Chapter 1899: Journey (Three)
In the third month of their journey, Yun Che brought Yun Wuxin to set foot upon their first king realm—the Ten Directions Canglan Realm.
When they arrived, the Canglan God Emperor, Cang Shuha, was already personally waiting to greet them.
"Your servant Shuha humbly welcomes the Divine Emperor's honored arrival." She curtsied gracefully, her voice soft as autumn water.
Yun Wuxin also performed a bow: "Wuxin pays respects to Aunt Shuha."
She had heard Yun Che briefly mention Cang Shuha long ago, but now seeing her in person, Yun Wuxin stared at her for a long while, dazed.
As a consort of her father, she naturally had to be extremely beautiful—Yun Wuxin had no doubt about that whatsoever.
But the Cang Shuha before her eyes, besides her peerless beauty, had watery eyes, tender lips, fine brows and lashes... even her snow-jade-like hands and long, cascading hair like a waterfall—her entire being, from inside out, exuded a softness and frailty that touched the eyes and heart, and then reached all the way to the soul.
Like willow catkins in a wind vortex, or a drifting feather amidst a vast ocean.
She could hardly believe it... She was certain that anyone who saw Cang Shuha would absolutely, absolutely never believe that she was a God Emperor ruling over a king realm.
Cang Shuha smiled warmly at Yun Wuxin: "Wuxin, this is our first meeting, but I only received word two hours ago, so I was unable to prepare a gift for you. Whatever you like in the Ten Directions Canglan Realm, feel free to take it for your amusement—no need to be polite or restrained."
Not only her appearance and temperament, but her voice was enchantingly soft. Every word, every sentence, was like a breeze singing through a secluded valley—merely listening to it was an indescribably luxurious pleasure.
"Thank you, Aunt Shuha." Yun Wuxin bowed again, then, almost involuntarily, said: "Aunt Shuha, you are so beautiful, and your voice is... also so pleasant to listen to."
Facing Cang Shuha, for some reason, her heart was filled with the desire to praise.
Cang Shuha smiled in return: "Our little princess is truly lovely and adorable. No wonder she is so doted upon by the Divine Emperor."
Cang Shuha, who had come to welcome Yun Che personally, did not bring Sea Gods or Divine Envoys, only Rui Yi accompanying her. However, after following Cang Shuha in greeting, Rui Yi stood silently in the rear, half-lowering her head, stubbornly refusing to look at the Yun Emperor.
In her half-lowered eyes was a barely concealed resentment.
"As the Canglan Emperor, you have many affairs to attend to. There was no need to come welcome me personally." Yun Che said flatly. "I intend to take Wuxin to visit the Cangji Sea in the north. I will borrow the Canghai Angry Shark for use."
As the exclusive mount of the Canglan God Emperor and the largest Xuan Beast ever captured in the present world, Yun Che naturally wanted his daughter to see it.
"~！@#￥%……" Rui Yi finally lifted her eyes, her gaze almost spitting fire at Yun Che's face.
She had thought Yun Che had a conscience and was visiting Cang Shuha along the way... but he had only come to borrow the Canghai Angry Shark!
Cang Shuha said softly: "The Divine Emperor and Wuxin have traversed the star domains to arrive, covered in travel dust. The Divine Emperor naturally will not tire, but Wuxin is still young; with exhaustion, she may not enjoy herself fully. Perhaps you should rest briefly in the king domain."
"Your servant has prepared refreshments. The Divine Emperor and Wuxin may also take the opportunity to taste and appraise them."
"Sure, sure!" Before Yun Che could respond, Yun Wuxin exclaimed, "I also want to go see Aunt Shuha's place."
"...All right." Yun Che could only agree.
Although nearly two years had passed, looking down from the sky, the Canglan Divine Realm was still covered with scars, traces of the fierce battle everywhere.
In particular, some residual power from Yun Che and Long Bai had still not completely dissipated.
The current Canglan king city had been temporarily relocated to the east of the divine realm, and it had already taken on a considerable scale and momentum.
"Given that this place was a battlefield, to have recovered to this extent in such a short time is somewhat unexpected."
En route to the king city, Yun Che looked around, as if praising.
Cang Shuha said softly: "Canglan suffered heavy damage, but its foundation was not harmed. Advancing steadily, it will surely recover its former glory."
