Eastern: I love doing good things-Chapter 182 : Loyalty.

"The fate of your country is sealed; it is destined to be swallowed by the Ice Plains. With your status as a master, why bother following them to the grave?"

"Moreover, where can you escape to? Back to your country? Do you think anyone there can save you?"

This series of questions seemed to stun Duke Chongwu. His eyes became vacant for a moment, then he let out a bitter laugh: "Yes, you are right, I have no way out. This world truly has no one to save me!"

Before his words finished, his gaze suddenly became resolute, filled with a sense of determination to die: "Since that's the case, then come, join me in death!"

With his roar, a vast amount of spiritual energy surged like a raging tide, spreading from his body!

Duke Chongwu looked up to the sky and clasped his hands together forcefully: "Tree of God, take form!!"

In an instant, the ground trembled violently, and in the barren snow landscape, a vast forest sprang up like a dragon breaking through the earth, growing wildly towards the sky!

Each tree intertwined, merging together, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a colossal tree giant, reaching heaven and earth!

This giant stood tall and towering, with nearby snow-capped mountains instantly dimming in comparison. The other two masters present felt an overwhelming pressure that felt like a tsunami crashing down!

Duke Zhuoyang was forced to retreat several steps from this force, while the giant face instantly turned into mud and disappeared.

"Truly worthy of Duke Chongwu, hailed as the strongest of the past thousand years in the Empire of Flame. Even when trapped, he still exudes such momentum!"

However, at that moment, a voice of admiration echoed softly. A mature woman, wearing a luxurious golden crown and a golden gown, appeared in front of the tree giant as if she were an immortal descending from heaven.

"Your strength is indeed formidable. Since you refused to join me in life, then serve me in death!"

Her voice carried a strange kind of gentleness, as if it could calm the turmoil of the heart: "Now, go to sleep obediently."

"Sleep your leg!" was Duke Chongwu's furious roar in response as the tree giant swung a massive fist towards the woman!

...

After an unknown amount of time, the earth-shattering battle finally quieted down. The once peaceful snow-covered landscape had completely changed:

The mountain peaks were shaved off, the ground torn open with hideous cracks, and the rivers changed course, their waters now murky and surging...

The tree giant that once stood proudly had vanished without a trace, and Duke Chongwu's body lay alone, cold and still on the ground, his eyes wide open, fixed on the distant sky, motionless...

Though Duke Chongwu had resolved to die and wished to take his enemies down with him, he was already heavily wounded and trapped by three masters. Like a beast caught in a trap, filled with nothing but desperate resolve, he was ultimately powerless to turn the tide.

"A once great master has fallen like this. Truly stubborn and foolish to the extreme," the giant face reappeared on the ground, sighing.

"He hasn't died, or rather, hasn't completely died. While we weren't looking, he secretly let his shadow spirit leave his body!"

The mature woman chuckled lightly: "This Duke Chongwu is indeed interesting. Seeing he could not win, he still managed to sneak away, leaving himself a small chance for survival."

"But... it's just a mere shadow spirit. It doesn't matter. Let him go. Without a body, he will only become a wandering ghost."

With a wave of her hand, the body of Duke Chongwu disappeared in an instant. Then, she turned to Duke Zhuoyang:

"Duke Zhuoyang, to be safe, I need to confirm once more: are there any other powerful masters within the Empire of Flame?"

"None," Duke Zhuoyang immediately responded respectfully. "The only one with any ability left is Emperor Wen of Flame. With your nation's strength, the Empire of Flame is no longer a threat."

"Your country can march now; conquering the Empire of Flame is only a matter of time."

"Good." The mature woman nodded lightly, smiling: "Then we will prepare briefly before setting off. You will lead the way."

"Yes!" Duke Zhuoyang quickly agreed, then lowered his head, a barely noticeable smile curling at the corner of his lips:

"Go ahead, head to the capital. With His Majesty's power, all of you will soon be dead without a burial place, all turned into His Majesty's food!"

The excitement in Duke Zhuoyang's eyes grew stronger. He had fully understood what Duke Chongwu had said earlier.

Every martial artist within the Empire of Flame, who absorbs spiritual energy to cultivate, is under the control of Emperor Wen of Flame. This was the revenge that Duke Chongwu had mentioned.

He knew this very well, yet he still resolutely acted in this manner. It was not betrayal, but rather his supreme loyalty!

Because all of this was ordered by His Majesty, and he was simply carrying out His Majesty's plan!

As for him, he was unwaveringly executing His Majesty's orders at this moment!

As for Duke Chongwu, this fool who was not favored by His Majesty, he truly thought he had seen through some truth, accusing him of being a traitor?!

Bullshit!

When it comes to loyalty, Duke Zhuoyang would dare say that no one is more loyal than he is!

When His Majesty's grand design, years in the making, is finally completed, he will follow His Majesty and ascend to godhood together!