Chapter 167
Chapter 167: Under Siege
After exchanging a few polite greetings, Murong Hong took his seat.
The members of the Murong Family had arrived early, simply waiting for Li Mu Sheng and the others before beginning breakfast.
As the patriarch of Sheng Province’s foremost martial family, Murong Hong had three sons and a daughter.
Murong Xiao Ya, his youngest daughter, sat quietly in a corner of the long table, her two older brothers seated beside her. Being naturally shy, she felt nervous upon seeing Li Mu Sheng’s group arrive, her gaze lingering quietly on them. Yet, with so many eyes present, greeting openly was impossible for her.
The Murong Family held strict rules during breakfast: no speaking was permitted, only silent eating. Thus, the hall was utterly quiet.
After breakfast concluded and the family gradually left the hall, Murong Hong finally spoke of more serious matters.
“I heard from my daughter Xiao Ya about yesterday’s events in the city. My thanks to Your Highness and Lord Hu for intervening. If Xiao Ya had fallen into the hands of the Baili Clan, the consequences would have been disastrous,” Murong Hong spoke slowly, eyes fixed on Li Mu Sheng and Hu Rui An seated across the wooden table.
Hearing her name, Murong Xiao Ya looked up briefly. Throughout their journey, she had naturally learned quite a few secrets about Hu Rui An and his companions. Before returning home, Hu Rui An had specifically instructed her never to disclose anything about the Heavenly Brocade Guard.
Therefore, when recounting the journey and details about Li Mu Sheng to her father and family, she carefully left some matters unspoken.
For example, Li Mu Sheng possessed such extraordinary martial prowess, yet had previously been completely unknown. Xiao Ya privately determined he must be the greatest hidden asset in the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s mission to destroy Fallen God Peak.
[Knowing such a great secret surely meant Li Mu Sheng and the others trusted her deeply], thus she could never betray that trust by telling her family.
“Family Head Murong is too polite,” Hu Rui An replied calmly. “I prefer to speak openly, and I believe Family Head Murong knows precisely why I’ve come.”
Hu Rui An narrowed his eyes slightly as he spoke, clearly indicating his visit concerned the situation in Sheng Province and the orders from Commander Fu Qi Wen.
Murong Hong did not seem surprised and nodded slightly. “Brother Qi Wen has already sent word explaining the situation. Before your arrival, Lord Hu, I also had people investigate.”
Murong Hong glanced at his second son, Murong Zhen, who promptly produced a letter from his sleeve. He rose from his seat and carefully delivered it across the yellow pearwood table into Hu Rui An’s hands.
“This was secretly intercepted from Zhu Zi Ming, Provincial Governor of Sheng Province,” Murong Hong explained. “Lord Hu, after you read it, certain truths will become clear.”
Murong Hong gestured for Hu Rui An to open it. Hu Rui An glanced briefly toward Li Mu Sheng, silently asking for his input. Li Mu Sheng merely waved his hand, clearly disinterested, continuing to sip his tea quietly and leaving the matter entirely to Hu Rui An.
Thus, Hu Rui An opened the letter himself. After scanning the contents quickly, his expression grew dark.
“A Provincial Governor secretly sending detailed reports about the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s orders and movements directly to Fallen God Peak? Such thorough betrayal!”
Hu Rui An’s face became grim. Before arriving in Sheng Province, he knew Zhu Zi Ming and Mei Yan were privately close to Fallen God Peak. But now the situation appeared far more severe. Zhu Zi Ming had leaked such critical secrets, practically labeling him a traitor to the imperial court.
More importantly, the letter contained information only accessible to the Heavenly Brocade Guard. Zhu Zi Ming, as Provincial Governor, had no authority over their affairs. Clearly, this implicated Mei Yan, the Heavenly Brocade Guard’s deputy commander.
Could Mei Yan have betrayed the court as well?
Yet Hu Rui An hesitated to draw conclusions. Mei Yan’s elder sister was the current Great Li queen, and the Mei Family was deeply rooted in the imperial capital. Mei Yan seemed to have no reason to betray the court.
