Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 665 Fighting for Imperial Power
At this moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Liang Jin's earth-shattering roar was like a thunderclap in everyone's ears, completely shattering all the masks that were being used to cover up or negotiate.

He laid bare the most acute and unavoidable contradictions to the public.

There was absolutely no room for maneuver, not even the slightest bit of leeway!
Yan Tingfeng and the First Guardian of Justice instantly frowned, forming a deep "川" (river) shape.

They looked at Liang Jin with complex expressions, a mixture of astonishment at his courage and a sense of unease at the rapidly deteriorating situation.

Liang Jin no longer looked at anyone.

He bent down and steadily hoisted the icy coffin containing the girl's cold body onto his shoulder.

The movement was as steady as a mountain, yet it carried a chilling decisiveness.

His face was as cold and hard as iron, but the chilling killing intent emanating from his body was so real and piercing that it could not be concealed no matter what!
This undisguised killing intent caused Yan Tingfeng and the First Guardian to sway, and they simultaneously blocked the entrance to the side hall once again, like two insurmountable mountains.

The First Guardian's physique was as imposing as an iron tower, his gaze as sharp as ancient ice:
"Deputy Commander Liang!"

His voice was deep and resonant, carrying an undeniable air of authority and a hint of barely perceptible urgency:

"This road is blocked! It's my duty! I hope you... won't force me... to do something I can't bear!"

Yan Tingfeng's figure also appeared silently half a step to the side of the First Guardian, his white clothes fluttering like snow, his demeanor still as profound as a mountain.

His gaze swept over the ice coffin emanating endless chill in Liang Jin's arms with a complex expression. His former ally, with whom he had plotted great things, was now turning against him, making his sigh almost tangible.
"Lord Liang... it's not too late to pull back from the brink!"

"A battle of egos, bloodshed in the palace, ultimately... a situation with no chance of survival!"

His long, snow-white beard trembled slightly in the morning breeze.

The combined aura of the two empires at the pinnacle of their military might crashed down like an invisible giant mountain!
The surrounding air seemed to freeze into steel instantly!

Those palace servants who were kneeling and weeping, even Consort Xu, felt an overwhelming pressure that choked them to breathe at this moment!
All eyes were fixed on the solitary figure, clutching an ice coffin and covered in blood!

Would he dare to make a move?!

Liang Jin stopped in his tracks.

On that face, still stained with blood and tears, yet stripped of all human warmth by the biting wind, the corners of the mouth slowly and stiffly... stretched upwards into a smile!
That's not a laugh!

It's a cold, bestial instinct seeping from deep within the bones... a crack!
"Anyone who stands in my way..."

His throat bobbed, the sound like a rusty hinge scraping against ice, each word splattering with gunpowder and ice shards:
"All of you! Die!"

As soon as the word "death" was uttered, a visible storm of slaughter, surging with crimson malevolent energy and icy death energy, erupted from Liang Jin's body!
The bluestone slab underfoot cracked with a "crack"!
Dust and gravel were swept up and shot out by an invisible force!
That undisguised, all-consuming, overwhelming will caused even the mighty First Guardian and Yan Tingfeng to suddenly narrow their eyes to pinpoints!
The situation is tense!

An invisible killing intent clashed violently between the three, almost sparking!

Two giants who suppress the empire's military might face a vengeful madman who holds the remains of his deceased sister and boldly declares that he will kill the dragon and slaughter the heavens!
The entire inner courtyard of Chuxiu Palace was being squeezed by these three violent forces, causing it to groan under unbearable pressure!
Great war! On the verge of breaking out!
Just as these three wills were about to collide violently, tearing this area apart completely—

"The Empress Dowager has arrived—!!!"

A sharp, piercing voice, like tearing silk, forcefully squeezed into the stagnant air, shattered this suffocating deadlock like a stone thrown into a still pond!

squeak...

The heavy gates of Chuxiu Palace were slowly pushed open from the outside.

A huge phoenix palanquin, carved with phoenixes and decorated with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix in gold brocade, was carried in steadily by sixteen strong eunuchs.

The carriage landed silently, casting a huge shadow over half the courtyard.

There were dozens of palace maids standing on both sides, with their hands at their sides, holding their breath and bowing their heads.

The bright yellow brocade curtain was carefully lifted by two delicate, jade-like palace maids.

Empress Dowager Mu Congshuang, with a calm expression and dressed in simple yet dignified everyday clothes, stepped out of the phoenix palanquin with graceful bearing, supported by palace maids.

Her gaze swept calmly and profoundly over the three people facing off.

The gaze lingered for a moment on the icy coffin shrouded in frigid white mist in Liang Jin's arms, before finally settling on his face, which was frozen with endless despair and a desire for destruction.