"It seems there are no new Sea Gods either?" Yun Che added.
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"Thank you for the Divine Emperor's concern." Cang Shuha smiled and bowed, her soft voice like drifting silk: "Although the Sea Gods are greatly diminished, and the Divine Envoys have suffered heavy casualties, the current world is entirely within the Divine Emperor's control. With the Divine Emperor's protection, we need not fear external enemies taking advantage of our weakness. Therefore, the inheritance of Sea Gods and the cultivation of Divine Envoys need not be rushed or forced. Thinking long-term, it is better to slowly select the best, rather than compromise on quality."
"..." Yun Che turned his eyes to look at her: "You are quite rational and patient. In style, you are very different from your brother."
Cang Shuha said: "Actually, my brother only appears rough and unrestrained on the surface. In truth, he is meticulous and profound in his schemes. Your servant is not even worthy to be compared with my brother."
"Indeed. How could a person praised and heavily relied upon by the Empress be so simple on the surface?"
Yun Che's tone shifted, and his black eyes deepened: "However, that phrase 'not worthy of comparison' is far too modest. You have only been Emperor for a single year, yet you have already brought all the realms of the Southern Domain under your control. With such ability, I'm afraid it would make those God Emperors who boast of their illustrious lives feel ashamed."
Cang Shuha gently shook her head and said slowly: "Your servant suffers from a severe illness and was coveted by Nanming. In my helplessness, I spent half my life without seeing sun or moon. In that cold solitude, I could only calm my mind and focus on books and records, reading the legacies of ancient people, gathering the wisdom of predecessors, surveying the conditions of various realms, and observing the changes of the world."
As she spoke softly, her jade-like fingers gently picked up a flower petal that had flown from somewhere and stuck to her sash, then watched it fly lightly and lonely from her fingers to an unknown destination far away.
"Unknowingly, ten thousand years have already passed. And the vast Southern Domain, with its nine thousand star realms, are all clearly and familiarly engraved in my mind."
Yun Che: "..."
"What your servant possesses is merely familiarity. When it comes to the ability to govern people and the world, I dare not compare with my brother, nor dare I accept the Divine Emperor's praise."
"Everything is due to the name of 'Shuha Consort' bestowed by the Divine Emperor, and the lingering prestige of my brother, that Canglan has its current momentum."
Yun Che could not think of what to say in response.
Her terrifying familiarity with the nine thousand star realms of the Southern Divine Domain was born from ten thousand years of cold and lonely solitude, unable to touch the light of the sky.
Just thinking about it was suffocatingly heavy.
The reason she was so persistent in living was only to not let down Cang Shitian's all-out efforts.
Yun Wuxin looked at Cang Shuha, then at her suddenly silent father... As a junior, she instinctively did not dare to speak rashly.
Upon arriving at the king city, Cang Shuha did not take them to the main hall but went directly to the bedchamber.
The bedchamber was filled with a warm, gentle atmosphere, peaceful and quiet. The maids inside and the Divine Envoys outside had already been dismissed.
"Your servant knows that the Divine Emperor dislikes vulgar formalities and disturbances, so I did not have others attend nearby."
It had been more than a year since Cang Shuha became the "Shuha Consort," yet this was his first time entering her bedchamber.
As the bedchamber of a king realm's God Emperor, it was far more simple than expected. Plain decorations, monotonous colors, and yet, within that simplicity, there was a subtle elegance that made one sigh in admiration and feel a sense of inferiority.
"Compared to Cang Shitian's extreme extravagance, you are the opposite extreme." Yun Che remarked casually.
Given Cang Shuha's past experiences, it was only natural that she would prefer this style.
"Well..." Cang Shuha's lips curved into a beautiful smile, and she looked into Yun Che's eyes: "Does the Divine Emperor prefer extreme extravagance, or simple elegance?"
"When I want extravagance, I am extravagant; when I want simplicity, I am simple." Yun Che sat down casually. "For me, is a second answer necessary?"
"Tch!" Rui Yi behind them gave a very light snort.
Cang Shuha laughed softly: "Such an answer is something only the Divine Emperor in all the world is qualified to give."
"Ah!"
Yun Wuxin, who had been touring around with curiosity, suddenly let out an exclamation.
