Having Two Chubby Babies!

Northern Barbarians.

After the victory celebrations concluded, Luo Shenhuang ordered the Divine Phoenix Army to return to the capital.

Soon, this barbarian land would be completely incorporated into the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, becoming a vast pasture for Great Zhou citizens to raise cattle and sheep!

And the speed of their triumphant return was naturally much faster than their journey there!

In just a few days, the Great Zhou Divine Phoenix Army returned to the vicinity of the Great Zhou border, resting within the previously occupied Northern Barbarian stronghold, Duan Yun Pass!

Although it had only been a little over a month, upon returning to Duan Yun Pass, Ding Hao felt a sense of emotion. After all, just a month ago, he was still a mere waste, a death row inmate. Now, he was a True Martial fifth-layer expert and had even been appointed as a new army commander by Luo Shenhuang ahead of schedule.

It could be said that in just over a month, he had completely defied fate!

"Imperial decree!"

On the same day the Divine Phoenix Army arrived at Duan Yun Pass, the eunuch Wang Weitong also arrived with three imperial decrees, two overt and one hidden.

Ding Hao was immediately summoned by Luo Shenhuang to receive the decree.

And not only him, but Zhang Dalong, Ding Yishan, and a host of other Divine Phoenix Army generals also came to the outskirts of Duan Yun Pass. Leading them was Luo Shenhuang herself, clad in golden armor and a red robe, with a bright silver saber at her waist!

Facing the Divine Phoenix Army soldiers stood a group of powerful eunuchs. Although their complexions were effeminate, their temples bulged significantly.

Their True Qi surged with immense power; they were all high-level True Martial experts.

Especially Wei Tong, the leader, whose aura was that of a Grandmaster Realm expert, even stronger than the Northern Barbarian commander, Man Potian, by three points.

"Such a powerful lineup!"

"It seems Xia Weiyang, that bitch, truly intends to not let Luo Shenhuang off the hook!"

Ding Hao frowned inwardly, and Ding Yishan and the others also wore solemn expressions.

"Divine Phoenix Army Commander, Luo Shenhuang, receive the imperial decree!"

Suddenly, Wei Tong shouted sternly and unfurled a scroll.

"This subject, Luo Shenhuang, receives the decree!" Luo Shenhuang immediately knelt.

Wei Tong's voice was sharp. "By the mandate of Heaven, the Empress decrees: Divine Phoenix Army Commander Luo Shenhuang, for disobeying the imperial order and presumptuously annihilating the barbarians... she is hereby ordered to disarm, abandon her saber, and be escorted back to the capital. Respect this decree!"

Although they had mentally prepared for this, the Divine Phoenix Army soldiers present let out a wave of shock and commotion upon hearing the decree!

Everyone's expression was filled with extreme indignation, unwillingness, and anger!

"Unfair! So unfair!"

"The Northern Barbarians deserved to be destroyed. You didn't destroy them, but our commander did, and instead of being rewarded, she's being punished. What kind of logic is this!"

"We refuse to accept this! The entire Divine Phoenix Army refuses to accept this decree!!"

Instantly.

Led by Ding Yishan, a group of Divine Phoenix Army soldiers stepped forward, with some of the more radical ones even drawing their sabers and swords.

"What?"

"What are you doing!"

"Are you trying to rebel?!"

Wei Tong, as if anticipating this, immediately rebuked them with anger!

The group of high-level True Martial eunuchs behind him also stepped forward, unleashing waves of astonishing and terrifying killing intent.

As the two sides were about to clash, Luo Shenhuang shouted, "Stand down!"

"Commander!"

"You can't accept this decree! If you do, your life will be ruined!"

"At worst, we'll... rebel!!"

Ding Yishan and the others were unwilling to back down, appearing ready to rebel!

This immediately drew a stern roar from Luo Shenhuang.

"Scoundrels, all of you, stand down, or face military law!"

Seeing that Luo Shenhuang was truly angry, Ding Yishan and the others reluctantly retreated.

In the next moment, Luo Shenhuang respectfully held the imperial decree in both hands. "This guilty subject, Luo Shenhuang, accepts the decree and expresses gratitude!"

Afterward, she removed her golden armor, discarded her silver saber, and voluntarily bound her hands, much to the anxiety of Ding Yishan and the others.

