Chapter 116: Storm Clouds Gather

For the past three days, Flame City had been shrouded in an atmosphere thick with tension. Several major events had stirred the entire city into a whirlwind of discussion, filled with both joy and unease. Various factions moved covertly, each pursuing their own agendas.

The first event was the coming-of-age ceremony of Princess Xin Yue. Rumors had already spread among the common folk that at the ceremony, the Crown Prince of the Divine Wood Empire—the empire’s eldest prince—would personally attend, and an engagement ceremony would be held. News of this spread across the entire War Continent. The other three great nations, especially the Ruijin and Coldwater Empires, reacted swiftly upon hearing this. Since Tianhuo Empire and Divine Wood Empire had so boldly made such a public signal, it was clear that the continent’s fragile peace was about to shatter.

The second event also stirred much gossip among the people. The Supreme Envoy of the Heavenly Saint Palace had arrived in Flame City and summoned the five major sects to convene together. Such a gathering had occurred only once every few centuries—and always at the Heavenly Saint Palace itself. This time, however, the location was chosen to be Flame City. The chance to witness the envoy’s presence firsthand caused the citizens to rejoice and brim with excitement.

The third event left many puzzled. Emperor Zhu Yan of Tianhuo Empire suddenly issued a sacred decree announcing that Hu Mo would inherit his father’s noble title, being granted the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, and would henceforth be known as the new General Weiyong. The decree sent shockwaves through the court and the nation. Petitions of impeachment flooded the emperor’s desk like falling snow, yet none could sway his decision.

This decree threw many minor families into disarray. They had long believed the Hu family was in decline, with no hope of resurgence, which had been why they resolutely allied with the Situ family. Now, the situation had taken a dramatic turn: the Hu family was rising once more, like a lion awakened from slumber. Families both great and small in Flame City grew restless; within three days, many of the minor clans that had once been loyal to the Situ shifted their allegiance to the Hu family.

Yet the protagonist of this event, Hu Mo himself, was the most astonished. When he first received the decree, he thought it had been sent to the wrong person. Just the day before, he had torn ties with the emperor, and now, the very next day, he received such honor—it was bewildering. However, from his grandfather Hu Yihu’s inscrutable expression, Hu Mo could tell this matter was deeply connected to his all-powerful grandfather. Since events were unfolding favorably, Hu Mo quickly adjusted his mindset.

Still, his heart was not entirely at ease. After hearing about Princess Xin Yue’s situation, a flicker of inner struggle surfaced within him. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling exactly—only a sense of loss and confusion. Could he truly pretend to know nothing? Could he sincerely smile and offer blessings as he watched her marry another? What exactly were his feelings toward her?

He forced himself not to think about it, suppressing the torment within. For days, his heart remained heavy.

All of Hu Bai Mei’s power had been forcibly sealed by Cang Ling, who also placed a binding spell on her. Should she attempt to escape, the spell could instantly reduce her to blood and water—an overwhelmingly domineering control.

Strangely, Hu Bai Mei chose silence and refrained from any rash actions. She stayed in Hu Mo’s room day after day; even when called out, she refused to come, sitting there as if she had lost her very soul.

Hu Mo was puzzled, but Cang Ling was indifferent. Calmly, he told Hu Mo, “Let her pretend for now. Don’t pay her any mind. When she figures things out, she won’t stay silent.”

Hu Mo could only smile bitterly and agree. Wanting to shift his focus, he headed to the Hu estate’s training ground to check on the state of the Star Squad.

After he last taught them the battle techniques and tactics, he had been busy with other matters. In truth, this was not in line with his original intent. He had pinned great hopes on the Star Squad, aiming to train a powerful team to fight on the front lines and help him seize the realm.

But the present circumstances no longer allowed for such ambitions. Time was too scarce, and no matter how much he wished otherwise, reality was brutally unforgiving.

Sometimes, there was simply no alternative. One could only adapt to the world, not make the world adapt to oneself. If he waited until every member of the Star Squad reached the Battle King level or beyond, how many days would that take? Thinking of this, Hu Mo could only shake his head with a bitter smile.

