Chapter 76: The Tyrant's Wrath, The Empire's Fall
Tiandou Empire Council Hall.
Qian Renxue sat high upon the imperial throne, clad in a resplendent bright yellow dragon robe. Her expression was stern, eyes cold and commanding as she swept her gaze across the gathered ministers.
"Everyone," she said, her voice echoing in the grand hall, "what do you have to say?"
"Your Majesty," an old minister stepped forward, his expression grave, "the Emperor of Xingluo personally led the army, and four titled Douluo attacked in unison. His Majesty Qin Chuan is in grave danger. This old minister believes that it would be wiser to—"
"Drag him out and execute him."
Qian Renxue's icy voice cut through the air like a blade. Her finger pointed straight at the old minister.
The old man's face drained of color. "Your Majesty… Your Majesty…"
Before he could say more, two imperial guards entered, seized him, and dragged him out. His pleas for mercy echoed faintly until they were abruptly silenced.
The council hall fell into immediate, deathly silence.
"Anyone else have something to say?" Qian Renxue asked, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
Another official stepped forward, trembling, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should consider breaking ties with His Majesty Qin Chuan—"
"Execute him!"
Without hesitation, Qian Renxue waved her hand again.
Two more guards entered and dragged him out. No one dared to move.
"I ask again," Qian Renxue said slowly, her voice laced with venom, "anyone else?"
"Your Majesty, for the sake of the empire—"
"Execute him."
This time, the condemned shouted as he was taken.
"Xue Qinghe, you'll doom Tiandou!"
"Xue Qinghe, you tyrant, tyrant—!"
Crack—
His head fell. Silence returned.
"Anyone else?"
Qian Renxue leaned forward on the imperial desk, her presence oppressive and domineering.
The ministers trembled. None dared speak.
"No more voices?" she asked mockingly, then descended from the throne. She strode slowly across the chamber, scanning the faces of her officials. All who met her eyes quickly looked away, pale with dread.
After a few moments, she pointed at several ministers.
They turned ashen.
"Your Majesty… Your Majesty…" one of them dropped to his knees, tears flowing freely.
Qian Renxue didn't even look at them. "You dared sow dissent and shake the morale of our forces in the face of war. All of you—behead them."
Guards arrived. The ministers were dragged out, screaming and sobbing, until even their curses were swallowed by death.
When silence returned once more, Qian Renxue finally smiled.
"Bring in their heads," she ordered.
A squad of guards entered, each carrying a tray. On each tray lay a freshly severed head—bloody, wide-eyed, filled with despair and defiance.
"Line them up."
The heads were arranged before the throne. Qian Renxue descended again, walking past each one, inspecting them like trophies.
Then she turned to the remaining officials.
"Now," she asked coldly, "does anyone else have something to say?"
"No… no," they all stammered, shaking their heads furiously.
"Still want to divide the empire?" she asked again.
More frantic shaking.
"You all couldn't wait to surrender before the next battle report even arrived," she scoffed. "My father left me such… loyal ministers."
Shame painted the faces of many, but no one dared reply.
"Now listen to me."
Qian Renxue turned her back to them, facing the throne. Her voice turned low, hoarse, yet brimming with unwavering conviction.
"I will never bow to the Xingluo Empire."
"If His Majesty Qin Chuan falls, and the Xingluo dares to press forward, then even if I stand alone, I will perish with them."
"The Tiandou Empire—will never surrender!"
The hall was dead silent.
Then a minister, trembling, took a step forward, "Your Majesty… I swear to live and die with the empire."
"I too, Your Majesty!" another cried.
Voices followed, growing louder and more passionate. No matter their inner fears, the fire of patriotism began to burn again.
"Then pass my order!" Qian Renxue declared, turning with authority. "Summon all vassal states and subordinate kingdoms—mobilize every able soldier!"
Just then—hurried footsteps echoed outside the hall.
They were frantic, labored. The hall fell into silence again.
Qian Renxue's brows knit. The rules of the imperial city were strict—no one was allowed to run like this unless there was an urgent matter of life and death.
"Stop!" a patrol shouted.
"Urgent! Top priority war report from the Xingluo front—no one may stop me!" came another voice, hoarse from running.
The patrol guards hesitated, then let him through.
Moments later, a border soldier stumbled into the hall, drenched in sweat, clutching a scroll in trembling hands.
The ministers turned pale. Many feared the worst.
"Young man, the battle?" an old minister asked, barely able to breathe.
All eyes turned to the soldier.
Even Qian Renxue's fists clenched tightly within her sleeves, her heart caught in her throat.
"Your Majesty…" the soldier's voice trembled, tears spilling from his eyes. "The Xingluo Empire…"
Some ministers nearly collapsed at the sight.
"It's over…" someone muttered, eyes vacant. "It's over. The empire is done…"
"Speak!" Qian Renxue's voice cracked with tension.
The soldier raised the scroll with both hands.
"The Xingluo Empire…"
His breath trembled—
"Is dead."
Boom—
Stone-shattering, sky-splitting silence.
Shock erupted like a thunderclap in the minds of every listener.