Chapter 579: Xiao Yun Enfeoffed as King
Xiao Yaohou was silent for a moment, then sighed softly and said, "This matter is indeed my fault toward the Yun Clan. After today, I will certainly give your Yun Clan, and Senior Yao Wang, a proper explanation."
Yun Che shook his head. "Xiao Yaohou, although you are the ruler of the Huan Yao Realm, because you are a woman and have only recently ascended to the throne, it is easy for you to be restrained and pressured by those with ulterior motives. There are some matters where you have to weigh and compromise. You have never wronged our Yun Clan. The ones who truly persecuted our Yun Clan to this extent, who truly trampled on 'loyalty and righteousness,' who truly defied the authority of the Demon Emperor—everyone present today should be very clear about who they are."
Who Yun Che was referring to was indeed very clear to everyone present. The seven clan heads standing not far in front of Yun Che no longer had any of their usual majesty or arrogance. Their faces were ashen and ugly. Under the gaze of the crowd, they felt like prisoners on trial, extremely uncomfortable. They kept glancing at Huai Wang for help, but Huai Wang's expression was even uglier than theirs. Facing Yun Che, fear had already taken root in his heart, and he dared not speak rashly… because every time Yun Che counterattacked, even Huai Wang himself could not withstand it.
Yun Che's words caused ripples in Xiao Yaohou's gaze. The way she looked at Yun Che underwent a subtle change once again. She said slowly, "The grievances and injustices the Yun Clan has suffered over the years have always been clear to me. I fully understand your unwillingness and indignation. Sigh…" she let out a faint sigh. "The Demon Emperor Seal is too important to me. Please return it to me. I promise you here and now that from today onward, as long as I sit on the throne, I will never allow your Yun Clan to suffer any further bullying!"
Xiao Yaohou's fierce and cold temperament was known throughout the world. Yet now, facing such a major matter as the Demon Emperor Seal, she did not get angry or apply pressure. Her voice was calm and even, and in front of everyone, she gave the Yun Clan a promise that could be called monumental!
Everyone present was deeply moved. The members of the Yun Clan were trembling all over with excitement, as if in a dream.
This was Xiao Yaohou's solemn promise to the Yun Clan, made in front of all the heroes of the world! With these words, it was decided that the Yun Clan would rise again in a short time, and no one could stop them! Returning to the position of the foremost of the Twelve Guardian Clans was just around the corner… no, their status might even surpass before!
However, thinking of everything the Yun Clan had given and endured over the past hundred years, no one felt that this was too extravagant a favor… The Yun Clan deserved such a promise… In the entire Huan Yao Realm, only the Yun Clan had such qualification.
"Long live Xiao Yaohou!" Su Xiangnan stood up and said, "With the Yun Clan's loyalty, righteousness, and contributions, they deserve such generous favor from Xiao Yaohou."
"Although we are also a Guardian Clan, my Tianxia Clan feels that only the Yun Clan is worthy of this honor." Tianxia Xiong Tu immediately echoed without hesitation.
Yun Qinghong slowly rose to his feet, his heart filled with mixed emotions. How could he not understand what Xiao Yaohou's promise meant? Their clan had won a shocking victory in the competition. Then the Yun Clan was vindicated, Yun Canghai was vindicated, the Demon Emperor Seal had returned. Now, the heroes of the world had come to know the Yun Clan anew, and the clan had received this promise from Xiao Yaohou that was greater than the heavens… Even Huai Wang's long-planned scheme had been completely shattered…
All of this was brought by Yun Che…
The pride and joy of being his father far exceeded the excitement and joy brought by Xiao Yaohou's promise. He bowed deeply to Xiao Yaohou: "Yun Qinghong, head of the Yun Clan, thanks Xiao Yaohou for her great grace on behalf of the entire clan. Our Yun Clan will swear eternal loyalty to Xiao Yaohou, unwavering until death!"
"Hahahaha!" Grandfather Mu let out a hearty laugh and called out to Yun Che, "Xiao Yaohou's personal promise is as solid as gold and stone. Heaven has finally opened its eyes. Good grandson, now you can return the Demon Emperor Seal to Xiao Yaohou, right?"
When he shouted "good grandson," Grandfather Mu's face was beaming with pride, and he was eagerly reminding everyone that this young man who was stirring up the entire world was his own daughter Mu Feiyan's biological grandson.
Yun Che held up the Demon Emperor Seal with both hands, but he still did not immediately step forward to present it to Xiao Yaohou. Instead, he said calmly, "Receiving such a promise from Xiao Yaohou for my Yun Clan fills me with endless gratitude. However, before returning the Demon Emperor Seal, I humbly dare to make two more small requests."
Xiao Yaohou gave him a deep look, but showed no anger or impatience. She slowly nodded. "I said before that if you have any requests, you may raise them freely. Although you are a son of the Yun Clan, you grew up in Tian Xuan Continent and never received any favor from me or the Huan Yao Realm. Yet you spared no effort and danger to bring the Demon Emperor Seal back here. This is a great kindness to me and to the bloodline of the Demon Emperor. Any request you make is not excessive."
From Xiao Yaohou's words, anyone could tell that she had always felt deep gratitude and guilt toward the Yun Clan. Since Xiao Yaohou had spoken thus, Yun Che would not be insincere. He nodded slightly, then turned around and faced the Yun Clan seating. "Xiao Yun, come up."
Xiao Yun, who had been full of excitement, was stunned. He pointed at himself, looking dazed. "Ah… me?"
Yun Qinghong said, "Xiao'er, your big brother is calling you. Although the fact that you are not my biological son has been truly made public, there is no need for you to panic. You have never owed or wronged anyone. Go up with your head held high."
