Chapter 308: Temporary Dust Settles
The people of Fen Tian Gate all retreated.
Over two thousand elite disciples and eight Heavenly Xuan Realm super-strong experts, under the immense deterrence brought by Yun Che alone, withdrew in disgrace, utterly stripped of dignity.
In terms of combat power, Yun Che was shocking, but he was not enough to threaten the Fen Tian Gate team. However, his various unpredictable strange moves, combined with his ruthless and merciless methods, completely broke the psychological defense of Fen Tian Gate. When Yun Che generously threw Fen Juecheng back to them at the end, it only made them even more cautious, afraid to act rashly.
Fen Tian Gate's bridal procession failed to retrieve Princess Cang Yue, instead losing two hundred disciples, and Fen Juecheng was severely injured... All of this was witnessed by countless people present. Their face and reputation were completely lost. In contrast, Yun Che, who had forced the mighty Fen Tian Gate into such a predicament, deeply shook everyone's heart and soul.
This figure, who was already nearly deified, not only returned alive but was far more powerful than the rumors suggested! Those "deified" versions that once sounded exaggerated and ridiculous now seemed, in hindsight, to be serious underestimations!
At such a young age, he had forced back a colossal sect like Fen Tian Gate, which ordinary people regarded as divine, and had successively defeated peak-level experts like Fen Moran and Fen Duancang. His future heights were simply unimaginable! No wonder Princess Cang Yue had fallen for him, no wonder even the Ice Moon Fairy Xia Qingyue was his wife... Even the matter of Chu Yuechan now seemed not so hard to accept.
"Junior Brother Yun!!"
Cang Yue rushed over, hugged Yun Che tightly, buried her head in his chest, and laughed and cried, not caring at all about the royal princess's dignity or the eyes of the onlookers. During the time Yun Che was "dead," her entire world was dark. Now, to hold him so real and warm, she felt she had nothing more to ask for.
"Heh heh." Cang Wanhe laughed, more relaxed and content than when he learned of the first place in the ranking battle: "As expected of my daughter. Yue'er's vision is indeed excellent."
"Yes, in this regard, Her Highness the Princess surpasses you, Your Majesty." Dongfang Xiu said with a smile.
"Hahaha..." Cang Wanhe was not angry at this remark; instead, he laughed heartily. But after just two laughs, he broke into a series of urgent coughs.
"The outcome of today's events is completely beyond my expectations." Dongfang Xiu looked at Yun Che and sighed, "The future achievements of this young man, even I am not qualified to speculate or judge. After today's events, he will undoubtedly become a person Fen Tian Gate must kill, but for some reason, I don't worry about him at all. What I worry about is Fen Tian Gate."
"I, too, feel the same." Cang Wanhe's pale face showed a smile, then he closed his eyes and sighed silently, "It's a pity that I won't live to see the day he shakes the world... I only hope that he will take good care of Yue'er. If so, even if the imperial clan falls into chaos, I will have fewer regrets and worries... Dongfang Xiu, you will personally invite Yun Che to the palace for a talk."
"Everyone, disperse."
The imperial guards moved out, gradually dispersing the dense crowd of onlookers. Since his serious illness, Cang Wanhe rarely appeared in public. Even those living in the imperial city could hardly see him. But now that Cang Wanhe appeared before the people, the focus of everyone's gaze did not fall on him; instead, they all stared at Yun Che with extremely shocked, horrified, admiring, even fanatical eyes... They had come to see the princess's wedding, but they never expected to witness such a major event that would surely shake the empire.
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A setback on the day of the princess's wedding was supposed to be extremely inauspicious, but the imperial palace was filled with cheer and festivity. Cang Wanhe was in an obviously good mood today; the usual gloom on his face was gone. As soon as he returned to the palace, he ordered a grand reward for the entire palace.
Yun Che and Cang Yue walked side by side behind Cang Wanhe's imperial carriage, enduring countless fervent gazes as they entered the palace. As soon as they passed through the palace gates, they encountered the hurriedly exiting Third Prince Cang Shuo. Seeing Yun Che and Cang Yue walking side by side, he froze, then his face changed... But since they met head-on, he couldn't avoid it even if he wanted to. He had to steel himself, forcing a warm smile: "Royal Sister, you're back. And this young brother Yun... your performance today was truly eye-opening and breathtaking."
"This is my Third Royal Brother." Cang Yue said simply, her voice utterly devoid of emotion.
"Oh!" Yun Che looked as if he suddenly understood, and said with a smile, "So it's the renowned Third Prince. My apologies. I recall that the Third Prince had returned to the palace not long before us, and now you're hurriedly leaving again. Is there some important matter? Is there anything I, Yun Che, can help with?"
Looking at the faint smile on Yun Che's face, Cang Shuo's heart gave a violent start, and his scalp went numb. He had witnessed the entire confrontation between Yun Che and Fen Tian Gate. This seemingly harmless Yun Che, who could torture the Fen Tian Gate young master into a dog without blinking, probably didn't give a damn about the status of an imperial prince. If he displeased him, killing him would probably be like killing a chicken.
Cang Shuo quickly steadied his breath and put on a smile: "I just have some trivial personal matters to handle, no need for you to trouble yourself, Brother Yun."
"Oh... trivial personal matters handled personally? The Third Prince is truly diligent and hardworking, a model for the imperial clan!" Yun Che said with a chuckle. Cang Shuo was not only one of the main culprits behind the imperial turmoil but also the one who pushed for the marriage between Fen Juecheng and Cang Yue. Yun Che naturally had no good feelings for him.
