"So, this is the truth?"
Learning the truth behind the Xiongnu massacre, Xuan Hao Hongye's spirit sank even further.
"Royal Father..."
Xuan Hao Qiongchuan tightly supported his father.
"Do you remember? Before our Great-Grandfather died, he repeatedly instructed that no Xiongnu, regardless of status, should ever approach Mount Langjuxu.
I once thought this was due to the shame our ancestors felt after Longhan Huo Piao Yao's campaigns against the Xiongnu.
Now I realize it was all an agreement between the Dragon Han Empress and the Xiongnu ancestors."
Song Yanran sighed. "You don't know the price Huo Piao Yao paid for the sake of the Central Domain's people. He died at just twenty-four, before he could even marry or establish a family.
To prevent the spread of the Demonic Contamination and to save all living beings, he willingly chose to sacrifice himself. He used his own body as a vessel to absorb all the demonic energy within, then sealed it alone on Mount Langjuxu.
To conceal this secret, he endured countless curses from your Xiongnu people.
Little do you know, Huo Piao Yao's actions were not just to save the Xiongnu, but the entire Central Domain."
Xuan Hao Hongye collapsed to his knees, his voice trembling. "So everything was just my wishful thinking. If our ancestors knew this secret, why didn't they tell us?
Why did they let the Xiongnu live daily in such bitter hatred? This is so unfair!"
"Your ancestors feared the rise of another ambitious ruler who would plunge the world into chaos," Song Yanran said. "That's why they concealed the truth of history. Xuan Hao Hongye, if it were you, could you resist the seductive power of the Demonic Contamination?"
Xuan Hao Hongye remained silent.
After a long pause, he took Xuan Hao Qiongchuan's hand. "Qiongchuan, promise this King that you will protect the people of the Xiongnu Kingdom. Do not let the Demonic Contamination resurface and bring ruin to my people..."
"Royal Father, your son will certainly protect the Xiongnu Kingdom."
Xuan Hao Hongye smiled with satisfaction, then turned to Song Yanran, struggling to speak. "Rest assured, I will not trouble the Xiongnu Kingdom. I will even help the new Xiongnu King establish his own city-state, so we may face the true enemy together."
"Many... thanks..."
As his voice faded, Xuan Hao Hongye lowered his proud head, ending his legendary life.
"Royal Father!" Xuan Hao Qiongchuan cried out mournfully, clutching his father's corpse.
In the distance, Shen Zhao fell into deep contemplation. His understanding of the Demonic Contamination was limited to the intelligence gathered from the Western Buddhist Sect Kingdom and the Bureau of Records; he knew little more. Master Xuanzang and Huo Piao Yao had endured both mental and physical torment, sacrificing themselves for the greater good. This proved that if the Demonic Contamination were unleashed, it would bring about a catastrophe a hundred times worse than the Nine Nether.
He urgently needed more clues to develop a new strategic plan.
***
Before Weiyang Palace, Jun Yutian stood proudly, while Ji Bingyan beside him kept glancing toward the imperial gardens, her eyes fixed on the direction of the royal gardens.
Also kneeling on the ground was Venerable Haoyue, his cultivation completely destroyed.
All of Nine Nether's spies and agents in Yanhuang City had been eliminated. As a prisoner, Venerable Haoyue had to be handed over to Shen Zhao for disposal.
Outside the palace gates, a squad of Xiongnu Iron Guards stood on display, having thoroughly secured the imperial family members and all civil and military officials within the palace.
Yet at this moment, Shen Zhao and Song Yanran did not appear before Weiyang Palace. Instead, they had arrived at the square on Vermilion Bird Avenue.
The moment Song Yanran appeared, countless citizens, misled by rumors, immediately began pelting her with rotten leaves and rotten eggs, their voices rising in a chorus of vicious insults.
"Whore! How dare you claim to be our sovereign? How can you even show your face here?"
"Tyrant! Your endless wars have ruined countless families. You are a true sinner!"
"You want a man? Choose me instead! I'll make you behave properly."
"Foolish emperor, abdicate!"
"Abdicate!"
"Abdicate!"
"Abdicate!"
The vile words coalesced into a wave of populist fury, stabbing at Song Yanran's heart like a sharp knife.
The very people who had once adored her now wished to tear her limb from limb.
Such a reversal would have shattered anyone's resolve.
Vermilion Bird and Azure Dragon wanted to intervene, but Song Yanran refused.
These were her subjects, and they had the right to voice their grievances.
She understood the principle that water could both carry a boat and capsize it.
Fortunately, Shen Zhao had anticipated this situation and erected a miniature barrier around Song Yanran, deflecting the rotten eggs and decaying leaves that flew her way. Otherwise, her imperial dignity would have been even more compromised.
After a long walk, Song Yanran, accompanied by Shen Zhao, finally reached the platform in the square.
As she gazed at the seething crowd below, her body trembled involuntarily.
Suddenly, she whispered to Shen Zhao, "I don't want to be empress anymore. Why not just go with the flow and abdicate in favor of Song Yu? Take me away with you—I'll follow you anywhere."
"Do you know the price your younger brother paid to protect your throne?"
"How can you bear to let all his efforts go to waste?"
"But you told me the public's opinion is so strong. How can I salvage my image?"
"I said I would handle this properly. Since you lost the battle for public opinion, you must win it back through the same means."
With that, Shen Zhao roared at the crowd, "Silence!"
The sound wave surged, instantly drowning out the clamor of the crowd.
Many flinched, their eardrums aching from the force of the shout, and instinctively covered their ears.
Only after the crowd fell silent did Shen Zhao speak slowly, "Recently, many events have occurred in the city. I'm sure you've heard many rumors and developed a deep misunderstanding of the Empress who protects you. Today, I won't waste your time with empty words. I simply want to tell you that the Dragon Han Empress standing on this stage deserves your support and protection!"
The crowd fell silent, all eyes rising to gaze upon Song Yanran.
Song Yanran stood motionless, her face calm, but the trembling of her delicate body betrayed her inner turmoil.
Her eyes, distant and unfocused, gazed at Shen Zhao, while her mind raced: *How do you intend to restore my reputation?*
"I know you all harbor deep prejudices against the Empress. Nothing I say will change your minds. But do you know what she accomplished after ascending the throne?"
The crowd below looked blank.
They could easily join the bandwagon of hating or praising someone based on what others said, but asking them to list specific achievements?
That was something they'd only know from hearsay.
*After all, if they're wrong, can't they just apologize later?*
That's how public opinion works. Most people prefer to believe what they want to believe, and few bother to investigate the origins or truth of the matter.
When facing a wave of negative public opinion, refutation is the weakest weapon. The best way to turn the tide is to use public opinion itself as the vanguard.
"You don't know? Very well, today I will show you all
how the life of the emperor who elevated the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty to unprecedented heights was truly extraordinary!"
With a wave of his hand, Shen Zhao conjured a pristine white scroll into the air.
The crowd looked up as the scroll paused momentarily before slowly unfurling.
The next moment, the scroll expanded to cover dozens of miles, completely enveloping the sky above Yanhuang City.
"What is that?"
Not only the citizens within the city, but even Ji Bingyan and Jun Yutian were clueless as to what was happening.
Song Yanran's face was blank, wondering what Shen Zhao was up to.
But no matter what, she would unwavering believe in this man.
However, everyone would soon learn what this truly was.
-----------------------
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(End of Chapter)