205: Chapter 205 The Sharp Sword About to Be Sheathed

He softly spoke four words.

Then, he looked at her no longer.

Turning around, step by step, he walked down the terrace.

His silhouette in the twilight appeared exceptionally lonely.

Like a sharp sword about to be sheathed, and perhaps sealed forever.

Jiang Li watched as his back disappeared around the corner of the stairs.

Tears finally broke through all barriers, surging forth.

She abruptly raised her hand, wiping them away harshly with her sleeve, and took a deep breath.

No.

Now is not the time.

She still had a mission she must complete.

This was his entrustment.

Furthermore...

She didn't have much of her own part left to play either.

As for the remaining tasks Su Chen entrusted to her, she had already found suitable candidates.

As for herself...

Queen Jiang had already made her choice.

Following closely behind her King.

The time of her exit.

...

Having sent Jiang Li away.

Su Chen stood silently in the empty hall for a moment.

Everywhere his eyes landed were familiar sights.

However...

The range that this tranquility could cover.

Was merely this quiet room.

Outside the window, the sounds of killing grew closer.

The clashing of weapons surged like a tide.

Battering against the warmth remaining in the palace.

The final silence.

He lowered his head, looking at his pale hands.

It's enough.

This round of investment.

Everything that should be done has been done.

Everything that should be arranged has been arranged.

Now, it is time to finish this final step.

He straightened his slightly oversized black casual robes and casually tied up his white-streaked long hair with a wooden hairpin.

The man in the mirror, though his face was as pale as paper.

Whether due to the effects of the medicine or because Su Chen's own character model quality was indeed too high.

He actually looked a bit like the majestic appearance of the generation's tyrant when he first ascended the throne.

"It's fine..."

"Leaving this way isn't losing face..."

He turned around, no longer looking at the reflection in the mirror.

With slow steps, he walked out of the hall where he had slept for several months.

It was laughable when one thought about it.

King Zhou, the tyrant, had been cursed by the whole world for over ten years.

But in reality.

He was just a pitiful man who had hardly even stepped out of the doors of his own palace.

...

At this time, Su Daji was still pacing anxiously in the side hall.

While Su Chen and Queen Jiang were conspiring earlier, she had already changed into a deep purple martial outfit suitable for movement.

Her long hair was tied high, revealing a smooth forehead and a slender neck.

She lacked some of her usual seductive laziness and gained a bit of crisp heroism.

The panic and worry in those fox-like eyes could not be hidden.

Hearing the familiar footsteps, she looked up abruptly.

Seeing Su Chen's figure appear at the door, she immediately pounced forward like a swallow returning to its nest.

"Great King!"

"How is it outside? ...Is it not good?"

"Has Sister Jiang already... gone to arrange other things?"

Her voice trembled as she grabbed Su Chen's sleeve.

"Great King... what should the two of us do?"

Su Chen took the opportunity to hold her hand, gently pulling her into his embrace.

He lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her forehead, which bore the lotus mark unique to the Hehuan Sect.

He extended his finger, tracing the perfect curve of her stunning face.

Finally, he lifted her face and looked deeply into her panicked eyes.

"Don't be afraid, Demon Concubine Su Daji."

Su Chen said playfully.

Su Daji was somewhat dazed.

It was as if the faint, occasional softness that had appeared on Su Chen since he was injured had vanished.

He had once again become that person.

The one who viewed all matters as toys and all things as ants.

The Human Emperor of his generation.

"I have already had Lier go to make arrangements."

"She will find a way to open a secret passage to send us out of Zhaoge together."

Hearing this, Su Daji was pleasantly surprised.

"Great King, together?"

"But Great King, your body."

"And all those soldiers and civilians in Zhaoge City..."

"Silly girl."

Su Chen chuckled and leaned closer, stealing a kiss from her slightly parted lips.

"It's all thanks to your Sister Jiang."

"My body has felt much better after using the new prescription Lier prepared these past few days."

"See, am I not standing here talking to you now?"

He intentionally straightened his back.

"Perhaps..."

"After leaving this hellhole and finding a place with beautiful scenery to settle down and recover."

"I can still... for my Beloved Consort..."

"Do some even more interesting things."

This kind of cynical flirting was indeed Su Chen's style.

Normally, Su Daji would have blushed and spat in mock annoyance.

But at this moment, this familiar improper tone actually reduced the tension and worry in her heart.

Looking at his improved complexion, the doubts in her heart did indeed lessen.

"Great King, I... we, can we really leave together?"

She murmured, tightly gripping his hand, refusing to let go for anything.

"Naturally."

Su Chen nodded, then his tone shifted and his expression became serious.

"However, before leaving, we still need to do one last thing."

"To win a chance of survival for Zhaoge City and those soldiers and civilians who are still resisting."

"And also to create an opportunity for our withdrawal."

"What is it?"

Su Daji asked curiously.

Su Chen pulled her to the window and pointed at the distant Star-Plucking Tower.

"I observed just now that although the Western Zhou vanguard has entered the city, their main force has not yet fully deployed, and their formation is somewhat scattered."

"Furthermore, they are eager to capture and kill me, this 'tyrant', to stabilize the realm, so they will surely split their forces to search for my whereabouts."

"After all... the spies said that this head of mine is worth over three hundred gold in the Western Zhou army."

At this point, Su Chen's lips curled into a cold arc.

"I want you to immediately go and gather the soldiers and civilians in the city who can still fight."

"You don't need many people, three to five hundred elites will do."

"They must be absolutely reliable, people who dare to fight and dare to die."

"Then, lead them to ambush in the streets and ruins around the Star-Plucking Tower."

"I will flee toward the Star-Plucking Tower alone with great fanfare, using myself as bait."

"Those Western Zhou pursuers, especially those generals and experts who pride themselves on their bravery and want to achieve merit by capturing the King."

"Will surely be unable to restrain themselves and rush in first, wanting to claim the primary credit for capturing or killing me."

"Once I lure them into the tower, you must immediately lead the hidden troops to strike."

"There is no need to engage in combat; just use the fastest speed to throw all the prepared oil, saltpeter, firewood, and other materials into the Star-Plucking Tower. And then..."

He paused, saying each word clearly.

"Light the fire and seal the doors."

"Once the fire starts, the Western Zhou experts inside will be caught off guard and will surely suffer heavy losses."

"The soaring flames and explosions will also create massive chaos, delaying the further actions of the Western Zhou army."

"This will win precious time for us and the other Zhaoge soldiers and civilians to withdraw."

"Remember, the action must be fast and ruthless."

"It must be completed before the Western Zhou follow-up troops can react."

"After lighting the fire, do not linger for battle."

"Immediately follow the marks left by Lier and withdraw to the designated meeting point."