At this moment, the prestige that Princess Baolian had accumulated over the years was directly manifested. Like a seasoned general, she began to calmly deploy troops and send people with her tokens to persuade surrender and placate the people.

In the end, only the Haoyue tribe's own headquarters remained, with at least five thousand elite soldiers. Now these men had already gathered together on their own, guarding the women and children of the Haoyue tribe. Yet, they showed no intention of attacking.

Elder Haoyue was dead, and confusion filled the hearts of these people. They didn't know what they should do, and their instincts were all they had left. They huddled together in silence, seeking comfort in each other's presence.

Though not cold, they felt as if they were freezing.

"Enough, stop!"

Princess Baolian finally spoke, ordering the royal court knights to stop the slaughter.

The air was filled with the thick smell of blood, and distant suppressed cries could be heard. The killing stopped, but the tense atmosphere remained. Many of them felt suffocated.

Chu Mo, witnessing this scene, was experiencing this for the first time. Watching in silence, he thought to himself: No wonder Grandfather always said that all wars in this world, except those to defend home and country from invasion, were unjust! Even if they were justified with numerous reasons, the core of them... was always the same.

It's all about power struggles!

Struggles for benefits!

Struggles for power!

Struggles for resources!

These struggles are so bloody!

So evil!

So... naked!

Elder Haoyue was surely no good man, and he deserved his death because of his actions.

But were all these warriors of the Haoyue Tribe... really deserving of death too?

Chu Mo shook his head and chuckled bitterly. "A compassionate man cannot control soldiers. It seems... I still need to learn," he murmured to himself.

Having experienced this, Chu Mo was even less willing to let his homeland be ravaged by war. "If all of this is evil," he thought, "then I'll bear it! Even if I earn a bad name in the process, I don't care! The wounds war brings to people... are too horrifying!

I will do everything possible to keep the war outside my country!"

"Elder Haoyue... deserved to die!" Princess Baolian stood there with an intense aura that demanded people... avoid her gaze and not dare to look directly at her.

Princess Nayi stayed by Princess Baolian's side holding Lie Ge. Her eyes were constantly on Chu Mo and her love for him was exceedingly obvious. Having experienced life and death, she no longer wanted to hide her feelings for this young man.

Were this not an inappropriate situation, she would have loved to throw herself into Chu Mo's arms, tightly embrace him and sob uncontrollably.

Then proclaim her love for him! For she didn't know how to express her overwhelming emotions in any other way.

Coming back from the brink of death!

Those four words could perfectly describe her current situation. And this 'life'... was given to her by the handsome young man.

Chu Mo, however, is closely listening to Princess Baolian's words.

"He killed the king and queen!"

"He killed his own wife!"

"He has poisoned too many people!"

"Those subordinates who disagreed with him!"

"Those innocent people who never provoked him but hindered his development!"

"Most importantly, you all have seen it, he rebelled against the Prairie royal court and wanted to be king himself!"

"His ambition was exposed for the world to see!"

"So... he deserved to die!"

"I am his wife, but I am a princess of the royal court first!"

"I will uphold justice for all of you!"

"I will stand for righteousness for all of you!"

"Every citizen of the Prairie should feel ashamed of his actions!"

"I have plenty of evidence about him on hand, and soon, I will publish it one by one, proving to you that every word I, Baolian, have spoken... is true!"

The surroundings became eerily silent, even the suppressed cries stopped.

At this moment, a figure came out from the darkness. Several royal court knights immediately moved towards him.

Princess Baolian waved her hand: "Let him come."

A fully-armed burly man came out from the darkness. Paying no attention to the royal court knights on either side, he went down on one knee in front of Princess Baolian: "Teng Song, your subordinate, pays his respects to the princess!"

"Teng Song, I know you. Stand up and talk." Princess Baolian's voice softened.

This Teng Song held a mid-level position in the Haoyue Tribe, but was one of the few officers who remained loyal to the royal court. He had publicly opposed many of Elder Haoyue's actions and was against his ambition.

Because of this, Teng Song, who should have been a core leader of the Haoyue Tribe, was always on the periphery, never being allowed in. Yet it is peculiar how life turns out; nobody expected the Prairie's top warlord to lose his life so easily.

Especially at the peak of his power!

Still kneeling, Teng Song looked up at Princess Baolian: "Your subordinate wants to know how the princess intends to treat these soldiers of the Haoyue Tribe and their families."

What a principled man!

Chu Mo thought to himself: At such a time, most people would either resist to the end, showing their unyielding spirit and integrity, or they would rush to curry favor, to show their loyalty.

This man asked such a question. It proved that while he had personal interests, they were clearly minimal!

Princess Baolian did not hesitate and directly replied: "The families of the dead will be exiled!"

"Haoyue Gemu, Haoyue Gewen, Haoyue Geshui! Their crimes are unforgivable, they shall be executed on the spot!"

"For the others, those who are willing to remain loyal to the royal court will not have their past held against them after swearing allegiance!"

Upon hearing these words from Princess Baolian, before Teng Song could say anything, Haoyue Geshui collapsed to the ground, wailing and begging, "Mother... do not kill your son, I know my mistakes... I know my mistakes! Do not kill me, please!"

"Coward!" The seldom-speaking Haoyue Gewen struggled to his feet and angrily kicked Haoyue Geshui. "You've lost... our father's face!"

Haoyue Geshui cried out, "Being shamed is better than being dead. I don't want to die!"

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I need to go out today. But don't worry, the updates should not be affected. After all, I am someone who has four chapters in reserve!

Yes, I will also find a chance to write while I am outside. I won't interrupt the updates!!