The silence after Bai Zhu's fall was thick, laden with shock and unspoken questions. Before anyone could move, the leader of the Military Force Branch, a man whose face was a map of scars and contained rage, strode toward the platform.
"Dong Zhen! This… this Qi of his, that flame! This is not the path of blood! This is—"
"Silence."
Dong Zhen's word was not loud, but it cut the protest like a blade. His authority, usually a constant presence, became a wall of ice.
He looked at the leader of the military branch, then swept his gaze over all the other leaders whose faces also showed confusion and alarm.
"No questions will be asked." Dong Zhen said, his voice making it clear that this was an order, not a suggestion.
"The decision has already been made. The truth that all saw is this. Kyrian won. He is the champion. The rules were clear. He used the power at his disposal."
He paused, allowing his words to weigh down.
