Chapter 268 - 266: 9 Dragons Pressing the Body
Confronted by Feng Tianbao’s accusation, Wei Chaoge’s expression was grim, but he didn’t say a word.
In truth, there was nothing he could say, as the matter was indeed quite sensitive.
If the conflict between the government and the academy over the warhorses was still within a controllable range, the worst that could happen was a lawsuit between the two parties.
But now, his promise to give the Southern Border lands to the Murong Family was an extremely sensitive matter.
At best, it was an abuse of power for personal gain. At worst, it was no different from treason.
Murong Jing laughed heartily. "You have a funny way of putting things, eunuch. Are you saying the whole world belongs to your Great Xia, with not even a sliver of land left for the rest of us?
You should know that thousands of years ago, these vast lands belonged to my Murong Family!"
Turning to Wei Chaoge, Murong Jing said, "Lord Wei, don’t be anxious. This Branch Family of mine only has a few hundred people. We won’t require much territory, and we certainly won’t draw any attention.
Once we’ve killed everyone here on Qifeng Mountain, our plan will be known only to you, me, and Alliance Leader Zuo. The news will not get out.
Then, I’ll lead my people into the Southern Borderlands disguised as a merchant caravan and put down roots. Who will know that this territory belongs to me, Murong Jing?
Rest assured, until my Branch Family has grown to a certain size, I won’t even reveal the name ’Murong Family.’"
Wei Chaoge’s expression relaxed slightly. If word of today’s events didn’t get out, at least the situation wouldn’t escalate.
Murong Jing flashed a sinister smile at Chen Yuan and the others. With a wave of his hand, over a hundred elites of the Murong Family immediately blocked the path down the mountain.
"For the future of my Murong Family, I must trouble you all to die today!"
Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes and said coolly, "For the future of your Murong Family? I’m certain the Murong Family knows nothing of your actions today.
The Branch Families and main family of the Murongs have been integrated for thousands of years. In all that time, yours is the only Branch Family that has wanted to strike out on its own.
To make such a major decision on your own without the approval of the Longcheng council... Murong Jing, you have some nerve!"
Hearing this, Murong Jing frowned. "You know about the Longcheng council? How do you know so much about my Murong Family?"
After his surprise, Murong Jing gave a dismissive laugh. "The people in Longcheng naturally want to hold fast to You Province. But as long as I build up my branch of the Murong Family in the Southern Borderlands and establish a new foundation, the family will have a presence in both the north and the south. With the northern and southern Murongs joining forces, our might will be even greater.
At that point, how could they possibly object? They’ll surely invite me back to Longcheng to worship our ancestors and elevate my branch’s standing in the family registry!"
As his voice fell, the aura around Murong Jing swelled, growing stronger and stronger until it reached the Peak of the Primordial Pill Realm, in no way inferior to Kou Anzhi, the Palace Master Master of the Heaven-Encompassing Daoist Sect whom Chen Yuan had previously faced!
A grave look appeared in Duan Hengshan’s eyes. He asked in a low voice, "What’s the plan?"
Chen Yuan shook his head. "We can’t fight him. Murong Jing is at the Peak of the Primordial Pill Realm. His foundational strength far surpasses yours and Steward Feng’s.
Moreover, as an Elder of a Murong Branch Family, he certainly has a Divine Artifact Incarnation of the Star Shifting with him.
In a direct confrontation, even if you and Steward Feng joined forces, you would be no match for him.
But just because we can’t fight doesn’t mean we’re out of options.
We just need to break through and get off Qifeng Mountain. Once word of this gets out, the Court won’t spare Wei Chaoge, and the Murong Family won’t spare Murong Jing for acting on his own authority."
To take down a Grandmaster at the Peak of the Primordial Pill Realm, you’d need an expert on the level of Du Yuanqi or Yun Tianguang from the Ming Sect.
’Although Duan Hengshan is the future Demon King of Chaos who will rise in the Land of Youning, it’s clear he hasn’t reached that level yet.’
Still, Chen Yuan wasn’t panicked.
’The terms Wei Chaoge agreed to were too outrageous. Once this gets out, not even Yuwen Tai will be able to protect him.’
’It’s the same on the Murong Family’s side. The main and branch families have been integrated for many years, and they have always been extremely strict with disobedient members of the branch families, with the goal of completely absorbing them.’
’The distinction between the Murong main and branch families wasn’t like the difference between the direct lineage and side branches of the Shangguan Family. The hierarchy between the two was extremely rigid.’
’The only difference was that the main family was responsible for guarding Longcheng, while the branch families were tasked with carving out new territories elsewhere.’
’That’s why at the height of the Murong Family’s power, the branch families were actually stronger than the main family.’
’But now, with the Murong Family in decline, many branch families had suffered heavy losses and retreated to join the main family. The main family naturally wanted to absorb them completely, so that the two would fully merge and there would be only one voice within the clan.’
’However, absorption was one thing; everything had to be done by the book.’
’A forced absorption that ignored the rules would only create internal strife within the Murong Family.’
’That’s why the Murong main family was always looking for excuses to discipline the branch families, finding fault even where there was none. And now, Murong Jing had committed an offense of this magnitude—acting without authorization, interfering in the conflict between the government and the academy, and even wanting to leave You Province to establish his own house.’
’Murong Jing is strong, but I’m absolutely confident I can fight my way out. After all, I still have the Divine Artifact Incarnation of the Corpse Tower Forest on me.’
Although Chen Yuan wasn’t flustered, he couldn’t help but feel a bit rueful.
’That father and son, Zuo Tianyuan and Zuo Feiyu, seem to be blessed by immense fortune. It really isn’t easy to eliminate them in one go.’
