Luo Xiaofeng paused, startled. What were these words? Would they never be at peace unless he exacted justice? They were his subjects; what did their sacrifice matter to him?

Yet, Luo Xiaofeng clearly understood the kind of man Ye Jingyu was, harboring no blame. Instead, he spoke, "Heh heh, for my dear minister to show such compassion for his subordinates is truly the fortune of our Shu Yun Kingdom. You have rendered an immense service this time, but this merit is difficult to bestow with a noble title. You have now reached the Innate Realm. I possess my own set of cultivation techniques here; take this and study it. I hope you can break through to the Grandmaster Realm soon…"

"Many thanks, Your Majesty…" Ye Jingyu bowed again, yet felt completely indifferent inside. While this cultivation method might be precious, even vital, to others, it meant nothing to him. After all, his current strength allowed him to contend with a Great Grandmaster…

Still, his face displayed an expression of mingled surprise and elation. This was, after all, a cultivation technique bestowed by the Sovereign Lord; such an honor was unheard of among everyone in the Shu Yun Kingdom…

Seeing Ye Jingyu’s delighted look, Luo Xiaofeng nodded with a faint smile. In his view, having gifted such an important technique to Ye Jingyu, the man ought to be overwhelmingly grateful…

Of course, in addition to this technique, Luo Xiaofeng also instructed Ye Jingyu’s Iron Army to prepare for expansion. Although he concurrently held the rank of Chiliarch while searching for the White Lotus Sword Canon, he was still the Great General personally appointed by the Sovereign. It simply wouldn't do for his personal army to remain only a few thousand strong…

Furthermore, with the Tianyuan Empire now in great chaos, not only the Iron Army was expanding; all four major legions of Shu Yun, as well as the Shadow Army, were undergoing expansion. Luo Xiaofeng harbored ambition, and possessed the courage to realize it, so he had to prepare for the impending turmoil…

The expansion of the Iron Army was naturally the best news for Ye Jingyu, more important than any reward. He thanked Luo Xiaofeng profusely with joy and promptly withdrew from the Imperial Study…

Eunuch Yan stood outside the door of the Imperial Study. Seeing Ye Jingyu emerge, he greeted him with a wide smile, insisting on escorting him out of the palace. Ye Jingyu, however, politely declined. To joke, the man was the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace; his coming to greet him was already a great show of respect. For him to escort him out would be too much honor…

Walking through the palace in high spirits, his mind preoccupied with the matter of troop expansion, Ye Jingyu reflected that with so many secret manuals in his possession, he could select a cadre of loyal subordinates and forge the strongest army on the Dou Hun Continent. Then, the Four Great Legions—Wind, Cloud, Thunder, and Lightning—would all have to step aside…

Of course, this was a long-term process. Ye Jingyu was neither rushed nor worried…

As for the detailed news concerning the Tianyuan Empire, since Luo Xiaofeng had not mentioned it, Ye Jingyu had no intention of asking. After all, that was the Sovereign’s problem, not his own…

All the way, his eyes constantly darted towards the graceful and beautiful palace maids. He had to admit, although the position of Sovereign Lord was usually quite taxing, having so many beauties attend to him daily—that life was truly blessed, wasn't it?

He was a Great General now; perhaps he should also keep a few beauties at his residence? Even if he did nothing, merely looking at them would be pleasing to the eye, right?

The thought of beauties instantly brought to mind Gongsun Xiangyi’s exquisite figure in the mountain forest that day. Perhaps it was time he conquered his ophidiophobia and bid farewell to his virginity?

"Little Yezi, stop right there for me…" Just as Ye Jingyu was lost in daydreaming, a clear voice called out from behind him, causing his entire body to jolt…

Turning around, he saw Luo Ling’er, clad in a light yellow dress, standing below the corridor with her hands on her hips, her face flushed with anger, her large eyes staring intently at him…

"Greetings, Princess…" This was the royal palace; Ye Jingyu naturally would not address Luo Ling’er by name directly. However, seeing her somewhat annoyed demeanor amused him, though he couldn't quite grasp why she was so upset. Could it be that she could read his mind?

"Do you still have me, the Princess, in your heart?" Luo Ling’er asked with a soft pout…

"Princess, what kind of talk is that? In this humble official's heart, the Princess shines like the vast bright moon, constantly illuminating my thoughts. How could I ever forget the Princess?" Ye Jingyu flashed a mischievous smile…

"Really?" Luo Ling’er looked utterly unconvinced… Ye Jingyu had been gone for over a month, and Luo Ruofeng had been busy recruiting soldiers due to the Tianyuan Empire situation, leaving her no time. She had been utterly bored these past days. Upon finally hearing news of Ye Jingyu’s return, she was shocked that the fellow hadn't even sent someone to notify her…

"Heh heh, the Princess’s heart is like a clear mirror. Even if Jingyu had the guts to deceive the Princess, he couldn't manage it," Ye Jingyu replied in a gentle tone, his smile growing even brighter…

"Hmph, I don't care if you're telling the truth or not. I haven't left the palace in ages, and I want you to take me out to have some fun right now," Luo Ling’er bypassed Ye Jingyu’s flattery and stated her demand very directly…

"Ah, how can that be? The Princess is a Golden Branch and Jade Leaf. The areas outside the palace are fraught with danger at this time…"

"I don't care. If you are still my Little Yezi, you must take me out of the palace today… I want to eat roast duck," Luo Ling’er interrupted before Ye Jingyu could finish, her attitude firm and admitting no refusal…

Ye Jingyu froze entirely, meticulously savoring Luo Ling’er’s words in his mind. If you are still my Little Yezi—when did he become her Little Yezi? Did this mean she had somehow discerned his feelings and accepted them? The thought made Ye Jingyu’s heart drift, floating higher and higher…

"Princess, rest assured. Leave this matter to me," facing Luo Ling’er’s moist, large eyes, Ye Jingyu found himself incapable of saying no…

An hour later, all the diners on the second floor of the most prosperous Yun Man Tower in Yunjing witnessed an extremely bizarre scene…

A young lady, clad in luxurious attire, possessing an exquisitely cute appearance, clearly a highborn daughter, was hunched over the table, utterly disregarding decorum as she devoured the delicious roast duck. Her hands and mouth were slick with grease, and beside her lay a large pile of bones completely stripped clean of meat…

How bizarre this was, how shocking! One could imagine it: a petite, lovely-faced girl wolfing down food like a monster. Such a stark contrast was overwhelmingly striking, yet there was one person beside her, wearing a faint smile, a smile tinged with an uncontainable happiness…