Chapter 1: Counterattack from Despair

The melodious sound of a violin echoed throughout the magnificent hall. Ladies in evening gowns, linked arm-in-arm with gentlemen in sharp suits, gathered in small groups, engaging in low-voiced, polite conversation.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, every face bore a hint of a false smile.

On a dais piled high with flowers and diamonds, a beautiful young couple stood with arms entwined, eyes locked, drinking the nuptial wine with deep affection.

In the very front row below, several elderly people with white hair but vigorous spirits were watching the lovely pair with smiles and laughter.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" After several loud crashes, a dozen uniformed security guards were kicked rolling into the hall, falling sprawled across the floor.

The music suddenly choked off, and a thick scent of gunpowder abruptly filled the air.

Everyone turned their gazes toward the entrance in a daze, only to see a woman clad in tight black martial attire, her figure long and graceful, darting into the hall like a leopard.

The corners of her lips curled slightly, harboring a trace of mockery.

Her clear and solitary phoenix eyes were as black as ink, bottomless.

An uproar broke out in the hall.

The groom was the first to react; his eyes were red as he held his breath in anticipation, nearly crushing the wine glass in his hand. "Yan."

"Didn't expect that, did you? Someone who was dead for seven years has come back!" Lie Yan casually grabbed a red high-backed chair and sat down leisurely, crossing her long, beautiful legs. Her eyes were as deep as the sea as she scanned the crowd before her like she was looking at the dead.

"Lie Yan! You... you! You actually didn't die?" The bride, Lie Xinmei, screamed, hurriedly reaching out to grab the groom's arm, squeezing him with great force. Her beautiful face was filled with jealousy and ferocity. "Don't even think about it! I won't let you ruin our wedding! I won't let you snatch my Qiye away! Daddy, Daddy! Quickly, catch this bitch!"

"Lie Yan, you really didn't die." A middle-aged man surrounded by several white-haired elders had a flash in his eyes and smiled gloomily. "Seven years ago, you defected from the Lie family, and now you dare to return? Today, in my capacity as Head of the Family, I shall pass judgment upon you! Hand over the Chaos Manual obediently, and perhaps I can show you some mercy!"

"The Chaos Manual can only be cultivated by the successive Heads of the Lie family! Sorry, but you, you old dog, are clearly not qualified!" Lie Yan pursed her lips and smiled, tossing a teardrop-shaped jade pendant in her hand. "The thirty-second Head of the Lie family was my father, and the thirty-third is me! What kind of scum are you to dare claim the title of Lie family Head?"

"Presumptuous!" Several white-haired elders snorted in anger. "Lie Yan, back then, your father insisted on passing the position of Head to you, and we elders opposed it vehemently! You ungrateful little white-eyed wolf, the Lie family will be destroyed by your hands sooner or later. Hand over the Chaos Manual immediately! Otherwise, don't dream of walking out of these doors alive!"

"Heh." Lie Yan casually tucked the jade pendant away against her body before slowly standing up. "I came here alone today, so I never intended to leave alive! Seven years ago, you old fogies broke into my room while I was in seclusion to steal the Chaos Manual, causing my Qi to deviate and leading me into cultivation deviation. Now, after seven years of demonic fire in my body, I have reached the final moment! I'm going to die anyway! I, Lie Yan, have said it! Before I die, not a single one of you brats will have a good time!"

"Old beasts, I chose such an auspicious day to come here just to deliver this grand gift to you. Hahahaha! My Lie family can perish, but we must not allow a group of scum to ruin the reputation of my ancestors! Today, I, Lie Yan, in my capacity as the thirty-third generation direct descendant Head, will... clean... house!"

Boom! With a single punch, she struck the handsome groom to the ground. Without even glancing at him, Lie Yan threw him out of the door with one hand.

As the hall doors slammed shut once more.

Outside, Ming Qiye was smashing against the doors, roaring hoarsely, "Yan, Yan, let me die with you! Yan, Yan! I was wrong, I was wrong, okay? I didn't know you were still alive, I really didn't know! Yan, Yan! I beg you, please, please take me with you, take me, Yan..."

Lie Yan closed her eyes, the corners of her mouth curling into a bitter smile. "You aren't qualified."

The cold voice flowed through the air, and everyone in the hall discovered with horror that their bodies had gone stiff, rendering them unable to move.

That ruthless woman was covered in poison; even her breath, as sweet as orchids, carried venom...

Lie Xinmei slumped on the ground, screaming in terror, "Lie Yan, what did you do to Qiye? Don't do this, I don't want this! Lie Yan, give him back to me! Give him back! Lie Yan!! You monster! Aren't you afraid of going to hell after you die? Qiye must have been blind to be so devoted to a monster like you! Monster! Ah—"

Her jaw was crushed under a foot, and Lie Xinmei spat out a mouthful of blood.

A thick light radiated from Lie Yan's body, slowly accumulating at her chest, swirling like a shimmering pearl; the light grew increasingly intense!

Reaching up to brush aside the ink-black hair falling over half her face, revealing half of a hideous, mutilated scar, Lie Yan looked at the terrified Lie Xinmei and let out a sneer...

"He lives and dies for you, but you two can never be!" Lie Yan's phoenix eyes turned sharp, revealing a desolate smile.

The pearl exploded. The force of the aura sent Ming Qiye, who was slumped against the door, flying far away, landing with a thud in a flowerbed.

The soul-shattered man crawled out, staring blankly at the ruins before him, murmuring, "Yan, wherever you go, I will go with you. Yan, believe me, I had my reasons. Yan, Yan, my Yan..."