"All of you...stop!"

The Empress Dowager's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty that had been ingrained in the palace for many years.

The imposing aura emanating from First Guardian and Yan Tingfeng paused slightly, eventually subduing its aggressive presence.

The two bowed and made way for the main passage.

Mu Congshuang moved lightly, step by step, until she stood about ten feet in front of Liang Jin.

The morning breeze ruffled the strands of hair at her temples, bringing a touch of desolation.

Her gaze returned to the blurry outline of the girl in the ice coffin, finally settling into a soft sigh:
“My dear Liang… I know your heart is broken.”

She spoke slowly, her voice carrying a hint of genuine compassion:

"Losing a loved one is heart-wrenching. I... understand your anguish."

She paused for a moment, her expression becoming extremely serious:

"However... the imperial power is mighty, and the might of Heaven is overwhelming!"

"Do you know that once you embark on this path, you will... plunge yourself into an abyss of no return?!"

She stared intently into Liang Jin's eyes, trying to find a glimmer of doubt in that cold, Dead Sea:
"Once this step is taken, there is no turning back!"

"Even if I have a heart that reaches the heavens... I can no longer protect you!"

"Liang Aiqing... have you really... thought this through?"

Every word was like a cold, heavy lead weight, crashing down on Liang Jin and also on the hearts of everyone present who could understand it!

Liang Jin listened in silence.

No anger.

There was no retort.

There wasn't even a hint of emotional fluctuation.

That frozen face was like a piece of ice that had never melted for thousands of years.

He had considered every word Mu Congshuang said.

Zhao Hongyi was the first in line to the throne.

To harm this person is tantamount to shaking the very foundation of the empire.

The new emperor, Zhao Yu? The man he dragged back from the abyss to the throne? Perhaps there's a trace of past affection?
No.

Under the sway of power, how can personal feelings be tolerated?!

Wang Jin was even more adept at using opportunities to stir up trouble.

In the Nine Realms, Liang Jin witnessed Wang Jin's ambition and saw his intoxicated expression as he sat on the dragon throne.

Although Wang Jin was a eunuch, he had a strong sense of control. The late emperor was once manipulated by him like a puppet.

Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, and Liang Jin is considered a confidant of the new emperor, he will inevitably be eliminated by Wang Jin.

The so-called appeasement at present is nothing more than a delaying tactic.

It could happen as early as tonight, or as late as tomorrow. Once they have made their arrangements, a thunderous strike will surely come.

The conflict between the two sides is no longer resolvable.

He was now all alone in this deep palace.

The incident happened suddenly, and he did not have sufficient influence in the capital.

There is only one clone of Qingyilou. The clone of Taipingdao has already left the capital, and the other clones are too far away to help in the immediate crisis.

The disparity in strength is too great! The chances of winning are slim!
The best option seems to be to swallow this deep-seated hatred, immediately flee thousands of miles away, lie low, gather all strength, and wait for the right time for revenge, even if it takes ten years.

It's a rational choice!

But he... couldn't do it!

That cold, frozen coffin contained not only Su Lian's remains!
Even more so in his heart...

All the warmth and comfort!

All the hopes for the future!

All... the last hope for "home"!
If we back down now because of cowardice...

He will never be able to look into his own heart again!

It's better to settle scores quickly than to endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens!
Liang Jin finally raised his head and calmly met the Empress Dowager's gaze.

"Your Majesty, my mind is made up!"

There were no inflammatory remarks.

Just four words.

Yet it is like the coldest oath of steel!

In Mu Congshuang's eyes, the last glimmer of hope was completely extinguished.

She slowly closed her eyes, then opened them again after a moment, revealing only a profound helplessness and a farewell-like coldness:
"Fine...fine! Since you've made up your mind, I...will no longer try to persuade you."

Her voice carried a hint of helplessness and regret:

"You saved my life, and I will always remember this kindness. But as the Empress Dowager, I will never help you fight against the Emperor."

She paused, her tone shifting to one of promise:
"If you... still have any unfulfilled wishes, you can tell me. As long as it does not endanger the royal family, I will do my best to fulfill them for you."

She wanted to use all the power she could to repay the debt of saving her life that day—at least to ensure that he didn't leave without any regrets!

Liang Jin's eyes flickered slightly for a moment.

He lowered his head, his gaze falling once more on the ice coffin, as if piercing through the ice to see the small figure who had risked his life to save others.

"Xiao Lian...died to save Consort Xu."

He spoke, his voice carrying a hint of gentleness for the first time.

He looked up and pointed to the woman who was still slumped beside the bloodstains, looking utterly distraught:

"she……"

"I beg Your Majesty to spare her from being buried alive with you!"

"Let not my sister, on her way to the underworld, look back on this world... and lament... that it was all not worth it!"

