Just as Jun Mo Xie was reveling in his victory, a deep, chilling voice slithered out from the shadows beneath him, laced with barely contained fury.
'My liege… that insignificant insect dared to bare his fangs at you. Why did you spare him? Just say the word, and I will rip him apart, piece by piece…'
From the abyss of his own shadow, Igris emerged, his voice cold, his killing intent thick like a storm ready to unleash its wrath.
Jun Mo Xie chuckled darkly, his amusement evident as he lazily glanced downward.
'Hehe… Killing him? If that was all I wanted, do you really think he'd still be breathing?'
His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable weight like an emperor speaking of the fate of ants.
Igris fell silent for a moment before asking, 'Then why?'
Jun Mo Xie smirked, his gaze turning distant, almost playful, as if looking at a world too small to entertain him.
'There are far more interesting things to do than squashing clueless fools. Do you think I enjoy wasting my time on mere stepping stones?'
A sinister glint flashed in his eyes as he leaned back, the air around him suddenly turning oppressive.
'No, Igris… When I begin my game, there will be no mercy, no survivors, no loose ends. I will wash away everything in a single, glorious storm... just like I always do.'
His words were not spoken in anger, nor in arrogance—they were simply the truth. A truth so absolute, so terrifying, that even the shadows themselves seemed to quiver.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then, Igris let out a low, almost reverent sigh.
'Since it is your will… then I shall obey, my liege.'
His voice, once burning with rage, now carried an almost eerie submission, as if he were merely waiting for the inevitable bloodbath to come.
And with that, the presence in the shadows faded.
Jun Mo Xie smirked.
Soon!
Just as Jun Mo Xie stepped out of the Jewel Hall, a familiar figure appeared before him.
It was Dugu Xiaoyi.
Dressed in a flowing, delicate dress that accentuated her youthful charm, she stood at the entrance like a blooming flower, her bright eyes filled with surprise and curiosity upon seeing him.
Jun Mo Xie's lips curled into a teasing smile as he clasped his hands behind his back.
"Haha… if it isn't Miss Dugu." His voice carried a lazy, amused tone as his gaze swept over her. "I must say, in the time I haven't seen you, Miss Dugu has become even more breathtakingly beautiful."
His words, smooth and confident, echoed in the air like poetry.
At the side, Tang Yuan's jaw nearly hit the ground.
What the hell did he just hear?!
Dugu Xiaoyi, the fiery, unpredictable young lady of the Dugu family, the one known for her sharp tongue and temper, should have immediately exploded at Jun Mo Xie's blatant teasing. She should have crossed her arms, huffed in indignation, or maybe even lashed out with an insult of her own.
But instead, her delicate face turned a deep shade of crimson, and she shyly lowered her head. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeves as she whispered, "Really? Do I really look better than before? I look at myself every day in the mirror… and I don't think so."
"WHAT?!"
Tang Yuan let out a strangled groan, his mind crumbling into dust.
Did he hear that right?!
Was this still the same ferocious, untouchable Dugu Xiaoyi?!
Even Jun Mo Xie, the king of shameless confidence, was momentarily stunned.
For a split second, he wondered if his ears had betrayed him.
'It… It must be my imagination, right?'
'Let me test this one more time.'
His smirk deepened as he slowly shook his head and chuckled. "Miss Dugu, have you never heard the phrase? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Dugu Xiaoyi's eyes widened, and then, to his complete and utter disbelief, she suddenly beamed, a bright, sweet smile blooming across her face like sunshine breaking through the clouds.
"O,h really?" She giggled, rocking on her heels in excitement.
And then, as if that wasn't enough to shatter Tang Yuan's entire world, she even bounced happily, her excitement bubbling over.
Jun Mo Xie's confident smirk stiffened. His facial muscles twitched.
'What… the… hell… just happened?!'
He had expected a scoff, even a sarcastic retort. Maybe even a playful slap on the arm.
But this…?
This was too much.
At the side, Tang Yuan looked like he had been struck by lightning, his entire body frozen as he muttered under his breath, "I must be dreaming. I refuse to believe this is real…"
Jun Mo Xie sighed inwardly.
Something was definitely wrong here.
Just then, from Dugu Xiaoyi's bosom, a small snow-white head stuck out. It was a really cute small little animal.
"A Xuan Beast! Oh My God!" Tang Yuan screamed and then, staring at it he said, "An Iron Panther's cub!"
"Be good, Little White, do not struggle. Sister here will feed you great food…" Dugu Xiaoyi was startled by its behavior.
"So, he is called Little White, eh?" Jun Mo Xie took one look, smiled, and praised. "This little fellow is as cute as you."
Snowy stared at Mo Xie and tried its best to struggle. "Grr…grr.."
It was extremely anxious and struggling unbearably.
"This little guy seems to like you." Dugu Xiaoyi stood there staring with her big, round eyes, a little shocked.
They chatted for some time before separating, going their own ways.
Just as Jun Mo Xie was about to continue on his way, he suddenly felt a familiar presence ahead. His steps slowed as his gaze turned sharp.
Princess Ling Meng stood before him, while beside her stood Ye Guhan, the ever-watchful guardian.
A gust of wind brushed past, lifting the edges of her elegant robe as she gracefully stepped down from her sedan chair.
The air between them turned tense, crackling with unspoken animosity.
Jun Mo Xie narrowed his eyes, his cold, indifferent gaze sweeping over her before settling on Ye Guhan for a brief moment. Then, with an amused smirk, he asked lazily,
"Oh? If it isn't Her Royal Highness. What brings someone like yourself to block my path?"
His tone carried a hint of mockery, his posture completely relaxed, as if he had all the time in the world to entertain her whims.
Princess Ling Meng's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of contempt in her eyes as she met his gaze. "Jun Mo Xie, I actually came to find you for something serious."
Her voice was calm, yet it carried an edge of coldness, like the unsheathing of a blade.
Jun Mo Xie arched an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. "Something serious?"
He tapped his chin thoughtfully before shaking his head. "Strange… I don't recall troubling Her Highness in the past few days. So, what is this urgent matter that requires my attention?"
His smirk widened as he leaned forward slightly, a playful glint flashing in his eyes. "Or… could it be?"
He paused dramatically, watching as the princess's brow furrowed slightly.
"Could it be… that after all these years, Your Highness has finally decided to acknowledge my infatuation?"
Princess Ling Meng's eyes twitched.
"Are you perhaps here to confess your feelings for me? To beg me to make you my consort?"
The moment those words left his lips, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
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