“Do you realize that you have broken the rules, and thus can be rightfully impeached, and eventually forced to abdicate the Throne?”, the old man spoke with a hint of surprise in his tone.

“That does not matter, because of the reason I have issued this assembly in the first place…”, she said with a smile as people in the room had confused stares. She was way too calm for this situation, even closing her eyes for a moment to take a deep breath.

“I, Nie Xiwang, of the Nie Imperial Family…”, her next words, spoken as she opened her eyes with a sharp gaze, however, caused jaws to drop and eyes to become completely round throughout the room.

“…rightful Empress and ruler of the Wood Spirit Empire, Holder of the Imperial Scepter and the Keeper of the Imperial Scripture, the lesser titles and regalia omitted but not disregarded in the following statement, …”, her voice resounded not only in the room, but through the Spiritual Formation throughout the palace.

“…hereby officially proclaim my intent to I abdicate the Throne of the Empire, and thereby as consequence renounce my claim to all titles and regalia, named or omitted previously.

As my last Imperial Decree of highest order given by right of Imperial Scripture’s Last Command Directive, not subject to the power of Veto of the Imperial Council of Elders, I order to remove my name and likeness from the Nie Imperial Family Register and the Imperial Tree of Descent, as well as remove my name and likeness from the Imperial Scripture as the subject of the Empire, completely eliminating my ties to the Nie Imperial Family and the entirety of the Wood Spirit Empire.

I and Wu Long of the Azure Eagle Continent, including his associates, shall be granted irrevocable right of passage in the Imperial Palace until the moment we leave its grounds, and on the territory of the Empire open to the public indefinitely.

Simultaneously with my abdication, the Crown and Title is to be relegated to the previous Emperor, who shall recover all subsequent titles and regalia as consequence of his restoration to the Throne.

This Imperial Decree is to enter full force at the moment of my abdication and be treated as Legacy”

The golden scepter hit the floor, and the formation glowed a bright green color as a loud sound of a gong resounded over the capital, stopping movements and turning gazes of every citizen. Murmurs instantly going through crowds as people were in shock at this bolt of lightning from the blue.

“This is madness!”

“You think this will be allowed?!”

“Someone stop her before she hits the second-…!”

The Elders and all other Imperial Family members inside the Throne Room exploded in another uproar, as she effectively completely slipped their grip of authority the moment she abdicated with this last decree.

Even if her abdication was to their liking, that did not mean they would be so happy about her becoming essentially ‘free’ of all ties and entanglements. This way the authority each of them personally wielded meant nothing against her.

“I hereby announce my abdication is officially in effect!”

*Thud*

However, the scepter already made contact with the floor again, as the eyes of the people around filled with malevolence and frustration, loud cursing coming from some of the distant corners of the room.

“Ancestor! We have to…!”

The Elder turned to the old man who raised his hand, silencing the crowd as he looked into Nie Xiwang’s eyes.

The scepter slipped the hands of the former Empress of the Wood Spirit Empire, rising into the air above the Spiritual Formation, sending profound light green ripples, as the crown sitting in Nie Xiwang’s hair crafted after she took the throne and baptized by the scepter at coronation, cracked and its pieces fell to the floor, a tremor going through the entire palace, and another loud sound of a gong rose into the skies of the capital.

The scepter then floated down toward the both former and new Emperor who stood beside the Imperial Ancestor, an ecstatic expression appearing on his face as his eyes were brimming with delight at the sight of the coveted scepter that finally was coming back into his grasp, his hand stretched with greed.

“For whomever thinks they can now insult this Empress, not fearing someone with the status of a foreigner with no authority.

This Empress must remind you of the Imperial Law that allows one to settle differences with the outcome of death, with no repercussions from the Empire, so whoever is confident against me in battle can try their luck”

As Nie Xiwang saw the glances of some people who were thinking of causing petty trouble and she knew had loose tongues, she made a remark.

Her figure slightly floated into the air, as her swords made a very subtle quivering motion, instantly quelling the excitement that was budding within those who were suppressed from speaking against her for so long.

“Nie Xiwang! Don’t go too far!

You may no longer be a subject of the Empire, but intimidating members of the Imperial Family will not be tolerated!

Moreover, what ‘Empress’? You have already abdicated the throne, shall I remind you of it?”

The new Emperor, finally taking his eyes off of the scepter in his hands, spoke up, his gaze becoming full of vigor as his humble posture changed to one full of authority and dignity.

He could still remember that utterly humiliating moment when she forced him to abdicate the Throne. That time she was supported by the Imperial Ancestor, but now he knew she lost his support for sure, as she was not even a member of the Imperial Family anymore.

“It is not intimidation, only a warning for those foolish enough to open their mouths, as for the way this Empress speaks, your authority alone is far from being enough to dictate it”

Nie Xiwang leisurely said, snorting with ridicule at the pathetic in her eyes man and not bothering to explain why she still referred to herself as Empress, as the ‘bladed wings’ folded, forming small rows of swords behind her and she turned to Wu Long, her feet touching the floor and approaching him with lighthearted and excited steps.

“Shall we go now?”

“Mm, congratulations on taking off the burden”, Wu Long chuckled, nodding to her question as the two turned and started descending the podium the Throne stood on.