Chapter 1447: Thousand Leaf Brahma

Yun Che and Xia Qingyue walked ahead, their pace unhurried.

The two Brahma Heaven God Envoys followed behind, not daring to urge them on. One of them was the Moon God Emperor, and while they had reason to look down on everything below the King Realms, they wouldn't dare be disrespectful in front of a Moon God Emperor.

The Moon God Emperor's back was exceptionally beautiful, but they kept their heads slightly bowed, not even daring to glance directly at her.

As for Yun Che, though they were itching with hatred, they no longer dared to offend him with words.

Although Xia Qingyue had appeared suddenly and offered to go with Yun Che, she remained silent throughout the journey, her gaze like a tranquil pool of autumn water, shimmering and calm.

Yun Che sensed the distance of the two behind him and finally couldn't help but speak, lowering his voice, "Qingyue, when did you arrive?"

"Three days ago," Xia Qingyue replied, her voice soft, yet tinged with a subtle indifference.

"It's said that all Divine Masters in the Eastern Divine Region must attend this Heaven Smiting Assembly. Does that mean all the Divine Masters from the Moon God Realm are here too?" Yun Che asked. It wasn't that he was interested in the number of Divine Masters in the Moon God Realm; he was mostly just making conversation.

"As a King Realm, our core strength is not easily exposed, nor would we send out our entire force," Xia Qingyue said calmly. "The orders from the Eternal Heaven God Realm are absolute for the myriad realms of the Eastern Region... but that absolutely does not include the King Realms."

"...I see," Yun Che nodded. Indeed, as a King Realm, how could they truly deploy all their top power before the crimson truth was revealed?

He didn't dwell on the matter, turning his gaze to look at Xia Qingyue's profile for a long time... but Xia Qingyue remained silent as before, her gaze and expression showing no change despite his direct stare.

"Qingyue, although I don't know why or how you became the Moon God Emperor, is this truly what you desired?"

As he asked this, his gaze remained fixed on Xia Qingyue's profile, his emotions exceedingly complex.

Xia Qingyue said, "What if it is, and what if it isn't?"

"A King Realm God Emperor, the most esteemed identity in this era, something others wouldn't dare dream of for a thousand lifetimes. But from what I know of you, I always feel... this wasn't a choice you made willingly."

Xia Qingyue finally turned her head, casting a faint glance at him, and quietly said, "Do you truly know me as well as you think you do?"

"..." Yun Che was speechless for a moment.

Neither of them spoke for a long time. The atmosphere between them was completely, utterly different from when they had reunited in the God Realm four years ago.

"Qingyue," Yun Che's voice carried a hint of complex emotion, "When we were married back then, everyone thought you were beyond my reach, but I never felt that way. During our last reunion, in the Escaping Moon Immortal Palace, you were uninhibited when I approached... but this time, I always feel as if there's a vast distance between us, and even a sense of... perhaps a ridiculous awe."

"There's nothing ridiculous about it," Xia Qingyue murmured. "You are the same in front of your master, aren't you?"

Yun Che: "..."

"Because you are too weak, that's all," Xia Qingyue looked straight ahead, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a glassy purple light. "I am not only the first female God Emperor in the history of the Moon God Realm, but also the first God Emperor not to bear the surname 'Moon'. Do you know why?"

"..." Yun Che's eyebrows twitched. When entering a major sect, disciples often adopted the sect's surname once they reached a certain level. For them, this wasn't an imposition but a great honor, and the stronger the sect, the greater the honor.

Back then, Mu Bingyun had wanted to give Yun Che the surname 'Mu', but he refused, and she didn't force him.

Yet Xia Qingyue... in the Moon God Realm, where 'Moon' was an article of faith, she, as a God Emperor, still bore the surname 'Xia'. To outsiders, this was simply incomprehensible.

"Because in the Moon God Realm, I am the one who sets and modifies the rules, while you have always been a follower of them. If you can understand the gap between these two, you wouldn't have asked that question just now."

Yun Che twisted his mouth, seemingly unimpressed, and slowly said, "Alright, alright, you're the rule-maker now, everything you say is right... Actually, I think you're deliberately distancing yourself from me."

Xia Qingyue: "..."

Yun Che's voice dropped a bit, his tone quite aggrieved, "That day in the Snow Song Realm, you came for me, but you left without saying another word."

"You and I broke ties four years ago; we are no longer husband and wife. Since I am now the Moon God Emperor, I should dedicate my life to the Moon God Realm, and all past connections are but dust. As for that day, I was not there for you, but for the Snow Song Realm," Xia Qingyue said very plainly.

