Granted the Title of King!

Zhu Zhuqing's matter was merely a minor episode on the journey home.

The fate of an unfamiliar girl was nowhere near enough to stir Luo Li's emotions.

The White Robe Army continued on its journey home.

Heaven Dou City

The Heaven Dou Emperor, Xue Ye, received news early on from the messengers that the White Robe Army had returned in triumph.

He immediately ordered the news of their victory to be spread throughout the city.

Heaven Dou City was festooned with decorations, welcoming the White Robe Army's triumphant return.

Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, stood atop a pavilion belonging to the Crown Prince's estate in Heaven Dou City, watching everything below with a slight frown on her delicate brows.

What is that old man Xue Ye thinking?

Qian Renxue had not expected Xue Ye to make such a grand spectacle out of the White Robe Army's return.

After all, she knew very well that the White Robe Army and Marquis White Robe, Luo Li, had always been figures Xue Ye both loved and hated.

Logically, that old man Xue Ye should have been deeply wary of Marquis White Robe, whose achievements were already beginning to overshadow his sovereign. Why would he deliberately create such a grand display to welcome Marquis White Robe's return?

Could it be...

That old man found a way to restrain Marquis White Robe?

Qian Renxue furrowed her brows, unable to understand what method Xue Ye had come up with.

After all, she had tried quite a few methods over the years, yet she had never seen one produce results.

"Your Highness, Marquis White Robe has arrived," the maid beside her reminded her softly.

Qian Renxue raised her eyes and looked over.

A figure in white, mounted on a white horse, appeared at the edge of Heaven Dou City.

His snow-white hair was simply tied behind him, and his exquisitely handsome features were flawless.

The plain white robes on his body bore no unnecessary decorations, yet they made him appear exceptionally noble and magnificent.

Though it was not her first time seeing that face, Qian Renxue could not help but be amazed by it every time.

"Marquis!"

"White Robe God of War!"

Having received the news long ago, Luo Li's female admirers and young ladies from wealthy families who had been waiting nearby cried out and waved at him.

The scene resembled a fan meeting from Luo Li's past life.

Fortunately, Xue Ye had anticipated this and dispatched personnel specifically to maintain order, preventing the scene from descending into chaos.

"The general is as popular as ever."

Lieutenant Shen Bei and several squad captains looked at the scene and could not help but sigh softly.

The rest of the White Robe Army had already returned to their families. Only these representative figures had followed Luo Li to meet the Emperor and receive their rewards.

Otherwise, if the massive White Robe Army that answered only to Luo Li had entered the city, Xue Ye might not have been able to sit still.

Luo Li gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

From the pavilion, Qian Renxue took it all in.

With such popular prestige, could that old man Xue Ye truly rest easy?

"Enough. It is time to go see him."

Qian Renxue lightly tapped the railing before her, then turned and descended from the pavilion.

Under the order maintained by the royal guards arranged by Xue Ye, Luo Li and his group arrived smoothly at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

"Welcome back in triumph, my dear Marquis White Robe!"

Xue Ye, clad in imperial robes, came forward from afar.

"Your Majesty."

Luo Li spoke calmly, neither servile nor overbearing.

He did not kneel before the Emperor, and he was permitted to wear his sword and boots into the hall. These were privileges belonging to Marquis White Robe, Luo Li.

In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, only he and Ge Long possessed such privileges.

As he looked at the youth in white before him, a complex glint flashed through Xue Ye's eyes.

After reigning for so long, this was the first time Xue Ye had encountered someone so extraordinarily talented.

By comparison, his own princes paled considerably.

Even Xue Qinghe, the most outstanding among them, was far inferior.

To put it bluntly, if Xue Qinghe had been as exceptional as the youth before him, Xue Ye would not have cared in the slightest about the deaths of his other princes.

He would not even have needed to issue any warnings.

He could have handed over the throne without a single concern.

With a suitable successor for the empire, Xue Ye would not have cared even if all the other princes died.

He now knew very clearly that his physical condition would not sustain him for much longer. Choosing a suitable future for the empire was his only hope.