"Divine Phoenix Army death row inmate Ding Hao, step forward and receive the decree!"

Seeing Luo Shenhuang's cooperation, Wei Tong nodded and took out another imperial decree.

"Me?"

Ding Hao rejoiced, clearly this decree should be the one that freed him from his death row status. However, whether it would approve his appointment as commander was uncertain!

He immediately stepped forward to receive the decree. However, before his knees could even touch the ground, Wei Tong's voice rang out in advance. "By the mandate of Heaven, the Empress decrees... Respect this decree!"

After hearing the contents, Ding Hao's knees froze in mid-air. His initial joy and anticipation twisted into a knot of unease!

Even Luo Shenhuang, Ding Yishan, and the other Divine Phoenix Army soldiers were stunned!

Nobody knew Ding Hao's military achievements in the Northern Expedition better than they did!

First to Ascend!

Breaker of Formations!

Capture the Flag!

Slay the General!

All four major military merits were achieved, and he had saved Luo Shenhuang multiple times, frequently leading the Death Row Camp to complete all sorts of difficult missions!

And now, the imperial court wouldn't even waive his death row inmate status!

This was simply outrageous, treating them, the soldiers, like a joke!!

In an instant, the anger of the Divine Phoenix Army soldiers surged to its peak!

Only Zhang Dalong, standing nearby, had his grim expression instantly turn into overwhelming joy.

He couldn't help but clap and shout, "Hahaha, the Empress is wise! A death row inmate is still a death row inmate. Did he really think he wasn't a death row inmate just because he earned merits!"

"That's it!"

"It must be that dog Zhang Dalong's doing!"

Zhang Dalong's laughter made Ding Hao instantly understand the reason!

After all, Xia Weiyang hadn't known his true identity before, but this imperial decree clearly pointed out that he was the former Ding Hao!

If no one had snitched, he wouldn't believe it. And this informant was, and could only be—Zhang Dalong!

This caused his killing intent towards Zhang Dalong to reach an unprecedented level!

After all, Zhang Dalong's scheme had turned all his previous bloody battles, his four major military merits, and everything else into a joke!

"Bold death row inmate, why don't you accept the decree!" At this moment, a eunuch urged.

Veins bulged on Ding Hao's forehead. At this moment, he truly wanted to activate his Primordial Barbarian God bloodline and go on a bloody rampage without restraint!

He didn't even care if he died!

However, before he could impulsively draw his saber, Luo Shenhuang stepped forward and firmly stuffed the imperial decree into Ding Hao's hand, saying earnestly, "Ding Hao, don't be impulsive. There will be a turning point. Don't forget what I told you before, protect the Divine Phoenix Army!"

"I... Alright!"

Ding Hao wanted to say something, but in the end, he could only sigh and accept the imperial decree.

At this moment, Luo Shenhuang's beautiful and flawless face leaned close to Ding Hao's ear, and she whispered something only Ding Hao could hear.

"Ding Hao, it's a real shame. If I weren't the commander of the Divine Phoenix Army, I would have loved to marry you and have two chubby babies with you!"

Ding Hao's expression froze, and he was slightly dazed. Images of his time with Luo Shenhuang involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Carrying Luo Shenhuang to break through!

Tending to each other in a cave to detoxify!

Healing in the central army tent!

And so on.

But as the fleeting shadows of time dissipated, Luo Shenhuang was already being escorted away by Wei Tong and others, leaving behind only a desolate and sorrowful silhouette!

"What do we do?"

"What are we going to do?"

"Are we just going to watch our commander be escorted back to the imperial court like this!"

A group of Divine Phoenix Army generals were extremely anxious, unable to suppress their anger, wishing they could directly lead their troops to snatch Luo Shenhuang back!

Ding Yishan was also anxious, but he had already learned in advance that Luo Shenhuang had appointed Ding Hao as the commander and asked him to assist.

So, he immediately looked at Ding Hao and asked in a deep voice, "Ding Hao, what do we do? Are we really going to stand by and watch Commander Luo fall into the imperial court's hands and face an unknown fate!"

Ding Hao did not respond. However, as he scanned his surroundings, he noticed that Zhang Dalong had disappeared from the scene at some point