Chapter 1888: Summer Father (Part 1)

In the early morning, Yun Che took a deep breath of the dew-laced air and instantly felt refreshed and invigorated.

He extended his spiritual perception and scanned for Qianye Ying’er’s location. He found that she was in the Azure Cloud Continent; specifically, it seemed she was investigating the Dark Abyss beneath the Absolute Cloud Cliff.

"No sign of her for so long, and she's actually gone there," Yun Che muttered, then called out in a low voice, "Yan Er!"

A black shadow flickered, and the stooped, diminutive figure of Yan Er was already kneeling before Yun Che. "What are your commands, Master?"

"Have you detected anything unusual around this star region?" Yun Che asked, his gaze lowered.

"Reporting to Master, this old servant has meticulously searched even the neighboring star regions multiple times. There are absolutely no dangerous elements present; please rest assured, Master," Yan Er replied cautiously.

"Very good." Yun Che nodded slightly, his voice chilling. "Remember, unless they are people close to me, anyone who dares to approach this star region without permission will first be expelled. If they refuse, no matter who they are, crush them directly."

"Yes, this old servant would never dare forget," Yan Er responded with his head bowed.

"Go."

Yan Er's black shadow vanished instantly again.

"Little Che!"

As soon as Yan Er left, a tender cry rang out, and a fragrant breeze wafted by. Xiao Lingxi had already thrown herself onto him, holding him tightly.

Yun Che wrapped his arm around her slender waist, feeling the soft touch against his chest and her slightly hurried breaths. He smiled faintly and asked, "Lingxi, haven't you had enough hugs these past three days?"

"I... I'm a little scared." Her head was pressed tightly against Yun Che's chest; she didn't want to leave. "I accidentally fell asleep just now, and when I woke up... I was so afraid it was all just a dream again."

Five years, for a realm like the God Realm, was often as fleeting as an instant. But for those who deeply cared for and worried about him, it was an incredibly long and torturous wait.

"Lingxi," Yun Che said softly, "From now on, I will never let you worry again. Never again."

"...Mm-hmm." Xiao Lingxi quietly responded, her arms still tightly wrapped around him, unwilling to let go.

Until a familiar shout came from afar.

"Brother-in-law, I'm here!"

Only then did Xiao Lingxi get up from Yun Che's embrace, reaching out to straighten his clothes. "I... I'll go see Father and Yongning."

Feeling Xia Yuanba's aura drawing nearer, Yun Che's expression instantly became complicated. They had only met the day before yesterday, and he knew perfectly well the purpose of Xia Yuanba's hurried arrival this time.

With a flicker of his figure, Yun Che appeared before Xia Yuanba. "Yuanba, you're here."

Xia Yuanba stopped, his eyes re-examining Yun Che, with an unconcealed excitement in them. "Heh heh, the entire Profound Sky Continent knows you're back now, but they certainly can't comprehend what it means to be the Emperor of the God Realm. Even I've been in a daze these past few days."

"Oh, by the way, are you leaving again soon?"

"No," Yun Che replied with a faint, proud smile. "Now there's nothing in this world that can restrain my freedom."

"Heh heh, just as expected of my brother-in-law!" Xia Yuanba chuckled, then his gaze slightly sharpened. "Then... what about my sister? Why didn't she come back with you?"

No matter how much one avoided it, what was due would eventually arrive.

If it hadn't been for Yun Che's long-awaited reunion with his family the day before, Xia Yuanba would have asked then.

But at this moment, it was difficult for Yun Che to conceal it any longer.

"Yuanba," Yun Che's expression turned solemn. "I hope that my next words..."

"Is my sister... already dead?" Xia Yuanba suddenly blurted out.

Yun Che's voice stopped. Facing Xia Yuanba's direct gaze, he slowly nodded, "Yes."

Yun Che was not particularly surprised by Xia Yuanba's sudden question. His repeated deliberate evasions and his solitary return this time... even if Xia Yuanba was slow-witted, and no matter how much he wished to avoid it, he couldn't help but consider that possibility.

His tiger eyes widened abruptly, followed by intense trembling. Xia Yuanba's body stiffened, and he let out rapid, ragged gasps. After a long moment, he spoke in an unusually strained voice, "Then... what about my mother?"

"...She also died," Yun Che stated plainly and directly.

