Born in Blood

Murmurs grew among the crowd, but Liam couldn't hear most of it. 

"What's he wearing?"

"Wanna go and talk to him?" 

"What are you, crazy? Have you heard the things he's supposedly done?! You go do it!"

"What's his ribbon? Someone check!" 

"I'm gonna talk to him! Did he come alone?" 

Thankfully, before anyone managed to approach him, a slight commotion grew at the entrance of the lobby. 

A crystal ribbon had arrived. 

***

Those looking at Liam instantly snapped their attention to the entrance.

Since they didn't know Liam's ribbon, they couldn't verify who he was 100%.

In the first place, as renowned and infamous as he was, his reputation compared to a powerhouse was still tiny.

Thus, they quickly turned their heads away.

Liam didn't mind.

He didn't care, quite frankly.

Instead, he was also interested in who came through the entrance.

Through the crowds of people, a sole individual walked in with a stoic look on his chiseled face.

The man radiated a sense of importance and authority, and—

Oh.

It was just Kuan.

The Hand of Light was dressed for the occasion. 

His hair was not like a lion's mane anymore.

It was short with a military cut. 

A leather fur coat draped over his broad shoulders, reaching shin length.

Underneath it, he seemed to have an updated version of the Ilalian robe. 

It was made from black and white silk, wrapping around his body tightly.

Strangely enough, the pants and the upper robe were separated. 

There was even a belt on his waist to hold it all together!

'Are regular robes out of touch or something?' Liam thought. 'Why is everyone trying new things?'

Well…

It was a little hypocritical for Liam to say that, but he still found it strange that the trend for clothes were shifting.

As Kuan entered, his gaze slowly swept above to admire the scenery.

It was just him, and the rest of his clan was not with him. 

Still looking above, Kuan was subtly amazed, but didn't make any dramatic expressions.

Then, he lowered his eyes and looked at those present.

Instantly, his gaze connected with Liam's!

Kuan raised his brows widely.

It seemed like he was more amazed by Liam being there, rather than the scenery and the luxury.

'Oh, please don't tell me he's going to do what I think he is.' 

A moment later, he made a beeline towards Liam!

Kuan was approaching him!

'Oh great,' Liam thought. 

He was just about to turn around and head straight towards a tunnel, when a massive hand was placed on his shoulder.

Kuan was a massive man.

Just his hand covered his entire shoulder.

"One second, boyo," Kuan Moyong said with a friendly voice. "Last I heard you were still asleep. Let's talk." 

Silence.

Liam didn't look back instantly.

Instead, he looked towards Kuan's hand with dead eyes. 

One word was spoken. 

"Off."

Silence followed. 

Liam's words were quiet enough that those nearby didn't hear it.

It was also spoken under his lip, and they couldn't read what he said.

Two seconds of quiet passed.

Slowly, the hand was removed, and Liam glanced backwards.

Kuan had a slightly cold smile on his stony face. 

Hand of Light knew Liam said what he said without humiliating him.

Liam said it under his lip on purpose.

And he said it quietly so no one could hear.

If that wasn't the case, the situation could go from bad to worse.

Onlookers always created pressure around a situation and made it worse. 

And after that, it could only derail into a mess that Liam honestly didn't want to deal with.

But if there was no one nearby, Liam probably would have bit the powerhouse's hand.

Just then, Kuan rubbed his crystal ribbon.

WHOOM!

The air around Liam and Kuan grew silent and blurry, separating them from the crowds. 

They were in an Isolation Barrier!

Liam inwardly frowned.

'He didn't tell me there was a function like that.' 

"I see my son's effect on you," Kuan said with a serious voice. "Now you know why I exiled him." 

Liam scoffed lightly, then laughed for a second.

"Father of the year. Have a bad son? Just exile him! He'll learn, that pesky little brat."

Kuan frowned darkly. 

"You've grown quite the ego, boyo. Think Alucard will run to save you when I arrive at your doorstep?"

"Nah," Liam said. "But he'd have a good excuse to arrive at yours."

Liam grinned maliciously and leaned forward. 

"Wanna give it to him?"

There was a long pause. 

A moment later, Kuan burst into laughter. He slapped Liam's shoulder heavily repeatedly.

Liam inwardly grimaced, but kept a neutral face.

"You have grit, boyo," Kuan said, but grew serious. "But there's a fine line between bravery and idiocy. Watch your step."

The talk was over. 

Kuan rubbed his crystal ribbon again.

WHM!

And the Isolation Barrier dissipated.

By then, a large crowd of people had gathered around the spectacle, but scattered when Kuan and Liam had exited the barrier.

"I'm serious, though," Kuan said. "We need to have a serious talk."

"About?" Liam asked.

"The reason this party was even made," Kuan said. "I'll drag you. Don't make this difficult."

Liam grunted. "Fine."

A moment later, the two made their way towards a tunnel. 

There was a figure who approached the two just then.

It was a middle-aged man with fiery red eyes and… long burning hair.

As in, it was literally on fire, but it seemed to be a part of the man's appearance.

The man smiled as broad as he could. 

He had a ruby ribbon, marking him as a celebrity. 

"I'm Fire Head!" exclaimed the man. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir! May I accompany you two?" 

An awkward pause.

A cricket could be heard chirping in the background. 

Kuan slowly looked at Liam.

Liam slowly looked at Kuan.

And the two burst with mutual laughter at the idiot's name. 

"Head the opposite direction, boy," Kuan said, still laughing as he walked away. "And change your retarded name."