Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Shen Lang's act of killing someone in the palace instantly drew sighs from the crowd.

They even took care of Xue Wuying without saying a word?

The hall was completely silent as Xue Wuying lay convulsing in a pool of blood, blood gushing from his mouth.

Only the Celestial Venerable, upon witnessing this scene, was filled with excitement and awe, as if he had found a kindred spirit.

bass--

The next moment, the hall was filled with the sound of gold and jade clashing.

Whether they were sect leaders or golden-armored warriors, they all pointed their weapons at Shen Lang.

But Shen Lang was not afraid at all. He calmly looked at the Heavenly Venerable sitting on the dragon throne, and his expression did not change in the slightest.

"Shen Lang, are you trying to kill me to silence me?"

Bai Tianyu shouted angrily, pointing fingers.

"What, are you angry because your identity has been exposed?"

The nun Qingxuan echoed this sentiment.

The atmosphere inside the hall was tense and confrontational.

"Shen Lang, do you want to give me a reasonable explanation?"

After composing himself, the Celestial Venerable asked directly.

"That's my explanation."

Shen Lang kicked the already dead Xue Wuying, his tone unusually calm.

"Anyone who dares to wrong me, I'll kill them. I'm a straightforward person, I don't understand all those complicated things."

All I know is that no matter when or where, I absolutely cannot suffer this loss. If you want to doubt me, you must bear the consequences.

After speaking, he glanced around and finally fixed his gaze on Daoist Qingxuan and Bai Tianyu.

Meeting his cold and indifferent gaze, the two involuntarily avoided eye contact.

Heavenly Venerable: "Haha, you dare to kill someone in front of me, you are truly bold."

Shen Lang sneered: "If he hadn't led you to distort the truth, how could he have died?"

That one sentence made the surrounding chill even more intense.

Bai Tianyu hurriedly said, "Heavenly Venerable, we must not let him go. He must be afraid that his identity will be exposed..."

blow--

Before he could finish speaking, Bai Tianyu felt a cold glint approaching from behind. He instinctively dodged to the side, just barely missing Shen Lang's palm strike.

Touching his cheek, which was stinging, Bai Tianyu was terrified and was about to retaliate.

"That was just a small punishment. You are welcome to try if you want to fight back, but whether you will be alive and able to speak later will depend on whether you are tough enough."

One sentence instantly silenced Bai Tianyu.

Only after Shen Lang made his move did he realize that his opponent's speed and agility far surpassed his own. Had he reacted even a fraction of a second slower...

Heavenly Venerable: "Enough, Shen Lang. Do you really not take me seriously?"

Shen Lang: "I don't know you well, why should I take you seriously?"

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Venerable couldn't help but smile: "You still have your empress wife in your heart, don't you? Forget her, I can give you much more: wealth and honor, titles and ranks, and even my body is at your disposal."

As she spoke, she lifted her skirt and kicked it open, revealing a pair of long, bloodied legs.

Shen Lang's eyes turned cold: "If you dare to say another word, I will definitely leave a bloody mark on your neck."

"Ha ha ha ha--"

Unexpectedly, the Celestial Venerable laughed, and laughed very happily.

She stood up and said, "What a ruthless and unscrupulous husband of the current empress! From now on, you are qualified to stay in Blackwater City."

Bai Tianyu was startled and hurriedly said, "Heavenly Venerable!"

The Heavenly Venerable waved his hand and said, "Enough! I say he is qualified, so he is qualified. Anyone who dares to say another word will be killed without mercy!"

Instantly, there were no more dissenting voices at the scene.

The Celestial Venerable nodded in satisfaction, then clapped his hands.

Immediately, several handsome men with an effeminate aura began to clean up the bloodstains on the ground.

Shen Lang stared intently, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

Many of these handsome men were among those rejected when the Empress was choosing a husband.

Now they crawl on the ground like dogs, trembling as they wipe away the blood.

These men who were once chosen as sons-in-law are now castrated eunuchs.

After a flurry of activity, the hall was finally cleaned up, and it finally had a semblance of the atmosphere of a conference hall.

However, the lingering stench of blood in the air lingered for a long time.

