"Xue Beng! Since you're here, get out here now. Don't use Imperial Father's body as a shield!" Xue Qinghe shouted toward the main hall, suppressing his anger.
A long silence hung in the murderous air.
Xue Beng did not reply. Unexpectedly, an aged, mechanical voice rose across the empty square.
"Qinghe."
"!"
Xue Qinghe froze briefly, then quickly fixed his gaze on Xue Ye.
"It's His Majesty! It's His Majesty's voice!"
"Could His Majesty really have recovered?"
"..."
"Imperial Father?"
Xue Qinghe called out uncertainly.
Xue Ye's voice did not stop. As his pale lips moved, his speech grew increasingly fluent, delivering his command. "Qinghe, have them put down their weapons and withdraw from My imperial palace!"
"Otherwise... execute them without delay."
His body was withered, his eyes numb. Even words so brimming with killing intent still sounded utterly mechanical, devoid of the slightest emotion.
Yet as an emperor who had ruled for many years, his mere appearance sparked all manner of doubts among the Royal Knights. Their weapons wavered, nearly lowering. After all, they were absolutely loyal to the royal family, absolutely loyal to Xue Ye, and even took orders from Xue Ye alone. Naturally, they would not raise arms against their own master.
Still, most of them were no fools.
Anyone with eyes could see Xue Ye's condition. He was like a puppet being controlled by someone else. Moreover, the soldiers pouring out from Xue Ye's bedchamber clearly did not resemble soldiers of the Heaven Dou Empire.
As enemies, most had already seen through it: those soldiers all came from the Star Luo Empire!
"Imperial Father!"
Tears streamed down Xue Ke's face as she looked at Xue Ye. He was already an old man bedridden and awaiting death, yet he was being controlled and toyed with by his