At this moment, blood flowed from the bodies of the three Gods. God Emperor Kong struggled, looking at the soldiers and civilians in the city, and to everyone's astonishment, a voice of fear escaped his mouth: "Help, help me..."

The God was... asking for help!?

"No..."

The Minister of Rites crawled and stumbled to the ground where the God had fallen, his eyes appearing slightly deranged: "How could the God be a demon? How could he ask for help? This is impossible, this is impossible... King Qin... Dongfang Xinglan, this must be your scheme, your scheme!"

With a newfound backbone, many in the crowd began clamoring, and some even rushed toward Dongfang Xinglan, faces filled with madness: "Disrespecting the God, disrespecting the God, you're unworthy"

Dongfang Xinglan watched the scene indifferently, raising his hand and gesturing for the Qin Army archers to release their arrows at once.

Bodies lay scattered, yet some continued to charge forward.

The archers kept releasing arrows, while Dongfang Xinglan approached Emperor Tedi with his sword, his gaze sweeping over the crowd's varied expressions, suddenly cutting a piece of flesh off Emperor Tedi's snake tail with a sword strike.

Two Qin soldiers immediately came forward, gripping the Minister of Rites' arms on either side. The Minister of Rites seemed to understand something and struggled violently, but how could he possibly match the strength of two Qin soldiers?

One soldier directly took the piece of flesh from the tip of King Qin's sword and stuffed it into the Minister's mouth, who instinctively wanted to vomit but was forcefully silenced by the soldier until he swallowed it down, only then was he released.

All those who attempted to rush up and save the God paused, staring blankly at the scene.

The almighty God's flesh... was being tasted?

Bang!

The next second, Dongfang Xinglan kicked the Minister of Rites to the ground, stepping on his neck, watching his flushed expression and his struggle to vomit, but unable to, his voice chilling: "Lord Zhao, tell me, how does the God taste?"

The Minister of Rites trembled violently, tears spilling from his cloudy eyes, the taste of the flesh between his lips clearly fishy, yet inexplicably delicious.

At the entrance of a tavern, Lu Jin'an watched the scene indifferently, crossing his arms and with a flick of his fingers, used casting to soften the blood and flesh of the three Gods, making it edible for mortals before he turned back: "Zhiyu, is the snake meat tasty?"

"Delicious!"

"That's good."

Snake meat is certainly delicious, especially the flesh of a hybrid Demon Emperor snake... to mortals, it's naturally an indescribable delicacy.

The Minister of Rites instinctively swallowed, then swallowed again.

Watching him close his eyes and no longer struggle, Dongfang Xinglan stepped aside, patting his face with the blade of King Qin's sword: "Answer this king, is it tasty?"

"It... is."

The Minister of Rites suddenly opened his eyes, seemingly mad, crawling and stumbling toward Emperor Tedi, taking large bites of the snake tail, simultaneously crying and eating.

Everyone gazed blankly at the scene.

Sounds of swallowing echoed continuously among the crowd.

The Minister of Rites suddenly turned his head, clutching some of Emperor Tedi's flesh, and rushed at one person, forcing them to eat the snake meat: "Eat, eat it, all of you eat!"

He then looked at Grand Secretary Ren Yunpeng, looked toward the other civil and military officials, looked at the citizens of Shengjing.

He wanted everyone to eat the God's flesh; that way, he wouldn't be the only one who had eaten!

The once lofty three Gods now knelt side by side, and as the surrounding black mist gradually dissipated, the human-like flesh was revealed beneath.

Golden light scattered, Dongfang Xinglan had already left the place, riding to the Palace main gate surrounded by Hong Ying and other personal troops.

At the main gate, former Grand Secretary Zhong Wenhan kneeled, Ling Shiqi kneeling behind him and to the side, further back, were the Empress, Noble Concubine, palace maids, and eunuchs.

Zhong Wenhan bowed his head, raising both arms high.

In the pervasive smoke, the Imperial Jade Seal he held glittered.

Dongfang Xinglan tugged at the reins, dismounted, and walked step by step to Zhong Wenhan, his eyes fixed on the Imperial Jade Seal, breathing slightly quick.

She slowly reached out her hand, and as her fingertips were about to touch the symbol of power and status, she paused slightly before taking the entire Jade Seal.

The tension, excitement, and other emotions hidden in her eyes disappeared completely at that moment.

Holding it, it was merely a finely crafted jade stone.

Dongfang Xinglan turned over the Imperial Jade Seal, looking at the eight small seal scripts engraved upon it:

Mandated by heaven, may your life be ever prosperous

Dongfang Xinglan chuckled lightly, Hong Ying trotted a few steps closer, a hint of joy between her brows: "Your Highness, congratulations..."

"Hm?" Dongfang Xinglan coldly gazed at Hong Ying.

Hong Ying's breath suddenly halted, Dongfang Xinglan's terrifying gaze sent chills down her spine... even after fighting alongside King Qin for this long, she had never been so frightened.

Hong Ying suddenly realized she had made a grave error.

Quickly, she corrected this mistake.

Hong Ying bent her knees in a bow, her voice trembling—

"Your Majesty."

Over a thousand personal troops knelt in unison, their voices booming like a bell.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

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