Personal Vengeance

Emperor Jin Xuan shook his head, utterly unconvinced. "Nonsense! How could anyone not want to be emperor? Supreme power—what man could possibly resist that!?"

Alexander Hayes looked at Emperor Jin Xuan with disdain. "Imperial power may be tempting, but I have no interest in it. Besides, Princess Lily Hayes values her freedom. If she were forced into the palace as empress, bound by endless rules and confined to that narrow world, she would be miserable. My wife has great ambitions, and I intend to help her realize them."

Emperor Jin Xuan was dumbstruck. He never imagined Alexander Hayes would refuse the throne simply because Princess Lily Hayes disliked being constrained by palace rules and didn't want to live there!

To Emperor Jin Xuan, whose life revolved around power, such a reason sounded utterly childish.

For the sake of the throne, Emperor Jin Xuan could even kill his own brother and sister-in-law. He simply couldn't believe any man would give up imperial power for a woman.

Alexander Hayes understood well—someone like Emperor Jin Xuan would never comprehend his feelings.

Alexander Hayes tapped Emperor Jin Xuan's cheek with the tip of his sword. "Hand over the Imperial Seal and I'll give you a quick death."

Emperor Jin Xuan sat frozen, unmoving. Losing patience, Alexander Hayes ordered his men to search for the Imperial Seal. Sure enough, they found it on the body of a dead royal guard.

With the Imperial Seal stamped on the decree, Alexander Hayes tucked it away, then looked at Emperor Jin Xuan. "I've obtained the Imperial Seal. You're no longer useful. Think about how you'll face my father and mother in the afterlife—I'll send you on your way now."

Emperor Jin Xuan looked up in despair, knowing his death was imminent and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

The Empress wailed in terror, her cries bordering on madness.

Emperor Jin Xuan listened to the Empress's sobs. Suddenly, he picked up the sword from the floor and, without warning, stabbed it into her chest.

Caught off guard, the Empress was run through. Blood dripped from her lips as she stared wide-eyed, collapsing beside Prince Ling.

Emperor Jin Xuan pulled out the blade and swiped it at his own neck, only for the sword to be knocked from his hand by Alexander Hayes’s blade.

"What now!?" Emperor Jin Xuan glared at Alexander Hayes. "You won’t even let me keep a shred of dignity?"

Alexander Hayes looked at Emperor Jin Xuan, his voice calm: "The vengeance for my father and mother—I must exact it myself. You want an honorable suicide? I won’t allow it! I want you beheaded, your bones ground to dust, and you forbidden from burial in the Zhao royal mausoleum!"

"You!" Emperor Jin Xuan’s eyes widened in fury. To be decapitated and denied a burial was the ultimate humiliation!

Alexander Hayes gazed at Emperor Jin Xuan—the sovereign he had served for years, the man who murdered his parents. He took a deep breath, then his sword flashed. Emperor Jin Xuan’s head rolled to the floor, blood spraying everywhere.

Alexander Hayes stared at the corpse for a long time before exhaling deeply. Without expression, he turned and ordered, "Burn the bodies of these three and scatter their ashes in the dung pit."

"Yes, Your Highness."

From Clearwater Academy across the street from Prince of Qin’s Manor, the sound of recitation drifted over. The children weren’t reading the usual classics, but foreign languages that outsiders couldn’t understand.

The Firestorm Battalion, led by Alexander Hayes, quietly assembled outside the manor. He gazed at the academy’s dark entrance and pushed open the door.

Inside, the academy was peaceful, punctuated by bursts of children’s laughter. The cheerful atmosphere seemed to cleanse away all traces of violence—even Alexander Hayes felt his heart relax.

In that moment, he understood why Lily Evans loved teaching and spending time with these children.

Alexander Hayes stood at the classroom door, watching Mr. Morris give a lesson to the children.