(This was originally supposed to be the final chapter of "A Room of Dim Lamps Cannot Illuminate Me." Fortunately, I'm quite pleased with this chapter title too.)
In the great hall, Grand Academician Chen and a military officer had said mockingly that even if Jing Jiu could trap these officials in the palace, it would do no good.
Jing Jiu had never intended to do that. He had simply killed them all.
Dozens of officials lay in pools of blood, and he had paid a price as well.
Some of those military officers were capable, and Grand Academician Chen had made preparations in advance, inviting several powerful cultivators to enter the hall disguised as officials.
The morning sun shone on his pale face. Looking at the distant sky beyond the Imperial City, he thought of things from long ago and things far in the future.
History was always repeating itself. The only difference was that his cultivation and strength here were somewhat low.
The young eunuch led the few surviving officials out along the corner of the great hall. Looking at the pools of blood covering the floor and recalling those cruel, bloody scenes, the officials felt their legs weaken. They barely managed to make it outside. At the sight of His Majesty covered in blood, sword in hand, they dared not look him in the eye and dropped to their knees with a series of thuds.
"If you can still walk, go get things done."
There was no particular emotion in Jing Jiu's voice.
The officials dared not delay. Pushing themselves up with their hands, they headed out of the palace as quickly as they could.
There were still many things they needed to do. Pacifying the Imperial Guard was the first step; rescuing those lords from