Chapter 172
Chapter 172: Well-Informed
At those words, Hu Rui An’s expression grew thoughtful, while a spark of relief flickered brightly in Murong Xiao Ya’s eyes. Clearly, Mei Yan Yu’s words had eased some of the tightness weighing heavily upon her heart.
To Murong Xiao Ya, it was far preferable that someone sought the destruction of the Murong Family rather than facing the near-certain doom that would follow if accused of murdering an imperial governor and numerous court officials. Although the Murong Family stood as Sheng Province’s greatest martial dao clan, their power paled greatly compared to Fallen God Peak, a martial sect capable of challenging even the Great Li imperial court itself.
If the court truly believed the Murong Family was responsible, they would certainly erase them from the martial world—and the Murong Family would be utterly helpless against such a force.
“Since Young Master Mei suspects this,” Hu Rui An turned suddenly toward Mei Yan Yu, his gaze sharp and probing, “then in your opinion, who exactly would massacre over one hundred seventy officials in Sheng Province’s government office and murder a prominent governor, only to frame the Murong Family?”
Mei Yan Yu exchanged a glance with Hu Rui An and, after a thoughtful pause, shook his head slowly. “Lord Hu, your question is far too direct. The matter at hand is too severe—I dare not speak carelessly.”
As he spoke, Mei Yan Yu subtly glanced at Li Mu Sheng before changing the topic abruptly. “I heard a rumor circulating in Prefecture City that you, Lord Hu, along with your companions, killed the son of the Baili Clan patriarch and several of their martial experts yesterday in broad daylight. Is this true?”
Upon hearing this, Hu Rui An’s expression flickered strangely.
They had indeed killed the Baili Clan patriarch’s son, but more than that, they had just killed the Baili Clan patriarch himself only moments earlier. Such recent events were unlikely to have reached Mei Yan Yu’s ears already, regardless of how influential the Mei Family might be in Prefecture City.
With that realization, Hu Rui An’s eyes glittered slightly with amusement. Rather than directly answering Mei Yan Yu’s question, he simply replied with meaningful ambiguity, “Young Master Mei, your information is truly impressive. But there’s no hurry—you’ll soon find out the truth.”
Mei Yan Yu momentarily appeared startled by this cryptic remark. Believing that Hu Rui An was merely being evasive or deliberately mysterious, he narrowed his eyes slightly but refrained from pressing further. Naturally, Mei Yan Yu already had his own suspicions; after all, detailed reports of every action taken by Li Mu Sheng and Hu Rui An since their entry into Prefecture City had been placed on his desk early that morning.
After a brief discussion on the case, the Sheng Province Heavenly Brocade Guards quickly sealed off the government office area. Despite lingering fears among their ranks caused by recent haunting incidents, their investigative skills remained reliable.
About half the time it takes an incense stick to burn later, officials from the Six Gates and the Sheng Province military arrived, securing the prefectural government complex as tightly as an iron drum. Given the severity of this case, preventing leaks was crucial to avoid panic or instability across Sheng Province.
From the Sheng Province military arrived Deputy General Zhang Feng, accompanied by one hundred armored guards. From Six Gates came Yao Ling Yuan, the province’s golden-badge Chief Constable himself. With a provincial governor among the victims, it was understandable that Six Gates would treat the investigation with extraordinary seriousness.
Deputy General Zhang Feng and Chief Constable Yao Ling Yuan greeted Hu Rui An but did not recognize Li Mu Sheng as the Great Li Empire’s Eighth Prince until Hu Rui An introduced him. Upon realizing his identity, the two hastily paid their respects.
Though Li Mu Sheng hadn’t deliberately concealed his identity, he hadn’t advertised it either. Mei Yan Yu only learned of his rank due to Hu Rui An’s earlier revelation. But given his continued presence in Prefecture City, Li Mu Sheng’s identity as prince likely wouldn’t remain secret much longer.
Li Mu Sheng, however, showed little interest in Zhang Feng and Yao Ling Yuan. He quickly dismissed them with polite indifference, sending them back to their duties.
Yet Deputy General Zhang Feng’s expression shifted upon hearing Li Mu Sheng’s identity. Secretly, he beckoned an armored guard, whispering instructions before hastily dispatching him—evidently sending word to General Han.
At the same moment, countless armored soldiers had surrounded Murong Manor, sealing it so tightly that even a drop of water could not pass through.
The patriarchs of the Yuan, Zhu, Cen clans, and the temporary leader of the Baili Clan stood outside the encircling soldiers, their faces grave and uncertain.
Currently, the four great martial dao clans merely encircled Murong Manor without attacking. Clearly, Baili Chang Feng’s death had deeply unsettled them. A martial expert powerful enough to kill Baili Chang Feng with a single finger could eliminate them just as easily.
To maintain morale, news of Baili Chang Feng’s death had only been shared among the highest ranks of the four clans. Thus far, no others were aware of his fate. Yet even these high-ranking members struggled with doubt, hesitant to commit fully to an assault. The decisive will they once possessed had faded with Baili Chang Feng’s demise, leaving them directionless and conflicted.
Therefore, unable to agree, they chose to await instructions from the influential general behind them in Sheng Province.
Meanwhile, within Murong Manor itself…
In the family’s great hall, Patriarch Murong Hong sat in the central seat, with almost every significant member of the Murong Family gathered around him.
Only his eldest son Murong Jin, Murong Xiao Ya, and his second younger brother were absent. His other two brothers and their younger generations, however, were present, all deeply aware of how this gathering concerned their family’s very survival.
“Brother,” spoke Murong Hong’s third younger brother, Murong Qing, in a solemn voice, “the Yuan, Baili, Zhu, and Cen clans have committed their full strength and have surrounded us completely. Clearly, they intend to destroy our Murong Family entirely. Now, we have no choice but to fight with our lives.”
Many of the younger family members voiced their agreement. Since the enemy had already reached their doorstep, surrender was unthinkable, and negotiation was impossible. Their only option was to fight, placing their fate in the swords and spears they wielded.
Yet some among the Murong Family were deeply worried, their expressions grim. The family’s current military strength was less than half that of the four great clans, and aside from Murong Hong himself—who could surpass Baili Chang Feng—the Murong Family’s martial experts, both in number and skill, were inferior to their enemies. Under such conditions, how could they possibly win?
At this moment, Murong Hong’s fourth younger brother, Murong Bei, turned toward him with a grave suggestion. “Brother, perhaps it’s best if we invite our two grand uncles out of seclusion as soon as possible. They alone might have the power to suppress these four great families.”