Chapter 728: Cang Yue's Decision
Cang Yue could never have imagined such a situation would occur. She hated Feng Hengkong to the bone, but faced with this scene that even the most incredulous witness would find hard to believe, she was at a loss. She turned her pleading gaze toward Yun Che beside her: "Husband… what is this…"
"Let them rise first," Yun Che said. "We'll talk about everything inside the hall."
Cang Yue nodded slightly, steadied her heart, then stepped forward and extended her hand to Feng Xue'er: "Sister Xue'er, please rise. Your status is unmatched in honor and nobility; such a grand bow leaves me somewhat uneasy."
Feng Xue'er still kept her head lowered, speaking softly: "Empress Cangfeng, you flatter me… Xue'er carries the guilt of sin. Kneeling to beg forgiveness is only right, hoping to somewhat ease the wrath of Empress Cangyue."
Cang Yue shook her head, reached out, and helped Feng Xue'er to her feet. Looking at her up close, she couldn't help but marvel inwardly that such a perfect, dreamlike beauty existed in the world. If there was but one celestial maiden in this world, it could only be the young woman before her.
"Though I have never left the Cangfeng Kingdom, I have heard much of the Shenhuang Snow Princess's reputation. Now meeting you in person, you surpass the rumors countless times over," Cang Yue praised.
The most extreme anger and hatred toward a person easily spreads to their kin. Cang Yue, who hated Feng Hengkong to the core, found that when facing Feng Xue'er, she could not muster even a shred of resentment. Or perhaps no one in the world could ever feel hatred toward her.
"Feng Hengkong, you may rise as well." Cang Yue turned back, her voice instantly changing from calm to cold: "This is no place for conversation. Follow me to the Cangfeng Main Hall!"
Following Yun Che's subtle glance, Cang Yue said to Dongfang Xiu: "Lord Dongfang, you and your men stand guard outside and let no one enter. Also, do not speak of what you saw just now."
"Yes." Dongfang Xiu bowed slightly. He glanced at Feng Hengkong, wanting to warn Cang Yue to be careful… but thinking of Yun Che and Feng Hengkong's kneeling, he swallowed his words.
Watching Cang Yue, Yun Che, Feng Hengkong, and Feng Xue'er enter the Cangfeng Main Hall, Dongfang Xiu and the others exchanged glances, some still not recovered from the shock.
"What is going on? Is that really… the emperor of Shenhuang?" Feng Yunlie asked, eyes wide. No matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn't understand what had happened… That was the proud Phoenix Emperor, the master of the Phoenix God Sect!!
Although they were both monarchs, as a general of Cangfeng, he had to admit that the weight of "Master of Shenhuang" was a thousand times greater than that of "Master of Cangfeng." Feng Hengkong's personal arrival here was already shocking beyond belief, and to think he would kneel before the Empress of Cangfeng… and his voice carried deep pain and regret.
"That is indeed the Shenhuang Empire's emperor, Feng Hengkong. I saw him three years ago," Xia Yuanba confirmed.
"…And that woman, could she be the legendary Shenhuang Snow Princess?"
"Mm, she's the Snow Princess. I didn't expect she would come too… but three years ago, Brother-in-law had a good relationship with her." Xia Yuanba scratched his head in confusion.
"Indeed, after all, three years ago Yun Che ended up in trouble at the Primordial Mystic Art because he saved the Snow Princess… The Snow Princess, the heavenly gift of the Shenhuang Empire, the number one beauty of Tian Xuan Continent, truly lives up to her reputation!" Dongfang Xiu praised heavily.
"Truly worthy of being Brother Yun, turning such a dire situation around in just a few days." Tianxia Diyi lowered his voice, muttering to himself: "And I never imagined there existed a woman whose appearance could rival Little Demon Empress…"
……………………
The Cangfeng Grand Hall was silent. Feng Hengkong stood at the center, looking up at everything around him. He had thought that one day he would personally set foot in this Cangfeng Imperial Palace, but never imagined it would be in this form. Cang Yue, likewise, never thought she would meet the person she hated most in this way.
Yun Che had already informed Cang Yue in sufficient detail about the situation in Shenhuang. Although he had engineered all of this, the ruler of Cangfeng was Cang Yue, and everything he did was for her sake. Therefore, how Feng Hengkong would atone for his sins would ultimately be her decision.
"Sister Xue'er, please take a seat." Completely different from her attitude toward Feng Hengkong, Cang Yue spoke softly and gently to Feng Xue'er. She now understood why this myth-like celestial maiden would humble herself to come here and kneel before her… and even without these reasons, no one could bring themselves to dislike her.
"Thank you, Sister Empress." Feng Xue'er did not decline and sat down beside Yun Che.
"Feng Hengkong, are you truly willing to atone for your sins?" Cang Yue turned to face Feng Hengkong, her expression instantly cold.
If, after stepping off the Phoenix Divine Boat and setting foot on Cangfeng soil, there had still been reluctance and resentment in his heart, then with Feng Xue'er's kneeling, those feelings completely dissipated with the shock and pain in his heart. He could set aside the blood debts he had incurred in Cangfeng, but as long as he could relieve Feng Xue'er's spiritual burden, he would do everything to atone… even if it cost him the dignity of a Shenhuang emperor, or even his life.
