# Chapter 1920: Moon Memory (IV)
The woman in red had a pale and haggard face, even her pupils showing a faint sign of dispersion. Under the heavy illness, her features had also begun to show signs of aging.
But even so, anyone who saw her would never doubt that when she was well, she must have possessed an utterly captivating grace.
Yun Che knew that she was undoubtedly Xia Qingyue's mother, Yue Wugou.
He never expected that his first meeting with this former mother-in-law, who had once shaken the Divine Realm yet suffered an extraordinarily bitter fate, would be under such circumstances.
Yue Wuyai stood up, his smile gentle: "These recoveries are becoming more and more successful. Wugou, rest well for the next twelve hours, don't move your profound energy, and you will definitely get better and better."
His demeanor was quite relaxed, but as his gaze shifted, a deep, hidden pain flickered in the depths of his eyes.
Yue Wugou knew he was comforting her. She gave a faint, peaceful smile: "Wuyai, don't worry. I will recover well. After all, I want my daughter to be able to accompany me for a few more years."
"Senior, I am grateful for your trouble."
The same scene had played out too many times over the years. But each time, it still moved Xia Qingyue deeply.
Back then, her mother, who had been living in seclusion in Liuyun City, had suddenly regained her memories and some of her profound strength—but it was merely the final flicker of life before the end.
She had intended to end her own life, but ultimately chose to use all her remaining power to return to the Yue Shen Realm, just to see Yue Wuyai one last time—even if it meant being scolded, humiliated... or even dying by his hand.
But Yue Wuyai had gone to almost any lengths to forcibly extend her life until now... even repeatedly sacrificing his own Divine Emperor's essence blood.
It was as if, amidst the cruelty of heaven, there remained a trace of mercy, granting her unfortunate mother a sliver of tragic good fortune.
Outside the scene, Yun Che was deeply moved as well.
Though he could only see her face, to his eyes, Yue Wugou was clearly like a candle flickering in the wind.
And a Divine Emperor of a King Realm had actually used his own essence blood to forcibly prolong her life... and clearly, this was far from the first time.
To anyone, this would undoubtedly seem utterly unbelievable.
He suddenly thought of the time when the various King Realms of the Eastern Domain had besieged Mo Li, and only Yue Wuyai had died at Mo Li's hands... Apart from Mo Li's extreme hatred for him, his long-term depletion of essence blood might also have been one of the reasons.
"Qingyue," Yue Wuyai turned his gaze to Xia Qingyue. "I have something important to tell you."
"Please speak, Senior." She noticed that Yue Wuyai's expression carried a rare solemnity.
A brief silence, as if he was organizing the right words. But in the end, he spoke in the most direct manner: "I hope you can become the Divine Empress of the Yue Shen Realm."
Having learned everything that had happened back then, hearing these words no longer stirred any waves in Yun Che. But to Xia Qingyue at that time, it was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.
"What did you say!?" Her crescent brows suddenly sank, the light of gratitude in her eyes turning icy cold, and even her body took a step back.
"It is not what you think. Let me finish speaking." Not surprised by Xia Qingyue's reaction at all, Yue Wuyai remained calm, his voice flat: "The title 'Divine Empress' is merely an empty name, a nominal position without real power."
"Empty name?" Xia Qingyue still frowned coldly: "With your status, Senior, even the name of a consort could be considered empty. But the title of Divine Empress means being the empress of a Divine Emperor. It requires inviting the whole world, holding a grand wedding ceremony, and receiving congratulations from countless realms. How could it possibly be an 'empty name'!"
"Qingyue, there is no need to be tense." Yue Wugou shook her head with a smile, her soft words like a gentle breeze: "He will not have any improper thoughts toward you. Just hear him out first."
Yue Wuyai nodded slightly: "You are right. At that time, we will indeed invite the world, hold a grand wedding, and receive congratulations from countless realms... But the one who will complete the wedding ceremony with me is not you, but your mother. You only need to make a brief appearance."
"...?" Xia Qingyue was even more puzzled: "What exactly do you mean?"
Yue Wuyai explained: "At that time, I will set up the most splendid 'Divine Moon Overhead' in the history of the Divine Moon City. Before the wedding ceremony, you will appear briefly, letting the world remember your face, your aura, and the name Xia Qingyue. Moreover, they will be astonished by your 'Glass Heart' and 'Exquisite Body.' That way, no one in the world will question why you, of all people, have become the Divine Empress of the Moon God."
"After that, I will personally use the art of 'Moving Stars and Shifting Moons' to transfer your aura onto your mother. Though it will only last for a short time, supplemented by the dense moon energy of 'Divine Moon Overhead,' it will be enough to fool everyone and allow me to complete the wedding ceremony with your mother."
Yue Wuyai slowly closed his eyes and spoke in a deep voice: "Failing to complete the wedding ceremony with your mother back then is the regret of my life."
"Ab... surd!" Yue Wuyai had been as kind to her as a mountain, but she still couldn't help blurting out these two words: "If you truly have this determination, if you truly love my mother, then why fear the gossip of the world?"
