There was a cold indifference, a deep-seated resentment, and even a hint of barely perceptible sorrow in it.
His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only nodded in a very cold manner, without giving even a polite response.
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense.
Dai Hao's excitement froze slightly as he keenly sensed Huo Yuhao's icy demeanor that kept people at arm's length.
He opened his mouth, but didn't know how to break the awkward silence.
Just then, Tang Wutong stepped forward, a perfectly timed gentle smile blooming on her face, like a spring breeze brushing across an icy surface, easing the tense atmosphere.
"Marshal Dai, you flatter me. As a member of Shrek, it is Yuhao's duty to protect the peace of the continent and resist invasion. The Star Luo Empire soldiers fought valiantly, refusing to yield an inch of ground; their loyalty and courage are the true backbone of the empire. We have only done what we could."
Her words were appropriate and sincere, affirming Huo Yuhao's achievements and elevating the status of the Star Luo Empire soldiers, which eased Dai Hao's tense expression considerably.
"Your Majesty Wutong is too modest..." Dai Hao quickly said, feeling even more favorably disposed towards this woman's exquisite and perceptive nature.
Just then, a Soul Saint general dressed in the attire of a royal guard strode up the city wall and respectfully bowed to Huo Yuhao and Dai Hao:
" Your Spirit Ice, Your Majesty Wutong, Your Grace, Duke! His Majesty has decreed that both Your Majesties must immediately proceed to the Imperial Palace!"
"His Majesty has already hosted a banquet in the palace to personally thank the two Your Excellencies for their monumental contributions!"
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Tang Wutong. Tang Wutong nodded gently to him.
"Understood," Huo Yuhao replied casually.
Dai Hao immediately said, "Please follow me, I will guide the two Your Excellencies!"
The Star Luo Empire's Imperial Palace, its grand council hall resplendent in gold.
In stark contrast to the devastation at the front lines, this place retains its royal grandeur and opulence.
A huge crystal chandelier reflected a dazzling light, and a scarlet carpet laid out the path to the throne.
The air was filled with the scent of famous and precious incense.
Emperor Xu Jiawei, the old emperor who had shown remarkable resilience during the empire's crisis, was not sitting on his high throne at this moment, but was personally standing in the center of the hall waiting.
He looked older than he had a few years ago, with deep wrinkles and a pale face as if he had just recovered from a serious illness, but his eyes were unusually bright, filled with the relief of surviving a disaster and hope for the future.
Behind him stood a group of the empire's core ministers, all of whom stood respectfully.
When Huo Yuhao and Tang Wutong entered the main hall accompanied by Dai Hao, Xu Jiawei, supported by his attendants, excitedly stepped forward to greet them.
" Your Spirit Ice! Your Majesty Wutong! I... I have finally waited for you!"
Xu Jiawei's voice trembled uncontrollably, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"During this period of war, you turned the tide and saved the collapsing edifice! If it weren't for your two esteemed rulers, my Star Luo Empire... would have long since been reduced to ashes! I and countless people of the Star Luo Empire are eternally grateful!"
He actually bowed deeply to Huo Yuhao and Tang Wutong!
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" Tang Wutong exclaimed immediately, while a gentle force supported Xu Jiawei.
Huo Yuhao remained calm, merely nodding slightly.
"Your Majesty is too kind. Huo Yuhao's actions were merely following his heart, protecting what he should protect."
"Good! What a fine example of following one's heart! Protecting what should be protected!" Xu Jiawei straightened up, clapped his hands vigorously, and looked at Huo Yuhao with undisguised admiration and reliance.
" Your Spirit Ice's righteousness is beyond my ability to repay! From this day forward, the Star Luo Empire will be the strongest support for both Your Majesties!"
He surveyed his ministers, his voice suddenly rising in volume, carrying the decisiveness of an emperor:
"Issue my decree!"
" Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao, is hereby appointed as the Nation-Protecting Imperial Preceptor of the Star Luo Empire! His status is exalted; he is not required to kneel before the Emperor and holds supreme power over all military mobilization within the Empire, a position equivalent to that of a regent!"
"Your Majesty the Imperial Preceptor is granted the right to choose any fiefdom within the Empire, hereditary and without fail! You will also receive 30% of the Empire's annual revenue as tribute!"
"The Imperial Treasury is completely open to His Majesty the Grand Preceptor! Whatever he needs, he may take it! The entire Empire will do its utmost to provide!"
The series of rewards and honors were like a bombshell, causing all the officials in the hall to gasp in shock.
The Nation-Protecting Imperial Preceptor, whose position is equivalent to that of a regent, receives 30% of the empire's annual revenue and has his entire treasury fully opened!
This treatment surpasses that of any meritorious official throughout history.
They practically handed over half the power and resources of the empire.
Dai Hao stood to the side, his expression complex.
He understood that the emperor was making every effort to win over this young man with God Level combat power, even at the cost of breaking ancestral rules.
But seeing Huo Yuhao's calm and composed expression, as if all this immense power was just a passing cloud, a strong sense of unease welled up in his heart.
"Your Huo Yuhao's favor is too great for me," Huo Yuhao finally spoke, his voice still calm, without the slightest hint of excitement. "Titles and status are as insignificant to me as clouds."
" Star Luo Empire are also the foundation for Shrek's reconstruction, the balance that prevents the continent from being completely swallowed up by the torrent of Soul Tool."
"What Yuhao seeks is nothing more than a pure land where those who should be protected can find peace, and where the path that should be followed can continue. His Majesty's trust is the greatest support he can give me."
He neither refused nor showed any enthusiasm for power.
He simply viewed all of this as a tool, a resource that would allow him to better protect the pure land and path in his heart.
This detachment, ironically, made Xu Jiawei value it even more.
"Very well, Your Excellency, your noble character is truly gratifying," Xu Jiawei laughed, then said solemnly, "But the bestowal of honors must not be revoked. This is the empire's intention and the people's sentiment. I urge Your Excellency to accept them."
"If there is any need, whatever it may be, whatever it may be, as long as the Star Luo Empire can provide it, I will have no objection."
He looked intently at Huo Yuhao, his gaze filled with expectation and entrustment.
Huo Yuhao looked at the aged yet determined emperor, at the hope in his eyes for the future of the empire and for resisting the Sun Moon Empire, and finally, slowly nodded.
"Thank you very much for your trust, Your Majesty."
Huo Yuhao's voice remained calm, but this calm acceptance finally put Xu Jiawei and the entire Star Luo Empire's high-ranking officials at ease.
With this Nation-Protecting Imperial Preceptor, the Star Luo Empire seemed to have a real hope of surviving under the iron heel of the Sun Moon Empire, and even turning defeat into victory.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere became lively.
The officials stepped forward one after another to express their congratulations and respect to the newly appointed Imperial Advisor. "Excellent, Imperial Advisor, your noble character is truly gratifying," Xu Jiawei laughed, then said solemnly, "But the honors bestowed upon you cannot be denied. This is the sentiment of the Empire, and also the voice of the people. Please, Imperial Advisor, accept them."
"If there is any need, whatever it may be, whatever it may be, as long as the Star Luo Empire can provide it, I will have no objection."
He looked intently at Huo Yuhao, his gaze filled with expectation and entrustment.