# Chapter 641: Earth-Shattering Event (Part 2)
Yaohuang Palace.
It was already noon. The heads of the Twelve Guardian Clans and the Commandery Princes of the various princely mansions had all arrived, not daring to be absent even one. Those who came along were also leading figures—after all, Xiao Yaohou had personally ordered that everyone must be present, and she had an "important matter" to announce.
The midday banquet began. Amidst the clinking of cups and the exchange of toasts, the originally somewhat tense atmosphere quickly became lively. The Yun Family had also invisibly become the center of the banquet, with clan heads and commandery princes constantly taking the initiative to approach and offer toasts. However, after drinking, everyone would immediately use their profound energy to dispel the alcohol's effects, lest they lose composure before Xiao Yaohou under its influence.
"Big Brother, what exactly is this midday banquet about? What's the big matter?" Xiao Yun asked Yun Che in a low voice.
"I don't know," Yun Che replied. "But I have a feeling it seems to be related to me?"
"Ah? Related to Big Brother?" Xiao Yun's eyes widened. "Father said that what's to be announced today is a matter concerning the future of the Illusion Demon Realm... Why would Big Brother think that?"
"First, when Father called me this morning, he said Xiao Yaohou had specifically ordered that I must be present. I had a premonition at that time. But that's only a secondary reason."
"Then what's the main reason?" Xiao Yun pressed on, always trusting Yun Che's words implicitly.
Yun Che tapped his chin. "The more important reason is that from the start of the banquet until now, Xiao Yaohou hasn't looked directly at me even once."
"Eh?" Xiao Yun was stunned. "Just... just that reason?"
"Yes!" Yun Che nodded with extreme seriousness. "I'm not joking. Based on my understanding of women... she's definitely about to do something aimed at me."
"But, Xiao Yaohou isn't an ordinary woman. Besides... she hasn't really looked directly at me either," Xiao Yun said weakly.
Yun Che gave him a sidelong glance and said indifferently, "No matter how extraordinary she is, she's still a woman. Her not looking at you and her not looking at me are completely different concepts. For example... your Seventh Sister never looked at me once, which is perfectly normal. But if she had never looked at you once during the entire banquet... then something 'major' would be about to happen."
"Huh?" Xiao Yun's mouth fell open, his face full of bewilderment—clearly not understanding what Yun Che was talking about at all.
Unbeknownst, the midday banquet had passed more than half. Xiao Yaohou sat upright on the imperial throne, barely speaking throughout the entire time, and no one dared to ask about the "major matter" that was to be announced today. At this moment, Yun Qinghong set down his wine cup, rose, and bowed: "Xiao Yaohou, the Huai Wang rebellion has been quelled. Although Ming Wang has escaped, under an all-out search, I believe he will soon be apprehended and executed. As your subjects, we contributed very little during the Huai Wang rebellion—it was entirely due to Xiao Yaohou alone that the situation was turned around. We are deeply ashamed. Xiao Yaohou summoned us here today for a major matter... Whatever your command, we will carry it out even if it costs us our lives!"
In the great hall, there was indeed no one more suitable to step forward than Yun Qinghong. As soon as he spoke these words, the others quickly restrained their voices and expressions, set down their cups, and bowed in unison: "We will carry out Xiao Yaohou's command even if it costs us our lives!"
Xiao Yaohou swept her gaze across the entire assembly, finally glancing in Yun Che's direction... Everyone was bowing, but Yun Che alone still sat there leisurely sipping his tea. Her face remained calm and undisturbed as she slowly rose and said coldly, "Indeed, I have a major matter to announce today. This matter concerns the future of our Illusion Demon Realm! And even more so, it concerns the continuation of our Demon Emperor bloodline!"
The continuation of the Demon Emperor bloodline? Xiao Yaohou's words stunned everyone. Yun Che also furrowed his brow... Hmm?
"Under the ambition and poisonous hand of the Huai Wang faction, my Imperial Father and Imperial Brother successively met their demise. Though I am a woman, I am the final inheritor of the Demon Emperor bloodline. If the Demon Emperor bloodline is severed after me, the Illusion Demon Realm will surely fall into chaos. Now that the Huai Wang faction has been eliminated, how to continue the Demon Emperor bloodline has become a major matter I must consider."
