bookandnovel Chapter 14445 Escape from battle
Chapter 14445 Escape from battle
Chapter 14445 Escape from battle
"The odds of winning are slim; in fact, it's a nine-out-of-ten chance of death."
Ling Xiao continued, "Every time I think about another showdown with the Tianyuan Temple, I feel as if I'm standing on the edge of an abyss, walking on thin ice."
He continued, "But we cannot back down, because behind us are the millions of people of the Overlord Empire, the homeland we must protect."
The room fell into a deathly silence, a silence that weighed heavily on everyone's hearts like a thick curtain.
The powerful figures exchanged glances, their eyes filled with complex emotions, and their brows were etched with deep sorrow.
Some people lowered their heads slightly, not daring to meet the eyes of others, as if this would allow them to escape the impending choice; others subconsciously clenched their weapons, their knuckles turning white from the force, the tightly gripped weapons seeming to be their only support at this moment.
Ling Xiao slowly stood up, his movements steady and powerful.
As he rose, the heavy, dark iron throne thudded, as if playing a prelude to the momentous occasion to come.
He walked down the steps one by one, each step firm and resolute. His footsteps sounded like heavy hammers, each one striking the hearts of the crowd, causing their heartbeats to involuntarily quicken with the rhythm of his footsteps.
His gaze was piercing, like two sharp swords sweeping over the crowd.
His gaze held both a clear understanding of the situation and a deep expectation for everyone.
His voice was deep and cold, like ice falling to the ground, echoing in the hall: "You are all the backbone of the Batian Empire. Over the years, you have risked your lives for the empire and made great contributions."
He continued, "The Empire is now facing an unprecedented crisis. If anyone is willing to surrender, the Heavenly Abyss Sanctuary will surely grant them their favor."
He continued, "In order to demonstrate their kindness and generosity, they might give you a way out."
He continued, "If you wish to leave now, I, Ling Xiao, will not stop you, nor will I blame you."
He concluded by saying, "Everyone has their own ambitions, and I will not force them."
These words made the atmosphere in the hall even more tense, like a bowstring stretched to its limit, ready to snap at any moment.
Some people swallowed hard, their throats bobbing, the bitter taste spreading in their mouths like their current mood; others closed their eyes and sighed, their faces full of dejection, their heavy sighs seeming like a helpless compromise with fate.
surrender?
This word is like a poisonous insect, relentlessly gnawing at the dignity and beliefs deep within people's hearts.
They were not cowards; each of them had fought bravely on the battlefield, willing to sacrifice their lives for the glory of the empire.
But faced with the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Abyss Temple, an existence as unshakeable as a mountain, despair surged like a tide, enveloping them completely.
Compared to the Heavenly Abyss Temple, the Overlord Empire was vastly inferior in strength, like a firefly compared to the brilliance of the moon.
In several battles on the border, the Batian Empire's army had already tasted the bitter fruit of defeat, and the outcome seemed to have been predetermined.
Many people's hearts have already wavered, and their once firm beliefs have begun to crumble in the face of the cruelty of reality. They are just one last bit of courage away from speaking out the choice they are unwilling to face but seem unable to avoid.
The hall was as still as stagnant water, without a single ripple.
Only the candlelight flickered on the black iron lamp stand, its faint light struggling in the darkness, casting shadows on everyone's faces, as if reflecting the struggles and contradictions deep within their hearts.
Ling Xiao's gaze swept over everyone in the hall again, his eyes growing even colder, his voice like clashing iron, icy and resolute: "Anyone leaving the hall now will be allowed to pass without hindrance."
He continued, "This is your last chance. I won't force anyone to stay."
He continued, "But if anyone dares to surrender to the enemy and break their oath on the battlefield, betraying the empire and their brothers, I will exterminate their entire family, ensuring that their souls and families are scattered and never reincarnated!"
He concluded by saying, "I, Ling Xiao, keep my word and will never tolerate such behavior!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the atmosphere in the previously quiet and oppressive hall suddenly changed slightly.
An elderly man with white hair walked out of the queue with a shaky gait. His body was somewhat hunched, and he took each step carefully, as if afraid that he might fall down if he didn't make a mistake.
Her full head of silver hair trembled gently in the breeze inside the hall, as if telling the story of the vicissitudes of time.
The old man clasped his hands together, bowed, and bowed deeply, his movements slow yet solemn.
He raised his head slightly, his face full of earnestness, his voice hoarse as if a rusty gear was turning with difficulty: "Your Majesty... my Qingfeng Sect has gone through countless storms and has always been loyal to the Batian Empire."
He continued, "However, the situation is now critical, and my Qingfeng Sect is willing to leave this place."
He continued, "We are by no means cowardly, nor would we ever dare to have the thought of serving the Heavenly Abyss Church."
He continued, "The Heavenly Abyss Temple is ruthless. If we surrender, we will only suffer the fate of death and extermination of our clan."
He concluded by saying, "We only ask for... a way to survive, so that the hundreds of members of my Qingfeng Sect can continue their lineage."
As the old man spoke, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists in his sleeves, his nails almost digging into his palms. The pain made him even more acutely aware of how difficult the choice he was making was.
Ling Xiao sat upright on the throne, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his face as cold as ice, completely calm, as if nothing in the world could stir a ripple in his heart.
He listened quietly to the old man's words, his eyes deep and cold.
After the old man finished speaking, he slightly parted his lips and uttered only one word: "Accurate."
Though the word was spoken softly, it struck like a heavy hammer, resounding throughout the hall. The air seemed to freeze instantly, and everyone's breath caught in their throats.
The old man felt as if he had been granted a pardon. His tense body instantly relaxed, and joy filled his eyes. His previously dim eyes regained their luster.
He quickly bowed again, his voice trembling slightly: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
He continued, "We, the Qingfeng Sect, will never forget the Emperor's great kindness and virtue!"
Before he could finish speaking, he turned around impatiently and retreated quickly, as if afraid that Ling Xiao might suddenly change his mind.
However, just as the old man was about to step out of the safe zone, a dark shadow suddenly descended from the beam, like a black lightning bolt, and instantly blocked the old man's path.
Upon closer inspection, everyone realized it was Meng Haoqing, one of the Thirteen Demon Generals!
Meng Haoqing was tall and burly, with a face full of fat and a fierce and unruly look in his eyes.
He crossed his arms, a disdainful smile playing on his lips, and coldly stared at the old man.
The old man's pupils constricted as if he had seen the most terrifying thing in the world. Cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes, and his body trembled involuntarily.
Just then, Ling Xiao lightly waved his right hand, and a wisp of black light rose from his sleeve. The black light, like a black dragon, swept towards Meng Haoqing.