"Y-Your Majesty! Th-this... this is intelligence sent back by Hall Master Kong Deming at the front lines! I-I only..."
The soldier kneeling before Xu Tianran trembled all over. His back had long since been soaked with sweat, and his eyes were filled with fear and panic.
Everyone in the imperial palace knew that when their emperor was in an unstable mood, he would slaughter without restraint!
Now that news of Elder Ye Yulin's death in Ling Dou City had arrived, reporting it to Xu Tianran was no different from seeking death!
Yet he had been ordered to come. If he disobeyed, he would die on the spot!
He had no choice!
"What are you afraid of? Am I that frightening?"
Xu Tianran's voice still sounded calm, but the soldier kneeling on the ground did not relax in the slightest.
This emperor had killed people with a smile on his face more times than anyone could count, let alone when he wore such an expressionless face.
"No, of course not! I'm just too nervous. Too nervous."
The soldier wanted to force himself to hold steady, but there was no way to ease the deepest fear in his heart. His voice still trembled, and so did his body.
"Enough. Leave first. I need some quiet."
Xu Tianran suddenly said.
Hearing this, the soldier felt as though he had been pardoned. After kowtowing several times, he hurriedly got to his feet and headed out of the hall.
Then, just as he was about to step through the palace doors—
Without any warning, his body transformed directly into a cloud of blood mist and vanished into thin air.
Only the sound of the soldier's clothes falling to the floor remained in the hall.
The blood mist, meanwhile, seemed drawn by some force as it