World-Ending Demon Emperor-Chapter 2103 - 991: Shocking Turmoil! Zhi Yan Kills!
Zhi Yan looked at Kui Shuangshuang coldly: "I don’t need your advice on what I should do."
Then, she left directly, returning to the Rage Wave Kingdom.
Kui Shuangshuang said from behind: "Sister, be cautious. You were supposed to be appointed as a Candidate Sky Priest, but due to the incident with Zhi Ao, the appointment has been indefinitely postponed."
...
A groundbreaking event occurred in the Human Kingdom next.
King Dongli Jiang Shang issued a message to the world, announcing that the East Li Kingdom would become a neutral zone, not participating in any upcoming wars. Furthermore, the East Li Kingdom would accept any refugees from the Human Kingdom.
This matter caused a huge uproar!
However, almost every country in the Human Kingdom fell into silence, without any comment.
The Sky Holy Palace was furious, using a very cold tone to question all nations: how do you intend to handle this?
Thus, leaders of various nations, led by the Flame Empire, kings, and dukes issued statements, broadcasting to the world, condemning the East Li Kingdom for its passive approach to war and irresponsibility towards the entire Human Kingdom.
Of course, there were differences in the criticisms against Dongli Kingdom from these nations.
For example, the Flame Emperor characterized this event as a betrayal of humanity. Demon Emperor Lanling is the common enemy, one whom everyone should destroy; at this time, so-called neutrality is betrayal.
However, the criticisms from the Xiliang Kingdom and Beiting Kingdom were somewhat ambiguous, only repeatedly urging the East Li Kingdom to return to the correct path and to resist foreign enemies together with the other human countries.
But privately, these countries planned to secretly send a few royal offspring to the Human Kingdom.
The reactions were quicker from the various lords, noble families, and aristocrats. Upon hearing the East Li Kingdom’s declaration, they hurriedly sent their direct descendants with the family’s wealth and people towards the East Li Kingdom.
On the contrary, a large group of civilians responded to the call of the Dragon Temple, resolutely refusing to flee, determined to fight to the end against Demon Emperor Lanling, to protect their homeland.
So, before the great war even began, the first wave of refugees in the Human Kingdom erupted. Moreover, these refugees were uniformly wealthy and powerful, as rich as a nation, with a multitude of servants.
Shortly after King Dongli sent his message to the world, a decree from Demon Emperor Lanling completely ignited the Human Kingdom.
The Flame Demon Empire recognized the East Li Kingdom as a neutral refuge zone, and as long as this status existed, the demon army would never land in the East Li Kingdom.
With the release of this decree, not only nobility and aristocrats but even affluent and middle-class families fled to the East Li Kingdom for refuge in droves.
The roads and sea routes leading to the East Li Kingdom were completely packed.
And the kings of various nations condemned this behavior, blocking borders, not allowing their nationals to flee to the East Li Kingdom. However, the so-called border blockade was, to some extent, mere show, as there were countless small paths, they could cross mountains and valleys, or even take sea routes to the East Li Kingdom.
After all, these countries’ own royal family members secretly went to the East Li Kingdom to seek refuge.
Faced with this situation, the elders of the Sky Holy Palace were furious, and they were directly about to use military force to wipe out the Dongli Kingdom completely.
However, they were jointly opposed by Shi Tian and Tian Daoqi.
Shi Tian waved his hand and said: "This matter isn’t worth mentioning."
...
Upon returning to the Rage Wave Kingdom, Queen Zhi Yan personally took charge of state affairs, appointing two individuals to the cabinet and two individuals to the Commander-in-chief’s Office, filling the vacancies left by Zhi Ao, Tuli Ming, and Gui Xingfu.
Then, she issued a decree to continue the construction of the Ten Thousand Mountains defense line, prioritizing all domestic affairs for the line of the Ten Thousand Mountains.
And the most climactic scene was when Queen Zhi Yan went to the Sky-Piercing Dragon Tower of the Zhi Du Sanctuary, applying to the heavenly dragon to annul her marriage with Suo Lun and regain her freedom.
Sky Priest Gu Ban and Candidate Sky Priest Fu Lingxi personally received Queen Zhi Yan’s application, then announced to the world that Queen Zhi Yan and Suo Lun had no longer any marital relationship, completely severing ties.
At the court assembly, Queen Zhi Yan announced: a permanent revocation of Zhi Ao’s title, completely expelling him from the Rage Wave royal family. Furthermore, permanently revoking all titles and positions of Tuli Ming, Tuli Yang, and Gui Xingfu, declaring the trio as traitors of the Rage Wave Kingdom, issuing a worldwide wanted notice for the three; anyone who kills one of them can claim a reward of ten thousand gold coins from the Rage Wave Kingdom.
After completing these actions, Zhi Yan awaited the response from the Sky Holy Palace.
The result was not a single response!
Thus, Zhi Yan issued a decree to search for the traitor Zhi Ao’s remains, reconstruct his body, and once again behead and display it to the public.
Zhi Ao was blown to pieces, where would the remains come from?
However, the officials below still found a way, casually gathering some ashes and charred flesh, claiming them as Zhi Ao’s remains.
A skilled artisan mixed soil with those ashes and burnt flesh to recreate a sculpture of Zhi Ao, then baked it into shape, making a statue of Zhi Ao.
Then, on a special day, in front of hundreds of thousands of military and civilians in Zhi Du, Zhi Yan issued a decree to have the traitor Zhi Ao torn apart by five horses.
Thus, in front of countless people, this sculpture of Zhi Ao was brutally dismembered by five horses, actually revealing some charred internal organs and blood intestines.
So, having already died once, Zhi Ao was killed again.
