Chapter 1751: "Grace"

As Water Meiyin’s words reached his ears, Yun Che felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if someone had spoken similar words to him in the past. He smiled faintly, his gentleness tinged with a deep, dark coldness. “To become the one who dictates the rules... my purpose in returning is not just for revenge.”

Water Meiyin nodded gravely, her eyes still brimming with tears, yet a brilliantly radiant smile blossomed on her face as she looked at the faint light in Yun Che’s eyes. Not only was Yun Che safe and sound, far more powerful than she could have imagined, and commanding the entire Northern Divine Realm, but even the state of his soul was vastly better than she had ever dared to hope.

For years, her greatest fears had been two-fold: that Yun Che would completely descend into darkness, his humanity consumed by hatred; or that a death wish, as potent as his desire for revenge, would accompany him always. But neither had happened. Chi Wuyao’s earlier words to her truly weren’t mere consolation.

His soul and will had long since become immeasurably stronger.

“What exactly is this secret? Why can’t you speak of it?” Qianye Ying’er’s cold voice suddenly cut through the air. “Do childish women enjoy stringing men along with such juvenile tactics, hiding things away?”

“Silence,” Yun Che rebuked her blandly.

When he was hunted by everyone back then, only the Glazed Light Realm, specifically Water Meiyin, had taken him in and protected him, braving immense risk of implication. Upon his return to the Eastern Divine Realm, he unleashed a dark calamity. As a denizen of the Eastern Divine Realm, Water Meiyin would have been justified in turning her blade against him. Instead, at the most crucial moment, she produced the Phantasmal Heart Glazed Shadow Jade—a treasure she had prepared long ago—to clear his name throughout the God Realm and simultaneously shatter the convictions of countless profound practitioners.

Toward Water Meiyin, he had never offered even the slightest favor or contribution, nor any emotional reciprocation. Even their engagement had been forcefully arranged for him by Mu Xuanyin. Yet, he had always received her unreserved devotion and heart—regardless of whether three millennia had passed, whether he was human or demon, or whether he was peaceful or cruel.

To others, this might seem utterly foolish, even laughable, perhaps incomprehensible. Yet, to be blessed with such a soulmate in one’s lifetime was an immense stroke of heavenly fortune.

Like a star, uniquely his own, requiring no reason, yet willing to shine for him eternally.

Having endured utter darkness and despair, his appreciation for the girl before him now completely filled every corner of his heart and soul.

“Hmph!” Qianye Ying’er turned away abruptly, refusing to look at them any longer.

Water Meiyin’s starry eyes blinked. In just a few short years, Qianye Ying’er had clearly undergone exceptionally profound changes from the Brahma Emperor Goddess of yesteryear—in many respects.

“Brother Yun Che, I truly didn’t intend to hide this from you; there’s just a very important reason,” she explained gently. Then, smiling, she added, “However, Senior Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor was incredibly good to you, Brother Yun Che. Before she left, she secretly did so much for you.”

“Indeed,” Yun Che nodded. How could she not be? Both her daughters were, after all, in his hands.

The Evil God and the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor—this couple was undoubtedly the greatest god and the greatest devil. Unfortunately, the world was not worthy of them.

Without pressing Water Meiyin any further, Yun Che’s gaze shifted to Chi Wuyao. “Why are you two together?” he inquired.

“Why not?” Chi Wuyao countered with a smile. “Little Meiyin and I are old acquaintances.”

“Old acquaintances?” Yun Che frowned slightly, then suddenly recalled the distinctly peculiar look in Water Meiyin’s eyes when she first arrived in the Snow Song Realm and saw Mu Xuanyin.

“She instantly detected my presence back then,” Chi Wuyao said slowly and faintly. “Fortunately, she kept it secret. And your engagement to Little Meiyin later on? That was my decision too.” Her alluring eyes curved slightly. “How could such a beautiful, yet terrifying, young woman be given away cheaply to another?”

The Eclipse Moon Guards, standing nearby, felt their eyelids twitch and their scalps tingle. They didn’t know whether to leave or stay. The Devil Master and Devil Queen’s inner circle... was simply too peculiar.

Chi Wuyao’s alluring face held a faint smile, yet a profoundly deep doubt quietly settled in her heart. An Immaculate Divine Soul could perceive her Nirvanic Devil Soul, and her Nirvanic Devil Soul could, to some extent, perceive Water Meiyin’s Immaculate Divine Soul. When Water Meiyin had recounted everything to Yun Che, her soul fluctuations... were simply too strange. Chi Wuyao couldn’t even imagine what complex emotions could produce such a soul signature. What exactly was she hiding? And why?

