# Chapter 1416: Exposure
Between men and women, there are many wondrous emotional paradoxes.
For instance, Mu Xuanyin's heartstrings had been touched back then when Yun Che risked his life to charge at the ancient Jiao dragon for her sake. But afterward, what she feared most, what she could not tolerate, was precisely Yun Che's life-risking actions—whether for himself or for others.
This subtle change, Mu Bingyun, who had never experienced it, truly could not understand.
"You want him to return so urgently because you're afraid he'll find out about the 'Evil Infant'?" Mu Bingyun asked.
"In his understanding, Tiansha Xingshen and Tianlangxing Shen have been dead for three years." Mu Xuanyin said slowly. "I have witnessed the gradually worsening calamity on Lan Ji Star these past few years. His sudden return to Yin Xue Realm this time is indeed only to resolve his increasingly uncontrollable tribulation."
"..." Mu Bingyun was stunned for a moment, her snow-white face showing some complexity: "These past few years, have you often gone to Lan Ji Star?"
"..." Mu Xuanyin's icy eyes moved slightly, then she averted her gaze from Mu Bingyun's direct stare and said coldly: "That is not important!"
After a brief pause, Mu Xuanyin continued: "What he said earlier should all be true. However, if he does not get the answers he wants, or if he finds that he is powerless to act, or if the Zhou Tian Assembly, gathering all Divine Lords, is already sufficient to deal with the Crimson Calamity, then he will have no reason to remain in the Divine Realm taking great risks, and will instead obediently return."
"But, if he learns that Tiansha Xingshen is still alive, and has become the Evil Infant that the entire Divine Realm fears and hunts... what will happen?" Mu Xuanyin closed her eyes: "Will he still go back?"
Mu Bingyun: "..."
"Given his personality and the special bond between them, even if Tiansha Xingshen has become the Evil Infant, he will still spare no effort to find her, and then stand by her side... even if it means standing against the entire Divine Realm."
On this point, neither Mu Xuanyin nor Mu Bingyun had any doubt.
"If it comes to that, anyone can legitimately punish him for 'consorting with the Evil Infant.' Those who hate him or covet his possessions won't even need to resort to underhanded schemes. And given Yun Che's nature, even knowing full well the consequences, he will never hesitate or back down."
Mu Xuanyin had seen Yun Che's character clearly over the years. It was precisely because of such a person that those who loved him would give everything for him, while those who hated him wished to grind his bones to dust: "If I were the Evil Infant, I would absolutely not want him to know I was still alive."
"I understand. I understand all of this." Mu Bingyun sighed softly: "But sister..."
"If you were Yun Che, and he was the Evil Infant... then would you want him to forever remain in memories that can never return, or would you be willing to stand against the entire world..."
She did not finish the second half of her sentence. Mu Xuanyin stood frozen, her breathing slightly disturbed.
Taking a deep look at Mu Xuanyin's profile, Mu Bingyun's gaze swept over the barrier that sealed Yun Che. With a complicated heart, she silently walked away.
The snowflakes outside the sacred hall fell in a chaotic dance. Mu Bingyun walked through the snow, her steps slow. Only when she was within ten steps did she notice Mu Feixue standing there.
"Bingyun Palace Master." Mu Feixue bowed.
"Feixue..." Mu Bingyun turned around, her voice gentle: "The fact that Yun Che is still alive must never be told to anyone."
"Yes." Mu Feixue bit her lip, as if wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Do you want to ask how Yun Che is now?" She caught Mu Feixue's evasive gaze and sighed inwardly: Yun Che... truly a jinx.
Mu Feixue lowered her head and said softly: "Just now, Master seemed very angry."
In all the years she had followed Mu Xuanyin, she had never seen her angry.
"She is always like this with Yun Che, no need to worry." Mu Bingyun glanced at her and said: "He is currently under confinement by your master. You won't be able to see him for now, and don't disturb your master."
