Qing Niang covered her lips, tears streaming down her face.
——
Within the Imperial Palace.
The newly enthroned Emperor Zhou Kang wiped the bloodstains from his hands and tossed the bloodied blade onto the ground.
That blade had just severed the head of an official who dared to denounce him.
The grand hall was cloaked in an oppressive silence.
The heavy stench of blood saturated every corner.
Clad in the bright yellow Dragon Robe, Zhou Kang listened to the reports of his subordinates. His expression was dark and terrifying, the veins on his temples throbbing visibly.
"Fight! Then fight!"
Zhou Kang swept the items off the table onto the floor, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent. "Back then, my father slaughtered his way through a hail of blades and emerged victorious to claim the Dragon Throne—so can I!"
The officials below stood like frozen statues, their silence betraying their terror.
At that moment, an Inner Guard rushed in and leaned close to whisper a message.
