Chapter 1445: Qianye Fantian
Yun Che and Xia Qingyue walked ahead, their footsteps neither hurried nor slow. The two Fan Di Divine Envoys followed behind but dared not urge them on. Because one of them was the Moon God Emperor. Although they had the capital to look down on everything below the king realms, before the Moon God Emperor, how could they dare to be the slightest bit presumptuous? The Moon God Emperor's back view was extremely beautiful, but they all kept their heads slightly lowered, not daring even a single direct glance. As for Yun Che, although they were itching with hatred, they no longer dared to offend him with words.
Although Xia Qingyue had suddenly appeared and proposed to go with Yun Che, along the way she remained silent, her gaze like a pool of autumn water, shimmering and calm.
Yun Che sensed the distance of the two behind him, and finally couldn't help but speak, lowering his voice: "Qingyue, when did you arrive?"
"Three days ago," Xia Qingyue replied, her voice soft yet carrying a faint, elusive indifference.
"I heard that for this Zhou Tian Assembly, all Divine Lords of the Eastern Divine Region must attend. That being said, have all the Divine Lords of the Yue Shen Realm come as well?" Yun Che asked, not because he was interested in how many Divine Lords the Yue Shen Realm had, but more to make conversation.
"As a king realm, its core forces will not be easily exposed, let alone go all out," Xia Qingyue said indifferently. "The decree of the Zhou Tian God Realm is something no realm in the Eastern Domain can defy... but that absolutely does not include the king realms."
"...I see." Yun Che nodded. Indeed, as a king realm, how could it truly dispatch all its top forces before the truth of the Crimson was revealed?
He didn't dwell on this matter, turning his gaze to look at Xia Qingyue's profile for a long while... but Xia Qingyue remained silent as before, without any change in her eyes or expression due to his stare.
"Qingyue, although I don't know why or how you became the Moon God Emperor, is this truly what you wish?"
As he asked this, his gaze still fixed on Xia Qingyue's profile, his emotions were exceptionally complex.
Xia Qingyue said, "So what if it is, so what if it isn't?"
"A king realm's God Emperor, the most revered status in the world, something others wouldn't dare to hope for in a thousand lifetimes. But from what I know of you, I always feel... that this is not a choice you made willingly."
Xia Qingyue finally turned her eyes sideways, giving him a very light glance, and said faintly, "Are you really as understanding of me as you think?"
"..." Yun Che was momentarily at a loss for words.
The two did not speak for a long time. The atmosphere between them was completely, utterly different from their reunion in the Divine Realm four years ago.
"Qingyue," Yun Che's voice carried some complicated emotions, "Back then, when we got married, everyone thought you were unreachable for me, but I never felt that way. The last time we reunited, in the Dun Yue Immortal Palace, when I approached you, you had no reservations... but this time, I always feel as if there is a great distance between us, even a sense of... perhaps it sounds ridiculous, awe."
"There's nothing ridiculous about it," Xia Qingyue said softly. "Before your master, you are the same, aren't you?"
Yun Che: "..."
"Because you are too weak, that's all." Xia Qingyue looked ahead, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a glazed purple light. "I am not only the first female God Emperor in the history of the Yue Shen Realm, but also the first God Emperor not to take the surname 'Yue'. Do you know why?"
"..." Yun Che's brows twitched. When entering a large sect, upon reaching a certain level, one would generally change to the sect's surname. For disciples, this was not a difficulty but a great honor; the stronger the sect, the greater the honor. Back then, Mu Bingyun had wished to give Yun Che the surname 'Mu', but Yun Che refused, and she did not force it. As for Xia Qingyue... in the Yue Shen Realm, where 'Yue' is the faith, she, as an enthroned emperor, still retained the surname 'Xia'. To outsiders, this was simply incomprehensible.
"Because in the Yue Shen Realm, I am the maker and modifier of rules, while you have always been a follower of rules. If you can understand the difference between the two, you would not have asked that question just now."
Yun Che twisted his mouth, seemingly unimpressed, and said slowly, "Alright, alright, now you are the rule-maker, whatever you say is right... Actually, I think you are deliberately distancing yourself from me."
Xia Qingyue: "..."
Yun Che lowered his voice, his tone somewhat aggrieved: "That day in the Yin Xue Realm, you came for me, but you didn't even say a few words before leaving."
"Our relationship ended four years ago; we are no longer husband and wife. Since I have become the Moon God Emperor, I should naturally devote my life to the Yue Shen Realm; past connections are all dust. As for that day, I did not go for you, but for the Yin Xue Realm." Xia Qingyue said very calmly.
