That night, the ancient Liu clan was restless. The humiliation they had suffered was too great, too unbearable. In the end, they had no choice but to dispatch one of their most terrifying figures.
A Nascent Soul powerhouse to the Dust Valley Sect Hotel.
The entire matter was a shame they dared not allow the outside world to learn of. The clan's reputation had stood for thousands of years, and now, it risked crumbling in a single night because of one woman and her child.
Even their ancestors, upon hearing the details, berated the clan master mercilessly. To be disgraced in his own hall by the daughter he had exiled—it was a wound the Liu clan might never recover from.
Those who had not witnessed the event themselves could only gape when they heard the rumors whispered by servants and junior disciples. Their hatred for Mo Jian and his parents only grew deeper, festering like poison in their hearts.
On the fifth floor of the Dust Valley Sect Hotel, Mo Jian sat with his parents, enjoying a quiet dinner after a long day. The dishes were warm, the room fragrant with spice and wine. For a brief moment, they almost forgot the storm outside.
But then the air shifted.
An old man stood at the entrance of their private room, his gaze sharp, his aura heavy. Though he spoke calmly, his words dripped with hostility.
"Are you the rebellious child?"
Mo Jian placed his chopsticks down slowly and met the man's gaze. His lips curled into a faint smile.
"Old man, you must be one of the ancestors of the Liu clan."
There was no point in playing polite. Masks had been torn away long ago.
The ties between their families had already rotted into nothing but enmity. From this point forward, either the Liu clan or his family would perish.
The ancestor's eyes narrowed in disdain. "Kid, are you the one responsible for the poison? Hand over the antidote immediately, or I will slaughter everyone in this hotel until not even their bones remain."
Mo Jian sneered, his voice steady. "Go ahead. If you dare make such a move, then your Liu clan can forget about existing."
The ancestor's body trembled with fury.
When had anyone last dared to speak to him in such a manner? It had been centuries since he had been treated with anything less than reverence. He wanted to lash out, to crush Liu Zexian and her family here and now.
But then he remembered the shameful condition of his clan, their meridians sealed, their cultivation rendered useless.
He could not afford to act rashly.
He exhaled heavily, calming his rage.
"Boy, do not push your luck," the old man said, his tone grave. "Give me the antidote."
Mo Jian leaned back casually, spreading his palm as if offering nothing. "Of course, I will give you the antidote. But don't think you can threaten me into doing it."
He gestured to the empty seat across from him. "Sit. Let's talk like gentlemen."
Mo Jian's calmness unsettled him.
He was only a youth, yet his bearing was composed, his eyes sharp, his demeanor completely genuine. He wasn't acting tough to impress anyone.
He was simply in control.
For the first time in years, the ancestor found himself curious. Slowly, he sat, though his gaze never left Mo Jian. He dismissed the boy's parents entirely, treating them as though they didn't exist.
"I don't know whether to call you brave or foolish," the old man remarked coldly. "Perhaps I should blame your useless parents for failing to teach you proper respect."
Mo Jian's eyes flashed dangerously.
His tone turned ice-cold, cutting through the air like a blade. "Don't speak ill of my parents again. Do it once more, and this conversation ends here. After that, I dare you to try your worst."
The sharpness in his voice startled even the Nascent Soul ancestor. He studied Mo Jian's expression and, for the first time, compared him against his own clan's descendants.
Trash. Every last one of them.
Compared to this boy, they were worthless.
"When I return," the ancestor thought darkly, "I must whip those rascals into shape."
Across the table, Mo Jian's parents exchanged proud smiles. Seeing their son defend them so firmly filled their hearts with warmth.
"That's my son…" Liu Zexian thought, tears glimmering faintly in her eyes.
The old man sighed, brushing the matter aside. "Fine. I won't waste words. Now, give me the antidote."
Mo Jian leaned back further, his tone calm but unyielding. "Not so fast, old man. Before I hand over anything, we must talk about your clan's future. Specifically, how the Liu clan will refrain from targeting my sect ever again."
The ancestor froze, stunned. This child dared to negotiate with him?
Five minutes later, the old man vanished into thin air. The suffocating pressure that had filled the room dissipated as if it had never been there.
"Son… thank you," Liu Zexian whispered. Tears hung in the corner of her eyes.
Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that even the ancestors of her clan would consider inviting her back after everything. She knew it wasn't because of her, but because of her son.
Mo Jian shook his head. "Mother, there's no need to thank me. I'm just doing my duty." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝙣𝙚𝙩
In truth, he had already anticipated this outcome.
From the moment he had used the Meridian Locking Pill, he had known the Liu clan would have no choice but to dispatch their Nascent Soul experts.
Sending another Golden Core powerhouse would have been useless, the poison would only make them hesitate further. Everything had unfolded exactly as he had planned.
His father, gazing at him with pride, finally asked, "Son, now that we are enemies with the ancient Liu clan, what is your next plan?"
"Nothing," Mo Jian answered without hesitation.
With the Assembly Summit ongoing, and with two Nascent Soul powerhouses standing quietly behind their faction, there was no need to fear the Liu clan's retaliation.
But his parents were not as calm as he was. Worry lingered in their eyes, unease etched across their faces.
Noticing this, Mo Jian took a sip of wine and spoke slowly, reassuringly. "During the summit, no force would dare stir trouble in the capital. This is the perfect opportunity to form stronger alliances."
He smiled faintly. "And what better place to forge bonds than during the Assembly Summit itself? Once our disciples dominate the supporting professions, tell me...what do you think will happen?"
His parents blinked, realization dawning on them. Slowly, bright smiles blossomed across their faces.
Indeed, the Assembly Summit was the perfect stage. It offered them the chance to network, to strengthen ties with powerful clans and sects, and to rise above the ancient Liu clan's shadow once and for all.