For several seconds, no one in the receiving hall moved.
A circle.
Curved lines.
A broken spear.
Song Jia had seen that emblem in records more than a century old.
Sun Xun had found it on undead soldiers in Dragon Kingdom.
And now—
it had appeared inside the Imperial Palace.
On a torn page carried by a dead woman.
Ding Shun's voice became dangerously quiet.
"Seal the Palace."
The guard bowed immediately.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"All gates."
"Yes."
"No one leaves without authorization."
"Understood."
The guard turned.
Before he could reach the door—
another voice came from outside.
"Father!"
Ding Wu entered.
Not walked.
Entered.
His robes were disordered.
His hair had not been properly tied.
There was blood on one sleeve.
Song Jia's expression changed.
"Ding Wu."
He barely looked at her.
His eyes went directly to the Emperor.
"She's gone."
Ding Shun stood.
"I heard."
"No."
Ding Wu shook his head.
"You don't understand."
His breathing was uneven.