"I have come today solely to apologize and atone! I fully understand that the calamity I brought upon Cangfeng is greater than the heavens, too numerous to record. Even dying ten thousand times would not be enough… As long as it can appease the resentment of Cangfeng and you, Empress Cangyue, I will accept it willingly, without regret."
"Yue'er, when I was in Phoenix City, I already proposed conditions, and they agreed to them." Yun Che spoke, then detailed one by one the five conditions he had raised before Feng Hengkong and Feng Tianwei above Phoenix City.
Yesterday, when Yun Che shouted out these final conditions, Feng Hengkong's face had been ashen, his roar angry, almost bursting with rage. But now, listening to Yun Che speak the same words—compensation, ceding territory, even crippling his profound arts and kneeling in Cangfeng for a hundred years, and the fifth condition of tributes lasting centuries—his face remained calm, without a ripple.
On the contrary, Cang Yue, hearing Yun Che's conditions, showed increasing shock. She hated Feng Hengkong to the core, hated the Shenhuang Empire, but the five conditions Yun Che proposed were undoubtedly domineering and even cruel to the extreme. If the Shenhuang Kingdom implemented all of them, its five thousand years of dignity would be trampled underfoot by Cangfeng, a kingdom with only a thousand years of history that had always been the weakest, sinking into eternal shame…
Such harsh atonement conditions had never appeared in Tian Xuan's entire history.
"These conditions—do you, Shenhuang… and especially you, Feng Hengkong—truly agree to them?" Cang Yue's brow furrowed, her eyes unflinchingly meeting the Phoenix Emperor's eyes. She wanted to hear his own answer.
"Yes." Feng Hengkong closed his eyes, answering without hesitation.
"Good…" Cang Yue's chest heaved violently, her gaze growing sharp and deep.
"Sister Empress!" Feng Xue'er quickly stood up, pleading with Cang Yue: "Xue'er deeply understands that Father has committed unforgivable sins. All the compensation Brother Yun proposed is deserved. But… only the matter of crippling Father's profound arts and keeping him in Cangfeng for a hundred years, I beg Sister Cangyue for leniency. Father's status is special—he is not only the emperor of Shenhuang but also the sect master of the Phoenix God Sect. If he remains in Cangfeng, the hearts of Shenhuang's people will surely be disturbed, and the Phoenix God Sect will be unsettled for a long time."
"Although everything is Father's own fault, as Father's daughter, Xue'er should share his guilt. I beg Sister Empress to sympathize with Xue'er's private feelings and the greater good of Shenhuang, and let Xue'er stay in Cangfeng in Father's place. As for the other compensation, Father will carry it out as quickly as possible after returning. Please, Sister Empress…"
"Xue'er, this has nothing to do with you!" Feng Hengkong shouted harshly. "Empress Cangyue, you know well that vengeance should be taken on the one responsible! Your father's death and Cangfeng's current state are all my doing! They have nothing to do with my daughter! She has been unconscious for these three years, with no involvement at all!"
"I am now single-minded in my desire to atone! Whatever you want me to do, I will not hesitate! But Xue'er is an absolute boundary I will never allow to be crossed!"
Feng Hengkong's voice was fierce and resolute. Feng Xue'er grew anxious: "Father, you already agreed before we came! Don't you care about Shenhuang and the sect?"
Feng Hengkong shook his head slowly. "Xue'er, to me, your safety is more important than my life, more important than the sect… more than anything in this world. If I had to choose, I would rather see Shenhuang and the sect destroyed than let you suffer the slightest harm."
Cang Yue: "..."
Yun Che: "..."
"No, that won't happen. If I stay here, with Brother Yun protecting me, I will not suffer any harm. I will pay respects to Sister Empress's father every day, pray every day for Cangfeng, for Shenhuang, and for Father. After a hundred years of atonement, I will return to Phoenix City… If Father misses me, he can visit Xue'er anytime." Feng Xue'er smiled, with no worry or fear in her words. "Shenhuang can do without Xue'er, but not without Father. Matters that concern the entire kingdom and sect cannot be subject to Father's willfulness!"
"Xue'er, I…"
"Father," Feng Xue'er gently interrupted his next words, "Xue'er has always grown up under Father's doting and protection, blessed by Lord Phoenix God, but has never been able to do anything for Father or the Phoenix God Sect. Now, finally being able to share Father's burden, Xue'er feels only joy and contentment, not the slightest bit wronged or afraid… Besides, here is where Brother Yun, whom Xue'er likes most, resides. If I can see Brother Yun often, I will surely be even happier than when I was in Phoenix City. Remember, three years ago, Brother Yun risked his life to protect Xue'er. So by Brother Yun's side, I feel completely at ease, and Father need not worry at all… right?"
"Xue'er, you…" Feng Hengkong reached out, wanting to touch Feng Xue'er's shoulder, but his eyes blurred uncontrollably again.
"Sister Empress, Brother Yun is the best person in the world in Xue'er's heart. You are Brother Yun's wife, and surely the most gentle and kind empress. Please spare Father's life and freedom, and let Xue'er stay in his place. From now on, Xue'er and Father will repent and atone for the sins of these three years with the utmost sincerity… Please grant Xue'er's wish, and Xue'er will remember Sister Empress's kindness forever."
Every word from Feng Xue'er struck Feng Hengkong's heart, and also shook Cang Yue's heart. Looking at her icy countenance and eyes far more beautiful than the stars, Cang Yue felt a powerful tremor in her heart… She knew well Feng Xue'er's status: the noblest bloodline in all of Tian Xuan Continent, the future god of the Phoenix God Sect, surpassing Feng Hengkong in both identity and status.
Even surpassing all living beings in Tian Xuan Continent!!
Under Feng Xue'er's gaze, Cang Yue remained silent for a long time. After a while, she turned to look at Yun Che, seeking his guidance.
"Yue'er, this is for you to decide. Whatever decision you make, I will support you." Yun Che said with a smile. He also believed Cang Yue would surely reach the best outcome.
"…" Cang Yue slowly turned around and paced toward the imperial throne. The hall fell silent, only the rustling of her phoenix robe hem against the floor could be heard.
At the far end of the hall, Cang Yue stopped. She raised her phoenix eyes, looking ahead… There hung a huge portrait of her father, Cang Wanhe, who had passed away three years ago.
At this moment, time seemed to stand still. Cang Yue silently gazed at Cang Wanhe's eternally still figure, her eyes sometimes misty, sometimes trembling… No one knew what complex thoughts stirred in her heart, or what difficult choice she was making.
A long time passed—a full quarter of an hour. Finally, Cang Yue's voice resounded in the hall.
"Feng Hengkong…" she said softly, "If I were just an ordinary woman, the enmity of a father's murder would be irreconcilable. I would not hesitate to cut you into pieces myself…"
"But even though I can use my husband's power to kill you right now, I cannot." Cang Yue turned around, her steps slow and heavy: "Because I am the ruler of the Cangfeng Kingdom… If you die in Cangfeng, Shenhuang will surely fall into chaos, and the disaster for my Cangfeng will continue or even worsen. Even if you leave strict orders before your death, it would be futile."
"Crippling your profound arts and keeping you in Cangfeng for a hundred years would be similar. Enmity planted will inevitably erupt—maybe decades, maybe a century, maybe centuries. My Cangfeng is after all a weak nation; once it erupts, it will only be my Cangfeng that suffers."
"Therefore… though I will never forgive you, I cannot kill you."
Feng Hengkong: "…"
"I will not kill you, nor force you to cripple your profound arts, nor force you to kneel before my father's grave for a hundred years… because even if you knelt for ten thousand years, he would not come back to life. Ceding Chi Qiong City, two hundred years' tribute of mystic crystals, mystic iron, and Phoenix battle armor, even a public apology and ceasefire treaty—I can give up all of these!"
"…" Feng Hengkong's eyes snapped wide in disbelief.
"Ah?" Feng Xue'er covered her mouth with her hand: "Sister Empress, is… is it true?"
"…" Yun Che was equally astonished.
"Though I am a woman, as the emperor of Cangfeng, my words are as good as gold!" Cang Yue said, utterly calm. "Of the five conditions you had already agreed to, I will keep only one. I will not force the others."
"Five hundred billion Purple Mysterious Coins in compensation!" Cang Yue declared solemnly. "I keep only this one! The Cangfeng Kingdom is now riddled with scars, countless citizens displaced. They need these riches to rebuild their homes."
"Re… really?" Just the fact that Feng Hengkong didn't have to cripple his arts and stay was already the greatest wish for Feng Xue'er. Her heart surged with endless joy, gladness, and gratitude.
Feng Hengkong opened his mouth, still not believing his ears. No ceding of territory, no tributes, not even a public apology edict… Shenhuang could preserve its dignity completely…
"But I have two additional conditions!" Cang Yue's gaze locked onto Feng Hengkong.
"Sister Empress, please tell us. As long as we can manage, Father and Xue'er will do our utmost." Feng Xue'er said joyfully.
"First," Cang Yue's tone was calm and solemn, "Countless cities and homes in my Cangfeng have been destroyed, and the whole region is in chaos. Relying solely on Cangfeng's strength, it will be difficult to restore stability quickly. Therefore, for the next five years, Shenhuang must station more than sixty percent of its army in Cangfeng to assist in rebuilding cities and homes!"
Among the five conditions, only monetary compensation remained—a gift that would have been unimaginable even in dreams. Feng Hengkong had expected Cang Yue's two additional conditions to be extremely harsh and difficult. Instead, the first condition was so simple. He nodded slightly: "Good, I agree… I will keep seventy percent of the Shenhuang army in Cangfeng, at the disposal of Empress Cangyue or the local lords, and I will issue strict orders that they do not offend Cangfeng citizens."
"Good." Cang Yue nodded, indicating her trust. Then she moved her gaze from Feng Hengkong's face to Feng Xue'er: "The second condition is even simpler. Snow Princess Feng Xue'er, I want you to…"
"Marry my husband Yun Che as his concubine!"