Chapter 1664: Settling Accounts

Northwest of Xia City, an army on the verge of collapse was running for its life. All of the leaders had disappeared and the army was shrinking as it fled.

Several figures were frantically flying away, pushing their speed to the limit. They didn't seem concerned about the remaining troops beneath, only caring for their individual lives. These were all familiar faces.

The one at the lead was Regent Gong Yuan, followed by Si Qing, Zhu Qinghuo, and Xuan Chen.

Xuan Chen's expression was beyond ugly. When Heavenly Emperor Yin had left, he had only brought the Demonic Flame Underworld King with him. His position within the Origin Reversion Institute wasn't high, so Heavenly Emperor Yin probably didn't even know he existed, so it was natural that he wasn't saved.

When Heavenly Emperor Yin left, he felt as though he had been submerged in freezing water, understanding that he had been abandoned. There were several Heavenly Emperor experts above Xia City, and he could see that they all were on the same side as Li Luo. Therefore, he turned and fled without hesitation. Staying behind was courting death.

He knew that as the black hand behind the curtains influencing Gong Yuan's actions throughout the years, he had done many undesirable deeds. It all started with the tampering of the Death Lottery to force Tantai Lan and Li Taixuan into the Nobles' Battlefield. He then acted behind the scenes to change the outcome of House Luolan's Housemeet, causing multiple forces to surround and besiege them, and also assisting Shen Jinxiao from time to time.

Such actions were more than enough to rile up Li Luo, who would surely ground his entire being into fine dust.

Li Luo had become a true Transcendent Duke, so he had more than enough power to do that.

The only thing on Xuan Chen's mind was to leave the Xia Kingdom as soon as possible. Afterwards, he would go into hiding and never show his face in front of Li Luo again. The once insignificant young lord of House Luolan now had the power to squash him like a bug.

However, he wasn't the only one drowning in fear—Regent Gong Yuan was in a similar predicament. He understood that by retreating here, everything he had worked for over the last few years had been in vain. With Li Luo's support, Gong Luanyu would be able to crush the northern territory's royal court without much effort.

"That boy is truly a disaster! I should have disregarded everything and helped Shen Jinxiao crush him back then!"

His heart was filled with regret.

He turned around to look at House Jinque's House Lord, Si Qing. The latter was following them with a numb expression, his dull and despairing eyes causing Gong Yuan to feel a slight twinge of pity for him.

Unfortunately, it was too late to feel regret. Not even Gong Yuan could protect himself.

All he wished to do was return to the northern territory, leaving the Xia Kingdom with his trusted aides. Just as he was thinking of where he could hide, a chill ran down his spine, causing his entire body to feel cold. The void around him seemed to have been frozen and sealed.

They were flying at full speed, but for some reason, they weren't actually moving. A deep sense of unease overwhelmed Gong Yuan's turbulent emotions as he paused in the air. With much difficulty, he turned his attention to the front, where two young figures stood atop a mountain, calmly watching his group.

It was Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e.

"Everyone, Xia City has now been cleansed. Why are you in such a hurry to leave when you could return to your old homes?"

Li Luo grinned as he looked at the familiar faces. These Dukes used to be the apex existences in the Xia Kingdom. During the year of the Housemeet, Li Luo had feverishly toiled away in order to protect House Luolan from their schemes.

But looking at them now, they seemed no different from stray dogs.

Li Luo's voice was transmitted to all of their ears, jolting Xuan Chen, Si Qing, and Zhu Qinghuo from their daze. They then turned towards the source of the sound, and their eyes filled with absolute hopelessness.

They had witnessed the duo becoming Transcendent Dukes and being capable of challenging Kings. Thus, they knew they were no more than mere ants in the duo's eyes.

Xuan Chen forced out a smile as his gold and silver dual pupils were filled with fright.

He said, "Li Luo, whatever happened all those years ago had nothing to do with me. It was all because of Shen Jinxiao. I also know some of the Origin Reversion Institute's secrets. I'm willing to turn from the darkness to the light!"

Li Luo laughed lightly. "Your name was Xuan Chen, right?"

He was the one pulling the strings behind Gong Yuan's back, the one who had orchestrated all of the schemes that had brought about the Xia Kingdom's difficulties.

At the time, he merely saw Li Luo as an ant that could be manipulated with ease.

Xuan Chen forced a smile and was about to reply when he saw Li Luo stretching his hand out indifferently. A moment later, he heard a heaven-shaking draconic roar as a spatial rift ripped open above him. A giant violet-gold dragon claw reached down like a bolt of lightning, grabbing him unceremoniously.

Xuan Chen bellowed in response. His Duke Bergfrieds appeared around him in an attempt to free himself.

However, as Li Luo slowly clenched his palm, the dragon claw mimicked his action, crushing the Duke Bergfrieds with sheer physical strength.

