Wen Buhuo arrived at Jiayuan City. As rumored, the ancient city was bustling and prosperous. Shops lined both sides of the streets paved with bluestone, and the sounds of street peddlers and hawking rose and fell while an endless stream of people jostled through the crowd. He found a restaurant in the center of the busy market at random, ordered a few dishes, and called the waiter over to gather information.

"Waiter, is there a place called the Mo Estate in this city?" Wen Buhuo asked casually.

The waiter deftly set the dishes on the table and smiled as he wiped his hands with a cloth. "Ah, the Mo Estate! That's a well-known family in our Jiayuan City. Master Mo used to be one of the top wealthy merchants in town, with a massive family business. However, in recent years, Master Mo has been away frequently—no one knows where he went—leaving behind only his wife and daughter. They aren't very capable on their own. Nowadays, several local powers are eyeing the Mo family’s fortune!"

As they spoke, the sound of gongs, drums, and suona horns grew louder from a distance. The waiter peered out and grinned with a gossipy look. "Look at that, here they come! Today is the wedding day of the Mo family’s young miss and the eldest young master of the Chen family!"

Hearing this, Wen Buhuo’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. The Mo family’s daughter? A wedding? It seemed the situation was even more complicated than he had imagined. He didn't ask further questions, but ate his meal in silence, etching the waiter's words into his mind.

That night, as darkness fell and Jiayuan City gradually grew quiet, Wen Buhuo evaded the patrolling guards and slipped into the Mo Estate like a silent phantom. The courtyard was deep and complex, but following the fluctuations of spiritual energy, he soon reached the outside of the daughter's bedroom.

As he neared the window, he heard a woman's piercing cry from inside: "Get away! Don't touch me!"

Immediately after, a man's voice followed, sounding lewd and smug: "Heh heh, you’re already my wife. I can do whatever I want! No one will hear you no matter how hard you scream. Tonight, you belong to me, Chen Mingyuan!"

Thud!

A dull sound was followed by the woman’s pained groan. Mo Caihuan had clearly been struck, but she still refused to stop struggling. Wen Buhuo’s face darkened. Without a second thought, he leapt through the window.

Chen Mingyuan, who was about to escalate his assault, was caught off guard by the sudden intruder. Wen Buhuo moved like lightning, delivering two precise punches to Chen Mingyuan’s abdomen. Chen Mingyuan felt a massive force hit him; his stomach churned as he let out a shrill howl of pain. He collapsed to the floor clutching his belly, his face turning pale as cold sweat poured down.

"You! Who are you?! You dare provoke the Chen family? You must have a death wish!" Chen Mingyuan managed to look up, roaring in frustrated rage.

Wen Buhuo looked down at him coldly, his voice bone-chilling: "Get out. Now!"

Intimidated by Wen Buhuo’s overwhelming aura, Chen Mingyuan didn't dare say another word. He scrambled and crawled out of the window in a pathetic state.

Wen Buhuo turned around to look at Mo Caihuan, who was curled up in the corner of the bed, her clothes disheveled and her face stained with tears. Restraining his killing intent, he cupped his hands in a refined and gentlemanly manner. "My surname is Wen, given name Buhuo. I was entrusted by your father to protect the Mo family. Might I ask your name, miss?"

Mo Caihuan looked up, her tear-filled eyes full of terror and gratitude. She said in a trembling voice, "I am Mo Caihuan... thank you for saving my life, sir."

The next morning, Wen Buhuo met Mo Caihuan’s mother. Madam Mo was a dignified middle-aged woman; though she looked weary, she still carried the poise of a noble lady. Upon learning of Wen Buhuo’s purpose and the events of the previous night, she looked at him with a complex expression.

"Why should I believe you?" Madam Mo’s tone carried a hint of scrutiny.

Wen Buhuo didn't say much; he simply pulled a seal out from his robe that Master Mo had used during his life. The moment Madam Mo saw the seal, her expression changed drastically. Without hesitation, she slammed her hand against a mechanism in the room.

Click-clack!

The heavy sound of gears turning echoed, and the floor beneath Wen Buhuo’s feet suddenly collapsed. Caught off guard, he fell into an iron cage. Madam Mo looked coldly at the trapped Wen Buhuo, her eyes devoid of pity. "My husband... it seems he is dead. Whether you killed him or not, you have now offended the most powerful family in Jiayuan City, the Chens. My Mo Estate is already in peril—how can you possibly protect us?"

Wen Buhuo smiled slightly. He didn't struggle, but instead spoke calmly: "I have a senior brother with superb martial arts skills. He can ensure the safety of the Mo Estate. Just ring this bell, and the Mo Estate shall remain unharmed." As he spoke, he took a small copper bell from his robe.

Seeing Wen Buhuo’s composed demeanor and remembering his skill from the night before—coupled with her husband’s seal—Madam Mo knew that this iron cage could not truly hold him. Though she still had doubts, Wen Buhuo was clearly her only hope.

"Fine, I will trust you for now." Madam Mo finally relented, activated the mechanism, and released Wen Buhuo. She then pulled out a bottle of pills and a yellowed ancient book, handing them to him. "These are the antidote and a book my husband treasured. I give them to you."

Wen Buhuo took them, knowing the antidote was for the Ice Palm poison, and the book was likely the cultivation technique left by Old Man Yao. Mo Caihuan finally felt the weight lift from her heart.

That evening, Jiayuan City held its annual fireworks show. Mo Caihuan invited Wen Buhuo to go with her. As they strolled through the boisterous night market, Wen Buhuo maintained his refined and polite demeanor, drawing the attention of many passersby. Mo Caihuan followed beside him, feeling the calm aura radiating from him, and her cheeks couldn't help but flush a light red.

They walked onto a quiet small bridge, far from the noise of the crowds. A night breeze blew gently, and the water rippled beneath the bridge.

With a slight blush, Mo Caihuan asked softly, "Brother Wen... what are your plans for the future?"

Wen Buhuo looked at the charming and lively Mo Caihuan, her clear eyes reflecting the lights beneath the bridge. He contemplated for a moment, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts, and ultimately did not give a direct answer.

Just then, the first firework suddenly erupted in the distant sky. The brilliant light instantly illuminated the night, followed by countless others that decorated the sky of Jiayuan City like broad daylight. The two of them stood side by side, silently watching the grand display, their thoughts flowing quietly amidst the dazzling light.