One Sword Settles the Score

Hu Keke didn't answer directly. Instead, he drew a deep breath.

Looking at Her Majesty the Empress, he said, "I know what you mean. In Aunt's eyes, with the hundred thousand troops from the Southern Frontier and the enemy's inside man, we have no chance of winning."

"Is that not the case?"

As she spoke, the Empress pointed at the Grand Marshal and Qin Yanyu in the square, her face once again twisting with anger.

She barked coldly, "Grand Marshal, you are the most trusted man under my command, the pillar of the empire, yet you have sided with the rebels!"

"And you, mistress of the Qin family! I have always treated your family well. I never thought that at such a crucial moment, you would all betray me!"

With that, she pointed at the chancellors and the assembled ministers.

Her voice grew colder and colder. "You have colluded with a traitor. One day, Heaven will punish you!"

At her words, Qin Yanyu shook her head.

She thought of the brutal scenes she had witnessed in Netherworld Valley, of how few men remained in her family, and of all those who had died for the empire over the years...

After a moment of silence, she said coldly, "After the upheaval in Netherworld Valley, the Qin family decided to withdraw from the struggle for supremacy and take no further part in the empire's affairs."

All the guests, ministers, and Imperial Guards were left speechless.

They had witnessed every death in the Qin family over the years.

Today, at last, they heard this righteous declaration. They thought that only the mistress of the Qin family would dare say such a thing to the Empress's face.

As expected, the Empress was taken aback. She stood there, stunned.

Then she came to her senses