StarCraft: The Extinction Commander is completely smitten.

Chapter 180 [180] Getting Involved
Dongfang Qingluan looked at her father in disbelief, tears instantly streaming down her face: "Father! Now that things have come to this, do you still think I slandered Mother?"

Her voice, choked with sobs, echoed through the empty valley, startling a flock of birds into flight.

"If you insist on becoming a traitor, then step over my dead body."

Dongfang Qingluan straightened her back, her eyes filled with determination.

She didn't want to see her father continue making mistakes, and she didn't want a father who betrayed his country.

The honor of her family and the safety of her country weighed heavily on her young shoulders.

She kept the Holy Mother's teachings in mind; she would no longer be anyone's pawn, she would be herself!
After saying that, she took out a dagger and slashed it across her own neck.

A flash of cold light, the sharp blade reflecting an icy glow.

At that moment, Dongfang Yinxiao was utterly devastated.

As the Right Chancellor of the Starry Sky Empire, he was always calm and composed, but at this moment, his daughter's actions completely threw him off balance.

His figure flashed towards Dongfang Qingluan like lightning, and just as the dagger in her hand was about to pierce her carotid artery, he caught the dagger with his bare hands!

Blood flowed down his palm, dripping onto the pure white wildflowers, its crimson color glaringly bright.

"Luan'er, why are you so cruel?"

Dongfang Yinxiao's voice trembled, his eyes filled with pain: "Wouldn't it be better to let Father immerse himself in his dream? It's Father's honor to be used by her! But how could you be so cruel? How could you shatter Father's beautiful dream?"

How could Dongfang Yinxiao, as the Right Chancellor of the Starry Sky Empire, be manipulated by a female?

Everything he did was of his own free will!
That woman was his ideal woman from his youth, and even though time has passed and she reappeared with ulterior motives, he was still happy to accept it.

He was immersed in past memories and illusory tenderness. Even though he knew she was using him and doing many shameful things, he was willing to pretend he didn't know and continue to be used by her.

But when faced with his only daughter threatening him with her life, he felt utterly hopeless and could not remain indifferent.

"Father, wake up!"

Dongfang Qingluan cried out, "Look at this world, look at the empire you have so loyally served. Are you going to destroy all of this for a mere illusion?"

Dongfang Yinxiao slowly released his grip, and the dagger fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

He collapsed to the ground, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

"Luan'er, your father was wrong..."

He muttered to himself, the confusion in his eyes gradually replaced by pain and regret.

Upon seeing this, Dongfang Qingluan threw herself into her father's arms and burst into tears.

This dramatic confrontation between father and daughter finally ended with the father's realization.

But they all understood that the road ahead was still difficult.

Although the plot to betray the country was temporarily thwarted, Dongfang Yinxiao's actions cannot be forgiven.

Dongfang Yinxiao knew he was guilty of grave sins and decided to atone with his death in order to protect his daughter.

Dongfang Qingluan wiped away her tears and stood beside her father. She knew she could no longer be the female hiding under her father's wing.

She would stand with her father to face the impending storm, to protect the Starry Sky Empire, and to protect their broken but still struggling home.

Xia Lanling was furious when she learned of this.

In the Emperor's residence, Dongfang Yinxiao knelt in the courtyard, listening to the impeachments and accusations from his former colleagues, remaining silent with his head bowed.

Dongfang Qingluan also knelt beside him, her back straight, her gaze fixed firmly on the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, Father was confused for a moment, but he has already realized his mistake."

"I implore Your Majesty to consider his many years of service to the Empire and to show leniency."

"Qingluan is willing to swear on her own life that Father will be loyal and devoted to the Emperor in the future." Dongfang Qingluan's voice was clear yet firm, only wanting to plead for her father.

Xia Lanling looked at Pei Yi with deep, unfathomable eyes, but Pei Yi looked away without any expression.

Xia Lanling was extremely frustrated. He frowned and pondered for a long time.

Finally, he spoke: "Dongfang Yinxiao, considering that you still have remorse and that your daughter is very righteous."

"I will not strip you of your position for now, but you must atone for your crimes by thoroughly investigating the remaining members of this treasonous conspiracy. If there are any further mishaps, you will be severely punished!"

This was because he was thinking of his beloved darling and valuing Dongfang Qingluan, so he temporarily let Dongfang Yinxiao off the hook.

If Dongfang Yinxiao remains obstinate, he will die without a burial place.

Dongfang Yinxiao and Dongfang Qingluan kowtowed to express their gratitude for the Emperor's great favor, their hearts heavy with sorrow.

They looked at the bustling yet treacherous streets outside the Emperor's residence, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Dongfang Yinxiao decided to plan for his daughter's future, while he would go after Qu Wan'er.

Without her, he wouldn't want to live even for a second.

At this moment, Dongfang Yinxiao quickly changed into the Right Prime Minister's uniform and looked at the Emperor's mansion, which was magnificent and decorated with carved beams and painted rafters.

Dongfang Yinxiao's robes swayed gently as he knelt. Although his posture remained upright, the white hair at his temples was particularly dazzling under the bright light in the room.

He looked up at the emperor, who stood high above him, exuding an aura of mystery and majesty, his eyes filled with earnestness and determination.

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty. Please do not blame Luan'er."

Dongfang Yinxiao's voice was deep and tinged with a sense of vicissitude.

After saying that, he turned slightly to the side and looked gently at Dongfang Qingluan, who was standing to the side with reddened eyes.

"Luan'er is still young, please take good care of her in the future, Your Majesty and Holy Mother."

The Emperor sat on a luxurious chair, his magnificent robes embroidered with golden patterns symbolizing supreme power.

He nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Dongfang Yinxiao and Dongfang Qingluan, his deep eyes revealing an unfathomable meaning.

Mu Xingyue, who arrived next, sat gracefully beside the Emperor, her face gentle and her demeanor elegant. She smiled softly, as warm as the spring sun: "Right Prime Minister, rest assured, we will take good care of Miss Qingluan."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yinxiao felt somewhat relieved. He respectfully bowed, then slowly rose and turned to walk out of the Emperor's residence.

Each step was steady and powerful, yet carried a hint of determination.

As Dongfang Qingluan watched her father's retreating figure, a strong sense of unease welled up in her heart.

In an instant, she realized what her father wanted to do.

"Father! No!!!"

Her voice burst from her throat, filled with endless fear and reluctance.

Tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes, blurring her vision.

She immediately lifted her skirt and chased after Dongfang Yinxiao.

But her speed was nowhere near that of Dongfang Yinxiao's swiftly departing figure.

Dongfang Yinxiao's figure was like a black lightning bolt, disappearing in the blink of an eye at the end of the long corridor outside the Emperor's mansion, leaving only a lingering shadow that gradually faded from Dongfang Qingluan's sight.

"Father!"

Dongfang Qingluan fell to the ground, scraping her knee and drawing blood, but she felt no pain at all.

She kept replaying the look in her father's eyes before he left, a look of resolute determination that showed he was ready to die!

She knew that her father had chosen to get involved in this mess in order to completely eliminate the dark forces; he believed it was the best choice, but also the most dangerous one!