Cang Shuo could certainly hear the sarcasm in his words, and he let out a dry laugh: "Brother Yun flatters me. I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. Another day, I will surely..."
"Oh, I have a question I'd like to ask for the Third Prince's opinion." Yun Che didn't give him a chance to leave immediately. He said with a smile, "I greatly admire your royal sister, Cang Yue, and wish to spend my life with her. What does the Third Prince... think of this?"
Cang Shuo's face stiffened, then he quickly put on a delighted expression: "Brother Yun is a true dragon among men, unparalleled in this world! As her royal brother, I have long seen that my royal sister has already fallen for you. If Brother Yun and my royal sister can be united, it would be a match made in heaven, a story to be passed down through the ages. That our imperial clan can gain a talent like you, Senior Brother Yun, is a fortune of a hundred years! As a prince and her royal brother, I naturally fully support it."
"Then, the Third Prince's opinion is that I am more worthy of Princess Cang Yue than Fen Juecheng?"
"Of course." Cang Shuo said without changing expression: "What is Fen Juecheng? A waste who only relies on his sect, nothing compared to Senior Brother Yun. If it weren't for fear of Fen Tian Gate's power and not wanting to create a powerful enemy for the imperial clan... I would have died to stop Fen Juecheng's delusions. Luckily, Brother Yun appeared in time to spare my royal sister from marrying that waste. I, too, let out a long sigh of relief."
"..." No wonder he was the only one among the many princes who could contend with Crown Prince Cang Lin—this thickness of face, speed of reaction, and ability to say the right thing to the right person were practically supernatural, reaching the pinnacle. Even Yun Che couldn't help but feel a strong sense of admiration. He took Cang Yue's hand and said with a half-smile: "Hearing the Third Prince say this, I am relieved. When Cang Yue and I hold our grand wedding, don't forget to come for the wedding feast, Third Prince."
Having said that, without waiting for Cang Shuo's reply, he turned and led Cang Yue into the palace without looking back. Cang Shuo turned around, watching his back, a cold smile appearing on his face. He muttered under his breath: "Ignorant fool. You provoke Fen Tian Gate like this, and you really think you can live long?"
Back in the palace, Cang Wanhe descended from the imperial carriage and said to Yun Che with relief: "Yun Che, it is truly fortunate that you are still alive. Back then, you won the first place in the ranking battle for the imperial clan, rekindling the glory that had been dormant for years. I was overjoyed, but then came the news of your fall. During this time, I often sighed with regret. Although Yue'er acted normal in front of me, how could I not see the pain in her heart? Fortunately, you are back alive. Even if I were to breathe my last now, I would have no regrets."
"Father!" Cang Yue chided anxiously: "Now that we have the Soul-Burning Flower, and Junior Brother Yun is back, your illness will surely be healed immediately..."
"Your Majesty is too kind. I only hope today's incident will not bring any future trouble to the imperial clan." Yun Che said humbly.
"Haha!" Cang Wanhe laughed heartily: "You can rest assured on that point. Although the imperial clan's power cannot compare to those transcendent sects, they cannot move against us as they please. Moreover, today's matter cannot be blamed on the imperial clan. I can even turn the tables on them, accusing them of failing to protect the princess and bringing disaster to her wedding, damaging the imperial clan's face. Yun Che, what are your plans next? If you have none, how about staying in the palace for now? Or perhaps returning to Cangfeng Mystic Palace?"
"Forget about returning to Cangfeng Mystic Palace." Dongfang Xiu said with a bitter smile: "Yun Che's profound strength is only at the Earth Xuan Realm, but in combat power, he has already surpassed even Qin Wushang. If he returns to the mystic palace, even appointing him as the palace master would be an injustice to his talent."
Yun Che shook his head and said: "Within three days, Fen Tian Gate will surely launch an assassination attempt on me. If I stay here, I will only bring danger to the imperial clan. As for where I should go next, I already have a plan. Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
Cang Wanhe did not insist. He nodded: "Very well! Since you dare to strike so ruthlessly against Fen Tian Gate, I believe you must have a countermeasure. Back then, when you won the first place in the ranking battle for the imperial clan, I had planned to hold a three-day grand feast for you, but that never came to pass. Today, let me make up for it. Guards, pass on my decree..."
"Wait!" Yun Che raised his hand and said: "I appreciate His Majesty's kindness. However, due to Fen Tian Gate, I must leave here as soon as possible. I don't have much time left, so I must first resolve some important matters... For now, let me first remove the illness from your body."
Cang Wanhe's whole body trembled, and even Dongfang Xiu's face showed obvious excitement. Cang Wanhe said with great agitation: "You... do you really have the confidence to remove the Gu poison from my body right now?"
The root cause of the turmoil in the imperial clan, if you think about it, was still his serious illness.
If he could recover and take back the reins, with the authority he had built over decades, those wavering or neutral forces would surely return to his side. Then Cang Lin and Cang Shuo would be no threat at all, and the ambitions of Fen Tian Gate and Xiao Sect would be forcibly extinguished.
"Junior Brother Yun said before that as long as we find the Soul-Burning Flower, he can definitely cure Father. Now that we have the Soul-Burning Flower, Junior Brother Yun will surely be able to do it." Cang Yue said excitedly.
Yun Che nodded and said with a smile: "I am indeed one hundred percent confident... However, there is no need to use the Soul-Burning Flower. The Soul-Burning Flower is one of the betrothal gifts from Fen Tian Gate this time. It's better to return all of it, to avoid giving them any excuse."
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