Xiao Yaohou's words left everyone exchanging bewildered glances. The Demon Emperor clan now only had Xiao Yaohou left—true continuation of the bloodline was fundamentally impossible. If one were to speak of "continuation"... it would naturally have to be through children born of Xiao Yaohou. An elderly commandery prince couldn't help but cautiously speak up: "Xiao Yaohou, do you mean... you intend to... take many male consorts?"
Xiao Yaohou's gaze turned cold, then quickly returned to calmness as she said icily, "Xiao Yaohuang left no descendants. The inheritance of our Demon Emperor bloodline can naturally only be accomplished by me! I have worn mourning gray for a hundred years, observing filial piety for my Imperial Father and Imperial Brother. Now, the time has come for me to choose a husband."
The words "choose a husband" shocked the guardian clan heads and commandery princes into utter stupor. They had never imagined that what Xiao Yaohou would announce today was something like this. Subconsciously, they had never even considered such a thing possible—not because Xiao Yaohou was the successor of Xiao Yaohuang, but because of her temperament... How could there possibly exist a man in this world who could catch her eye! With her beauty, her status, her profound strength, her bloodline... in this Illusion Demon Realm, who was qualified to be her husband?
Everyone heard her words crystal clear—she said "husband," not "male consort"... These were two completely different concepts, worlds apart.
"Xiao Yaohou, could it be... you already have someone in mind?" Yun Qinghong, though equally astonished, sensed something from her expression: "I wonder which celestial-like figure is fortunate enough to receive Xiao Yaohou's favor?"
But Xiao Yaohou did not answer him. Instead, she suddenly spoke heavily: "Langxun Prince, hear my command!"
A commandery prince dressed entirely in blue hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply: "Your humble prince is here."
"Before dusk, proclaim throughout the entire Yaohuang City, and send voice transmissions to all city lords and domain lords: Seven days hence, Yun Clan's Young Master Yun Che shall enter our Demon Emperor clan and marry me in this Yaohuang Palace..."
Pfft... Yun Che violently spat out the half-mouthful of tea he had been holding, spraying it all over Xiao Yun's face... The latter, already gaping in shock, was hit by Yun Che's spray and fell straight onto his bottom. Even Yun Qinghong beside him shuddered all over... If not for his strong willpower, he would probably have been so shocked that he'd have fallen right onto Xiao Yun's head.
The Yaohuang Palace fell into a long, deathly silence, then erupted like boiling water. The exaggerated sounds and expressions were as if they'd seen a ghost in broad daylight... No one could have imagined that this was what Xiao Yaohou would announce today, and even in their wildest dreams, they never thought the person she chose would be...
"All of you, shut up!" Facing the sudden outburst, Xiao Yaohou's brows slanted, and she let out a cold reprimand. Instantly, everyone felt a chill run through their bodies, and all sounds vanished. Xiao Yaohou's gaze turned cold: "What? Does anyone have objections?"
Everyone's faces twitched and their eyes flickered, but facing Xiao Yaohou's suddenly erupting authority, no one dared to speak. At this moment, an elderly commandery prince stepped forward and said with great agitation: "Xiao Yaohou, this... this... in principle, it's not impermissible. After all, since Xiao Yaohuang has passed, to continue the Demon Emperor bloodline, this is the only way. But Yun Clan's Young Master... this... in terms of propriety, it is utterly unacceptable!"
"What is unacceptable!" As soon as the old prince's words fell, Jiufang Kui was the first to jump out, pointing at his nose and cursing: "Whatever Xiao Yaohou says, that's what it is! You half-buried old bastard, do you dare to question Xiao Yaohou's decision!"
Compared to his behavior at the original Demon Empress Coronation Ceremony, Jiufang Kui's performance now was worlds apart. With the slave mark placed on him by Xiao Yaohou, Jiufang Kui was now a loyal dog who obeyed Xiao Yaohou completely. If anyone dared to offend Xiao Yaohou, he would definitely risk his life to bite them to death.
