In front of them, countless Jinling local martial artists stood in their way, a vast multitude.
Each of them glared with hostility, as if they had seen their sworn enemies, their eyes filled with a chilling darkness. Most held swords and blades, giving the impression that any disagreement would lead to an immediate charge.
Ten minutes prior, the Murong family's butler had emerged and informed this crowd that this was an internal matter of the Murong family, a historical legacy. They declared that even if the Murong family were to perish as a result, it would be inconsequential, but they must not be implicated. This was their family affair, and outsiders were not welcome to interfere.
Despite the clear explanation, a significant number of people refused to leave. Even after hearing the butler's words, they remained standing there.
The butler continued with a sigh, "Esteemed sirs, I believe you are all men of flesh and blood. You have parents, wives, and children at home who await your return.
If you were to sacrifice yourselves for the Murong family today, even if the Murong family survives, we could only offer financial compensation. However, if you perish, your families would receive no compensation at all.
What I wish to convey is that you have neither the right nor any reason to die for the Murong family. Please, return to your homes, clear this area, and allow our people to emerge. That would be the greatest help to us.
If the old King knew of this, even in death, he would not rest easy. In the underworld, he would have no face to meet the elders of Jinling, nor to face this city filled with heroic spirits! He would have let down the very name of Jinling!
I, Jinling, have always been a city of heroic spirits. The sacrifices on that Wall of Heroes are watching us; we cannot do such things. Ladies and gentlemen, please step aside. This conflict is our family's affair. On behalf of the old King, I thank you all for your righteous intervention, but please depart."
The butler's words caused many present to hesitate. Whispers spread through the crowd, and after more than ten minutes of discussion, the people dispersed like a receding tide, yet they did not truly leave. They merely relocated, effectively blocking the entrance leading to the Murong family.
"Even if we cannot fight, we guarantee that even if members of the Hongmen come later, they will not be able to set foot here!"
Someone roared in the crowd, and this roar seemed to flip a switch, triggering a chorus of shouts.
The butler watched them, a deep sigh escaping him. Behind him, members of the Murong family emerged one after another, quickly occupying the space.
"Where is the old Murong dog? Tell him to get out here and die!"
Su Mingxuan spoke rudely, his eyes flashing with cold light.
"Bah! What the hell are you barking about? Just because you brought a few people makes you think you're something? Do you really believe this is a place you can run wild? Damn it, we'll kill you all in a bit!"
"Exactly! To bark like dogs in front of our stronghold? You're asking for death! Do you really think we're that easy to bully? They've pushed all the way to our doorstep!"
"Damn it, why hasn't the Patriarch ordered them to be killed? I can't wait any longer!"
A small team of a hundred people separated from the main group, and a similar contingent of a hundred from the Murong family matched them. After merely exchanging glances, they charged!
"Kill!"
Shouts of battle erupted. In the darkness of the night, sword lights flashed, and fists met flesh.
The moment they clashed, blood splattered. Various techniques and surges of energy erupted and vanished, sweeping through the area.
What disappeared were not just energies, but lives.
Meanwhile, on the main road, a Camry approached. The vehicle bore no insignia, and its license plate was ordinary.
"Brother, I apologize, but you cannot pass here tonight."
Blocked by the human wall, a person walked over and said politely.
The assistant unbuckled his seatbelt and exited the car, stating, "We are from the Zhenwu Division."
As the words fell, an exceptionally powerful aura erupted, causing the expressions of the Hongmen members present to darken.
"The Zhenwu Division is here. This is troublesome. They've actually managed to drag the Zhenwu Division into resolving this."
Hu Jian's expression turned grim. The Zhenwu Division was a subordinate organization of the Glorious Hall. Their arrival meant that this matter would now come to an end.
"I'm going to make a call."
Su Mingxuan took out his phone and walked aside, dialing a number.
A few minutes later, he returned with a look of relief.
He gave them a reassuring look and was about to say something when two figures plummeted from the sky, crashing down simultaneously with a thud that shook the very ground.
"Jinling Zhenwu Division Director, Qin Wudao!"
"By order, all of you are commanded to cease your conflict, or you will face severe repercussions for violating Zhenwu Division regulations!"
Qin Wudao, clad in the Zhenwu Division's specialized uniform, landed within the scene. As the dust settled, he cast a cold glance at Su Mingxuan!
The Hongmen truly knew how to stir up trouble!
They had escalated so many issues right from the start!
He observed the group camped outside the city; they remained quietly stationed there. While half of the soldiers were stationed across the river today, at least for now, they had not caused any incidents.
Su Mingxuan let out a cold laugh. "Director Qin, we are merely engaging in a normal spar; it seems we haven't violated any Zhenwu Division rules, have we? Furthermore, even if we had, the Zhenwu Division regulations don't seem to prohibit watching the show outside the Murong family, do they?"
His implication was that these people were not summoned by him; they were merely spectators. Could the Zhenwu Division truly be so overbearing as to prevent people from watching a show outside the Murong family?
Qin Wudao gave him a cold look, a frigid glint appearing in his eyes. "Then explain these people."
The group he referred to were the small contingents engaged in a life-and-death struggle.
Su Mingxuan shrugged innocently. "Director Qin, how would I know? They weren't ordered by me. Ask these brothers who are watching the show; see what they say."
Qin Wudao inwardly sneered. It appeared they were determined to deny all responsibility for this matter.
In essence, he was stating that this had nothing to do with him, and he was merely an observer. If Qin Wudao wished to enforce the law, he could do so; it made no difference to him.
"Su Mingxuan, we're not fools. I know precisely why you are here. For many years, I haven't interfered with the Hongmen because your conflicts with the Murong family have always been localized and never brought into the open. Now that it has been brought into the open, I cannot ignore it.
I will orchestrate a situation where you and Murong Renjing can sit down and talk. After all, these are old matters, and there's no need to perpetuate them through generations. Of course, with the current situation in Jinling being so significant, I do not wish for you to create additional trouble for my work. Do you understand?"