# Chapter 629: Unforgivable Sin
Seven days after Xiao Yaohou's return, the ceremony that had been interrupted four months ago proceeded on schedule. The heavily damaged Yaohuang Palace had been sufficiently repaired during these seven days.
Compared to four months ago when the hall was filled with whispers and fierce disputes between the two factions, today the Yaohuang Palace had even more people, yet it was deathly silent—so quiet that one could barely even hear breathing. The seating arrangement of the core seats had also changed significantly. At the head of the Guardian Clans sat a large character reading "Yun," while four months ago the Helian Clan had occupied that position... Now, with Helian Kuang at their lead, every clan spoke in tones completely different from when they addressed the Yun Clan and Tianxia Clan—low enough to suffocate them.
Xiao Yaohou did not specify whom she was asking. The several family heads kneeling at the front hurriedly scrambled to answer: "Re... reporting to Xiao Yaohou, the Huai Wang Manor's four paternal clans, three maternal clans, and two wife clans have all been executed to the last one, not a single one left..."
"Those stationed in the outer city have also been completely wiped out. Please... please rest assured, Xiao Yaohou."
"The corpses have been publicly burned before the city gates as per your orders... not even a trace of ash remains."
"Your commands, Xiao Yaohou, we would never dare to slight even at the cost of our lives..."
Helian Kuang fumbled to take out a jade slip, raising it high with both hands: "Deep beneath Huai Wang Manor, there was a secret chamber that wasn't destroyed by the fire. Inside, we found this jade slip... It records the Huai Wang Manor's 'Fallen Flame Demon Art'... Xiao Yaohou, possessing divine power, this Fallen Flame Demon Art is naturally unworthy of your attention. However, at the end of this jade slip, a blood escape technique is recorded... It should be the one Ming Wang used to flee that day."
Xiao Yaohou's brows moved slightly. With a stretch of her hand, the jade slip in Helian Kuang's hand flew into hers. Yun Che, seated beside Yun Qinghong, also fixed his gaze on the jade slip that exuded a chilling aura. The blood escape technique Ming Wang had used that day was very strange; even with Xiao Yaohou's abilities, she had been unable to discern the direction of his escape. But if she could comprehend the blood escape technique Ming Wang used, the next time he fell into Xiao Yaohou's hands, he would have no way to escape even if he grew wings.
Xiao Yaohou directly unrolled the jade slip. At its end, she indeed saw a strange blood escape technique. She scanned it lightly a few times before closing the jade slip.
"Xiao Yaohou, I, Bai, also made a discovery while purging the remnants of Huai Wang," Bai Yi hastily stepped forward, raising an even larger jade slip high with both hands. "This jade slip was also obtained from Huai Wang Manor's underground secret chamber. Engraved on it are all... all..." Saying this, Bai Yi swallowed heavily before continuing: "All the names of those who pledged allegiance to Huai Wang Manor. Please... please take a look, Xiao Yaohou."
Many present felt their hearts jolt violently, cold sweat pouring down their bodies.
"No need to look!" Xiao Yaohou didn't even glance at the jade slip. She said in a deep voice: "Hand the list over to the Punishment Prince's Manor. And issue an order: everyone on that list must, within three days, write a confession of guilt with their own blood, nail it to the North City Wall, and display it for three years! If they do so, I will temporarily spare their lives and not pursue further. But if after three days, any name on the list does not have a blood confession on the city wall, they will be regarded as remnants of Huai Wang Manor... executed without mercy!"
Another bloody Asura Decree was mercilessly issued from Xiao Yaohou's mouth, abruptly chilling the air in the hall.
Yun Che's eyes brightened. Because this order from Xiao Yaohou was very clever. Other than Bai Yi, no one should know exactly which names were on that list. Although the jade slip was large, it certainly didn't include everyone. But the bloody decree of "executed without mercy" would make anyone who had any connection with Huai Wang Manor dare not hold any false hope. They would obediently confess their crimes in blood on the city wall.
Thus, those unknown individuals who had once pledged allegiance to Huai Wang Manor would also be fully exposed.