Mu Congshuang sighed.

He did it so that Su Lian's sacrifice would be worthwhile!
She took a deep breath and said decisively:
"Before the Empress is established in the Imperial Garden, it will be under my jurisdiction!"

"Xu Wanyuan! From this moment forward! She is promoted to 'Grand Consort Jingci', resides in the side hall of Chuxiu Palace, is granted double her salary, and will serve by my side!"

Concubine!

The same rank as the Empress!

This completely eliminates the possibility of being buried alive with the dead!

Liang Jin continued, a hint of tenderness and concern flashing in his eyes:

"If I were to die today... my biggest worry would be the Zhao family in my household."

He already had a relationship with Zhao Yiyi, and this bond made it impossible for him to ignore it. He absolutely could not let them be implicated because of him.

Mu Congshuang did not hesitate for a moment, her voice as firm and clear as gold:
"I know the Zhao family, and we have a long-standing friendship."

"I hereby declare!"

She turned around abruptly, her gaze sweeping over all the imperial guards, palace servants, officials, and palace attendants like two icy bolts of lightning!
That gaze carried the absolute majesty of an empress!
"By the decree of Cixi Palace, I will protect the Zhao family and ensure their safety and well-being!"

"If anyone dares to touch it in the slightest!!"

She spoke each word slowly and deliberately, each word like an ice needle dipped in deadly poison!
"That would mean becoming my enemy!!!"

boom!
The Empress Dowager's majesty and the Mu family's unfathomable influence now transformed into a tangible shield!

This is enough to silence any force that might have malicious intentions!

Liang Jin's back, which had been tense for a long time, seemed to relax very, very slightly at this moment!
"Thank you, ma'am!"

He looked up at the blood-stained sunrise, fragmented by the towering palace walls:
"Liang Jin... has no regrets!"

He didn't look at Mu Congshuang again.

He didn't look at Xu Zhaorong again.

They didn't even glance at Shou Zheng and Yan Tingfeng, who were blocking the road as if facing a formidable enemy.

He held it as if it were a unique and sacred relic...

It's like carrying a monument to blood feuds that could topple the heavens...

Step by step!
Stepping on the cold stone slabs beneath his feet, cracked by his own force and stained with his sister's blood...

Walk outside!

First Shouzheng and Yan Tingfeng almost subconsciously moved forward half a step again!

Mu Congshuang glanced at them silently.

The power of that single glance is more powerful than a thousand words.

The two men tensed up for a moment, but eventually made way for each other.

With the Empress Dowager present, if they act rashly and startle her, they cannot bear the responsibility.

The Mu family wielded immense power, and Mu Canglong, the grandfather, commanded a large army. None of them wanted to invite such trouble for no reason.

They followed Liang Jin away from this bloody place, accompanied by a group of elite subordinates who were always by his side.

Liang Jin carried the ice coffin step by step toward the heart of the palace—the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Heavy footsteps echoed in the empty palace corridor.

As he passed through the last palace gate, a bright and open view suddenly appeared before him.

The crimson of the morning glow, like thick blood poured from the heavens, splashed onto the enormous, suffocating white marble square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony!
Jaw rubbing! Long Gordon!
Countless Xuanjia Imperial Guards surged forth like a black iron jungle from the earth!

They had already formed massive killing formations! They filled the entire square!

Armor gleams with blood! A spear clashes against the cold dawn!

A heavy, chilling aura, strong enough to crush boulders, covered the square like a solid leaden cloud!

The oppression was so intense that even breathing became hot and painful!
Tap tap tap!

As Liang Jin's solitary figure carried that conspicuous ice coffin, he stepped into this battlefield of carnage like a lone black dot!

All the military formations were like giant steel beasts that had come to life!

In perfect unison! Three steps forward with a thunderous roar!
Boom! ! !
A series of tremors, like waves crashing down! The earth shuddered!
Swish-! ! !
A cold, blood-red forest of spears and halberds suddenly rose up! Like venomous snakes, they all pointed towards the center!

"kill!"

"kill!!!"

"kill!!!!"

Three earth-shattering, cloud-crushing battle roars!

It is a blend of an iron will, the majesty of imperial power, and a cold contempt for those who defy the heavens!

Soaring into the sky! As if it would pierce through the heavens!
At the core rear of this military formation, forged with the blood and flesh of countless soldiers...

At the end of those nine white jade steps, which seemed to lead to the heavens and symbolized the pinnacle of human power...

Beneath that nine-dragon canopy...

Zhao Yu!

The new emperor, forcibly thrust onto the throne by fate, stood there, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe.

His obese body appeared even more bloated under the dragon robe, his expression complex and unreadable, as he looked down at Liang Jin in the square.