His large body swayed violently again. Xia Yuanba took a deep, heavy breath, and after five or six breaths, he finally managed to ask in a low voice, "Tell me, Sister... and my mother, how did they die?"

Before Xia Yuanba's arrival, Yun Che had already prepared his answer. He placed a hand on Xia Yuanba's slightly trembling arm and said slowly, "Yuanba, you possess the rare Tyrannical Emperor's Divine Veins in this world. Your future will definitely not, and should not, be limited to this small world of the Blue Pole Star."

"In the future, in the realm of the God Realm, you will certainly carve out your own place, and that future is not far off."

"Therefore, I hope you can discover the truth of all this for yourself. In that process, use what you see, what you hear, and your own understanding and mindset to comprehend the causes and grievances involved, ultimately forming your own judgment."

Yun Che's gaze remained fixed on Xia Yuanba's eyes. Xia Yuanba listened quietly, his eyes gradually regaining calm under Yun Che's tranquil voice.

"When people lose emotional control, both their judgment and actions deviate from reason and control. I don't wish to see or face you in such a state, so..."

Yun Che paused, letting out a slight breath.

If these words had been spoken by anyone else, Xia Yuanba would undoubtedly have pressed for answers without hesitation.

But facing Yun Che's words, he took a deep breath, and after briefly closing his eyes, he slowly nodded. "Alright, if Brother-in-law says so, there must be a necessary reason... I understand."

Xia Yuanba always listened to him, in the past and still now. This also made Yun Che's emotions even more complicated.

"Although it was only a very brief stay in the God Realm, its aura held an immense attraction for me. If I hadn't promised Brother-in-law, I might not have been able to resist the urge to enter the God Realm again and again over the past six months."

"I also understand that this must be the influence of the Tyrannical Emperor's Divine Veins on me."

Bearing the Tyrannical Emperor's Divine Veins, the desire for power and higher realms was etched into his very bones.

Xia Yuanba's gaze gradually shifted from confusion to resolve, and his hands quietly clenched. "I indeed shouldn't confine myself to this world. Once I've settled matters with the Imperial Sacred Realm, I will enter the God Realm again."

"Good!" Yun Che looked at him and nodded heavily.

"However, before that, there's one thing I need to ask of you, Brother-in-law," Xia Yuanba suddenly looked up and said.

"Tell me, I will definitely do it." Out of the complicated guilt in his heart, Yun Che agreed wholeheartedly before Xia Yuanba could even state his request.

Xia Yuanba said, "Before I came here, I first visited my father and promised him I would immediately bring back news of my mother and sister."

Yun Che: "..."

Xia Yuanba's expression turned somber. "This outcome is already difficult for me to bear, and I don't know how to tell or face my father with it, so... so..."

"I understand," Yun Che said. "I'll go visit Uncle Xia right away."

"Mm-hmm." Xia Yuanba's expression relaxed slightly. "Brother-in-law, I'm counting on you."

After Xia Yuanba left, Yun Che wasted no time. Sensing Xia Hongyi's aura, he directly tore open space, intending to go to the Black Moon Merchant Guild where Xia Hongyi resided.

The space in the lower realms was too fragile. Although Yun Che wasn't adept at spatial laws, forcefully traversing the space here was effortless for him.

"You're going to see Xia Qingyue's father?"

Chi Wuyao's voice suddenly came from behind, and her figure appeared beside Yun Che.

Clearly, she had listened to Yun Che and Xia Yuanba's entire conversation.

"He's Yuanba's father," Yun Che corrected, somewhat unnaturally. "He's an elder of mine who looked after me greatly in my childhood and youth. Aside from the promise I made to Yuanba, simply as a junior, I should also go visit him."

"I'll go with you."

Without giving Yun Che a chance to refuse, Chi Wuyao directly took his hand, half-forcefully pulling him into the spatial rift leading to the Black Moon Merchant Guild.

The various barriers and restrictions of the Black Moon Merchant Guild were as good as non-existent to the current Yun Che. Yun Che and Chi Wuyao appeared directly inside the Black Moon Merchant Guild, outside the courtyard where Xia Hongyi had resided for years.

"Wh-what kind of people are you?!"

The figures, appearing suddenly like ghosts, startled the Black Moon attendant guarding the door. When he saw Yun Che's face clearly, he was so shocked he nearly fainted, remaining dazed for a good while before stuttering, "Yun-Yun-Yun-Yun... True Master Yun!"

