Chapter 2079: Soul Coercion
Inside the Divine Son Hall, it was extraordinarily lively.
Piles upon piles of artifacts, decorations, and crystals were transported in from different directions. Figures upon figures converged while concealing their auras, moving with utmost care. Even their bustling was light-footed, afraid of making the slightest noise.
Upon seeing Yun Che, they would perform kneeling bows from afar. If Yun Che did not speak, they would not dare to stand, nor even raise their heads.
Under the Pure Land, a Divine Kingdom was ultimately the highest plane of existence in this world.
"Hahahaha," Meng Kongchan's loud laughter came from afar: "Yuan'er, you weren't frightened, were you?"
He stood beside Yun Che, looking contentedly at the Divine Son Hall being densely filled, and said with a chuckle: "Yuan'er, since you've returned safely, this Divine Son Hall must also become lively."
Yun Che bowed and said with neither humility nor arrogance: "Senior Divine Venerable, perhaps you could... still address me as Yun Che."
"Hey!" Meng Kongchan waved his hand: "You don't call me Father God, and I won't call you Yun Che. That's quite fair."
Yun Che could only show helplessness: "This... very well, this junior will have to follow Senior's wishes."
At this moment, nearly two to three hundred figures flew in from the east in perfect formation. Upon nearing the Divine Son Hall, they immediately landed, their steps becoming exceptionally light and cautious. From thirty zhang away, everyone bowed in unison. The leader, with a formidable aura and a sonorous voice, said: "Your subordinate Lu Laisheng pays respects to Your Excellency, and pays respects to Young Master Yuan."
"Mm." Meng Kongchan nodded slightly and said to Yun Che: "This man is the Deputy Commander of the Peace Protection Bureau in the Eastern Region of our Divine Kingdom. But from today onward, he and his men will all guard this Divine Son Hall and will only obey your commands."
Lu Laisheng immediately said: "From today onward, Lu Laisheng is Young Master Yuan's man. If there is any task, I will not refuse even unto death."
Yun Che felt a bit of a headache. In truth, for him, he would rather this vast Divine Son Hall have only him alone... but obviously, that was unrealistic.
"Rise, then each take your positions." Yun Che said indifferently: "As for how to arrange things, Commander Lu can decide—no need to consult me."
"Yes!" Lu Laisheng immediately responded, then rose without any hesitation and quickly dispatched his men.
Not long after, another group of figures filed in... but this time it was very different, all young men and women, apparently not even twenty years old. Most expressions carried fear and timidity, and their auras varied, clearly a significant number were not native to the Divine Kingdom.
Meng Kongchan said with a smile: "These will all be your servants and maids from now on. They will take care of your daily life and obey all your commands. Though they are servants, their origins and aptitudes are all exceptional, and they are all newly entered this year, absolutely never having served others before."
Being able to enter a Divine Kingdom was a dream of countless Abyss profound practitioners... even if it meant becoming the lowest of the low.
Meng Kongchan stealthily glanced at Yun Che's expression, then said to the few women at the front whose beauty clearly surpassed the others: "You few, why not come meet your future master?"
The lowly ones never imagined they would face a Divine Venerable so closely. However, having been carefully selected, the few young women at the front did not lose composure. Maintaining the most perfect posture, they stepped forward as instructed.
"Your maidservant Liu Zhanyi pays respects to Young Master Yuan. From now on, Liu Zhanyi's life will live only for you, Young Master."
The young woman's posture was respectful, her appearance exquisite. Though she was a maidservant, her every word and action carried an undeniable nobility.
"Rain moistening clothes from apricot blossoms, a good name." Yun Che praised: "Where are you from?"
This "Young Master Yuan" not only had an extraordinarily handsome appearance, with no arrogance in his demeanor, but even his voice was so gentle, not sparing praise for her as a maidservant. Most of the tight nervousness in her heart instantly turned to warmth. She responded: "Your maidservant was born in Liuming Realm to the north of the Divine Kingdom, the thirty-ninth princess of the Liuming Imperial Family. To dedicate the rest of my life to Young Master Yuan is the fortune of my life."
