# Chapter 2069: Shadow of the Abyss Emperor
“Afraid?” Hua Fuchen softly repeated the word: “Afraid…”
Hua Qingying continued: “Elder brother, it has been a full ten thousand years since you succeeded the Divine Venerable throne. And over these years, your changes—perhaps you yourself haven't noticed them, but I see them clearly.”
“Yun Che was right about one thing: you've become… more and more like the former Divine Venerable.”
Hua Fuchen did not refute. He slumped slightly in his seat, murmuring: “I once thought that even if I became Divine Venerable, I would still be myself. But the word 'identity' is far more terrifying than I imagined. It is never just a simple title. Once it hangs above your head, it changes a person in every aspect, at every moment, silently and imperceptibly.”
“Over these years, though I still resent the former Divine Venerable, I have gradually come to hate my past self even more. I hate the naive, foolish, impulsive, childish, inflexible, self-righteous version of me back then. And even more, when facing matters concerning the fate of our divine kingdom, I have started to empathize with the former Divine Venerable more and more…”
“Once, I believed all fault lay with the former Divine Venerable. Later, I increasingly felt that the one who truly killed Wan Xin… was me.”
“So you're afraid.” Hua Qingying said. “And thus you do everything in your power, even if it means stifling Caili's understanding, to cut off any possibility of storms in her life.”
“How could I… not be afraid?” Hua Fuchen murmured.
Hua Qingying had always known that regarding Hua Caili and Yun Che's matter, the one bearing the heaviest pressure had never been Hua Caili or Yun Che, but Hua Fuchen.
Her voice shed its chill: “If none of this had happened, I would have done everything to help carry out the plans you arranged for Caili. Caili herself had always been content within them, never disobeying any of your decisions or words.”
“But she met Yun Che, and gave him both body and heart.”
Hua Qingying softly recited: “‘Once you have crossed the vast sea, no other water can compare’… You understand this phrase better than anyone.”
“Caili is already trapped so deep she cannot extricate herself. If you forcibly separate them, then after stripping away Yun Che's existence, Caili will not return to her former state—it will be almost like gouging out her very heart and soul… Don't you understand that feeling better than anyone else?”
“…Stop.” Hua Fuchen lowered his face, his clenched hands trembling slightly.
Hua Qingying sighed softly. She knew that much of what she said was cutting into his heart, but for Caili's sake, she had to speak.
“Elder brother, I am not forcing you to make a decision. I am hoping you can give Caili and Yun Che a chance… Or let me put it another way: buy them some time.”
“Caili's profound force growth is extremely fast. Since meeting Yun Che, her sword heart has grown even brighter, and her sword path advancement has reached an astonishing speed.”
“As for Yun Che, with his Divine Lord Realm Level 3 cultivation, he can match an early-stage Divine Annihilation Realm expert. I have never heard of such a freak.”
“Dian Jiuzhi has waited for Caili for many years. Now that Caili's body and soul have fully recovered, when the three-year period to pay respects to the Abyss Emperor arrives, he will surely bring up the marriage. If you cannot directly break off the engagement, then find a way to delay the wedding date, buying more time for those two children, allowing them to grow enough wings.”
“…Hmph.” Hua Fuchen did not speak, and it was unclear if he was listening.
A long silence followed, the atmosphere so oppressive that even every speck of dust seemed frozen solid.
Hua Qingying turned and slowly walked out. Only when she reached the door of the sword pavilion did she speak slowly: “Even directly annulling the marriage contract would merely incur the wrath of the Senluo Divine Kingdom. And quelling such anger is not impossible—it would only require lowering the dignity of the Divine Venerable.”
“Back then, in order to get Caili into the 'Cradle', you knelt before the Pure Land for seven full days. During those seven days, no matter whom you met—even a mere attendant knight—you would bow your head and beg… At that time, Caili's life was infinitely greater than your dignity.”
“I have said my piece. You are Caili's father, and the Divine Venerable of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom. The decision rests entirely in your hands.”
Hua Fuchen remained silent.
Stepping out of the sword pavilion, Hua Qingying raised her head to the sky, and for a moment, it was as if she saw Qu Wanxin's silhouette again.
Wan Xin, what I have done… is it right, or wrong…
Yun Che, I have already placed my greatest trust in you. While you are still weak, I will do everything to clear obstacles for you.
You must… must never betray Caili.
Hua Qingying had been gone for a long time, yet Hua Fuchen still sat motionless in his original spot, as if he had lost his soul.
His greatest pressure had never come from the Senluo Divine Kingdom.
There was one thing Hua Caili did not know, and Hua Qingying did not know either.
