"Enough. I've seen that the armies of Tianmo and Linwei have been treating the people with great courtesy as they advance. They shouldn't harm us. Why don't we surrender?" said an official with triangular eyes and a slightly crooked mouth, looking timid.
Hearing this from outside the door, Shen Qianmo couldn't help but raise a cold smile.
These are Qi Yue's pillars of the nation?! No wonder Qi Yue wanted to destroy them! If it weren't for the people of this city, she really wouldn't have bothered to save them.
"Hmph! You think Qi Yue's royal family members all died mysteriously?! It's all just their tricks! Do you think the people of Tianmo and Linwei will let us off so easily?! Impossible!" A cold voice suddenly came from inside the room, and the resounding question left the group of officials speechless.
Shen Qianmo raised his eyebrows slightly and saw through the hole in the window that the official who was speaking was none other than the current Minister, Cui Pu.
She had heard of Cui Pu before; he was a promising young official, but she hadn't paid much attention to him at the time. She never expected him to be such a remarkable person.
"So what do you mean?" Finally, an official broke the silence, asking timidly. These officials, supposedly pillars of the nation, had held this secret gathering for Qi Yue's sake, but in reality, they were only concerned with their own safety.
Cui Pu glanced at the crowd, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, and said with a touch of arrogance, "Based on my understanding of the Tianmo Emperor's style, he would never leave us alive!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed. Unlike their previous superficial worry, their eyes now showed genuine fear and concern.
"What are we going to do?!"
"That's right! I have elderly parents to care for and young children to raise, I can't die!"
The room erupted in chaos. Shen Qianmo frowned slightly, extended her long, slender, and fair hand, and gently pushed open the door. Her clear and melodious voice entered the room, "This palace master has a way to keep you alive."
As the door opened, sunlight streamed in at an angle. The people inside squinted slightly, finding the sunlight a bit too bright, and looked at the person who had spoken.
That one glance left everyone stunned. The man standing at the door, dressed in pristine white robes, stood silently in the sunlight, which seemed to emanate a unique aura from him. His jet-black hair was tied up high, giving him a clean and neat appearance, yet possessing a distinctive charm.
Because he was squinting, the people inside couldn't see the man's face clearly. They only felt that his demeanor was so noble and elegant that they even forgot to ask him when he had been eavesdropping on their conversation or why he had barged in.
The man gently lifted his hand, and the door closed firmly again. It wasn't until the man walked up to the officials that they could see his face clearly.
His features are absolutely stunning and flawless, but what truly captivates the eye are his eyes, so dark and deep, like an unfathomable pool, drawing you in without you even realizing it.
"My lords, did you understand what Mo Chi said?" Shen Qianmo glanced at the still stunned crowd, a gentle smile playing on her lips, and said calmly.
The officials then realized what was happening and looked at Shen Qianmo in astonishment.
The peerless man before them, with his clear and unparalleled beauty, was none other than Mo Chi, the Demon Palace Master who struck fear into the hearts of all in the martial world.
A hint of surprise flashed in Cui Pu's eyes. So this was the Demon Palace Master? So young, so...beautiful.
"What makes you think you can guarantee our survival, Palace Master?!" Cui Pu's voice rang out with a hint of skepticism. "Although the Demon Palace is mysterious and powerful, our current opponents are the two most powerful nations, Tianmo and Linwei."
As soon as Cui Pu finished speaking, the officials looked at each other, seemingly doubting whether the Demon Palace truly possessed such abilities.
Shen Qianmo raised an eyebrow, her dark eyes glancing indifferently at Cui Pu, and said nonchalantly, "If you are unwilling to cooperate, I will not force you. In any case, I am not obligated to save you."
Cui Pu was startled by Shen Qianmo's indifferent glance. He had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, and at only twenty-something years old, he had already risen to the position of Minister, second only to the Prime Minister and the Grand General. He had always been very proud, but just now, the Demon Palace Master's indifferent glance had inexplicably instilled fear in him.
