There’s No Harm in Having Fun
There’s No Harm in Having Fun
"I've heard that one of the 'Great Eight Masters', Solitary Eagle, is currently residing at the Jun Family's residence for some reason… he he he… Third Young Master, do you want me to go on?" Li Youran gazed gently at him and spoke softly, "I fail to understand… Why are you involved in each one of these matters…? You're indeed a very talented person. This is entire affair is very mysterious!"
Jun Moxie's eyes flashed coldly as he let-out a mischievous laughter. He replied in a sloppy manner, "Actually, I too find it very strange that Young Master Li's presence is everywhere. You're outstanding; … from the underworld to the Imperial Palace… Young Master Li, you show your disfigured face everywhere. I doubt it would bother you; but don't you think you'd scare the children? And even if you're not scaring the children… it's not good to scare the faint hearted."
Li Youran's eyes flashed with a cold and sharp light. But he regained his usual calm and gentle manner again. He pretended to look as if he was embarrassed and then replied softly, "Third Young Master, are you sure that your surname is Jun?"
"Nonsense! I'm a member of the Jun Family! However, could it be that your surname isn't Li?" Jun Moxie snorted.
"We're both on the same boat!" Li Youran looked distant as he took a long breath. Then, he stated in one go, "Third Young Master, I've looked down on you several times in the past. But ever since the explosion of the Jade Coral… he he he…"
Li Youran raised his head and looked straight into Jun Moxie's eyes, "Third Young Master, you must treat everyone as fools. But there are many intelligent people in the world. You're certainly one of them, but it doesn't mean that others may not be."
"Really? And you might be one of those 'other' people?" Jun Moxie laughed savagely. He then slanted his gaze, "Seems like sitting at home after the disfiguration of your face has given you a lot of time to think; isn't that true?"
Li Youran's eyes were momentarily brimmed with anguish since the other party had mentioned his disfigured face again. However, he smiled in an unrestrained manner and his eyes became gentle soon after. They flashed with many rare emotions as he smilingly said, "Indeed, I've been thinking a lot after the Jade Coral's explosion. There were many things which had evaded my eyes in the past. However, I see them clearly now.
"Therefore, I'm very grateful to that explosion; yes." Li Youran took a step and slowly moved forward as he continued, "Third Master Jun, you agree with that… right?"
Jun Moxie laughed, "So… this was like 'turning a misfortune into a fortune'. Or perhaps 'gaining profit from loss'?"
"Indeed! It was exactly like that!" Li Youran nodded seriously and looked at Jun Moxie, "I never suspected you and I didn't think that I could be mistaken. A pure debauchee couldn't figure in my plans. However, I know that Young Master Jun cannot be underestimated after I saw him at the Aristocratic Hall…"
"Is it possible that the auction may have had a loophole?" Jun Moxie had anticipated that this might become a problem. This was the reason he had decided to probe Li Youran.
"Naturally; there's a loophole! Moreover, the loophole isn't small," Li You ran halted; they had reached the main door. The others had gone in, but Li Youran obviously wanted to finish what he was speaking; and he wanted to finish it outside. "Tang Yuan… a man who could lose his own fiancée could come up with such a brilliant plan… he didn't bat an eyelid as his plan caused a huge storm in the Capital and induced such confusion. Third Young Master… don't you think it's strange? Is Tang Yuan qualified-enough? Do you think he deserves that credit?"
"So, that's the case!" Jun Moxie finally understood. The plan didn't have a flaw; it was the person who did. Li Yu Ran couldn't help but gravely underestimate everyone in the world. There was no doubt that Fatty Tang was unbearable. The auction was Jun Moxie's idea, but every arrangement had been made by the Fatty. His business skills were exceptional. However, Jun Moxie wasn't going to relay that information to Li Youran.
"No matter how chaotic the Capital becomes; the more chaotic it is… the better. Due to the chaos… our Li Family, the Jun Family, the Dugu Family… all other powerful families will be relatively safer. We can secure these families—no matter what happens to the others. This would help us in acquiring time for some respite." Li Youran smiled, "Our Li family has benefited from the auction; although the benefit isn't that massive."
"Do you wish to thank me?" Jun Moxie assumed the bearing of a benefactor, and looked at Li Youran.
"If the Third Young Master decides to kill me—I'm afraid I won't be able to escape." Li Youran ignored him, and continued to talk. It seemed as if he was minding his own business, "But it's important that I kill the Third Young Master… though I don't think I'll be successful. He he, you have the Solitary Eagle living at your residence—like I have my master at mine."
Li Youran had a faint smile as he gently sighed, "There's presently a balance between us.
