Chapter 1488: Jinyue

In the Eastern Divine Region, within the vast starfield, a small profound ark, emitting a pure moonlight glow, sped northward.

The days since Xia Qingyue took him from the Snow Song Realm had truly felt like a dream. But it wasn't the journey itself that created this dreamlike sensation; it was the outcome.

Moreover, his interactions with Xia Qingyue hadn't brought them closer; instead, they seemed to have drifted even further apart.

She, the Moon God Emperor, was truly no longer the Xia Qingyue he once knew.

Yun Che was not alone in the profound ark. A young woman, dressed in a pale yellow moon dress, stood quietly. With her beautiful face and red lips, she was charming and possessed a gentle, delicate demeanor. However, she appeared exceptionally nervous, her head bowed deeply, and her hands constantly fidgeting with her sash, not daring to meet Yun Che's gaze.

Yun Che snapped out of his thoughts, glanced at her, and called, "Miss Jinyue."

"Ah... ah!" Jinyue trembled, lifted her head, then quickly lowered it again, asking nervously, "Mas... Master... do you have any instructions?"

Seeing her reaction, Yun Che unconsciously smiled. He had seen her several years ago; even then, Jinyue was exceptionally shy. Despite her origins in the Moon God Realm, she became timid and nervous when facing a junior profound practitioner like Yun Che, who came from a middle-tier star realm. She couldn't meet his gaze and dared not speak loudly.

At that time, she was the empress's only personal maid. As the sole maid to the empress, it was clear that her strength and status were extraordinary. Yet, her gentle, fluid demeanor and respectful attitude towards everyone made it impossible for anyone, no matter how perceptive, to associate her with the identity of a "Moon God Envoy."

Docile like a kitten, innocent like a squirrel... If it had been Yun Che seven or eight years ago, he might have been tempted to tease her.

However, her true identity was the Moon God Emperor's exclusive Moon God Envoy, a level-five Divine Master. Her profound cultivation alone was more formidable than Huo Poyun's, even after experiencing the Eternal Heaven Realm for three thousand years. She could kill him a hundred times over with just one finger.

"How has Qingyue been these past few years? Given her situation at the time, her succession as Moon God Emperor must have been incredibly difficult, right?" Yun Che asked.

Xia Qingyue had no intention of telling him about these matters, so Yun Che had to ask Jinyue.

Jinyue softly replied, "My mistress has worked very hard these past few years, but it hasn't been difficult."

Yun Che: "Oh?"

"My mistress is the most remarkable person in the world. All resistance was easily overcome by her. Although it's only been three short years, her charisma has captivated everyone in the Moon God Realm, from top to bottom. No one dares to defy her anymore."

Jinyue's voice was soft and gentle, but as she spoke, her eyes seemed to shimmer with moonlight, reflecting a profound pride and reverence stemming from the depths of her soul.

Yun Che was stunned for a long time.

When he was on the Azure Cloud Continent, he often dealt with royalty. Even in a lower realm, it takes a long time for a new emperor to win the hearts of the people, and quelling a national rebellion is even harder.

Back in the Illusory Demon Realm, even the Little Demon Empress, with the support of numerous Guardian families and royal clans, barely avoided collapse. And Xia Qingyue... her situation at the time, it was no exaggeration to say she faced the entire Moon God Realm alone.

Because, apart from Yue Wuya, no one would have accepted her as the Moon God Emperor, even with Yue Wuya's dying wish.

If anyone had spearheaded the opposition, a realm-wide rebellion would have immediately erupted.

Three years... it was truly unimaginable.

"She must have killed many people, right?" Yun Che asked.

Jinyue nodded softly.

"As expected," Yun Che thought, his emotions complex. Jinyue didn't know, but he was well aware that in the lower realms, Xia Qingyue had appeared cold and unfeeling, yet was in truth remarkably soft-hearted, never having truly taken a life.

"I recall your Moon God Realm had an officially designated Crown Prince, Yue Xuange, I believe? With his title and millennia of accumulated prestige, he must have posed significant resistance to Qingyue back then, right?" Yun Che asked again. Although he had never met Yue Xuange, he had a strong impression of him, as he had once used his two royal brothers to warn Yun Che; he was certainly not someone easy to deal with.

"Mm..." Jinyue responded quietly, then lightly shook her head. "It wasn't much resistance. When he made his move, my mistress publicly listed over thirty of his grave crimes, all with irrefutable evidence. Then, he was personally executed by her on the spot, and any who tried to defend him were also slain."

Yun Che: "..."

Yun Che had always known Xia Qingyue held deep gratitude and guilt towards Yue Wuya, which was one reason she was willing to succeed him as Moon God Emperor. But Yue Xuange was Yue Wuya's son, his eldest at that, and she...

Had she truly become this ruthless?

Yun Che fell silent, then suddenly his expression grew serious. "Has she been close to any men these past few years? Cough, cough, I am her lawfully wedded... er, she is my lawfully wedded wife, so it's only natural for me to be concerned about this!"

"Well..." Jinyue stole a glance at Yun Che before quickly lowering her head again. "My mistress has only ever had maids and the two sisters, Yaoyue and Lianyue, by her side. No man has ever been close to her. And in all these years, only Young Master Yun has entered her bedchambers."

"Good." Yun Che nodded with satisfaction. "That's more like it. In the future, if such a situation arises, remember to immediately remind her that she's a married woman!"

"...Yes," Jinyue responded meekly.