“Cough,” Shui Qianheng cleared his throat. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke, “Devil Master, we have actually come with a request.”

Yun Che turned his gaze, his voice calm. “Senior Shui’s kindness from back then is unforgettable. Senior Shui, you may state any request, but speak freely, except... for clemency!”

Shui Qianheng’s expression stiffened slightly.

Shui Yingyue stepped forward, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly. “Our Glazed Light Realm’s visit this time is not for clemency. Rather, we hope the Devil Master can grant the Eastern Divine Realm a chance.”

“Give the Eastern Divine Realm a chance?” Yun Che’s lips curled into a cold, low smile. His previously calm voice suddenly turned piercingly cold. “Back then, who ever gave *me* a chance!”

He turned away, no longer looking at Shui Yingyue. “No matter what befalls the Eastern Divine Realm, it will not affect your Glazed Light Realm! I will repay your kindness many times over. But if you think this will make me spare the Eastern Divine Realm...” “Hmph!” he sneered, his voice low and cold. “Your kindness is not so weighty that it can make me forget my deceased parents, wife, and daughter!”

His chilling words left no room for negotiation.

Before Shui Qianheng and Shui Yingyue could respond, he subtly shifted his gaze and suddenly spoke with a cold indifference. “Distinguished guests from the Heaven Covering Realm, surely you haven’t come to plead for mercy as well!”

As his voice faded, a brief silence followed, then two more figures descended side-by-side from the Soul Sky Ship. They were none other than Lu Zhou, the Realm King of the Heaven Covering Realm, and his son, Young Master Lu Lengchuan.

During this calamity that befell the Eastern Divine Realm, the Heaven Covering Realm remained untouched. This was not because the Heaven Covering Realm, one of the three strongest star realms alongside the Sacred Universe and Glazed Light Realms, was too formidable. Rather, Yun Che vividly recalled that at the edge of chaos, Lu Zhou had, under immense pressure, spoken a single word in his defense. Though it was a faint utterance, Yun Che, in his extreme rage at the time, had still heard it distinctly.

“Lu Zhou of the Heaven Covering Realm, greetings to the Devil Master of the Northern Region.” Lu Zhou bowed deeply, and Lu Lengchuan, standing beside him, also performed a respectful bow.

Yun Che turned, accepting the bow from the father and son. “Realm King Lu, you once spoke on my behalf; I will not forget that. I also had a slight acquaintance with Brother Lu. If you come as guests, you are most welcome. But if it is to plead for mercy... do not blame this Devil Master if I turn hostile!”

Lu Zhou raised his head, his face etched with surprise. Yun Che had actually heard and remembered until now a single word he had blurted out in his moment of overwhelming anguish. It was clear what a profoundly loyal person Yun Che was, deep down.

Lu Lengchuan’s gaze, however, was far more complex. Years ago, he and Yun Che had engaged in a spectacular battle on the Conferred God Stage. Ultimately, despite his significant advantage, he had wholeheartedly conceded, granting victory to Yun Che. He had since spent three thousand years in the Heaven Sacrificing Realm to become a Divine Master, yet Yun Che, without ever entering the Heaven Sacrificing God Realm, had become the Devil Master who commanded the Northern Region and struck terror into all realms. Looking back now, his battle with Yun Che could almost be considered the most glorious moment of his life.

“No, Devil Master, you misunderstand,” Lu Zhou said. “We have come at the invitation of the Glazed Light Realm King to pledge our allegiance to you.”

“Hm?” Yun Che narrowed his eyes, staring directly into Lu Zhou’s, and found his gaze to be clear and sincere.

“Heh,” Yun Che chuckled softly. “I didn’t mishear, did I? As one of the three great star realms of the Eastern Divine Realm, during this devilish calamity that has befallen the Eastern Divine Realm, your Heaven Covering Realm actually surrenders to me, a devil?” His voice sharpened. “Have you forgotten the blood spilled across the Eastern Divine Realm, or the ‘unacceptable to the world’ dark profound energy that flows within us?!”