Wang Jin, the head of the Investigation Bureau, stood respectfully and humbly beside him, like a shadow, with his head bowed and eyes lowered, yet no one dared to underestimate him in the slightest.

Dragon Emperor! Eunuch!
High above! Looking down upon all living things!
Behind Liang Jin, Yan Tingfeng and the First Guardian had also arrived with a large number of experts, completely blocking his retreat.

Ahead lies a steel jungle, behind lies a peerless master.

A net has been cast, a trap that can be set in all directions!
When Liang Jin stood still in the center of the square, all the noise and shouts of killing suddenly ceased.

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence, with only the sound of the wind blowing the banners fluttering in the wind remaining.

Liang Jin slowly lowered the ice coffin from his shoulder.

His gaze, as if possessing some kind of penetrating power, was firmly fixed on the lifeless, serene face of the girl within the icy sarcophagus.

His voice was unusually gentle, like a soft whisper, completely out of place with the somber atmosphere around him.

"Xiao Lian..."

"Sleep peacefully."

"No one can ever again..."

Liang Jin's voice suddenly turned sharp as a knife!

"I will not disturb you in the slightest!"

Swish-! ! !
The bizarre scene horrified everyone!

That enormous ice coffin, radiating a deadly chill and so heavy that even a strong man would find it difficult to lift...

Right after Liang Jin whispered that!

Under the gaze of tens of thousands of eyes!

Vanished into thin air?!

It was as if it had been silently erased by an invisible hand from another dimension!

Only within Liang Jin's arms, which remained in an embracing posture, remained a frozen outline of white mist!
The wisps of light quickly dissipated into the rising sun!
On the steps, Wang Jin's usually calm and composed face revealed, for the first time, an extremely subtle look of astonishment, like an iceberg floating on water...
His cloudy old eyes suddenly narrowed, and a sharp glint flashed deep in his pupils!
As if trying to catch a trace of the remaining trail in the air!

The two top-tier grandmasters, Shou Zheng and Yan Tingfeng, suddenly tensed up!

They exchanged a horrified look—this was no illusion!
That was something... beyond the scope of their entire lifelong understanding of martial arts.

The disappearance of ice coffins is like a symbol that has had all its buffers removed!

All that remains is the most naked... vengeful spirit!
“Minister Liang…”

Zhao Yu's hoarse voice finally rang out, echoing in the square with a kind of suppressed yet barely concealed fear and feigned sorrow.

His eyes were filled with a sorrowful look, almost brimming with tears, and his voice trembled:

"It is I... I have failed in raising my son! It is I... I have let you down!!"

He felt a pain that seemed to penetrate to the bone, and his obese body swayed violently, startling the old eunuch beside him who hurriedly tried to support him!
"But... Hongyi..."

Zhao Yu took a sharp breath, his voice rising an octave! He was trying to use a grand narrative to cover up his own sordidness:
"He is my only son!! He is the destined heir apparent of the Great Qian Dynasty!!!"

"The past serves as a warning! The late emperor died without an heir, triggering a catastrophe! The capital was ravaged by blood! The people suffered immensely!!"

He spread his hands slightly, as if to present the entire world to Liang Jin:

"For the stability of the nation! For the sake of preventing millions of people from suffering the bloodshed of war again!! Minister Liang!!!"

He leaned forward, his posture so humble it was almost pleading, yet his words were filled with a chilling moral blackmail:
"I'm begging you...!"

“Give Hongyi a chance… a chance to reform…”

He seemed unable to find a better word:

"Give me a chance!!"

"Make him kneel before the tomb of the founding emperor for a long time! Let him deeply repent! How about that?!"

He offered a pitiful price to try and shake that resolve to die.

Quiet.

Deathly silence.

Tens of thousands of soldiers remained completely silent.

Only the sound of banners fluttering in the wind was extremely jarring.

All eyes were fixed on that lone figure in the center of the square.

Liang Jin slowly raised his head.

That face, stained with congealed blood and tears, faced the blinding glow of the rising sun, the corners of its mouth...

suddenly!

It revealed something utterly absurd! Utterly mocking! Utterly chilling!

The arc of maniacal laughter!
"Hahaha...ha ...

Laughter! It resonated from a deep, suppressed chest cavity, then suddenly rose in pitch!

Ultimately, it transformed into a deafening roar that tore through the sky, wild and unrestrained, filled with the ultimate irony and sorrow!

Laughter resounded through the sky! It was like the sharpest knife piercing through Zhao Yu's carefully woven illusion of tragedy!
Who would believe his nonsense?!
The martial law that covered the entire Forbidden City! The layers upon layers of heavy troops!
That was an attempt to imprison him in the mansion!

