Merciless Phoenix Slaying

Her features were exquisite, her brows and eyes sharply defined, her gaze hazy and dim. An unmistakably sickly pallor lay over her wheat-colored skin, and flecks of blood dotted her shapely, athletic, voluptuous body, giving her a fragile, ailing beauty that stirred pity.

In that instant, Jian Shang's heartstrings were plucked, sending ripples through his composure...

Inexplicably, he believed in the Phoenix Consort's kindness, her innocence, and her sincerity...

The large hand gripping her jade-like neck involuntarily tightened...

"Your Majesty?! I believe her. I can feel it—she and I are the same kind of person..."

Seeing Jian Shang tighten his grip, Yu Ji turned her clear, bright eyes toward him and pleaded softly, hesitantly but sincerely.

"The same kind of person? So she's the Vietnam Region's version of you?"

Jian Shang furrowed his thick brows and asked in bewilderment.

After a pause, seeing Yu Ji nod uncertainly, Jian Shang quietly signaled to those beside him, then looked at the Phoenix Consort before him and continued with a complicated expression:

"I've always been softhearted, especially toward women! Since you've asked, I'll grant your wish! Forgive me... enemies of the nation are enemies, whether good or evil!"

"Hm?"

The Phoenix Consort, her consciousness fading, seemed not to have heard him clearly. Her clouded eyes, slowly losing their vitality, suddenly brightened and stared straight at Jian Shang.

"Don't!" the Crimson Dragon Elder cried, his face changing drastically. He wanted to strike, but feared breaking the precious vessel while trying to kill the rat!

"You dare?!!!"

The Mad Lion King roared with murderous fury. His body trembled as he prepared to pounce, but he too feared breaking the vessel to kill the rat—and feared even more being blamed for the Phoenix Consort's death.

"Your Majesty?" Yu Ji called softly in confusion.

"Go in peace..."