After chatting with Mei Xue Yan under the sunlight until midnight, Jun Mo Xie finally took his leave and returned back to the army camp. He undid his transformation and went to his camp to sleep.
The next day, Li Teng Yun personally paid a visit to Jun Wu Yi the first thing in the morning.
He came openly, without concealment, wearing a faint smile that carried both confidence and arrogance. His steps were steady, his posture upright, as if he were already standing above everyone present.
To him, this visit was not a negotiation, but it was charity.
He calmly stated his condition that he would 'ensure' Jun Wu Yi's safety in the coming battle, but in exchange, the Jun Family would hand over Guan Qing Han to him.
The moment those words left his mouth, the temperature inside the tent seemed to drop sharply.
Jun Mo Xie stood at the side, his expression calm on the surface, but inside, a violent killing intent surged like a tidal wave. His fingers tightened slowly.
If looks could kill, Li Teng Yun would have already been reduced to ashes.
Using Jun Wu Yi's life as a bargaining chip, using Guan Qing Han as an object to be traded, to Jun Mo Xie, that single sentence alone was enough to sentence Li Teng Yun to death a thousand times over.
But Jun Mo Xie did nothing.
He didn't interrupt or sneer.
He didn't even glance at Li Teng Yun.
The stage had already been prepared. Every piece was already in position. Killing this man now would only cheapen what was about to come.
Li Teng Yun, mistaking silence for fear, left with a satisfied smile, his back straight, his steps light, as though the world itself revolved around him.
The moment he disappeared beyond the tent, Jun Wu Yi let out a long breath. He slowly reached into his robe and withdrew a small copper coin.
The coin was ancient, its surface worn smooth by countless hands over countless generations. Time had dulled its edges, but the authority it carried was heavier than any blade.
Jun Mo Xie's eyes sharpened.
It was the Order Token of the Jun Family!
Jun Wu Yi held it in his palm, his gaze steady and solemn. His voice was calm, but every word landed like a stone striking water.
"This token has been passed down through the generations of the Jun Family. Three months ago, your grandfather handed it to me. From that day onward, I became the head of the Jun Family."
He lifted his eyes and looked directly at Jun Mo Xie. "Every decision I make with this token represents the will of the Jun Family. No member of the Jun Family can violate my orders! Do you understand?"
Jun Mo Xie nodded slowly. "I understand."
Jun Wu Yi's expression hardened. He raised the token high, his voice echoing clearly.
"Jun Family's third generation daughter-in-law... kneel and heed!"
Guan Qing Han's body trembled. She raised her head in disbelief, her lips parting slightly. The man before her was still her Third Uncle Jun, yet his face was colder than she had ever seen. There was no anger in his eyes, only resolution.
Her heart pounded painfully.
She wanted to speak and wanted to ask why.
But in the end, she said nothing.
With a quiet sigh, she stepped forward and knelt.
The moment her knees touched the ground, her tears fell.
Jun Wu Yi's voice rang out, heavy and dignified.
"Guan Qing Han is gentle and virtuous, dignified and pure. Though only twenty years of age, her conduct and accomplishments are beyond reproach. The elders of the Jun and Guan families once agreed upon a marriage, intending to unite the two households."
His voice paused briefly, as if recalling something painful.
"However, the Jun Family's eldest son of the third generation died unexpectedly on the battlefield. The marriage was never consummated."
Guan Qing Han clenched her fists tightly, and her shoulders trembled.
"For so many years," Jun Wu Yi continued, "she guarded her purity, endured hardship, and lived as a widow in all but name. She endured loneliness and pain, all to preserve the bond between the two families."
His tone grew firm.
"But the Jun Family will not bind her to a broken promise forever. Married, yet not married. A widow, yet without a husband. Such a fate is unjust."
He raised the token again.
"Today, by the authority of the Jun Family Head, I grant Guan Qing Han her freedom. From this day forward, the Jun Family shall have no claim over her future marriage."
"The Dugu Family's Dugu Xiao Yi and the Jun Family's Jun Mo Xie bear witness. Heaven and earth bear witness!"
The words struck like thunder.
Guan Qing Han's tears poured freely, falling like rain onto the ground. Her heart felt torn apart, yet beneath the pain was a strange warmth, like a tightly bound knot finally being undone.
Dugu Xiao Yi stood beside her, stunned. Her eyes were wide, her small mouth slightly open. She had never imagined she would witness such a moment.
It was a decision that would reshape destinies.
Jun Wu Yi lowered the token and turned. His gaze fell upon Jun Mo Xie.
"Jun Family's third generation, third descendant, Jun Mo Xie! Step forward and kneel!"
Jun Mo Xie let out a soft sigh.
Kneeling went against everything he was. As the Shadow Monarch, he had never bowed to anyone. If another person had dared demand this, their bloodline would have already been erased.
But this was his uncle. He stepped forward and knelt without hesitation.
Jun Wu Yi looked at him for a long moment, his eyes filled with complicated emotions—pride, regret, and determination.
"Jun Mo Xie," He said slowly, "you are firm, clear-minded, and capable of bearing responsibility. You possess the courage and resolve that the Jun Family needs."
His voice grew heavy.
"Today, I, Jun Wu Yi, cede the position of Jun Family Head to you."
He raised the token once more.
"Let heaven and earth bear witness!"
Jun Mo Xie's heart trembled. He understood everything.
This was not just succession, but it was farewell.
His uncle had already decided that tomorrow's battle would be his last. This was him settling all loose ends, leaving nothing unfinished.
Jun Mo Xie lowered his head slightly and accepted it in silence.
The tent fell into deep quiet, heavy with unspoken emotions, as fate silently turned another page and marched toward the coming storm.