The great Assassin Jun had a stubborn streak a mile wide. If you smoothed things over with him, he'd agree to anything, but if you pushed him, stood your ground rigidly, Jun the Great Assassin would absolutely not indulge you. You are stubborn? I will be even more stubborn! Perhaps this was the greatest weakness in his character.

Almost pointing directly at Ye Guhan’s face, he scoffed, then turned to Du Gu Xiaoyi with a look of utter helplessness. “Miss Du Gu, this little white thing of yours is far too easy to trick, isn't it? Wait, I didn't even try to lure him; he just practically threw himself into my arms. It happened last time too. Even if this Young Master is handsome and charming, loved by all, does a Profound Beast even know what a handsome man is? I feel like capturing it and stewing it into a pot, but it’s so small, not much meat on its bones at all.”

Xiao Baibai nestled comfortably in his arms, emitting a soft, contented purring sound—a noise it only made when supremely happy. It opened its eyes, cast a warm and deeply satisfied glance over Jun Mo Xie’s body, then closed them again to continue basking in bliss, utterly unaware that the person it considered the closest and best friend was plotting to stew it. Du Gu Xiaoyi, meanwhile, was caught in a swirl of blush. It wasn’t for any other reason than hearing Jun Mo Xie affectionately call her a “little lass” just now, and mention “the matters between me and the little lass.” What matters are there between him and me? The young girl immediately became flustered again. He had also been talking to her about… Xiao Baibai, instantly— “What did you just say?” Her eyes snapped open wide, instantly regaining her fierce composure, her small fists clenching again as she glared fiercely at Jun Mo Xie. She suddenly felt that this fellow was once again incredibly punchable.

“Alas, Eldest Miss, please do not strike me again! Just your father and your seven older brothers have turned the entire Jun household into ruins and wreckage, leaving not a single tile overhead. That alone has left me scorched on the outside and tender on the inside, barely looking human anymore.”

Jun Mo Xie offered a slight bow, leaning weightlessly against the sedan chair, looking as if he had no bones, his expression mournful, as if he had been thoroughly abused by the elders and youngsters of the Du Gu family. He looked genuinely wronged.

It was indeed scorched on the outside and tender on the inside, and he certainly didn't look very human, but that was the result of Du Gu Xiaoyi's seven brothers. “Oh… is that so? I understand, it’s actually not your fault. I’m sorry, I’ll ask my father to help you rebuild your house, and we will compensate for any losses.”

Du Gu Xiaoyi felt exceptionally and profoundly ashamed. After all, the harassment from her family started entirely because of her. The poor girl now only knew that her family had mobilized to cause trouble for Jun Mo Xie. In her imagination, given the overbearing methods of her father and seven brothers, the Jun family and Jun Mo Xie certainly wouldn't have an easy time. Even if it wasn't as exaggerated as Jun Mo Xie claimed, it must be close. Bang! She had no idea that her seven brothers were still lying in bed, unable to get up, thanks to Jun Mo Xie, and her own hard-as-rock father had been thoroughly extorted by Jun Mo Xie like shaking down a tyrant, although the bill hadn't been paid yet…

“It’s nothing. Alas, speaking of which, this matter isn't your fault; perhaps your father didn't understand the situation,” Jun Mo Xie said magnanimously, waving his hand. “I am the junior; enduring it is just a small matter. After all, our two families are old friends, with such deep affection built over many years. Surely we wouldn't resort to swords and spears, would we?”

Du Gu Xiaoyi nodded vigorously, her bright eyes filled with satisfaction. “Actually, you don’t have to be so considerate of my… feelings; you shouldn't let yourself be too… wronged…” She stammered through those two sentences. By the time she finished, her face was flushed like a burned fire, nearly red to her neck.

Poor little lass, she had completely misunderstood the situation. She instinctively believed that Jun Mo Xie was "enduring the abuse from her father and brothers" entirely for her sake. Thinking this, the young girl's heart suddenly felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey. She had no idea how her mind had jumped to that conclusion! Jun Mo Xie responded with great benevolence and righteousness: “It is my duty, my duty.”

Du Gu Xiaoyi became even more bashful, unconsciously drawing circles on the ground with her toes, tilting her head, her small face flushed. Her large eyes flickered as she sneakily glanced at Jun Mo Xie, immensely satisfied, conveying a sentiment of, If you can be this way, my heart is deeply content.

While these two were engaged in this sweet affection and mutual adoration, Ye Guhan, standing to the side, truly couldn't bear to watch anymore. He let out a long sigh, completely unable to imagine that someone’s shamelessness could reach such a degree in this world! “Jun Mo Xie, you, you are too shameless!” Ye Guhan pointed at Jun Mo Xie, desperately wanting to beat the fellow to death. “The seven brothers of the Du Gu family suffered a great loss at your hands, and you still dare to say such things now?”

“Ah? Impossible?” Du Gu Xiaoyi cried out in shock, looking at Jun Mo Xie in disbelief.

“Nothing of the sort happened,” Jun Mo Xie flatly denied, deliberately stirring up trouble and sowing discord. “Ye Guhan, you, a dignified Heavenly Profound Master, fabricating such rumors to deceive Miss Du Gu—harrumph, that’s impossible, isn't it? Think about those seven imposing figures! How could I possibly handle them? By what merit could I deal with them? What is your motive for distorting the facts!”

