Chapter 399: Chapter 399 - 391: I Will Give an Explanation

"Facing death yet still arguing!" Xue Yinzhou sneered, "The assassins you sent have all been locked up in prison. There’s testimony and physical evidence. Tangtang treated you with sincerity, yet you could be so ruthless to her, truly deserving of death!"

"...What assassins?" Shen Li’s face was ashen, "I was unaware of this!"

"At this moment, you’re still pretending, really hypocritical and disgusting!" Xue Yinzhou attacked again.

Shen Li was forced to fight back, speaking while fighting, "Calm down, I never sent anyone to assassinate her!"

Seeing that Xue Yinzhou paid no heed, Shen Li gathered all his strength to repel him several steps. His thin lips oozed blood, his face pale and frightening under the moonlight, "What exactly happened to her? Tell me clearly!"

Xue Yinzhou squinted his eyes, a trace of doubt appeared on his cold, handsome face; Shen Li seemed genuinely unaware.

Otherwise, given the current situation, he could easily mobilize troops to attack him.

"Those assassins sent to kill her weren’t dispatched by you?"

Xue Yinzhou questioned coldly, "Those elite assassins are beastmen of your Yiyuan Empire, not weak at all—all above Level 8, with Ninth Rank Beastmen. Jia Lan confirmed through Soul Search, all are your subordinates."

"Moreover, in the entire Yiyuan Empire, who else but you could mobilize this elite force?"

Shen Li suddenly realized something, his expression extremely grim!

As Xue Yinzhou was about to attack again, Shen Li straightened himself with effort, coldly stating, "Xue Yinzhou, you’d better sober up. Even if not for yourself, think of her! If we truly fight to the death today, even if you kill me, you won’t escape the Yiyuan Empire. Then, the Night Glow Empire will surely face the devastation of a national annihilation."

Xue Yinzhou’s movements paused, he admitted he was indeed impulsive tonight, but how could he watch Shen Tang suffer grievance?

She couldn’t handle this fox; he must help her vent her grievances.

Xue Yinzhou, "Ha, at death’s door, what more is there to explain?"

Shen Li, "If I say this matter wasn’t my doing, would you be willing to believe me?"

Xue Yinzhou’s voice grew colder and more dangerous, "There’s testimony and evidence, do I need to go back now and capture all your subordinates for you to recognize them properly?"

"Xue Yinzhou!" Shen Li took a deep breath, his lips oozing blood again, he spoke with difficulty, "I have no reason to harm her... This matter is indeed connected to me, tomorrow, I will give you an explanation."

Xue Yinzhou’s gaze fell on Shen Li, feeling somewhat undecided in his heart.

Both possess equal strength, even if Shen Li is heavily injured, but if truly pushed, the outcome is uncertain. Moreover, they’re on Yiyuan Empire’s territory; if chaos erupts, not only will he face death, but it will also implicate Shen Tang and the entire Night Glow Empire.

He isn’t afraid of dying, but implicating Shen Tang and the Night Glow Empire isn’t worth it...

"You’d better provide a convincing explanation."

Eventually, Xue Yinzhou withdrew his attack, turning to leave.

The encircling troops parted like tidal waves, no one dared to block him.

His figure quickly merged into the night, disappearing without a trace.

Shen Li slowly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before abruptly opening them, his sharp gaze shooting towards the pale-faced Qiu Yang not far away. He raised a hand and grasped at the void, an invisible force instantly clutched Qiu Yang’s throat, slamming him heavily onto the ground!

"Pff!" Qiu Yang spat a mouthful of blood, hurriedly climbing up, "Your Majesty! Please hear my explanation!"

"Explanation?" Shen Li’s face darkened to the extreme, roaring in rage, "Who allowed you to act against her?!"

Qiu Yang trembled all over, yet still held on, saying, "I... I did it for Your Majesty and the Empire! If Your Majesty executes loyal subjects because of this, I’m afraid it will chill the hearts of soldiers across the land..."

"Threatening the crown?" Shen Li laughed in extreme anger, "Considering you were appointed by the Late Emperor and are an elder, I’ve always treated you with respect, yet I didn’t expect you to dare commit such audacious acts!"

Before finishing his sentence, Qiu Yang was once again ruthlessly thrown, crashing into a pillar and passing out.

"Swoosh——"

Scarlet foxfire transformed into chains, binding the unconscious Qiu Yang securely.

The beastmen present were frightened into kneeling all over, none dared voice their disapproval.

In the rage of His Majesty, who dared to tempt fate?

Anyone who dared to beg for mercy would only meet a worse fate!

Thunder rolled across the sky, and large raindrops began to fall.

Shen Li stood alone in the rain, motionless, seemingly turned to stone.

Cold rainwater slid down his red hair, wetting his handsome yet pale face. The once noble and glorious emperor now appeared rather desolate.

To obtain the Earth Core, he deceived Shen Tang, always holding guilt in his heart. He had thought of making amends in other ways later—dispatching troops for support, gifting treasures, or other favorable conditions; he was willing to give everything to make up for it.

The Earth Core is a legendary treasure, equally Pandora’s box—bringing hope, while also potentially bringing catastrophic disaster!

This item changed hands multiple times before arriving in the Night Glow Country, sealed away, yet seals eventually fail.

Given Night Glow Country’s national power, they couldn’t possibly guard this core, eventually it would be seized by other empires.

Rather than let other empires covetously eye it, better for him to take charge.

At least, he could offer Shen Tang the greatest benefit and protection.

With Night Glow Empire’s national power, they couldn’t possibly unleash the true value of the Earth Core, only top-tier powers like Yiyuan could in the future fully release its power.

Yet Shen Li could never have imagined she would thus develop the intent to kill. The pain from that stabbing hurt far less than the hatred in her eyes.

Only now did Shen Li realize, in her eyes, he had always wanted to take her life.

No wonder she was so furious and extreme that night, instinctively resisting his touch.

Recalling Shen Tang’s departing, tear-filled eyes, her despairing look, Shen Li felt cold all over, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

In her eyes, he was such a shameless, heartless person.

The rain fell harder.

Torrential rain poured down, Shen Li’s thin white shirt was already soaked, sticking closely with his fiery red hair to his body.

The wounds split during the battle continuously seeped blood, staining the clothes a glaring red.

Blood mixed with rainwater, dripping from his fingertips, then washed to the ground.

The beastmen kneeling before the palace were also soaked like drenched rats, pitifully shivering, yet none dared move.

If His Majesty wouldn’t leave, how could they dare rise?

"Your Majesty." A general finally couldn’t help speaking, "The rain is too heavy, please return to the palace."

Another glanced at the palace now in ruins, quickly adding, "Zhuqiong Palace has been tidied up, please go there to avoid the wind and rain."

Shen Li closed his eyes momentarily, letting out a long sigh, "You all, withdraw."

The people exchanged glances, His Majesty still stood in the rain, how could they dare leave?

"Imprison Qiu Yang." Shen Li suddenly stated, "Tomorrow, host a banquet to send off the Night Glow envoy."

"As you command!"

With clear instructions, the beastmen felt greatly relieved, hurrying away to make preparations.