The night was as dark as ink, and the murderous aura as sharp as frost.
The Imperial Guard camp had now become a huge, silent prison.
Tens of thousands of Imperial Guards soldiers, whom they had once regarded as nothing, were disarmed like sheep and gathered on the vast training ground. The torchlight burned brightly around the training ground, illuminating the faces that were filled with confusion, fear, or resentment.
Weapons were piled up in the center of the training ground, like cold little mountains, reflecting a chilling light in the firelight. The air was thick with a suffocating atmosphere, a mixture of metal, sweat, and silent fear.
They were the most elite guards under the emperor's nose, the strongest shield of the Great Liang Empire. Yet now, they were prisoners, unable to even control their own fate.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
A series of steady and powerful footsteps approached from afar.
All the noise and commotion ceased abruptly at that moment. The drill ground, filled with tens of thousands of people, became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone instinctively held their breath and turned their gaze toward the camp gate.
Emperor Xiao Che, surrounded by a group of Dragon Scale Guards, slowly entered.
He had changed out of the formal attire stained with wine and blood from the banquet, donning a black, practical outfit for ease of movement. The emperor's sword hung at his waist, further emphasizing his tall, imposing figure. The overwhelming killing intent that had erupted in the Hanyuan Hall, though now subdued, had transformed into an even deeper, more terrifying pressure that enveloped the entire camp as if it were a tangible force.
Wherever he went, the imperial guards kneeling on the ground all lowered their heads even further, their bodies trembling like leaves.
This monarch, who usually appears gentle and sickly, finally revealed to the world tonight the iron-blooded fangs of an emperor hidden beneath his jade-like face!
Xiao Che did not walk towards the command platform, but went directly to the front of the line. His cold eyes, like those of a beast surveying its territory, slowly swept over the dark mass of people below.
A general in captain's armor, clearly a confidant of the regent, relied on his status and Xiao Yuan's usual support to suppress his fear and boldly stepped forward to kowtow, saying, "Your Majesty! The Imperial Guards have failed in their duty of protection and deserve to die! But the soldiers are loyal to Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and not let the mistake of one man dampen the spirits of tens of thousands of soldiers!"
His words sounded grand and righteous, seemingly pleading for the soldiers, but in reality, he was using "military morale" to pressure the emperor, attempting to downplay the matter and make it disappear.
However, Xiao Che didn't even spare him a glance.
He simply turned around slowly and looked at Zhao Jin, the commander of the Dragon Scale Guard, who was his most trusted confidant.
"Zhao Jin," he said calmly.
"Your subordinate is here!" Zhao Jin stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a deep and steady voice.
Amidst the astonished and uncertain gazes of everyone, Xiao Che did not conduct any extensive questioning, nor did he announce any trial procedures. He simply calmly took out a scroll that had been prepared beforehand and tied with a bright yellow ribbon from his wide sleeves.
This action made the captain who had just spoken feel his heart clench, and an extremely ominous premonition instantly rushed to the top of his head!
Xiao Che gently tossed the scroll into Zhao Jin's hands.
His voice, though not loud, was as cold as a Siberian chill, clearly penetrating the ears of everyone present.
"Arrest people according to the list."
"Anyone who resists will be killed without exception!"
Nine words, each one sharp as a knife, devoid of any emotion, yet containing an unparalleled killing intent that makes one's soul tremble!
Zhao Jin took the scroll with both hands. The bright yellow silk was icy to the touch, yet it felt incredibly heavy. He gave it a sharp tug, and the scroll unfurled with a "whoosh!"
Under the firelight, one could see names written in cinnabar ink, densely packed from top to bottom, like death warrants written in blood!
The names at the very top were none other than several captains and colonels, all of whom were core members of the Regent Xiao Yuan's faction, well-known to everyone in the Imperial Guard!
Zhao Jin felt a chill run down his spine and instantly understood everything.
