Quan Zhan's anger had nowhere to hide and was shattered by something called "original intention".

When a person realizes that their life is about to come to an end, memories will always replay in their mind in an instant.

As a result, people become detached from desires and realize what they truly want most.

It's an instinct, a survival instinct.

He lay on the ground, trampled under Quan Ji's feet, staring blankly at the unfamiliar yet familiar faces before him.

He saw a dark light that the old men couldn't hide in their clouded eyes. It wasn't anger, it wasn't fear, but... utter despair.

These old men, whose lifespans are not as long as those of martial artists, and in fact may not even be as old as him, are all witnesses who watched him rise from prince to king and eventually fall to his current state.

Back then, some of them were young adults, while others were still children; now, their gray hair is hard to hide.

A memory surged into Quan Zhan's mind.

It's true that he killed his brilliant younger brother back then, but he also really wanted to secure his position!

He swore before the entire Holy Empire that he would make every person in the country feel happy and honored.

But what has he done now?

Quan Zhan couldn't control his tear ducts; tears streamed down his face like continuous raindrops, seeping into the cracks between the floor tiles.

"I... what have I done..."

He betrayed his country out of jealousy and, for his own selfish desires, caused the Fire Archer Empire to attack Holy Glory!

Instead of bringing happiness to the people of Shengyao, he personally pushed them into a pit of fire!

He even watched helplessly as the "superpowered individuals" he brought back oppressed his people!

He was confused, he was remorseful, he was ashamed to face the people of Shengyao who had once placed their hopes on him. He was terribly wrong!

Quan Ji's eyes were devoid of any emotion; she scoffed at the idea.

"Regret it?"

"Unfortunately, it's too late."

"No one is obligated to give you the right to regret, nor is anyone obligated to sympathize with your regrets. You chose this path yourself, and from the moment you forgot who you were, you made a complete mistake!"

Some of the people below chose to remain silent, some chose to hold back their tears, and some chose to echo the words "Kill him."

But whatever they chose, they chose not to give Quan Zhan another chance.

Quan Ji raised her head and asked the crowd, "Should we kill them?"

After a moment of silence, the crowd roared in unison, "Kill!"

In an instant, Quan Ji raised the longsword in her hand, a sword that only the Holy Lord could wield.

The longsword reflected a blinding white light, sending a surge of warmth through one's heart.

Quan Zhan sobbed, squeezing out his last words through gritted teeth: "I repent... I was wrong... I'm sorry to the Holy Glory Empire."

Princess Quan looked down at the once arrogant king, her cold voice echoing in everyone's ears:

"Repentance is useless; the wounds already inflicted will never just remain memories."

"Take your apologies and go to hell to repent."

Swish—

One sword strike, clean and swift.

With a single sword strike, blood gushed forth like a spring.

With a single sword strike, the reigning monarch of the Holy Glory Empire, who had reigned supreme for over two hundred years, was brought to an end.

He died with his eyes wide open, utterly miserable.

Someone shouted from below:

"Good riddance! Traitors deserve to die!"

"Good riddance! The traitor deserved it!"

"Good for him!"

...