She stood before a wooden table, staring blankly at a painting spread out on it.
The painting was only half complete—
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Simple scenery, simple birds, fish, and insects. But under a depiction that seemed like divine craftsmanship, it made one feel as if they were right there, hearing the wind, seeing the insects and birds fly by, lifelike and vivid.
Moreover, a lofty artistic conception that could not be described in words overflowed from the paper.
Feng Xue'er liked paintings and calligraphy, so when Yun Wuxin cultivated with her, she often practiced these arts. But the brushwork and conception of the painting before her surpassed anything she had ever seen in her life.
It even surpassed her understanding of the very word "painting."
And... this was only an unfinished work.
"Aunt Shuha," Yun Wuxin took a long while to tear her gaze away from the painting, "did you... paint this?"
This was the bedchamber of Cang Shuha, the God Emperor; it could only possibly be her work.
But it was too incredible for her to believe.
"Just a leisurely piece from a few days ago." Cang Shuha turned her eyes. "But this painting is not yet finished. If Wuxin likes it, why not stay a few more days? Once I finish it, I will give it to you, how about that?"
"R-really?"
Yun Wuxin's excitement was written all over her face. To those who did not appreciate it, it was merely a painting by a God Emperor, but to those who loved it... even just this half was a priceless, extraordinary treasure.
"Thank you, Aunt Shuha. I will cherish it doubly!"
Such excitement and delight were rare from Yun Wuxin. Yun Che felt surprised and also somewhat jealous: "I never knew you were so skilled in this."
"Hmph! This is nothing. You have no idea how amazing my mistress is."
Before Cang Shuha could respond, Rui Yi at her side could not help but blurt out: "Not just painting, my mistress's calligraphy, engraving, zither and flute, embroidery... every single one is unmatched in the world! To have married my mistress is a blessing that could only be cultivated over ten thousand lifetimes."
"Rui Yi!" Cang Shuha rebuked softly. "When speaking to the Divine Emperor, you must be gentle and soft-spoken, and not lose your manners."
"..." Rui Yi turned her face away, pursed her lips, looking unconvinced and unwilling.
Her address to Cang Shuha had always been "my mistress," not "God Emperor," as if in private she was more accustomed to that title.
Cang Shuha smiled and said: "In the past ten thousand years, when sitting idle, I would seek some elegant pastimes to pass the time. It is nothing worthy of the Divine Emperor's attention."
"If Aunt Shuha is really that~that amazing?" Without the half-finished painting, Yun Wuxin might not have thought much of it, but the painting had utterly astounded her, and Rui Yi's words only made her even more astonished.
"Of course!" Rui Yi directly cut in, her face full of pride: "I have accompanied my mistress my whole life. How wonderful she is, I know better than anyone. What my mistress is best at is her cooking!"
"Outside, there's a saying that the finest delicacy in the Southern Divine Domain is the Feiyu Lianxin Soup from Qimeng Pavilion in the Seven Star Realm. Hmph! That's only because none of them have been fortunate enough to taste the dishes made by my mistress's own hands!"
"That 'Feiyu Lianxin Soup' stuff, compared to my mistress, it doesn't even deserve to be called crude!"
Yun Che raised his eyebrows slightly. The name "Feiyu Lianxin Soup" was not unfamiliar to him.
Before the fierce battle with the Western Divine Domain, Shui Meiyin had taken him to the Seven Star Realm, ostensibly to taste this soup, renowned as the best in the Southern Domain.
But that day, they were disappointed because the Northern Domain's army had already massively stationed itself in the Southern Divine Domain, and Qimeng Pavilion in the Seven Star Realm had fled in fear to the lower realms.
And during this tour of the Southern Divine Domain, Yun Che had made a special trip to the Seven Star Realm with Yun Wuxin.
With the situation stable and the Southern Domain at peace, Qimeng Pavilion had indeed returned. As he had hoped, he tasted the Feiyu Lianxin Soup that Shui Meiyin had highly praised.
And the result fully exceeded his expectations. The deliciousness of the Feiyu Lianxin Soup was more than worthy of its reputation and Shui Meiyin's commendation, even surpassing expectations.
For Yun Wuxin, it had caused an almost earth-shattering impact on her taste buds.
That was just one month ago.
(This chapter is not finished)