From the moment he stepped through the palace gates, he was met with the most blatant deception and annihilation!

From the very beginning, they wanted to deceive, keep the peace, and delay until they were ready to deliver a devastating blow!
This fake bowing! This disgusting pleading!
This... is disgusting... such magnanimous imperial favor?!

not to mention……

Liang Jin never falls for moral blackmail!
Zhao Hongyi killed Su Lian, so he must pay with his life!
The laughter abruptly stopped!

Like an ice blade slicing down!

All expression vanished from Liang Jin's face! Only a frozen, pre-volcanic eruption look remained...

The silence of destruction!

"Zhao Yu!!!"

For the first time, he was in this place that represented the supreme imperial power!
On this square where thousands bow their heads!
To address the reigning emperor by his very name!

"No need for further words! Hand over Zhao Hongyi!"

The cold, intense killing intent in his eyes reached its peak!

"A life for a life—blood for blood!"

Every single word was like an icicle etched into everyone's heart!
Liang Jin's body tensed up abruptly! His bones emitted a series of teeth-grinding crackling sounds!

Liang Jin's final roar was like that of an ancient, ferocious beast awakening!
This completely shattered all the pretense on Zhao Yu's face!

His fat face was instantly twisted by fear, shame, rage, and a tremendous sense of humiliation at having offended the emperor!
He was trembling violently, his entire body shaking like a leaf! His fat face jiggled like waves! His teeth were grinding together!
He had never felt so ashamed and furious!
He wept bitterly, abandoning his imperial dignity!

He made the absolute limit of concessions that an emperor could make!

Why?! Why is Liang Jin so aggressive, determined to take his son's life?!
why? !

This is the most utter humiliation!! The most insane...rebellion!!

"you you……"

Zhao Yu was so angry he almost vomited blood on the spot!

That venomous look in his eyes seemed to want to devour Liang Jin alive!
"His Majesty!"

Wang Jin's cold, shrill voice, like fingernails scratching rotten wood, rang in Zhao Yu's ears at just the right moment:

"Your Majesty has done everything in your power! This villain is unruly and has the heart of a wolf! He has long since failed to live up to Your Majesty's boundless kindness!"

He raised his head slightly, his deep, ancient eyes, like a cold pool, looking down at Liang Jin. Where their eyes met, it was as if invisible blades collided!
"he……"

He slightly curled the corner of his lips, uttering a heart-wrenching judgment:
"They deserve to die!!!"

These words were like the final blow, completely igniting all the pent-up rage in Zhao Yu's heart!
Zhao Yu suddenly closed his eyes!

The enormous, obese body swayed as the eunuchs supported it, and when it opened its eyes again, all that remained in those small eyes was...

The cruelty and ruthlessness unique to monarchs!

"Somebody come!"

Zhao Yu's voice returned to its icy tone, devoid of any emotion, carrying only the embers of an emperor's wrath:

"I...cannot bear to see the blood of my former benefactors..."

He leaned back abruptly, shaking off the eunuch's arm as if throwing off a filthy bundle:

"Show off!"

"Prepare the carriage for the mausoleum of the founding emperor!!"

His voice suddenly rose:

"My son Hongyi follows the Emperor! He kneels before the ancestral tablets... kneeling to atone for his sins!!!"

He turned around abruptly as soon as he finished speaking!

A huge, bright yellow figure, surrounded by eunuchs and palace maids, surged into the Hall of Supreme Harmony like a flood!

They actually made a hasty exit!
This killing field must be completely handed over to Wang Jin!
"Hand over the person!!!"

Liang Jin's roar, as powerful as thunder and raging waves, exploded once again!

His body instantly transformed into a raging dragon phantom burning with flames of hatred!

Ignoring the cold, imposing array of spears and halberds in front of him, he lunged toward the massive gate of the Hall of Supreme Harmony that slammed shut as if about to tear through the obstruction!

That was the escape route Zhao Yu took with Zhao Hongyi!

"You audacious scoundrel! How dare you be so insolent before the Emperor?!"

A powerful, sharp shout broke the balance!

Yan Tingfeng's snow-white figure was like a hawk pouncing on its prey, and he was the first to rush out!

He's old but still shrewd! His ambition is obvious!

They had long planned to elevate Yu Zhuoqun to replace Liang Jin and control the inner court!
When the emperor's edict was clear! When the order to kill Wang Jin had been issued!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a name for oneself and achieve great things!
Without further hesitation, he launched the first attack!

"Traitor! Be executed!"

Before Yan Tingfeng could catch up, those hands that had once been capable of manipulating events suddenly swelled to more than twice their original size!
Five fingers spread wide!

A terrifying surge of internal energy was poured in!

"Maple leaves fall on the sandy plain!!!"

