Chapter 755: The Distinguished Guest of Tian Jian Villa
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After staying in Liuyun City for three days, Yun Che's injuries and profound strength had fully recovered. On the morning of the fourth day, Yun Che and Feng Xue'er bid farewell to Xiao Lingxi and the others, took the Primordial Mystic Ark to head toward Cangfeng Imperial City, planning to stay in Cangfeng Imperial City for two days before returning to Bing Yun Fairy Palace.
Meanwhile, Tianxia Diyi remained in Liuyun City, keeping a constant, vigilant watch over Tianxia Diqi's safety, terrified that even the slightest mishap might befall her.
The Primordial Mystic Ark tore through space, arriving above Cangfeng Imperial City in an instant.
Three months was not enough time for the Cangfeng Imperial Clan, devastated by war, to fully return to peace, but the atmosphere had changed dramatically. After learning that Yun Che had a "mysterious master" behind him who had nearly frightened the Sun Moon Divine Palace out of its wits, Feng Hengkong's actions were no longer mere compensation—they bordered on goodwill. Over the past two months, not only had he taken the initiative to send additional Phoenix Divine Army reinforcements to aid Cang Feng Country, but he had also delivered a total of eighty thousand jin of purple crystal to the Cangfeng Imperial Clan in three separate installments.
Although compared to the hundred jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystal they had "pilfered" from Cang Feng Country, this eighty thousand jin of purple crystal was practically nothing, it was still an enormous fortune and resource. More importantly, it sent a signal of "goodwill" toward Cang Feng Country to everyone. Coupled with the earlier rumors that Shenhuang Kingdom had left their most precious Snow Princess in Cang Feng Country, the other five nations of Tian Xuan became increasingly uneasy. Envoys, and even monarchs themselves, visited every few days bearing gifts, their attitudes as humble as if they were facing Shenhuang Kingdom itself.
When Yun Che and Feng Xue'er arrived at Cangfeng Imperial City, Cang Yue was in the middle of reviewing reports on reconstruction and the resettlement of citizens across Cang Feng. With Yun Che back, naturally everything else was pushed aside.
"Husband, you've returned just in time. I have an important matter to discuss with you."
Though she said "important matter," there was a playful sparkle in her beautiful eyes. "The matter of Shenhuang Kingdom marrying Xue'er to you was originally only a half-secret, but word has been spreading everywhere lately for some reason. The other five nations have all gotten wind of it. Yesterday, an envoy from Canglan Country traveled a thousand li to propose marrying their Cold Jade Princess to you, to form a lasting alliance between our two nations."
(Qin? Jin? What?)
"Ah?" Feng Xue'er let out a soft exclamation, her beautiful eyes glittering as she looked at Yun Che.
"Hmm? Yuer, from the look of it, you haven't already agreed, have you?" Yun Che rubbed his nose.
Cang Yue said with a smile, "The 'Cold Jade Princess' is no ordinary princess. She is the youngest daughter of the current Canglan monarch, not yet twenty years old, yet her beauty is already widely renowned. Legend has it that the Cold Jade Princess is not only incredibly beautiful but also surpasses all of the Canglan monarch's other children in talent. She is also the most favored among them, earning her the title of 'Canglan Jade Maiden' in Canglan Country. For them to take the initiative to propose marrying her to you shows genuine sincerity, wouldn't you say?"
"And they brought a portrait of the Cold Jade Princess. I took a few looks. Thinking that you might like her, I didn't refuse outright."
Cang Yue—and everyone else—knew full well that the change in attitude of the five Tian Xuan nations toward Cang Feng Country was partly due to the Shenhuang Empire, but largely due to Yun Che—this terrifying man who had forced even Shenhuang Kingdom to submit.
Although, during Cang Wanhe's reign, Yun Che's identity had only been the Cangfeng Imperial Consort, in the eyes of the monarchs, he was now unquestionably the true "ruler" of Cang Feng.