"Yes, yes, everything you say is right." Yun Che obviously did not take her words to heart, and suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, there's something I haven't told you yet—I've found Yuechan... uh, your Senior Yuechan. She is doing well now."
"I know. Your daughter should be fourteen years old now," Xia Qingyue said.
"Eh?" Yun Che showed surprise, then realization: "It must be my master who told you. Speaking of my master... she is not only my master, but also my greatest benefactor and patron in the Divine Realm. She is especially good to me—so good that... if I told you, you would find it unbelievable. I even often wonder... why is she so good to me?"
Xia Qingyue: "..."
"By the way, not only is your Senior Yuechan safe and sound, but the Bing Yun Fairy Palace is now the foremost of the four sacred grounds of the Tian Xuan Continent, with Palace Master being Senior Murong. Uncle Xia is now the vice president of the Black Moon Merchant Guild, living a very comfortable and leisurely life every day. Yuanba goes without saying—the name Emperor Huangji Shengdi is very prestigious, and he has also achieved the Divine Path now... with the help of a drop of Life Divine Water given by Shen Xi."
Shen Xi?
The casual mention of the name Shen Xi in Yun Che's narrative caused Xia Qingyue's brows to twitch sharply.
"Wives and concubines in abundance, parents healthy, daughter safe. Since everything is so well, and you finally got rid of the gaze and ties of the Divine Realm, why did you come back?" Xia Qingyue asked.
"...You will know soon enough." Yun Che did not answer directly, instead asking back: "What about you? When do you plan to return to the lower realm..."
His voice suddenly became very low: "After killing Qianye?"
"Moon God Emperor... Young Master Yun, we have arrived."
The voice of the Fan Di Divine Envoys came from the side. They stepped forward and said quite respectfully, "The God Emperor is waiting inside. Please, both of you."
The news of Xia Qingyue's arrival had already been conveyed to them through sound transmission.
The hall was empty, with only one person. He wore simple green robes, no shoes on his feet, his face refined and fair, his black hair tied up and falling straight to his waist. As Yun Che and Xia Qingyue walked in, he turned around, his face bearing a gentle smile. Anyone who saw him for the first time would never believe that this man, as gentle as a clear breeze, was the foremost of the four God Emperors of the Eastern Divine Region... the Fantian Shen Di! A man who truly holds up the sky with one hand! From him, one could feel a sovereign's oppressive might, an overwhelming aura, yet it did not cause trembling or fear. Like a sword with the power to judge all life, yet one that never leaves its sheath.
"Yin Xue disciple Yun Che pays respects to Fantian Shen Di!" Yun Che stopped and bowed.
"Hehe, no need for such formalities." Qianye Fantian stepped forward, actively welcoming him. His humble demeanor and elegant smile were completely devoid of a God Emperor's bearing, instead resembling a young man meeting an equal. He looked Yun Che up and down and sighed, "When I heard back then that you had fallen in the Xing Shen Realm, I lamented for a long time. Now knowing you are safe and sound, my heart is greatly comforted."
"Thank you for your concern, Fantian Shen Di. This junior is deeply honored." Yun Che smiled.
Qianye Fantian nodded, then turned his gaze to Xia Qingyue: "The Glazed Light girl of the past, now the Moon God Emperor. Neither born in Yue Shen Realm nor with any blood lineage, yet able to make Yue Wuyai willingly give you the Purple Que Divine Power and the position of God Emperor... hehe, I believe with you as its new God Emperor, the Yue Shen Realm has a promising future."
Xia Qingyue gave a half-smile: "Fantian Shen Di flatters me. This king has only recently ascended the throne; everything is extremely shallow, and I tread on thin ice with every step. In the future, I will need to seek advice from Fantian Shen Di."
"Hehe, that would be my honor." Qianye Fantian laughed. "I wonder if the Moon God Emperor's visit today is for the matter of 'seeking advice'?"
"No," Xia Qingyue's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of dangerous aura emanating from her. "This king merely happened to learn that Fantian Shen Di ordered Yun Che to come and resolve the Evil Infant's demonic energy for you, so I came along to see how Fantian Shen Di's face could be so thick."
"..." This suddenly highly aggressive statement caused Yun Che's brows to jump sharply.
"Oh?" Qianye Fantian showed no anger at all, but rather a look of surprise. "Moon God Emperor, I don't understand your words."
