to step forward for me.

After Jun Moxie shamed me, you merely offered a few bland words. It’s clear you feared I might tarnish your reputation. If that’s the case, why did you ever seek me out in the first place?

How could I, Chu Lengyue, be content remaining a woman hidden in the shadows forever?” A chilling glint flashed in her eyes; Miss Yue’er gritted her teeth. “Since you are hesitant to act because you fear Jun Zhantian’s military power, must I rely on you to act? Jun Moxie!

For this unbearable humiliation today, I swear I will see you utterly destroyed!” The night deepened gradually. Miss Yue’er relaxed her grip, and a carrier pigeon fluttered clumsily into the air. In the darkness rounding a distant corner, a black shadow shot out like lightning.

After gliding several zhang, it suddenly swooped up onto a rooftop with a swish. A large, dark net was instantly cast down, blending almost seamlessly with the night. The net caught the ascending pigeon, which fell into its mesh in the blink of an eye.

The man in black stooped, turning swiftly and vanishing back into the gloom. Late that night, within the Second Prince’s manor. A black carrier pigeon also swished its wings and took to the night sky, disappearing instantly.

By the window, Cheng Decao wore a sinister grin, muttering to himself, “Jun Moxie, I don’t care what lineage of the Jun family you belong to, but since you dared to insult me today, you shouldn't exist in this world anymore! If you die tonight, everyone will assume it was the work of the three princes, and who would ever suspect the Cheng family? Moreover, the one carrying out the deed won't even be one of ours, hehehe…” The saying goes that even the wisest of men may err in a thousand deliberations; besides, the Young Master Jun was merely the King of Assassins, not a true prodigy!

Jun Moxie had indeed miscalculated one thing: he had never expected that the young master of the Cheng family, who held a respectable background and a position beside the Second Prince, could possess such narrow-minded malice! In which direction would things now spiral? Jun Moxie sat slumped in his sedan chair, deeply irritated.

For someone accustomed to navigating the world on his own two feet, being confined to such an elegant conveyance was nothing short of torture. Riding in a sedan chair was destined to be a dreadful affair for the King of Assassins. Swaying precariously, rising and falling unevenly—it truly was difficult for these ancient people.

To ride a sedan chair was a symbol of status? It seemed every civil official, whether loyal or treacherous, pure or corrupt, could not walk without one. What good was this contraption!

Damn it, if Young Master Jun suffered from high blood pressure or heart disease, he would surely see riding in a sedan chair as a direct shortcut to the Yellow Springs. He endured it a moment longer, hoping to last until he reached the Jun residence, but the sedan chair moved at an agonizingly slow pace. After swaying for ages, it still hadn't arrived.

Just as the Young Master Jun could no longer stand it and was about to order a halt for some fresh air, a white, fleeting object suddenly zipped into the sedan chair with a swoosh, whining excitedly. A soft little head burrowed into his lap. Jun Moxie, quick as lightning, reached out, grabbed it, and lifted it by the scruff of its neck, holding it before him.

It was none other than the cub of the ‘High-Grade Profound Beast,’ the Iron-Winged Leopard, belonging to Dugu Xiaoyi. Looking at the tiny body in his hand, Jun Moxie felt a surge of disbelief. So small—yet its speed was so incredible?

When this thing matures, how fast must it be? I truly underestimated this little creature; it is indeed worthy of being a High-Grade Profound Beast! The little leopard, held up by the scruff of its neck, hung limply, its four paws unable to move.

It whimpered, its pair of beautiful, large eyes looking up at Jun Moxie with complete confusion, unable to fathom why this human who seemed fond of it was always so rough with it. Seeing it, Jun Moxie instantly deduced that Dugu Xiaoyi must be nearby, otherwise how could the little fellow have caught his scent? He extended a finger and poked the small leopard’s soft nose, speaking in a fierce, menacing, yet hushed tone.

“Please, stop following me. If you keep following me, your ferocious owner will cause me trouble, and then her entire family will come after me, understand? Please, just go on your way!” He had intended to scare the little leopard off, but somehow, it had inexplicably turned into a plea.

