Chen Zhennan and Song Yunyang entered the Imperial Study. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm patches of light on the floor.

However, this place, which was once full of authority and majesty, now appears particularly gloomy.

Wu Yunyin sat behind her desk, her face pale and her expression dazed, as if she had lost all her vitality.

Her hand hung limply at the edge of the table, her fingertips trembling slightly, as if struggling to grasp something but unable to do so.

"Wu Yunyin."

Chen Zhennan's deep and firm voice broke the silence in the room.

"I wanted to tear you to pieces, but I'm not the kind of person who would do that to a woman."

Song Yunyang stood beside Chen Zhennan and said softly, "Wu Yunyin, this result already shows that Chen Zhennan is kind-hearted. You are free to travel throughout the four seas and eight wastelands, but you must not return to Dawu."

Wu Yunyin raised her head, a flash of anger and despair in her eyes, and gave Song Yunyang a cold look.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you lecture me? Chen Zhennan, Song Yunyang, you two despicable people, you'll die a horrible death!"

Chen Zhennan couldn't help but smile, reached out and gently took Song Yunyang's hand, and slowly sat down in front of Wu Yunyin.

"Whether I die a horrible death or not, you won't be able to see it. Wu Yunyin, go, the Great Wu Empire has nothing to do with you anymore."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yunyin chuckled bitterly, slowly stood up, and took off her dragon robe, tossing it aside.

"As the ancients said, the victor is king and the loser is villain. Chen Zhennan, you have won."

After speaking, Wu Yunyin slowly walked out of the imperial study.

Wu Yunyin walked out of the palace like a zombie, her inner struggle and unease clearly visible on her face.

Her eyes were empty, devoid of the radiance she once possessed as an emperor, her heart filled with confusion and fear.

As night fell, the prosperity of the capital was gradually swallowed by darkness, and the streetlights became increasingly dim, illuminating her lonely figure.

Where should I go?

She murmured to herself, her voice sounding particularly fragile in the silent night air.

She wandered aimlessly, her footsteps echoing in the empty streets, as if telling of her inner loneliness.

As time went by, the surrounding environment became increasingly gloomy, and the night wind carried a chill, causing her to shiver.

As darkness fell, a sense of unease rose in Wu Yunyin's heart.

She looked up and realized that she had arrived at the foot of the North Mountain behind the capital. The trees around her swayed in the night wind, as if they were whispering to each other.

Just then, a light footstep sound came from the woods. Wu Yunyin's heart tightened and her face turned as pale as paper.

Who is it?

Wu Yunyin's voice trembled, her heart filled with fear.

The air around her seemed to freeze, and the tense atmosphere enveloped her like an invisible net.

Just as she was about to shout, more than a dozen men in black rushed out of the woods and quickly surrounded her.

The appearance of the man in black was like a ghost in the darkness, sending a chill down her spine.

"Who are you? Were you sent by Chen Zhennan to kill us and silence us?"

Wu Yunyin forced herself to remain calm, and despite the trembling in her voice, she still tried to maintain a semblance of dignity.

The leader of the men in black slowly knelt on one knee. "We are not Chen Zhennan's men. We are just here to take you away on orders."

"Take me away?"

Wu Yunyin was shocked and suddenly realized that she had been completely reduced to a pawn and could only be manipulated by others.

A flicker of despair crossed her mind, and she gave a bitter smile: "Where do you want to take me?"

The man in black did not answer, but lowered his head slightly, his expression revealing a complex emotion.

Wu Yunyin felt a wave of powerlessness, and a strong sense of fear and helplessness surged in her heart.

Her heart was like a turbulent sea, wanting to resist but not knowing where to begin.

Taking a deep breath, Wu Yunyin tried to calm herself down, and finally nodded, following the group of men in black away.

Led by the man in black, Wu Yunyin entered the dark forest, where the swaying shadows of the trees seemed to mock her helplessness.

My heart was filled with unease, as if some unknown danger might strike at any moment.

The road beneath our feet grew increasingly muddy, the night grew ever darker, and even the moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, leaving us in complete darkness.

"How should I deal with this?"

Wu Yunyin pondered silently in her heart, fear and despair almost suffocating her.

...

In the capital, after Wu Yunyin left, Chen Zhennan immediately reorganized his troops and transferred half of the 400,000 garrison troops in the capital.

Although Zhou Xiang was dissatisfied and suspected Chen Zhennan's motives, he didn't say anything and remained silent.

The army left the capital and headed straight for the thirteen prefectures of the customs, but after three days of marching, Chen Zhennan suddenly ordered a change of direction, heading southwest.

This move surprised everyone, including Song Yunyang.

She rode up to Chen Zhennan, her brow furrowed, and asked in confusion, "Why did you suddenly change direction? Weren't we going to the Thirteen States of Customs?"

Chen Zhennan gazed into the distance and said in a deep voice, "Yunyang, the Great Zhou Dynasty is currently divided and plagued by internal strife. This is the best opportunity for us to unify and make great strides. We must seize this opportunity, as it will not come again."

Song Yunyang was surprised. She hadn't expected Chen Zhennan to be so ambitious, but upon closer inspection, it was indeed a good opportunity.

"General Chen is a man of profound wisdom and foresight, and I admire him greatly. In that case, I will follow General Chen and head towards the Great Zhou in the southwest."

Upon hearing this tone, Chen Zhennan couldn't help but laugh: "Yun Yang, judging from your tone, you're not satisfied?"

Song Yunyang hurriedly shook her head: "Of course not, but if we continue to mobilize troops, I am worried that it will backfire."

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