But once Damien Gray has set his sights on a target, escape is impossible. Even Morgan Shangguan could only accept defeat—let alone someone like Liam Liu.
Everyone stared at the two, eyes wide and unblinking. Damien Gray hadn't even lifted a finger, yet Liam Liu staggered back two steps, coughing up blood. Twice wounded, he now seemed barely able to stand.
Seeing Liam Liu’s condition, the crowd dared not even breathe. For those of the martial world, losing one’s abilities was worse than death—especially for Liam Liu, Head of Liu Manor. Though young, he was already famous throughout the land.
Kimberly Liu was completely unable to move; she could only stare wide-eyed at the scene, powerless to do anything.
Morgan Shangguan’s lips curled in a faint, almost indifferent smile. It was as if she weren’t witnessing bloodshed, but merely watching a trivial play. She glanced at Julian Ji, signaling him to take Marjorie Wan away first.
Marjorie Wan hesitated for a moment, then followed Julian Ji. Liam Liu deserved his fate, but she still couldn’t bear to watch him suffer and remain unmoved. Leaving was the best choice for her.
Even if she stayed, there was nothing she could change. The Guildmaster refused to save Liam Liu, partly because he had hurt her—Marjorie Wan understood that well.
If she insisted on saving Liam Liu now, not only would her own life be forfeit, but the Cloud Guild might also be dragged into the conflict. Then, the Ghost Guild and Cloud Guild would truly go to war! Even if the Guildmaster didn’t fear the Ghost Guild, Marjorie Wan didn’t want to cause her more trouble.
Muriel Murong watched the two leave and blinked. She knew there was something unusual between Damien Gray and the Guildmaster, but Liam Liu deserved his fate—she wasn’t about to say anything more.
Liam Liu’s eyes were lifeless, all hope gone. Without his martial arts, what could he possibly do? He would never again have a place in this world.
He hated the one who had destroyed everything for him—hated him to the bone. But now, powerless to fight back, he could only let himself be toyed with. All Liam Liu felt was bitter resentment. Why did Damien Gray get to do as he pleased? Liam had waited so long for this chance, only to have it ruined, paying the most painful price while Damien remained untouchable. It was simply unfair!
Suddenly, Liam Liu burst into wild laughter. At this moment, he could still laugh—everyone wondered if he’d gone mad.
After the laughter faded, Liam Liu sneered, "So this world now belongs to Damien Gray. All that talk of eradicating evil and upholding justice? Righteous, selfless—what a joke! They bully the weak and fear the strong. Sooner or later, the demonic path will rule! Quentin Drake, you were wise to have your son tie himself to the Cloud Guild. He’ll prosper for sure! Ha!"
Quentin Drake’s expression darkened, while Noah Duanmu’s eyes grew cold. He strolled forward with lazy amusement, "Regretting your choices, Liam Liu? All for a moment’s gain, you ruined your future support."
Liam Liu snorted disdainfully, "Support? That woman clung to me herself—I never asked her to throw herself at me!"
Now, he didn’t care about anything anymore. He could say whatever he wanted—he’d lost everything anyway. No matter what happened, he wanted Damien Gray to pay somehow!
He didn’t deny he liked Marjorie Wan, but that woman had left him when he needed her most, and even flirted with other men. She’d watched him die without lifting a finger to help. He must have been blind to fall for her!
Perhaps it was all these blows that had twisted him so, or maybe he’d always been this way. Thankfully, Marjorie Wan hadn’t heard his words—who knows how she would have felt then.
A chill flickered in Morgan Shangguan’s eyes. Liam Liu truly deserved his fate.
Noah Duanmu’s lazy smile remained as he circled Liam Liu, finally glancing at Damien Gray. "Ghostmaster, you don’t mind if I teach him a lesson, do you?" Without waiting for an answer, he added, "Don’t worry—I won’t kill him."
Damien Gray raised an eyebrow. Since this concerned Morgan Shangguan’s people, he could afford to give a little face—as long as Liam Liu didn’t die, that was enough.
Seeing Damien Gray nod, Noah Duanmu eagerly rolled up his sleeves, ready for action. He turned to Muriel Murong and asked cheerfully, "Little demoness, want to vent your anger too?"
Muriel Murong curled her lip and snorted, "I wouldn’t bother dirtying my hands. Just hit him a few extra times for me!"
At her words, Noah Duanmu began circling Liam Liu, clearly sizing up how best to strike. Even at his peak, Liam Liu might not have been Noah’s match—let alone now.
This feeling of utter humiliation—of being at someone’s mercy—was unbearable for Liam Liu. It hadn’t been so obvious when facing Damien Gray, but now, with Noah Duanmu, a carefree playboy, lording over him, Liam couldn’t stand it. How had he fallen so low? All because of Damien Gray!
Only now did it dawn on him—he hadn’t come alone, so why hadn’t anyone stepped forward to help? Were they all so afraid of Damien Gray that they’d abandon even their own master?
A quick glance revealed that the Liu Estate’s people were already utterly wiped out. Muriel Murong, still furious over Marjorie Wan, had taken her revenge by targeting the Liu Estate, slaughtering alongside Noah Duanmu until not a soul remained.
Liam Duanmu hadn’t reacted at all, lost in thought: what truly separated good from evil? Was Liam Liu really so different from those on the demonic path?
Only when Noah Duanmu was about to act did Liam Duanmu snap out of his reverie and hurriedly speak up to stop him.
"Noah..." Liam Duanmu frowned deeply at his brother. Did Noah understand what he was doing? If he struck Liam Liu now, he’d truly be crossing into the demonic path.
Noah Duanmu lowered his gaze, lips curling in a faint smile. He chuckled softly, then looked up, asking, "So, Chief—are you going to stop me? And why? Just because you’re my big brother? Heh..."
The mocking smile on Noah Duanmu’s lips made Liam Duanmu’s frown deepen.