Though the little leopard was a High-Grade Profound Beast, it possessed sentience, yet it seemed incapable of grasping the profound and nuanced words of Jun Moxie. It tilted its head, looking puzzled, then twisted its body and slipped from his grasp. With a happy little whine, Jun Moxie thought he had a chance—would the little thing finally leave?!

Unexpectedly, the small creature burrowed snugly into his embrace with a thump, breathing deeply as if greedy for something. Its little head pushed hard against him, settling comfortably onto his chest. Its delicate, pinkish-red mouth opened, letting out a tiny yawn, and its beautiful eyes slowly narrowed.

It was actually about to fall asleep… So it wasn’t leaving; it just found his chest more comfortable than the swaying sedan chair. Pah! How should he put that?

He was a grown man; what was comfortable about his chest! He felt utterly exasperated! “Xiaobaibai, where are you, Xiaobaibai?” A crisp voice, tinged with anxiety and on the verge of tears, called from somewhere ahead.

Dugu Xiaoyi cherished this little creature dearly, and its sudden disappearance had naturally thrown her into disarray. Jun Moxie sighed. What was fate?

Wasn’t this the legendary fate? Except, this seemed to be a cursed fate. Even if he avoided meeting people, meeting a leopard was the same thing, wasn't it?

A cold voice sounded from ahead of the sedan chair. “The person inside, please come out.” The voice was flat and cool, carrying the lonely melancholy of one weary of the mortal world—it was Ye Guhan. With the vision of a Heavenly Profound master, he had clearly seen the little leopard shoot into Jun Moxie’s sedan chair with extreme speed and no warning.

While he didn't know why the beast had done so, the fact that it had entered the sedan chair was undeniable. After a moment, Jun Moxie’s languid voice drifted out, filled with resignation. “I say… In this entire Xiang City with its millions of inhabitants, why is it that every single time I venture out, I end up running into you people?

Is it that we truly share a deep connection, or are our paths fated to cross in enmity?” As soon as he spoke, the two figures outside simultaneously exclaimed, “Jun Moxie!” Although both spoke at the same time, the emotions behind their cries were worlds apart. Ye Guhan’s voice was filled with extreme disdain and fury, whereas Dugu Xiaoyi’s voice was bright with joy. It turned out that Dugu Xiaoyi had excitedly accompanied Princess Lingmeng to the Imperial Palace earlier.

After several days, seeing no one from her family sent to fetch her, Xiaoyi, being the most pampered young lady of the Dugu family, was naturally surprised by the lack of activity at home. She requested leave from Princess Lingmeng to return home. Lingmeng did everything to keep her there, but while Xiaoyi was innocent, she was also sharp as ice and steel; she naturally sensed something was amiss.

After inquiring around, she learned that her own family had caused a commotion at the Jun residence on her behalf. Her fiery temper immediately flared up. Ignoring the late hour, she insisted on returning home.

To ensure her safety, Princess Lingmeng asked Ye Guhan to lead an escort to accompany Dugu Xiaoyi back. Who knew that just as they arrived here, Xiaobai Bai, who was in Dugu Xiaoyi’s arms, suddenly shot out with a swish, sniffed the air, and darted out of the young lady’s sedan chair, vanishing without a trace. Dugu Xiaoyi grew extremely anxious and stepped out to search.

Upon hearing Jun Moxie’s voice, she immediately understood—it was him. No wonder Xiaobai Bai reacted so strongly. She remembered Xiaobai Bai had taken a great liking to him last time; the current situation was hardly surprising.

Jun Moxie, holding the little creature, descended from the sedan chair with a look of helplessness. Seeing Jun Moxie, and remembering the recent uproar between the two families, Dugu Xiaoyi suddenly felt an indescribable shyness. Seeing Xiaobai Bai nestled peacefully in his arms, not even bothering to open its eyes to look at its ‘master,’ as if Jun Moxie’s embrace was the most comfortable place in the world, she couldn't help feeling a tiny bit jealous.

Yet, seeing how weary Jun Moxie looked, an inexplicable heartache struck her. A myriad of subtle feelings rushed over her at once, leaving her speechless—a rare occurrence for Dugu Xiaoyi, who was known for speaking her mind and confronting dissolute young masters.