A princess of the imperial family, yet willing to be a maidservant in a Divine Kingdom... This was the Abyss Divine Kingdom shaped by Yuan Chen.
The second young woman also stepped forward gracefully: "Your maidservant Shangguan Helu, from Jiukui Domain, pays respects to Young Master Yuan..."
The third young woman was a few degrees less restrained than the others. Her beautiful eyes had been curiously scrutinizing Yun Che, the brightness far outweighing the timidity. She stepped forward gracefully, bowed lightly, and said: "Your maidservant Meng Zhiyuan, from the Eastern City lineage, pays respects to Abyss Divine Son."
The surname "Meng" proved she was from the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. But her address made Yun Che pause.
"Hahahaha!" Meng Kongchan burst into laughter: "This girl is quite clever."
"Abyss Divine Son?" Yun Che frowned.
Meng Kongchan said: "Before coming here, your father just ordered that you will be reinstated as the Divine Son of our Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. The enfeoffment ceremony will be in seven days. But you need not worry, just wait and do nothing."
"But..."
As soon as Yun Che opened his mouth, he was interrupted by Meng Kongchan, who said with profound meaning: "You need a status that matches that girl. Moreover, having two Divine Sons is not rare, and it won't depose Jianxi."
"..." Yun Che did not voice the words that followed, only nodded lightly: "Alright, then I will follow Senior's words."
Weaving Dream Divine Son...
In his plans, this was supposed to be the most difficult part. But before he even started, he had already... been forced to get his wish?
Seven days later... It's almost like they're even more anxious than him!
At this moment, Meng Kongchan suddenly withdrew his smile, his gaze slanting upward.
An old man's figure slowly appeared. As he approached, Yun Che's soul string suddenly jumped.
Such a strong aura!
Without releasing profound energy, yet carrying such heavy pressure... His cultivation level must at least be late-stage demigod.
But this terrifying old man, who made Yun Che suddenly feel soul pressure, actually fell to both knees when he landed... and his knees were not directed at Meng Kongchan, but at Yun Che.
"Sinful servant... kowtows to Abyss Divine Son. To see Abyss Divine Son safe and sound in this life, even ten thousand deaths bring no regret."
His voice carried heaviness and sorrow. As his words fell, his head directly slammed down, producing an extremely heavy kowtowing sound.
Yun Che looked at Meng Kongchan, but saw Meng Kongchan's brows tightly locked, his expression somewhat gloomy: "Yuan'er, he is the guardian your father chose for you after your birth, and even his name was changed to 'Shouyuan.'"
"This is the highest trust and highest honor your father bestowed. But he... failed to protect you well, causing you to suffer a calamity a hundred years ago. Had it not been for a divine miracle, you and I, father and son, would never have met again in this life."
Meng Shouyuan's head ground into the ground, his voice hoarse: "This old servant knows... he deserves death ten thousand times over."
"You indeed deserve death ten thousand times over." Meng Kongchan said coldly: "But I spared your life, letting you live with guilt until now. And now... I give you a second chance, and also a second trust!"
Meng Shouyuan slowly raised his head, blood gushing from his forehead. His withered lips parted, each word from the soul: "Your Excellency's grace, this old servant cannot repay in ten thousand lifetimes. In his remaining years, he will protect Abyss Divine Son with his life... If there is any mistake again, he will kill himself in atonement."
"Senior, please rise." Yun Che said: "The ambush back then was clearly long-planned and hard to guard against. It was not your fault. I am safe and sound now, and you need not blame or reproach yourself anymore."
Meng Shouyuan's eyes filled with tears, and he bowed deeply again: "Abyss Divine Son's heart is vast as the abyss, making this old servant... even more ashamed."
"From now on, you will secretly guard Yuan'er's side, with his safety as your highest belief. Beyond safety, do not disturb him. Withdraw for now."
Meng Shouyuan rose, slowly stepped back, and soon disappeared from sight, concealing himself somewhere unknown.
Meng Kongchan said to Yun Che: "Although Meng Shouyuan failed to protect you back then, the truth is... at that time, you were in your mother's sleeping chamber, and he could not approach, which allowed you to be ambushed. In terms of cultivation, in the entire Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, besides myself, the nine Dream Hall masters, and the Chief Hall Master, he and the master of Chenmeng Valley are the highest."
