"Qingyang, come back."
Seeing Huang Xingyue submit, and his objective achieved, Xu Chuan immediately recalled Feng Qingyang.
Though those people were not dead, their martial cultivation had been completely crippled. From now on, they would only be useless individuals.
This was considered the price for their loose tongues.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Feng Qingyang retracted his long staff and returned to Xu Chuan's side.
Although he hadn't had his fill.
He dared not disobey Xu Chuan's command.
Furthermore, he had never harbored any intention of defying Xu Chuan.
"Since the Great Desolate Dynasty has submitted, what just happened will be forgotten."
"However, Huang Xingyue, now it is time to settle matters between us!"
Xu Chuan's gaze was piercing as he looked at Huang Xingyue.
Under his scrutiny, Huang Xingyue trembled. The inevitable had finally arrived.
Public matters were public, private matters were private.
Now that public matters were resolved, it was naturally time to address private ones.
Moreover, Xu Chuan had used the word "settle," clearly intending to hold her accountable for that past incident.
This immediately threw her into disarray, unsure of how Xu Chuan would deal with her.
Meanwhile, Feng Qingyang and the others by Xu Chuan's side showed curiosity upon hearing his words.
They were unclear what had transpired between the Empress of the Great Desolate Dynasty and Xu Chuan.
Their gossip instincts surged.
After a long silence.
Huang Xingyue finally spoke.
She knew this hurdle was unavoidable.
It was better to face it with equanimity.
Now that the Great Desolate Dynasty had submitted to the Tai Yi Holy Land and become its vassal, the crisis of national extinction had been resolved.
Even if she were to die, it would have been worth it.
Her only regret was never breaking through the Half-Emperor realm in this lifetime to glimpse the scenery of the Emperor realm.
"Your Highness Xu Chuan, that day's events were all my doing. Yesterday's cause led to today's effect. Whether you wish to kill me or flay me, I will offer no resistance."
She slowly walked towards Xu Chuan, dropping all her defenses and awaiting Xu Chuan's judgment.
"Empress..."
The ministers of the Great Desolate Dynasty looked on with concern.
But they dared not make a move, fearing they would anger Xu Chuan again and bring about the destruction of their nation.
"You are quite forthright."
"That day, you chased me for thousands of miles and forcefully seized my inheritance with your immense power. It remains an unhealed wound in my heart!"
Xu Chuan landed on the ground and reached out to remove her veil.
That peerless face reappeared before Xu Chuan's eyes. He cupped her delicate chin and spoke in a deep voice.
His tone betrayed no hint of joy or animosity; it was terrifyingly placid.
Upon hearing this, they finally understood the root of the animosity between Huang Xingyue and Xu Chuan.
This was an obstruction of the path!
The kind that led to an irreconcilable feud!
The Tai Yi Holy Land faction regarded Huang Xingyue with indignant gazes.
At that time, she, a peak Half-Emperor realm expert, had actually attacked someone who had just entered the Heavenly King realm.
And had stolen his inheritance.
And this person was Xu Chuan.
Truly damnable!
The people of the Great Desolate Dynasty, however, fell into silence.
They understood that no words could help the situation now.
This grudge was too profound!
No one had the right to interfere!
"I understand that all of this is my own doing. I only hope that Your Highness will not trouble the common folk of the Great Desolate Dynasty after my death."
"They are all innocent."
Huang Xingyue had resigned herself to death.
She hoped her death would secure greater benefits for the Great Desolate Dynasty.
"We have a feud between us, so it is only natural for me to kill you. And yet you dare to make demands of me?"
Xu Chuan's voice turned cold, and a terrifying killing intent enveloped Huang Xingyue.
In an instant, the peerless Empress, under Xu Chuan's killing intent, knelt before him, trembling all over.
Her head was bowed so low it almost touched the ground; she dared not look up and meet Xu Chuan's gaze.
When had the warriors of the Great Desolate Dynasty ever seen their empress in such a state?
She had gained fame at a young age and her cultivation speed was incredibly swift, breaking through to the Half-Emperor realm in half the time of ordinary individuals.
After taking over the Great Desolate Dynasty, she had propelled it to another peak.
It vaguely showed signs of becoming the foremost among the Four Great Powers.
Throughout the Great Desolate Dynasty, no one did not respect and love Huang Xingyue.
Yet, no one had ever imagined she would end up in such a predicament today.
"Lift your head and look at me!"
Xu Chuan commanded.
Huang Xingyue dared not disobey.
She raised her head to look at Xu Chuan, but her eyes kept darting away.
"I am in a good mood today, so I will not kill you!"
"Consider yourself fortunate to have saved your life!"
"However, from now on, you shall be my maid!"
With Xu Chuan's pronouncement, the day's events finally concluded.
Everyone from the Tai Yi Holy Land looked on with surprised expressions.
A feud that obstructed the path, and yet it was so easily forgiven?
They could not help but marvel at how benevolent their Highness was!
The words, upon reaching the ears of the Great Desolate Dynasty contingent, also elicited expressions of joy.
Huang Xingyue would not die!
This was already the greatest mercy Xu Chuan could bestow!
Although her status had changed from Empress to maid, being able to survive was the best possible outcome.
Huang Xingyue's expression turned incredulous upon hearing Xu Chuan's words.
She was keenly aware of the animosity between them; her death would have been no more than she deserved.
Yet, she had never expected Xu Chuan to spare her life, with the only price being her becoming a maid!
Although the disparity was immense, for the sake of the Great Desolate Dynasty and to live, she could accept it.
"Thank you for Your Highness's benevolence!"
Huang Xingyue, acutely aware of her immense luck, quickly expressed her gratitude to Xu Chuan.
To this, Xu Chuan merely nodded faintly.
He had his considerations for making this decision.
The animosity between them was not as deep as the other party perceived.
The inheritance back then was not of great use to Xu Chuan.
Furthermore, Huang Xingyue's assertive actions in the Emperor's treasure vault had indirectly resolved many troubles for Xu Chuan.
The reason Xu Chuan held onto such a grudge was primarily due to her high-handedness and bullying of a weaker opponent, leading to his dissatisfaction.
Now, seeing her kneeling before him, having surrendered everything, the anger in his heart had dissipated.
He had now conquered the Southern Domain, and the experts of other forces in the Southern Domain were mostly wiped out.
It was a time when strong individuals were needed to maintain order.
And he was destined not to linger here for long.
Huang Xingyue was an excellent candidate.
Her own strength was already at the peak of the Half-Emperor realm, and she was the Empress of the Great Desolate Dynasty.
Having her suppress the Southern Domain and assist the Tai Yi disciples in controlling it was most fitting.
It was precisely for this reason that Xu Chuan had spared her life.
"Release your mind. I will implant a restriction within your soul. Should you dare to rebel, this restriction will instantly shred your soul, leading to utter destruction."
Although Xu Chuan could kill her with a mere flick of his wrist, this restriction was indispensable for complete control now.
"I respectfully obey Your Highness's command. Xingyue will never harbor any thought of rebellion!"
Huang Xingyue completely opened her mind and soul, allowing Xu Chuan to proceed.
Being able to salvage her life was already a great satisfaction; she would naturally not court death again.
Seeing this, Xu Chuan wasted no time. He formed hand seals, which transformed into a restriction, and placed it deep within Huang Xingyue's sea of consciousness.
Now, her life and death were entirely within Xu Chuan's command.
"Master!"
Huang Xingyue opened her eyes and respectfully addressed Xu Chuan.