Another commandery prince stepped forward: "Xiao Yaohou, please think thrice on this matter! Although Yun Che is exceptionally talented in all aspects, unparalleled in the entire Illusion Demon Realm, and his future achievements are limitless... but he is only twenty-two years old, still the Young Master of the Yun Clan, the son of Yun Qinghong, and the grandson of Yun Canghai! In the past, the former Demon Emperor and Demon King Yun Canghai addressed each other as brothers... Yun Che and you... this seniority... absolutely cannot be! Otherwise, would it not disrupt..."
"Silence!"
Xiao Yaohou's angry shout made the speaking commandery prince tremble all over, and he immediately knelt down. Xiao Yaohou's gaze turned utterly dark, and the entire Yaohuang Palace suddenly became icy cold: "Fine... truly fine indeed. Back when Huai Wang's ambition was clear for all to see, you were all timid and hesitant, not daring to fight to the death with me against him! Worse, to protect yourselves, you did not hesitate to betray and rebel! The Huai Wang rebellion was personally quelled by me! The vengeance of the former Demon Emperor and Xiao Yaohuang was personally exacted by me! That you can now sit peacefully in Yaohuang City is also granted by me! I have been fair to the heavens and the Illusion Demon Realm, fair to all of you! And now, having been on the throne for a hundred years, today I am doing the first thing truly for myself, and you all jump out to point fingers and criticize!"
"What use do I have for you worthless wastes?!"
"Your humble prince... wouldn't dare... wouldn't dare!" The two commandery princes who had just opposed knelt, trembling all over, knocking their heads like pounding garlic—because the biting cold was not just Xiao Yaohou's anger, but clearly carried a killing intent: "Your humble prince is foolish and ignorant, please forgive us, Xiao Yaohou... Xiao Yaohou and Yun Clan's Young Master are... are... a golden boy and jade girl, a match made in heaven... Please forgive us, Xiao Yaohou... Please forgive us, Xiao Yaohou..."
"Xiao Yaohou, calm your anger." Everyone hurriedly bowed, not daring to speak another word of opposition.
"Hmph!" Xiao Yaohou's killing intent did not diminish, her voice icy and piercing: "The order I just gave to Langxun Prince is a command to be proclaimed to the world immediately, not something to be discussed with you! And yet some people insist on jumping out to be flies before my eyes. It seems I haven't killed enough people—there are still plenty who refuse to obey!"
"Xiao Yaohou, spare our lives... Your humble prince is stupid of mind, inadvertently misspoke... Please spare us, Xiao Yaohou..." The two kneeling commandery princes shook like sieves. Everyone in the hall stood still, not daring to move, many sweating profusely, silently grateful they hadn't jumped out themselves.
Yun Qinghong quickly stepped in front of the two princes and said urgently: "Xiao Yaohou, calm your anger. Mount Shan Prince and Ziyin Prince were also worried that Xiao Yaohou's and the Demon Emperor clan's reputation might be tarnished, hence they spoke to advise. It was absolutely not meant as disrespect. Please forgive their offense of misspeaking."
Mount Shan Prince and Ziyin Prince both raised their heads slightly, their faces full of gratitude. Among the various princes and guardian clan heads, Yun Qinghong undoubtedly had the greatest authority. His stepping forward to defend them should be enough to guarantee their lives.
"Hmph!" Xiao Yaohou turned her back to everyone and said heavily: "Are there any others with objections?"
The Yaohuang Palace was deathly silent. Now, not to mention "objections," no one dared to even fart. They all now understood clearly—Xiao Yaohou regarded this matter with great seriousness. It was by no means a simple "taking of consorts." When she used the word "husband" instead of "taking consorts," they should have realized... yet two people, in their excitement, hadn't thought it through and had walked right into the line of fire.
After a long silence, Xiao Yaohou continued: "I know what you're all thinking. You must think that my marriage to Yun Che violates moral principles and disrupts ethics? Hmph, have you all completely forgotten what kind of bloodline our Demon Emperor clan possesses!? This bloodline—aside from myself, isn't there one other person in this world!"