Therefore...

Xue Ye's gaze grew deep. He became even more convinced that the decision he had made not long ago was correct.

"Minister Luo, everyone is waiting for you inside. Let us go!"

Xue Ye laughed heartily.

At the same time, a figure approached from outside the palace gates.

"Brother Luo, Father."

The newcomer was Qian Renxue in the guise of Xue Qinghe.

As always, a gentle smile rested on her face.

"Qinghe, you came at just the right time. Come with us."

A subtle change passed through Xue Ye's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

Of course, he knew Qian Renxue had not appeared here by chance.

The group headed toward one of the great halls.

Along the way, palace maids carrying all manner of delicacies could be seen constantly entering and leaving.

A banquet had already been prepared in the hall, and the invited ministers had been waiting there for quite some time.

Upon seeing Xue Ye and Luo Li arrive, the ministers already seated at the banquet rose to their feet and bowed.

Xue Ye raised a hand slightly. "Rise, my ministers."

Qian Renxue casually swept her gaze over those present.

Sure enough, she spotted the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng.

This fellow...

Qian Renxue's gaze deepened.

Xue Ye had not personally invited any princes to this banquet.

Xue Beng was usually an utter playboy, either frequenting brothels or indulging himself in his residence. He had never attended non-mandatory banquets such as this.

Yet he had appeared here today. Qian Renxue could not help but think more deeply about it.

As expected, this useless prince still hasn't given up...

Qian Renxue had not acted against Xue Beng not because she had gone softhearted.

Rather, Xue Ye had already warned her in private, hinting that she should not go too far.

Furthermore, Xue Beng's playboy act had indeed deceived Qian Renxue, making her believe that he posed no threat. Thus, she had not continued to act against him, lest things backfire.

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze.

Although Xue Beng's presence here proved he was not being obedient, Qian Renxue did not take it to heart.

Proud by nature, she did not regard this useless prince as worthy of her attention.

She took her seat.

As Emperor, Xue Ye naturally sat in the seat of honor.

Luo Li, as the central figure of this banquet, sat in the seat below him.

As Crown Prince, Qian Renxue sat not far from Luo Li, among the foremost seats beneath the two of them.

Also seated there were Marshal Ge Long, the empire's second-ranking military figure and former top commander.

As well as Xue Beng, with his status as a prince, and Xue Ke, with her status as a princess.

The banquet proceeded normally, and Luo Li received countless words of praise.

Everyone knew very well that after this triumphant return, Luo Li would undoubtedly become the empire's undisputed foremost minister. No one wanted to miss the chance to build a good relationship with him.

Luo Li did not deliberately humor them.

Apart from responding to a few people he found tolerable, Luo Li ignored nearly all the others who flattered him and offered him wine.

With his status, he could already act largely as he pleased.

The banquet gradually reached its height.

Figures clad in light gauze danced gracefully in the center of the hall.

Xue Ye set down his wine cup and coughed softly.

The previously noisy hall instantly fell silent.

Countless gazes turned toward the Emperor.

They knew that what came next concerned Heaven Dou's foremost minister.

How would Xue Ye treat Marquis White Robe?

Other than Xue Ye himself, no one knew.

"This time, Marquis White Robe, Luo Li, has once again won a splendid victory for the empire."

"In recognition of his illustrious military achievements, I hereby bestow this reward."

Xue Ye gestured, and the eunuch behind him stepped forward holding an imperial decree and began to read it aloud.

His shrill voice echoed throughout the hall:

"Iron cavalry trampled the flames of war, and golden spears swept away the dust and haze across the nine borders."

"Your achievements cover mountains and rivers, your might shakes the eight directions, and the realm rests secure through your service."

"Therefore, I divide the land and grant Marquis White Robe, Luo Li, the title of King Frost Extreme!"

"Mountains and rivers shall be your seal, sun and moon your banners. Guard the Northern Frontier forever."

"May your loyal heart and blood preserve the empire for all eternity!"

Granted the title of King!