Chapter 1026: Dark Night Fang

Situ Xiongying’s strange behavior startled both Madam Situ and Mu Xiaolan. Mu Xiaolan hurriedly whispered, “Father, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Situ Xiongying’s lips parted and closed several times, but he couldn’t utter a single word. It wasn’t until he swallowed hard that he finally managed to catch his breath, though his face remained ashen. “N-nothing… He… he… he really is…”

Seeing her father react so dramatically for the first time, Mu Xiaolan let out a small giggle. “Hehe, so even Father can be intimidated by his identity. It’s really nothing to worry about. Although Yun Che is the sect master’s personal disciple, he never uses his status to bully others, just as Senior Brother Han Yi said. For example… even after becoming the sect master’s personal disciple, he still calls me Senior Sister, not acting high and mighty at all. I used to find many things about him really annoying, but now, I feel there are many good things about him too.”

“Oh, by the way, Father, what did he quietly say to you on the profound ark? He surely wouldn’t have said anything rude, would he?” Mu Xiaolan asked.

Mu Xiaolan’s question only made things worse. The moment Situ Xiongying recalled his earlier cold glare and disdain towards Yun Che, his body swayed, and he collapsed onto his seat, crushing it to splinters.

No one doubted Yun Che's identity, because in the Snow Song Realm, no one dared to impersonate the Realm King's personal disciple—unless they were tired of living. Furthermore, it was Mu Hanyi who had revealed his status.

Under the immense shock and deterrence brought by the words "Realm King's personal disciple," the hall became so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping. No one dared to breathe. Feng Huituo and Feng Hange stood on either side, their bodies bowed forward, likely afraid to move an inch until Yun Che took his seat.

Yun Che did not immediately advance. Instead, he took out a pristine white jade box and opened it in front of everyone, revealing a nine-leaf herb shimmering with a faint ice-blue glow. Instantly, an intensely pure cold aura filled the entire hall, making everyone feel refreshed, and their gazes were firmly drawn, unable to look away.

“Ice Wind Nation King, this herb is called ‘Nine-Leaf Frozen Glaze.’ It is one of the rare herbs that grows in the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake, capable of tempering the body and clearing the mind. This small gift is to congratulate you on your thousand-year birthday. Please accept it.”

Although his true objective was the Qilin horn, since he was here for a birthday celebration, he naturally couldn't arrive empty-handed. He had spontaneously thought of this Nine-Leaf Frozen Glaze as a congratulatory gift during his journey. It was indeed one of the rare herbs found in the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake area, and he thought it would be suitable to present to the Nation King.

During his time confined to the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake area by Mu Xuanyin, he could collect as many rare flowers and herbs as he wished. However, he had vastly underestimated the significance of "Netherfrost Heavenly Lake" in the Snow Song Realm. Upon hearing that the herb originated from the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake, everyone in the hall—including Mu Hanyi and Mu Xiaolan—gaped, their eyes wide with astonishment.

Feng Huituo slowly extended his hands, but hesitated for a long time before daring to reach forward. He stammered, “Such a sacred object… this humble king… how could I possibly be worthy…”

“Since it’s Senior Brother Yun Che’s kind gesture, Father, please accept it,” Mu Hanyi said with a slight smile.

Only then did Feng Huituo reach out and gingerly take the Nine-Leaf Frozen Glaze, handling it with extreme care. He clasped it to his chest and said in a trembling voice, “I never imagined that this humble king would, in his lifetime, receive such a sacred object from the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake. The Great Realm King and my virtuous nephew’s generosity… this humble king truly… truly does not know how to repay it.”

To the world, anything originating from the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake, even a grain of sand, was considered a sacred artifact.

“Nephew Yun,” Feng Huituo said with a mix of excitement and solemnity, “since you have graced Ice Wind with your presence this time, please stay for a few more days, so this humble king may have the opportunity to express his gratitude… Oh, and from now on, if Nephew Yun ever has any requests or commands, you may inform this humble king at any time. I will exert my full strength, even if it means facing a myriad of deaths.”

This was flattery and subservience from a nation's emperor, yet Yun Che's reaction defied everyone's expectations. With a casual wave of his hand, he responded with a composure unbefitting his age: “Ice Wind Nation King, you are truly too kind. This junior is merely here on my master's behalf to offer birthday wishes; I am just an ordinary guest.”

From across the hall, a flattering voice chimed in, “Nephew Yun is not only of noble status and unmatched talent, but also so humble and courteous! Truly astonishing and admirable!”

With the first sycophantic remark, everyone in the hall seemed to awaken from a dream, and praises immediately surged forth like a rising tide, one after another.

“Such a paragon, truly never seen before in a lifetime!”“Nephew Yun is the Great Realm King’s chosen disciple; how could he not be above all others?”“That the Great Realm King has chosen such a successor is not only a blessing for her, but for our entire Snow Song Realm as well!”

