The Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader was in deep anguish, his emotions spiraling out of control, and then he actually began to cry.
This caught both Chu Feng and the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader off guard, even if recalling the event was painful, it had been so long, it shouldn’t have driven him to tears.
“Brother Wuma, what are you doing, there’s a junior here,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader stepped forward, whispering, he thought the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader was losing composure, and as a close friend, he felt heartache for him.
“Brother Chu, I won’t hide it, that branch clan is relentless, recently they even sent a secret decree, demanding we change our surname, forbidding us from using the Wuma name or calling ourselves the Wuma Heavenly Clan,” the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“They’ve made such an outrageous demand, that’s too much,” hearing this, even the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader grew furious.
“If we don’t comply, they’ll make our main clan vanish from the Ancestral Martial Star Region.”
“Otherwise, why would I have gone to the ancient ruins to curry favor with those powers? I had no choice, if I didn’t quickly find allies, we’d have no way to stand against their branch clan.”
“We wouldn’t even have the leverage to negotiate.”
“But… now everyone’s realised Shengjie isn’t the child of prophecy, even if they don’t say it outright, they won’t help my Wuma Heavenly Clan anymore,” the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader said, his face full of helplessness.
At this, Chu Feng and the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader exchanged a glance, a hint of guilt in their eyes.
Indeed, as the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader said, the people who came here were his clan’s last lifeline, but because of Chu Feng, things had shifted.
“Brother Wuma, with your clan facing such a crisis, it’s only right to seek alliances.”
“But earlier, when Li Taiyi attacked me, you didn’t hesitate to break ties with him to stand by me, this loyalty, I, Chu, will never forget.”
“If there’s anything you need help with, just tell me, even if it means going through fire and water, I’ll do it,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“Brother Chu, I do have one thing I need your help with,” at this, the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader turned his gaze to Chu Feng.
“Senior,” Chu Feng knew the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader had something to say to him.
“Chu Feng, this is truly hard to ask, but I’m out of options, it concerns my clan’s honor, I beg you, young friend Chu Feng, to help me.”
With that, the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader suddenly lowered his head, bent his knees, and knelt before Chu Feng.
“Brother Wuma, what are you doing?”
But just as he knelt, the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader quickly pulled him back up.
“Senior, you mustn’t do this, you and my clan leader are close friends, whatever you need, just say it, as long as it’s within my power, I’ll do my utmost,” Chu Feng said.
He could see the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader was truly cornered, otherwise he wouldn’t have knelt to a junior like Chu Feng.
Especially since Chu Feng was the son of his dear friend.
This act not only broke protocol, but also cost him his dignity, he’d truly set aside his pride.
Without something critical at stake, he’d never do this.
“Brother Chu, young friend Chu Feng, I’m not shameless by nature, but compared to the honor of our ancestors, my personal dignity means nothing.”
“If our clan changes its surname, how can I face our forefathers? It’s not just my shame, it’s the shame of the entire Wuma Heavenly Clan, something no clansman could bear.”
“But the branch clan is too strong, we’re no match for them, we don’t even have room to negotiate.”
“So, young friend Chu Feng, could you ask those two friends of yours to help, have them speak to the branch clan?”
“They’re Supreme Realm experts, no matter how bold the branch clan is, they wouldn’t dare provoke them, if they’re willing to step in, my clan might be saved,” the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“Senior, it’s not that I don’t want to help, it’s just…”
“Let me be honest with you, senior.”
Chu Feng looked helpless, then proceeded to tell the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader everything about Su Rou, Su Mei, and Yue Xian, including how Yue Xian had come to him earlier and then left.
“There’s such a thing?”
“Just one step short, alas, the heavens don’t favor my clan, they don’t favor my clan.”
The Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader seemed struck by a massive blow, in that instant, he aged decades, like a terminally ill man on the brink of death, swaying, barely able to stand.
Seeing this, the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader quickly supported him, saying, “Brother Wuma, don’t be too anxious, there’s always room to maneuver, did the branch clan give you a deadline?”
“The deadline’s already passed, it won’t be long before they come knocking, and when that happens, my Wuma Heavenly Clan can only fight to the death,” the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“Changing the surname is indeed a great insult, but as the saying goes, a true man can bend and stretch.”
“Rather than mutual destruction, it’s better to endure for now, and when you rise again, reclaim the surname,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“Brother Chu, tell me honestly, if it were your clan facing this, could you endure it?” the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader asked.
“I…” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader thought hard, if it were him, he couldn’t bear it either, even if he could, his clansmen might not.
For a heavenly clan’s legacy, the surname is paramount, changing it is an unbearable disgrace, something they’d die resisting.
But he also knew that if the Wuma Heavenly Clan fought the branch clan, it’d be like an egg against a rock.
“For now, the only option is to seek help from the Star Region Main Realm,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“I’ve already sent a plea, but there’s no response yet, you know how the Star Region Main Realm is, I’m not holding out hope,” the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader shook his head.
“The Star Region Main Realm doesn’t like meddling in other powers’ affairs, but this time, the branch clan’s gone too far, they might step in,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“Brother Chu, when your clan and the Li Heavenly Clan opened the Upper Realm Gate, did you count on the Star Region Main Realm’s help? We both know their nature.”
“Sigh, this calamity is one my Wuma Clan can’t escape, I accept it, no need to comfort me, didn’t you say you had clan matters to handle? Go back, I won’t see you off,” the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader said, then turned to leave.
The Chu Heavenly Clan Leader wasn’t upset by this, instead, he felt deep sympathy.
“Senior, is there really no other way?” Chu Feng asked.
“Unless the Star Region Main Realm intervenes, no one can help them, but… the chances of that are slim, the Star Region Main Realm has always been close to the branch clan, they don’t even care about Brother Wuma’s side,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
Hearing this, Chu Feng’s heart sank.
He hadn’t expected the Wuma Heavenly Clan to face such a dire crisis, and in their current plight, even Chu Feng felt despair.
One could only imagine the agony the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader was enduring.
No wonder he’d been driven to kneel before a junior like Chu Feng.