At the same time, Xuan Chen's body exploded.

The claw opened up, revealing a mangled mess of flesh and blood. The conspirator who was once capable of calling the wind and summoning the rain within the Xia Kingdom had been mercilessly executed by Li Luo before he could utter two sentences.

Upon seeing Xuan Chen being squashed like an ant, Gong Yuan, Zhu Qinghuo, and Si Qing's expressions turned deathly pale. Zhu Qinghuo could no longer hold in his fear—he attempted to drop tail and run, his entire body wrapped in green flames. However, two steps later, a domineering pillar of sacred light fell on him from the sky, extinguishing his flames.

He then let out a shriek as his entire body was purified by the light, reduced to wisps of green smoke.

In just a few short moments, the lives of two of the most powerful Dukes in the Xia Kingdom had been put out like candles.

Li Luo's cold gaze then turned towards Gong Yuan and Si Qing.

Gong Yuan laughed bitterly and said, "I never considered the possibility of dying by your hands. I never understood why Li Taixuan and Tantai Lan, two individuals with such great backgrounds, would choose to hide in a desolate place like the Xia Kingdom. If it wasn't for your troublesome family, the Xia Kingdom would have long belonged to me."

Li Luo wasn't interested in listening to his worthless words. He tapped the air before him, causing ice crystal resonant power to burst out from the void. The crystalline light swept past Gong Yuan, causing the Duke Bergfrieds above him to be sealed in crystal. A moment later, the crystals exploded, reducing his Duke Bergfrieds to dust.

With the destruction of his Duke Bergfrieds, Gong Yuan spat out copious amounts of blood as his aura withered up.

Li Luo then waved his sleeve, wrapping up in his resonant power, planning to leave the man for the First Princess. After all, the reunification of the north and the south required his presence.

After dealing with Gong Yuan, Li Luo calmly gazed at Si Qing, the last one.

"Li Luo..." Si Qing's eyes were filled with regret as he trembled. "I beg you to spare my life on behalf of the friendship between House Luolan and House Jinque! My son and daughter can be considered your friends, and they severed ties with me after what I did. They've never forgiven me since."

The faces of a boy and a girl appeared in Li Luo's mind. Si Tianming and Si Qiuying... On the surface, the relationship between their houses had always been decent, and Si Qiuying had always tailed behind Jiang Qing'e like a little sister.

Li Luo turned towards Jiang Qing'e, who said with a smile, "You're the House Lord of House Luolan. I'll support your every decision."

He sighed lightly and said, "House Lord Si Qing, you're an adult, so you have to face the consequences of your actions. Have you ever considered what would have happened if your betrayal was the final straw that destroyed House Luolan? Just what would have happened to us?"

Si Qing's eyes filled with utter despair.

The young lord was no longer immature—he possessed frightening strength and his character had turned as strong as iron.

"House Lord Si Qing, considering that you once took care of House Luolan, I'll let you go out with dignity. After the north and south are reunified, I'll inform the First Princess to take good care of your children," Li Luo said indifferently.

He then took a step forward, walking towards the mountains and the forest in the distance.

Jiang Qing'e followed him.

Si Qing watched them leave as he understood what he had to do. He let out a long roar filled with desperation and melancholy, then he detonated his Duke Bergfrieds and ended himself in a blaze of flames.

Bang!

Tempestuous energy storms swept out from his location, like a final fireworks display.

Li Luo paused when he sensed Si Qing's aura vanishing from the world, his expression filled with disappointment.

As he looked at the lands of the Xia Kingdom, he recalled the dangers of the Housemeet. He and Jiang Qing'e had to overcome countless trials as they carefully navigated the covetous eyes and murderous intentions.

Looking back, that was truly an unforgettable experience.

Li Luo then felt something gentle and cool touch his hand. It was Jiang Qing'e, who had taken the initiative to grab his hand.

He looked at her delicate features as he softly said, "Sister Qing'e, I have to thank you for what you did back then."

When he merely had a blank palace, it was Jiang Qing'e who had weathered the storm to support House Luolan. She had attracted everyone's attention in order to buy time for the two to grow and develop.

Jiang Qing'e gave a warm smile, saying, "You're my husband and we're of one body and mind. We face every danger together, and we never give up."

He nodded as he looked deeply into her enchanting golden eyes.

"We face every danger together, and we never give up... Sister Qing'e, you must remember those words well!"

She tilted her head slightly and blinked in confusion.

Li Luo grinned, then he shot forward, appearing within a distant forest. The forest was dark and dimly lit, with only the stench of blood permeating the air.

His appearance had caused the people hiding in the shadows to panic and scurry around.

His eyes landed a specific shadow in the darkness, and a warm and bright smile appeared on his handsome face.

"It's been a long time, Xin Fu."