If a criminal knows that what they've done will undoubtedly lead to death once discovered, the criminal will inevitably inflict maximum harm on the victim. Since it's the death penalty anyway, why not kill?
Of course, for criminals who lack empathy, it doesn't matter what kind of laws are made; they display the most bottomless evil of humanity. However, most criminals commit impulsive crimes and are very fearful during the crime, hence they consider their methods and the consequences.
The current situation is exactly like this. If Martial Emperor III doesn't agree to any conditions, then he's thoroughly cutting off the escape route for Ji Xinghe and Ji Rongxinyue, this grandfather-granddaughter pair. Given their explicit refusal to surrender and fearlessness in the face of death, Martial Emperor III's blind pursuit may ultimately result in only an AI life that harbors revenge against the Empire.