What would happen in two days was unimaginable. He had a strong premonition that something significant would occur—inevitable, yet unpredictable.

Arriving at the training ground, Hu Mo observed the men sweating profusely as they trained. Even though he had been absent for some time, none of them showed any signs of slackening.

The defensive barrier around the training ground had been strengthened multiple times, yet cracks still appeared by day’s end. After all, the ferocity of their training was truly terrifying.

Watching them, Hu Mo felt a mix of satisfaction and bitterness. As expected, although their cultivation had improved considerably, their foundations remained weak. Despite rapid progress, the highest among them had only just reached the Battle Master rank.

Suddenly, Hu Mo drifted into the midst of them. Before he could react, a dozen fireballs floated toward him. The ground beneath softened, forming a small swamp that swallowed his feet. Nearby, dozens of long vines rapidly grew, entwining him tightly, binding him into a large bundle. But that was not all—countless broken golden swords and icy spikes shot from all directions, trapping him completely.

Hu Mo inwardly marveled but smiled faintly. His entire body was engulfed in a blaze. The flames first consumed the vines.

In an instant, everything within a meter of him turned to nothingness, even the soil beneath his feet. The fireballs aimed at him did not explode but instead merged into his body, enhancing his power.

The swords and ice spikes melted effortlessly, as if they had never existed.

Hu Mo’s display left the Star Squad members dumbfounded, jaws almost dropping to the ground.

Seeing their astonished expressions, Hu Mo smiled lightly and said, “Not bad. You’ve made great progress, and I’m pleased. The coordination between your battle techniques is excellent, and your skillful use of them is commendable—worthy of those Earth-grade battle arts. Haha, there’s no need for such shocked looks. The reason these techniques don’t affect me is that my battle power attributes far exceed yours. My fire battle power can burn everything. Even when facing Battle Emperor-level opponents, breaking through my attacks is no simple matter. When you reach a sufficient level, you’ll understand.”

Hu Mo did not wish to elaborate further, but his words had a striking effect. Each member of the Star Squad, including Hei Tie, looked at Hu Mo with eyes full of admiration and excitement, as if gazing upon an all-powerful deity.

Suddenly, Hei Tie and the others knelt, shouting loudly, “Congratulations, Marshal, on reclaiming the title of General Weiyong!”

Hu Mo was momentarily taken aback but then laughed heartily. “It’s just an empty title. No need to take it so seriously. Everyone, rise—I have a few matters to discuss.”

Everyone stood, their eyes still burning with fervor. Before, when they called Hu Mo marshal, it might have been due to his self-bestowed title. Now, however, the emperor had officially conferred upon him the title of General Weiyong—a concrete reality.

The title of General Weiyong, though called General, was essentially no different from a marshal. In the past, Hu Meng, as General Weiyong, had struck fear across the land and elevated the Tianhuo Empire from the lowest among the five great nations to a mid-tier power. Had Hu Meng not suddenly disappeared, the empire’s status might have risen even further.

Now, with the son inheriting his father’s legacy and Hu Mo’s formidable power, the future was undoubtedly boundless. Following such a lord, how could they not feel excitement and passion?

Hu Mo sighed lightly, shaking his head inwardly. He knew that if these men maintained their current mindset, their cultivation would hardly achieve great heights. Just as Cang Ling had warned him: cultivation is intimately tied to one’s realm. Without sufficient realm, hastening power growth is like playing with fire—something Hu Mo had always been cautious about.

Looking at these middle-aged men, Hu Mo smiled calmly. “When I first met you all, my heart was filled mostly with disappointment. Your arrogance and conceit had chilled me. But now, seeing you again, I feel only comfort.”

His tone suddenly deepened, and the shift in atmosphere did not escape the men’s notice. As seasoned warriors, they sensed Hu Mo was about to speak of something important.

“Marshal, if there’s something you need to say, just say it straight. Hesitating isn’t manly!” Hei Tie joked, prompting laughter from the others.

Hu Mo shook his head gently, smiling. “Alright, I’ll be frank. Brothers, as long as your strength hasn’t reached beyond the Battle King realm, if the Hu family encounters any trouble in the future, I hope you will not intervene.”