Chapter 132: Annulment of the Engagement

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As the steward announced the guests, everyone in the Liu family shifted their gazes toward Mo Yu and his companions in the hall. 

Mo Yu was handsome, with an extraordinary aura, standing there like a radiant sun, drawing the attention of many young women. 

The three women accompanying him were also dazzling, each with her own charm. Qing Lin was petite and adorable, Lin Fei mischievous and quirky, and Xue Mei cold and aloof. Many of the young men in the hall couldn't hide their fiery gazes. 

At this moment, the middle-aged man seated at the head of the hall, Liu Ye, surveyed the group. His gaze finally landed on Xue Mei, and after a brief assessment, he nodded almost imperceptibly. Then, with a faint smile, he said, "I am Liu Ye, the patriarch of the Liu family. You must be Xue Mei, niece. Though this is our first meeting, you do resemble your father. How is your father doing these days?" 

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Liu. I've been studying alchemy in the Jia Ma Empire under my teacher for the past few years, but I keep in touch with my father regularly. He is in good health," Xue Mei responded politely. 

"Hehe, niece Xue Mei, I've heard that you've been studying alchemy under a Grade Four alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire since childhood. That's excellent. However, your marriage with Xing'er is approaching. Once I've discussed the wedding date with your father, it would be best for you to return and live in the Mu Lan Empire. After all, this is your home," Liu Ye said, his tone calm but authoritative, clearly not leaving room for negotiation. 

Hearing this, Xue Mei was momentarily stunned. Although she had heard that the Liu family didn't value alchemists much, she hadn't expected them to try to bind her with marriage so soon. 

"Miss Xue Mei, I am Liu Xing. This is the first time we've met since our engagement was arranged. I must say, your beauty is truly awe-inspiring," said a handsome young man standing to Liu Ye's left, stepping forward with a smile. 

Liu Xing's gaze carried a hint of possessiveness as he looked at Xue Mei. Although he had initially been reluctant about the engagement, upon seeing her beauty, any resistance he had immediately vanished, replaced by satisfaction. 

However, when his peripheral vision caught sight of Mo Yu, an inexplicable discomfort and even dislike stirred within him. 

A man's possessiveness made Liu Xing loathe the idea of his fiancée being associated with any other male. Yet Xue Mei had brought another man openly into his family's estate. Not only that, but Mo Yu's appearance and demeanor were in no way inferior to his own—in fact, they were superior—giving Liu Xing an unsettling feeling. 

"Young Master Liu Xing, hello," Xue Mei responded coldly, barely acknowledging his greeting. 

She had naturally noticed the possessiveness hidden in his gaze, which only deepened her dislike. Her resistance to the marriage grew stronger. 

"Niece Xue Mei, is there something you wish to discuss today?" Liu Ye asked, his brows slightly furrowing at her indifferent attitude toward Liu Xing. However, he didn't take it to heart. Such arranged marriages between families often lacked any emotional foundation, but he believed that once Xue Mei married into the Liu family, feelings would eventually develop. 

"Uncle Liu, I do have a request that I hope you will agree to," Xue Mei said, stealing a glance at Mo Yu, her eyes betraying a hint of shyness that made her seem like a delicate young woman. She then looked up at Liu Ye, her expression earnest. 

Despite Xue Mei's usual cold demeanor, her performance was flawless. Even Lin Fei couldn't help but mutter to herself, "What a little temptress." 

Mo Yu, too, felt a stir in his heart when he saw Xue Mei's captivating expression. The contrast between her usual aloofness and her current demeanor created a unique beauty that was hard to resist. Yet, Mo Yu knew it was all part of her act. There was no genuine romantic bond between them, and according to the plan, it was now his turn to step in. 

Sure enough, Liu Xing's face turned grim upon noticing Xue Mei's little gestures. His fiancée was openly flirting with another man in front of him—an intolerable humiliation. 

Liu Ye, sitting above, also furrowed his brows deeply as he gazed at Mo Yu. A certain suspicion began to form in his mind. Considering the possibility, his expression grew somewhat unpleasant. However, as the patriarch, he maintained a composed demeanor and said in a low voice, "Niece Xue Mei, speak your request. If I can assist, I will certainly help." 

"Uncle Liu…" Xue Mei's tone grew solemn as she walked over to Mo Yu's side. Their standing together presented an image of a well-matched couple, causing an uneasy feeling to settle over the Liu family members present. 

