The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: The Protagonist Must Die

Sikong Han gradually regained his composure in the silence of the Nine Dragon Hall. He hadn't expected the young sovereign to bring up this matter at the palace banquet. Witnessing the stunned expression on General Yunhui's face, Sikong Han felt a sudden tremor in his heart.

Before he could speak, General Yunhui bowed and said, "I was ignorant beforehand; I seek Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"Why did you, who knew nothing, go to collect the corpses of the dead in the wilderness?" Nie Jia's tone was indifferent, imposing fear upon the courtiers present.

Sikong Han knelt down, now realizing the intense pain in his wrist. Nevertheless, he couldn't dwell on it and spoke, "I requested General Yunhui to collect the corpses for the Sikong family. It was my negligence not to inform the general of the details."

Nie Jia sneered, "You, a mere left vanguard, have the audacity similar to Sikong Han. Collecting corpses for rebels – is it that you'll conspire against the court like Sikong Han in the future?"

"I dare not." Sikong Han bit his lip and lowered his head, saying, "I am just a insignificant soldier under General Sikong's command. I was fortunate to be promoted to the left vanguard by General Song. I dare not defy Your Majesty. I just felt that since General Sikong has passed away, why should the Sikong family of forty-nine innocents be left exposed in the wilderness?"

He wanted to question the tyrant on why he decided to exterminate the entire Sikong family. Sikong Han had guarded the northwest for many years, contributing countless military achievements to the Yan Kingdom. Five years ago, when the Qi Kingdom almost captured Zhuolu City, it was Sikong Han who led the reinforcements to reverse the situation. He saved his own life! With all these merits, why should the entire Sikong family be implicated? He hated it to the core, but at this moment, he could only endure.

Jun Changyue quickly added, "Your Highness only mentioned not allowing offerings to General Sikong's spirit. There was no order against collecting the Sikong family's corpses. The left vanguard has never been to Zhuolu City and has always obeyed General Sikong's orders... Your Highness knows that General Sikong has always been relied upon by the northwest military and civilians. The left vanguard still holds deep respect for General Sikong and it's understandable that he would collect the Sikong family's corpses."

General Yunhui, initially displeased at being deceived by Du Yuxian, now found the situation somewhat understandable and restrained his anger.

After all, he had also served under General Sikong's command. When the news of General Sikong's family being thrown on Qutou Slope reached the northwest, he, even without Du Yuxian's deceit, would have secretly buried them.

"What kind of person is Sikong Han?" Nie Jia threw his blood-stained blade about ten steps away.

Shi Chen immediately sheathed his sword, his tone icy, "A rebel."

"According to the laws of Great Yan, what should be done to traitors?" Nie Jia inquired.

Shi Chen walked down the throne step by step, bringing a chilling aura behind him. "According to the laws, rebels and their accomplices should be executed, and their families subjected to lingchi."

The voices of the two echoed like a thunderstorm in the Nine Dragon Hall, instilling fear in the hearts of the courtiers. The crime of rebellion, in any kingdom, was an unforgivable capital offense. Sikong Han's rebellion warranted the execution of his entire family. Who, other than Prince Jing, would be foolish enough to plead for a traitorous criminal?

Nie Jia kneeled before Sikong Han, grabbed his jaw, and forced him to look up.

Sikong Han's eyes revealed deep hatred, but Nie Jia coldly sneered, "The traitor Sikong deserves to die. I have only punished his direct lineage. Do you have any objections?"

"I dare not." Sikong Han hurriedly concealed his emotions. His jaw felt like it would be crushed by the young sovereign, despite the delicate fingers that looked like green onions and white jade.

"Should Sikong Han be killed?" Nie Jia asked.

Sikong Han's breath trembled, "Should be killed."

"Should the Sikong family be exterminated?" Nie Jia asked again.

Sikong Han, teeth almost bitten through, reluctantly replied, "Should be exterminated."

Nie Jia coldly stared into his eyes, the force of his fingertips becoming stronger. He said, maliciously, "So, now tell me, what kind of people are Sikong Han and his family?"

"Rebels," Sikong Han's chest heaved violently, feeling his dignity trampled.

"Don't you already know this?" Nie Jia mocked lightly.

"Brother," Jun Changyue, seeing Sikong Han's slight expression of pain, said anxiously, close to tears.

Nie Jia glanced indifferently at Jun Changyue, let go of Sikong Han, stood up, shook off his imperial robe, and loudly shouted, "Does anyone here have any objections?"

The thunderous voice, infused with imperial anger, echoed through the Nine Dragon Hall. Despite his young age, the imposing presence made everyone tremble in fear.

All the civil and military officials present, kneeling on the ground, exclaimed, "The wise decision of the Great King; we all bow in submission!"

"Very well. Since none of you have any objections, if anyone dares to mention Sikong as a hero of Yan again, bring his head to me!" Nie Jia surveyed the entire Nine Dragon Hall, highly satisfied with the current state of affairs.

He knew that the courtiers might curse him silently, but he didn't care. If anyone dared to openly oppose him, he would personally see to their demise!

Even if he lost the people's support, he didn't care about their opinions. He only needed to focus on his own affairs.

"As for you," Nie Jia's tone shifted as he looked at General Yunhui and Sikong Han kneeling not far away.

