"As for you all... and you..."
Finally, Song Yanran's gaze swept over Song Yu and the members of the Wind and Rain Pavilion, her eyes filled with disappointment and resentment.
Seeing his Imperial Sister's heartbroken expression, Song Yu felt a knife twist in his heart.
Only Sun Xin Yue and Hu Ying remained impassive.
"Enough, tyrant! No matter how silver-tongued you are, you cannot escape judgment today!"
"Go down and atone for the ancestors you slew."
Hu Ying loosed an arrow while Sun Xin Yue surged forward, flanking Song Yanran and giving her no room to counterattack.
"You... you go too far!"
A trickle of black blood seeped from the corner of her mouth as Song Yanran forced her True Essence to make one last desperate stand.
"Imperial Zenith Heavenly Scripture: Stellar Transformation!"
A vast palm strike, imbued with the power of the Dao, repelled their combined assault.
Yet the Imperial Zenith Heavenly Scripture was only at half its peak power, and the poison in her body caused a violent backlash. Spitting up a mouthful of black blood, she sustained even greater injury.
Before she could catch her breath, an even more lethal strike closed in.
"Eight Desolations Art: Wolf Smoke Ignites Winter Fire!"
With a mighty palm strike, Song Yanran struggled to block, but her body was sent flying like a kite with a snapped string.
At that moment, the Xiongnu guard suddenly drew a peculiar snake-sword from his iron case and, with phantom-like speed, launched a fatal strike at Song Yanran.
"Your Majesty, this subject arrives too late to protect you!"
At the critical juncture, a furious roar echoed through the air, accompanied by the sound of dragon's cries.
A burly figure materialized before Song Yanran, slashing his blade and forcing back the Xiongnu guard's attack.
"Hmm?"
The Xiongnu guard glanced indifferently at the newcomer, then, with his sword sheathed on his back, quietly retreated ten paces.
Recognizing the man, Xuan Hao Hongye barked, "Which of the Four Great Imperial City Guards are you?"
"Azure Dragon!"
Azure Dragon turned to Song Yanran. "Your Majesty, I will clear a path for you. You can escape this predicament."
Song Yanran gave a bitter laugh, her voice faltering. "I am betrayed by all. Where can I go? I have nowhere to turn... Perhaps it would be better this way... It's all my own fault..."
"Your Majesty, do not despair. These traitors will face their comeuppance. For the sake of all the people in the realm, you must survive and wait for the day of our resurgence."
Azure Dragon stepped forward, his golden blade held horizontally across his chest. "With me here, you'll never harm His Majesty."
Xuan Hao Hongye sneered, "The Imperial City Guard are indeed loyal. This King admires your devotion. Why not pledge your service to me instead?"
"How dare you, a barbarian Hun dog, speak such words?"
A murderous glint flashed in Xuan Hao Hongye's eyes.
"What a pity. This King values talent, but has no need for traitors. Since you're so devoted to your mistress, join her in the Yellow Springs."
He raised his arm high, about to give the order to slaughter when Song Yu intervened.
"Xiongnu King, since when has this battle been yours to command?"
"What is Prince Rui planning?"
"The fate of Song Yanran is decided by the Dragon Han Imperial Clan. You have no authority here!"
Xuan Hao Hongye's expression turned glacial. "Prince Rui, are you challenging the dignity of the Xiongnu?"
"So what? I merely wish to remind you that the Xiongnu haven't even conquered the Central Plains yet. Your influence is far less than you imagine. Speak of dominating the Celestial Dynasty when you have the strength to do so."
"Hmm?"
Great Emperor Xuan Hao Hongye unleashed his full fifth-rank cultivation, radiating a terrifying pressure that struck the hearts of the assembled crowd with a mixture of fear and awe.
But Song Yu remained unfazed. "What? Are you so enraged that you intend to kill me right now? If so, feel free to try. Do you truly believe the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty will become a mere puppet just because Song Yanran is gone?"
Hearing this, Xuan Hao Hongye gradually withdrew his aura.
Indeed, even if Song Yanran were gone, the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty still had seventeen Quasi-Emperor experts. Moreover, the Dao Domain Heavenly Pavilion Holy Dynasty would undoubtedly intervene if they learned of the Celestial Dynasty's plight.
