Chapter 250: Meeting the Ancient Liu clan
Under the veil of night, the Imperial Capital remained lively, still buzzing with excitement from the aftermath of the second day of the grand summit.
Restaurants, teahouses, and taverns brimmed with patrons.
The streets overflowed with people celebrating their newfound fame and achievements, laughter and drunken songs echoing under the moonlit sky.
Lanterns floated in the air, casting a soft golden glow across the bustling avenues.
Yet, far from the chaos, in one of the restricted zones of the capital, silence reigned.
There, a long carriage glided noiselessly down a stone-paved path, its polished surface reflecting the faint light of the moon.
The air was tranquil, undisturbed by the merriment in the distance.
In the horizon loomed a mansion so massive it seemed to touch the heavens. Under the dim night sky, its grandeur was impossible to miss.
The sprawling estate covered hectares of land, with towering trees dotting the grounds and artificial mountains rising majestically within.
Unlike the towering sky-high buildings in the heart of the capital, this zone was frozen in timeless serenity, untouched by the passage of years.
Before the mansion’s colossal gates stood rows of guards clad in gleaming light-metal armor.
Each set of armor was etched with glowing runes, faint pulses of energy radiating outward like a heartbeat. Their silent presence alone exuded power.
The carriage rolled to a halt before the entrance. Dozens of sharp gazes immediately fixed upon it, each guard’s expression trained and unreadable.
Creak.
The carriage door swung open.
A young man stepped out, and though the night hid much, the guards felt it at once—his extraordinary bearing, the noble temperament in his movements, and the breathtaking handsomeness of his face.
Behind him, a man and woman descended from the carriage. Both were striking in appearance, exuding a refined aura that silenced even the most battle-hardened guards.
The guard captain’s eyes landed on the woman, and his expression faltered. His composure shattered as he blurted out,
"Young Miss—!"
Instantly, the other guards’ expressions changed. Their previously cold and disciplined faces were overtaken by shock.
Many of them had only heard rumors of her existence. To see the exiled young miss of the Liu clan return after so many years—it was unthinkable.
Liu Zexian, however, remained indifferent. Her gaze was calm, her tone sharp and commanding.
"Lead us in."
"Ah—Yes! Right away, Young—Madam!" The captain stammered, correcting himself hurriedly.
Inside the Liu estate, the news of Liu Zexian’s return had already spread like wildfire.
Whispers and gossip traveled from mouth to mouth, faster than the wind.
Elders left their secluded courtyards, younger clansmen abandoned their cultivation rooms. Even the lowest servants were buzzing with rumors of the exiled daughter’s sudden reappearance.
In the grand hall, the Liu Clan Master sat motionless on his throne. His expression was calm, unreadable, as though carved from stone.
One after another, elders and younger generation members filed into the hall. No one dared to speak above a whisper, yet the anticipation was palpable.
Watching the still figure of the clan master, several elders exchanged subtle glances.
None dared break the silence. The air grew heavy, charged with suppressed tension.
Then, faint footsteps echoed from outside. Instantly, all heads turned toward the great entrance.
With a groan, the massive wooden doors swung open, revealing three figures.
Liu Zexian and her husband entered first, their steps measured and calm despite the countless curious eyes fixed upon them. Behind them followed their son.
The moment he stepped inside, a collective murmur rippled through the hall.
The young man’s appearance was dazzling. His noble bearing and ethereal handsomeness eclipsed the room itself.
Even the proud descendants of the ancient Liu clan felt themselves reduced to commoners in his presence. His aura was one of quiet dominance, subtle yet undeniable.
Gasps of shock and disbelief appeared on many faces. Even the clan master, usually unshakable, furrowed his brow ever so slightly.
Reaching the center of the hall, Mo Jian’s father stepped forward and cupped his fists politely.
"Thank you for inviting us." His voice carried no flattery nor arrogance—only a casual calmness.
The Liu Clan Master did not reply. He merely nodded once, expression still unreadable. At his signal, the butler stepped forward and ushered the three to their seats.
They took their places with dignity, their posture unyielding as they met the collective stares of the gathered clan.
The pressure most expected—an invisible weight pressing down from the clan master—was nowhere to be felt.
Many of the elders had anticipated Liu Zexian trembling under her father’s cold gaze, but to their surprise, she remained utterly indifferent.
In truth, the Liu clan’s prestige, though great in the capital, was nothing before them.
Their son alone had forged alliances with powers terrifying enough to shake the region. How could the intimidation of a mere peak Golden Core Realm expert matter in their eyes?
The hall was silent, heavy with rising tension. All eyes flickered between the estranged daughter, her calm husband, and the son who seemed born of legends.
Under the watchful stares, Mo Jian leaned toward his mother and whispered something softly.
At his words, Liu Zexian’s serene face blossomed into a faint smile.
The elders and younger generation were stunned. Many widened their eyes.
To see her—once known for her icy indifference—smiling so naturally was like watching a snow-covered peak melt under spring sunlight.
Before the crowd could recover, Liu Zexian leaned toward her husband and whispered again.
Her husband’s stoic expression faltered, and a rare bright smile spread across his face.
He glanced at his son, a faint glare in his eyes, though warmth glimmered beneath it.
’This rascal,’ he thought. ’How dare he act so brazenly in such an important gathering.’
Though his face was stern, inwardly he was grinning with pride.
The room, however, was bursting with curiosity. Finally, a young man in his mid-twenties, bold enough to speak, rose from his seat. He fixed his gaze on Liu Zexian and opened his mouth.
"Young Miss—"
"Call me Madam."
Her sharp voice cut across the hall like a blade, silencing him instantly.
Hiss!
Gasps erupted. Everyone sucked in a cold breath. None had expected such a blunt rebuke. This was not the Young Miss they remembered– obedient, hidden in her father’s shadow.
This was someone else entirely.
The young man froze, his jaw hanging slightly open. Confusion flickered across his face as he looked toward the elders and clan master, unsure how to proceed.
Feeling the weight of countless gazes pressing down on him, he forced himself to swallow his pride. His fists clenched tightly as he spoke again, his voice steadier though laced with hidden fire.
"Madam, I have heard much about you. To meet you in person is truly an honor. I wonder..." He gestured subtly toward the young man seated behind her. "...if this is your son?"
At his words, the atmosphere in the hall shifted sharply. Everyone straightened, realizing that the real confrontation was about to begin.