"Divine Annihilation Realm, Level 9. With his remaining lifespan, it's not impossible for him to touch the Divine Extreme Realm before his life ends."
Yun Che: "..."
"So, rest assured." Meng Kongchan patted Yun Che's shoulder: "Your father will never let what happened back then... repeat itself on you!"
————
Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, Divine Empress Palace.
Meng Jianxi hurried in, bowed respectfully: "Your child pays respects to Mother Empress. May I know Mother Empress's summons, what instructions do you have?"
On the phoenix couch, a woman with a seductive figure but cold, fierce eyes slowly stood up. She looked at Meng Jianxi, her brows tightly knit: "Meng Jian Yuan has returned. On just the first day of his return, your father god has already decreed to make him the second Weaving Dream Divine Son... Xi'er, aren't you worried at all?!"
The Divine Empress of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, the birth mother of Meng Jianxi and Meng Jianzhou — Meng Xuanjue.
Meng Jianxi's expression did not change, he said calmly: "Your child already knows of this matter."
"Since you already know, what will you do?" Meng Xuanjue's gaze carried authority, her aura soul-coercing.
This demeanor of hers, Meng Jianxi had not seen for many years. Clearly, the news of Meng Jian Yuan's return and his enfeoffment as Divine Son had made her completely restless.
"Mother Empress, please calm down." Meng Jianxi stepped forward, supporting his mother to sit down: "Father god's joy upon seeing Meng Jian Yuan, your child witnessed with his own eyes, the same extreme doting as in the old days. Doting plus guilt, plus some impulse under extreme joy... Though Father god's decision is unexpected, upon careful thought, it is also within reason."
"Within reason? Ridiculous!" Meng Xuanjue suddenly raised her head, her gaze piercingly staring at her own son: "Answer directly, what do you intend to do?"
Meng Jianxi said slowly: "Meng Jian Yuan's current cultivation is only Divine Lord Realm Level 3, a world of difference from your child. He has just returned to the Divine Kingdom, with no foundation, and not even any memories of the Divine Kingdom... In other words, besides Father god's momentary favor and guilt, he has nothing."
"Therefore, in your child's view, Father god's move is merely to compensate and vent his guilt. Even if Meng Jian Yuan is crowned with the title of 'Divine Son,' he is essentially a figurehead. As time passes, he will instead become a mediocre joke."
"In other words." Meng Jianxi's expression was firm: "Neither Meng Jian Yuan himself nor his enfeoffment as Divine Son is worthy of your child's concern."
Bang!
Meng Xuanjue slammed the table and stood up, her originally beautiful face twisting into a terrifying grimness: "After you awakened your divine rank and became the Weaving Dream Divine Son, your mother reminded you countless times: in times of safety, think of danger; before it rains, prepare; when cutting grass, remove the roots. Have you forgotten all of that?!"
"Your child dares not forget!" Meng Jianxi quickly bowed: "It's just..."
"There is no 'just'!" Meng Xuanjue's voice was harsh: "Back then, with your grandfather and uncle overseeing the nine Dream Halls, I always thought my position as Divine Empress was as stable as a mountain, unshakable by anyone."
"But since that Meng Jian Yuan was born, not only did your father god treat him like a treasure, even that wretch who gave birth to Meng Jian Yuan... the way your father god looked at her was millions of times gentler than how he looked at me!"
"She was just a wretch from an outer domain, with a lowly surname!"
"When Meng Jian Yuan was seven, your father god spared no resources to build him a Divine Son Hall. At ten, he was enfeoffed as Divine Son, and that same year, news that the position of Divine Empress was about to change hands grew day by day, even your grandfather and uncle couldn't suppress it!"
Meng Xuanjue gave a cold laugh: "After that Divine Son Hall was completed, even when it lay abandoned, your father god never allowed you to set foot in it! Now that Meng Jian Yuan has returned, your father god wishes he could stuff all the best things of the entire Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom into it!"