"Go, announce that Yun Che has come to visit," Yun Che said calmly.

"Ah... Yes... Yes, yes, yes." The Black Moon attendant nearly stumbled and fell with a single step. He practically scrambled inside, then quickly rushed back out, his voice still stammering, "Steward X-Xia... invites you in."

It was already widely known throughout the Profound Sky Continent that Xia Hongyi was Yun Che's father-in-law. Thus, his status and treatment within the Black Moon Merchant Guild were naturally incomparable to what they once were.

Entering the courtyard, Xia Hongyi was already waiting there. After many years, his appearance hadn't changed noticeably, and his attire remained simple and casual, showing no hint of luxury. A pair of peaceful eyes carefully observed Yun Che, and a smile, just like in the past, appeared on his face. "Che'er, it's been years, and I'm very happy you've come to see me."

"Uncle Xia." He did not address him as 'Father-in-law.' Meeting Xia Hongyi again at this moment, Yun Che's inner complexity was beyond words.

After all, regardless of the reasons, he was the one who had personally forced his daughter to her death.

Chi Wuyao's spiritual perception lingered on Xia Hongyi for only an instant before moving away.

Because he was truly too ordinary... No, in terms of physique and profound cultivation talent, he couldn't even be considered ordinary.

Yet, such a person had raised the Moon God Emperor, who possessed both the Glazed Heart and Exquisite Body!?

After a brief exchange of greetings, the three sat down. Yun Che clearly didn't want to face Xia Hongyi for too long; he went straight to the point. "Uncle Xia, besides visiting you, I've come this time because there are some matters I wish to tell you directly."

"Is it about Qingyue?" Xia Hongyi said with a gentle laugh. "Years ago, Yuanba told me she was with you in a distant place called the 'God Realm'."

"Yes." Yun Che nodded, saying in as calm a tone as possible. "What I want to tell you, Uncle Xia, is that about a year ago, she perished in the God Realm."

Xia Hongyi's gaze flickered violently, his expression freezing for a good while. He slowly opened his mouth and asked, "Where? And why?"

"The God Realm of Absolute Beginning, in a place called the Abyss of Nothingness. She fell into it and left no remains or belongings," Yun Che narrated in a tone so calm it made even himself uncomfortable. "As for the reasons... Yuanba will explain them to you after some time."

Xia Hongyi closed his eyes. After several moments of silence, he spoke, "I understand."

"Please accept my condolences," Yun Che could only say this.

Xia Hongyi shook his head slightly and said, "Back then, after Qingyue married you and officially entered the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, I had a feeling: my daughter and I were already living in two entirely different worlds."

"This feeling was inexplicable, yet incredibly clear. And indeed, that was the truth."

"Her life was very brilliant, wasn't it?" he suddenly asked.

Yun Che was slightly stunned, then replied, "Yes. In many respects, one could even say... no woman in this era could compare to her."

Born in the lower realms, possessing both the Glazed Heart and Exquisite Body, she only entered the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace at sixteen, yet became a Divine Emperor at thirty. She was also the youngest Divine Emperor in the history of the God Realm.

Setting aside her sins and wickedness, her life was more than just brilliant.

At this moment, a smile, both bitter and relieved, appeared at the corners of Xia Hongyi's lips. "That's good then. This was the path she chose, her own life. Although it was too short, she once shone like the moon's radiance across the world. I imagine she had no regrets, so why should I grieve in vain?"

Yun Che was silent for a moment, then said, "Uncle Xia, your magnanimity brings me great comfort and admiration. Yuanba will surely be much more at ease once he knows."

Chi Wuyao had been silently observing Xia Hongyi's reactions, her eyebrows unconsciously furrowed, remaining unrelaxed for a long time.

Xia Hongyi was not a powerful individual who could disregard everything for profound cultivation, nor was he a cold-blooded emperor with numerous wives, concubines, and children. He was simply an ordinary, utterly ordinary mortal, and Xia Qingyue was his only daughter.

Compared to Yun Che's excruciating pain after "losing his daughter" back then, Xia Qingyue's father before her showed no uncontrolled emotions, no frantic questioning, no bone-deep sorrow...

He was so rational, as if he were facing the death of someone else's child.

Was this truly the reaction of an ordinary, normal father?