Prince Zisheng’s rigid expression finally softened after a long while. He took a few steps forward, bowing as he spoke, “This humble king’s journey to Ice Wind has not been in vain, to personally witness Brother Yun’s demeanor… Oh no! It has not been in vain for this entire lifetime… And congratulations to the Ice Wind Nation King for receiving such profound favor from the Great Realm King and Brother Yun.”

When facing Feng Huituo again, Prince Zisheng’s demeanor was starkly different from before. There was no trace of his previous arrogance or haughtiness; every word carried a deep sense of fear and unease.

“Hahahahaha!” Feng Huituo burst into laughter. After the initial fright, what quickly surged was an extreme sense of exhilaration. The Realm King’s personal disciple attending his birthday in person—and by the Realm King’s direct order—was an unprecedented event in all the nations of the Snow Song Realm, let alone the presentation of such a precious gift from the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake.

The glory of this moment was a hundred times greater than when he first ascended the throne.

“Nephew Yun, please take the seat of honor quickly! Esteemed guests, today is the most joyous day of this king’s life. Even if I were to die here, I would have no regrets in this lifetime. Everyone, let us drink our fill under the glory bestowed upon us by the Great Realm King and Nephew Yun! We won’t leave until we are utterly drunk! Hahahahaha…”

Amidst his excitement, Feng Huituo didn't forget the "important matters." He almost roared out a profound sound transmission: “Quick! Hurry and redecorate the Ice Ceremony Palace! Prepare all the Ice Splendor Lamps, Frost Spirit Rugs… and all those secretly stored ten-thousand-year spirit wines and exotic fruits in the Ice Ceremony Palace! Tell the Wind Snow Palace to quickly select ten… no! Twenty of the most beautiful virgins in the city… Hurry! If it’s not ready in three hours, I’ll personally chop off your heads—wait! Have Han Jin get properly dressed and wait early in the Ice Ceremony Palace!”

Feng Huituo’s roaring, a clear departure from imperial decorum, was met with enthusiastic echoes from everyone in the hall. The Ice Wind Emperor’s birthday banquet thus began in an atmosphere no one had anticipated…

It didn't conclude until dusk.

The undisputed protagonist of this imperial banquet also shifted from Feng Huituo to Yun Che. After realizing that Yun Che truly held no airs, all the high-ranking figures in the Snow Song Realm vied to approach him, their flattery, fawning, and exclamations never ceasing.

The drastic change in treatment Yun Che received before and after his identity was revealed exposed raw human nature—a phenomenon unrelated to whether one was in the Profound Sky Continent or the God Realm, or indeed, any other plane of existence.

Night fell.

Mu Hanyi stood alone beneath an ice tree, his expression calm, silently toying with an ice flower in his hand. His gaze was fixed ahead, his eyes unmoving, as if deep in thought.

“Thirteenth Brother, what are you doing here?” A lavishly dressed figure quickly approached him. It was none other than Ice Wind Crown Prince Feng Hange, who spoke with a hint of reproach, “Didn’t Father tell you to accompany Yun Che? I just noticed you weren’t there and thought you had gone with Father to see off the guests. Why are you spacing out alone here? It would be terrible if Yun Che felt neglected.”

The ice flower snapped in Mu Hanyi’s hand, crumbling into scattered ice powder as his fingers tightened. He smiled faintly. “Elder Brother, don’t worry, he doesn’t need my company. As for me, there’s something I’m very puzzled about, and since you’re here, perhaps you can enlighten me.”

“What is it?” Feng Hange frowned.

Mu Hanyi turned around. Beneath the deepening night sky, his eyes held a chilling darkness. “Tell me, why would the sect master allow Yun Che to attend Father’s birthday banquet?”

Feng Hange was slightly taken aback, then replied, “This… this favor is indeed immense, and Father was completely unprepared for it. But my guess is that for the past few years, Thirteenth Brother was widely rumored to be the most likely candidate to become the Great Realm King’s personal disciple. Given such high expectations, the Great Realm King chose someone else, perhaps feeling that this would inevitably affect Ice Wind’s prestige and create a sense of indebtedness to you and our Ice Wind Empire. Therefore, she ordered Yun Che to come, which also serves to bolster our Ice Wind’s national prestige as compensation.”

“Hahahahaha,” Mu Hanyi burst out laughing. “Elder Brother, do you truly believe what you just said?”

Feng Hange: “…”

“If it were other sects or empires, they might indeed use similar methods to appease people in such a situation. But what kind of person is the sect master? In her eyes, our vast Ice Wind Empire is merely a land of ants. Even if she were to effortlessly annihilate our entire territory, she would not feel the slightest bit of indebtedness.”“Furthermore, no one is qualified to demand compensation from her!”

“During her ten thousand years on the throne, the sect master has never bothered with the countless fallen kingdoms, dynastic changes, or new emperors ascending the throne; they weren’t worthy of her attention. Yet this time, for merely Father’s thousand-year birthday, she personally ordered her newly accepted personal disciple to come. No matter how you look at it, it’s extremely abnormal. At the very least, it’s absolutely impossible that it’s solely for a birthday wish.”