Back then, the marriage contract between Hua Caili and Dian Jiuzhi was personally bestowed by the Abyss Emperor. That matter was jointly pushed forward by Hua Fuchen and Dian Luohou, and the Abyss Emperor's personal decree made the union of the two—and the two nations—unshakable, celebrated by all under heaven.
For Hua Fuchen, it was a guarantee of Hua Caili's lifelong peace and stability. For Dian Luohou, it fulfilled his son's lifelong wish.
That day, when requesting the Abyss Emperor to grant the marriage, the Abyss Emperor looked at Dian Jiuzhi and nodded approvingly: “I have long heard that Jiuzhi's feelings for Caili are deep and unwavering, that you have pined for her with devoted longing. As the Divine Son of Senluo, you have never allowed any woman near you all these years.”
“Very good. In that case, I will personally grant you the promise of marriage. Caili has grown up under my watch, beloved by everyone in the Pure Land. In the future, you must never betray her.”
“In my life… I hate most those who betray love.”
That was just a light remark from the Abyss Emperor, used to admonish Dian Jiuzhi.
At the time, it brought great comfort to Hua Fuchen's heart.
But now, every word weighed upon his soul like ten thousand jun…
---
Hua Caili stomped back, her face flushed with anger. Everyone she passed on the way bowed and greeted her, but she ignored them all, leaving everyone exchanging puzzled glances.
Returning to her own courtyard, she stood before the lotus pond where she usually played, but found no interest in admiring it. She casually grabbed a piece of jade at her feet and tossed it angrily into the pond.
Bam!
The small lotus pond splashed up a rather large spray of water. Amidst the splashes, a figure slowly emerged, holding the very piece of jade she had just thrown in.
“Oh, most honored Caili Divine Maiden~ Did you drop this gold stone, or this silver stone, or this broken stone?”
Hua Caili's lips parted wide, staring dumbfounded at Yun Che slowly rising from the lotus pond, then burst into laughter, her anger dissolving.
Yun Che flipped over and landed in front of Hua Caili: “Who made my Caili so angry?”
“Who else?” Hua Caili grabbed Yun Che's hand, resuming her earlier puffed-up expression: “Father God just won't give in… and he shouted at me!”
“Wow! That's serious.” Yun Che put on a look of alarm: “If he shouts at you today, then tomorrow he might hit you!”
“Pfft… Father God would never.” Hua Caili lightly tapped Yun Che's chest and said in a small voice: “It's all your fault. I finally managed to get so angry, and now it's all gone somewhere.”
“Then don't be angry.” Yun Che smiled gently. “Actually, your father's attitude towards me has been far better than I ever expected. He gave me face, gave me patience, and gave me the chance to speak with him as an equal—a Divine Venerable. I think, other than your father, no other Divine Venerable would do such a thing.”
“And his anger comes from caring. If it were any of your younger sisters, he probably wouldn't even bother.”
“You keep speaking for him.” Hua Caili leaned forward, collapsing softly into Yun Che's chest, the knot in her heart instantly turning into warm comfort: “Brother Yun, you are clearly so good, yet Father God still… what must happen for him to give in?”
“He will.” Yun Che said softly. “Because you are his most important family member. He just finds it hard to accept right now. Give him time, and he will surely be willing to make concessions and compromises for you.”
“Huh?” Hua Caili lifted her eyes: “Really… will he?”
Yun Che nodded: “Definitely. Although I've only had brief contact with your father, I can feel that his love and protection for you far exceeds your imagination.”
“However, he is not only your father but also the Divine Venerable of the Zhe Tian Divine Kingdom. To us, all that matters is mutual love, without fear or abandonment. But your father has to think about and bear the heavy pressure… perhaps far beyond what we can understand.”
“So on this matter, I actually feel… we should try to understand his position and feelings.”
As Yun Che spoke, Hua Caili couldn't help but recall that fleeting look of deep pain and heartache on her father's face. Her heart ached, and she gently nodded in Yun Che's embrace: “Mm, I understand. Tomorrow, I'll obediently go and coax Father God.”
Within the Memory Heart Sword Pavilion, Hua Fuchen had calmed down somewhat. He released his divine sense, and when it reached Hua Caili's location, he overheard Yun Che's words.
“This brat…” He murmured, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Hua Lianzhi hurried over: “Sister, you're back—Ah!”
She let out a startled cry, instantly losing her composure as she quickly turned around: “I-I-I… I didn't see anything… didn't see anything…”
Hua Caili was also startled, quickly pulling away from Yun Che. But then, she pouted, grabbed Yun Che's hand, and headed toward her bedchamber: “Lianzhi, seal the barrier. I don't want to see or talk to anyone today.”
