"Bitch open the door."
The moment the sound reached the room, both Mo Xie and her mother froze in place.
Mo Xing's breath hitched as she whispered, "H-He… he's here…"
Her hands trembled, and she instinctively stepped back.
Mo Xie moved even closer toward Xuan Yan, her fingers gripping the sleeve of his robe tightly "W-Why is he here again…?"
Xuan Yan looked between the two with quiet confusion, not understanding their sudden terror. "Xie, Aunty… who is that?"
Mo Xing met his eyes and, after a moment of hesitation, she spoke "He… he is Xie'er's father…"
She could barely say it before another BAAM- BAAM slammed into the door. "Bitch, I said OPEN THE DOOR!" the man yelled.
Mo Xie flinched violently and squeezed Xuan Yan's hand so tightly she was almost shaking his arm.
Xuan Yan's eyes softened for a moment as he watched her cling to him, then he turned to Mo Xing. "Aunty… open the door."
Mo Xing swallowed hard, nodded slightly, and stepped forward with visible fear.
The moment she opened the door, a staggering man burst inside and his whole body reeked of alcohol with bloodshot eyes and his face is twisted in anger.
"Bitch, give me some money!" he yelled, spit flying everywhere.
Mo Xing stepped back but tried to keep her voice steady. "Hu Tian… go away. I already told you, I don't have money…"
Her words only angered him further "What did you say, bitch?!" he shouted and lifted his hand high to strike her.
Mo Xing closed her eyes tightly, and her whole body curled inward, already bracing for the pain she had felt too many times before.
But no slap ever came.
After several silent seconds, she slowly opened her eyes... only to find Hu Tian frozen in place.
His raised arm trembled but couldn't move even an inch.
Xuan Yan stood there, only a step away, his golden eyes glowing faintly as a cold aura stirred around him.
He looked down at the man "Raising a hand against a defenseless woman… for money."
His gaze darkened, and with a flick of his wrist, a burst of spirit energy slammed into Hu Tian's abdomen.
The man flew backward instantly, spinning through the air before crashing onto the ground, rolling in the dirt like a rag doll.
"Argh." Blood splattered from his mouth as he coughed violently, struggling to breathe.
Xuan Yan stepped toward him and the moment their eyes met, the man's expression twisted into fear "W-Wait… don't- don't come any closer…!" he gasped, dragging himself backward helplessly.
Xuan Yan lifted his foot and tapped the man's cheek with controlled force.
BAAM.
Hu Tian's head snapped sideways, and his body flipped, rolling across the ground before collapsing face-down in the dirt.
His eyes were full of shock and terror now as the drunken arrogance was completely gone.
"Uncle Ghost," Xuan Yan muttered under his breath.
A ripple of cold air stirred, and a black mist surged up from the ground beside him.
Out of it, Ghost Douluo slowly appeared and his tall shadowy figure bowed respectfully toward the boy. "As expected of Your Highness," he said in his usual eerie voice.
"You even sensed my presence."
Xuan Yan smiled slightly "After I entered Spirit City, Teacher definitely felt my aura and sent you to watch over me. Even if you hide your presence, Uncle Ghost… you can't hide from my eyes."
His golden pupils glowed faintly, and for a moment Ghost Douluo stiffened in surprise before letting out a soft chuckle.
"What do you require of me, Your Highness?" the elder asked.
Xuan Yan turned his gaze toward the trembling man on the ground. "He tried to hit a woman. Dismantle both of his arms and throw him into prison."
"As you command." Ghost Douluo bowed once more, and in the next second both he and Hu Tian vanished into the swirling black mist, leaving nothing but silence behind.
Near the doorway, Mo Xing stood frozen, unable to tear her eyes away from where the two had disappeared.
She watched Xuan Yan beat Hu Tian mercilessly, but to her own surprise she didn't feel even a bit of pity.
All she felt was a bitter, hollow relief.
She only married that man under her family's pressure.
There had never been love, only dread and regret.
She snapped out of her thoughts when she realized a strange man had appeared beside Xuan Yan moments earlier.
"I… I think I've seen that man somewhere," she murmured softly.
Mo Xie whispered, "He is an elder of the Spirit Hall."
Finally remembering Ghost Douluo's face Mo Xing spoke "An elder? Right… I've seen him before. He stands beside Her Highness the Pope."
"B-But why… why was someone like him here? And why did he bow to Xuan Yan?"
Mo Xie swallowed, then looked straight into her mother's eyes "…Mom, I forgot to tell you something important. About his identity."
Mo Xing blinked in confusion "His… identity?"
Taking a breath, Mo Xie spoke "Brother Yan… he is the personal disciple of Her Highness Pope. And the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall."
Mo Xing's knees gave out and she fell onto the ground as cold sweat spread across her back. "H-Holy… S-Son…?"
The rumors said the Holy Son has hair as white as snow and eyes like a golden sky.
'It… it's really him…'
Mo Xing stared at Xuan Yan in disbelief....
The Holy Son of Spirit Hall has been sitting in her living room till now.
Xuan Yan let out a quiet breath, turned around, and walked back toward Mo Xie and her mother.
As he approached, he noticed Mo Xing sitting on the ground and it made him pause for a moment.
He hurried to her, crouching slightly. "Aunty, what happened? Did…I do something wrong? Should I not have punished him?" he asked with a hint of concern.
His eyes softened, thinking perhaps he had frightened her.
Mo Xing snapped out of her daze, realizing who she was standing before.
She immediately dropped to her knees "Y-Your Highness!" she stammered, unable to lift her head.
"Eh?" Mo Xie blinked, completely stunned at her mother's reaction.
Xuan Yan reached forward quickly and helped Mo Xing back to her feet "A-Aunty, what are you doing? Don't kneel," he said, worried she might next.
Mo Xing stood up slowly and lowered her head respectfully. "Y-Your Highness… I-I am sorry. I didn't recognize you."
With a chuckle, he spoke "Aunty, what are you saying? How could you recognize me if you've never met me?"
"And don't call me 'Your Highness.' You can just call me Yan. I'm Xie's friend after all."
His smile had a strangely calming effect. Mo Xing blinked, then nodded stiffly. "O-Oh… o-okay, Y-Yan…"
Xuan Yan nodded back "Right, Aunty… just now, your husb—"
Before he could finish, Mo Xing interrupted sharply "Don't call him my husband."
"I severed ties with him long ago. He lost that right the moment he raised his hand against me and Xie'er. I'm… I'm glad you punished him."
Xuan Yan was momentarily startled by her tone, but he nodded slowly. "Oh… that's good,"
Mo Xing took a deep breath and forced a small smile "Come inside. Let's talk properly."
She stepped aside and gestured toward the door.
With that, the three of them walked back into the small wooden house.