Memories (I)

The air was thick with the stench of blood.

Black boots descended the bloodstained white jade steps at an unhurried pace.

The Clear River Palace, freshly washed in blood, was in utter disarray. Severed limbs and mangled remains littered the ground, and now and then, the anguished cries of women or children drifted over.

With a thud.

A teacup smashed viciously into Yu Tu's forehead.

He stood where he was without dodging. The blow split open his brow, and blood streamed down his sickly pale face, disappearing directly into his snow-white collar.

His bewitching red eyes instantly locked onto the culprit—a woman who had emerged from some unknown corner.

The woman's luxurious clothes were crumpled beyond recognition, and her hair was a complete mess, but the eyes she fixed on Yu Tu burned bright with hatred.

"Yu Tu, you devil!"

"Yu Tu, you led your troops in slaughtering the entire Clear River Palace. You... you'll die a horrible death!"

At Yu Tu's side, an Imperial Army soldier strode forward with an energy weapon in hand, but Yu Tu raised a hand to stop him.

His black boots strode toward the woman, and he soon stopped before her.

Yu Tu looked down coldly at her. The killing intent around him made her legs go weak, and she collapsed onto the ground.

A year ago, Lan Xiao had ascended the throne. His rise to power had failed to convince the masses, causing the major stars of the Blue River Empire to relentlessly test his limits.

Riots never ceased, and Lan Xiao's regime remained unstable. Then Yu Tu emerged out of nowhere. At just nineteen years old, Yu Tu was promoted by Lan Xiao over all objections and made Blue River's foremost commander.

When Yu Tu's name was announced, no one thought