The palace gates towered majestically.
The red walls and yellow roof tiles on either side gleamed in the sunlight.
After passing through several palace gates, the two arrived outside the Imperial Study.
The young eunuch stopped and bowed. "Please wait a moment, General. I will announce your arrival."
Chen Ye nodded and stood outside with his hands behind his back.
He spread his divine consciousness slightly, sensing several presences lurking in the shadows, all experts with considerable cultivation.
A moment later, the young eunuch opened the door and emerged. "General, His Majesty summons you."
Chen Ye stepped straight over the threshold and entered.
Inside the Imperial Study, the Shenwu Emperor, Yang Yuanchu, sat behind his desk in a bright yellow informal robe.
Chief Eunuch Liu He stood respectfully to one side, his head lowered in silence.
Chen Ye advanced several steps and offered a formal bow. "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
The Shenwu Emperor looked up at him. "Rise. You rushed into the palace claiming urgent military intelligence. What is the matter?"
Chen Ye rose, but rather than speak immediately, he glanced at Liu He standing nearby.
Noticing his unusual expression, the Shenwu Emperor said, "You may withdraw."
Liu He bowed. "This old servant obeys."
He backed out of the Imperial Study and gently closed the door.
For a moment, only sovereign and subject remained in the Imperial Study.
"Speak," the Shenwu Emperor said gravely. "What happened that made you so desperate to see me?"
Chen Ye drew a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I have just killed Xie Chongyi!"
"What did you say?" The Shenwu Emperor froze, then practically sprang to his feet. "You said you... killed Xie Chongyi?"
Xie Chongyi was the head of the Xie Family, a martial master