National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

With that, Ye Lingyun turned and left, her figure gradually disappearing into the darkness.

And the members of the Defense Team, kneeling on the ground, were filled with despair and fear.

The nightmare of the Great Jing Empire had only just begun,

and they were to become both its witnesses and its victims.

...

In the spacious yet oppressive office within the central government building,

when Ji Shengyue heard the news of the border Defense Team’s surrender, it was as if she had been struck by lightning. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed heavily into her chair.

Her eyes instantly became vacant and lifeless. Her once-straight back now slumped powerlessly like a kite with a broken string, all strength to support her body gone.

”How is this possible!”

Ji Shengyue suddenly shot up, slamming her hands down on the desk. The force sent papers scattering everywhere.

Her face flushed crimson, and veins bulged on her forehead like furious little snakes.

”Those useless fools! To just surrender like that! This is an absolute disgrace to the Great Jing Empire!”

Her voice, hoarse with fury, echoed through the vast, empty office.

Ji Shengyue paced back and forth in her office, cursing incessantly as she walked. ”What in the world were they thinking? As the Defense Team of the Great Jing Empire, how could they give up the fight so easily! Are they worthy of the people of the Great Jing Empire? Are they worthy of our predecessors who sacrificed their lives to protect this nation?”

Every word seemed to be squeezed through gritted teeth.

As her cursing continued, Ji Shengyue’s voice gradually faded, and her steps became unsteady.

Her face was a mask of powerlessness, despair, and collapse,

the surrender of the Defense Team meant the Great Jing Empire’s final line of defense had completely vanished into thin air.

Once, Ji Shengyue had ascended the throne full of ambition, believing she could lead the Great Jing Empire to an even more glorious future,

but now, it had all become a complete and utter joke.

Slowly, she walked to the window. Gazing out at the bustling city that was about to be plunged into darkness, tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.

”How did I let things get this bad...”

Ji Shengyue murmured, her voice filled with endless regret.

...

Meanwhile, in the streets and alleyways of the Great Jing Empire, the people had also heard the news.

In an instant, a shadow of fear fell over everyone.

A gray-haired old man, leaning on a cane with trembling hands, his face filled with terror, cried, ”What are we going to do? The Vampires are about to break through, and the Defense Team has surrendered!”

His voice trembled, thick with tears, and his eyes were full of dread for the future.

A young mother clutched her child tightly, tears streaming down her face. ”My child, what will become of us? We’re going to lose our home...”

Her shoulders trembled slightly, and her body curled in on itself out of fear, as if trying to build a safe barrier for her child with her embrace.

But many more began to curse Her Majesty the Queen.

In a bustling marketplace, a young man with a furious expression roared, ”Nothing has gone right for the Great Jing Empire since Ji Shengyue took the throne! Our lives used to be so peaceful. And now? Look at what a mess everything is!”

His eyes were wide with rage, and the veins on his neck bulged in anger.

”Exactly! So many people adored her back then, saying she was young, beautiful, and capable. Now it all looks like a complete joke!”

A middle-aged man nearby chimed in, his face etched with disappointment and resentment. He spat forcefully as he spoke.

”If Ji Shengyue hadn’t forced Chu He to leave back then, the Great Jing Empire would never have ended up like this!”

Someone in the crowd shouted the words, and they instantly resonated with everyone.

”Right! It’s all her fault!”

”We demand accountability for our future!”

The people’s curses grew louder as anger spread through the crowd.

An air of desperation filled the streets and alleys. Everyone worried for their own fate, feeling a deep despair for the future of the Great Jing Empire.

And at that moment, Ji Shengyue stood alone in her office in the central government building, listening to the faint sound of curses carrying from the streets below.

She understood that her rule was crumbling and that the Great Jing Empire was about to face a crisis of unprecedented scale...