“Yes, elder sister.” Hua Lianzhi responded, still trembling with fear.
She frantically sealed all the courtyard barriers, then retreated outside, concentrating on sensing every approaching aura, as if facing a great enemy.
Back in the bedchamber, Hua Caili threw herself onto the soft couch and sighed languidly: “So annoying and tiring. I just want to sleep. Once I'm asleep, I don't have to think about anything.”
“Then sleep.” Yun Che smiled. “Maybe when you wake up, your father will have found a perfect solution.”
“Mm.” Hua Caili responded perfunctorily, clearly lacking confidence in her father. She stretched out her arms toward Yun Che: “Then you better come keep me company. I can't fall asleep without holding you now.”
Her lips were slightly pouted, her voice soft, her eyes misty—enough to melt stone and calm raging seas.
Yun Che walked over, and before he could say anything, Hua Caili pounced on him, hugging him tightly. Amidst her triumphant laughter, they rolled together onto the soft couch.
They frolicked for a good while before Hua Caili finally quieted down. Her beautiful eyes closed, her breathing gradually steadying, as if she had fallen asleep.
Yun Che lightened his movements and restrained his breathing. He had only just closed his eyes to rest for a moment when he felt a pair of little hands stealthily reach into his clothes. Before he could react, his body was firmly wrapped by the premeditated young woman.
“Ah… Caili, this is…”
“I don't care!”
Boom!
The jade seat beneath Hua Fuchen in the sword pavilion shattered completely. His hair stood on end: “This is outrageous… utterly outrageous!”
Rumble!!
With an explosion of profound energy, the bristling Heart-Painting Divine Venerable flew straight toward Hua Caili's courtyard.
Boom!
With another explosion, he appeared before the courtyard barrier. He released his divine sense—and was struck by a faint trembling sound from a young woman. Startled, the Heart-Painting Divine Venerable withdrew his divine sense as if fleeing. His whole body trembled, and his face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Hua Qingying's voice came from behind him: “It is normal for a young couple to indulge in carnal desires.”
Hua Fuchen turned around, his emotions having nowhere to vent, only able to wave his hands in agitation: “This is unseemly! Utterly unseemly!”
Hua Qingying said flatly: “You and Wan Xin were exactly the same back then.”
Those words choked Hua Fuchen into silence. He turned back angrily, staring anxiously at Hua Caili's courtyard, but could neither advance nor retreat.
“F-Fa-Father… God.” Hua Lianzhi stepped forward. The simple two words took her forever to stammer out completely.
“Hmph! Just pamper them, will you!”
Hua Fuchen flicked his sleeve and stormed off in a huff.
Before he had flown far, the Yuheng and Kaiyang Sword Venerables followed the aura and approached, calling from a distance: “Your Eminence…”
“Get lost! All of you!”
Hua Fuchen didn't even look at them, disappearing in an instant, leaving the Yuheng and Kaiyang Sword Venerables exchanging bewildered looks.
Hua Qingying teleported over: “What is it?”
Yuheng Sword Venerable said: “We heard that Caili has successfully broken through to the Divine Annihilation Realm. The seven of us have jointly constructed a foundation-stabilizing grand array, but we have yet to receive Your Eminence's instructions.”
“No need to worry.” Hua Qingying said. “My elder brother is in a bad mood lately. It's better not to disturb him for now. When the time is right, he will summon you.”
“Indeed.” Kaiyang Sword Venerable sighed. “This is the first time I've seen His Eminence in such a state.”
The two Sword Venerables were about to leave when they suddenly thought of something and said to Hua Qingying: “There is another matter. An hour ago, a visiting card arrived from the Senluo Divine Kingdom. Twenty days from now will be Caili's twentieth birthday, and the Senluo Divine Son, Dian Jiuzhi, will personally come to pay respects.”
Hua Qingying thought briefly, then said: “Send a sound transmission to the Senluo Divine Kingdom: Caili's 'twentieth birthday' goes against common worldly perception. This side will not hold any grand celebration, and there will be no external ceremonies.”
“Moreover, Caili has just completed a major realm breakthrough and is at the most crucial moment for foundation stabilization—time cannot be wasted. Thus, Caili will be going into seclusion soon, with no fixed date for emergence. Thank the Senluo Divine Son for his kind intentions, but there is no need for him to personally attend.”
“This?” Yuheng Sword Venerable had some doubts.
Kaiyang Sword Venerable said: “Very well, we will follow the Sword Immortal's words and have the Kaiyang Pavilion send the transmission.”
The two Sword Venerables left, and the surroundings finally returned to calm. Hua Qingying let out a soft breath and murmured: “Truly two troublesome children.”