He was such a refined person, yet he seemed to possess a sharp and imposing aura. He appeared so gentle and approachable, yet there was an air of unapproachable aloofness about him.
"We are willing to cooperate, we are willing to cooperate!"
The officials weren't fools; they naturally understood the current situation. If they cooperated with the Demon Palace Master, they would have a sliver of hope; if they didn't, they would certainly not survive. Under these circumstances, cooperation was the only option.
Shen Qianmo's expression remained unchanged, as if their answers were completely unimportant to her, and that she had only saved their lives on a whim.
Her gaze drifted indifferently towards Cui Pu, but he remained silent.
When Cui Pu saw Shen Qianmo's gaze fixed on him, he felt for a moment as if he had nowhere to hide, as if those dark eyes could encompass and see through everything.
"Can you protect everything Qi Yue has in the capital?" After a long silence, Cui Pu finally asked.
I don't know why, but even though I felt there was no chance of survival, I started to believe that things might still turn around after looking into the stranger's eyes.
"Of course." A clear voice rang out again, just two simple words, spoken lightly, as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
It's important to understand that protecting Qi Yue's capital from the combined forces of Tianmo and Linwei is no easy feat; even the Demon Palace, revered by all, couldn't accomplish it. Moreover, the Demon Palace is a martial arts organization with absolutely no need to rescue Qi Yue.
"However, I have a request that you all must agree to." Shen Qianmo paused, her dark eyes flashing with an unfathomable light, and said calmly with a slight smile.
The officials looked at each other, unsure whether to agree or not, because no one knew what the Demon Palace Master's demands were.
"As long as everything in Qi Yue's capital can be protected, I can agree to any request." This time, it was Cui Pu who spoke first.
Shen Qianmo glanced at Cui Pu with appreciation, a smile playing on her lips. "My request is simple: from this day forward, you will all resume your lives as commoners. From now on, there will be no more officials in Qiyue's capital. And Qiyue will disappear forever, just as it will in your hearts."
These words were spoken so matter-of-factly that there was no room for rebuttal. When the officials heard that it was just such a request, they all agreed. After all, a country that had already perished was of no interest to them. When faced with life and death, the country, especially a country without a monarch, seemed to be no longer important.
Only Cui Pu frowned slightly, but ultimately nodded in agreement.
"You may leave now, sirs. I hope you will refrain from making any unfounded accusations regarding today's events." Shen Qianmo's expression was indifferent as she casually dismissed them. Finally, she smiled at the officials and added calmly, "Otherwise, the Demon Palace's decree will bear your names."
Upon hearing the last sentence, the official's face turned deathly pale, and he practically ran away from Tianjue Tower.
The Demon Decree is one of the sacred decrees of the Demon Palace. It signifies certain death. Once a name is engraved with the Demon Decree, the Demon Palace will subject that person to excruciating pain, a torment worse than death, relentlessly until they are dead.
"Lord Cui, please wait." Shen Qianmo sat down in the chair without ceremony and lazily uttered five words.
Cui Pu stopped in his tracks and quietly looked at the mysterious man who resembled a demon palace.
"I think you're quite good. If you're willing, the governance of Qi Yue will be entrusted to you." Shen Qianmo smiled, her eyes still revealing no emotion.
"Leave it to me?" A glint flashed in Cui Pu's eyes as he looked at Shen Qianmo with some suspicion. This Demon Palace Master actually entrusted Qi Yue's capital city to him so confidently?!
Shen Qianmo's expression remained unchanged, her smile faint. "Hmm. Just maintain order discreetly. Without officials, the area is prone to chaos. I'll leave some people for you. However, if you harbor any other intentions, you should know the consequences!"
Cui Pu's eyes showed a hint of solemnity. The man in front of him was like a fog, impossible to see through. He had a faint smile on his face, but it made Cui Pu feel extremely cold.