Chapter 2143: The Last Hope

If these words had come from He Lingchuan five years ago, the Lu family would have simply burst into laughter and told him to go play somewhere else. But coming from the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities, every word carried the weight of a mountain, and no one dared to disregard its significance.

Considering they were all relatives, He Lingchuan’s opening move in this drama was quite gentle.

However, the performance had gone on long enough; it was time to show his hand.

Indeed, at this moment, his true intentions were revealed. The Lu family suddenly realized that the man before them had no intention of cultivating someone else to be the "Son of Destiny"—he intended to take that role himself!

"Wait!" Commander Wu finally reacted. "You claim to be the heir of the Lu family's main branch. What evidence do you have?"

Surely, just standing here doesn't mean you can declare Bieli yours?

Lu Qiowei, who had been guarding He Lingchuan, spoke slowly then:

"Our Great Emperor commands a vast empire. Is it really so remarkable that he would falsely claim a small place like Bieli?"

Given the immense territory of Cangyan, there was truly no need for the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities to resort to cunning schemes just to seize a small place like Bieli.

He Lingchuan also took a warm white jade pendant from his robe and placed it on the table.

It was a top-quality suet jade, engraved with the character "Lu," and beneath the character was a small red mark, as vivid as blood.

"Do you recognize it?"

Lu Lianyuan took one look and exclaimed, "This... this is the family heirloom jade pendant! Left by the Lu family's Immortal Ancestor."

Commander Wu maintained a spirit of reasonable doubt:

"It could be a fake."

Yet, deep down, he knew that the moment the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities personally admitted to being of Lu family blood, the matter was essentially confirmed.

Given his status, he had countless ways to take Bieli if he wished; there was no need to lower himself.

Therefore, there was only one truth—

He truly was who he claimed to be!

"It can be verified, it can be verified!" Lu Lianyuan immediately grasped the situation and quickly pointed at the jade pendant. "Our Lu family's Immortal Ancestor once left two treasures that resonate with each other. This heirloom jade pendant is one of them. That crimson mark on it is a drop of the Immortal Ancestor's vital blood, sealed within the pendant! Your Majesty, do you see?"

In this situation, the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities bringing out this jade pendant indicated his absolute certainty. Lu Lianyuan understood that if he didn't seize the opportunity to speak these words, Lu Zhenxian surely would.

Lu Zhensheng had been doomed from the start in today's play.

Thus, Lu Lianyuan's stance was very clear: he intended to firmly side with the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities.

Only by following the victor would there be favorable outcomes.

As expected, the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities spoke kindly to him: "Where are the other treasures?"

"In the ancestral shrine!" Lu Lianyuan quickly stood up, bowing slightly, "This way!"

Lu Qing'an couldn't help but say, "Fourth Uncle, you..."

He was far too worldly.

Lu Lianyuan pretended not to hear, accompanying the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities toward the ancestral shrine.

Nearly all of the Lu family members followed closely.

Heavens, the phrase "a family facing drastic change" was truly most fitting for today.

After the initial shock, most people were ecstatic. The Lu family had been in decline for a long time. For the past two decades, Bieli had lived a humiliating existence, either bullied by the State of Ya or exploited by the State of Mou. Even the State of Qing dared to occupy Blade Harbor and refuse to return it. Family members had often criticized Lu Zhensheng and his son behind their backs, blaming them for their incompetence.

Now, the Lord of Blazing Gold, who commanded power over the world, and the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities, who had defeated the Sky God, had suddenly come to the Lu family to acknowledge his lineage!

If this verification succeeded, wouldn't the Lu family be able to walk with their heads held high from now on?

From now on, who would dare to slight them again?

Thinking of this, they instead hoped that the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities' verification would pass smoothly. Bieli would then have a strong backing and no longer need to rely on the paltry favors bestowed by the State of Mou.

Although the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities' claim of ancestry was somewhat abrupt, he would bring immense glory to their family!

And though the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities had clearly planned this meticulously, didn't that just show his deep affection for the Lu clan?

Who wouldn't want their clan head to be a formidable figure to outsiders? Asking them to choose between the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities, who had unified Blazing Gold, and Lu Zhensheng, who was subservient to the State of Mou, was no choice at all.

Even Lu Lianqing had followed the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities, leaving Lu Zhensheng and his son frozen on the spot, unsure what to do.

The moment the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities appeared, they knew they were doomed, but they never imagined there were even deeper levels of hell awaiting them!

The mere thought of what he had done to the main family and to Lu Xiaoyun left Lu Zhensheng feeling suffocated and breathless.

The Great Emperor of Nine Serenities wouldn't seek revenge for his mother? How could that be!

"Father!" Lu Qing'an whispered, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, "Let's go. We should meet up with my brother in the State of Mou first."

If they didn't leave now, they would be fish on a chopping block.

He still possessed several divine concealment abilities, perfect for escaping Bieli. As long as they reached the State of Mou, he and his father would be safe.

With his second brother interceding and Emperor Mou's protection, it would be difficult for this so-called Great Emperor of Nine Serenities to lay a hand on them.

"We can't leave," Lu Zhensheng shook his head. "The Dragon God Army has activated an escape technique barrier!"

"How did you..." Lu Qing'an blurted out, but immediately understood that his father had already tried.

His father had attempted to flee at the very first opportunity, yet hadn't told him.

"Even if we could get out of the city, we wouldn't get far. Bieli's territory is swarming with the Dragon God Army!" Faced with impending disaster, Lu Zhensheng displayed a rare clarity. "If we stay, we might still have a chance!"

Lu Qing'an quickly asked, "What chance?"

"Your Fourth Uncle, that fool, wants to show off, which saves me the trouble of..." Before he could finish "setting a trap," Lu Qiowei approached with dozens of guards, and Lu Zhensheng immediately fell silent.

Lu Zhensheng did not answer. Lu Qiowei, with a mirthless smile, asked, "Why isn't Clan Head Lu going to the ancestral shrine? Do you have other intentions?"

He had understood the Great Emperor's gaze before he turned away.

There was no need for him to be polite to this clan head; the Great Emperor would deal with him shortly.

Commander Huang led his men to block Lu Zhensheng. "What do you intend to do to Clan Head Lu?"

The mission assigned to him and Commander Wu by Emperor Mou was to ensure Lu Zhensheng's safety.

Lu Zhensheng glanced at Lu Qiowei, let out a cold laugh, and tugged at his eldest son's arm. "Come on, let's go watch the show."

The Lu family ancestral shrine was located directly north of the main estate, having been relocated there when the Lu family moved to Donghua Plain.

Its architectural style was consistent with their ancestral home, featuring swallow-tail roofs, upturned eaves, and gilded pillars, making it very grand.

The ancestral shrine represented the family's honor, and the Lu clan had spent vast sums on its upkeep generation after generation.

When the Lu family members arrived, they all craned their necks, standing outside the shrine. The relics of the Lu family's Immortal Ancestor were not display items for public viewing, and they had never seen them before.

Only a handful of people were currently permitted to enter the shrine.

Meanwhile, Lu Qiowei approached the Great Emperor of Nine Serenities and quietly reported the behavior of Lu Zhensheng and his son.

Lu Zhensheng claimed he wanted to watch the spectacle, as if he had some backing.

He Lingchuan's gaze shifted slightly.

He had arrived today with the might of an entire nation, backed by an army of one hundred thousand. What possible reliance could Lu Zhensheng have?