Gathering.
From the outside, it appeared as if this spine-chilling scene was triggered by the scroll Empress Zhao had thrown.
Seeing this, Empress Zhao was momentarily stunned, while the Xuanwu Guards standing beside Jiang Chengdao suddenly had a drastic change in their expressions.
“Not good, she intends to unleash demonic and malevolent forbidden magic!”
Upon hearing this, Empress Zhao quickly realized the gravity of the situation.
Demonic and malevolent forbidden magic?!
This was bad!
Blood was gathering, and the crimson mist spread.
Wasn’t this the very phenomenon that occurred when sinister magic was cast?
Only those malevolent beings who enjoyed devouring living creatures, who reveled in using human blood and flesh to invoke various incredibly eerie dark arts, would manifest such a chilling sight during their spells.
Furthermore, the pervasive scent of blood concealed everything. It was highly likely that the malevolent aura of demons was hidden within…
At this realization, her complexion changed completely. The air of confidence she had when revealing her trump card vanished without a trace, replaced by a hint of panic.
What’s going on… I was clearly using celestial treasures! How is this possible?!
At this moment, not only the Xuanwu Guards, but also the Golden Armor Guards who had faithfully protected Empress Zhao until the end, along with the other members of the Zhao family, and even Prince Qin, Jiang Chengyun, looked at her with utter astonishment.
“Your Majesty, you…”
Empress Zhao instinctively defended herself, “No, I am innocent, absolutely devoid of any demonic presence, and I would never resort to dark arts…”
However, before she could finish, Jiang Chengdao preemptively yelled out in an ‘enraged’ tone, “Despicable! No wonder the Queen Dowager, who was once cared for greatly by His Majesty, has become so enamored with power. It turns out she’s been controlled by malevolent beings! Damnable malevolent beings, daring to manipulate the Queen Dowager in secret, defiling the royal family, wreaking havoc upon the court and disturbing the realm. I will definitely tear you apart into countless pieces.”
Hearing these words, Empress Zhao couldn’t ignore her present circumstances.
She quickly realized that celestial items wouldn’t have such a horrifying effect. It was highly likely that someone in Jiang Chengdao’s group had tampered with it.
But at this moment, it was difficult for her to explain. Celestial treasures were extremely rare in the first place, and while not as revered as relics of the saints, each one possessed extraordinary qualities. Most owners would treat them as their utmost secrets, known to very few outsiders.
Currently, the hall was filled with corpses and the pervading blood mist was gradually enveloping everything. It seemed to be entirely caused by the scroll, and she had no way to argue against it.
If this incident were to become known, especially if it came from the mouths of people who had once been loyal to her, given people’s widespread hatred of malevolent beings, even if she managed to escape using her celestial item, her reputation and prestige would still be severely damaged. Any future actions would be met with significant obstacles.
Unless she went to the Demon Purging Bureau to verify.
But was that even possible?
To give up the chance to escape in favor of going to the Demon Purging Bureau to prove her innocence?
She wasn’t foolish, how could she do something so unwise? As the saying goes, one should save the green hills; otherwise, there would be no firewood left. She needed to stay alive to have any chance. Once she fell under Jiang Chengdao’s control, everything would be lost. There would be no opportunity for a reversal in this lifetime.
She must quickly extricate herself from this dire situation. Therefore, she had to endure this humiliation; she had to take this loss!
The thought of it sent a chill down her spine.
Indeed, Jiang Chengdao lived up to his title as the most ambitious King in history. With formidable strength and such cunning, he could immediately devise the most advantageous countermeasure upon sensing her hidden card. Truly, he was terrifying!
At this moment, Jiang Chengdao pointed at Empress Zhao and angrily addressed the others, “The malevolent being has manifested itself. Are you all still going to stubbornly refuse to see reason and become its accomplices? If you don’t strike to capture the malevolent being now, when will you?”
Upon hearing these words, the determination of the Golden Armor Guards wavered. However, no one took action.
Seeing this, Jiang Chengdao decisively delivered the fatal blow, “I can promise you all this: as long as you can promptly eliminate the malevolent being, perform a meritorious act, and considering that you’ve all been misled by the malevolent being, the deeds of the past, I will plead with His Majesty to pardon you all and not hold you accountable.”
As soon as the words fell, the expressions of the Golden Armor Guards, who had endured the siege of the Xuanwu Guards for a long time, completely changed.
Empress Zhao also sensed it acutely—unless she unleashed her celestial magic now, she would never have another chance.
So, with a full sense of hatred, she glanced at Jiang Chengdao and quickly grabbed Prince Qin’s hand. In an instant, a golden light descended from the scroll above, filled with a substantial amount of blood energy, enveloping them.
In just an instant, before the Golden Armor Guards could even make a move, the figures of the Zhao family members disappeared completely into thin air.