Chapter 1903: Journey (Part Five)

"Answer me a question." Yun Che's tone suddenly shifted. His gaze remained fixed on her, but his slightly narrowed eyes seemed to transform into a compressed pool of stars.

Cang Shuhua parted her lips: "Does Your Majesty wish to know what kind of feelings this concubine harbors for you?" Her soft words, flowing like water, directly hit upon the very thought Yun Che was about to voice. He nodded: "I want to hear the truth."

Cang Shuhua did not answer directly. A faint scent wafted as she slowly moved, approaching Yun Che. Then, she gracefully knelt, placing her hands, more luminous white than flawless jade, gently on his knees. Her eyes, as she looked directly at Yun Che, were now in a position of adoration.

"Your Majesty once thought that my emotions had scattered, that I no longer knew joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, and that any romantic feelings were extinguished. You believed that even if you truly regarded me as an imperial concubine, you would receive no feedback from my heart or emotions, and thus it was better to treat me with indifference... Your Majesty even thought this was the best state for me, that I wouldn't have to feign affection, force smiles, or pretend to be obliging."

"..." Yun Che had indeed thought exactly that all along. Before today, he had always believed Cang Shuhua to be someone virtually devoid of emotion. Although she possessed extraordinary beauty and an ineffable, unique charm, he felt that trying to foster affection with her would only be a fruitless and self-indulgent endeavor. As the honored lord of four regions, and one who had even broken the Dragon Empress and Divine Maiden, how could he possibly engage in such a pursuit?

"For ten thousand years, this concubine rarely saw the light of day, partly due to a severe illness, and partly due to the coercion from the Southern Sea. Therefore, my emotions may have been distorted in ways I couldn't perceive, and what I gravitated towards might differ from ordinary people. As for men, I harbored a deep-seated aversion for a very long time."

"But..." A hint of haziness appeared in her eyes, and a soft, misty voice emerged from Cang Shuhua's lips, close by and delicate as cherry blossoms: "Whether Your Majesty believes it or not... from the very first moment I saw you, I knew that would be the eternity of my remaining life."

Yun Che was slightly stunned. Cang Shuhua's eyes grew hazy, and her voice became like a secluded orchid: "Does Your Majesty know what the most potent and terrifying quality about you is?"

"..." Yun Che's nose twitched involuntarily. Although he had an extremely thick skin and feared nothing, he found this question rather embarrassing to answer truthfully.

"In this concubine's eyes, it is not your invincible power, nor your unparalleled inheritance, but... your eyes."

The Cloud Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly: "Hm?"

"Though Ruiyi's words were very offensive and disrespectful, one statement was an undeniable truth." Cang Shuhua smiled faintly: "Your Majesty is only thirty years old, which is more than just young for an Emperor." Throughout the history of the God Realm, only two individuals had become Emperor by the age of thirty: Yun Che and Xia Qingyue.

"Yet, Your Majesty has known contentment in mediocrity, descended into the deepest abyss, and stood proudly at the highest peak; you have saved the world from peril and plunged it into a pool of blood..."

"In just a few short decades, the tumultuous ups and downs you have experienced in the world are incomparable to what others might encounter in ten thousand lifetimes. Thus, the world reflected in Your Majesty's eyes holds the most profound, unique, and terrifying colors."

"With my desolate soul and aversion to men, it would undoubtedly be incredibly difficult for me to fall for any man. Yet, Your Majesty... a single gaze, the colors in your eyes, though clearly dangerous and leading to no return, compel one uncontrollably to feel curious... to approach... to explore... to fall deep... to sink into them..."

Cang Shuhua's ten-thousand-year life had been one of constant darkness and desolation, whereas Yun Che's mere decades had seen him rise and fall through one colossal upheaval after another. It was precisely for this reason that Yun Che's invisible allure was even more fatal to Cang Shuhua than to other women.

Yun Che vaguely recalled that in the Northern Divine Region, Chi Wuyao had said something similar, though far less direct than Cang Shuhua. However, he now really wanted to find a mirror and thoroughly examine what absurd things were hidden in his eyes.

Cang Shuhua looked at him, her words gradually turning into a hazy whisper: "Should Your Majesty one day face a powerful woman who is difficult to sway, remember that, more than strength, your eyes—so easy to arouse curiosity and make one succumb—are your best weapon."