Ugh—!!!!
A piercing, inhuman shriek tore through the air!
In an instant! The entire space of the Taihe Hall Square seemed to be completely distorted!

Countless visible, rotating, and slicing tornadoes of withered yellow wind appeared out of thin air! They howled and swept across like an apocalyptic storm!

In the midst of a fierce wind!

What was visible to the naked eye were countless withered maple leaf-shaped energies that had condensed into solid blades!

Like millions of tiny, tempered throwing knives! They carry the sharpness to pierce even divine weapons and the withering, decaying power to gnaw at one's very bones!

Covering the sky and blotting out the sun! Infiltrating everywhere!
Like a world-ending sandstorm!
They carried a terrifying power capable of pulverizing rocks, and frantically devoured the area where Liang Jin was!
The light dimmed instantly!

All the Imperial Guard soldiers who approached the storm were cut and shredded into a cloud of blood mist by the force of the withered yellow leaves before they could even scream!
Blood rained down in the square!

The power of a single palm strike! The heavens and earth changed color!

The murderous intent of a second-rank master was fully revealed at this moment!
Eye of the storm!

Liang Jin's figure was instantly swallowed up by the boundless expanse of withered yellow maple leaves!

Faced with this terrifying offensive, Liang Jin's charge had to come to an abrupt halt.

He stomped his feet hard, breaking the stone slabs beneath his feet, and planted himself firmly on the spot, crossing his arms to protect his face!

Divine Dragon Arm—Open!

"Shhhhhh!"

Countless ear-piercing scraping sounds, as dense as raindrops hitting banana leaves, exploded!

The iron bracers on his arms were instantly torn to shreds by the terrifying internal force of the fine sand, and then shattered completely, scattering in all directions!
However, the skin on the arm beneath the wrist guard suddenly revealed fine and mysterious scale-like patterns, with black edges and a gold background, faintly exuding an inhuman hardness and luster!
The sharp internal force, powerful enough to tear steel, struck these arms, yet only left countless fine white scratches, failing to harm them in the slightest!

"Um?!"

Yan Tingfeng's pupils contracted, and his face showed surprise:

"This kid's arm...something's strange! It's so hard?!"

Seeing that his long-range palm strikes were ineffective against Liang Jin, he immediately channeled his inner strength and prepared to rush forward and engage Liang Jin in close combat.

Right now!

"Sect Leader Yan, please wait!"

The first guard's powerful and resonant warning voice was like the booming of a giant bell!
His massive figure arrived first, even though he was behind!

Instead of directly attacking Liang Jin, he leaped high into the air!

Like a golden-winged roc spreading its wings and soaring!
They were already more than 20 zhang (approximately 63 meters) in the air!

"Liang Jin's physical transformation is extraordinary! Hong Wei was severely injured and crippled by him when he rashly engaged in close combat with him."

"Sect Leader Yan, do not underestimate your opponent. Let me assist you!"

He shouted angrily, reminding Yan Tingfeng.

He understood all too well that even a second-rank expert would be in great danger to get close to Liang Jin, whose physique was nothing short of astonishing!

Talking time!
He has already used the "Suppressing the Mountain" divine skill that he has cultivated throughout his life!
"drink--!!!"

A long roar, like the cry of a dragon and the howl of a tiger!

The First Guardian was surrounded by golden light!

His entire body seemed to expand into a gigantic golden-armored god in an instant while he was in the sky!

Those giant hands, imbued with terrifying internal energy, resembled two enormous, heavy, golden millstones!

It carried an aura that could crush the void!
Lock onto Liang Jin, who is trapped below by "Maple Leaves Falling on Sandy Beach"!

Suddenly...

Cover! Press! And! Down!
"The mighty Zhenyue presses down upon us!!!"

Heaven! Earth! Combine! Attack!
Yan Tingfeng's annihilation storm crushed and tore from all directions, its force capable of destroying a city!

The First Guardian's palm strike, imbued with the terrifying power of "Suppressing Mountains," crashed down like a meteor! Its might was unparalleled!

The entire square!

Do not!
This is the vast space in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony!

Instantly, they were plunged into a dead zone of raging energy!

At the heart of the storm's vortex!
There was not a trace of fear in Liang Jin's cold eyes!
Only boundless fighting spirit and the thrill of destruction burn within!

kill!

Slaughter them until the heavens and earth crumble!

Let us offer our blood to the departed souls!

Facing that earth-shattering, crushing giant hand!

Liang Jin advanced instead of retreating!

His feet dug deep into the hard white marble floor like two giant nails! The jade slab, imprinted with royal majesty, shattered into pieces!
"Roar--!!!"

A deafening roar, as if possessed by an ancient dragon spirit, suddenly erupted from Liang Jin's body!

