Bab 157: 0157 - Echoes of Arrogance.

Lu Zheng's massive hand slammed down on the table, making Lu Sheng jump. "One day, they all banded together. Every clan, sect, and every two-bit martial artist with a grudge. Even the imperial family turned a blind eye to their little alliance, and they had every right to do so."

The Patriarch's voice dropped to a growl. "It was a bloodbath, boy. We paid for our arrogance in money, in blood, and in pride. And those 'tributes' you found? They're now debts, a stain on our clan's legacy."

Lu Sheng sat in stunned silence, not sure what to say or ask further.

"However, that was not the end of it. It was the Imperial Clan's turn to take their revenge in the name of justice for the common people. They started issuing orders for our clan to do all sorts of dirty and dangerous tasks, slowly chipping away at our remaining strength one by one, until recently they issued the Imperial Decree for our clan to invade the Endless Battlefield."