"What do you desire?" Fang Dongming looked at Chu Mo confusedly. "In life, people generally seek fame and wealth. You're young, but I don't believe you don't understand this."

Chu Mo laughed, looking at Fang Dongming, "In life, what one seeks may not simply be limited to fame and wealth."

"What else then?" Fang Dongming frowned slightly, and then thought of the youth's mysterious and unparalleled master. He gazed at Chu Mo in astonishment, almost inconceivably, "Do you want to become an immortal? To live forever?"

Chu Mo looked at him with a smile yet not a smile, not saying a word, listening to the noisy sounds outside, looking at Fang Dongming, "General Fang…. Are you ready?"

At Chu Mo's words, a trace of loss flitted across Fang Dongming's eyes. He promptly replied, "Victory belongs to the winner while the defeated is always in the wrong. I have long been prepared! I surrendered.... not merely to survive! As I said before, I beg you not to kill the captives. I won't argue they are innocent, but those people can be used as labor or even become slaves. In any case…. spare their lives."

Chu Mo fell silent for a while, "I can't make that decision. However, I will try my best."

"Thank you very much!" Fang Dongming stood up shakily, deeply bowing towards Chu Mo.

...…

As the imperial city of the Great Xia, Yanhuang City was incomparably massive. Its towering city walls, on the horizon, resembled a gigantic, pitch-black dragon sprawling dozens of miles. It was so large that one couldn't see it in its entirety from a single viewpoint.

At this moment, within Yanhuang City, a welcoming procession emerged, an endless column too vast to comprehend.

Flags fluttered, the formation was impressive and the faces of all present were brimming with pride and honor.

This joy was heartfelt.

Nobody likes wars!

But, even more so, nobody wants to lose their homeland, the land upon which they depend for survival, and to be separated from their loved ones... Hence at this moment, the people of Yanhuang City... even the entire country of Great Xia, felt joyous.

The imperial procession, accompanied by loud drums and music, slowly approached with the emperor's palanquin.

All the soldiers in the miner corps, from senior figures such as Zhang Rong and He Xu down to every single soldier, their faces were filled with excitement. Many even had tears in their eyes.

As a soldier, to be personally greeted by the Emperor is the highest honor, a glory that can be passed down to future generations!

But at this moment, everyone instinctively looked towards the carriage that had now receded into the background. They all knew that inside that carriage, there was a remarkable youth.

It was him who brought them this honor!

At this moment in the hearts of everyone in the miner corps, the youth was more than just the initial impression they had of a naively dismissed emissary.

He was...the hero in their hearts!

"I, General Zhang Rong, pay my respects to my Emperor, long live the Emperor!" The chief of the miner corps, Zhang Rong, knelt before the Emperor's palanquin.

The others were about to follow suit and kneel down as well.

Just then, a sharp voice echoed out: "By the Emperor's decree, heroes need not kneel!"

Boom!

Upon hearing this, the faces of all the soldiers in the miner corps were filled with indescribable emotion.

At this moment, a figure emerged from the palanquin and then ascended the pre-arranged platform.

All the soldiers from the miner corps watched that figure clad in bright yellow robes intently as he ascended the platform. He then faced them and proclaimed in a loud voice: "My heroes, welcome home!"

"Long live the Emperor!" Thousands of the miner corps affirmed from the bottom of their hearts, their voices resounding to the heavens.

Even the Emperor's eyes held a tinge of excitement as he surveyed the crowd below. Suddenly, he spoke, "Where is Chu Mo? Where is my gifted person?"

The second prince, Xia Xiong, who was at the Emperor's side, had a myriad of feelings. With the Emperor's question, he knew that from this day forth, in Great Xia, Chu Mo's name...would be known by every household!

From this moment, he was no longer an ordinary youth. From this moment, this fourteen-year-old boy had truly reached the peak of power in Great Xia!

"Uh, young Master Chu...." Zhang Rong wiped his forehead. He suddenly remembered that this young man, while giving all the credit to them, did not come to meet the Emperor…. The audacity! What if someone tried to slander him during this time…?

Though, the chances are not high. It is unlikely that anyone would commit such a foolish act when the whole country is celebrating. But what if…?

Zhang Rong lifted his head and told the first lie of his life, "Your Majesty….Young Master Chu has come down with a slight ailment and is not fit to be exposed to wind. He asked me to inform you. I humbly ask that Your Majesty be understanding."

Fang Mingtong looked at Zhang Rong with a degree of surprise, thinking to himself: This little scoundrel, in a mere few days, has made good old Zhang Rong lie for him? Does his charisma really have such power?

He Xu, who stood aside, felt cold sweats trickling down his back. He thought to himself that Young Master Chu indeed had guts. Although he was letting go of the military achievements he did, he was also being disrespectful by not meeting the Emperor. Thankfully, General Zhang has finally learned to be adaptable.

The Emperor smiled lightly, "Alright, where is he? I will go see him."

With that, he walked directly down from the high platform.

At this moment, everyone at the side of the Emperor wore odd expressions. Previously, not everyone was aware of the Emperor's favor towards Chu Mo.

But now they all knew!

This wasn't mere favoritism; it was practically spoiling him!

Not everyone was aware of the key point here, so one of the young important ministers in the court quietly reminded, "Your Majesty….This isn't appropriate, is it?"

The Emperor glanced lightly at the young minister without uttering a word; he just walked off the high platform straight towards the miner corps' convoy.

The young minister wanted to say something but was silenced by a fierce glare from Fang Mingtong. He swallowed the words that were about to roll off his tongue, but his heart held a degree of dissatisfaction.

The credit goes to the soldiers of the miner corps, not to Chu Mo! Why is the Emperor showing him such high regard?

At this moment, Prince Xia Jing passed by the young Minister, and with a smirk, he said quietly, "The Emperor is in a good mood today." After saying this, he ignored the young minister and followed the Emperor.

The young minister was a little confused and completely didn't understand the meaning behind Prince Xia Jing's words. But as one who held a high position at a young age, his mind was not slow. After a brief calm analysis, he was suddenly covered in cold sweat.

He understood!

It wasn't understanding how great Chu Mo's contribution was but realizing that Chu Mo must be waiting behind for the Emperor's visit. There must be something significant inside this matter that he wasn't aware of!

When he saw Fang Mingtong and Xu Zhongliang, two of the big shots in the court, who without a word had followed the Emperor, a trace of fear appeared in his eyes.

He wiped his forehead, thinking to himself: Thank goodness I didn't speak recklessly!

---------------

11.11…

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