His two arms!

Under the pressure of terrifying energy!

Suddenly! It expanded! Expanded!! And expanded again!!!

Beneath the skin! Countless hideous, dark golden, hard scales proliferated wildly, as if they were alive!

Grudges and knots covered his arms! Sharp edges and jagged corners! Layers of ancient, primal, and absolute power-infused patterns instantly crawled across his arms!

Until completely covered!

Divine Dragon Arm!
Completely! Fully! Active!!
"Break it for me!!!"

Liang Jin's arms were imbued with the roaring power of the dragon soul! He neither dodged nor evaded! He had gathered all his life force and brute strength!

Like two god-destroying war pestles piercing the heavens!
It crashed headlong into that colossal, golden hand that seemed to crush the heavens and earth!
"boom!!!!!!!!!"

Like two meteors colliding violently at the core of the Nine Netherworld!

A visible ring of shockwaves, a mixture of withered yellow maple sand energy and pure gold "Suppressing Mountain" aura...

With an absolute, world-destroying, and silently crushing force!
It expanded dramatically!

Explode—

Whoosh!!!
All the heavily armored Imperial Guard soldiers who were nearby!
Whether they are swordsmen and shieldmen or spearmen!

The instant they came into contact with that terrifying shockwave...

My body felt like tofu being thrown into a meat grinder!

No process whatsoever! No defense whatsoever!
Exploded instantly!

It turned into countless tiny blood mists and steel fragments!

The shockwave swept out like a raging sea!
Within a radius of a hundred feet, the carved white marble railing, as solid as iron, was broken and shattered inch by inch like withered grass and rotten wood!
The enormous bronze cauldron that had stood before the Hall of Supreme Harmony for hundreds of years let out a tremendous, mournful cry! It was actually shaken!
A tilted base... shift the size of the ruler!!!
Smoke and dust! Gravel! Blood! Severed limbs! Shattered weapons... All soared into the sky!

It filled the entire square! It obscured the glow of the sunset!
It was like purgatory descending upon the earth!

The storm and dust slowly dissipated!

A massive impact crater, several meters in diameter and seemingly bottomless!

Like a hideous scar! Branded on the heart of the magnificent plaza, a symbol of imperial power!
Yan Tingfeng and the First Guardian of Righteousness!

Standing side by side on the edge of the giant pit!

Her clothes fluttered in the wind!

only!

The First Guardian's five fingers, as strong as Vajra and capable of crushing refined steel, were now...

The finger bones were cracked inch by inch!

A huge, deep wound, so deep it exposed bone, was torn open in the tiger's mouth!
Dark golden blood dripped onto the stone chips at the edge of the pit!

The Imperial Guard Commander's face was as solemn as iron!

He looked at his trembling, bleeding hand, and spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice filled with disbelief:
"A body of flesh and blood... can reach this level?!"

He took a deep breath of the air, thick with the stench of blood:
"No wonder... Hong Wei was treated like a child in his hands!"

This astonishing defense and power have long surpassed his understanding of human martial arts!

It's beyond human control!
Yan Tingfeng was still dressed in white, but his snow-white hair and beard were tinged with gray, and his face was slightly pale. Clearly, the continuous storm had taken a toll on him.

His gaze was sharp as lightning, locking onto the bottom of the pit, his voice carrying a hint of surprise and cold regret:
"A third-rank official defeating a second-rank official..."

"I can withstand your full-force attack and survive..."

"This is unprecedented in history!"

"pity……"

He shook his head, his words carrying an unwavering conviction in the supremacy of imperial law:

"A pearl falls into...dust!"

The gazes of the two grandmasters, like two cold searchlights, were cast upon...

The deepest part of that giant pit!

The smoke and dust slowly settled.

Bottom of the pit.

A figure...

Moved.

Liang Jin's body was like a demon god crawling out of hell's lava...

Slowly straightened his spine!
The dragon's arm, covered in cracks yet still gleaming with a dark golden light, braced itself against the ground!

A trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his tightly pursed lips, and he gave a bitter laugh.
"Two masters joining forces... truly lives up to their reputation!"

If Liang Jin were to use all his trump cards now, he would be confident that he could kill an ordinary second-rank martial artist on his own!
The deaths of the Demon King and the Monk of Sorrow and Joy at his hands are clear evidence of this.

However, when facing Yan Tingfeng and Diyi Shouzheng, two top experts who had been immersed in the second-grade realm for many years, he still suffered losses and internal injuries in a head-on confrontation.

He looked up!

Those eyes peered through the layers of scattered smoke and dust.

Locked firmly on the figure perched high at the end of the stone steps—

Wang Jin smiled, as if he were enjoying a wonderful show.

He saw Wang Jin's smugness!
also……

I saw my true self at this moment...

