"If You Have the Guts, Kill the Emperor and Usurp the Throne Today, This Emperor Will Absolutely Not Apologize!"

Dai Li recognized the man in the lead.

It was the Duke of Apocalypse, enfeoffed by the Star Luo Empire to the Frost Sky Principality.

The first Duke of Apocalypse had been a Minister during the era of Dai Renfeng, but as the title had passed down through the generations, this man was likely the fifth.

The fifth Duke of Apocalypse, Cheng Ming, possessed the Ant Emperor martial soul and was a level 79 Spirit Saint.

Under his administration, he was the only incumbent duke outside of Star Luo City who possessed the strength of a Spirit Saint!

"Your Majesty speaks too severely."

Cheng Ming bowed slightly, his voice steady and unhurried. "We have requested this audience in the dead of night because there is a matter concerning the safety of the state that we wish to remonstrate with Your Majesty about."

"Concerning the safety of the state?"

Dai Li sneered. "I was unaware that there was any matter of such importance that it warranted all of you blocking my door in the middle of the night."

Cheng Ming raised his head, his gaze meeting Dai Li's with calm composure as he spoke, word by word: "Your Majesty, the events at Taihe Hall three days ago are now known to everyone throughout the empire."

"Today, Sect Master Chen of the Seven Kill Sect hosted a banquet for the officials. His magnanimity and grace in treating others with such leniency were evident to all."

"In our humble opinion, since there is a misunderstanding between our Star Luo Empire and the Seven Kill Sect, it should be resolved as soon as possible to prevent further complications."

He paused, his voice neither high nor low, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

"I believe that Your Majesty should personally visit the villa to offer a formal apology to Sect Master Chen."

The moment those words fell, Dai Li felt the blood rush violently to his head, and his entire face turned a deep, flushed red.

"What did you say?!"

His voice rose sharply, almost cracking. "You want me... to go and apologize to that brat?!"

"I am the Supreme Ruler of the Star Luo Empire!"

"You want me to bow my head to an eighteen-year-old pup?!"

His chest heaved violently as he stared daggers at Cheng Ming, as if he wanted to tear him apart with his eyes alone. "Cheng Ming, do you have any idea what you are saying?!"

"I am well aware."

Cheng Ming remained bowed, but his tone did not yield in the slightest. "I am even more aware that Chen Jianjun, the Grand Sect Master of the Seven Kill Sect, struck only three times to execute our two ancestors, Dai Renfeng and Zhu Buchun."

"I also know that Sect Master Chen of the Seven Kill Sect used a single medicinal pill to elevate Xu Wensu from a level 89 Spirit Douluo to a level 93 Titled Douluo on the spot."

"The Seven Kill Sect may not have deep roots with our Star Luo Empire, but I believe Your Majesty does not need me to remind you how the Xu Family has been treated over these years, do you?"

Dai Li's lips trembled; he wanted to retort, but he found he could not utter a single word.

Every word Cheng Ming spoke was the truth.

The image of those three strikes, that brilliant flash of a sword, the head rolling onto the ground... these scenes played over and over in his mind like a revolving lantern.

And of course!

Even more important was the Xu Family!

Dukes usually held titles, but the prefix for the Xu Family's ducal title had been stripped away by Dai Li's own hand.

At the thought of this, Dai Li's legs suddenly felt weak.

But he could not admit defeat, and he certainly could not back down!

He was the Emperor, the Supreme Ruler of the Star Luo Empire!

How could he bow his head to a mere boy?!

How could such a thing be allowed?

"Haa..."

Dai Li took a deep breath and abruptly raised his head. Sweeping his gaze over the dozen or so officials, he barked, "Is this what you all want as well?!"

These officials were all dukes who had been enfeoffed to their own territories.

Of course, compared to Cheng Ming, these men were all white-haired and elderly, clearly the ancestor-level figures of their respective ducal houses.

However.

Facing Dai Li's outburst, these Spirit Saints remained collectively silent, showing no intention of answering.

But at the same time.

None of them made any move to step aside or leave.

And this action was the best answer they could give!

Seeing this, Dai Li's heart sank, down to the very bottom.

He suddenly found it all somewhat ridiculous.

These officials would usually chime "Your Majesty is wise" whenever they submitted a memorial, yet now, they were lined up neatly at the door of his bedchamber, forcing him to apologize to an eighteen-year-old brat.

It was absolutely preposterous!

"You all..."

Dai Li's voice was pressed extremely low, as if squeezed out from between his teeth, "You are forcing the throne."

Cheng Ming sighed, "Your Majesty speaks too heavily!"

"We subjects simply do not wish to see the Star Luo Empire continue down the wrong path."

"The Sect Master of the Seven Kill Sect is not a bloodthirsty man. He gave Xu Wensu medicinal pills and hosted a banquet for the officials, which clearly shows his intent is to win over hearts rather than exterminate us all."

"If Your Majesty could lower your pride at this moment and take the initiative to show goodwill, a glimmer of a turning point might not be impossible to achieve."

"But if Your Majesty insists on not bowing your head..."

Cheng Ming did not finish his sentence.

However, he and the many people behind him stepped forward in unison, tacitly surrounding Dai Li.

Seeing this scene.

Dai Li's chest heaved violently with rage, his face alternating between red and white.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, and blood dripped down between his fingers, yet he remained completely oblivious.

What do these bastards think they are doing!?

Forcing the throne!?

Do they really think he, Dai Li, is a soft persimmon that can be squeezed at will?

"Impossible!"

Dai Li snorted coldly, "If you have the guts, then commit regicide and usurp the throne today. I will absolutely never apologize!"

"Then, Your Majesty, we must offend you!"

Cheng Ming did not seem surprised.

As his words fell.

Those dozen or so Soul Saint-level officials stepped forward in unison, their soul power fluctuations released silently, shrouding the entire palace courtyard like an invisible giant net.

Under the sweep of such soul power, Dai Li subconsciously took half a step back, only to miss his footing and nearly fall over.

Feeling the sluggish flow of soul power within his body, the expression on Dai Li's face was exceptionally vivid.

Three days ago, he had also been severely injured, nearly dying at the hands of Xu Wensu.

And now.

His injuries had not yet healed, and his soul power circulation was stagnant; wanting to fight over a dozen people was truly a pipe dream.

Of course.

If Zhu Qingque were still here, he could perform the martial soul fusion skill Nether White Tiger with her. Never mind a dozen Soul Saints, even if Xu Wensu came, he might not be afraid to fight.

But Zhu Qingque had just been driven away by him.

"Your Majesty!"

Cheng Ming bowed slightly, his attitude upright, "We subjects also know a thing or two about fisticuffs."

"Tonight, we have no choice but to offend you."

Dai Li's expression changed drastically, "You..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw the dozen or so Soul Saints behind Cheng Ming rushing toward him in unison!

"Do you think I am afraid of you!?"

Although he was not in good condition, he was still an eighty-ninth-level Soul Douluo. A mere dozen Soul Saints, I...

Two and a half minutes later.

Dai Li was bruised and swollen, his feet unsteady, barely able to stand. His heavy gasps and suppressed groans were exceptionally jarring in the night.

Cheng Ming stood to the side the entire time, watching with folded arms. Only when Dai Li collapsed like a dead dog did he nod slightly, "Alright, escort His Majesty over."

Dai Li walked staggeringly, the pain in his body making him wince and grit his teeth.

But after walking out of the palace, he suddenly thought of a question...

He had just, it seemed, sent Zhu Qingque to find that Seven Kill Sect Master?