Offending a single Song Yanran might be manageable, but alienating the entire Song Imperial Clan of the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty would be utter folly.
If relations with the Dragon Han Imperial Clan were to completely rupture now, the Xiongnu would face a multi-pronged siege, putting them in a dire position.
With this realization, Xuan Hao Hongye glared at Song Yu before silently retreating to the side.
Song Yu sighed and stepped forward, addressing Song Yanran. "Imperial Sister, abdicate. If you do, I guarantee your safety and comfort for the rest of your life."
"Heh..."
Song Yanran let out two cold laughs.
"Song Yu, do you truly desire the Imperial Throne so desperately?"
Song Yu remained silent.
"In truth, I have long considered abdicating. I was planning to select a capable individual from the Dragon Han Imperial Clan after today's ceremony and cultivate them.
Once the situation stabilized, I would naturally relinquish the throne.
Yet you cannot even wait that long? You are so impatient, so eager to strike me down?"
Song Yu sighed softly, still silent.
"Among all the members of the Imperial Clan, only you are my equal. I have always considered you my most trusted relative.
I was willing to grant you the finest resources and the most generous treatment, but you... you have truly disappointed me."
With that, Song Yanran stepped past the Azure Dragon and stood proudly before the crowd.
"You wish to force me to abdicate? I can agree to that. But as the Empress of the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty, I will not depart in such a manner. If you wish to take everything from me, you will have to do so over my corpse."
Song Yu's brow furrowed. "Imperial Sister, you..."
"There's no need to say more. My decision is final. As the Emperor of the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty, I will never compromise with our enemies. In this world, there is only one Dragon Han Empress—one who dies in battle!"
Her voice boomed with authority, her phoenix-like brows furrowed, her face set in resolute determination.
This was the dignity of a monarch, a sacred trust that no one dared to defile or violate!
"Very well. Since persuasion has failed, we must resort to extreme measures to end this!"
Xuan Hao Hongye gave a command, and the Xiongnu guards behind him charged forward.
The members of the Wind and Rain Pavilion exchanged glances and simultaneously surged toward the Empress.
"Everything... is over."
Song Yanran's strength had long been exhausted, sustained only by sheer force of will.
Now, as her resolve crumbled, she slowly closed her eyes, awaiting the final moment.
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
The Azure Dragon reacted swiftly, unleashing a blade strike that sent a surge of chaotic energy through the air, bisecting a Xiongnu guard at the waist.
"Protect the Emperor!"
At the same time, the Vermilion Bird arrived to reinforce their defense, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Azure Dragon, forming an impenetrable shield around Song Yanran, ensuring not a single enemy blade could touch her.
However, even the strongest fists are no match for four hands. Facing the onslaught of the Wind and Rain Pavilion and the Xiongnu guards, the two gradually found themselves at a disadvantage.
Seeing his opportunity, Xuan Hao Hongye abandoned all restraint. With his hands clasped behind his back, he channeled his internal energy to its peak and strode toward Song Yanran, intent on delivering the fatal blow.
Five steps away, Xuan Hao Hongye roared, "Empress! Pay the price for my million Xiongnu warriors!"
He unleashed a palm strike of unparalleled might, a force that seemed to stir the very mountains, rivers, sun, and moon.
Song Yanran's fighting spirit had vanished completely. She closed her eyes indifferently, awaiting death without the slightest will to resist.
Suddenly, a streak of azure flame streaked across the sky, descending from the heavens.
In the next instant, Song Yanran, who had been on the verge of collapse, felt her True Essence surge within her. As spiritual energy coursed through her Eight Extraordinary Meridians, she instinctively struck out with a palm.
*Boom!*
A deafening explosion shook the earth. Mountains crumbled, and the ground trembled. Xuan Hao Hongye was sent staggering back dozens of steps, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at Song Yanran.
After a long silence, he slowly uttered three words: "Your... name!"
As the words faded, a heroic and handsome figure materialized behind the Empress.
"Public Judgment Hall—Shen Zhao!"
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)