Liu Xing's expression grew darker and darker as he stared at Mo Yu. There was a murderous glint in his eyes. 

"Uncle Liu, you know that I left the family at a young age to study alchemy in the Jia Ma Empire. During that time, I met Mo Yu, and we fell in love. The engagement between the Xue family and the Liu family was arranged by the previous generation, but I sincerely ask for Uncle Liu's blessing to be with Mo Yu instead," Xue Mei said, her words calm but firm. 

Drip! The teacup in Liu Ye's hand trembled slightly, causing some tea to spill and drip down the side of the table. 

The hall fell into silence. Everyone in the Liu family shifted their gazes between Mo Yu, Xue Mei, and Liu Ye, awaiting the patriarch's reaction. 

Some of the women in the Liu family could understand Xue Mei's pursuit of love, even admiring her for it. However, the expressions of the Liu family's men were mixed—some were indifferent, others angry, and some snickered quietly. 

Though both cases involved breaking an engagement, Xue Mei's approach differed greatly from that of Nalan Yanran, whose infamous annulment was an act of arrogant coercion. Nalan had used the might of the Yunlan Sect to pressure the Xiao family when Xiao Yan's talent had waned, a deeply humiliating move. 

Xue Mei, on the other hand, sought to touch hearts, using her supposed deep affection for Mo Yu as the reason for the annulment, leaving the decision to the Liu family. This approach spared the Liu family some face, which was why her master, Frank, did not personally intervene, fearing that it would make the situation even more embarrassing for the Liu family. 

In the Dou Qi Continent, arranged marriages between major families were common, but it was equally common for engagements to be broken for various reasons. 

Had Nalan Yanran approached the matter with more humility, the situation with Xiao Yan would never have escalated to the infamous "Three-Year Agreement." 

Watching Liu Ye's stern and indifferent expression, Xue Mei did not dare lift her head. It was at this moment that Mo Yu stepped forward and cupped his hands respectfully. "Patriarch Liu, I am Mo Yu. I met Xue Mei by chance, and at the time, she was unaware of her engagement. Over the years, we have fallen in love and pledged ourselves to each other. I humbly request that you bless our union." 

Of course, these words were completely fabricated. He had only known Xue Mei for a little over a month, and there was no true love between them. However, with the Liu family residing in the distant Mu Lan Empire, they couldn't possibly know the truth. 

Mo Yu was merely fulfilling his part of the deal. Having promised Frank to do the job, he would carry it through to the end. 

"Hmph! Boy, do you think you have the right to speak here?" 

A cold snort echoed in the hall as Liu Xing's venomous gaze locked onto Mo Yu. He was seething with hatred toward this man who had stolen his fiancée. 

Liu Xing clenched his fists, and a faint red Dou Qi began to cover his right arm, eventually forming a red wolf's head. 

Liu family's Xuan-Class, Advanced top-tier technique: Crimson Wolf's Roar! 

Watching Liu Xing's reaction, Mo Yu remained calm. Although Liu Xing was the heir of the Liu family and a powerful Dou Shi, his strength was only that of a Two-Star Dou Shi. Among his peers, he was exceptional, but to Mo Yu, he was no more than an ant. 

Standing protectively in front of Xue Mei, Mo Yu didn't even bother to use any Dou Techniques. Having consumed the Tiger Strength Pill, his sheer physical strength alone was terrifying. 

Clenching his right fist, Mo Yu directly met Liu Xing's attack head-on. 

The young men of the Liu family burst into laughter, mocking Mo Yu's foolishness. How could anyone dare to face their young master without even using Dou Qi or Dou Techniques? Was he paralyzed with fear? 

However, some of the older members of the Liu family noticed something unusual. The boy hadn't activated any Dou Qi or used any Dou Techniques, but the raw power in his body seemed as formidable as that of a magical beast. Hidden within his small frame was an overwhelming force. 

"Boom!" 

The clash of two fists erupted with a thunderous sound, sending shockwaves through the room. The tea on the table rippled as if disturbed by an invisible force. 

Just when the Liu family youths thought that Mo Yu would be easily overpowered by the young master, they were stunned to realize that the one forced back was Liu Xing, whom they believed to be unbeatable! 

"How is that possible?!" 

The young master's talent was renowned throughout Western Wasteland City and even the entire western region of the Mu Lan Empire. How could he lose to some unknown youth? 

What's more, Mo Yu hadn't even used any combat techniques—it was utterly unbelievable! 