"What if you are the legitimate heir? What if you are the orthodox Divine Son? What if your grandfather is Meng Cangji and your uncle is Meng Xuanji? What if your talent and divine rank are higher than Meng Jian Yuan's? Some things only come once in a lifetime. Your father god gave them to Meng Jian Yuan, and he will never give them to you!"
Meng Jianxi's calm expression finally showed a slight crack, but immediately, he calmed down again: "Mother Empress, I understand everything you said. I witnessed Father god's indulgence toward the young Meng Jian Yuan, and I deeply felt the intense emotional turmoil when Father god found him again... I know that in this regard, I can never compare to Meng Jian Yuan."
"But, only in this one aspect."
Meng Jianxi instead advised his mother: "Moreover, Meng Jian Yuan has just returned. Father god is in a period of the strongest joy, sentiment, guilt, and desire to compensate. His protection of Meng Jian Yuan will definitely be at its peak. If we do anything against this during this phase, it will surely incur Father god's displeasure... even wrath, which would be extremely unwise."
"..." Meng Xuanjue stared at Meng Jianxi for a long while, then her voice suddenly softened: "So you mean, you won't oppose your father god making Meng Jian Yuan the second Divine Son? And you won't advise your grandfather and uncle to oppose it either?"
Meng Jianxi's maternal grandfather was Meng Cangji, the Chief Hall Master of the nine Dream Halls of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, the person second only to the Divine Venerable in the entire kingdom. Meng Jianxi's maternal uncle was Meng Xuanji, the Dream Master of the Seventh Dream Hall.
Meng Xuanjue became the Weaving Dream Divine Empress because of this.
"Yes." Meng Jianxi nodded.
"Forget it." Meng Xuanjue waved her hand, a strange light flickering deep in her enchanting eyes: "You have your own judgment and plans. Your mother shouldn't be too harsh on you. Hmph, we can only blame that useless waste Meng Jingzhe for actually letting Meng Jian Yuan survive."
"......!!" A very faint sentence made Meng Jianxi's pupils sharply contract.
He suddenly turned and rushed outward... But before he could seal off his hearing, his mother's leisurely voice reached his ears: "If it weren't for your mother secretly guiding and helping, would that old thing Meng Jingzhe have even had a chance to make a move?"
Meng Jianxi's figure abruptly stopped, his gaze drooping in pain.
"Now that you know this matter," Meng Xuanjue walked over unhurriedly, "Tell your mother again, what do you intend to do?"
"..." Meng Jianxi did not turn around, and for a long time could not make a sound.
Meng Xuanjue continued unhurriedly: "Your father god is the Dreamless Divine Venerable, most skilled in soul force. He will definitely find a way to restore Meng Jian Yuan's memories from back then. And once Meng Jian Yuan recovers his memories, with your father god's love for him, what will become of your mother? And you, who know all this, how will you conduct yourself?"
"No, impossible." Meng Jianxi finally spoke, but his voice was extremely dry: "The one who harmed him was Meng Jingzhe, and Meng Jian Yuan's memory will only have Meng Jingzhe."
"No, no, the one who made the move wasn't only Meng Jingzhe, but also that fool of a brother of yours, Jianzhou."
She used the word "fool" to describe her own biological son, and said it naturally: "More importantly, the reason Meng Jingzhe and Meng Jianzhou could avoid all auras and silently approach Meng Jian Yuan back then was because they relied on a 'Void-Breaking Divine Jade' that I intentionally let Meng Jingzhe steal."
"That is a spatial divine artifact bestowed by the Abyss Emperor. There are only three in the entire Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom. When traversing space, it can achieve near-perfect soundlessness and tracelessness. If Meng Jian Yuan recovers his memories, he will definitely recall that Void-Breaking Divine Jade... And as long as they trace the source of the Void-Breaking Divine Jade, they will certainly track it back to me!"
Meng Jianxi's hands suddenly clenched tightly.
"When that time comes, I will be a sinner, and you will be the son of a sinner who knew the truth! Then, between the two Divine Sons... which one is likely to be deposed by the enraged Divine Venerable?"
She walked slowly to Meng Jianxi's side, satisfied with feeling the turmoil in his aura: "Now, do you still think Meng Jian Yuan poses no threat to you?"