"If the Heaven Dou Empire surrendered, Sect Master Tang, how exactly would you treat our imperial bloodline?" Xue Ye asked, struggling inwardly.
"Imperial Brother!" Prince Xue Xing cried out in astonishment. Didn't those words mean he wanted to surrender?
"After Heaven Dou surrenders, its imperial family will lose its imperial title and be reduced to princes. They will enjoy noble titles and stipends, and those titles may be inherited," Tang Xuan said.
"How much land will we be granted?" Xue Ye asked again.
Tang Xuan shook his head. "There will be no fiefs."
Xue Ye stared at Tang Xuan, his trembling voice carrying a trace of suppressed anger.
"You won't grant us even an inch of land? Isn't that too harsh?"
Tang Xuan answered calmly, "This is not a special exception. From now on, there will be no fiefs. All nobles will enjoy only their titles and stipends, with no right to hold fiefs. Heaven Dou's imperial family must move out of the palace and build a princely residence in Heaven Dou City or elsewhere. They will be subject to the laws of the nation."
"Your Majesty Xue Ye, war or surrender now rests on a single decision of yours," Tang Xuan reminded him.
Struggle and resentment crossed Xue Ye's face, but in the end, both gave way to helplessness.
"Heaven Dou is willing to surrender," Xue Ye said weakly.
"Your decision has spared Heaven Dou City the flames of war, Your Majesty. Its people will surely remember your kindness," Tang Xuan said with a smile. Neither Xue Ye nor Prince Xue Xing was in any mood to listen to his compliments now.
Tang Xuan took out the water of life, drew out a little with his soul power, and sent it into Xue Ye's mouth. Color visibly returned to