Although it was only a twelve-hour confinement for Yun Che, Mu Bingyun knew very well that it was not Yun Che but Mu Xuanyin whose thoughts were truly in turmoil, needing time to think and recover.
"Yes, disciple understands. I will stay here and not approach without Master's orders." Mu Feixue said.
"Mm." Mu Bingyun nodded and walked past Mu Feixue. After a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned her head slightly, and said softly: "Feixue, the sect has never forbidden Ice Phoenix women from falling in love. Throughout history, the direct-line Ice Phoenix daughters have lived alone simply because they were unwilling, not unable. So you don't need to restrain yourself."
Mu Feixue looked up, at a loss.
"Ice Phoenix women find it extremely difficult to develop romantic feelings due to their bloodline and profound arts. If a man stirs your heartstrings, it is not a sin but rather a blessing. In this world, not only status and power must be fought for through one's own efforts, but emotions as well. And... perhaps they are worth even more effort."
"On this point, you must never learn from your master."
"..." Mu Feixue stood there stunned. Every word Mu Bingyun said felt like a dream.
Not only her, but after saying these words, even Mu Bingyun herself was stunned for a long time... as if she could not believe such words had come from her own mouth.
She didn't even know why she suddenly said these things... especially to Mu Feixue.
---
In the Yue Shen Realm, the Moon God Sacred Hall.
Xia Qingyue stood before a mirror, her beautiful eyes closed. Beside her, two bright-eyed, white-toothed maidens were helping her change clothes. Both girls were peerlessly beautiful, their temperaments as noble as the bright moon in the sky, but standing next to Xia Qingyue, their radiance was all dimmed.
She was the first female Divine Emperor in the history of the Yue Shen Realm. The Moon Emperor's attire was extremely elaborate. The two girls worked for a while before finally and carefully removing the outer robe, revealing a tight, light purple inner garment.
Beneath the moon robes, her celestial body's curves were astonishingly slender and graceful. Her rounded shoulders and collarbones seemed like heavenly crafted jade, and the exposed skin shimmered with an ice-snow glow. Perhaps to conceal her figure, her inner garment was especially tight, straining to contain her full, overflowing bosom.
The maidens attending her involuntarily had dazed eyes, their breathing slightly erratic. This was not their first time seeing Xia Qingyue's jade body, but each time, even as women, they were dazzled, fantasizing about which man in the world would be fortunate enough to enjoy her beneath him.
At that moment, hurried footsteps arrived, accompanied by uneven breathing. Soon, a girl in a silver dress came behind her and knelt: "Master..."
"Jin Yue," Xia Qingyue said softly, "It's rare to see you in such a hurry. Could it be that something has changed with the Crimson Crack or the Zhou Tian Assembly?"
"Reporting to Master," Jin Yue said urgently, "I just received news that Yun Che is still alive. He did not die, and is currently in Yin Xue Realm."
"Ah..." The maidens beside Xia Qingyue gasped simultaneously, then took a small step back, lowering their heads, not daring to make a sound.
"..." Xia Qingyue's beautiful eyes opened: "Say that again."
"Yun Che is currently in Yin Xue Realm. The rumor three years ago that he died in the Xing Shen Realm... is very likely false." Jin Yue said with her head bowed. Having been by Xia Qingyue's side all these years, she knew better than anyone what the name 'Yun Che' meant to her.
The Moon God Sacred Hall fell silent, long without sound.
"Where did this news come from?" Xia Qingyue turned around and spoke slowly.
"It is from the Shengyu Realm." Jin Yue replied.
"When did the news come?" Xia Qingyue asked again.
"Jin Yue just received the news and reported it immediately." Jin Yue's breathing was still uneven: "Yun Che has just returned to Yin Xue Realm. It should have been no more than six hours."
Xia Qingyue's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
She knew well that Yun Che was extremely skilled in disguise and concealment. If he was truly alive, given his situation, he should have been extremely cautious when appearing. How could someone know about it less than six hours after he returned to Yin Xue Realm?