Yun Qinghong's words quickly calmed the panic in Xiao Yun's heart. He took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Mm, I understand… I will not disgrace the clan."
Xiao Yun stood up and walked to Yun Che's side under the gaze of the crowd. Yun Che nodded to him, then took his arm and said to Xiao Yaohou, "This is my sworn brother, my father's adopted son—Yun Xiao, but from now on, his name is Xiao Yun! The rumors in Yao Huang City over the past ten-plus years were not wrong. He is indeed not my parents' biological son, nor is he a member of the Yun Clan. My parents have never denied this. Everyone here is now aware of his background… That's right. Back in Tian Xuan Continent, he was the person my father's sworn brother, Uncle Xiao, used to exchange for me!"
That Xiao Yun was not the son of the Yun Clan had been rumored for over a decade. That he might be from Tian Xuan Continent was also common knowledge. So this public revelation did not surprise too many people; they were merely amazed at the hidden circumstances. To ensure that his pursued brother had an heir, he exchanged his own child—what kind of brotherly bond was that!
To have such a close friend in life… one could die without regret.
"At that time, my parents were being hunted simultaneously by two sacred grounds of Tian Xuan Continent. Not only were they severely injured and had depleted profound strength, they were also poisoned and had to focus on protecting and caring for the infant in their arms… The situation was extremely dangerous, and there was almost no hope of escape. To save me, and so that my parents could have an heir even if they met with misfortune, Uncle Xiao secretly swapped me with his own newborn son, Xiao Yun… In the end, with Uncle Xiao's guidance, my parents managed to escape. I stayed in Tian Xuan Continent, and Xiao Yun came to the Huan Yao Realm."
"This was perhaps fate's arrangement. If not for Uncle Xiao's righteousness, I would not have grown up in Tian Xuan Continent, would never have been able to reunite with my grandfather by chance, nor bring back his remains and carry on his will. The Demon Emperor Seal would never have returned to the Huan Yao Realm."
"Therefore, the Demon Emperor Seal's return to the Huan Yao Realm today is ultimately due to Uncle Xiao's family. Although Uncle Xiao's family is in Tian Xuan Continent, they are great benefactors to the Yun Clan, and also great benefactors to the Demon Emperor bloodline and the entire Huan Yao Realm… Does Xiao Yaohou acknowledge this?"
Xiao Yaohou took a deep look at Xiao Yun and slowly nodded. "This kindness, naturally, I must remember."
Yun Che's voice lowered. "But none of you know that shortly after my parents escaped, Uncle Xiao, Xiao Yun's biological father, was tracked down by the sacred grounds and then… died at the hands of those evil men from the sacred grounds! Xiao Yun's mother then followed him in death. Xiao Yun's grandmother also fell ill from grief and passed away soon after… Even I never had the chance to see their faces clearly."
Xiao Yun: "…"
Yun Che's words moved Xiao Yaohou and everyone else.
"To my Yun Clan, to Xiao Yaohou, and even to the entire Huan Yao Realm, Xiao Yun is the descendant of a benefactor! But in his years here in the Huan Yao Realm, he has endured nothing but slander, cold stares, mockery, and bullying. Even three months ago, on my first day in Yao Huang City, I witnessed him being attacked by someone… What kind of logic is this!"
Yun Che's last sentence was shouted out. The gazes directed at Xiao Yun changed drastically. No one had expected that behind his background lay so many hidden truths. It was indeed because of his parents that the Demon Emperor Seal returned to the Huan Yao Realm today. Their family had greatly benefited the Huan Yao Realm—this was no exaggeration. They had even lost their lives because of it. Xiao Yun was their only descendant…
And although he bore the title of Young Master of the Yun Clan, he had truly endured cold stares and bullying… What a huge irony.
Xiao Yaohou's eyes shifted slightly. "Yun Che, your first request—is it that I treat Xiao Yun generously and repay his family?"
"Exactly!" Yun Che looked straight at her. "But this is not a request. It is something Xiao Yaohou should do before taking back this Demon Emperor Seal."
"Good!" Xiao Yaohou nodded without any hesitation, then looked at Xiao Yun. "Xiao Yun, the return of the Demon Emperor Seal to the Huan Yao Realm is indeed thanks to your biological father! He is my benefactor. But the departed are gone, and I have no way to repay them. You are his descendant, and you should receive my gratitude."
"Today, I hereby enfeoff you as 'King Xiao,' with status equal to that of the various commandery princes. You may freely enjoy royal resources. I also bestow upon you: a princely mansion, one thousand catties of purple jade, ten catties of Purple Vein Heavenly Crystal, one Demon Emperor Mystic Seal Sword, thirty servant attendants, and thirty guards… Are you willing to accept this?"
At Xiao Yaohou's words, Xiao Yun's eyes went wide, his mouth fell open, and he was stunned for a long time. Everyone in the Demon Emperor Hall was also dumbfounded. Even Yun Che was greatly startled.
Yun Che had called Xiao Yun up publicly with the sole purpose of seeking justice for him, so that he could have a new status in the Huan Yao Realm and no longer be subjected to cold stares and bullying. As for Xiao Yaohou's rewards, that was entirely secondary… He had never expected that Xiao Yaohou's "repayment" would be so earth-shattering…
She actually enfeoffed Xiao Yun as a king!
But Yun Che quickly realized that Xiao Yaohou's exaggerated generosity toward Xiao Yun was only partly "repayment." Another reason was for the Yun Clan! Because although Xiao Yun did not have Yun Clan blood, he had grown up in the Yun Clan for twenty-two years and was half a son of the Yun Clan! When Yun Canghai was enfeoffed as a king in the past, it brought glory to the entire Yun Clan. Now, Xiao Yun being enfeoffed as a king… the glory would also fall on the Yun Clan!