Yue Wuyai slowly shook his head: "I have no excuse. If one day you stand in my position, you will understand that even for a Divine Emperor, there are too many helpless knots in this world that cannot be untied."
"Moreover, this matter is not just about fulfilling the lifelong regret of your mother and myself. The most important reason... is for you."
"...For me?"
"Qingyue, though you were born in the lower realms, do you know what an extraordinary existence you are in this world?" Yue Wuyai's voice grew deep: "The Exquisite Body and the Glass Heart—each of them alone is a supreme gift from the Heavenly Dao. Especially the Glass Heart. The last time it appeared in the world was over six hundred thousand years ago."
"And that person became the founding ancestor of the Zhou Tian God Realm."
"For the Exquisite Body and the Glass Heart to dwell in the same person..." Yue Wuyai let out a light breath: "In these past years, I have deliberately gone through many ancient texts again. In the entire history of the Divine Realm, such a thing has never happened."
She was no longer the Xia Qingyue who had just arrived in the Divine Realm. She understood well what kind of existence the Exquisite Body and Glass Heart she bore represented.
"These past few years, you have been living in this small world, never taking a single step outside. It is not imprisonment, but it is worse than imprisonment. Because once you step out and reveal your Exquisite Body and Glass Heart, it will shake the entire Divine Realm, and your life will never know peace again."
"Will the title 'Divine Empress' be enough to protect me then?" Xia Qingyue asked. "Back then, the whole world knew that my mother was about to become your Divine Empress, yet she was still persecuted to this state..."
These words undoubtedly stabbed deeply into the most painful part of Yue Wuyai's heart. His face twitched several times before he barely managed to regain his composure and said: "What protects you is not the empty title of 'Divine Empress,' but..."
He raised his arm, and pure crystal-like purple light swirled around his palm: "My Purple Que Divine Power and my position as the Moon God Divine Emperor!"
These words not only stunned Xia Qingyue, but also caused a look of surprise to appear on Yue Wugou's face.
"So he wasn't joking." Yue Wugou murmured softly.
"You want me... to inherit your Purple Que Divine Power?" Xia Qingyue's expression was filled with deep disbelief.
Although, as someone born in the lower realms, she could not possess the Moon God bloodline, her Nine-Xuan Exquisite Body allowed her to perfectly bear any divine power inheritance—even the Moon God's divine power.
"And the position of Moon God Divine Emperor as well." Yue Wuyai emphasized heavily: "Qingyue, to the Yue Shen Realm, you are ultimately an outsider. Bearing the Exquisite Body and Glass Heart alone is not enough. But if you add the title of 'Divine Empress'... at the very least, it will be much simpler. Even if there are dissenting voices, they won't be strong enough to suppress."
Xia Qingyue slowly shook her head: "I don't understand..."
Yue Wuyai looked straight into Xia Qingyue's eyes. There was no Divine Emperor's authority in his gaze, only the purest sincerity: "These are not impulsive words. I have thought long and hard about them."
The inheritance of the Moon God's divine power, the position of Divine Emperor... For a time, he himself was deeply surprised that he had actually made such a decision.
He thought Xia Qingyue would not refuse... whether it was the highest level of power and status in the current world, or for her own safety and control over her destiny.
But in his line of sight, Xia Qingyue was shaking her head slowly but firmly.
"Senior, you have been as kind to me and my mother as a mountain. Even if you asked me to repay you with my life, I would have no regrets or complaints." Xia Qingyue's beautiful eyes were clear, almost without any struggle or hesitation: "But this... I cannot agree."
"Why?" Yue Wuyai frowned deeply, deeply puzzled: "This matter benefits me, your mother, and you in every way without a single harm! Even if something goes wrong during the wedding ceremony, I will bear the consequences. What reason could you possibly have to refuse?"
"I'm sorry..." Xia Qingyue slowly closed her eyes: "I have disappointed you."
No one knew what she was thinking at that moment.
"Qingyue, you..."
"Enough, Wuyai." Yue Wuyai was about to say more when Yue Wugou's gentle voice interrupted him: "If she is unwilling, don't force her."
A single light sentence made Yue Wuyai swallow all the words he was about to speak. He sighed softly and said: "Qingyue, think carefully about what I said today... But the time I can give you to think is not much."
"What do you mean?" Xia Qingyue raised her eyes.
"Because my time is running out." Yue Wuyai spoke calmly: "The Tianji prophecy says that within five years, I will surely face a death calamity."
He wanted to tell Xia Qingyue that your mother's time was also running out... but how could he say such cruel words in front of Yue Wugou?
Xia Qingyue frowned slightly: "Senior, you are the Divine Emperor of the Moon God. How can you lightly believe such so-called..."
"I know what you want to say." Yue Wuyai interrupted her, his voice becoming low and slow: "But... that is the Tianji prophecy."