However, for the various Guardian Clans and Princely Manors, it was a huge relief. A single blood confession could earn forgiveness—this was a far better outcome than expected. But just as they breathed a sigh of relief, Xiao Yaohou's next words made their hearts and courage jump again.
"As for the Guardian Clans and Princely Manors on the list, there is no need to write blood confessions," Xiao Yaohou's voice suddenly turned severe. "Others following Huai Wang can be seen as going with the flow. But you are the pillars and beams of the Huan Yao Realm, yet you rebelled against our Demon Emperor, your rebellious intent clear! There is simply no forgiveness! If I were to let you off lightly, how could I face the people of Huan Yao? How could I face our ancestors who brought today's peace to the Huan Yao Realm!"
It was like a bucket of water from a freezing hell had been poured over them. The seven family heads and various princes felt an icy chill from head to toe. They did not dare to lift their heads, nor did they dare to speak in their own defense. They could only wait in terror.
Xiao Yaohou slowly stood up, her voice like an ice blade cutting through the air: "All seven Guardian Clans involved in this rebellion... the clan heads responsible, demoted by three ranks in clan status! All clan elders receive forty lashes and confiscate half their property! Those directly involved in the rebellion, identify the chief culprits and execute them! The rest of the clan members sit idle for ten years, and deliver sixty thousand profound crystals as tribute to the royal city within three months! If they are even one day late... clan extermination!"
Thud, thud, thud—
Seven or eight clan heads directly collapsed to the ground. Sixty thousand profound crystals—that was practically stripping their bones and skin! But at this moment, they didn't even dare to beg for mercy. Because the word "clan extermination" was far too heavy. At least the clan was preserved.
Xiao Yaohou's gaze turned to the various princes: "You princes... the same punishment!"
Bang!
The princes' knees heavily fell to the ground, but they didn't dare to utter a single complaint.
"And the Huai Wang Manor, the chief culprit of this rebellion... its nine clans all executed, ancestral lands confiscated! The Huai bloodline, the Huai surname... erased from the world!" Xiao Yaohou's voice had no emotional fluctuations at all, as if talking about something trivial. But every word was like a bolt of heavenly thunder exploding in everyone's ears.
The Zhenxi Prince crawled forward on his hands and knees: "Xiao... Xiao Yaohou, the Huai Wang bloodline has already... already been completely executed, not a single survivor left..."
"The tenth prince of Huai Wang, it is said that he has always been weak and sickly, confined to his bed throughout the year, never once involved in government affairs, and was even sent to the outer court to raise horses and do hard labor by Huai Wang himself... He should not have participated in this rebellion..." The Zhenxi Prince's voice grew softer and softer, eventually becoming inaudible.
The hall fell into dead silence. Xiao Yaohou's brows slightly furrowed, releasing a faint cold aura.
After a long time, Xiao Yaohou slowly said: "Huai Wang's tenth prince... I remember there was indeed such a person, but he should have died of illness a long time ago... Hmph! If he is truly dead, then forget it. If he is still alive... then he is a disaster in the making. Pass my order: search the entire city! If found, kill immediately! If not found... then let the heavens decide his fate."
"Yes!"
The crowd bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
"All of you, withdraw!"
"Yes!"
A loud response, and the crowd scrambled to their feet, retreating as if granted amnesty. Many even stumbled and staggered out.
The inside of the hall quickly emptied. Only Yun Che remained, sitting there without moving.
Xiao Yaohou turned around and was about to enter the stone chamber, but then paused, turning back to look at Yun Che: "Why haven't you left?"
Yun Che smiled slightly: "I'm waiting for Xiao Yaohou to say something to me."
"Hmph, what could I possibly have to say to you?" Xiao Yaohou snorted coldly: "Get lost."
"Uh..." Yun Che rubbed his nose: "That doesn't sound good. I remember that when we first met, you weren't this fierce with me."
"You brat, still dare to spout nonsense!" Xiao Yaohou's gaze turned cold: "Do you believe I'll seal your mouth shut?"