Finally, the Sky Holy Palace responded, with Fu Lingxi sending a handwritten letter from Shi Tian, praising Queen Zhiyan’s firm and righteous stance. They also looked forward to Queen Zhiyan setting a greater example in the upcoming struggle.
...
Zhiyan’s reaction allowed a group of people to breathe a long sigh of relief.
Originally fleeing, Fang Qingshu and Fang Qingqing returned to the Rage Wave Kingdom.
Because Yin Zhou still had huge interests in the Rage Wave Kingdom, and Zhi Ao did not publicly reveal that these two children were not his biological children.
Zhi Ao died, leaving almost no descendants in the Zhi family’s royal line, perhaps making Zhi Ao’s two "offspring" the only bloodline left in the Zhi family.
Of course, Zhi Ao was a traitor to the Dragon Temple, which was disadvantageous for the two children. But don’t forget, these two children are also the grandchildren of Yin Zhou, so as long as there’s enough time, anything can be maneuvered.
Most critically, Zhiyan’s series of reactions showed that she deeply respected the Dragon Temple. Yin Zhou is one of the main forces of the Dragon Temple, so by leveraging the Dragon Temple, Zhiyan would likely yield and compromise.
Fang Qingshu bowed to Zhiyan and said, "Your Majesty, during Zhi Ao’s administration, the entire Rage Wave Kingdom’s finances were in a shambles. Now, with the construction of the Ten Thousand Mountains defense line, the kingdom’s bank is overwhelmed, and my hair is about to turn white as its president. The cabinet and the Finance Minister have repeatedly obstructed, treating the kingdom’s bank as a fat lamb. Our financial roots have been cut off, and without more money, the kingdom’s finances will halt, and the Ten Thousand Mountains defense line will be severely disrupted."
The most crucial task for Zhiyan now is the Ten Thousand Mountains defense line, and the Dragon Temple will not provide money, manpower, or materials for free. Zhiyan has to manage that herself.
Yin Zhou has plenty of money, which is why Fang Qingshu is effectively staging a coup.
He not only wants to seize the financial power of the Rage Wave Kingdom but also wants to grasp the internal political power.
Queen Zhiyan merely looked at Fang Qingshu and said nothing.
Fang Qingshu looked towards Fang Qingqing beside him and said, "The head of the family has said, although Zhi Ao betrayed the Dragon Temple and the Human Kingdom, it has nothing to do with Qingqing. Moreover, Qingqing was vigilant against Zhi Ao’s betrayal and had once secretly reported it to Priest Yan Ping of the Zhi Du Sanctuary. Therefore, regarding Zhi Ao’s betrayal, Qingqing is not only guiltless but meritorious."
Zhiyan’s gaze turned to Fang Qingqing.
Zhi Ao’s wife still seemed dignified, virtuous, and stunningly beautiful. When she saw Zhiyan looking her way, she even smiled gracefully.
Fang Qingshu continued, "I am aware some unsavory rumors surround Qingqing. But those are also baseless slanders fabricated by Zhi Ao, just like when he smeared the Dragon Temple. The Dragon Temple is, of course, bright and pure, and Qingqing, naturally, is innocent. Therefore I hope that Zhi Ao’s betrayal of the Human Kingdom will not implicate Qingqing."
Zhiyan replied, "Do you have any other requests?"
Suddenly, Fang Qingqing said, "I heard, Your Majesty, that you have completely severed ties with Suo Lun and ended your marriage, thus regaining your freedom?"
"So what if I have?" Zhiyan answered.
Fang Qingqing said, "Our young master of Yin Zhou, Fang Qingtu, is only twenty-seven years old and also unmarried, a perfect match for Your Majesty. If Your Majesty is interested, I would be willing to act as an intermediary. Becoming Yin Zhou’s daughter-in-law would also be greatly beneficial for Your Majesty."
Zhiyan looked at Fang Qingshu, then at Fang Qingqing.
"How long has it been since you left the core of Yin Zhou’s power?" Zhiyan asked.
At these words, Fang Qingshu’s face changed, and he said, "What do you mean, Your Majesty? The finances of the Rage Wave Kingdom are in tatters. I must apologize for being unable to help, and I resign from the position of the kingdom’s bank president. Please find someone more suitable, Your Majesty."
Next to him, Fang Qingqing’s expression turned cold, and she said, "Your Majesty, don’t forget you were once Suo Lun’s wife. A woman who has been married, if united by marriage, it is not Yin Zhou overreaching. Moreover, Zhi Ao’s betrayal primarily implicates you. If someone gives a push, you might not pass so easily."
Fang Qingshu and Fang Qingqing have indeed been away from the core power structure of Yin Zhou for too long. The two still thought that Zhiyan was struggling to protect herself, unaware she had already been granted king-level bloodline energy and was one of the candidates for the future leader of the sky.
Zhiyan looked at Fang Qingshu, coldly saying, "How have you survived to this day?"
Then, with a swift kick, she sent Fang Qingshu flying a hundred meters away, slamming him hard into a wall, leaving him a crumpled heap of flesh and utterly dead.
Upon seeing this, Fang Qingqing screamed, pointing at Zhiyan and saying, "How dare you... how dare you kill someone from Yin Zhou?"
Zhiyan looked at Fang Qingqing, speaking one word at a time: "Shameless woman, how dare you insult my brother."
Then she aimed a fierce kick at Fang Qingqing’s head.
Instantly, Fang Qingqing’s beautiful head exploded like a watermelon, and she was completely dead.
This kick unleashed all of Zhiyan’s fury.
"Send these two bodies back to Yin Zhou," Zhiyan coldly ordered.
Though Zhiyan feared the Sky Holy Palace, she was not someone any random person could threaten.
...
Note: The first update is here. I’m returning to my hometown in Jiangxi to celebrate my little nephew’s first birthday. This Chapter should be auto-published.
