Chapter 1248: The Duty Of A Ruler (3)

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

“Oh?” Ji Fengyan raised her eyebrows. She gazed at that ruler. “Then do you think you will end up like that previous ruler?”

“So what? Even if I die, my son will take my place in protecting the kingdom. It doesn’t matter if I die!” That ruler spoke with passion.

Ji Fengyan laughed and suddenly raised her hands to applaud that ruler.

“Firstly, I want to apologize to you.”

“Humph, we will not accept the apologies of such an irresponsible ruler like you. If you wish to say sorry, go tell that to your own citizens!” That ruler replied in an unemotional voice.

Ji Fengyan shook her head. “You misunderstand. I am not apologizing for my earlier words, but for my prior misconception of you all.”

At the beginning, Ji Fengyan did not have a wonderful impression of these rulers, apart from the Mo Shi Emperor. The other rulers had groveled before the Divine Temple, which to her was extremely contemptible.

But now, faced with a national issue, they had stood by their duty as a ruler.

This point made Ji Fengyan realize otherwise.

“What are you trying to say?” That ruler frowned.

Ji Fengyan replied, “I know you are all not afraid of death and are not willing to submit to the Divine Temple’s threats. However, please allow me to remind you that your deaths will not stop the Divine Temple’s plans.”

It stunned the crowd.

Ji Fengyan continued. “The moment you stepped into the capital city of Sa Er, you have already walked into the Divine Temple’s trap. Even if you struggle right to the end and die with honor, the Divine Temple will still have their own ways to hoodwink your military forces. You should know that most of your Grand Tutors are from the Divine Temple.”

At that instant, everyone’s faces darkened.

Yes, how could they have forgotten…

They had also invited all the Grand Tutors. In the various nations, the status of the Grand Tutor was on par with the ruler’s. In the eyes of some citizens, the Grand Tutor was even more respected than the ruler.

Even if they fought to the end, just one word from the Grand Tutor and the military troops would be mobilized…

“You are now the only ones who know the genuine face of the Divine Temple. If you all die here, your kingdoms will really fall into the Divine Temple’s hands. To fight back, you must live. That is the crucial point.” Ji Fengyan looked seriously at everyone. That was why she had quickly spoken up earlier. She did not wish to see the other rulers killed off.

“But what use is it even if we live?” That ruler’s attitude had softened after he understood Ji Fengyan’s intentions.

They were being trapped inside the Sa Er palace, which a large number of guards surrounded. To escape would be an extremely difficult endeavor?

At that, everyone looked towards the Sa Er Emperor.

“Sa Er Emperor, are you really in cahoots with the Divine Temple! How could you!”

The Sa Er Emperor had remained silent all this while. Faced with the group’s questions and condemnation, he only gave a bitter laugh.

Ji Fengyan said, “You are all mistaken. If the Sa Er Emperor was really in cahoots with the Divine Temple, he wouldn’t be trapped in the hall together with us.”

“Come to think of it, the Sa Er Emperor must have been under the Divine Temple’s threat. Have you already lost control over the Kingdom of Sa Er?” The Mo Shi Emperor suddenly asked.

The Sa Er Emperor nodded with a grim smile.

An as-I-expected expression crossed the Mo Shi Emperor’s face.

It stunned everyone. They had thought the Sa Er Emperor was just being subtle in front of the Divine Temple. Never did they expect that Sa Er was the first kingdom to suffer this nightmare.

“In reality, I am in the same situation as everyone, being trapped here. The guards outside are not part of Sa Er’s troops, but are the loyal subjects of the Divine Temple.” The Sa Er Emperor explained with another bitter smile.