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving." Yun Che stood up, but when he reached the palace gate, he suddenly turned back and said: "I almost forgot there's something to tell you. Today's verdict was too light."
"Oh?" Xiao Yaohou's eyes flickered slightly: "How so?"
"If it were me, I would have directly executed all seven Guardian Clans and nine great princes' entire families. Then I would select new clans and princes to replace them. That way, the new ones would be grateful and dare not rebel. The old ones would be afraid and dare not move." Yun Che's voice carried a hint of coldness: "A knife that's not drawn won't hurt people. If it's already drawn, it must see blood. Otherwise, it will only make enemies think you're weak and easy to bully."
Xiao Yaohou was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a light laugh. A strange light flashed in her eyes: "You brat, even I can't see through you. Others don't know, but I am well aware of your background. You were just a waste from a small country's frontier town, yet you have such fierce and decisive methods... It seems that the legacy you have inherited is truly extraordinary."
"..." Yun Che's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was slightly shocked. Other than him, the only person who knew his origins in the Huan Yao Realm was Xiao Yaohou. This woman was indeed not simple.
"If I really followed your words, the entire Huan Yao Realm would fall into chaos. Those Guardian Clans and princes do harbor rebellious intent, but they also have roots deeply intertwined with each other. If I uproot them all in one go, the Huan Yao Realm will be thrown into turmoil, and it will take at least a hundred years to stabilize." Xiao Yaohou sighed softly: "The previous generation's Demon Emperor was too soft, allowing these people to grow too strong. I must slowly weaken them, cut off their teeth one by one, and finally uproot them completely."
"Over the years, I have been doing this. But the previous generation's Demon Emperor died too suddenly, giving me too little time... This rebellion, although dangerous, is also an opportunity. By cutting off Huai Wang, I can kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, and shrink them back into their shells so they won't dare to show their claws easily for decades. During that time, I can slowly apply the knife."
"Your method is too fierce, too urgent. Although it would bring immediate results, the aftershocks are too great. Moreover, the Huan Yao Realm's enemy has always been the people of the Divine Realm. If we are torn apart by internal strife, the gains will not outweigh the losses."
Xiao Yaohou's voice gradually faded. Yun Che was slightly stunned, then smiled apologetically: "I was too hasty in my thoughts. Fortunately, I have Xiao Yaohou to guide me. But speaking of the Divine Realm... I wonder if Xiao Yaohou has heard of the news regarding the Southern Divine Region."
Xiao Yaohou's expression immediately darkened: "I have received word. The Barrier of the Southern Divine Region has been breached by the Abyss... Most of the Southern Divine Region has already fallen. The Western Divine Region and our Eastern Divine Region have already sent large forces to support, but I'm afraid... it won't be long before the Abyss forces attack our Huan Yao Realm."
"The barrier of the Southern Divine Region has been breached?" Yun Che frowned deeply: "I thought it would still hold for at least a few more years."
"In the face of absolute power, any barrier is nothing more than paper." Xiao Yaohou's tone was heavy: "The barrier of the Southern Divine Region was personally set up by the Creation God back then. Even that was breached by the Abyss. Our Huan Yao Realm's barrier... I'm afraid it won't be able to hold out much longer either. At that time, this place will become a battlefield."
"The matter of the Abyss... do you have any ideas?" Xiao Yaohou suddenly looked at Yun Che.
Yun Che was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "I have obtained some special power that may be able to counter the Abyss... but it is still far from enough. I need more time."
"How much time do you need?"
"I don't know." Yun Che shook his head: "But I will do my best."
"Mm." Xiao Yaohou nodded slightly, no longer asking further. She turned around and slowly walked toward the stone chamber: "If you have nothing else, you may leave now."
"Wait." Yun Che suddenly shouted.
"What is it?"
"I want to ask you one more thing. When you punished the princes and Guardian Clans today, why did you not punish the Tianxia Clan and the Yun Clan?" Yun Che looked at Xiao Yaohou's back: "Although the Tianxia Clan and the Yun Clan did not rebel, they did not prevent this rebellion in time. Moreover, I heard that Yun Qinghong's own son almost married the princess of Huai Wang's lineage... This matter is hardly innocent."
