"Stay here."

"General?" the soldier said in astonishment.

But Kim Geon-in stopped speaking and walked into the palace alone.

Upon entering Jinling City, all I saw was festive decorations and joyous celebrations, but now that I've entered the imperial city, the scene presents a stark contrast.

Under the moonlight, the vast imperial city was eerily quiet, as if everyone had already left.

There were no big red lanterns, no peach wood charms, and even several doors were ajar. The interior was in a mess, clearly indicating that they had left in a hurry.

With a calm expression, Kim Geon-in slowly walked across the wide avenue and up one step after another.

He walked extremely slowly.

What used to take him an hour to walk now takes him more than an hour.

He carried a weapon, like an emperor inspecting the palace, walking through the vast palace grounds.

Passing through the Hall of Filial Piety, the Palace of Eternal Joy, and the Imperial Study, I walked through one place after another, seeing those messy palaces and the palace maids and eunuchs left behind, trembling in their rooms.

Kim Geon-in remained expressionless.

When shouts, roars, screams, and cries for help rang out in the distance, he realized it was time to go to the Golden Palace.

So he climbed the high steps and walked step by step to the entrance of the Golden Palace.

The Golden Palace remained as solemn, majestic, and magnificent as ever, yet also exuded a sense of desolation.

Upon reaching the palace gate, he did not go in directly, but instead put down his weapon and began to remove his armor.

Meanwhile, the sounds coming from afar subsided.

Kim Geon-in's face remained expressionless as he methodically removed his armor.

Shoulder armor, arm armor—as each piece of armor was removed, the golden garments gradually came into view under the frosty moonlight.

With a "bang".

As the heaviest breastplate was removed and fell to the ground, Kim Geon-in picked up his weapon and turned around.

Looking into the distance, one could see that the magnificent vermilion gate, adorned with dragons and phoenixes and exquisite decorations, had been violently smashed open.

Standing on the high threshold, Qin Ze held the Fire Wind Breaking Formation Halberd. His slightly weathered face was as white as snow in the moonlight as he stepped through the door.

Immediately following, a thunderous shout echoed throughout the vast palace.

"Kim Gun-in! I've come to kill you!"