The Heavenly Venerable then sat back on his dragon throne and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, let's get down to business. I've already informed General Pei Xu."

Soon, his 50,000-strong army will advance towards Wancheng.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang closed his eyes slightly, a fleeting smile playing on his lips.

Pei Xu?

Will he still survive...?

……

The wind and snow were fierce, and the world was covered in ice and snow.

Inside the Puyang camp, grain carts came and went in an endless stream, and officers of all ranks, despite the inclement weather, continued to urge the northern soldiers to train.

Pei Xu sat quietly in the main tent of the camp, looking at a secret letter sent from Blackwater City.

After a long while, he stood up and said, "Great, we can finally take action."

Upon hearing this, the deputy generals and brigade commanders below the hall all stood up.

"Commander, what did the Celestial Venerable say?"

"The Celestial Venerable said that we should choose a day to march towards Wancheng, and take advantage of the frozen river to storm Jinling in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was eager to get started.

Since the military reforms began a year ago, the salaries of these northern generals have been continuously reduced, and there are even rumors that they will be dismissed from their posts.

They had long been dissatisfied with the Empress and planned to launch a coup to force the military reforms to fail.

Now, we've finally gotten this rare opportunity.

Pei Xu slammed his hand on the table: "Go back and urge the entire army to intensify its training. Prepare today, and set off directly tomorrow. At that time, large armies from all over Xuzhou will respond to the Heavenly Venerable's command!"

"As ordered!"

The generals loudly accepted the order.

Just then, a gust of cold wind blew by, and the tightly closed leather tent curtain was lifted open.

Snowflakes danced in the air, splashing and blurring people's vision.

Even Pei Xu couldn't help but squint his eyes to block out the blinding snow light.

However, the moment he closed his eyes, he smelled a bloody stench.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw that his subordinates, who had been standing, were now lying on the ground, lifeless.

"what happened?"

As soon as he uttered those words, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Only then did he notice that there was someone standing behind him.

"Pei Xu, are you plotting a rebellion?"

Zhuque's words were like those of a judge from hell, leaving Pei Xu stunned and speechless.

"who are you?"

"It's not important. What's important is to tell me what you want to know."

Cold sweat trickled down Pei Xu's forehead.

He tried to remain calm, his hand slowly sliding towards his waist.

puff-

"Uh."

The next moment, his arm was completely severed.

Pei Xu cried out in pain, but then heard the voice behind him again.

"My patience is limited, tell me who the Celestial Venerable is."

"Heavenly Venerable One is a god, the true emperor of our Great Chu!"

puff-

"what--"

The next moment, Pei Xu's other arm was also cut off, causing him to scream in agony.

Footsteps gradually sounded outside the tent.

Pei Xu gritted his teeth: "Don't be so smug, you won't escape even if I die."

"Is it?"

Another sword strike, the narrow sword in Suzaku's hand pierced through his back.

At this moment, Pei Xu's eyes widened, and he slowly knelt on the ground, but he could no longer utter a single word.

Finally, the tent flap was lifted again, and a large group of soldiers rushed in after hearing the news.

Before they could speak, Zhuque directly brandished the imperial decree in his hand: "By imperial decree, the execution of the traitor Pei Xu is none of your business. Do not get involved and risk your lives."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.

"To see the imperial edict is to see His Majesty. Do you all intend to aid and abet the wicked?"

The next moment, all the soldiers knelt on the ground.

Upon seeing this, Pei Xu immediately closed his eyes.

He knew his chances were slim, and he had ultimately underestimated the Empress.

"Tell me, who is the Heavenly Venerable? Tell me and I'll give you a quick death."

Zhuque's voice rang in Pei Xu's ears like a demon's.

"Yes, yes, Jiang Yue..."

Who is Jiang Yue? Where is she?

"I don't know, but the person is in the dark, in the Blackwater, in the city..."

After uttering his last word, Pei Xu stopped breathing completely.

Zhuque coldly withdrew her sword and said to the generals in the tent, "Go back and tell your respective military commanders that Pei Xu has committed treason and has been executed by His Majesty."

A new commander will arrive soon to take charge of the camp; let them each manage their own troops well.

After speaking, Zhuque walked away from the main tent in full view of everyone.