"Whoosh~"
The bugle calls for retreat echoed one after another, and the dust was kicked up by the army's marching footsteps.
For the taxi soldiers of the Sun Moon Empire, this was, in a way, a relief.
After all, no one truly wants to fight to the death; war is a cruel thing, and no one really likes it.
This is nothing more than an aggressive tactic employed by the ruling class, and the people are merely tools, carrying out their masters' orders.
"Heh, it's time to go back. I wonder how we'll be treated next."
"He probably won't have a good ending. Go back and see your family as soon as possible, consider it the last time."
Most of the taxi drivers in the Sun Moon Empire looked dejected, and they chatted quietly as they drove.
Their weapons were all confiscated, and they were surrounded by taxi soldiers from the Star Luo Empire.
Led by Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger Duke and his generals, the Star Luo Empire's taxi convoy traveled unimpeded until they approached Sunrise City.
Several white flags were already hanging on the high city wall.
"Marshal, I didn't expect Xu Tianran to be so sensible; he's even good at putting on a show."
"Heh, come on in."
The gates of the imperial city were already open to them, so Dai Hao was naturally not worried that they would use tricks, after all, the entire empire's military force had been dispatched.
Even if unexpected events occur, they won't cause too much of a stir.
Moreover, a group of Titled Douluo were monitoring the area from the shadows, including several men in black from the Cao Clan, and of course, the old guys from Shrek hadn't left either.
After wiping out the entire Holy Spirit Cult, they weren't in a hurry to return to the Shrek Academy. To be honest, these old guys were also a little curious about what would happen next.
Elder Lin muttered to himself, "That Little Yu guy really has an endless stream of tricks up his sleeve."
Xuan Zi chuckled and said, "This shows that the Soul Guidance Department's cooperation with this kid was a wise move. I've always had good judgment, haven't I?"
"You're already so old, and you're still bragging about yourself. Aren't you ashamed?"
"Hmph! I'm not going to lower myself to your level, old man."
Xuan Zi glanced at her briefly, then continued drinking his wine.
He was also thinking to himself that when they raided his house, he would make sure Cao Yu left him plenty of the fine wines and spirits of the Sun Moon Empire.
We haven't had enough alcohol lately.
After Dai Hao and his group entered the palace, several more airplanes appeared in the sky.
As they passed over each city, countless sheets of paper would flutter down from the sky.
Looking at the contents of the paper regarding the empire's surrender negotiations, every citizen of the Sun Moon Empire knew in their hearts that they had been defeated.
The leader of the Grandmaster of the Sun Moon Empire witnessed this scene firsthand, but dared not speak out in anger.
After all, they have already been treated specially; their Soul Power has been sealed, and they cannot use their cultivation. Now they are no different from ordinary people.
Inside the palace hall, Xu Tianran did not sit on the throne, but instead had a guard push his wheelchair to gradually close the distance between him and Dai Hao and the others.
"Your Majesty Xu Tianran, why aren't you sitting on the throne?"
Looking towards Dai Hao, the throne appeared somewhat dilapidated, as the two armrests on either side had disappeared.
The generals behind Dai Hao couldn't help but laugh contemptuously. In their eyes, Xu Tianran was like a pitiful person.
Hearing this mocking laughter, the civil and military officials of the Sun Moon Empire felt a pang of sorrow. When had they ever suffered such humiliation? Now they truly understood it.
Upon hearing the king's insult, several senior ministers immediately stepped forward, glaring angrily at Dai Hao and his group, and roared:
"You traitors! Even if our country is defeated, our emperor is not someone you can boss around!"
"If you want to lay a hand on Our Emperor, then you'll have to step over the bones of us old folks first, and see if we'll stand by and do it!"
The group of generals behind Dai Hao laughed even louder, as if afraid they wouldn't hear him.
Finally, things calmed down after Dai Hao intervened.
"Alright, let's get down to business."
"Yes, Marshal!"
Xu Tianran's expression showed no sign of anger; he might have been feigning composure.
He slowly said, "Marshal Dai, generals, please take your seats."
"Yes, Your Majesty Xu Tianran." Dai Hao sat down on a chair without any ceremony, and the other generals also took their seats.
"Haha, Marshal Dai is joking. From today onwards, I am no longer the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, so naturally I cannot be addressed as Your Majesty."
The guards poured hot tea for everyone, Xu Tianran slowly picked it up and took a small sip.
He showed absolutely no signs of the grief of a king whose kingdom had fallen, which clearly surprised Dai Hao and his group.
Something unusual must be going on, Dai Hao thought to himself. Xu Tianran must be up to something.
Hmph, I'll let you show your true colors then.
However, Dai Hao still responded with a smile, "It's just a form of address, why should we care?"
"But I'd like to ask, why did you agree to this negotiation so readily?"
In this negotiation, Dai Hao and his team brought the Sun Moon Empire under the rule of the Star Luo Empire with almost no effort.
Xu Tianran must have been involved in this; otherwise, the officials who came to negotiate wouldn't have been able to make this decision.
Xu Tianran didn't answer him, continuing to sip his tea. A minute later, he smiled and said:
"Defeat is inevitable, and I am powerless to reverse it. However, the two great empires of Heaven Soul and Dou Ling, which we have conquered, have benefited you greatly."
"You guys actually stole the last fruits of victory, haha!"
Then Xu Tianran looked at Dai Hao with a solemn expression. Dai Hao had expected this sudden change, realizing that Xu Tianran was finally going to tell him something.
Xu Tianran slowly opened his mouth and said, "I need your country to give me a promise."
Dai Hao said, "Please speak, as long as it doesn't cross the line."
"Have Cao Yu take good care of my younger sister, Xu Tianzhen."
Seemingly having finally let out a long-held sigh, Xu Tianran gradually calmed down and continued:
"She's still just a girl. This war has nothing to do with her. I don't ask for her wealth or riches; I just want her to live peacefully and safely."
Dai Hao nodded and replied, "I'll agree to this on behalf of Young Master Cao. Do you have any other requests?"
"It's gone..."
Xu Tianran slowly closed his eyes and muttered to himself, " The Sun Moon Empire has existed for a thousand years, yet it has fallen to my hands. Truly, it is fate!"
"Hahaha! I, Xu Tianran, have no face left to live on, a deposed monarch! Hahaha!"
Gradually, his voice grew softer and softer, and his breathing became increasingly erratic.
Until the life force within him began to dissipate little by little, until finally all his breath was gone.
"My Emperor!"
The civil and military officials of the Sun Moon Empire prostrated themselves on the ground with sorrowful expressions, crawling towards Xu Tianran.
The entire court was filled with the sounds of weeping and wailing. When the news reached the city, the people did not feel any sorrow.
(End of this chapter)