The words of the young sovereign just now were clear – Sikong Han deserved death. Did that mean he intended to kill him? The left vanguard had returned triumphant from the northwest, yet at this moment, none of the civil and military officials dared to plead for him. They all knelt on the ground, seemingly oblivious to what they had just heard.

This was the power of a sovereign; who dared to defy it.

Only Prince Jing remained uncertain. Jun Changyue was about to plead for Sikong Han, but he heard Xiao Guojun speak leisurely, "Du Yuxian has violated the royal law and deserves death. However, Prince Jing's words also make sense. The left vanguard, a mere soldier, does not understand how to serve a ruler. Since it is his first offense, spare him the death penalty, and let him receive punishment alongside General Yunhui."

Jun Changyue's nerves relaxed, and he felt completely drained. Sikong Han also abruptly closed his eyes, secretly sighing in relief. He never expected that after his rebirth, he would almost fall into Xiao Guojun's hands without doing anything.

"Do you remember what you said to this king earlier? What kind of people are the Sikong family?" Nie Jia walked up to Sikong Han, looking down at him with cold eyes.

Sikong Han's heart tightened. "Replying to Your Majesty, they are traitors."

"Since you buried the traitors, after receiving the punishment, go and dig out the bones of the traitors yourself!" Xiao Guojun's voice fell, and the courtiers gasped. How could such a cruel and inhumane act be allowed? But no one dared to speak out; they all knelt quietly.

Sikong Han's eyes widened for a moment, and Nie Jia appreciated his pain and suffering, calmly locking eyes with him.

Shortly after, Sikong Han knelt down, panting, "This humble servant obeys..."

"Yan Country belongs to this king. You must not go against this king's orders. Whatever you desire, ask this king for rewards. What this king gives you is yours. If this king doesn't give it, and you dare to snatch it, it's yours if you can take it. But if you can't, this king will take your lives!" Xiao Guojun waved his arm. "Dismissed."

The officials exited the Nine Dragon Hall like a tide, and Jun Changyue quickly helped the trembling Sikong Han to retreat. The palace banquet, which had just begun, hastily came to an end.

Nie Jia's brows carried a fierce and ominous aura. Stepping onto the throne, he raised a cup of strong wine and drank it in one gulp. The guards and palace servants remained kneeling on the ground, not daring to rise. Shi Chen, with a slight frown, approached Nie Jia, holding his wrist and softly saying, "Don't get drunk. Let's return to the Red Cloud Palace."

Nie Jia looked at him, nodded obediently, and was then lifted by Shi Chen, leaving the Nine Dragon Hall.

"You're not happy." The Red Cloud Palace had no lights. In the dim light, Shi Chen held Nie Jia, gently stroking his back.

Nie Jia, who had consumed a fair amount of alcohol, had red eyes. He lay on Shi Chen's chest, drowsy, devoid of the imposing majesty he displayed in the Nine Dragon Hall. His breath carried a faint scent of alcohol, appearing as defenseless as a small, unguarded animal.

He didn't speak, just rolled over on Shi Chen's body and continued lying down.

"The deceased is gone. Since they have been buried, let it be. Those are the souls entangled by Sikong Han. What are you arguing with the dead for?" Shi Chen spoke softly.

Nie Jia's eyes opened, and he sat up on the bed, becoming nervous. "Did I go too far? I'll immediately order to retract the command."

Shi Chen held his hand and smiled. "As you said, Yan Country is yours, and you are the king. Whatever you do is right. I just feel that you are not truly happy. You don't really want to see the souls disturbed."

"People have nothing once they die. There's no such thing as peace. The dead are just flesh and a clump of soil." Nie Jia lowered his head, avoiding Shi Chen's gaze.

Nie Jia understood in his heart that he had lost reverence for life. He had become the person he once detested the most.

He forcefully pulled his hand away from Shi Chen's grip, breathing nervously. "Leave, I want to be alone for a while."

Shi Chen, of course, didn't comply with his wish. He forcefully pulled Nie Jia's hand back, pressed it to his lips, and gently said, "In my lifetime, I have killed countless people, whether living or souls. But you care, you feel uncomfortable. Don't make it difficult for yourself. Your original self was fine."

He sensed it... Nie Jia looked at Shi Chen with bright eyes, the gentle eyebrows on Shi Chen that appeared so warm. His emotions had briefly spiraled out of control in the Nine Dragon Hall, and he had tried hard to restrain himself. He thought his disguise was flawless, but unexpectedly, Shi Chen saw through it all.

Nie Jia clenched his teeth, pounced forward, and, holding Shi Chen's neck, began to gasp heavily.

"I understand," he said softly.

Nie Jia wouldn't involve others. When he arrived in this world, the Sikong family had already been executed. If he had come a little earlier, he would still have killed Sikong Han. As for his family, they were considered accomplices in this era, but in Nie Jia's eyes, they were innocent. However, since they were already dead, it didn't matter to Nie Jia.

He tortured Sikong Han with the bones of the Sikong family without any hesitation. At the same time, he despised himself for lacking humanity.

Nie Jia lay in Shi Chen's arms, eyes closed, and the long eyelashes fluttered lightly. He would find his former self for the sake of Shi Chen.

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