"They're really insolent!" Yingji exclaimed angrily, "Come, let's head into the city!"

Her confidence was evident, partly because of the Dust King Ring on her left hand that made her feel powerful, and partly because of Chen Hao, who stood behind her wielding the Sword of Dust. She believed that since her ex-husband Chen Ji had entrusted the Sword of Dust to Chen Hao, Chen Hao must possess extraordinary abilities.

Deep down, she was ready to take control of the Dust Tribe.

Before long, Yingji led her people into the city.

The soldiers from different factions and the Dust Tribe people lining the main streets of the city were all shocked to see the return of the queen.

Many thought she had died.

The news quickly reached the ears of the High Priest and the Great Protector. Upon hearing it, both were thrown into a panic.

The queen's return signified the end of their dreams of usurping the throne.

Therefore, independently yet simultaneously, they made the same decision: to send archers and assassins to kill the queen.

Under the bright light of day, with all eyes on them, they dared not openly send troops to confront the queen.

As Yingji led her group down the street, just hundreds of meters away from the palace, "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh," numerous poisoned arrows shot out from either side of the street, all aimed at Yingji alone.

At that moment, Yingji raised her left hand, adorned with the Dust King Ring, and instantly, a myriad of light burst forth from the Dust King Ring, turning the flying arrows into dust.

Then, countless figures in black emerged, surrounding Yingji with a multitude of blade and sword shadows.

The Dust King Ring emitted a myriad of light again, shrouding the blade and sword shadows. Once the light faded, those figures in black, like the arrows before, turned to dust, never to return.

After that, no more dangers presented themselves until the queen led her people into the palace. Inside the city, the Dust Tribe people and the soldiers talked amongst themselves about the miraculous ring in the queen's hand.

Fortunately, even though there was fighting between the factions of the High Priest and the Great Protector, the conflict had not spread to the northern part of the palace.

Once seated in the council hall, Yingji ordered, "Now that the Dust King Ring is back in the hands of the royal family, summon the High Priest and the Great Protector to behold the holy artifact."

Yingji was smart; she didn't summon the High Priest and the Great Protector in her own name, but in the name of the Dust King Ring. By doing so, she was directly showing her strength to them, with the obvious intention of compelling their submission and avoiding bloodshed within the city.

As the edict was delivered to the High Priest and the Great Protector, news of the mysterious ring in Yingji's grasp quickly spread throughout the city.

Upon hearing the news, the Dust Tribe people began flocking to the palace, chanting the queen's name outside its gates, eager for a glimpse of the holy artifact that symbolized the tribe's supreme authority.

Before long, Yingji stepped in front of the palace gates and, in view of her people, raised the Dust King Ring high.

Upon seeing the Dust King Ring, the Dust Tribe people knelt down and worshipped reverently.

Hearing that the queen had won the hearts of the people through the Dust King Ring, the High Priest and the Great Protector were forced by the situation to enter the palace to offer their respects to the holy artifact, the Dust King Ring.

Watching the High Priest and the Great Protector arrive one after the other at the palace gates, Yingji, along with her entourage, turned and headed for the council hall.

Halfway there, Yingji slowed her pace, came to stand beside Chen Hao, and said coolly, "I need you to do something. Once the High Priest and the Great Protector enter the hall, kill them immediately with the Sword of Dust!"

"Kill them!" Chen Hao's eyes gleamed with a fierce light, surprised that Yingji could be so cruel and ruthless.

"What's so surprising about that!" Ye Yuqiao sent a secret message to Chen Hao, "Don't you forget, she's the one who could frame even her previous husband — she's never been a good person."

With narrowed eyes, Yingji nodded slightly and said coldly, "That's right, I need to establish my authority by killing them. In doing so, no one will dare to defy my control of the power in the future!"

"Then, after you pass away, who do you plan to let succeed the title of Dust King?"

"Chen Ji and I have a daughter!" Yingji answered crisply, "Because she bears a resemblance to me, Chen Yu couldn't bring himself to kill her. My son wasn't so lucky; he looked too much like Chen Ji!"

Chen Hao sighed briefly, pondering for a moment before agreeing to Yingji's request.

A quarter of an hour later, Yingji led the others into the main hall. Once she had taken her seat, she then summoned the High Priest and the Great Protector to enter the hall for an audience.

Afterwards, she gave Chen Hao a meaningful look.

Chen Hao nodded in understanding. Then, as the High Priest and the Great Protector walked side by side into the council hall, he swiftly stepped forward, and in his hands, a great amount of dust coalesced to form the Sword of Dust.

The High Priest and the Great Protector hadn't even had the chance to react before they were beheaded by Chen Hao with the Sword of Dust.

With a thud, their bodies fell backward onto the ground and immediately turned into piles of dust.

Seeing this, the elders and protectors of the Dust Tribe inside the hall were petrified, their faces turning pale.

"These two traitors have been executed by the Sword of Dust!" Yingji declared authoritatively, "Send the order down, all associates of these two traitors are to be sentenced to death!"

Looking at Yingji's cold demeanor at that moment, Chen Hao couldn't help but feel a chill. He regretted, unsure whether the decision to leave Yingji in charge of the Dust Realm was right or wrong, fearing that Yingji might become a tyrannical queen.

At the same time, Chen Hao felt a newfound admiration for the Dust King. Fortunately, the Dust King had the foresight to leave a curse on the Dust King Ring before disappearing, restraining Yingji.

"Ah! The Sword of Dust, so this is indeed the Sword of Dust!" The crowd exclaimed in amazement, looking at the sword in their hands with reverence.

"Your Majesty, this is not right!" Chen Hao publicly contested Yingji's decision in front of everyone, "Now that the leaders of the rebellion have been removed, it is better to grant clemency to the rest. The tribe has yet to recover from this great chaos and should aim for swift reconciliation rather than further killings."

"You!" Yingji was noticeably displeased.

Chen Hao glared at Yingji, lifting the Sword of Dust in his hand as a reminder not to forget the curse placed upon the Dust King Ring.

After a tense exchange of gazes, Yingji finally backed down.

"You make a good point, so have it your way," Yingji said with closed eyes, reluctant and unwilling, "Send the order down, I am willing to pardon everyone who participated in the rebellion, as long as they are willing to submit now. All past actions will be forgiven. But if they persist in their foolishness, then they cannot blame me for being ruthless!"

"Yes!" Several guards received the order and immediately left the palace to proclaim Yingji's decree.

Shortly thereafter, Yingji invited Chen Hao to her side, then took his hand to help herself up. In a loud voice before the elders and protectors in the hall, she announced, "Since the Great King was tragically killed by an assassin, in accordance with the king's last wish, I will temporarily succeed the throne and take charge of the tribe's affairs, with Princess Chen Mu as the future heir to the throne."

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