Jinyue's unquestioning agreement, however, surprised Yun Che. He looked at the girl, who was still nervous and flustered, and said, "You seem a little afraid of me? Are you like this with everyone? You're the Moon God Emperor's exclusive Moon God Envoy; your status among the envoys should be the highest, right?"

Yun Che's words made Jinyue lower her head even further, her fingers, nervously clutching her sash, almost tearing it apart. "I... I am not a timid person, but... I am simply ashamed to face Young Master Yun."

"Hm?" Yun Che looked surprised and thoughtful. "Why? I don't recall ever bullying you."

"No, it's not your fault, Young Master. It's... it's..." Jinyue bit her lip softly, her voice timid yet gentle. "Have you forgotten, Young Master? Four years ago, the marriage certificate you entrusted to me was... it was due to my negligence that it was stolen by an outsider, which then... then... led to my mistress and you suffering at the hands of the Brahma Heaven Goddess."

Yun Che: "..."

"It was all my fault. Thankfully, my mistress and you were blessed with good fortune, otherwise... even if I died a thousand deaths, I could never atone for such a grave mistake."

As she spoke, her hands clasped tightly, her face turned pale, and she looked on the verge of tears.

During the grand ceremony in the Moon God Realm years ago, the marriage certificate was suddenly revealed publicly by Xing Juekong. Yun Che had been utterly shocked at the time, but later realized the most likely culprit was Qianye Ying'er. She had used this to corner both him and Xia Qingyue.

The marriage certificate had been quietly stolen while in Jinyue's possession, which naturally left her with immense guilt and self-reproach ever since.

Yun Che suddenly understood why Xia Qingyue had specifically sent Jinyue to escort him back. It was so he could help her resolve this lingering burden. Clearly, this matter had weighed heavily on her heart for years.

However, it was precisely this temperament of hers that made her Xia Qingyue's personal attendant.

"Miss Jinyue," Yun Che said with a slight smile, "I suddenly understand why Qingyue values you so highly."

"Ah?" Jinyue tilted her head slightly, a hint of surprise on her face.

"People are always curious, especially women. And the item I specifically entrusted to you for your mistress, anyone would have been incredibly curious about it," Yun Che continued. "I remember that at the time, the marriage certificate wasn't in a particularly special box, nor was there any profound energy barrier. With your cultivation, a slight spiritual scan would have revealed its contents without anyone knowing. Yet, you didn't, and you weren't even aware when it disappeared. Clearly, your spiritual perception didn't intrude upon it in the slightest."

"Very few people could manage that; if it were me..." Yun Che shook his head with a laugh. "I can confidently say I absolutely couldn't. So, I believe your mistress never blamed you for that incident. No one would, in fact. Instead, they would appreciate and cherish you even more."

Jinyue finally met his gaze, stunned for a long moment...

"Qingyue is truly fortunate to have someone like you by her side; it's very reassuring," Yun Che said with a smile.

"No..." Jinyue hastily shook her head. "It is Jinyue's good fortune to be able to serve my mistress."

"Hmm..." Yun Che looked at her, then suddenly said with a serious expression, "Miss Jinyue, if you ever feel unhappy by Qingyue's side, remember to come find me. If I had someone like you around, I'd wake up smiling in my sleep."

This remark seemed to carry a strange double meaning. Jinyue's face instantly flushed red, and she whispered, "I... I thank Young Master for your kindness. However, I have decided to serve my mistress for life, sharing her life and death, her glory and shame. No matter what happens, I will never leave her side."

Yun Che widened his eyes, then tapped his chin, saying enviously, "What brilliant trick did Qingyue use to make you so willing to serve her like this? Hmm, it seems I'll have to ask her for some pointers the next time I visit the Moon God Realm. It would make charming girls much easier in the future."

"Pfft..." Jinyue quickly covered her mouth with her hand, but the blush on her exquisite face swiftly spread to her fair neck.

"Hahahaha," Yun Che also laughed, his gaze filled with appreciation as he looked at Jinyue. "No wonder you never usually smile. Your smile is so beautiful... it's truly too dangerous."

Jinyue dared not reply. Though still nervous, the anxiety and guilt that had weighed on her heart for so long silently dissipated. After a while, she softly said, "Young Master Yun, thank you."

"Huh? Thank me? For what?"

Jinyue shook her head. "Young Master, you truly are a very kind person, no wonder..."

She seemed to recall something and did not continue.

"No wonder what?" Yun Che immediately pressed.

Jinyue shook her head again. She bit her lip and, gathering her courage, said, "Actually, although my mistress seems very cold towards you, she truly... she truly cares a great deal about you, Young Master. It's just that she is now the Moon God Emperor, and in many matters, she has no choice."

"And I, your maid, feel that... Young Master Yun and my mistress are very well-suited for each other. So... so... please keep trying, Young Master."

These words brought Yun Che considerable comfort, significantly dispelling the lingering melancholy caused by Xia Qingyue. He said with a laugh, "No matter what she becomes, unless I actively divorce her, she will forever be my Yun Che's woman... Oh, and that includes you too. You said yourself you'd serve her for life, didn't you? Hahahaha."

Jinyue's face flushed as she lowered her head, not daring to reply. Yet, in her heart, she felt no aversion towards his teasing remark.

Although the Moon God Realm's honor had suffered greatly years ago because of Yun Che, in Jinyue's eyes, he was someone who had brought her much goodwill.

At least, that's what she believed and said at the moment.

She even looked forward to the development of his relationship with her mistress.

But fate is ever so fickle and merciless.

She could never have imagined that the next time they met, this man who had lifted a years-long burden from her heart and brought warm ripples to her soul, would have become a mortal enemy.