He knelt down on one knee beside Yue Wugou, and a ball of warm and soft moon light enveloped her: "Wugou, rest well. I will come to see you again tomorrow."
Yue Wugou looked at him and said softly: "You have many affairs; you don't need to come so often."
Yue Wuyai just smiled faintly, his fingers gently caressing Yue Wugou's face, his movements as tender as if it were warm jade that would shatter at the slightest touch. Then he stood up and walked away slowly.
Xia Qingyue watched Yue Wuyai leave. She came to her mother's side and said softly: "Mother, was that... your wish as well?"
Yue Wugou held her daughter's hand, her gentle voice carrying a hint of weakness: "Not being able to marry him is indeed the regret of my life. But..."
The image of Xia Hongyi flashed before her eyes, and her heart felt as if pierced by needles, a sharp pain piercing her soul. She shook her head with a smile: "It doesn't matter how it goes. Qingyue, you are my daughter. I hope you can live the life you want to the fullest. No matter what it is, if you are unwilling, don't force yourself."
Xia Qingyue's lips moved slightly, but she didn't speak.
"Speaking of which, that child named Yun Che..." Yue Wugou's eyes and the smile at the corners of her mouth became gentle: "Your feelings for him are far deeper than you described."
A brief pause, then Xia Qingyue said in a slightly distracted manner: "Though we were husband and wife, we never truly had a marital relationship. I left him right after the wedding and rarely reunited. How could I possibly deserve the word 'deep love'?"
"But when I think of him..." Xia Qingyue shook her head gently: "He is no longer in this world, yet... it is still difficult for me to agree."
Looking into her daughter's eyes, Yue Wugou felt a pang of pity: "That child was envied by heaven, but to have someone in your life for whom you would feel such a way—isn't that also a kind of fortune for both him and you?"
She did not continue to mention Yun Che, but instead said: "But you must understand that the Exquisite Body and Glass Heart you possess are both a great blessing and a great disaster. In this Divine Realm, filled with ambition and danger, if you rely solely on your own cultivation... who knows when you will be able to leave this place?"
Xia Qingyue looked up, her gaze filled with confusion: "Unknowingly, so many years have passed."
During these years, besides accompanying her mother, she spent two-tenths of her time reading ancient texts to understand the Divine Realm, and eight-tenths cultivating.
"Sometimes, I want to go out and see the world."
"Of course, you can't." Yue Wugou shook her head with a smile: "Moreover, the barrier at the entrance was personally set by him. Only those with his direct bloodline can enter or leave. He sealed it so tightly for your safety."
"I understand."
"Speaking of which," Yue Wugou's voice suddenly grew soft and her eyes became somewhat distant: "Today is your father's birthday."
"..." Xia Qingyue's lips parted slightly, and she murmured: "Father... birthday..."
She realized she couldn't even remember her father's birthday.
Perhaps because she had been speaking for too long, Yue Wugou's breath showed signs of weakening. Xia Qingyue quickly came back to her senses. She supported her mother's shoulders and gently helped her lie down: "Mother, please rest well."
"Mm." Yue Wugou responded softly and closed her eyes... Soon, she fell into a peaceful sleep.
Xia Qingyue silently watched over her mother for a while, then stood up and walked forward, somewhat lost.
Xia Hongyi, my father.
It had been so many years since I last saw him. After entering the Bing Yun Fairy Palace, I never went to visit him again.
Only today did I realize that I had never remembered his birthday.
He deeply loved my mother... He would weep silently while looking at her portrait... He would often murmur her name... After my mother left, he never remarried... I longed for my mother and him to be reunited... That was also what I pursued back then.
Why... are my memories of him so sparse and faint... and only related to my mother...
In my years in the Divine Realm, I thought about the Bing Yun Fairy Palace, about Yuan Ba, about the fate of the Cang Feng Kingdom... Why have I never thought of him?
Even his face has become so blurry...
He raised me for sixteen years...
And those sixteen years of nurturing, in my memories and in my heart, are as faint as if they never existed.
Am I actually such a heartless person?
She walked on, lost and dazed, and unknowingly arrived at the entrance to this small world.
A faint purple barrier shimmered with a gentle yet tenacious light.
Looking at this barrier that she could never step out of, nor could she possibly step out of, on a whim, she reached out her hand and touched it.
There was no expected resistance or clanging sound. Her hand passed straight through, without the slightest obstruction.
"..." Xia Qingyue stood there frozen for a long time before slowly withdrawing her hand.
Suddenly, she turned around and flew back to her mother's side.
Yue Wugou was still sleeping peacefully. Not far from her on the grass was the pool of blood that Yue Wuyai had coughed up.
A strange racing of her heart, Xia Qingyue extended her finger, a drop of blood forming at her fingertip. A wisp of profound energy carried some of Yue Wuyai's blood from the ground, condensing it into a drop of the same size.
The profound energy moved, and in Xia Qingyue's gradually paling pupils, the two drops of blood slowly touched in midair, seamlessly merging...
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(Just see who still says I'm short (▼ヘ▼#))