Danger!

Two top-tier forces are holding each other back!

The Imperial Guards formed a massive blockade!

Wang Jin remained unmoved, as firm as a mountain!

There are still powerful figures in the capital who haven't made a move!

Today, he appears to be fighting against Yan and the First, but in reality, he is fighting against the highest level of military power in the entire court!
A head-on confrontation would be futile; there's no chance of victory.

But Liang Jin never intended to defeat everyone from the very beginning!

His goal, from beginning to end, was only one—to kill Zhao Hongyi!
His consciousness quickly scanned the [Thousand-Mile Tracking] feature on the system interface.

The point of light representing Zhao Hongyi had actually moved far away from the palace, and even escaped the capital, and was moving madly towards the suburbs!

"You can't run away!"

A cold glint flashed in Liang Jin's eyes.

The next moment, he suddenly raised his right hand, his five fingers forming a claw, and pressed it hard against his left chest, near his heart!

Under the gaze of countless horrified and bewildered eyes, his palm seemed to pierce through their bodies.

Immediately afterwards, an extremely dazzling, icy light was suddenly drawn out from it!

The cold glint in his palm was like a living, pounding heart!

The cold was biting!

"Heavenly Tribulation—!!!"

Liang Jin's voice was as deep and cold as the wind from the deepest hell.

The words fell!
The frantically pounding, deep blue icy heart was in his palm...

He used all his strength to...crush it!
The instant it was crushed!

There was no earth-shattering explosion!
some……

It was merely an invisible, almost imperceptible, chilling blue light...

Like billions of the finest ice needles!
In an instant, silence and darkness filled...every corner of the entire Taihe Hall Square!
Swish-!
Temperature plummeted!

An extreme chill swept across the square in an instant!
In an instant, everyone in the entire square inexplicably felt a bone-chilling icy force penetrating their bodies!

That icy energy seeped into every inch of muscle! Every pore! Reaching straight to the very core of life... the source of the pulse!
"Um?!"

Yan Tingfeng and the First Guardian both underwent a dramatic change in expression at the same time!

Their protective aura erupted instantly!
The profound internal energy of a second-grade martial artist surged and circulated instinctively, attempting to expel the strange icy force that had invaded the core of his life!
however……

It's useless!!!

That cold feeling was extremely strange!
It seems to have vanished without a trace, yet it remains like a maggot clinging to a bone!
Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty—

Liang Jin slowly raised his head, his eyes now cold and indifferent, as if reflecting eternal ice.

"Now... it's my turn to play to my strengths and avoid my weaknesses!"

As he finished speaking—

"Boom!"

"Dong dong!"

"Dong dong dong dong!"

Everyone present, whether they were peerless masters like Yan Tingfeng, the First Guardian, and Wang Jin, or ordinary Imperial Guard soldiers, all had their expressions change drastically!
At that moment, their hearts seemed to have completely escaped their own control.

Faster and faster! More and more intense!
It felt like it was about to explode right out of his chest!

Like a wild horse that has broken free...

Do not!
It's more like being frozen by an invisible, demonic claw...

Grip it tightly!

then……

Squeeze with all your might...!!
"Ugh! My heart!"

"Ouch! Pfft—!!"

"Heart...heart..."

"help me!"

……

Screams and the sound of vomiting blood instantly filled the air!
Vast numbers of soldiers fell, like harvested wheat!

Their eyes instantly became bloodshot and bulged out! Their hands gripped their chests tightly!

It was as if I was trying in vain to stop my heart from pounding wildly and about to leap out of my throat!
Intense spasms swept through his entire body! Fresh blood, mixed with a sweet, metallic scent, gushed uncontrollably from his mouth and nose!

Painful whimpers! Desperate gasps! The muffled thud of a body violently convulsing and crashing to the ground!
They instantly intertwined into one!
In just a few breaths!

The entire huge square, which was originally filled with murderous aura!

It was as if the area had been wiped out in an instant by an invisible plague!

The only thing that can still be sustained by her formidable inner strength is...

Still standing at the edge of the giant pit, their faces grim and ashen, with bloodstains at the corners of their mouths... Yan Tingfeng and the First Guardian.

And at the end of the steps of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there was Wang Jin, whose eyes were slightly narrowed, and a murky light flashed deep within his eye sockets! His withered hand in his sleeve was already clenched into a fist! It seemed that he was mobilizing some kind of terrifying power to fight against it...

And in this eerie, dying roar composed of the throbbing hearts of tens of thousands of living beings!

Liang Jin...

Slowly, one step at a time!
Stepping on the scattered pebbles.

Treading on the winding pool of blood.

They walked out of that enormous, hellish maw...

A deep pit!!!

(End of this chapter)