Wu Tian called for the War God and his men to stop.
They were terrified. Many had already wet themselves in fright. They had all just witnessed King Xiuyuan’s end. If even a man like him could die so wretchedly, what chance did they have?
King Xiuyuan had been sliced into countless pieces, his agonizing screams echoing throughout the royal city, frightening even the most fretful children into silence. On the ground, the king’s corpse was utterly dismembered—a horrific sight that would make even a seasoned Executioner want to vomit.
Scarlet blood streamed through the royal city, flowing from high ground to low until it converged into a veritable river. The scene was gruesome to the extreme. In an instant, the color drained from every face.
The War God and his followers were at a complete loss. They knew that to continue down this path was to walk to their deaths. The very thought of death sent a chill down their spines, making them tremble.
The War God, grasping at straws, immediately blurted out, "Mr. Wu Tian, this matter has nothing to do with me! I... I’m just a minor character in all this."
"In the time I’ve lived in Xiuyuan Country, I’ve found its people—no, every blade of grass and every tree—to be quite beautiful. I’ve grown attached to this place. How could I ever wish to harm anyone here? I led troops to Duke Guang’s Mansion, but it wasn’t to target you, you must believe me! I only wanted to draw you out to save the lovely people of Xiuyuan Country."
At this, everyone—from the people of Xiuyuan Country to Ling Han and his men from Qin Country—was stunned. They had never seen such shameless, nonsensical drivel. Who would believe such words at a time like this? Did he take them all for fools?
Wu Tian in particular let out a cold laugh. "Is your IQ in the negatives? Is that why you assume everyone else’s is too?"
"No, no, no," the War God panicked, forcing himself to press on. "I’m serious, Wu Tian! I’m actually on your side. My sister likes you, did you know? I wanted to set the two of you up. We’re actually friends..."
To save his own skin, he invoked Ye Qingxian’s name without hesitation. In the War God’s mind, any man would spare him for Ye Qingxian’s sake.
But at that very moment, a fist broke the void, appearing out of nowhere and punching straight through the War God’s body.
The War God’s eyes widened in disbelief. How could Wu Tian not spare me for Ye Qingxian’s sake?
"You... you killed me," he stammered. "Now you and my little sister... will never be possible."
As his words faded, the War God’s body collapsed. He was dead, but his eyes remained wide open, a lasting testament to his disbelief. He couldn’t understand it. How could Wu Tian show his sister so little respect?
Wu Tian scoffed internally. Ye Qingxian isn’t that shallow. If she truly has a connection to the Empress, she won’t hold this against me.
Now, Wu Tian turned his gaze toward Ling Han and the soldiers of Qin Country.
"I... I have lost," Ling Han said, a trace of indignant, venomous resentment radiating from his eyes. "But I refuse to accept this."
He had been on the verge of victory. He was about to conquer this royal city, and Xiuyuan Country would have belonged to Qin Country. The success of one general is built on the bones of ten thousand! His name, Ling Han, would have been recorded in the annals of history. But now, it was all for nothing. It was all the fault of that idiot War God.
"Many people die with regrets. You’re just one more," Wu Tian said flatly, pointing his finger. The Blood Glow struck once more.
"If there is an afterlife, I hope I am a general once more!" Ling Han declared. "To die on the battlefield is a fitting end. I have no regrets. I only hope that next time, there won’t be a fool to undermine and betray me!"
Ling Han closed his eyes and was consumed by the Blood Glow.
"General!" cried the soldiers of Qin Country. They had looked up to Ling Han as an elder brother, and now they watched his end, their voices filled with tragic resolve as they sent him off on his final journey. After Ling Han died, his body disintegrated into fragments.
The soldiers of Qin Country gritted their teeth and glared at Wu Tian.
"If you’re going to kill us, then get on with it!" one shouted. "There are still so many of us left. Are you going to kill every last one?"
Just then, a minister of Xiuyuan Country stepped forward. Under King Xiuyuan, he’d never had a chance to display his abilities. With the king dead, he was certain Wu Tian would be the new ruler. He saw an opportunity to prove his worth and advised Wu Tian, "Sir, your strength is supreme. Our nation’s army has suffered heavy casualties. Why not spare these men and have them serve as soldiers for our country?"
"Get lost!" Wu Tian sent the minister flying with a single kick. What an idiot. Keeping these men would only invite them to collude with our enemies.
He then addressed the soldiers, his tone calm but his killing intent overwhelming. "Your eyes are filled with loyalty to Qin Country. You could never serve another nation. You are not evil men, but in the clash of armies, it is either your life or mine."
His words, however, made the soldiers of Qin Country nod in acceptance.
"Even in death, no regrets!"
"Even in death, no regrets!"
"Even in death, no regrets!"
Wu Tian nodded. He flicked his finger, and the Blood Glow flew out, slashing through their ranks. And so, the remaining soldiers of Qin Country were all slain.
The citizens of the royal city watched in a stunned daze. Old Ming’s words were utter bullshit. King Xiuyuan, their Savior? Their only hope? What a joke! The true Savior wasn’t some king; it was Wu Tian.
Now, they looked at Wu Tian as if he were a great hero. The people exchanged glances, and then, as one, they raised their arms and cheered his name.
"WU TIAN!"
"WU TIAN!"
"WU TIAN!"
What they didn’t know was that at the very moment the War God died, a jade pendant shattered in an ancestral hall far away in the neighboring Qin Country. It was the pendant inscribed with the name "War God." Upon closer inspection, one could see that the pendant had originally been carved with the name "Ye Fan," but the character for "Fan" had been crudely altered to read "War God." A shattered pendant signified that its owner was dead.
"My son... My son is dead?" The Empress of Qin Country was stunned, her face paling in terror. She had three sons. The eldest was slow-witted. The second was a good-for-nothing hedonist. The third, the War God, while lacking in both scholarly and martial skills, was at least presentable. And now, he was dead?
Why? Why couldn’t it have been that girl, Ye Qingxian? Deep resentment and venom swirled in the Empress’s eyes.
The Emperor of Qin Country felt the same, gritting his teeth in fury. To the outside world, Ye Qingxian was his daughter, but this was a lie. He had never even touched Ye Qingxian’s mother, yet the consort had somehow become pregnant and given birth to the girl. On the day of her birth, a strange light had radiated from her swaddling clothes, which was the only reason the Emperor had not dared to sentence her to death. But now his own son was dead. Why was Ye Qingxian unharmed?
Why hadn’t she protected my son? Could it be that she wants to become the reigning Empress? The more the Emperor stewed on it, the angrier he became. It’s entirely possible! After all, while Qin Country is a one-star kingdom on the surface, its true strength is comparable to that of a two-star kingdom. Such a juicy prize... how could she not want it for herself?