As she spoke, Cang Yue placed a rolled-up, exquisite scroll before Yun Che, her phoenix eyes brimming with warmth and affection. She hadn't refused Canglan and kept the scroll not to tease Yun Che, but because she thought he might actually like her. If he showed even a hint of interest, she would agree to the arrangement. As for diplomatic relations between the two countries, that was secondary.
*Mm, having strength is great—beautiful princesses just deliver themselves to your door.* Yun Che sighed inwardly. He took the scroll but didn't open it. Instead, he asked seriously, "Yuer, is this Cold Jade Princess as beautiful as Xue'er?"
Cang Yue was taken aback, then smiled and shook her head. "Xue'er is a celestial maiden incarnate, her beauty rivals the sun and moon. Though the Cold Jade Princess is a peerless beauty, how could she compare to little sister Xue'er?"
"Oh!" Yun Che nodded emphatically, then set the scroll aside. "Then forget it. I couldn't possibly be interested in a woman I've never even met, let alone marry her... unless she's as beautiful as Xue'er."
"Hehe..." Feng Xue'er smiled brightly. "Brother Yun is just trying to make me happy again."
Cang Yue picked up the scroll and said with a smile, "The Canglan envoy is still in the city. If you don't like her, husband, I'll turn them down properly, alright?"
"Mm, just refuse outright. Any excuse will do." Yun Che said with a hint of helplessness. For women of even modest background and family, their husbands taking concubines would face endless resistance, but Cang Yue, now the ruler of Cang Feng, doted on him to the extreme...
Yun Che suddenly noticed that among the jade slips placed beside Cang Yue's hand, the topmost one bore a blue eagle emblem. That emblem was unmistakably the "Heavenly Eagle Seal" unique to the Xiao Sect!
"Has the Xiao Sect sent people recently?" Yun Che asked, though casually. Their visit was only natural.
"Mm," Cang Yue nodded slightly. "Since two months ago, the Xiao Sect has been sending people seeking an audience, each time with their Sect Master, Xiao Juetian, coming in person. But since I still harbor resentment toward them, I've never received them. A few days ago, they went to great lengths to send this jade slip, declaring that the entire Xiao Sect would forever be loyal to the Imperial Clan and at its beck and call."
Thinking back to the three years of the Phoenix invasion, not only had the Xiao Sect offered no resistance—they had even groveled before the Phoenix forces and supplied them with ample "tributes" to aid their swift conquest of Cang Feng. Now that the situation had reversed so dramatically, they were naturally terrified, living in constant anxiety, and had begun desperately apologizing and pledging loyalty.
"The Xiao Sect." Yun Che gave a contemptuous, faint laugh. But then he thought of something, and his smile quickly cooled. "And what about Tian Jian Villa? Have they come recently?"
At the mention of "Tian Jian Villa," Cang Yue's originally warm smile dimmed slightly. She slowly shook her head. "No. Back then, when Father was murdered and Cang Feng was on the verge of destruction, the indifference of Tian Jian Villa filled me with anger and grief. I swore, 'No more past kindness; forever enemies.' Now that Cang Feng has escaped calamity and been reborn, Tian Jian Villa... let's just act as if nothing ever happened, as if they never existed."
Cang Yue's expression and tone were calm, as if she had fully let go of the matter. But the disappearance of her smile showed that she had not truly made peace with it.
Nine personal pleas for help, written by her own hand as Empress, begging with utmost humility... Even if Tian Jian Villa had replied, explaining that they had to protect themselves and had no choice but to go back on their oath and refuse, she might have been able to accept it to some degree. But her nine pleas received only nine instances of utter indifference—not even the slightest acknowledgment, as if they no longer considered the Cangfeng Imperial Clan to exist.
It was a fury and humiliation she would perhaps never forget.
Three months ago, when the Phoenix forces retreated and began offering apologies and reparations to Cang Feng, even actively seeking goodwill, Tian Jian Villa had never once visited the Imperial Clan...
"Hmph, makes sense. They wouldn't have the face to come anyway." Yun Che gave a cold laugh, a sinister edge in it that neither Cang Yue nor Feng Xue'er could understand. "It's just as well. I was planning to pay them a visit myself anyway... might as well make it today!"