"Yes, yes, everything you say is right." Yun Che, however, clearly didn't take her words to heart, suddenly changing the subject, "Oh, there's something I haven't told you yet, I've found Yuechan... uh, your Senior Aunt Yuechan. She's doing very well now."

"I know," Xia Qingyue said. "Your daughter should be fourteen now, right?"

"Huh?" Yun Che looked surprised, then realized, "My master must have told you. Speaking of my master... she's not just my master, but also my greatest benefactor and patron in the God Realm. She's been exceptionally good to me, so good that... it would seem incredible if I told you."

"I often wonder... why is she so good to me?"

Xia Qingyue: "..."

"Oh, not only is your Senior Aunt Yuechan safe and sound, but the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace is now the foremost of the Four Sacred Grounds in the Profound Sky Continent, and the Palace Master is Senior Aunt Murong. Uncle Xia is now the Vice President of the Black Moon Merchant Guild, living a very comfortable and leisurely life every day. As for Yuanba, there's no need to mention him; his name as the Imperial Absolute Holy Emperor is quite impressive, and he has now achieved the Divine Way... with the help of a drop of Divine Life Water given by Shen Xi."

Shen Xi?

The name that slipped out of Yun Che's mouth during his statement caused Xia Qingyue's brow to twitch sharply.

"With multiple wives and concubines, healthy parents, and a safe daughter, everything is well. You've also finally escaped the scrutiny and entanglements of the God Realm, so why did you come back?" Xia Qingyue asked.

"...You'll know soon enough," Yun Che didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "What about you? When do you plan to return to the lower realm..."

His voice suddenly dropped to a whisper, "After killing Qianye?"

"Moon God Emperor... Young Master Yun, we have arrived."

The voice of the Brahma Heaven God Envoys came from beside them. They stepped forward and respectfully said, "The God Emperor is already waiting inside. Please enter, both of you."

They had already sent a sound transmission to inform him of Xia Qingyue's arrival.

The hall was empty save for one person. He wore simple green robes, no shoes on his feet, and had an elegant, fair face. His black hair was tied up, falling straight to his waist.

As Yun Che and Xia Qingyue walked in, he turned around, a gentle smile on his face.

Anyone seeing him for the first time would never believe that this man, as gentle and refined as a breeze, was the leader of the Eastern Divine Region's Four God Emperors... Qianye Fantian, the Brahma Heaven God Emperor!

A man who truly held absolute power!

From him, one could feel a majestic imperial might and an overwhelming aura, yet it wouldn't make one tremble or fear.

Like a sword capable of judging all life, yet never drawn from its sheath.

"Snow Song disciple Yun Che pays respects to the Brahma Heaven God Emperor!" Yun Che stopped and bowed.

"Haha, no need for such formality," Qianye Fantian stepped forward to greet him, his humble demeanor and gentle smile showing no trace of a God Emperor's haughtiness, but rather like a young man meeting a peer. He scrutinized Yun Che, sighing, "When I heard you had fallen in the Star God Realm years ago, I mourned deeply for a long time. Now, knowing you are safe and sound, my heart is greatly relieved."

"Thank you for your concern, Brahma Heaven God Emperor. This junior is truly humbled," Yun Che smiled.

Qianye Fantian nodded, then turned his gaze to Xia Qingyue, "The Glazed Maiden of yesteryear, now the Moon God Emperor. Not born in the Moon God Realm, nor possessing any bloodline connection, yet you could make Yue Wuguang willingly bestow upon you the Purple Pylon Divine Power and the position of God Emperor... Haha, I believe with you as the new God Emperor, the Moon God Realm's future is even more promising."

Xia Qingyue smiled faintly, "Brahma Heaven God Emperor, you flatter me. I have only recently ascended to the throne, and my understanding of everything is very shallow. I walk on thin ice with every step, and in the future, I will need to seek much guidance from you."

"Haha, that would be my honor," Qianye Fantian chuckled. "Might I ask if the Moon God Emperor's visit today is for this 'guidance'?"

"No," Xia Qingyue's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and a hint of dangerous aura emanated from her. "I merely happened to learn that the Brahma Heaven God Emperor ordered Yun Che to come and dispel the Devil Infant's demonic energy for you, so I came along. I wanted to see how thick-skinned the Brahma Heaven God Emperor could truly be."

"..." This suddenly aggressive statement made Yun Che's eyebrow twitch sharply.

"Oh?" Qianye Fantian showed no anger at all, but rather surprise. "Moon God Emperor, I'm afraid I don't understand your words."

