Just about to leave Daxuan Camp.

As long as he gets out, his safety is guaranteed at least.

And once Emperor Daxuan chases out, he is bound to die!

"Giddy-up!" Gao Ziyue tightly grips the reins.

At the moment the cavalry is about to cross Daxuan Camp...

Suddenly, countless cavalrymen appear around them, holding bows with flames, encircling his twenty thousand elite soldiers.

Gao Ziyue’s heart tightens.

Victory is within reach.

At the last moment, all paths are suddenly cut off.

So many cavalry, as if they were pre-ambushed?!

Gao Ziyue doesn’t have time to think; he’s about to order a direct charge out of the encirclement when the sound of hooves echoes behind him.

Accompanied by a man’s low, indifferent voice, "The Crown Prince is truly courageous!"

Though it sounds like praise, it’s clearly sarcasm.

Sarcastic about his self-entrapped position.

Gao Ziyue turns his horse, seeing Emperor Daxuan just tens of meters away, staring coldly at him.

Surrounded by fires, illuminating Emperor Daxuan’s stern face brightly.

Gao Ziyue tightens his grip on the reins.

Knowing clearly, he’s failed.

Failed, then failed.

Though unwilling.

But Gao Ziyue is not one to fear death.

In this battle, he never thought he could return alive.

He raises his sword, about to order the charge to kill.

"I advise the Crown Prince not to act recklessly; once you give the order, your tens of thousands of cavalry will perish immediately!" Xiao Jinxing clearly sees Gao Ziyue’s intent and speaks frankly.

"I’d rather die fighting than kneel in surrender; Dog Emperor, don’t even think I’ll bow to you!" Gao Ziyue roars.

No matter how fearless, the current situation causes him to lose control of his emotions.

"Such vigor from the Crown Prince, I admire," Xiao Jinxing said, "May I propose a condition to the Crown Prince?"

"What is the Dog Emperor plotting? I’m a warrior who can be killed but not humiliated!" Gao Ziyue faces death with conviction.

"After a month of battling the Cang Kingdom’s army," Xiao Jinxing states directly, ignoring Gao Ziyue’s current mood, "Although the war situation now shows Cang Kingdom is bound to lose, its tenacious resistance has indeed caused Daxuan countless casualties. I don’t wish for continuous innocent loss. Now that the Crown Prince is here, let’s discuss a peace!"

"Wishful thinking!" Gao Ziyue firmly states, "Even if I die here today, my troops will continue fighting! Even if Cang Kingdom ultimately loses, its soldiers will definitely not become deserters; they will continue to command and die on the battlefield, never surrender!"

"Which is why a discussion is needed with the Crown Prince."

"I won’t discuss it!"

"I propose a solo duel with the Crown Prince." Xiao Jinxing said.

Gao Ziyue is slightly stunned.

He thought he wouldn’t fall for Emperor Daxuan’s tricks, nor would he compromise, but hearing this sentence clearly shakes him.

Yet, afraid Emperor Daxuan might deceive.

This battle has been full of hardships at the hands of Emperor Daxuan.

Cannot easily fall into his trap.

Xiao Jinxing sees Gao Ziyue silent, but evidently less resistant than before, and speaks again, "A solo duel, if I lose, I will allow the Crown Prince to leave, and I will keep my word! If I win, the Crown Prince must surrender and retreat, and swear never to invade Daxuan again!"

Gao Ziyue looks coldly at Xiao Jinxing.

His eyes full of scrutiny.

If only he had brought Du Jianghong, he wouldn’t have been unable to fathom this Dog Emperor’s thoughts.

Clearly, the Dog Emperor now gives him respect.

Captive in the Dog Emperor’s hands, he’s bound to die, yet the Dog Emperor allows him the chance to duel.

If he wins, the Dog Emperor lets him leave?!

Practicing martial arts for years, how could he lose to the Dog Emperor!

"The Crown Prince may consider, but I’d remind you, you have no other choice." Xiao Jinxing coldly declares, with authority.

Gao Ziyue grits his teeth.

He indeed has no other option now.

If he doesn’t agree with the Dog Emperor, he’ll be executed soon. Once he’s dead, the Cang army will inevitably retreat; though he said his soldiers would keep fighting, he knew it was meant for the Dog Emperor’s ears. In truth, he knew if he died here, Du Jianghong would likely plea to his father to surrender to minimize losses.

No way will they persist in fighting.

One way or another, it’s surrender.

Might as well gamble, he wants to see how formidable the Daxuan Dog Emperor really is!

Gao Ziyue is inherently impulsive and doesn’t think much.

He suddenly agrees, "Fine!"

Xiao Jinxing remains expressionless.

His tight grip on the reins relaxes slightly.

Inwardly, a little sigh of relief.

Today’s invasion by Gao Ziyue, the hardest part wasn’t capturing Gao Ziyue; the hardest part was ensuring Gao Ziyue lived.

He knew Gao Ziyue’s character well.

Rather die than yield.

Such a scenario, his impulse might lead to a reckless frontal fight, unwilling to fall captive, choosing to end his life once captured. He couldn’t let Gao Ziyue die, as his death would put An Ning in danger.

This method is the only way he could think to keep Gao Ziyue alive!

"Your Majesty." Yuan Wenkang is beside Xiao Jinxing, seeing the Emperor ready to ride out.

Xiao Jinxing’s eyes slightly move.

"Gao Ziyue has trained in martial arts since young, with extraordinary skills. Your Majesty should not take such a risky endeavor. Cang Kingdom is now falling apart; within five days, Cang Kingdom will surely abandon arms and retreat without needing to take risks in a duel with Gao Ziyue!"

"I’m aware." Xiao Jinxing said coldly.

Yuan Wenkang wants to say more.

Xiao Jinxing is already riding toward Gao Ziyue.

Gao Ziyue sees Xiao Jinxing approaching and charges at Xiao Jinxing recklessly on horseback.

Such a confrontation between generals.

Everyone attentively watches their respective commanders, focused and cautious.

"Emperor Daxuan, I truly admire your courage!" Gao Ziyue taunts.

Assuming Xiao Jinxing couldn’t possibly beat him.

"I also admire the Crown Prince for coming alone to my territory!"

"Cut the crap!" Gao Ziyue feels Xiao Jinxing is mocking him, "Let’s fight!"

Xiao Jinxing doesn’t say much more.

He draws his Treasure Sword.

Gao Ziyue holds up his bright sword.

The next moment.

Both soar off their warhorses.

Utilizing Qinggong, swiftly closing the distance.

The sky begins to dawn.

In the silent night.

The sound of swords clashing and fists and kicks ringing.

Gao Ziyue’s martial arts are indeed formidable.

Especially his power, even without stabbing with a sword, can shatter organs with his Inner Strength.

Xiao Jinxing remains at a disadvantage.

Mostly, Gao Ziyue attacks while he defends.

Gao Ziyue grows more confident.

Clearly realizing Xiao Jinxing has no way to counterattack, only barely avoiding harm.

Gao Ziyue grows increasingly aggressive.

Thinking of the times he’s been suppressed by Xiao Jinxing this battle, anger fuels his fiercer assaults, gaining an invincible stance.

Cang Kingdom’s elite soldiers watch, excited.

Believing certainly the Daxuan Emperor cannot beat their Crown Prince.

Compared to Cang Kingdom’s high morale, Daxuan’s army appears anxious, seeing the Emperor continually at a disadvantage, yearning to aid their Emperor!

If the Emperor actually loses, or worse, encounters incidents...

The consequences would be unimaginable!