"Then I will make you understand." The Moon God Emperor's beautiful eyes shifted, her deep purple pupils carrying a chilling intimidation. "Four years ago, why did Yun Che flee to the Dragon God Realm? He was planted with the Buddhist Soul Death-Pleading Seal by your good daughter, Qianye Ying'er. Under the torture of being unable to die, he could only go to the Dragon God Realm to seek help from Dragon Queen Shen Xi. And I, too, nearly died at Qianye Ying'er's hands! If not for someone coming to my rescue, not only would I not have become emperor of Yue Shen Realm, whether I'd even be alive is unknown. And now, you invite Yun Che to purify the Evil Infant's demonic energy for you... such shamelessness truly leaves me in awe."
"Could this be true?" Qianye Fantian showed shock, then shook his head. "My daughter is stubborn by nature, unwilling to be bound by me since childhood, but she wouldn't go so far..."
"Then does Fantian Shen Di think this king is speaking nonsense?" Xia Qingyue coldly interrupted him.
"Hehe, the words of the Moon God Emperor carry immense weight; how could they be false?" Qianye Fantian gave a bitter smile. "My daughter actually caused such a disaster; I am truly ashamed."
"So, Fantian Shen Di truly was unaware?" The coldness in Xia Qingyue's beautiful eyes suddenly vanished, as if she believed Qianye Fantian's words.
"Not the slightest knowledge, otherwise..." Qianye Fantian shook his head and sighed, then said to Yun Che, "Yun Che, my daughter's nature has always been reclusive and stubborn, I believe you have heard of it. She has the reputation of 'Divine Maiden' in the Divine Realm, yet she has never regarded any man in her eyes. Only back then did she take a liking to you, but was publicly rejected by you, so inevitably a grudge formed. Ah, I advised her at the time, but I never expected she would harbor resentment and take such extreme actions. Regarding this matter, after I return to the realm, I will surely reprimand her severely."
"..." Yun Che's mouth twitched violently.
"But coming back to the point, it was precisely because of my daughter's capricious behavior that you were able to be cared for by the Dragon Queen in the Dragon God Realm, and even received her teaching of Light Profound Force. This is a blessing in disguise—not only a blessing for you personally, but also a blessing for our Eastern Divine Region. Ha ha ha ha, wonderful."
Qianye Fantian smiled warmly, while Yun Che's heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys were all trembling. A pursuit across ten thousand miles... the Buddhist Soul Death-Pleading Seal... this was more than an irreconcilable enmity! Yet Qianye Fantian, with a few words, turned it into a capricious act of resentment due to his public rejection of her "condescending marriage"! What the hell, all my fault?! Then with another few words, Yun Che went from being a victim to a huge beneficiary. Should I thank her then?! Damn... worthy of the Fantian Shen Di!
"Since Fantian Shen Di is completely unaware, then naturally I have no reason to blame." The Moon God Emperor thus let it go. "Yun Che, since you were invited, go ahead and resolve the demonic energy for Fantian Shen Di. To have a figure like Fantian Shen Di owe you a favor—this is a great fortune that others could only dream of."
Fantian Shen Di said with a chuckle, "Earlier, hearing the words of Zhou Tian, I still had a shred of doubt. Now that the Moon God Emperor also says so, it seems there is no doubt that you have mastered Light Profound Force. I have been tormented by demonic energy these years. If you can dissolve it for me, I will certainly remember your kindness."
Yun Che nodded and said to Fantian Shen Di, "This junior will do his utmost."
Setting up the stance, Yun Che extended his hand, and a Light Profound Force slowly shimmered in his palm. The pure white light illuminated Qianye Fantian's calm, water-like face... at the instant the divine light arose, his pupils flickered with an extremely subtle change. And Xia Qingyue stood quietly beside Yun Che, not leaving.
"Master, you... truly want to help him?" In Yun Che's sea of consciousness, came He Ling's gentle voice.
"Mm." Yun Che replied, "He Ling, I know you hate the people of the Fan Di God Realm. I have never forgotten your grudge either. But right now, our power is too weak; we have no ability to contend with them. The only thing we can do is to get close enough and understand them... and this is a good opportunity. Additionally, it can be considered a means of self-preservation."
"I understand." He Ling said softly. "I just... just..."
"Don't worry, I have my own plans," Yun Che comforted.
"Mm... I'll listen to Master."
Yun Che pushed his hand forward, and a mass of white radiance touched Qianye Fantian's body, beginning to dispel the demonic energy within him. Yun Che's expression was very calm, his eyes slowly closing... but at the moment they fully closed, a faint, dangerous cold light flashed.