Jin Wuyi's gaze dropped slightly as he spoke with a languid tone, his heart secretly reveling in the process of enlightening his nephew. After all these days of being overwhelmed by his elder cousin's dominance, this was the first time he'd taken initiative. "Let's go see what the fuss is about," Jin Moxie mused, three princes were equally rotten - regardless of which one ascended to throne, none boded well for their clan. A blade would be more merciful.

The seven Du brothers, ever eager for chaos, chorused in approval. Du Xiaoyi smiled sweetly while cradling the little white fox, suddenly leaning close to Jin Moxie's ear and whispering, "Was it you who made us faint? I won't reveal your secret or pry into it - I'm well aware of that."

Pausing briefly, she added, "But when you're ready to share, please tell me?" Jin Moxie turned in surprise at Du Xiaoyi's earnest gaze. The girl's eyes held a mixture of bashful affection and resolute determination: 'I'll never harm you and will never make it difficult for you.' This message was clearly etched in her expression.

A sudden tenderness softened Jin Moxie's heart, his gaze softening as he gently ruffled Du Xiaoyi's hair. Yet a single slap sent his hand flying to the side. Du Chong glared furiously, "Don't think you can get away with touching my sister whenever it pleases you! If you do this again, I'll cut off that hand without hesitation!"

The fleeting warmth in Jin Moxie's chest dissolved instantly.

Du Xiaoyi chuckled at his peculiar expression, offering an apologetic smile. Following the throng to the main street, the seven Du brothers made a deliberate effort to keep the siblings apart, darting through crowds with frantic speed. Exactly what Jin Moxie wanted - once they'd created distance, he vanished in an instant.

The little girl searched high and low for his figure before storming at her elder brothers, while the little white fox had already burrowed into her arms, snoring loudly after exhausting itself during its recent ascension.

Melted into the crowd, Jin Moxie felt a genuine sense of relief. Strolling aimlessly yet strangely liberated - no more that pesky little sister dragging him back.

The firstborn elder remained completely unaware his niece's image had already planted deep roots in the assassin's mind, for better or worse.

"Seems it really was you," an familiar voice called from Jin Moxie's left. Turning to see a middle-aged man approaching with two guards, extending hand toward his frail frame. This former wastrel had indulged in every vice imaginable, leaving behind a pitiful constitution. Though the current body had been reinforced through cultivation techniques, its outward appearance still bore no improvement - just slightly more defined muscles compared to that degenerate.

Jin Moxie sidestepped the outstretched hand. As an assassin, physical contact from strangers was unacceptable. "Indeed it's you," he remarked coldly.

A fleeting memory triggered recognition - this man had been present during his fateful encounter with the Nine-Level Supreme Dan on that rainy mid-autumn night.

Meeting again at such a pivotal moment when powerful figures were converging around the Dan was no coincidence. Jin Moxie couldn't help but muse about cosmic connections across universes.

"Still remember me?" The middle-aged man chuckled at his reluctance, "Travelers meeting by fate need not have prior acquaintance."

Jin Moxie snorted - those words had been his go-to flirting line for Du Xiaoyi. Being on the receiving end felt distinctly unflattering, especially from a man who looked barely past thirty.

"What does 'fate' even mean when I never insulted you?" Jin Moxie furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Ah, trying to weasel out now? You sure had some creative curses for me that day," the man laughed heartily. "Calling someone an unworthy companion who can't match your drinking standards - isn't that a veiled insult?"

Jin M4 was momentarily speechless at this absurd accusation from someone whose 'old man' title clearly didn't fit his age.

"Admitting it now?" The man winked mischievously, "Willing to repay with those premium wines you mentioned then?"

Rolling his eyes, Jin Moxie muttered about the audacity of these demands. At least this man's debating style aligned somewhat with his own - a rare kindred spirit in this rebirth.

"Still not convinced?" The man grinned. "I can relate to someone who uses words as weapons."

They ended up at Cao Laosan's tavern, though Jin Moxie felt distinctly like the prize being claimed rather than an equal companion.

At the city gates, Crown Prince led the incoming Tang Dynasty's Master through a grand procession, while their mysterious host lamented watching the political theater unfold from another perspective altogether.