"So what?" Ye Shengxiao said indifferently.
Ye Lingyuan's killing intent surged again. "So what? Over two hundred thousand lives, what do you think this king should do?"
"When a person dies, the lamp is extinguished! Moreover, since ancient times, it has always been the case that ten thousand bones wither for one general's success. They fought for Tianqi, and the people of Tianqi will remember their kindness!"
Ye Shengxiao spoke without any extraneous emotion.
He seemed detached from the world, a god looking down with cold indifference upon the mortal realm.
"Hahaha!"
Ye Lingyuan threw his head back and roared with laughter.
Zi Linling looked at Ye Shengxiao with disdain, sneering, "In terms of thick skin, no one can compare to you! How can you utter such heartless words?
'Ten thousand bones wither for one general's success'? Two hundred thousand people, two hundred thousand lives. If they had truly died at the hands of the enemy, they would have had no regrets. For a true man knows what to do and what not to do; to die for the protection of one's home and country is a death without regret!
But they, of all people, died due to the schemes of their own kind. Their sacrifices were for something less than that of a beast. How could they die in peace?
Two hundred thousand troops, all perished on the battlefield due to Ye Moyuan's selfish desires. And you can still speak of it so matter-of-factly? I am truly impressed by the depths of your shamelessness!"
Zi Linling's voice was filled with infinite sorrow and rage.
She felt it was unjust for those two hundred thousand valiant souls! She felt it was unfair for those two hundred thousand valiant souls!
Ye Shengxiao let out a cold snort and was about to speak when he felt his bones slowly shattering.
Ye Lingyuan's body was surging with the power of laws. He said in anger, "When a person dies, the lamp is extinguished? If that is the case, then you too shall have your lamp extinguished!"
His rage at this moment could no longer be suppressed. He was too lazy to waste any more words with Ye Shengxiao, to argue any logic.
Because Ye Shengxiao's words had reached an unprecedented level of shamelessness.
For such a beast that redefined shamelessness, only overwhelming force and the taste of death could teach them a lesson. Perhaps in their next life, they might learn to respect life.
Ye Shengxiao gritted his teeth in pain, but Ye Lingyuan, wanting to torture him, had sealed his voice. He couldn't even scream to alleviate the pain.
His skin, under the pressure of the laws, kept cracking, and he soon became a bloody mess.
"Ye Lingyuan, stop! He is your uncle!"
Ye Shenghan struggled to his feet, his spiritual energy surging, and he lunged towards Ye Lingyuan!
Suddenly, a beam of light flashed.
Ye Shenghan's upper body continued to move forward due to inertia, but his legs remained in place.
"Ah!!!"
He screamed, his lunging body falling to the ground. Blood stained the floor of the imperial study.
Zi Linling retracted her scalpel and sneered, "Uncle? When you schemed against his brothers, did you ever remember that you were his uncles?
When you helped Ye Moyuan try to kill him multiple times, did you ever remember that you were his uncles?
When you poisoned him with Moonlit Glaze, did you ever remember that you were their uncles?
And now, when their lives are in his hands, you remember that you are his uncles?
Who gave you the audacity to have such double standards in your actions?"
Zi Linling's words were imposing, leaving Ye Shenghan speechless.
Then, her stern gaze fell upon Ye Moyuan. She said, "Ye Moyuan, a person like you, do you deserve to sit on the throne of the Nine-Five? I even doubt if your ancestors in the Ye family were blind.
Also, I warned you long ago, Ye Lingyuan is my person. If gods move against him, I will slay gods. If demons move against him, I will cut down demons. If you move against him, I will kill you!
It seems you've taken my words as mere wind in your ears?
Oh… I see! Do you think that because you are the Emperor, I wouldn't dare do anything to you?
But have you forgotten my other words? Let me remind you!
I said, if I regard you as an emperor, then you are an emperor. But if I do not regard you as an emperor, then you are nothing!"
As Zi Linling spoke, her killing intent churned violently.
"This Emperor… I… I don't believe you… you wouldn't dare kill me!"
Ye Moyuan said with a lack of confidence.
"Wouldn't dare?"
Zi Linling sneered. She swung her scalpel, the blade grazing Ye Moyuan's scalp. "Ye Moyuan, say it again, do I dare or not?"
"You… you…"
Ye Moyuan trembled with fear. An unpleasant odor began to spread through the imperial study.
Zi Linling frowned, about to make a sarcastic remark, when she heard Ye Lingyuan's voice.
"Heaven and Earth as witness, all beings as proof, from this moment on, I, Ye Lingyuan, have no further ties with the Tianqi Ye family! The fate of Tianqi is no longer my concern!"
His angry voice, amplified by spiritual energy, resounded throughout the imperial palace and spread to every corner of Anye City.
A thunderclap from a clear sky.
The heavenly dao rumbled, witnessing this moment.
The people of Anye City, unaware of what had happened, knelt on the ground, pleading.
"His Highness the King of the Underworld, you cannot abandon us!"
"His Highness the King of the Underworld, you are our God of War, how can you forsake us!"
"His Highness the King of the Underworld, we beg you, do not disregard the fate of Tianqi!"
… Su Dan Novel Network
"I heard that the Emperor intentionally delayed, and caused the death of the King of the Underworld's Fengxuan Army, over two hundred thousand soldiers!"
"They say General Mu is also missing, his whereabouts unknown!"
"No wonder our guardian God of War is enraged! It turns out the incompetent ruler is to blame!"
"Incompetent ruler, abdicate!"
"Incompetent ruler, step down!"
"His Highness the King of the Underworld ascends the throne!"
"His Highness the King of the Underworld, we support you!"
…
The people's pleas turned into righteous indignation.
They rushed towards the palace gates with their bare hands.
Soon, the palace entrance was blocked, teeming with people.
They all shouted in unison, "Incompetent ruler, abdicate!"
"His Highness the King of the Underworld ascends the throne!"
"Support the King of the Underworld!"
…
Crown Prince Ye Yuanhao rushed over upon hearing the news, but the public sentiment was too fierce for him to persuade them.
He shouted anxiously, "Imperial Guards! Suppress them! Suppress them quickly!"
The Imperial Guards made no move. They looked at Ye Yuanhao with contempt.
Tianqi could do without Emperor Ye Moyuan, but it could not do without King of the Underworld Ye Lingyuan!
Furthermore, they had also learned about the news of the two hundred thousand Fengxuan Army being tricked into perishing on the battlefield.
As soldiers, they were terrified! As citizens of Tianqi, they were disheartened.
Moreover, among the rioting populace were their own parents. How could they raise their weapons against their own kin?
The Imperial Guards remained still, but the crowd became even more frenzied.
Ye Yuanhao, in his anger, kicked an Imperial Guard's leg.
This was a terrible mistake.
His action undoubtedly stirred a hornet's nest.
Not only did the Imperial Guards refuse to suppress the people, but they also joined the throng, helping the citizens charge into the imperial palace.
Outside Anye City, the sound of hooves echoed, dust billowed, and roars filled the air.