"Our Li Family controls the politics, and the Jun and the Dugu Family jointly control the military. That's a balance as well. However, I'm temporarily unwilling to ruin that balance, and I believe that you aren't either, Young Master Jun. But if either of us dies… the balance will cease to exist. Would you agree with me Third Young Master?" Li Youran smiled in a very relaxed manner.
"Young Master Li is right! The situation is very balanced and harmonious," Jun Moxie smiled. But his inner thoughts were fierce; [I know that the balance cannot be disturbed for the time-being. However, that won't remain the case forever. And I won't mind taking your head in the dark of the night when the time comes. It will be fairly easy for me to do that!]
"I cannot imagine how the Third Young master will act. But I, Li Youran, will do nothing excessive for a short while." Li Youran smiled, "I wouldn't dare to act too rashly for the time-being. However, when the conditions are right—the first rival I must urgently eliminate is the Third Young Master."
Li Youran said this quite seriously. It was more like a earnest commitment than a few pleasantries. Li Youran's conduct was very magnanimous in this case.
"I believe you," The corners of Jun Moxie's mouth rose crookedly as a seven-lettered word came into his mind; [Strange!] If Li Youran had the opportunity to eliminate him without being suspected for it… then, Jun Moxie was sure that Li Youran would take the task on without the slightest hesitation.
The reverse situation was the same as well. However, the situation was exactly as Li Youran had described it to be. Hence, the Li Family and the Jun Family would wish the balance to remain undisturbed. Otherwise, Jun Moxie would've killed Li Youran by now.
Jun Moxie wasn't very interested in sitting and chatting with him at present.
"Therefore, there's no harm if we have some fun; right?" Li Youran didn't know whether he had convinced Jun Moxie. The corners of his mouth rose crookedly. His face revelled in a happy expression as he said, "Third Young Master, you're become quite capable. You wouldn't have been anywhere near me a few years ago. But it seems that we're the same now. We both had a poor childhood… and never had any fun.
"So, there's no harm in making-up for it and giving it a go. Is it possible that you have another playmate?" Li Youran seemed very interested as he asked that question.
Jun Moxie coughed, [I didn't have a childhood… just like you… But Jun Moxie's childhood was much more colorful than yours!]
"Have fun while killing people? Or have fun while creating havoc?" Jun Moxie laughed mischievously.
"Killing and creating havoc… can be considered a game of sorts," Li Youran tilted his head and pondered. However, the look on his face was seemingly akin to that of a longing. "And we have played it…"
The two men stepped inside the hall. Li Youran gently spoke the moment they passed through the door, "There are very few in the younger generation who can play with me, and then defeat me; repeatedly. You're a very fascinating playmate… we might as well continue to play."
His eyes had been on the ground, and his voice had been low as he had spoken those words. In fact, it had seemed as if he had merely thought these words out-aloud.
"Continue to play?" Jun Moxie laughed heartily. He saw that hundreds of people had assembled inside the hall. He laughed in a wretched manner as he saw the setting of the hall, "Then let's continue with our fun games. Ha ha! Then, you and I shall start to play this game properly…"
Everyone scoffed in unison. The orioles and the sparrows pouted and mutter in their respective voices. Thought, they kept it low. Every individual of notice in the Heavenly Scent City had gathered inside the Imperial Palace's main hall at the moment. Jun Moxie could distinctly feel that every eyeball was fixatedly gazing at him.
Li Youran couldn't help but smile as he heard Jun Moxie end their conversation in his usual hoodlum style. There were several hundred people inside the hall, but he knew that Jun Moxie had aimed those words at him.
The two men then parted without looking at each other.
The two of them had some hidden-aces up their sleeves. In fact, they could see some of the cards the opposite party held as well. However, both of them had become more serious… as if by prior agreement.
[A worthy opponent!]
These words emerged inside the minds of those two individuals as they parted.
Young Master Jun regained his train of thought; [that hypocrite Li Youran is my only rival at the moment. But I can't always focus my thoughts on him. There are other matters of importance in this feast.] He looked-up and instantly recognized something strange about the setting of the feast.
[It is quite elaborate and… very unique!]
The seat high-above the banquet was where the Heavenly Scent Empire's Emperor would sit. [Does he wish to personally participate in tonight's feast?]
There were a few more seats around the Emperor's. They were presumably set to seat the three Princes, and the other members of the Royal Family. The other members of the Royal Family would refer to the Prince Equivalent; Yang Huainong. However, the seat which seemed reserved for the Prince Equivalent and his son seemed to be less that luxurious in comparison. However, one seat seemed to have been designed for the comfort of its guest. It seemed rather obvious that this seat was reserved for Princess Ling Meng.
Another set of tables had been placed in the fair vicinity. Those were undoubtedly reserved for the Patriarchs of the powerful families. However, why was one table placed separately, and slightly higher than this set? It seemed reserved for someone senior. But who was it for? This was a confusing mystery.