Terror!

"Th-that monster... just what cultivation level is he?!"

Gripped by utter terror, the scattered iron-gray formation of Imperial Guards had fallen so silent that the clacking of chattering teeth could be heard.

"His Majesty approaches—"

Suddenly, Eunuch Nur's shrill, clear voice rang out.

A moment later, the entire court of civil and military officials came hurrying over, clustered around a figure in dragon robes!

The ruler of the Great Yan Kingdom wore his full court regalia: black dragon robes embroidered with gold, a jade belt at his waist, and a crown with twelve tassels of beads. His expression was cold and stern, commanding awe without a show of anger.

As they drew closer, their gazes passed through the entrance of the east-facing, open-air hall and landed on the charred corpse lying in two pieces on the stone steps...

Their faces turned whiter than the white marble stairs!

Yan Qinyu's pupils abruptly contracted. From his tailbone to the base of his neck, his spine went cold in a flash, as though someone had poured a bucket of ice water down his back.

Inside his sleeves, his fingers clenched tight.

Yet on the surface, the ruler of Great Yan betrayed not the slightest change in expression!

"Your Majesty—"

Eunuch Nur noticed him pause and hurried closer, calling to him in a low voice.

"Mm..."

Yan Qinyu continued forward.

His gaze left the two halves of the corpse and traveled up the steps.

At last, it settled on the figure atop the stone platform.

It was a boy who looked no more than fourteen or fifteen. He stood proudly in the center of the platform, hands clasped behind his back, his wide sleeves hanging down to conceal the orange-red threads of light weaving between his fingers.

His head tilted slightly, he looked down