When the four great protectors received Wan Hun’s signal and hurried over, they saw dismembered limbs and eviscerated entrails exposed in the courtyard, with a nauseating stench of blood pervading the air.

"Protector, this subordinate has failed in his duties and failed to protect the Holy Maiden." Wan Hun knelt on the ground and said with great guilt.

"We’ll deal with you after we find the Holy Maiden," the protector Chimei glanced at Wan Hun on the ground, then turned his gaze toward the sky.

Dugu Chen’s eyes were filled with rage. He propelled himself into the air, his figure swift as lightning. With each shadow that passed, half of the Dragon Guards were injured, their blood spraying onto Dugu Chen’s face—a fiery warm fresh blood that stimulated Dugu Chen’s nerves, causing the blood in his body to start boiling. With a loud shout, his robust inner strength burst forth. The wounded guards, unable to withstand it, vomited fresh blood and fainted on the spot.

He drew his sword and aimed deadly blows at the Dragon Guards. In just a few moments, all the Dragon Guards were either maimed or dead, with very few left alive.

The Emperor’s eyes widened in disbelief as he watched Dugu Chen. The Dragon Guards were his secret weapon, and he hadn’t expected such a complete and unsightly defeat. He slumped into his chair, instantly feeling decades older.

Dugu Mo had not expected Dugu Chen’s martial arts to be so profound and unfathomable. Nor had he expected him to bloodshed the Prince Residence for a woman and even confront the Emperor’s Dragon Guards. Am I going to die just like this? No, I don’t want to, I don’t want to die like this, not willing to let go. Thinking of Feng Xuxu in the secret chamber, he suddenly curled the corners of his mouth, his gaze toward Dugu Chen becoming gloomy and deep.

Clutching the Treasured Sword that was still dripping blood drop by drop, he walked over to Dugu Mo and looked down at him from above, "Where’s my woman?"

With a scoff, Dugu Mo laughed and defiantly raised his eyes to Dugu Chen, "You wouldn’t dare kill me. With me dead, your woman is done for. By then, becoming a ghost couple might not be too bad."

Narrowing his eyes, he glanced at Empress Song Jing who had already gone dumbfounded to one side.

Raising the sword point towards Song Jing’s chest, he stared at Dugu Mo, "Speak." Slowly, the sword tip pierced through the luxurious garments and into Song Jing’s body.

The pain awakened Song Jing, who looked at Dugu Chen in panic, trembling her lips, "Don’t kill me, please don’t kill me." Dugu Chen revealed a mocking smile, continuing to slowly drive the sword deeper, as fresh blood quickly stained the luxurious garments red.

Song Jing turned to look at Dugu Mo, "Momo, just give Feng Xuxu to this madman. Otherwise, we will all die."

Dugu Mo ignored his mother’s words, his eyes fixed on Dugu Chen as if to imprint this moment of humiliation in his memory.

With a thrust, the sword was pulled out, and blood spurted out, splashing onto Dugu Mo’s face. Even so, this did not provoke Dugu Mo’s anger. Then, another sword pierced into Song Jing’s body.

Song Jing looked at her own son in agony; for him, she recklessly stained her hands with blood, for him, she was willing to harm several sons of the Emperor, for him, she was willing to kill the former Empress, all so that he could inherit the title of legitimate son. For him, she had coaxed the powerful ministers, hoping that one day he would ascend to the position of Crown Prince. All her past efforts flashed before her eyes, yet facing her own death, her own son was indifferent, and tears of sorrow filled her eyes.

Opening her eyes, she reached for the sword hilt, her tear-streaked eyes looking at Dugu Chen, "I think I know where she is. I’ll take you there."

Dugu Chen shifted his gaze, withdrawing the sword. In that instant, Dugu Mo suddenly exerted all his strength and struck Empress Song Jing in the chest with his palm.

"Pff... cough cough." The Empress fell to the ground, looking at Dugu Mo in disbelief.

Dugu Chen dropped the sword he was holding, grasping the still-breathing Song Jing, "Speak, where is she?"

Song Jing opened her mouth slightly, her breath frail, "She’s at... at..." Her eyes rolled back, her head turned, and her eyes widened, dying with eyes still open.