Chapter 174
Chapter 174: The Battle Begins
As soon as those words left his mouth, Murong Hong’s expression abruptly darkened.
He sharply turned toward his second son, his voice deepening with alarm as he demanded, “How did you come to know of this?”
Before Murong Zhen could answer, Murong Feng stepped forward and spoke first. “It was Second Uncle who told us, Father. Now that both Ancestors have passed away, our Murong Family is in dire straits. Will you still stubbornly cling to your old ways?”
Hearing this, Murong Hong sat upon his high seat, casting a heavy gaze upon the two young men. His expression flickered between shadow and light, uncertainty clouding his face.
Yet soon, a cold gleam flashed within his eyes, and he snapped sternly, “I warned you long ago that your second uncle harbors dark intentions. You refused to heed me, and now disaster will inevitably fall upon us!”
Murong Zhen and Murong Feng exchanged quiet looks and slowly shook their heads. “Father, whether or not disaster will fall upon us is not the issue right now,” Murong Zhen said softly. “The true danger is that without the Ancestors to protect us, the Murong Family will surely face annihilation.”
Murong Feng lifted his chin slightly and nodded in agreement. “Second Elder Brother speaks truthfully. Even in the best scenario, if the Four Great Martial Families retreat today due to Baili Chang Feng’s death, our Murong Family might linger a little longer. But eventually, the battle with them is unavoidable.”
“And now,” he continued grimly, “with both Ancestors gone, what do we have left to fight the Four Great Families? They even have Han Chui Yuan backing them. To speak plainly, I can already foresee how tragic our Murong Family’s future will be.”
At these words, Murong Hong visibly shuddered upon his seat.
He gazed at his two sons standing before him, but for a moment, silence overcame him.
Neither Murong Zhen nor Murong Feng spoke again, patiently awaiting their father’s decision.
After a heavy pause, Murong Hong finally closed his eyes and sighed deeply. “Do you think I don’t know the Murong Family’s predicament?” He stopped briefly, then suddenly opened his eyes, gazing intently at the two of them. “But our ancestors warned us repeatedly. As the guardians of the tomb, the relic must never be touched. If we do, it will surely bring unimaginable disaster!”
Murong Zhen met his father’s eyes, sighing gently. “Can the disaster of using it possibly outweigh the total destruction of our family? Or does Father truly have the heart to watch the Murong Family end under his own hand, facing our ancestors with shame…”
“Enough!”
Murong Hong surged from his seat. A terrible martial aura, deep as the sea, erupted from his body, pressing fiercely down upon Murong Zhen below.
Murong Zhen’s body immediately bent under the immense pressure. The bricks beneath his feet shattered into dust, and the ground sank several inches deep.
His body nearly folded in half. Martial Qi surged desperately within him, but under the Heavenly Union’s oppressive aura, veins bulged visibly beneath his skin, and blood roared in his ears. Still, he could not resist.
Yet suddenly, a thought flashed through Murong Zhen’s mind. His eyes flipped open, blazing instantly with golden flames of martial truth.
Immediately, dark red patterns surfaced beneath his skin, crawling outward like molten cracks beneath volcanic earth. Within moments, these fiery marks covered his entire body, radiant and scorching, twisting the air around him into distorted waves. The sweat brought forth by the pressure evaporated instantly into white mist.
Slowly, Murong Zhen straightened himself, his strength now multiplied immeasurably beyond what it had been before.
Seeing this, Murong Hong’s face filled with shock. He quickly withdrew his martial aura and cried out, “When did you take the Sparrow Flame Pill from your second uncle?”
Murong Zhen’s eyes burned fiercely as waves of heat surged around him. With a gentle sigh, he bowed respectfully. “Father, it’s been more than a year now.”
Murong Feng also nodded softly, adding, “From the moment we learned of the Ancestors’ deaths, we resolved to take the Sparrow Flame Pill. Do not blame Second Uncle; this was our own choice.”
Hearing these words, Murong Hong trembled uncontrollably. “You two…” His voice failed him, rage and sorrow mingled upon his face.
“Murong Fu!” he growled through clenched teeth, murderous intent pouring forth. Suddenly, in a flash, Murong Hong vanished from the chamber.
Murong Zhen and Murong Feng exchanged startled glances. “This is bad. Father has gone to confront Second Uncle!”
Without hesitation, the two brothers quickly followed after Murong Hong.
When they arrived before Second Uncle Murong Fu’s study, the entire room was already enveloped by a terrifying martial Qi current.
Murong Zhen immediately circulated all his martial Qi, the fiery patterns blazing brilliantly across his skin. He appeared to transform into a blazing serpent, desperately struggling to pierce the fierce martial current that barred the door.
Yet, no matter how he strained, the martial Qi before him was far too powerful. Even with Murong Feng lending his strength, neither brother could advance an inch.
Helpless, their anxiety deepened. Finally, after some time, the powerful Qi barrier suddenly dissipated.
The brothers moved forward at once to investigate, but at that moment, the study’s door swung open abruptly. Murong Hong stepped out with a darkened face, causing the brothers to halt immediately.
Turning back toward the room, Murong Hong cast a lingering glance, then returned his eyes to his sons. His expression was troubled and uncertain.
After a long silence, he spoke slowly. “I have agreed to your proposal. But from this moment onward, I shall handle this myself. Neither of you is permitted to meet your second uncle again.”
With a casual wave of his hand, powerful Qi surged forth, pushing Murong Zhen and Murong Feng several meters away.
He continued gravely, “Inform everyone immediately. Whether or not the Four Great Families retreat today, the Murong Family shall fight them to the end. Prepare all our people.”
Both brothers were stunned at these words. Murong Zhen was about to speak, but Murong Hong raised his hand to silence him.
“No questions. At sunset, we make our move. Go now and relay the message. Tell everyone…the Ancestors themselves shall take action.”