So, His Majesty's decision was not made on a whim!
He had planned all of this long ago! Tonight's assassination attempt was merely the perfect opportunity for him to make this death list public!
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Jin responded in a deep voice and suddenly stood up!
The list in his hand, at that moment, transformed into the scythe of death!
"Captain, Zhang Ling!"
He read out the first name.
The captain, who had just tried to use "military morale" to manipulate the emperor, suddenly stiffened, and the color drained from his face instantly!
Before he could react, two dragon scale guards, their figures as elusive as ghosts, flashed out from the ranks, grabbing his shoulders like iron clamps and dragging him out of the ranks!
"What are you doing! Let me go! I am an official of the imperial court! You can't..." Zhang Ling struggled in terror and shouted loudly.
"Captain, Wu Qi!" Zhao Jin's voice didn't pause at all as he coldly uttered the second name.
"Guerrilla General Chen Tai!"
"..."
One name after another, like the roll call of Death.
With each command, a squad of Dragonscale Guards, like the most efficient hunting dogs, would precisely pluck out the officer who was still in shock and bewilderment from the ranks of tens of thousands of people!
The entire Imperial Guard camp was completely transformed into a living hell!
"I'll fight you to the death!" A captain, as he was being dragged, suddenly broke free and tried to snatch the sword from the Dragon Scale Guard beside him. His eyes gleamed with madness; he knew that surrendering meant certain death, so he might as well fight to the death!
However, what awaited him was a cold glint of a blade!
"Pfft!"
Blood splattered!
The captain's movements came to an abrupt halt. He looked down in disbelief at the blade piercing his chest, his eyes quickly losing their light, and he collapsed heavily into a pool of blood.
The phrase "kill without mercy" is never just empty talk!
This bloody and ruthless scene completely shattered any remaining hope of escape for those whose names were called. They looked at the Dragonscale Guards, holding lists and moving through the ranks like ghosts, and at their colleagues who were instantly killed for the slightest resistance. They felt a chill run through them, and their limbs went weak.
The screams, pleas for mercy, the muffled thuds of weapons piercing flesh, and the cold commands of the Dragon Scale Guards intertwined to create a desperate symphony of death.
In the short span of an incense stick's time, dozens of core members on the list were either captured or killed, without exception.
The entire command system of the Imperial Guard was completely destroyed and paralyzed in that instant!
The remaining ordinary soldiers and low-ranking officers, witnessing the scene of agony and bloodshed, fell silent, daring not to make a move. They finally understood just how swift and ruthless the new emperor's methods were!
"Bastards! You're indiscriminately killing innocent people! You're framing loyal officials!"
Amidst this oppressive, deathly silence, a defiant roar suddenly rang out.
It was Zhang Ling, the first captain to be captured. He was pinned to the ground by two Dragon Scale Guards, half his face buried in the mud, but he still used all his strength to raise his head and stare at Xiao Che in the direction of the command platform with his bloodshot eyes.
His voice was filled with resentment and bitterness.
"We are innocent!"
"We are utterly loyal to the Great Liang! Utterly loyal to His Majesty!"
"On what grounds does His Majesty arrest us?! Just based on this list that came from who-knows-where?! Where is the evidence?!"
"Without evidence, this is indiscriminate killing! We refuse to accept this!"
His desperate roar echoed across the camp, voicing the questions in the hearts of all those who had been captured.
Yeah, why should we?
All eyes, subconsciously, once again focused on the young emperor who had remained a cold observer throughout.
Faced with this almost desperate question, Xiao Che's face remained completely unmoved.
He simply raised his hand slowly and dusted off non-existent dust from his sleeve.
Then, looking at Zhang Ling's face full of resentment, a cold, mocking sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.
"evidence?"
He repeated it softly, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.
"You want evidence?"
As he spoke, in Zhang Ling's suddenly contracting pupils, Xiao Che slowly and methodically took out another item from his pocket.
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