“This is what my Murong Family knows regarding Provincial Governor Zhu Zi Ming,” Murong Hong continued, observing Hu Rui An’s troubled expression. “As for Deputy Commander Mei Yan, I also sent people to investigate. But since the ghost incident within the Heavenly Brocade Guard, Mei Yan has barely shown himself. The Mei Residence has also limited interactions beyond Prefecture City, so we have yet to find concrete evidence of their involvement with Fallen God Peak.”
Hu Rui An paused thoughtfully, then folded the letter. “I visited Mei Residence last night. It seems Mei Yan was severely injured by the ghost incident, and has handed Heavenly Brocade Guard affairs over to his son.”
Murong Hong nodded softly. “I’ve heard the same. However, the Mei Residence has recently become cautious, nearly impenetrable. We cannot verify if this is truly the case.”
Murong Hong shook his head slowly, adding, “Lord Hu can likely see that my Murong Family’s situation is difficult now. Many martial families in Prefecture City are allying against us, intending to erase our Murong Family entirely from the martial world.”
“Even though I genuinely wish to assist Brother Qi Wen, our strength is currently insufficient. There is little we can do.”
Hearing this honest admission, Hu Rui An studied Murong Hong carefully. The Murong Family’s plight did indeed seem genuine. Therefore, he refrained from commenting further.
Right now, Hu Rui An had another pressing matter—dealing promptly with Zhu Zi Ming.
Sheng Province had many problems, Zhu Zi Ming being just one. But among the tangled threads, Zhu Zi Ming’s issue was the clearest. With the intercepted letter, the commander’s orders, and Li Mu Sheng—His Eighth Highness—present, Hu Rui An had more than enough authority to act swiftly, even without prior approval.
Of course, dealing with Zhu Zi Ming wasn’t his primary goal. More importantly, he hoped to extract additional clues from Zhu Zi Ming.
Thinking this, Hu Rui An glanced at Li Mu Sheng beside him. Sensing Hu Rui An’s attention, Li Mu Sheng raised his brows slightly, sensing trouble, and immediately pretended not to notice, continuing calmly with his tea.
Hu Rui An saw that Li Mu Sheng ignored him. After hesitating briefly, he could only awkwardly give up.
Murong Hong, who had noticed Hu Rui An’s attitude toward Li Mu Sheng clearly, narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly clasped his fists, saying, “Your Highness Eighth Prince, this must be your first time visiting Sheng Province. Why don’t you let Xiao Ya accompany you to stroll around the city today and experience the local customs, quite different from those of the Imperial Capital?”
Before Li Mu Sheng could reply, Hu Rui An’s eyes brightened as he quickly interjected, “Your Highness, we have nothing pressing these next two days. It’s good to wander about, since who knows when we’ll have the chance to return here?”
Li Mu Sheng glanced briefly at him, thinking it over. Without saying much, he lightly nodded.
Though most of this journey to Fallen God Peak had been spent hurrying along, Li Mu Sheng indeed wished to wander and experience the martial world along the way. Of course, he saw through Hu Rui An’s little plan clearly. The other wanted him to leave Murong Manor, probably because he didn’t dare leave Li Mu Sheng’s side, yet also wished to deal with Zhu Zi Ming’s matter privately.
Seeing Li Mu Sheng agree, Murong Hong turned to beckon Murong Xiao Ya, who stood quietly in the corner. Seeing her father’s gesture, Murong Xiao Ya obediently approached. Murong Hong instructed her briefly, then had Murong Zhen summon several martial masters from the Manor to accompany her.
But just then, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the hall.
Immediately afterward, an armored guard hastened into the hall and urgently reported, “Patriarch, we’ve just received news. Baili Chang Feng has suddenly united the city’s three great clans, sending thousands of soldiers toward us. It seems they’re intent on besieging the Murong Family.”
Murong Hong’s face instantly darkened. Beside him, Murong Zhen and the others’ expressions also changed greatly.
“Father,” Murong Feng spoke thoughtfully, his eyes flickering. “From what I know, Han Chui Yuan recently had no intention of fighting our family. Now, Baili Chang Feng suddenly attacks, most likely because of Baili Xu’s death.”
Murong Hong gave him a thoughtful glance, then instructed, “Immediately mobilize your soldiers to guard every entrance of the manor. Without my orders, do not engage with them outside.”
