The huge crowds of people entering and leaving the city gate at this moment were all surprised to see this scene.
When had they ever seen the generals and soldiers defending the city show such great courtesy to passing vehicles?
A passerby whispered:
"You don't know, this is the newly promoted Duke of Zhuguo, Ye Chen, the most popular person in front of the empress. Of course they dare not neglect him!"
"Not only that, the Duke of Zhuguo has military merits. A few days ago, he almost single-handedly turned the tide of the war with the Blazing Sun Divine Kingdom. Not only did he recapture the lost territory in the extreme south, but he also counterattacked and occupied the extreme north of the Blazing Sun Divine Kingdom. He can be said to be the first person in the Xuanbing Divine Kingdom to expand its territory in hundreds of years. How can such a great hero not be respected?"
"The Duke of Zhuguo is truly amazing. If there weren't so many people, I would have wanted to go up and kowtow to him."
"But have you heard? Duke Zhuguo seems to be back this time to fight a life-and-death battle with Grand Duke Ao Li."
"I don't know why they both had to do this. When two tigers fight, one of them is bound to get hurt..."
“…”
Ye Chen naturally had no time to pay attention to what others were saying. After signaling the soldiers to stand up, the carriage continued to move forward.
Afterwards, the news that Ye Chen had returned to the royal city spread like wildfire, and eventually became a hot topic throughout the city.
After all, rumors about the two dukes going to fight to the death have been brewing throughout the royal city for more than a month.
The topic remained hot, and was widely discussed in teahouses and restaurants throughout the royal city.
Inside the Ao clan mansion.
After hearing the news from his servant, Ao Li immediately stood up from the mat.
With his fists clenched and his eyes blazing, he said, "I've been waiting for this day for a long time! I want to go to the palace and see the emperor immediately!"
Ao Li didn't even get in the carriage, but ran towards the temple with big strides and lightning speed.
When he arrived outside the temple, he was stopped by the temple guards.
The Divine Palace is a sensitive place, and no matter how angry Ao Li is, he dare not force his way in. He does not have the privilege of walking in the palace like Ye Chen. If he really forces his way in, even his own ancestor, the King of Heaven, may not be able to protect him.
"I want to see the emperor! I want to go to the palace to see the emperor!!"
Ao Li was shouting outside the palace, his eyes wide open with anger.
Not long after, Xue Yuxia walked out of the palace. Looking at Ao Li, whose brain was completely irrational and overwhelmed by his emotions, she shook her head helplessly, her eyes full of disappointment.
She said indifferently, "Duke Ao Li, please wait a moment. His Majesty is discussing state affairs with Zhuguogong Ye Chen and will summon you shortly."
"May I ask, Lord Xue, besides His Majesty and Ye Chen, who else is present?"
"Besides this, there is no one else."
Ao Li couldn't help but yelled, "Are they discussing state affairs or love affairs? What state affairs can only be discussed between the two of them alone? Why can't I come in and discuss it together?"
Xue Yuxia's face suddenly turned cold when she heard this. How could the empress allow others to slander her words and deeds!
But just as Xue Yuxia was about to start scolding, a majestic and cold female voice suddenly came from behind her:
"Ao Li, you are becoming more and more unruly. Do you think the punishment I give you is not enough?"
When Xue Yuxia saw that it was the empress herself, she immediately knelt down with the surrounding guards.
When Ao Li saw his goddess, there was another young man standing next to her. The distance between them was very close, with their shoulders almost touching.
The expression on Ye Chen's face and his behavior did not show any of the restraint of a subject. Instead, standing next to the empress, he gave people a feeling that they were made for each other.
Seeing this, Ao Li became even more excited and roared uncontrollably, "Your Majesty, I will fight Ye Chen to the death right now!"
The Xuanbing Empress looked at him coldly and said indifferently, "I have agreed to the life-and-death battle between you and the Duke of Zhuguo. I will notify you of the specific date. I, the other Heavenly Kings, and the civil and military officials will watch together. You may return first."
"His Majesty……"
"Um--?"
The Queen Xuanbing glared at him with her majestic phoenix eyes, and Ao Li had no choice but to endure and agree.
Ao Li immediately looked at Ye Chen again, sneered fiercely and said, "Ye Chen, I'll let you live a few more days. See you on the day of our duel!"
After saying this, he suddenly turned and left.
Glancing at Ao Li's departing back, the Empress looked at Ye Chen again and transmitted her voice, "Everything is going according to plan. Three days from now, I will have Xue Yuxia notify Mo Wusheng to come to the Xuanbing Palace under the pretext of watching a duel. Once the time is ripe... I and the Xuanjing Heavenly King will take action immediately!"
Ye Chen nodded slightly and said in the same voice transmission: "During this period, no information can be leaked. Before executing this plan, only heaven and earth know about it, you and I know about it. Even the Black Crystal King cannot be told in advance!"
The Xuanbing Empress nodded slightly and said, "Okay, everything is up to you."
After a pause, she asked, "Why did you secretly send your personal soldiers into the Xuanbing Palace in advance? You must know that a powerful Divine King cannot be defeated by relying on human waves. The key still depends on the performance of me and the Xuanjing Heavenly King."
Ye Chen said: "Of course I know that the human wave tactic is useless. This is just a backup plan just in case."
"A backup plan just in case?"
The empress frowned slightly.
"It's best not to use it...you'll know when the time comes." Ye Chen shrugged.
The Empress didn't ask any more questions. After a moment's silence, she continued, "After this matter is dealt with, do you really intend to fight Ao Li to the death?"
Ye Chen spread his hands and said, "Didn't you also see how he looked just now? If I didn't agree to him, how could he let it go?"
He thought the Empress was worried about Ao Li. After all, Ao Li was the most valued grandson of the Cold Chi Heavenly King. He immediately comforted her, "Don't worry. When the time comes in the ring, I will spare his life."
The empress glanced at him and snorted coldly, "Ao Li is a great cultivator in the Heavenly Sovereign Realm. I am worried that you might be killed by Ao Li."
Ye Chen couldn't help laughing and said, "You don't have to worry about this. Even if there are ten Ao Li, I won't take them seriously."
"This is not the time to joke!" The empress said coldly with a serious face.
"I'm not kidding."
Ye Chen sighed and said helplessly: "You think that this Emperor is too weak. If I can't even deal with Ao Li, how can I talk about reviving Daxia?"
…
In the blink of an eye.
Three days passed quietly.
Xue Yuxia set out from the Xuanbing Temple with a team of royal guards and first came to the Leng clan mansion.
Arriving directly at a house in the deepest part, Xue Yuxia said respectfully, "Heavenly King Xuan Jing, His Majesty has ordered that you proceed to Xuan Bing Palace immediately. No delay!"
After a moment of silence, the voice of the Black Crystal Heavenly King was heard from inside the room: "This King understands."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone felt the stars appearing around them, and then in the blink of an eye, the Black Crystal King disappeared in this space.
A look of awe appeared in Xue Yuxia's eyes. She bowed again towards the empty house in front of her, then turned and walked outside.
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