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Cang Feng Country, Tian Jian Villa.
Today, the atmosphere at Tian Jian Villa was especially heavy, for they had received distinguished guests of shocking status.
The arrival of these two individuals had caused even the sword aura surrounding the villa to shift dramatically.
"To have two elders grace our humble villa with your presence, Yuefeng is truly overwhelmed with awe. Had I known of your arrival, I would have led the entire villa to greet you from a hundred li away."
Ling Yuefeng's demeanor was respectful and slightly flustered, personally pouring tea for the two distinguished guests—tea that was a hundred-year vintage he normally couldn't bear to drink: Sword Green Tea.
"To think that two uncles would come—what a pleasant surprise. Why didn't you notify us earlier, so my husband and I could have welcomed you properly?"
Compared to Ling Yuefeng, Xuan Yuan Yufeng was much more at ease. The two distinguished guests who had come today were, by seniority, indeed her uncles, and they had treated her with considerable favor and affection in her younger days.
The two men appeared to be well past middle age, yet their hair and beards were jet black. The one on the left wore a green robe, of medium build, with a genial smile. The one on the right wore a gray robe, slightly taller, with thick black whiskers reaching down to his chest. He also wore a gentle expression. To look at them, they seemed like nothing more than two mild-mannered middle-aged men. But Ling Yuefeng, a master swordsman, sensed waves of chilling pressure emanating from them. Though they sat there with their profound energy restrained, an intangible sword intent enveloped the surroundings—a sword intent so immense it felt like an endless, fathomless ocean.
Their eyebrows slanted upward, like two swords about to pierce the heavens, inspiring fear in all who saw them.
"Heh heh," the green-robed elder laughed lightly and spoke. "The two of us were originally acting on the Sword Master's orders to go to Black Fiend Country. Before we left, we were entrusted with a task by the Ninth Elder. After handling matters in Black Fiend Country, we made a detour to come here."
Xuan Yuan Yufeng stepped forward. "For the Sword Master to personally command, and for two uncles to go yourselves, it must be a matter of great importance. For you to trouble yourselves with a detour for my husband and me, we are truly overwhelmed."
The gray-robed elder stroked his long beard and said with a faint smile, "No trouble. A personal request from the Ninth Elder, we dare not take lightly. After all, Yuefeng is now half a member of the Sword Domain, and Yufeng goes without saying. There's no need for such formality, hahaha."
"I wonder what my father-in-law has instructed the two elders to convey? Yuefeng will obey without question." Ling Yuefeng said respectfully. Had it been three years ago, he would not have dared to call him "father-in-law" so boldly, but now he said it quite smoothly.
"It's nothing major," the green-robed elder maintained his dead-calm smile. "The Ninth Elder is very fond of that boy Ling Jie. It's only been half a year since he left the Sword Domain and returned here, yet the Ninth Elder already misses him day and night. He instructed us to make sure to bring Ling Jie along when we returned after finishing our business in Black Fiend Country."
"If you two have no pressing matters, it would be even better to return together," the gray-robed elder added. "The Ninth Elder rarely smiles these days, but when he's with you all, his face is always bright."
Ling Yuefeng and Xuan Yuan Yufeng exchanged smiles, both looking delighted. Xuan Yuan Yufeng's relationship with her father Xuan Yuan Jue had once been "severed," but since she was his only daughter, after enough time had passed and his anger cooled, he longed for her but couldn't swallow his pride to reconcile. Since they had returned to the Sword Domain with Ling Yun and Ling Jie three years ago, the once-strained relationship began to ease... and Xuan Yuan Jue took a particular liking to Ling Jie, personally instructing him in swordsmanship and generously pouring the Sword Domain's resources into him, allowing his profound strength and swordsmanship to advance by leaps and bounds.
Ling Jie was the most important factor in the rapid improvement of their relationship with Xuan Yuan Jue over the past three years.
Xuan Yuan Yufeng's face was wreathed in smiles. She was about to respond when, suddenly, a voice as low as thunder rumbled down from outside.
"Xuan Yuan Yufeng! Get the hell out here!!"
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