Then, turning to Murong Zhen, he ordered seriously, “Zhen’er, pass down my command: everyone in the manor must stay ready. If things escalate beyond control, we must act first.”
Having arranged everything, Murong Hong finally looked at Li Mu Sheng again, respectfully clasping his hands. “Your Highness, the situation has suddenly changed. For your safety, please stay in the manor temporarily. Once I handle these matters, I’ll have my daughter accompany Your Highness to tour the city.”
After finishing, Murong Hong quickly excused himself, leaving the hall hurriedly with the Murong Family members.
However, Hu Rui An’s eyes flickered with intent. He discreetly signaled Shen An Ran to quietly hold back Murong Xiao Ya, who walked at the end of the group.
“Your Highness,” Hu Rui An suggested shamelessly, “the feud between Murong Family and Baili Clan isn’t our concern. Shouldn’t we leave Murong Manor now and find somewhere safer in the city?”
Li Mu Sheng glanced at him, then lightly patted his shoulder with a sigh, “Lord Hu, you truly fulfill your duty wholeheartedly in Sheng Province.”
Without further words, Li Mu Sheng turned toward the hall’s exit.
Hu Rui An paused briefly, stunned, before quickly signaling Shen An Ran and the others to follow.
Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, however, needed no prompting. The moment Li Mu Sheng moved, they glued themselves to his side like shadows.
Murong Xiao Ya, held back earlier, hesitated for a moment before shyly asking Shen An Ran, “Does Your Highness still need me to accompany him around the city?”
Shen An Ran gently grasped her hand, seriously replying, “Xiao Ya, your Murong Family’s position isn’t good right now. Staying in the manor isn’t as safe as being with His Highness. Better come along with us.”
Murong Xiao Ya neither agreed nor refused. She quietly followed along, wrapped up in the group’s movements.
Of course, she wasn’t overly worried about the Murong Family’s safety. Though weakened, a camel starving to death still outlasts a horse. Other martial families in the city couldn’t quickly defeat the Murong Family anyway. And beside Li Mu Sheng, she felt even less danger. Thus, she kept her father’s instructions in mind, determined to complete her task first.
After exiting the hall, they briefly prepared before planning to leave Murong Manor.
However, this time, Cao Gao Shan stared blankly in surprise. His usual place as coachman had been taken by Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong. Now, he became the rider at the front, leading the way.
Inside the carriage sat four people, slightly cramped. Hu Rui An’s plump form occupied one side. Opposite him sat Li Mu Sheng and Shen An Ran, while Murong Xiao Ya remained curled in her usual corner.
“Young Lady Murong, how can you guide us from there?” Li Mu Sheng arched an eyebrow at the shyly withdrawn Murong Xiao Ya, patting the seat beside him lightly. “Come sit here instead.”
Murong Xiao Ya instinctively shook her head but soon reconsidered. Realizing his words made sense, she carefully moved and, with cheeks flushed red, took the seat beside Li Mu Sheng.
Li Mu Sheng gave her an amused look, shaking his head gently. Then, with Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong handling the reins, the carriage headed towards the manor’s gate.
Ever since news spread of the martial clans in the city allying against the Murong Family, the entire manor had been on high alert. Rows of armed soldiers hurried along corridors, martial experts darting past occasionally.
“The troops stationed in Sheng Province are somewhat unique,” Hu Rui An suddenly explained as he gazed through the carriage window. “They’re jointly funded by the Great Li Imperial Court and local martial clans. This was the court’s strategy to control Martial World forces.”
“These martial clans fund the troops, who answer to the imperial court’s orders, serving in wars between Great Li and neighboring kingdoms. Yet, the clans retain certain command rights over the soldiers.”
“In the past,” he continued, glancing at Murong Xiao Ya, “when Murong Family was at its peak, it contributed forty percent of military funds. Other clans shared ten percent, while Great Li provided half. But as Murong Family declined, their influence shrunk to less than twenty percent. So now, they can only command less than two-tenths of the provincial troops.”
Murong Xiao Ya, now seated beside Li Mu Sheng, concentrated intently, softly pointing directions through the carriage window. Murong Manor’s guards, recognizing her, didn’t hinder their departure.
Thus, the carriage quietly left Murong Manor behind, carrying its passengers toward the city.