Chapter 6

Due to its proximity to the border and its abundant resources, the small city of Ningcheng, like an inexperienced young girl, has attracted the covetous eyes of various major families within the Longhua Kingdom.

Fortunately, the Hu family, which has long dominated the area, has a deep foundation. Several bloody battles have directly repelled countless large families attempting to extend their influence into Ningcheng. Now, only the Zhu, Wu, Guo, and Wei families, supported by other major families, can barely match the Hu family.

However, in terms of territory, these four families combined are only on par with the Hu family. Moreover, if it weren't for the increasing pressure from the Qingyuan mine by the Lang family in recent years, the power disparity would be even more pronounced.

Given this, the Hu family can be considered the dominant force in this small city. This vast power has also led to the division of several branches within the family. For example, the High Priest, the Clan Chief, and the Judgment Elder are the main line of the Hu family, known for their beauty and elegance. Other branches include the Ze Bai, Li Qing, Xue Chi, Bei Ji, and Sha Luo branches, making up a total of five major branches.

Among these major branches, the Ze Bai and Li Qing branches are the strongest, known as the upper three branches along with the main line. The other branches are collectively known as the lower three branches. These branches are not concentrated in one place but are scattered throughout Ningcheng. Only the ancestral hall, used for clan meetings, is located in the center of Ningcheng, symbolizing the Hu family's unique status in the city.

The ancestral hall holds a high status in the Hu family. Only the High Priest and the members of the Elder Council are qualified to reside there. Recently, due to the tense situation at the Qingyuan mine, most of the elders have been dispatched to the front lines, making the hall quieter than usual.

At this moment, in the High Priest's room within the ancestral hall, a middle-aged man with white hair, fully clad in armor, stands before the High Priest, speaking in a low voice.

"High Priest, when we were in the forbidden area, Hu Gao no longer remembered who he was. It seems he has lost his memory. I have interacted with Hu Gao before the ceremony several times, and I don't think he is faking it." The speaker is the White Guard who was sent back to report to the Judgment Elder yesterday.

"Hmm, there are many suspicious aspects to this. Qinggao was personally selected by me from the Li Qing branch as the perfect vessel. I even broke the rules to grant him the Hu surname. I believe the Great Elder Huangquan of the Ze Bai branch and the Great Elder Zangming of the Li Qing branch are well aware of my intentions. However, I did not expect that the weakest of the upper three branches, the Li Qing, would surprise me this time." High Priest Hu Jiuzhan sighed and said quietly.

"High Priest, there's no need to worry. The successor is powerful. If there is something wrong with Hu Gao, it will not last long. I will keep a close eye on him and report back to you at any time."

"Good, but be careful. Great Elder Huangquan has been harboring resentment over the bloodline succession for many years. For the long-term revival of the family, do not let a small matter lead to an irreparable change." Hu Jiuzhan leaned on his staff, stood up, and his aged face showed a glimmer of hope.

At this moment, outside the ancestral hall, Hu Gao, who was still feeling uneasy and touching his chest, was put down by Qingfeng and followed behind a few people in silence. He could sense that the others seemed to have developed some hostility towards him due to the Judgment Elder's injury. Sigh, even lying down, he couldn't avoid getting hit.

"Pfft..."

Just as they entered the first inner door of the ancestral hall, the Judgment Elder could no longer hold back and spat out a mouthful of black blood. The blood on the ground immediately gave off a purple mist, clearly indicating it was highly toxic.

"Great Elder Judgment, you..."

The four people were shocked and showed signs of panic. The Judgment Elder is the leader of the Hu family's guard and a pillar of the family. If something were to happen to him now, it would be a devastating blow to the already precarious Hu family.

"I didn't expect Lang Sheng's Black Flame Wolf spirit to progress so quickly. A year ago, I could still withstand his attack, but now I can't. The fire poison has entered my heart meridian, and I fear my time is limited."

The Judgment Elder's face was pale, and his aged face was filled with worry. "However, I managed to shatter his spirit with my life on the line. This guy was too arrogant, daring to ignore our Hu clan's restrictions. Fortunately, he won't live long either. He is the most talented genius of the Lang clan in recent years. Removing him will at least bring a few years of peace!"

"Great Elder Judgment, you will be fine." The four people were also filled with sorrow. Although killing Lang Sheng is a silver lining, the loss to the Hu family is still unacceptable.

"If I were thirty years younger, I could still resist the Black Flame Wolf's fire poison. Now, I cannot. Dark Wind, go and call Bai Xiao. My life force will be wasted if it goes underground. Let it be my last contribution to the family. As for Hu Gao, I can only leave it to the High Priest to handle."

The Judgment Elder was calm. He was not afraid of death, but he was deeply concerned about the future of the Hu family, especially Hu Gao, who stood beside him with a calm face. Why couldn't he sense any trace of the Hu family's bloodline from him?

"Great Elder..."

The four people all cried out in sorrow.

"Go, I have lived long enough. Death might be a form of relief for me." The Judgment Elder waved his hand at the four people.

"Yes!" The four people, who always wore masks, belonged to the Hu family's special organization, the Dark Knights. Each person had a different code name based on their mask. One of them, whose mask had the word 'Wind' carved on it, wiped away his tears and said with a sad and gloomy expression.

Hu Gao stood to the side, watching without speaking. Witnessing the death of a real person for the first time, he realized the cruelty of this world. With no abilities of his own, he must now face the challenge of how to survive here!

"High Priest, you have arrived!" Just as Dark Wind was about to leave, he met the High Priest who had just arrived with the news. He quickly bowed and stepped aside.

Hu Jiuzhan, seeing the Judgment Elder Hu Shuilong, who was barely standing with the help of two people, hurriedly stepped forward and embraced him. "Old friend..." He couldn't finish his sentence, choked by tears. He waved his right hand. "Dark Wind, you go first. The rest of the Dark Knights, take Hu Gao to the Clan Chief. I will handle things here."

As the High Priest, he did not want too many people to see his vulnerable side. The main line of the Hu family is now in decline, and after supporting the family for so many years, who would have thought that just as the family was about to revive, the most capable supporter would fall due to his own mistake!

Hu Jiuzhan felt deeply guilty. The Dark Knights had warned him multiple times about the Lang family's movements, but he was completely preoccupied with the final ceremony and couldn't focus on anything else. He never expected that it would lead to such a tragedy. Truly, the heavens do not favor our Hu clan!

Hu Shuilong managed a weak smile. "High Priest, there's no need to be sad. After 300 years of ups and downs, I have long seen through it all. Besides, a new generation of the Hu family has grown up, especially the Clan Chief's daughter, Hu Wushuang. Her talent is no less than Lang Sheng's. Cough, cough!"

Hu Shuilong spat out another mouthful of black blood. "Besides, we have finally succeeded in the ceremony and have a successor. There is still hope..."

"Stop talking! We will avenge you. Our Hu clan will never perish!"

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