"..." Xiao Yaohou did not turn around, but a faint curve appeared at the corner of her mouth: "Are you trying to test me?"
"No." Yun Che said seriously: "I just want to know."
"Since you want to know, I'll tell you." Xiao Yaohou said slowly: "The Tianxia Clan has always been neutral and never participates in the struggle for power, making them the least threatening. As for the Yun Clan... the previous generation's patriarch of the Yun Clan was once close friends with my father. Because of this, my father even entrusted an important mission to the Yun Clan. Although Yun Qinghong has never moved in the court for many years, his influence and prestige in the Huan Yao Realm are no less than mine. If I punish the Yun Clan, it will chill the hearts of all the heroes in the realm."
"Besides, the Yun Clan has not been idle all these years. Although Yun Qinghong appears to be idle and carefree, every move in the court cannot escape his eyes. The reason Huai Wang's rebellion was able to be nipped in the bud is greatly due to Yun Qinghong's secret help."
"Heh... you say I can't see through you, and I say I can't see through Xiao Yaohou either." Yun Che smiled and cupped his hands: "Then I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
Yun Che walked away without looking back. But just as he stepped out of the hall, Xiao Yaohou's voice came from behind again: "Take care of yourself. Don't let yourself die before the Abyss arrives. Otherwise, I will be very troubled."
Yun Che paused slightly, then continued walking. A faint smile appeared on his face.
After leaving the Yaohuang Palace, Yun Che walked unhurriedly through the long corridor. On the way, he met many palace servants and guards, all of whom bowed to him from afar, their eyes full of reverence and awe.
"Brother! Big brother!"
A shout came from behind. Yun Che turned around and saw Xiao Yun running over in a panic.
"Xiao Yun, what's wrong?" Yun Che asked with a smile.
"Brother, Xiao Yaohou was just too fierce just now! I was scared out of my wits!" Xiao Yun patted his chest repeatedly: "And those Guardian Clans and princes were so pitiful, all kneeling on the ground trembling. I feel like Xiao Yaohou is really terrifying."
"Ridiculous," Yun Che shook his head with a smile: "A ruler must have the methods of a ruler. If Xiao Yaohou were kind and gentle, how could she sit firmly on this throne? Moreover, the actions of those people deserve death. Xiao Yaohou sparing their lives is already extremely merciful."
"I know." Xiao Yun nodded: "But I still feel a little scared."
"Alright, stop thinking about that." Yun Che patted Xiao Yun's shoulder: "By the way, where is Qingyue? I haven't seen her for a while."
"She is practicing in the side hall. She said she has gained some insights recently and needs to digest them." Xiao Yun replied, then his face suddenly changed: "Oh no, I almost forgot something. Big brother, I have to go find Qinger."
"Qinger?" Yun Che was startled: "The princess of the Helian Clan?"
"Yes." Xiao Yun scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "She said she wanted to discuss cultivation with me today, and if I'm late, she'll be angry."
"Tsk tsk, you brat, you're moving pretty fast." Yun Che smiled as he looked at Xiao Yun: "Go on, don't keep her waiting."
"Then I'll go first, big brother!" Xiao Yun ran off in a flurry.
Yun Che looked at Xiao Yun's retreating back, his eyes complex. This younger brother of his was still so simple. But this simplicity might be a kind of happiness.
Shaking his head, Yun Che continued toward his own courtyard.
Just then, a sudden strange feeling surged in his heart.
He stopped, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.
"What's wrong?" The voice of the Evil God rang in his mind.
"I... don't know." Yun Che's eyes flickered: "I just suddenly felt very uneasy, as if something is about to happen."
"It's the sixth sense of a cultivator," the Evil God's voice carried a hint of gravity: "This feeling usually doesn't come without reason. You need to be careful."
"Mm." Yun Che nodded, then quickened his pace back to his residence.
At this moment, a sharp sword cry suddenly came from afar, cutting through the sky.
Yun Che's pupils shrank, and he instantly shot toward the source of the sound.