Lu Zhou’s eyes remained calm as he met Yun Che’s gaze. “The blood of the Eastern Divine Realm cleanses not only the land, but also beliefs and souls,” he stated. “Whether dark profound energy is acceptable to the world is not determined by the so-called Heavenly Way, but by the one who dictates the rules!” His gaze became fervent. “If the Devil Master becomes the new Lord of the God Realm, the new rule-maker, then with but a single word from you, dark profound energy will not only cease to be a sin but will become supreme glory!”

Yun Che was silent.

“And the future Lord of the God Realm that our Heaven Covering Realm has chosen...” Lu Zhou’s gaze grew even more resolute. Having been persuaded and made his decision, he would not hesitate or regret. “It is none other than Devil Master Yun Che.”

Yun Che’s brows furrowed slightly as he stared directly at Lu Zhou. “Are you not afraid... that this Devil Master will drag your Heaven Covering Realm into eternal abyss?!”

“In life, one must always face and make choices. Once a choice is made, there is no regret,” Lu Zhou stated. “Furthermore, for our Heaven Covering Realm, this matter is not merely a choice; it is also... an act of repaying kindness and atoning for past wrongs.”

Yun Che turned his gaze to Shui Qianheng and Shui Yingyue. “Is this true for the Glazed Light Realm as well?”

“Yes,” Shui Yingyue replied. “This time, the Heaven Sacrificing projection not only revealed the truth of what happened back then but also, for the first time in the Eastern Divine Realm’s history, truly shook people’s perception of darkness. I believe the world will not be overly surprised by our choice, and many other star realms and realm kings will begin to harbor similar thoughts.”

“Hahahahaha!” Yun Che suddenly burst into laughter. “As expected of the Glazed Light Realm King and the Heaven Covering Realm King, I must admit, your method of ‘pleading’ is truly ingenious. What a pity, what a pity... the person I intend to kill, even if he kneels before me and smashes his head until it’s bloody, will still die!”

Shui Yingyue and Lu Zhou both held their breath.

“Brother Yun Che...” Water Meiyin murmured softly.

Yun Che suddenly raised his gaze to Chi Wuyao. “You brought them here on the Soul Sky Ship. Are you endorsing their plea for mercy?”

“Of course.” Facing Yun Che’s gaze, Chi Wuyao replied without hesitation, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips.

Yun Che gazed at her in silence. He knew Chi Wuyao would provide an answer that would satisfy him, especially since she understood his hatred for the Eastern Divine Realm better than anyone.

“For those beneath the rule-maker’s decision, they either obey or they are judged, even annihilated; they truly have no choice. Therefore...” Chi Wuyao’s eyes flickered with dark light, her words brimming with chilling intent. “The King Realms that participated back then ought to be annihilated, even utterly slaughtered.” She offered a faint smile. “However, those below the King Realms can indeed be granted a chance to choose anew. The Southern and Western Divine Realms still lie ahead, and we will require many corpses and pawns to pave our way, won’t we?”

She was clearly assisting them, clearly offering the Eastern Divine Realm a chance. Yet, Chi Wuyao’s words sent shivers down the spines of both Shui Qianheng and his daughter, and Lu Zhou and his son.

Yun Che’s gaze flickered, then he suddenly fell silent. In the stillness, his memory drifted back to his time in the Illusory Demon Realm...

Back then, when the Little Demon Empress acquired the Golden Crow Divine Power and regained supreme authority over the Illusory Demon Realm, she brutally purged nine generations of Prince Huai’s lineage. However, during the century of intense upheaval in the Illusory Demon Realm, a staggering sixty percent of the royal families and guardian clans had defected to Prince Huai’s faction. The grave crime of treason called for the extermination of entire families. Yet, if such a drastic measure were taken, the Illusory Demon Realm would undoubtedly be severely weakened and plunged into protracted chaos, requiring countless years to recover. Many of its most vital legacies might even vanish from its history forever. Conversely, if she pardoned them, she would betray the deceased Demon Emperor and Little Demon Emperor, as well as her own sacrifices and the steadfastly loyal guardian clans and Illusory Demon royal families. Yun Che had witnessed her ultimate choice unfold from beginning to end.

“You’re right.” After a prolonged silence, Yun Che spoke slowly, as if to himself, or perhaps delivering his final judgment. “I truly should grant the Eastern Divine Realm a chance to choose again.” With each word he uttered, his lips curled further into a smile. By the time he finished speaking, the expression on his face conveyed not world-pardoning mercy, but a chilling grimness that made one’s heart recoil.