Chapter 394: Chapter 391: Playing the Fool

Liu Ruyan was overwhelmed with emotion, her voice growing hoarse and hysterical.

She was like an enraged panther, unleashing all the discontent and fury in her heart.

Intelligent as she was, how could she have failed to notice Xiao Zhize’s past ambitions for her? Moreover, she had long known that Liu Luoyan had been a major driving force behind the Liu Family’s push for her engagement to Huangfu Yu.

She had never let her feelings erupt before. For one, she was considerate of Liu Hong and didn’t want to create a huge, embarrassing scene that would make everyone in the family miserable.

For another, Liu Hong had taken her to live in the Mortal District. Out of sight, out of mind—she couldn’t be bothered to deal with them.

So, for Liu Ruyan, the title of "aunt" carried no real warmth or affection.

But Mo Qi was her one soft spot, her absolute line in the sand.

When Liu Luoyan tried to harm him, then had the gall to preach about family ties in a shameless attempt at emotional blackmail, Liu Ruyan finally snapped.

She would make everyone understand that she, Liu Ruyan, had a temper. She was not some little girl they could manipulate and bully as they pleased!

Xiao Zhize had coveted Liu Ruyan!

And with Liu Luoyan’s support—even her encouragement!

This bombshell ignited a firestorm of emotion among everyone present.

Who was Xiao Zhize?

Liu Hong’s own grandson. Liu Luoyan’s own son. Liu Ruyan’s own cousin!

In many parts of the Mortal District, a union between cousins might not be a big deal; it might even be common.

But for a great clan like the Liu Family, it was an unacceptable scandal—a disgrace that would invite scorn and contempt.

Instantly, a buzz of discussion erupted among the Liu Family members, and all eyes fixed on the woman at the center of it all: Liu Luoyan.

Liu Luoyan’s expression was terrifyingly grim. She had never imagined Liu Ruyan would air this dirty laundry in public.

This was a complete severing of all pretenses. One disagreement, and she had flipped the entire table. Now, the game was over for everyone.

"Luoyan, did you really do such a thing?" Liu Chen’s brow was furrowed as he stared intently at his younger sister.

He couldn’t, and wouldn’t, believe it was true. He desperately hoped to hear a denial from her.

But he was destined for disappointment.

Liu Luoyan’s icy gaze swept over the members of the Liu Family.

"No matter what mistake my son made, it doesn’t change the fact that the blood of the Liu Family flowed in his veins! And besides, he’s already dead!"

"A great enemy stands before us, yet not only do you refuse to avenge him, you openly shelter his murderer! You’re all accomplices! Accomplices in the murder of my son!"

"Just you wait! My husband will avenge our son, and when that time comes, all of you will pay the price!"

Liu Luoyan stumbled backward, her steps unsteady.

Her disheveled hair covered most of her face. She looked like a madwoman who had lost all control, spewing vitriol without a second thought.

Threatened so brazenly in public, the many experts of the Liu Family had had enough.

’A daughter married is like water spilled. You may be a Liu by birth, Luoyan, but you’re part of the Xiao Family now.’

’We can tolerate some of your petty tantrums, but now, you’ve gone too far!’

However, out of respect for Liu Hong and Liu Chen, the experts refrained from acting directly. Instead, their collective gaze fell upon the two men, waiting for them to make a decision.

After a moment of silence, Liu Hong sighed. In that instant, he seemed to age a great deal.

He gave a weak, listless wave of his hand, his voice filled with helplessness and sorrow.

"Get out. Go back to the Xiao Family. From this day forward, you have nothing more to do with the Liu Family!"

Though Liu Hong was deeply disappointed and heartbroken by Liu Luoyan, she was still his own flesh and blood.

He couldn’t bear to see her punished according to the Liu Clan Rules, so his only option was to disown her, hoping this would placate the rest of the clan.

And indeed, the members of the Liu Family said no more.

"Hah!" Liu Luoyan sneered. On the surface, she seemed to scoff at the decree, but deep in her eyes, a flicker of relief betrayed her.

"What goes around, comes around. My son’s death will not be forgotten so easily!"

Liu Luoyan spat out one last threat and turned to leave with her entourage, only to find her path blocked by Mo Qi.

"Feigning madness... not a bad performance."

Mo Qi stomped his foot lightly, and a deafening rumble instantly echoed from deep within the earth.

RUMBLE!

The earth trembled violently. Nearby, the color drained from Liu Hong’s face.

He suddenly realized he had lost his connection to the Arrays he had laid underground, as if they had been forcibly seized from his control.

BOOM!

One after another, Array Light Gates erupted from the ground like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, completely encircling Liu Luoyan and her followers.

"This..."

Liu Hong was stunned. No one was more familiar with these Array Light Gates than him. Weren’t these the very ones he had laid himself?

But now, the Array Light Gates were clearly under Mo Qi’s command.

How did he do it?!

’I understand this kid less and less. He’s terrifying... absolutely terrifying!’ Unconsciously, a fine sheen of sweat had broken out on Liu Hong’s forehead.

It wasn’t sweat from the heat, but a cold sweat born of pure shock.

’The Demon Spirit Battlefield is about to become Mo Qi’s personal stage... Ruyan, oh Ruyan, can you truly keep up with him?’

Liu Hong was no longer sure whether letting Liu Ruyan be with Mo Qi was a blessing or a curse.

Events had long since spiraled beyond his control and expectations.

Looking at Liu Luoyan’s terrified face, Mo Qi felt nothing.

"The Liu Family may have let you go, but that doesn’t mean I have."

If Liu Ruyan hadn’t revealed that secret, if Liu Luoyan hadn’t made that final, insane threat, Mo Qi might have spared her out of respect for Liu Hong.

But now? Mo Qi would never allow a madwoman with such enmity toward him to live.

Fang Min had been a hard lesson, one that had nearly left him with a lifetime of regret.

He would not allow a repeat performance.

"You dare touch me?" After her initial terror, Liu Luoyan forced herself to appear calm as she met Mo Qi’s gaze. "I am Xiao Shan’s wife! To touch me is to make an enemy of the entire Xiao Family!"

Mo Qi rolled his eyes. ’We’re at this point, and you’re still trying to threaten me with the Xiao Family?’

’What an idiot.’

’Whether I kill you or not, my conflict with the Xiao Family is already to the death. Why would I spare you and give you a chance to harm the people I care about?’

’Besides, are you really so sure you’re that important to them?’

Mo Qi raised a hand, and the Array Light Gates surrounding Liu Luoyan and her people began to constrict.

The moment Liu Hong had appeared and deployed his Array techniques, Mo Qi had seized the opportunity, activating the Chaos Scripture to crack the formations and wrest control away from him.

As the Array Light Gates steadily contracted, the space for Liu Luoyan and her group grew smaller and smaller.

If this continued, they would be crushed into paste by the converging Array Light Gates.

"Perhaps you didn’t realize," Mo Qi said softly, "but the Xiao Family member you’re counting on has been here for some time. He just hasn’t shown himself to save you."

Liu Luoyan froze, then quickly shook her head. "Impossible! You’re lying!"

She repeatedly told herself: ’Xiao Shan loves me so much. He would never do something like this.’