The Mo Family Main House stood in the heart of the Empire's capital, a sprawling complex of ancient buildings.
Every brick and tile bore the patina of long years, lending it an air of antiquity and majesty.
It was utterly out of place among the futuristic buildings surrounding it, yet as unshakable as a dragon coiled within thunderclouds.
As soon as Mo Lu's car arrived, someone from the main house stepped forward to open the door.
Mo Lu waited until everyone outside had taken their positions in a posture of respectful welcome before getting out.
Two rows of people in solid black, front-fastening robes stood on either side of the gate, all bowing respectfully.
Not a sound disturbed the silence before the gate. A solemn, tense atmosphere enveloped everyone.
Long accustomed to such formalities, Mo Lu walked past them with a composed expression.
Weisheng Tou followed close behind.
Old Master Mo was already drinking tea in the hall.
Hearing the movement outside, he lifted his withered, bark-like eyelids. "You're here?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
Mo Lu took the seat below Old Master Mo.
"What brings you to visit this old codger today?"
Old Master Mo removed his reading glasses and asked with a smile.
Ignoring his grandfather's teasing, Mo Lu went straight to the point. "Grandpa, this is Weisheng Tou."
Old Master Mo looked at Weisheng Tou, who stood to one side, curiosity in his aged eyes. "Weisheng Tou? Is this the Super S-Rank Alpha you recently took in?"
A flicker of puzzlement passed through Mo Lu's eyes as he studied the old man's expression.
He had assumed that one of the Mo Family's elders had placed the Curse Technique on Weisheng Tou.
But it seemed his grandfather knew nothing about it.
Weisheng Tou greeted him respectfully. "Hello, Grandpa."
"Grandpa?" Old Master Mo took a sip of tea at Weisheng Tou's choice of address before continuing, "You certainly make yourself at home."
Weisheng Tou lowered his eyes and said nothing.
Mo Lu had no time to bother with such trivialities. He dismissed the servants, then looked at Old Master Mo again. "Grandpa, could you help me identify this Curse Technique?"
"There's a curse even you don't recognize?" Old Master Mo asked in surprise.
"Yes." Mo Lu rose, took Weisheng Tou by the arm, and led him over to Old Master Mo.
The warmth against his arm sent a delicious flutter through Weisheng Tou.
Old Master Mo looked Weisheng Tou up and down, then pressed his large, aged hand directly against his lower abdomen.
Silence filled the hall, broken only by the faint breathing of the three men.
Through Weisheng Tou's clothes, Old Master Mo traced the outline of the Curse Technique with his fingers.
After a moment, Old Master Mo withdrew his hand.
"Grandpa?"
Mo Lu frowned.
"This Curse Technique..." Old Master Mo looked up at Weisheng Tou, hesitating.
"Go outside," Mo Lu told Weisheng Tou without hesitation.
Weisheng Tou: ...
He turned and left the inner hall.
Only then did Old Master Mo speak slowly. "This Curse Technique was cast by someone from the Mo Family. Someone from the Mo Family Main House, at that."
"So it really was someone from the main house..." Mo Lu frowned. "But why have I never seen it before?"
"Lu, I know you're very interested in Curse Techniques, but there are some things you don't need to insist on knowing," Old Master Mo said gently.
"So you do know something, Grandpa?"
Mo Lu watched Old Master Mo's slightly drooping eyes.
Old Master Mo slowly shook his head. "I don't know who cast the curse. But Mo Lu, the Mo Family is an ancient clan with a legacy stretching back over a thousand years, and you are the brightest talent of your generation. Remember this: under no circumstances may the Mo Family interfere in the Empire's politics."
Mo Lu's brow furrowed slightly. What did this have to do with the Empire?
"As for Weisheng Tou..." Old Master Mo paused. "He does have a connection to the Mo Family. Whether you keep him is up to you."
Nothing in Old Master Mo's expression gave him away.
Mo Lu was silent for a long while before finally abandoning the idea of pressing him.
If his grandfather refused to talk, there was nothing he could do.
Old Master Mo's seriousness lasted only a moment before he changed the subject. "Now, let's talk about your marriage."
Mo Lu: ...
"Would you like to meet an Omega or an Alpha?" Old Master Mo asked with a benevolent smile.
"Neither." Mo Lu stood to leave.
"You're meeting them whether you like it or not."
As he spoke, Old Master Mo rang a bell to summon the servants.
Mo Lu's breath caught.
Seeing the Mo Family's servants enter, Weisheng Tou followed them inside.
"Young Master." He took his place beside Mo Lu.
Mo Lu had no time for him. He merely glanced up at him before immediately striding toward the door.
"Come back." Old Master Mo's voice rang out, leaving no room for argument.
Mo Lu's steps faltered, and his expression instantly darkened.
He turned stiffly and walked back.
"Grandpa!" A rare trace of childish petulance appeared on Mo Lu's face.
Old Master Mo had actually cast a curse on him!
His grandfather had never forced him to marry before.
"You're almost twenty-four! You haven't even dated anyone! Will I live to see you get married?" Old Master Mo slapped the table.
A sinister glint flashed through Weisheng Tou's eyes at Old Master Mo's words.
Mo Lu was a little helpless. "Grandpa, my medical skills are better than yours. I'm afraid you'll have to stay among the living a while longer."
Old Master Mo ignored him and rose, looking toward the door.
His back was as straight as a pine.
Mo Lu stood beside the old man, resigned.
A servant led in an elderly man and two identical young men.
"Xie Ying, my old friend! It's been a long time."
Old Master Mo beamed at the elderly man entering the hall.
Compared to Old Master Mo's relaxed manner, the Xie Family elder seemed far more reserved.
He brought his two grandsons forward and bowed respectfully before saying, "Brother Mo."
"Yes." Old Master Mo nodded with a smile. "Come, sit."
"Hello, Grandpa Mo." The two young men bowed together, then turned to Mo Lu. "Young Master Mo."
Mo Lu felt helpless, but his expression remained cool. He gave a slight nod and returned to his seat.
Standing beside Mo Lu, Weisheng Tou narrowed his eyes slightly.
If he remembered correctly, these were the Xie Family's twins: Xie Chaoshen, a top-tier Omega, and Xie Chaoheng, an A-Rank Alpha who could almost rival Ye Liang.
Weisheng Tou moved closer to Mo Lu.
Xie Chaoshen and Xie Chaoheng immediately noticed the tall Weisheng Tou standing behind Mo Lu.
Xie Chaoheng frowned in puzzlement. Why did this man look so familiar? Had he seen him somewhere before?
"So these are Chaoshen and Chaoheng?" Old Master Mo smiled benevolently, then addressed the two of them. "This is my grandson, Mo Lu. You're around the same age, so you should have plenty to talk about."
Xie Chaoshen and Xie Chaoheng both looked at Mo Lu.
Mo Lu toyed expressionlessly with the teacup in his hand. A dark blue agate tassel earring swayed gently beside his pale cheek, while his gold half-rim glasses further accentuated his refined elegance.
He was like the pale sun on a bitterly cold day threatening snow.
Dazzling, yet without a trace of warmth.
Even without sensing the oppressive presence of a Super S-Rank Alpha, Xie Chaoshen and Xie Chaoheng felt that Mo Lu's bearing already surpassed Old Master Mo's.
Mo Lu felt more like their elder than their peer.
At that thought, Xie Chaoshen and Xie Chaoheng grew even more reserved.
Watching the three of them, Old Master Mo sighed inwardly.
He truly didn't know what to do.
If his grandson kept acting like this, what family would be reckless enough to let someone date him and hold his hand?
Before you continue