At this critical juncture, admitting it was absolutely out of the question; he couldn't admit it even if beaten to death. If Du Gu Xiaoyi turned on him… retreating was the best course of action.

Du Gu Xiaoyi looked at Ye Guhan with confusion. “Miss Du Gu, you’ll know once you return home.” Ye Guhan remained unmoved, casting a sharp glance at Jun Mo Xie. “Miss Du Gu, it is getting late. We should set off quickly. This humble Ye still needs to return to protect the Princess.”

Du Gu Xiaoyi hesitated, wavering. Having finally managed to see Jun Mo Xie, and with the atmosphere being so pleasant, she was truly reluctant to leave. However, Ye Guhan’s sudden interruption had made the little girl more concerned about the situation back home. She knew Ye Guhan’s character well; given his nature, he wouldn't speak carelessly without basis. Even though, judging by Jun Mo Xie’s apparent abilities, it seemed impossible for him to handle her several brothers! “Xiao Baibai, come, come to Sister,” Du Gu Xiaoyi cautiously approached Jun Mo Xie, cupping her hands. As she neared, she caught the faint scent emanating from Jun Mo Xie, and her small face flushed again.

Jun Mo Xie quickly picked up the small leopard and offered it to Du Gu Xiaoyi. This time, the little fellow didn't resist, only gazing longingly at Jun Mo Xie with an expression of extreme pitifulness.

In that precise instant, a question suddenly arose in Jun Mo Xie’s mind: Why was this small leopard, whom he had never met before, so attached to him? Logically, this made absolutely no sense! However, nothing in the world happens without reason; there must be something he hadn't considered, something he possessed that others did not…

Could it be because of… the Exquisite Hongjun Pagoda and the Heaven-Opening Creation Technique?! This thought flashed through Jun Mo Xie’s mind like lightning, seemingly the only possible explanation! “Jun… Mo Xie, may I come see you tomorrow?” Du Gu Xiaoyi lowered her head, clutching the little leopard to her chest, seeking an excuse. “Xiao Baibai really likes you; if it doesn't see you, it… it will be very unhappy. I, I, I don’t want it to be unhappy.” By the time Du Gu Xiaoyi finished speaking, her delicate neck was bent low; she herself didn’t know how she had uttered those words, and the excuse she found was utterly flimsy…

“Fine!” Jun Mo Xie, his mind already calculating, readily agreed. “Tomorrow, I will help you coax it well, make it obedient, and then we can both play with it tomorrow.”

Du Gu Xiaoyi was overjoyed upon hearing this. “It’s a deal.”

“A deal!” Jun Mo Xie gave the little creature a look filled with ill intent, chuckling with satisfaction in his heart. Little thing, tomorrow this young master is going to run some experiments on you, hehe.

The little creature in Du Gu Xiaoyi’s arms suddenly felt a chill run through its body, its soft white fur bristling. It looked around alertly, but there was no sign of an enemy, so it doubtfully lowered its head. If it could speak, it would surely ask suspiciously, What’s going on? Why the sudden chill? Did I wear too few clothes? I only have this one coat of fur! Du Gu Xiaoyi walked away, looking back three steps at a time.

Jun Mo Xie also lost the inclination to stay outside any longer and swiftly returned to his residence.

“Third Uncle, Third Uncle!” Upon returning, Jun Mo Xie’s first action was to run to Jun Wu Yi’s courtyard. However, upon entering the door, he was nearly knocked backward by a wave of odor. Covering his nose, he backed out. “What is that smell?”

Jun Wu Yi walked out slowly.

When there were no outsiders, he would never sit in a wheelchair; he had grown utterly sick of the damned thing after ten years! Third Master Jun’s gaze was profound. “I got those children back.”

“Children? Wh-which children?” Jun Mo Xie stammered.

“Those young men and women we released previously; we have recovered forty-five in total. I have currently cleaned up an empty warehouse at home and temporarily settled them there. As for the children with deformed limbs, thirty-nine in total, they are currently with me. I am attempting to use Profound Qi to clear their meridians, to see if there is any hope of recovery, so they might live like ordinary people.”

Jun Mo Xie was greatly shocked.

Jun Wu Yi’s gaze was deep. “Mo Xie, your actions are extremely goal-oriented, and your utilitarianism is perhaps too heavy. However, remember this: even though cultivating family power is the utmost priority for our clan, being strict, even ruthless, is understandable; but as long as they are people of our Jun family, we have the obligation to be responsible for them! Including their food, clothing, shelter, injury, sickness, and medical care!”

“Furthermore, while benevolence must not be used carelessly, it must not be lightly discarded either!” Jun Wu Yi stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with pain as he looked back at the house. “Like these children, we… cannot ignore them!”

Jun Wu Yi said this resolutely, allowing no room for questioning! Thinking of his own ten years of disability, and seeing these children before him, a feeling of sympathy arose naturally.

“Even if they can do nothing, as long as we can afford to support them, it doesn’t matter if it’s a burden!”

Jun Mo Xie remained silent, and after a long while, he said, “I understand.” He thought secretly: Perhaps this is the difference between a true gentleman and myself? But is such kindness, such hardship, meaningful?!