Yun Che lowered his gaze, saying with utmost seriousness: "Isn't my face even more useful?"

Cang Shuhua's crescent brows relaxed slightly, and she smiled with pursed lips: "If Your Majesty says so, then of course it is."

Yun Che lowered his gaze, then gently took hold of the jade-like hands resting on his knees. His fingertips immediately felt as if they were touching snow-white cream, soft and captivating.

"Tea, food, calligraphy, music... excelling in just one of these can bring fame and pride for a lifetime. Yet, such perfect hands can master all of them to the pinnacle of perfection. Thinking about it closely, it's somewhat heartbreaking."

Cang Shuhua gently shook her head: "Before, I just felt stifled. Only by dedicating myself to these pursuits could time pass a little faster."

"Now, however, I feel quite fortunate." Cang Shuhua's voice paused slightly, then she suddenly smiled: "Would Your Majesty perhaps like to try learning to cook with this concubine?"

"Me? Cooking?" These were two words utterly unrelated to Yun Che in his mind. He replied directly: "An uninteresting joke."

Cang Shuhua, however, spoke softly: "In this vast world, the cultivation of profound energy has always been supreme. Among worldly desires, people pursue the desire for the profound way, for power, for sensual pleasures... but the desire for food is often discarded to the bottom, disdained and ignored."

"Yet, among the six human desires, food caters to the desires of the mouth and nose. Even if the desire for food is deliberately downplayed, it always fully exists within human nature. Once awakened by a sufficiently strong longing, its pull on one's will might not be weaker than any other worldly desire."

Cang Shuhua's words indeed made sense, but Yun Che still found it amusing: "I have no interest in this path. Moreover, you are my Imperial Concubine; with you by my side, why would I need to do it myself?"

"Your Majesty saying that makes this concubine very happy," Cang Shuhua murmured. "It's just that the time this concubine can spend with Your Majesty is, after all, limited."

Yun Che: "..."

"And Your Majesty, in this concubine's eyes, is the most gifted in this art. Therefore, in my heart... it's truly hard to suppress this thought."

"Me? The most gifted?" Yun Che's lip twitched slightly: "How do I not know that?"

Cang Shuhua slowly explained: "The same tea leaf can yield a hundred different fragrances with various brewing methods. And the art of cooking—steaming, boiling, smoking, stewing, stir-frying, quick-frying, braising, pan-frying, baking, blanching, quick-boiling, simmering, sautéing, roasting, pickling... it's even more varied, with a thousand flavors for a thousand people."

"Setting aside recipes and techniques that can be directly taught and gradually learned, the core and most difficult aspects are the selection and handling of ingredients, and... the exquisite control of heat."

"To this concubine's knowledge, Your Majesty is extremely skilled in medicine and has received gifts from wood spirits. All the world's plants are familiar to your heart; by scent alone, you can discern their inner quality and age. And the Heaven Smiting Pearl wielded by Your Majesty, according to ancient records, possesses the world's most ultimate purifying and refining power."

"Therefore, regarding ingredients, Your Majesty can easily achieve an ultimate level that others cannot even dream of. Even this concubine cannot compare to Your Majesty."

Yun Che: "Ehhh..." What she said was true, but using the Heaven Smiting Pearl's power for cooking... He Ling, being utterly obedient to him, naturally wouldn't object. But if the Heaven Smiting Poison Spirit from ancient times knew, it might just come back to life from sheer anger.

Cang Shuhua continued: "As for heat control... when it comes to mastery over flames, who in this world can compare to Your Majesty?"

Just as Yun Che was about to speak and quash her idea, which he felt was completely unsuited for him, Cang Shuhua's next sentence struck a deep chord within him:

"Does Your Majesty not wish for your daughter, your family, and your concubines to be able to enjoy the most delicious dishes in this world at any time... prepared by your own hands?"

The words about to be spoken were silently swallowed back, replaced by a sudden surge of profound emotion.

Yun Wuxin's expression of joyful wonder and overflowing happiness from just moments ago was still vivid in his mind; at that time, he had even felt quite a pang of envy.

Silently, he looked at his palms... Though he had been back on the Blue Pole Star for a significant amount of time, his heart often still swelled with guilt and deep self-reproach regarding his daughter.

He had been trying very hard to find various ways to make amends, wanting to become a better father.