Xiao Yaohou's words suddenly made many people see the light. Su Xiangnan exclaimed: "That's right! The flame Yun Che used to injure Huai Wang that day was Golden Crow Flame... He possesses the Golden Crow bloodline personally bestowed by the Golden Crow God Spirit!"
"Ah... Your humble prince has forgotten such an important matter. Yun Clan's Young Master also possesses the Golden Crow bloodline!"
"If Yun Clan's Young Master and Xiao Yaohou unite... their offspring would also possess the pure Golden Crow bloodline... that is, the Demon Emperor bloodline!"
"So this is the reason Xiao Yaohou wants Yun Clan's Young Master to enter the Demon Emperor clan?"
............................
Murmurs of discussion arose all around. The extreme shock from before now seemed somewhat reasonable under this "reason."
Xiao Yun had been in a daze. Suddenly, Yun Che's voice came to his ears: "Xiao Yun, immediately say what I tell you. Listen carefully!"
"Ah... ah?"
"Don't 'ah'! Forget everything else, just hear me clearly and say what I tell you! Listen well now..."
"Ah!!" Suddenly, a loud exclamation rang out, forcefully drawing everyone's gaze. Xiao Yun's expression was very exaggerated—but not faked; he was indeed utterly flustered. He stammered: "So this is actually true... Ah, Brother told me a few days ago that the reason the Golden Crow God Spirit bestowed him with Golden Crow bloodline was because it couldn't bear to see the Demon Emperor bloodline severed, allowing Xiao Yaohou and Big Brother to continue the Demon Emperor bloodline... I didn't believe it then... So it's true... Ah! This... this is the Golden Crow God Spirit's will!"
Xiao Yaohou: "..."
"The Golden Crow God Spirit's will"... That was undoubtedly divine intention, a divine blessing! What human worldly etiquette, seniority, even moral principles—before a god's will, all counted for nothing. A clan head immediately cried out: "The Golden Crow God Spirit's favor! So that's how it is! Hahahaha, wonderful! Truly wonderful! Xiao Yaohou, congratulations!"
"Congratulations, Xiao Yaohou!"
"Xiao Yaohou's wisdom is vast, farsighted beyond compare—we humble subjects are utterly ashamed, utterly ashamed!"
"No wonder this young hero is so outstanding... So this was the will of the divine! The Golden Crow God Spirit truly cares deeply for our Illusion Demon Realm!"
....................
Voices of flattery and praise resounded one after another. There were no more objections. Xiao Yaohou's words and the presence of "God's will" made this matter instantly become a righteous, magnificent union. Some people even started making wedding gift plans, vying to outdo each other.
"Langxun Prince, you may go now," Xiao Yaohou said calmly. "Remember, proclaim it throughout the entire city before dusk. Also, the great ceremony is set for seven days—seven days exactly!"
"Yes!" Langxun Prince quickly assented, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He dared not say another word, took two steps back, and left in haste. As he ran, he groaned inwardly: My god... only seven days... preparing the entire city, working to the bone, seven days might barely be enough. But those bigwigs in the southern border and northern domains... upon receiving the voice transmission, they'll probably piss their pants and rush here with tears in their eyes... and might not even make it in time.
Xiao Yaohou faced the assembled ministers: "For the next seven days, set aside all other affairs. Devote yourselves fully to preparing the wedding ceremony for me and Yun Che! Though there are only seven days, there must be no oversight or carelessness! It needn't shake heaven and earth, but it must be sufficiently grand—absolutely no cutting corners... At the very least, it must not be half as shabby as it was a hundred years ago!"
"Yes!"
"Begin preparations immediately! All of you, withdraw!"
"Yes!"
This matter was undoubtedly greater than heaven itself. It was not at all excessive or exaggerated for all the Guardian Clans and princely mansions to join forces in preparation. And seven days was far too tight—their footsteps as they withdrew were hurried. The moment they left Yaohuang Palace, they flew off at top speed, afraid of being outdone in preparation... This was not just Xiao Yaohou's wedding—it was the "will of the Golden Crow Sacred God!"
The only one who did not leave the hall was Yun Che, the unprecedented central figure of the Illusion Demon Realm, who seemed to have been completely forgotten.