The next morning, a thick fog filled the sky, as if it would swallow the entire world. However, amidst this solemn atmosphere, a figure was walking towards the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace at a leisurely pace.
Jun Yi, dressed in white, with a calm expression on his handsome face, passed through many palace gates and walked along the long avenue. He arrived at the familiar palace.
Jun Yi pushed open the carved door and entered the majestic hall. The hall was dimly lit, with only a single yellow palace lantern flickering. Yet, in this dim light, Empress Xue Ke, clad in a magnificent phoenix robe, stood out dazzlingly on the high throne.
"You've arrived." Empress Xue Ke said calmly when she saw Jun Yi. Her voice was cold, but it carried an irresistible majesty.
Jun Yi looked at Xue Ke above with curiosity and said, "You knew I would come?"
"Not only did I know you would come, but I also knew you were here to plead for Oscar," Xue Ke said slowly. "However, my decision will not change just because you are here to plead for him."
Jun Yi smiled faintly, " Xue Ke, you've really grown up. You have your own ideas now. Your brother would be very happy if he saw this. But let's not fight this war. Haven't you thought about what price you would pay if you really angered a god?"
"What did you say?" Empress Xue Ke's face darkened, and she said coldly. Jun Yi's words deeply stung Empress Xue Ke. She stared at Jun Yi with icy eyes, as if trying to see right through him.
"Hmph, I saw through that god's character long ago. He's Kindness, cowardly, and considers Shrek Academy his home. As long as Shrek Academy remains in the Heaven Dou Empire..."
He wouldn't do anything rash. This war was started by our Heaven Dou Empire, and to avenge my brother, the Spirit Hall Empire must be destroyed!
Jun Yi looked at Xue Ke quietly and said, "Do you really want to avenge Brother Xue, or are you using his death as an excuse to satisfy your inner desires?"
"You!" Xue Ke seemed to have her thoughts exposed.
Her cheeks trembled slightly as she stared intently at Jun Yi, her eyes filled with resentment and bitterness. "You know nothing, what gives you the right to say that to me?" Xue Ke said coldly. "I've sacrificed so much for my brother, for the Heaven Dou Empire, what gives you the right to question me?"
Jun Yi gave Xue Ke a deep look. He didn't back down because of her anger, but instead said more calmly, "Because your heart is filled with endless desires. I've seen through you. Have you thought about the consequences of war?"
"Consequences?" Xue Ke sneered. "I am the Empress of the Heaven Dou Empire. I have the entire empire as my backing. What do I have to fear? It's you who, despite possessing formidable power, has always cowered within the Heaven Dou Empire, afraid to contact the outside world. You are the real coward!"
Jun Yi shook his head. "That's your misunderstanding. I'm not a coward; I just have my own principles and convictions. It seems you still don't understand the cruelty of war."
"You!" Empress Xue Ke was so angry at Jun Yi's words that she didn't know what to say for a moment.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in the hall. It was Gu Xie. He walked to Empress Xue Ke's side and whispered, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten your Prince Jun? I think we should listen to what a Prince says."
"Hmph, his title of prince was bestowed by my father, I don't recognize it." Xue Ke's eyes were full of indifference. " Jun Yi, if you don't leave, then I will order the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to participate in the war!"
Jun Yi frowned slightly. He hadn't expected Xue Ke to think this way. He was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. " Xue Ke, you've really changed." Jun Yi's voice was somewhat low. He looked at Xue Ke, his heart filled with helplessness. He had originally thought that Xue Ke was a wise and decisive woman, but now it seemed that she had been blinded by power. He had already advised her, but she wouldn't listen.
"I don't want to argue with you anymore. I just hope you can think about this calmly. This war, no matter the outcome, is a disaster for both the Heaven Dou Empire and Shrek Academy." After saying this, Jun Yi turned and walked out of the hall. He gave Xue Ke a deep look, his heart filled with helplessness.
"This is my empire, not yours. Guards, show him out!" Xue Ke said coldly.
"This is not your empire, but ours." A dagger appeared in Xie Yue's hand beside Xue Ke, and...
He pressed his hand against Xue Ke's neck. Jun Yi and Xie Yue exchanged a glance and said, " Xue Ke, don't do anything foolish." Xue Ke was startled by Xie Yue's sudden action. She glared at Xie Yue angrily, "What do you want to do?" Xie Yue said calmly, "I just want to tell you that this empire belongs to everyone, not just you." Xue Ke's face turned pale with anger at Xie Yue's words, "Do you really want to kill me?"
"I'm your woman!!"
Xue Ke shouted at " Gu Xie " beside her.
"So what if she is? She's just a woman; once she's dead, she's dead."
Xie Yue's words instantly turned Xue Ke's face deathly pale. She never expected that " Gu Xie," who had always been her close protector, would actually attack her. This realization chilled her heart, and her eyes were filled with endless anger and confusion.
"You... you really want to kill me?" Xue Ke's voice trembled slightly as she looked at Xie Yue as if he were a complete stranger.
Xie Yue didn't answer Xue Ke's question. He simply said, "Don't be so arrogant. This empire is no longer yours."
"No!" Xue Ke suddenly screamed, "You traitor! Have you forgotten your vow? You said you would always protect me and always obey my orders! You liar!"
"You're overthinking it, Jun Yi. Should we kill her?"
"Kill her. She's been emperor for ten years, that's long enough. You will be the next emperor."
Xue Ke's eyes widened in shock upon hearing their conversation; she hadn't expected Gu Xie to be in cahoots with Jun Yi.
To her utter surprise, her "personal bodyguard" betrayed her. At this moment, she had lost all her queenly majesty and was merely a pitiful woman betrayed by the person she trusted most.
"No... you..."
Before Xue Ke could finish speaking, Xie Yue plunged the dagger into her heart.
"You... you..." Xue Ke's words were cut short as her eyes gradually became vacant.
She fell straight down, and the empress perished, killed by the man she loved most.
...(End of this chapter)