Chu Qin came_1

"Let's do this!" Emperor Xue Ye continued, "The Azure Dragon Duke has already arrived at the capital. How about he comes to the palace and confronts you all face to face?"

Hearing this, some of the forces, those marquises and dukes who were faint of heart, began to panic!

They had heard that this Azure Dragon Duke was the youngest Titled Douluo in history, and moreover, according to the intelligence they had, the Azure Dragon Duke seemed to have some connection with the Martial Soul Hall!

"May I ask Your Majesty, when will the Azure Dragon Duke arrive?"

Shangguan Yaqing asked. Although she was a woman, her power was the strongest among the Eight Great Families, commanding an army of six hundred thousand.

You see, the Tiandou Imperial Family only had an army of one million. Additionally, the family system that Shangguan Yaqing hailed from was somewhat similar to that of the Star Luo Royal Family. She had stood out through numerous assessments and thus feared nothing, not even Emperor Xue Ye himself.

"He should be here soon, no need to rush!" Emperor Xue Ye said with a nonchalant smile, "Haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Why not sit down and eat something?"

"No need, Your Majesty!" Osro replied, "We are not hungry!"

"You may not be hungry, but I am!"

Without waiting for those from the Eight Great Families to agree, Emperor Xue Ye had already ordered a fine steak to be brought over. Thereupon he began to cut the steak with a knife and fork, chewing carefully.

Seeing Emperor Xue Ye enjoying his meal, the members of the Eight Great Families couldn't help but swallow their saliva. In reality, waiting in the imperial palace outside, matters concerning the dignity of the Great Families had kept them from having breakfast.

Emperor Xue Ye had made them wait for a full hour before granting them an audience so not a drop of water had passed their lips!

At this moment, the people of the Eight Great Families all bore Chu Qin animosity, attributing all their grievances to him!

As time ticked by second after second, finally Sima Yulong could no longer sit still, "Your Majesty, may I dare to inquire when will the Azure Dragon Duke come?"

"The Azure Dragon Duke isn't under my control. Whenever he chooses to come is his freedom—you all wishing to see him will naturally need to wait!" Emperor Xue Ye spoke indifferently while continuing to eat his steak.

It was clear; Emperor Xue Ye was doing it on purpose, wishing to incite a rift between Chu Qin and the Eight Great Families!

He dared not make a move himself, but would Chu Qin also not dare? This was an individual with significant ties to both the Empress of Star Luo and the Pope of the Spirit Hall. Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect Yu Yuanzhen had been killed; what was there for Chu Qin to fear!

"This, Duke, is so infuriating!" Amongst the marquises and dukes, someone couldn't help but spit, "Beast!"

"Who just said that?" Emperor Xue Ye asked coldly.

"Your Majesty, it was from the Stephen Family, Marquis Stefan Zhan!" Li An replied.

"Insulting a duke, drag him out and give him twenty lashes!" Emperor Xue Ye ordered.

"Yes!" Upon hearing the order, Li An instantly appeared before the marquis, pulling him out from the crowd and dragging him directly out of the great hall!

Hearing Marquis Zhan's screams from outside, not one of the marquises or dukes, no matter how much resentment they harbored, dared to utter another word!

Another quarter of an hour passed.

"Your Majesty, if the Azure Dragon Duke does not come, are we to continue waiting here?" Osro finally could not help but speak up again.

"You may also return!" Emperor Xue Ye placed down the document in his hand and replied calmly, "Once the Azure Dragon Duke arrives at the palace, I will summon you all again!"

"Uncle Xue, sorry for being late!" Just then, the voice of Chu Qin rang from outside the door!

As his voice fell, Chu Qin, hand in hand with Xue Ke, strolled leisurely into the great hall.

Seeing Chu Qin, all the marquises and dukes were instantly filled with rage, wishing they could rush up and slap him. Only Shangguan Yaqing was not as impatient as they; her eyes glinted with an unusual radiance as she watched Chu Qin.

"Oh, Chu Qin, you've arrived!" Emperor Xue Ye looked at Chu Qin with a smile.

"Uncle Xue, I should have been here earlier, but I got a bit hungry on the way and stopped for a meal. I hope I haven't caused any trouble?" Chu Qin seemed to say deliberately.

"Not at all, not at all!" Emperor Xue Ye laughed. Meanwhile, the dukes and marquises from the Eight Great Families clenched their teeth in anger.

While they waited on an empty stomach, he had the gall to eat his fill before coming!

"May I know, Uncle Xue, why you summoned me?" Chu Qin asked with an indifferent smile, pretending to be oblivious.

"Chu Qin, it's not I who seeks you, but them!" Emperor Xue Ye turned towards the marquises and dukes from the Eight Great Families.

"This man is the only Kingly Peerage bestowed by my Tiandou Empire. Shouldn't you all pay your respects?" Emperor Xue Ye continued.

"We offer our respects to the Azure Dragon Duke!" The marquises and dukes all bowed slightly.

In the instant everyone bowed, Chu Qin noticed Shangguan Yaqing. To tell the truth, Chu Qin was a lascivious man, and he had a penchant for voluptuous women—Shangguan Yaqing could rival Su Jin Lin Dai and Zi Ji!

"Someone, offer a seat!" Emperor Xue Ye commanded.

Soon, guards brought over two chairs, upon which Chu Qin and Xue Ke seated themselves.

Seemingly deliberately, Chu Qin did not bid the others to rise. Sitting in his chair, he asked directly, "What do you want with me?"

The dukes and marquises, still bending, were caught off guard, and Osro had to look up and say, "Lord Wang Jue, our presence here concerns the Duke Stephen."

"Mm! Go on!" Chu Qin calmly replied.

"Duke Stephen was ambushed and killed outside of Sky Water City. And it's said that on that day, the Azure Dragon Duke killed Stephen's son, the City Lord of Sky Water City!" Osro spoke with an accusatory tone, "Could it be said that Duke Stephen's death is unrelated to the Azure Dragon Duke?"

"Related!" Chu Qin smiled faintly, "Yes, I killed Duke Stephen, and I personally beheaded him!"

Upon hearing this, all the marquises and dukes were both shocked and furious, yet Shangguan Yaqing, unlike the rest, remained slightly more composed.

Even Emperor Xue Ye was taken aback! He had originally wanted to cover for Chu Qin, but Chu Qin had admitted it outright!

After all, with Chu Qin's current power, who did he have to fear? Qian Daoliu had been dealt with obediently, let alone these minor disturbances!