Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Chapter 154 – Traitor

Thump, thump, thump, thump...

The joint army of the Tan and Liu clans marched orderly toward the Chen Clan, making the ground tremble. Their momentum was imposing, and their fully geared appearances gave off a chilling aura that swept over the area.

The two clans' combined forces formed a formidable army totaling nearly two thousand.

As they marched, their auras blended into a unified force, altering the entire atmosphere and instilling fear in the hearts of onlookers.

Squadron after squadron of troops, clad in armor, showcased their fourth-level cultivation, exuding an imposing presence. Some captains were even experts at the fifth or sixth level.

The four Qi Grandmasters, including Tan Feng and Liu Hong, were at the forefront. Their auras erupted, creating a powerful and oppressive force that surged forward.

The expression of the sternly waiting Chen Clan members darkened, their hearts wavering.

How imposing!

The joint army's aura was overwhelmingly imposing, conveying a sense of invincibility and the ability to conquer all before them.

On the Chen Clan's side, numbering over a thousand, individuals armed with bows and lances aimed at the approaching army, poised for a potentially tragic battle.

In the Tianwu Continent, prestigious clans and families maintained private armies.

Maintaining only a thousand private troops, as done by the Chen Clan, was considered modest. It was commonplace for large noble houses to boast tens of thousands, even reaching into the hundred thousand range.

These private soldiers served as the clan's guardians and valuable assets in conflicts among prestigious families.

The Chen Clan had fully deployed their entire private army, gathering in the square before the mansion. Their very foundations had been mobilized, ready to fight the two clans to their deaths.

Thump!

The two clans’ joint army stepped onto the expansive square, halting at the opposite end, squarely facing the Chen Clan's forces.

“Ha!”

The two clans’ joint army bellowed in unison. The sound waves shook the heavens and shattered the white clouds in the sky. Their momentum was unstoppable.

“With the two armies facing each other, a tragic battle will surely ensue!”

“The Chen Clan has pulled out their private troops. They all look like they have a tiger’s back and a bear’s waist, full of vitality. They aren’t weak, either. However, compared to the two clans’ joint army, they are at a numerical disadvantage.”

“What do you know! The fight between their top experts will determine the final results. Those fourth- and fifth-level guys are here just to make up the numbers. In front of the Qi Grandmasters, they are no different from the ants on the ground!”

“Don’t forget, the two clans’ old masters have yet to appear. They are also Qi Grandmasters.”

“That’s right. No matter how I look at it, the Chen Clan has no chance of winning!”

“Perhaps the Chen Clan thinks that since Chen Fan is a Spring Autumn Sect disciple, the sect will avenge him if the two clans kill him.”

“......”

The houses and restaurants nearby were packed with spectators, their attention fixated on the square in front of the Chen Clan mansion.

The impending standoff between the two armies promised an intense battle, and the fate of a martial clan hung in the balance.

“Chen Zhengqing, I’ll give your Chen Clan another chance. Hand over the perpetrator and cede half of your clan’s assets, and your clan can still live in Xuanyang City. Otherwise, today will be the day of your Chen Clan’s demise!”

Tan Feng’s terrifying Qi Grandmaster aura surged and shook heaven and earth, creating extreme oppression for the Chen Clan’s private troops. He stepped forward, directing his stern gaze at Chen Zhengqing and the others.

“That’s right. I advise you people not to make this mistake. Otherwise, we’ll step through your clan’s entrance and leave no one alive!” Liu Hong also stepped forward. His slightly plump cheeks carried a hint of brutality. A bloody light flickered in his eyes, instilling even more terror than Tan Feng’s shocking aura.

Boom, boom!

However, the response to the two was the Qi Grandmaster auras released by Chen Zhengqing and Chen Tianxiong.

Immediately, Tan Feng and the others’ threatening auras were blocked off, allowing the Chen Clan’s private troops to breathe a sigh of relief. Their gazes turned sharper as well.

To cultivate the private troops, the Chen Clan had fed them and provided them with cultivation resources. Now that the Chen Clan was in a situation where their life or death was hanging in the balance, they would fight for the clan.

“Cut the nonsense. If your clans want a fight, then we’ll fight. Our Chen Clan is not afraid of you!”

Chen Zhengqing stepped forward, his aura surging. He was once a Yuanfu realm powerhouse, so even with a damaged primeval vessel, his aura wasn’t something mere Qi Grandmasters could suppress.

“Fight!”

“Fight!”

“Fight!”

Behind him, the Chen Clan’s private troops roared with high morale, their auras piercing the sky.

“Looks like you’re determined to dig your own graves!” Tan Feng’s voice suddenly turned cold, a shocking killing intent rising in him.

“Patriarch, no point in wasting your breath on them. Let’s just attack. Kill all their men and enslave their women!” sternly said a tall elder from the Tan Clan, stepping forward.

"We've already shown them extreme benevolence. In-laws. Since they are so stubborn, let's just wipe them out!" Liu Hong's face twisted into a cruel and malevolent smile as blood-colored arms formed from primeval qi materialized on his back.

Liu Hong, notorious in Xuanyang City as the Blood Hands Slaughterer, once slaughtered a martial clan in a single night, taking the lives of hundreds without leaving a survivor.

“Alright. Everyone, heed my command! Kill!” Tan Feng's command echoed, prompting the troops of both clans to nock their arrows and draw their bows to the fullest.

Thousands of arrows whooshed through the air simultaneously, darkening the sky like swarms of locusts, targeting the Chen Clan's army.

“Line up your shields, then counterattack!” Chen Zhengqing roared, releasing primeval qi that transformed into a long arm, effortlessly blocking countless arrows and showcasing the strength of a former Yuanfu realm powerhouse.

“Get—” Chen Tianxiong's command was cut off abruptly. Standing nearby, Chen Tianyin had taken swift action, palm striking Chen Tianxiong's back and making him stumble.

Fortunately, Chen Tianxiong was wearing the Innate Golden Armor, absorbing the blow without inflicting serious injury, as only his blood and qi churned in response.

Swish!

Chen Tianyin darted toward the enemies’ side with Chen Hai and Chen Tao after attacking.

“Chen Tianyin, you... traitors!” The elders of the Chen Clan seethed with anger when they witnessed the trio's betrayal. Their furious gazes wished to cut them to pieces.

Chen Tianyin had sneakily attacked Chen Tianxiong—one of the top Chen Clan fighters and crucial to their resistance against the two clans. A severe injury to him would virtually extinguish any hope of the Chen Clan putting up a fight.

“Are you alright, Grandfather?”

Chen Fan was also surprised at Chen Tianyin's sudden betrayal.

Chen Tianxiong took a deep breath, calming his churning qi and blood. He said with a dark expression, “I’m fine, all thanks to the Innate Golden Armor you gave me. Otherwise, that bastard Chen Tianyin would have gotten me good.”

“How is this possible? Chen Tianxiong, you’re completely fine!” Chen Tianyin, now standing with the enemies, appeared shocked when he saw Chen Tianxiong was unharmed.

He had put all his strength into that attack earlier, executing his ultimate technique, the Heavenly Seal Cultivation Technique. Chen Tianyin expected Chen Tianxiong to be heavily injured, if not dead. Tan Feng was also in shock.

The previous night, Chen Tianyin had declared his intention to defect to the two clans and launch a sneak attack on Chen Tianxiong before the battle began. This plan was agreed upon, and they anticipated Chen Tianxiong would be significantly injured. With the Chen Clan weakened, the two clans expected an easier victory.

However, to their surprise, Chen Tianxiong had emerged unscathed from the attack.