Liu Xing staggered back a few steps, rubbing his slightly sore shoulder. During their exchange, he had felt an overwhelming force crashing down on him, like a mountain pressing from above, making him feel utterly powerless. 

Glancing at the motionless Mo Yu, a flicker of unquenchable rage appeared in Liu Xing's eyes. To be bested by a mere youth—he felt humiliated. 

"You've succeeded in angering me!" Liu Xing roared. 

A stronger burst of fighting energy surged from Liu Xing's body. Simultaneously, the ring on his hand flashed, and a long, cold sword emitting a chilling aura appeared in his hand. The temperature in the hall instantly dropped several degrees. 

"The Ice Soul Sword!" 

The moment Liu family's members saw the sword in Liu Xing's hand, they burst into excited discussions about the weapon. 

The Liu family, being a rare weapon refiner family, had many members knowledgeable in the art of weapon refining. Among them, Liu Xing had the highest mastery in weapon refining, even surpassing some of the family elders. 

Half a year ago, Liu Xing had passed the second-rank blacksmith examination at the Beast Wasteland City's Weapon Alliance branch, becoming an outer member. The Ice Soul Sword was the weapon he personally forged during that examination. 

Though it was only a second-rank weapon, it possessed the rare ice attribute and was considered one of the top-tier second-rank weapons, enjoying significant fame within the family. 

Mo Yu's gaze landed on the Ice Soul Sword in Liu Xing's hand, showing a hint of interest. The Liu family truly lived up to its reputation as a weapon refiners family. Though the sword's rank wasn't high, it was still the best weapon Mo Yu had seen since his reincarnation, aside from the ones he crafted himself. 

The Dou Qi continent's reputation as a barren land for weapon refiners wasn't unfounded. 

Despite the cold expression on Mo Yu's face, a murderous glint flashed in Liu Xing's eyes. As a proud genius, he had never felt so belittled by someone like Mo Yu. 

"Die, brat!" 

With the Ice Soul Sword in hand, an intense chill swept through the hall, striking fear into the hearts of everyone present. Just as Liu Xing was about to strike, an angry voice suddenly rang out. 

"Xing'er, that's enough!" 

From his seat, Liu Ye, the head of the Liu family, had stood up at some point. His face hardened as he looked at the chaos in the hall. 

"Miss Xue Mei and her friend are guests of the Liu family. Do not be rude. Step back!" Liu Ye's gaze swept over Xue Mei and her companions, finally resting on Mo Yu. 

The display of strength by the youth had surprised even him. 

As the head of the Liu family, Liu Ye could naturally see that the boy Xue Mei had brought with her was extremely talented. 

"Father, but Mo Yu…" Liu Xing was reluctant to back down, but when he saw his father's increasingly stern gaze, he swallowed the rest of his words. 

In the Liu family, the family head's authority was absolute—even his son couldn't argue. 

At that moment, sensing the tense atmosphere, Xue Mei quickly stepped forward, walking up to Liu Ye and apologizing respectfully. 

"Uncle Liu, this is my fault. I hope you won't be upset. Before we came, my teacher knew today's situation might be a bit impolite, so he specifically asked me to bring something as a gift to apologize." 

As she spoke, Xue Mei brushed her hand against the ring on her finger, and a jade box with a faint green glow appeared in her palm. 

Carefully opening the box, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the hall, invigorating the spirits of all who smelled it. 

Several curious elders of the Liu family craned their necks to peer inside the jade box, their bodies suddenly stiffening as one of them exclaimed, "Tiger Strength Pill?!" 

Liu Ye's gaze also shifted to the contents of the box. As he looked at the brownish-yellow pill inside, the darkness in his eyes began to dissipate, replaced by a hint of interest. 

Liu Ye had heard of the Tiger Strength Pill before. Among fourth-grade pills, it was considered an exceptional one, and even for a Dou Ling expert like him, it would have significant effects. 

After pondering for a moment, Liu Ye looked at Xue Mei, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. 

The marriage alliance between the Liu and Xue families was an unexpected decision but served as a bridge between the two families. However, judging by Xue Mei's expression, it was clear that she didn't favor the match. Now, with this fourth-grade pill in hand, perhaps… 

"Father, I object!" 

Suddenly, a sharp voice echoed from outside the hall. A young man with a sinister expression slowly walked in. 

Seeing this person, Qing Lin, who stood behind Mo Yu, covered her small, rosy mouth in shock and exclaimed, "Young master, that's the man from the flying magical beast…" 

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