’Reinforcements always show up at the most critical moments.’
’Of course, strictly speaking, this wasn’t just Zuo Tianyuan’s luck. He had anticipated the relative strengths of both sides and prepared an escape route in advance.’
’He had already contacted Murong Jing before I even reached the Nine Swords Alliance.’
At that moment, Murong Jing flicked his sleeve and sneered, "Escape? You can’t escape! No one is leaving Qifeng Mountain today!"
Just as Murong Jing’s aura erupted and he prepared to crush them all, Feng Tianbao suddenly raised his Nine Dragon Spear and stepped forward.
"Master Chen, Big Master Duan, there’s no need to flee. I’ll deal with this scoundrel."
Feng Tianbao said coldly, "I have received immense grace from His Majesty and have nothing to offer in return but this worthless life.
How dare you covet the lands of Great Xia! Forget your Murong Family, a fallen house from gods know when. Even if it were the Great Brightness Sect that dominated the Jianghu and challenged the Ling Royal Family five hundred years ago, I, Feng, would fight them to the death!"
Chen Yuan rubbed his nose and said nothing.
’Then again, did the Great Brightness Sect really challenge the Royal Family back then?’
’Probably not. With the power of the Great Brightness Sect’s leader back then, the ’Bright Venerable’ Qin Wuye, his only pursuit was likely ultimate transcendence in the Martial Dao. Mundane imperial power would have meant nothing to him.’
’However, for the Great Xia Royal Family of that era, the Great Brightness Sect showing them no respect at all was probably much the same as challenging their authority.’
A disdainful smile crept onto Murong Jing’s lips. "I never imagined Eunuch Feng would be so loyal to the Great Xia Court.
But forgive my bluntness, you’re a castrated eunuch. What good is all your loyalty? Is the Court going to grant you a noble title that you can pass down to the next generation?
But since you wish to die for Great Xia, Eunuch Feng, very well. This old man shall grant your wish today!"
As his voice fell, Murong Jing pointed a finger. A surging torrent of majestic golden True Qi instantly gathered. With the cry of a dragon, the Gang Qi transformed into a dragon and shot toward Feng Tianbao, intent on crushing him!
The Murong Family’s secret art, the Great Celestial Dragon Finger!
Feng Tianbao threw his head back, formed a Seal Technique with his hands, and a terrifyingly powerful ripple of energy suddenly surged from his body.
The brocade robe on his upper body suddenly began to swell before being torn to shreds by a searing power, revealing his powerful physique.
A tattoo of nine intertwined dragons covered Feng Tianbao’s back, and it suddenly erupted with an intensely searing golden radiance.
At that moment, the Dragon Qi emanating from Feng Tianbao, a eunuch, was even more intense than that of Murong Jing, a descendant of royalty.
With a thunderous roar, Feng Tianbao thrust his spear forward. Amid the shrieks of dragons, the spear shot forth with unstoppable momentum!
A single thrust shattered Murong Jing’s Great Celestial Dragon Finger, and the spear’s momentum continued unabated, heading straight for Murong Jing.
Murong Jing’s expression changed instantly. A Crimson Gold Long Sword appeared in his hand, and he unleashed the majestic Dragon City Swordsmanship, filling the sky with golden Sword Qi. He fought as he retreated, falling back over a hundred feet before he finally managed to parry the force of Feng Tianbao’s spear.
Duan Hengshan was stunned. Such power was infinitely close to the level of the Divine Platform Realm!
Wei Chaoge was also dumbstruck, but then he suddenly realized. "Nine Dragons Pressing Down? Feng Tianbao, you’re a eunuch using Nine Dragons Pressing Down? Have you lost your mind!?"
When Chen Yuan heard those four words, he instantly realized what this Secret Technique was.
’The Cultivation Technique practiced by the Great Xia Royal Family is called the *Nine Dragon World-Suppressing Scripture*, a Royal Secret Manual that requires cultivating with the aid of a Dragon Vein.’
’Within the Great Xia Forbidden Army, certain sufficiently loyal individuals can be imbued with the Nine Dragons Pressing Down by a Royal Family master using the power of the Dragon Vein. That’s the nine-dragon tattoo on Feng Tianbao’s back.’
’The tattoo is inscribed on a Martial Artist by a Royal Family expert using the power of the Dragon Vein. Therefore, it contains the power of the Dragon Vein, which is Supreme Yang. It requires an exceptionally virile body and robust Qi Blood to nourish this draconic power.’
’But the power of the Dragon Vein is not something an ordinary Martial Artist can withstand. The scorching power burns their Qi Blood and heart meridians, requiring them to constantly nourish it with their own Qi Blood.’
’If a Martial Artist’s physique is even slightly lacking, they can be crushed to death by this violent Dragon Vein power!’
’Feng Tianbao is a eunuch, so he naturally lacks Yang Qi. It should be virtually impossible for him to bear the Nine Dragons Pressing Down tattoo.’
Wei Chaoge knew of this Secret Technique, but he had never imagined that Feng Tianbao, a eunuch, could actually use Nine Dragons Pressing Down. How had he managed to nourish the Dragon Vein’s power with his castrated body for all these years without being crushed to death?
Never mind Wei Chaoge; even Chen Yuan, who knew the plot, had no idea a eunuch could withstand the Nine Dragons Pressing Down.
This Eunuch Feng’s loyalty to Great Xia was truly unparalleled.
This meant that in his everyday interactions with Chen Yuan, and even when he had fought earlier, Feng Tianbao had been constantly enduring the agony of the Dragon Vein burning his heart.
Although this Eunuch Feng was a eunuch, he was more of a man than most.