"Then I shall make you understand," the Moon God Emperor's beautiful eyes subtly shifted, her deep purple pupils now carrying a chilling authority. "Four years ago, why did Yun Che flee to the Dragon God Realm? Your good daughter, Qianye Ying'er, implanted the Brahma Soul Death-Wishing Mark in him. Under the torment of being unable to die, he could only seek help from the Dragon Queen Shen Xi in the Dragon God Realm. And I, too, nearly met my end at Qianye Ying'er's hands! Had someone not intervened to save me, it's unknown whether I would even be alive, let alone ascended to the position of Emperor in the Moon God Realm."

"Now, you invite Yun Che to purify the Devil Infant's demonic energy for you... such audacity truly leaves me in awe."

"This actually happened?" Qianye Fantian's face showed surprise, then he shook his head, "My daughter has always been mischievous and unwilling to be restrained by me since childhood, but it couldn't have been that..."

"Does the Brahma Heaven God Emperor believe I am speaking nonsense?" Xia Qingyue interrupted him coldly.

"Heh heh, the Moon God Emperor's words are naturally weighty and true, how could they be false?" Qianye Fantian gave a wry smile. "For my daughter to have caused such a grave disaster, I am truly ashamed."

"So, the Brahma Heaven God Emperor truly did not know?" The coldness in Xia Qingyue's beautiful eyes instantly receded, as if she believed Qianye Fantian's words.

"I had no idea whatsoever, otherwise..." Qianye Fantian sighed, shaking his head, and said to Yun Che, "Yun Che, my daughter's temperament has always been aloof and mischievous, which I'm sure you've heard. She bears the title of 'Goddess' in the God Realm, yet she has never placed any man in her eyes. It was only you, back then, who she showed interest in, but you publicly rejected her. Thus, it's inevitable she would bear a grudge."

"Alas, I advised her back then, but I never imagined she would harbor resentment and act so drastically because of it. When I return to my realm, I will certainly reprimand her severely for this matter."

"..." Yun Che's mouth twitched violently.

"However, on the other hand, it was also due to my daughter's willful actions that you received the Dragon Queen's care in the Dragon God Realm and were even granted the profound art of light. This is truly a blessing in disguise, not only a fortune for you personally, but also for our Eastern Divine Region. Hehehehe, how wonderful."

Qianye Fantian smiled gently, while Yun Che's entire body trembled internally.

Chased for ten thousand miles... the Brahma Soul Death-Wishing Mark... this was more than an irreconcilable enmity! Yet, in a few words, Qianye Fantian had turned it into a willful act caused by her indignation at his public rejection of her 'marriage proposal'!

So, it's all my fault now, huh?

In just two or three more sentences, Yun Che transformed from a victim into an enormous beneficiary.

Do I have to thank her now?!

Indeed... worthy of being the Brahma Heaven God Emperor!

"Since the Brahma Heaven God Emperor was entirely unaware, then I naturally have no reason to blame you." The Moon God Emperor thus dropped the matter. "Yun Che, since you've been invited here, go ahead and dispel the demonic energy for the Brahma Heaven God Emperor. To have a figure like the Brahma Heaven God Emperor indebted to you is a great boon that others could only dream of."

The Brahma Heaven God Emperor chuckled, "Previously, hearing Eternal Heaven's words, I still harbored a shred of doubt. Now that the Moon God Emperor says the same, it seems your acquisition of the profound art of light is indeed certain. I have been tormented by demonic energy for years; if you can dispel it for me, I will surely remember your kindness."

Yun Che nodded and said to the Brahma Heaven God Emperor, "This junior will do his utmost."

Setting himself, Yun Che extended his palm, and the profound energy of light slowly shone within his palm.

The pure white light illuminated Qianye Fantian's calm, placid face... In the instant the holy light flared, his pupils showed an extremely subtle shift.

Xia Qingyue stood quietly beside Yun Che, not leaving.

"Master, are you... truly going to help him?" He Ling's soft voice came from within Yun Che's mind sea.

"Yes," Yun Che replied. "He Ling, I know you deeply hate the people of the Brahma Heaven God Realm, and I have never forgotten your grudge. However, our current power is too weak; we have no ability to contend with them whatsoever. The only thing we can do is get close enough to understand them... and this is a good opportunity."

"Besides, it's also a means of self-preservation."

"I understand," He Ling said softly. "I just... I just..."

"Don't worry, I have my own plans," Yun Che reassured her.

"Mm... I'll listen to Master."

Yun Che pushed his palm forward, and a ball of white light touched Qianye Fantian's body, beginning to dispel the demonic energy within him.

Yun Che's expression was very calm, and his eyes slowly closed... In the instant they fully shut, a hint of dangerous cold light flickered.