Mu Hanyi’s words left Feng Hange momentarily stunned. He then shook his head, saying, “What you say has some truth, but it’s merely your own wild speculation. What kind of person is the Great Realm King? How could we possibly fathom her thoughts? Moreover, you just said that our Ice Wind Empire is merely a land of ants in the Great Realm King’s eyes. If it’s a land of ants, could there possibly be anything worthy enough for the Great Realm King to deliberately plot for? Stop overthinking. Focus on properly entertaining our esteemed guest. Regardless of whether there are other intentions, Yun Che’s arrival brings nothing but endless benefits to our Ice Wind Empire. You must not show him the slightest disrespect.”

The words “plot for” in Feng Hange’s statement made Mu Hanyi’s brow furrow. Then, his eyes slowly narrowed, and his pupils became incredibly profound.

“What did you say?” Feng Hange hadn’t heard his mumbled words clearly.

“Nothing,” Mu Hanyi said, looking up. “It’s truly wonderful to be the sect master’s personal disciple. Whether kings, nobles, or regional overlords, everyone bows down obediently. Even Father wishes he could grovel.”

“That’s natural,” Feng Hange said. “As the Great Realm King’s personal disciple, who would dare provoke him? Who would dare disrespect him? Thirteenth Brother, why this sudden sentiment?”

“I’m just a little unwilling to accept it,” Mu Hanyi sighed softly. “Elder Brother may not know, but in the previous competition to become the sect master’s personal disciple, I practically had victory in my grasp. But then, at the very end… in just a matter of mere seconds… otherwise, all these accolades… would have been mine!”

Mu Hanyi, who had directly told Yun Che that he had “calmly accepted” the outcome, now gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists tightly.

Feng Hange stepped forward and patted Mu Hanyi’s shoulder. “Father and I were also extremely disappointed when we learned you didn’t become the personal disciple. Your years of effort and yearning are clearest to Father and me; we know it must be hard for you. But destiny is as it is, and we can only accept it. The Great Realm King has always been incredibly strict in choosing her personal disciples. Since she chose Yun Che, it means he must have extraordinary qualities… Don’t think about it anymore.”

“He does indeed have extraordinary qualities, I cannot deny that. At the sect master’s convention half a month ago, he stole all the thunder, while I was reduced to a mere stepping stone and a laughingstock.” Mu Hanyi took a deep breath, then looked up, his tone suddenly softening. “Elder Brother, if Yun Che were to suddenly vanish from the world, do you think what should have been mine would return to me?”

Mu Hanyi’s slow, deliberate words instantly made Feng Hange’s face turn ashen. “You… what did you say?” He frantically looked around, and upon confirming they were alone, he strode forward, grabbing Mu Hanyi’s arm tightly and saying in terror, “Are you insane?! No wonder you… you’re thinking of…”

“Hehehe,” Mu Hanyi replied with a faint laugh. “Don’t be nervous, Elder Brother. I was just speaking casually.”

“What do you mean ‘speaking casually’!” Feng Hange’s eyes widened, and cold sweat poured down his body. He gritted his teeth and said, “Is this the kind of thing you can just blurt out?! The Great Realm King possesses heaven-shaking, earth-shattering power! You… you…”

“Of course I know that,” Mu Hanyi said unhurriedly, removing Feng Hange’s hand from his arm. He smiled with extreme composure. “So even if I had the guts of a dragon, I would absolutely not dare to do that treasonous act you’re imagining, Elder Brother. Besides, Yun Che is currently within our Ice Wind. If anyone were to harm him, even if I harbored such thoughts, I would have to risk my life to protect him. Otherwise, if anything were to happen to him here, the sect master’s wrath would not only destroy you, me, and Father, but likely our entire Ice Wind as well.”

Feng Hange stared intently at Mu Hanyi. After a good while, his heartbeat and breathing finally calmed down. He said gravely, “I know you don’t have the courage to do such a thing, but you’ve certainly entertained the thought… From now on, you mustn’t even harbor such thoughts. You must respect and obey Yun Che as you would Father—no matter how unwilling you are! Do you hear me?”

“I understand. In this world, Elder Brother knows me best and must be aware that I’m not capable of such things. Rest assured,” Mu Hanyi said with a frank expression.

Feng Hange nodded, finally feeling genuinely relieved.

“Let’s consider everything that was just said unsaid. I’ll go attend to Yun Che. You stay here and clear your head; come later.”

Feng Hange used profound energy to dispel the cold sweat on his body, let out a deep sigh, and quickly departed.

As the sound of footsteps rapidly faded, Mu Hanyi finally turned around, watching Feng Hange’s back disappear completely from view. His eyes slowly narrowed, and his gaze turned as sinister as the dark night. From his lips came a cold sneer:“This is why you’ll always be a good-for-nothing who can never achieve great things.”