And... the Shengyu Realm!?
"Can this news be confirmed?" she asked. Her jade face was calm and alert, but she seemed to have forgotten that she had removed her outer robe, her icy bones and jade skin releasing a splendor and allure that could make even demons drool and submit.
Yun Che's death was confirmed by the Zhou Tian God Realm. It could not be false.
"Jin Yue dares not be certain." Jin Yue said cautiously: "However, there is another piece of confirmable news: the Star-Breaking Hall of the Shengyu Realm left at full speed an hour ago, heading in a direction that is very likely toward Yin Xue Realm."
The Star-Destroying Ship and the Star-Breaking Hall were the two most famous profound ships of the Shengyu Realm. The former was the main profound ship of the Shengyu Realm, while the latter was the fastest, and could be said to be the fastest profound ship outside the King Realms.
And its owner was none other than Luo Changsheng!
Xia Qingyue's expression slightly darkened. Her gaze was dazed, and she murmured as if to herself: "If the Star-Breaking Hall is indeed heading to Yin Xue Realm... then the news that Yun Che is still alive might be true."
"Master, in the God-Sealing Battle of the Xuan God Assembly four years ago, Luo Changsheng suffered a crushing defeat at Yun Che's hands, greatly damaging his reputation, making it the greatest shame of his life. Could it be that after learning Yun Che is alive, he intends to vent his hatred?" said the maiden on the right.
"No," Xia Qingyue shook her head slightly: "After three thousand years in the Zhou Tian Realm, Luo Changsheng has become a seventh-level Divine Lord, renowned across the realms. Many praise that he might someday reach the height of a Divine Emperor. If Luo Changsheng were to make a move against Yun Che now, it would not only reopen old wounds and lower his status, but would also make everyone look down on him."
Xia Qingyue paused for a moment, then slowly spoke a name: "It is Luo Guxie."
The three moon-clad maidens' eyes all moved sharply.
Indeed, for Luo Changsheng to actively provoke Yun Che now would be to destroy his own soaring reputation. As for Luo Guxie... the people of the Eastern Divine Region would not forget how, during the God-Sealing Battle back then, in order to protect Luo Changsheng who was being brutally beaten by Yun Che, she actually attacked Yun Che with a Divine Lord's posture, right in front of the countless strong from Zhou Tian and the Eastern Region... and with killing intent...
But instead, she was heavily injured by the Heavenly Dao Calamity Thunder remaining on Yun Che's body.
That pale lightning bolt not only pierced through her body but also destroyed her lifelong reputation, making her a laughingstock of the Eastern Region.
If she heard the news that Yun Che was still alive, she would surely be stirred by this immense humiliation and immediately rush to find him... Anyone who had seen that scene back then would not find it strange.
"Jin Yue," Xia Qingyue stepped forward, "Come with me to a certain place."
"Is it... Yin Xue Realm?" Jin Yue asked.
"No, it is another place." Xia Qingyue's eyes were like cold stars, her face expressionless: "We have received the news. Then that person has no reason not to receive it as well. And she will be even more eager than Luo Guxie to find Yun Che."
Jin Yue was stunned, then her face paled: "Master, could it be..."
"Let's go!" Xia Qingyue took Jin Yue's arm.
"Ah! Master, your clothes..."
From behind came the maidens' urgent cries. Xia Qingyue paused slightly, then waved her jade hand, already dressed in a purple crystal long skirt with a purple crystal jade crown on her head: "Lian Yue, quickly send a sound transmission to the Zhou Tian Realm, informing them of the news that Yun Che is in Yin Xue Realm. The Zhou Tian Divine Emperor has always felt guilty for failing to protect Yun Che back then. He will surely react."
"Yao Yue, seal the sacred hall. No one must know that I have left the Yue Shen Realm."
"Yes."
Lian Yue and Yao Yue accepted the orders, while Xia Qingyue and Jin Yue had already disappeared from the spot in a flash of moonlight.