Thunderous booms echoed in the distance, finally clearing away most of the tangled thoughts in Shen Yangge's mind.
A fierce gust swept in, blasting the window and the tightly shut door open. Chu Xuanzhen's expression shifted slightly as he shielded Shen Yangge securely in his arms.
The wind carried not only a bloody stench, but also the reek of decay.
Beyond that, Shen Yangge caught an even stronger smell of explosives and gunpowder residue. He peered past Chu Xuanzhen's neck and saw dust flying everywhere, with a vast swath of crimson staining the distant sky.
It was painfully bright.
A Death Soldier hurried inside, dropped to one knee, and reported:
"Master, several unidentified forces are approaching us. At the same time, more than a dozen, perhaps twenty ships are closing in on the island!"
The sudden news hit Shen Yangge like a deep-sea explosive, leaving him stunned for a moment. What came next sent his already anxious heart leaping into his throat.
The Death Soldier said, "Please leave the island with us, Master!"
In such circumstances, Great Chu's future emperor-no, he was already the emperor now. Aside from the coronation ceremony not yet having taken place, who had any right to question Chu Xuanzhen's status?
Now that Great Chu's emperor was on an island beset by danger, the panicked expressions of these Death Soldiers were enough to show how serious the situation was.
Shen Yangge had expected Chu Xuanzhen to nod in agreement, but he merely frowned without answering. The Death Soldier repeated himself, and this time, Chu Xuanzhen spoke.
He said, "You may leave."
The Death Soldier's heart trembled. He clenched his teeth and finally withdrew, intending to close the door behind him. But just as he reached for it, the wooden door collapsed with a crack.
Shen Yangge: