Chapter 732: Brief Calm
"Xue'er, it's been ten days and ten nights. Your father in heaven has long felt your sincerity. He is now just as heartbroken as we are. Come back with me."
Yun Che quietly landed behind Feng Xue'er and spoke softly, then knelt down and solemnly bowed before the tomb.
Feng Xue'er slowly opened her beautiful eyes, and a crystal-clear morning dew silently dripped from her long eyelashes. She leaned her body against Yun Che and murmured, "I know that none of this can make up even a fraction of what your father, Yun Che, or what the shattered Cang Feng Kingdom has suffered... Empress sister must hate my father more than anyone, hate my Shenhuang Kingdom... yet she chose such magnanimity."
"Empress sister is truly a great person. No wonder she can be Yun Che's wife."
Yun Che smiled. "To Yue'er, her priority is to dispel the disaster in Cang Feng as quickly as possible and secure lasting peace. As for the rest, she can strive to let go. After your father returned, he also made great efforts to make amends to Cang Feng. Not only did he hand over fifty billion purple profound coins to the Cangfeng Imperial Clan within just five days, he also added a large amount of purple crystals and armor, and he did it publicly to help Cang Feng deter the other five nations... He is also repenting and atoning in his own way. Though the three years of disaster cannot be forgotten, with the efforts of both emperors, perhaps it will soon be turned over. So Xue'er, don't keep it all on your heart. Your peace and happiness are your father's greatest wish."
"Mm..." Feng Xue'er leaned on Yun Che's shoulder, a faint, beautiful smile appearing on her face.
"Let's go back... I'll take you to see my grandfather and little aunt."
Because of Feng Xue'er, Yun Che's bone-deep hatred for Feng Hengkong was now tinged with something complicated... He understood clearly that the main reason Feng Hengkong left Feng Xue'er in Cang Feng was not to preserve Shenhuang's dignity, but because of Feng Xue'er's own wish. If Feng Xue'er were unwilling, even if it meant fulfilling those five cruel conditions several times over, he would never agree.
Handing his daughter over to a mortal enemy who had killed four of his sons... At the very least, Feng Hengkong's love for Feng Xue'er was intense and pure. His magnanimity was far broader than what Yun Che, viewing him through the lens of hatred, had previously seen.
Returning to Cangfeng Imperial City with Feng Xue'er, they happened to see Xia Yuanba and Tianxia Diyi walking out of the imperial palace side by side. Sensing the fluctuation in energy, Xia Yuanba looked up, his eyes lighting up, and quickly flew toward Yun Che: "Brother-in-law! Sister Xue'er!"
"Brother Tianxia, Yuanba, I was just looking for you. I'm going to take Xue'er to Liu Yun City now. Do you want to come along?" Yun Che asked them.
"Uh... Brother-in-law, I was also looking for you, but I've come to say goodbye." At the mention of "Liu Yun City," a brief shadow of gloom passed over Xia Yuanba's eyes. That was his hometown, but he no longer had any family there. His father was far away in Shenhuang, his sister was missing without a trace, and his mother...
"Goodbye? Are you returning to Huangji Sacred Domain?" Yun Che asked in surprise.
"Mm," Xia Yuanba nodded. "The conflict in Cang Feng is over, and there's not much I can do here. When I came from Huangji Sacred Domain, I used the Saint Emperor's Heavenly Saint Divine Ark. That ark is extremely important to the Sacred Domain. Having it out for so long is already problematic. My master has sent me many messages urging me to return, saying it's the Saint Emperor's orders."
"He also mentioned that in a few months, we need to go to the Supreme Sea Palace to attend... what seems to be the Demon Sword Assembly. I have to go back and prepare early. Though I'll hate to part with you, brother-in-law, and Senior Sister Xueruo, I must return to Huangji Sacred Domain first. On the way back, I also want to visit my father at the Black Moon Merchant Guild."
"Demon Sword Assembly?" Yun Che's expression shifted. "Your master said he'd take you? Did he mention any details about the Demon Sword Assembly?"
"No. When I asked, he only said he'd tell me when we got back. Brother-in-law, do you know about the Demon Sword Assembly too?"
"I've only heard the name from the Black Moon Merchant Guild, and that it's about five months away. Other than that, I know nothing. Also, barring any surprises, I'll be attending the Demon Sword Assembly as well."
"Ah? Brother-in-law is going too?" Xia Yuanba's spirits lifted. Without asking why, he immediately nodded: "Good! Then I'll definitely go with my master."
Yun Che thought for a moment and said, "Attending the Demon Sword Assembly is secondary for me. My main purpose is to visit the Supreme Sea Palace on some business. Yuanba, after you return, ask your master for more information about the Supreme Sea Palace. I might find it useful."
"Understood. I'll find a way to send you a message then... Well, brother-in-law, I'm off. See you at the Supreme Sea Palace." Xia Yuanba floated up, ready to fly away. These past few days, the Heavenly Saint Divine Ark had been parked conspicuously south of Cangfeng Imperial City, its powerful aura preventing anyone from approaching; it could only be admired from afar.
"Wait..." Yun Che suddenly called out to stop Xia Yuanba. His brow furrowed slightly as he spoke cautiously: "Yuanba, I've heard that the Saint Emperor of Huangji Sacred Domain has no biological children, only several adopted sons. Is that true?"
"That's right," Xia Yuanba nodded. "My master said it's because a disturbance in his profound energy during cultivation damaged him, making it impossible for him to father children. So he adopted seven or eight sons. I hear the next Saint Emperor will be chosen from among those adopted sons, so there's apparently always fierce competition among them."
Yun Che continued: "I've also heard that the Heavenly Saint Divine Ark has always been piloted solely by the Saint Emperor himself. Not even his adopted sons are allowed to touch it. Is that true?"
"Mm," Xia Yuanba nodded again. "That's why I was surprised the Saint Emperor lent it to me."
Yun Che fell silent for a moment, his expression serious: "When you return to Huangji Sacred Domain, be careful of those 'adopted sons' of the Saint Emperor!"
Xia Yuanba was startled, then immediately understood Yun Che's meaning. He nodded earnestly: "I understand. Don't worry, brother-in-law. I'm no longer the Xia Yuanba who could only be bullied without your protection! Also, when I'm at the Sacred Domain, I train alone and rarely interact with them. But I'll stay on guard."
"Brother-in-law, I'm going now... In five months, I'll definitely be stronger!"
All traces of childishness and hesitation were gone from Xia Yuanba. He waved at Yun Che, then rose into the air and flew toward the southern part of the imperial city.
"Brother Xia's talent is astonishing, and his heart is so pure. He will surely become a great emperor of his generation." Watching Xia Yuanba's departing figure, Tianxia Diyi sincerely praised. He harbored strong hostility, even resentment, toward the Four Sacred Grounds of Tian Xuan Continent, but he couldn't feel any dislike for Xia Yuanba, a member of Huangji Sacred Domain.
"Mm... But you wouldn't imagine what he was like back then." Yun Che smiled, then turned around: "Brother Tianxia, how about coming to Liu Yun City with us? Oh, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
Tianxia Diyi raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh?"
"It's good news. Seventh Sister is pregnant... about half a month along." Yun Che said with a smile. He had returned to Liu Yun City every day recently, and without even checking her pulse, he could confirm it just by looking. After all, it was the "miracle medicine" he had personally prepared—how could it fail?
"!!" Tianxia Diyi was visibly startled. "This... how is it so fast! That kid Xiao Yun... No, I must take Seventh Sister back immediately and have her properly cared for."
Judging by his reaction, Tianxia Diyi was clearly flustered. Yun Che waved his hand and said, "Better not. If they go back to the clan, they'll be bound by all kinds of restrictions and annoyances. Here in Liu Yun City, they have their own little world, carefree and happy. That's the best environment and state for Seventh Sister in her condition. Even if you dragged them back now, they definitely wouldn't agree."
Of course, for Yun Che, there was another important reason: Xiao Lie.
Tianxia Diyi calmed down a bit, thought for a moment, and sighed: "Perhaps you're right. Alright, Brother Yun, I'll come to Liu Yun City with you. Even though there's no danger there, with Seventh Sister in this state, I can't rest easy unless I'm by her side."
"Good!" Yun Che nodded, then extended his hand and summoned the Primordial Mystic Ark.
Ever since the Shenhuang army began its withdrawal, the atmosphere in Liu Yun City had been changing daily. By today, all Shenhuang troops around the city had fully retreated, and the entire city was vibrant with celebration.
As soon as they returned to the Xiao Sect, Tianxia Diyi saw Xiao Yun and Tianxia Diqi and rushed straight over, ignoring everything else: "Seventh Sister! Brother Yun says you're pregnant! Is it true?"
He then gave Xiao Yun a fierce glare.
Xiao Yun scratched his head sheepishly, while Tianxia Diqi looked smug: "Of course! How could Brother Yun be wrong? Hmph! You six elder brothers are useless—none of you managed to give father a grandchild all these years. I, the youngest, am the best!"
Her words made Tianxia Diyi's face twitch. He said gloomily, "Then... you must take good care of yourself. If anything happens, tell me immediately."
"Haha, Brother Tianxia is worrying too much. Seventh Sister has Overlord Emperor profound force and the power of nature protecting her. Even if she flew around Liu Yun City a few hundred times a day, nothing would happen." Yun Che walked over, smiling.
"Ah..." Seeing the girl in the red-gold long dress beside Yun Che, Xiao Lingxi, who had been about to rush toward him, stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened, and she gasped, "Xiao Che, she... is she...?"
Anyone who saw Feng Xue'er for the first time felt as if they had fallen into a dream. Even women felt the same. Her beauty and aura were so perfect it seemed unreal. Though she was the Snow Princess, even the most beautiful snowflake in the world could not capture a fraction of her pure beauty.
But there were very few people lucky enough to see the Snow Princess's true face.
Xiao Yun and Tianxia Diqi also looked at Feng Xue'er. For an instant, their gazes were completely fixed on her. They were lost in a daze, unable to look away.
"Feng Xue'er greets Brother Xiao, Sister Seventh, and... Little Aunt." Feng Xue'er was graceful and courteous. When she faced Xiao Lingxi, she smiled sweetly. She knew that this was the person who had grown up with Yun Che and was his most important family.
"Uh... ah..." Xiao Yun's eyes were wide open, utterly stunned. He murmured unconsciously, "She's almost... as beautiful as... Xiao Yaohou..."
Tianxia Diqi immediately reached out and covered Xiao Yun's eyes, huffing, "How dare you stare at another girl like that in front of me! No looking!" Then she turned around, her face beaming, "Hello, Sister Xue'er! We've been asking Brother Yun to bring you over every day these past few days. You truly live up to the legend of being the number one beauty of Tian Xuan Continent. You are definitely the most beautiful person I have ever seen!"
She silently added in her heart: One of them, at least. The other is Xiao Yaohou... Oh! If the two of them stood together, even the moon would probably dare not come out.
"The number one beauty of Tian Xuan Continent, worthy of the name..." Xiao Lingxi stared in a daze at Feng Xue'er's peerless elegance that could even overshadow Xia Qingyue. She seemed to murmur to herself, a hint of complexity flickering in her bright eyes.
"Xue'er thanks Little Aunt and Sister Seventh for their compliments." Feng Xue'er gently bowed, smiling radiantly. Every word and smile didn't seem like the princess of Shenhuang, but rather an elf from a fairy tale.
"Xiao Che, you're back?"
Xiao Lie's gentle voice sounded. Compared to his weakness just half a month ago, Xiao Lie was now walking robustly, his face glowing with health, his smile heartfelt. Yun Che took Feng Xue'er's hand and said, "Xue'er, this is my grandfather, who raised me."
"Xue'er greets Grandfather Xiao." Feng Xue'er stepped forward, gathered her sleeves, and performed a complete junior's bow.
Xiao Lie studied Feng Xue'er and sighed deeply, "I have heard of the Shenhuang Snow Princess's name even here in this remote corner of Cang Feng. I never thought I would be fortunate enough to meet her in person. This is truly a blessing for three lifetimes."
Feng Xue'er said softly, "Meeting Yun Che's grandfather is what truly makes me happy."
"Hahaha, what a good child." Xiao Lie laughed heartily, admiration mixed with fondness. He never imagined that the Snow Princess, who held the highest status in the mighty Shenhuang Kingdom, would be so gentle and approachable, with such impeccable manners, even bowing to him...
Xiao Lingxi quietly slipped to Yun Che's side, reached out, and grabbed his right hand. She held it tightly, her cheeks clearly puffing slightly. "Xiao Che, tell me the truth. You and... hmph, this Snow Princess, the number one beauty of Tian Xuan... what is going on?! Three years ago, you almost died because of her, and now she stays by your side, and... and she calls you so intimately... hmph."
The final "hmph" was very soft, but Yun Che heard it clearly. He whispered, "Well... it's a bit complicated. If you want to know, you can ask your Empress sister... Auntie, could it be that you're... jealous?"
"Jealous is exactly what I am!" Xiao Lingxi pinched Yun Che's hand hard with her fingernail, pouted, and turned away, as if she didn't want to talk to him anymore.
If it were any other girl by Yun Che's side, she might be a little sour, but not this strongly. But the Snow Princess was too flawless, enough to overshadow any woman in the world. Xue'er's intimacy with Yun Che, the look in her eyes when she gazed at him, all stirred an unprecedented and intense sense of crisis in Xiao Lingxi's heart.
A smile curled at the corner of Yun Che's mouth. He held Xiao Lingxi's hand firmly, not letting her pull away. Just as he was about to whisper in her ear, his brow suddenly twitched violently. He instantly turned his head, his sharp gaze shooting northward.
"Xiao Che? What's wrong?" Yun Che's sudden stiffness and reaction made Xiao Lingxi quickly turn around, looking at him with concern.
Yun Che's furrowed brow slowly relaxed, and he withdrew his gaze. He asked quietly, "Auntie, has Fen Juechen appeared recently?"
"Fen Juechen?" Xiao Lingxi paused slightly, then gently shook her head. "After he left that day, he never showed up again." Remembering their impending battle, her face was immediately filled with worry. "Only two and a half months left. Are you really going to go?"
"Mm. He and I must settle things. But Auntie, you don't need to worry at all. Remember, I have the best escape method in the world." Yun Che said lightly.
Xiao Lingxi's lips moved as if to speak, but she stopped herself, finally whispering, "No matter what, you must come back safely."
"I'll be staying at home for a few days, and Xue'er will stay with me. In five days, I'll have to take her back to Bing Yun Fairy Palace." Yun Che looked north, showing a rare moment of vulnerability. He had to protect Bing Yun Fairy Palace—partly due to Gong Yuxian's dying wish, and largely out of his debt to Chu Yuechan.
It had been five whole years without a trace. The news from the Black Moon Merchant Guild had been extremely bad. Now, every time the image of Chu Yuechan flashed through his mind, his heart ached.
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Four days later, Shenhuang City.
With a distortion in space, Yun Che returned here. He changed into inconspicuous clothes, put away the Primordial Mystic Ark, and entered the Black Moon Merchant Guild.
"Heh, you're here. I figured it would be around now."
As soon as he entered the seventh floor of the Black Moon Merchant Guild, Yun Che heard Zi Ji's voice.
"Master Yun, this way."
It was still the same three girls, the same ancient pavilion and stone table. But this time, Yun Che didn't sit across from Zi Ji. He got straight to the point: "Senior Zi, fifteen days have passed. I believe you know why I've come."
Zi Ji gave a gentle smile and reached out, pushing three sparkling purple space rings in front of Yun Che. "In total: ninety thousand jin of Purgatory Rock, three hundred jin of Flame Devil Vine aged over ninety years, six thousand Luo Cha Heartbreak Begonias, twelve thousand Skull Seeds, six thousand Withered Soul Grass... They're all inside. Please inspect them."
Forty-nine different materials—Zi Ji listed the names, ages, specifications, and quantities without a single mistake. Yun Che took the three rings and put them away without even glancing at them. "No need. How could I not trust Senior Zi?"
With that, Yun Che took out his profound coin card and paid the remaining four million purple profound coins.
After the payment, his ten million fortune was essentially depleted.
"Yun Che, you have forced the Fenghuang God Sect to such a state on your own. I am truly astonished. Now, even among the Four Sacred Grounds, your name is known to all." Zi Ji looked at Yun Che with admiration.
"Senior Zi flatters me," Yun Che replied flatly, not wanting to continue this topic. He changed the subject: "I also have another matter to entrust to you. Only the Black Moon Merchant Guild can accomplish this in the shortest time."
"Please speak." Zi Ji smiled, quite politely.
"I need three profound pellets from high-level profound beasts. Ideally from a Sovereign Profound Beast. If that's too hard to find, Overlord Profound Beast pellets will do." Yun Che said seriously.
Zi Ji tapped his fingers lightly on the stone table, pondered calmly for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Sovereign Profound Beasts are rare in this world, and even harder to hunt. A complete profound pellet from a Sovereign Profound Beast is truly priceless. Even for our Black Moon Merchant Guild, finding them is extremely difficult..."
Yun Che extended his hand, holding three glittering Overlord Pills between his fingers. "If Senior Zi can find me three complete Sovereign Profound Beast pellets, I am willing to exchange them for these three precious pellets. If only Overlord Profound Beast pellets can be found, I'll have to pay with profound coins or purple crystals."
Zi Ji's eyes lit up. He understood clearly that just one more of Yun Che's pills could nurture another genius of the younger generation. Its significance far outweighed a single Sovereign Profound Beast pellet. He nodded with a smile. "In that case, our Black Moon Merchant Guild will naturally do our utmost. When do you need these three Sovereign Profound Beast pellets?"
Yun Che thought for a moment and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Senior Zi will also be attending the Demon Sword Assembly four and a half months from now. You can hand them over to me then."
Zi Ji nodded with a smile, which also tacitly confirmed that he indeed planned to attend. "Speaking of the Demon Sword Assembly, how about we auction the ten precious pills you entrusted to our Black Moon Merchant Guild at that assembly? It will gather the continent's top powerhouses, and even the Sacred Ground masters will be present. For the divine pills refined by your master, auctioning them in ordinary ways would be an insult. The Demon Sword Assembly is the perfect venue."
Yun Che silently calculated the time and said, "Then let's do as Senior Zi suggests. I have no other matters. Farewell."
He turned to leave. Just three steps later, Zi Ji's meaningful voice came from behind: "Yun Che, have you ever heard of the 'Huan Yao Realm' and the 'Twelve Guardian Clans' of the Huan Yao Realm?"
Yun Che stopped and turned his head. "Of course I've heard of the Huan Yao Realm. I've heard a little about the Twelve Guardian Clans. Why do you ask, Senior Zi?"
"Heh, just asking out of curiosity. No particular reason." Zi Ji's gaze was deep, and he smiled as he sipped his tea.
"...Farewell."
Leaving the Black Moon Merchant Guild, Yun Che's face instantly darkened. He stood still for a long time before summoning the Primordial Mystic Ark and returning to Liu Yun City.
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