If it were as Cang Shuhua suggested... it would be an excellent thing not just for Wuxin, but for all his family and beautiful companions, and also for himself.

And he could very easily achieve a level that others would struggle for a lifetime to reach... it didn't seem that difficult after all?

Yun Che's change in expression made Cang Shuhua smile radiantly: "So, would Your Majesty like to try? Perhaps, Your Majesty will discover another wonderful, unforeseen world this way."

After several hours of lingering, Yun Wuxin finally returned to the bed-chamber, followed by Ruiyi, who was filled with apprehension.

After her outburst, she was already regretting it.

"Father, I'm back!" Yun Wuxin was beaming with joy, clearly having had a wonderful time.

After her cheerful shout, she looked at her father and Cang Shuhua in the hall, uttering a soft "Oh?"

Yun Che and Cang Shuhua were standing side-by-side before the table, barely half a step apart. What surprised Yun Wuxin most was the change in her father's aura.

Perhaps it was an innate wariness towards external influences, or the natural pride of an Emperor, but whenever outsiders were present, her father would naturally project an invisible barrier around himself, completely preventing their auras from coming close. Even when he walked with her through bustling towns, not a trace of others' presence would cling to him.

However, when he was with her or her mother and the others, this isolating aura would naturally dissipate.

Although her profound cultivation was far from understanding her father's realm, she vaguely perceived that this isolating aura of his was not deliberate but an instinctive reaction naturally formed by his body over the years.

Earlier, when he faced Cang Shuhua, this isolating aura had been constantly present.

But now, it was gone.

As the two stood close, their auras mingled without obstruction.

The faint smile on Cang Shuhua's lips, while still gentle and exquisitely beautiful, now carried an added touch of captivating radiance.

"Where did you go to play?" Yun Che looked up at her. In truth, his spiritual sense had been following Yun Wuxin the entire time, a clear sign of excessive protectiveness.

"The clothes in the Azure Sea Realm are all so beautiful, I couldn't resist trying them all on! And I really, really wanted to see how Aunt Shuhua looks in them."

After speaking, she no longer felt like showing her father the Illusionary Water Ripple Robe she was wearing. Her bright eyes darted back and forth between Yun Che and Cang Shuhua, then she weakly asked: "Should I... not have come back?"

Yun Che saw through his daughter's little thought at a glance: "Come over quickly, and don't run around anymore."

It was evident that even though it was their first meeting, Yun Wuxin really liked Cang Shuhua.

"Ruiyi, you come in too," Cang Shuhua gently called out.

Ruiyi, standing behind, did not sense Yun Che's gaze or his killing intent. Hearing Cang Shuhua's words, she finally took a step forward, head bowed, moving very slowly.

At this moment, Yun Che suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing directly at Ruiyi: "I'll give you a chance to atone. Kneel."

Ruiyi bit her lip sharply. She sensed Cang Shuhua's gentle gaze upon her and did not want to disappoint Yun Wuxin's kindness. Finally, she slowly knelt, bowing her head deeply, and said: "This maid's words were rash and disrespectful. I beg Emperor Yun to be merciful and forgive me."

"Rash and disrespectful? So, you don't believe you said anything wrong at all?" Yun Che's gaze turned cold.

"..." Ruiyi lowered her head and bit her lip, neither denying nor begging for mercy.

"Such a reluctant apology is worse than remaining silent forever," Yun Che said, his gaze half-averted. "Do you truly believe you are unyielding and that every word you spoke was flawless? Then allow me to tell you something."

"You said that while I integrated the Azure Sea Divine Power for Concubine Hua, I also severely damaged her lifespan."

"Then how do you know I lack the ability to extend her life?!"

That single short sentence made Ruiyi, who had refused to yield even to Yun Che's killing intent, suddenly lift her head. Her beautiful eyes trembled like shattered starlight.

"You... what did you say?" She was agitated, surprised, and disbelieving: "You... you really have a way?"

"Hmph! If a concubine of my Cloud Emperor were to perish prematurely, wouldn't the world mock my incompetence!" Yun Che scoffed coldly: "You're at least a Mid-stage Divine Master, yet you dare to measure my power with your shallow understanding. How foolish and ridiculous!"

Despite Yun Che's scathing reprimand, Ruiyi felt no anger or humiliation. Tears welled up in her eyes, and all her previous defiance vanished from her posture and words: "This maid knows her mistake... If Your Majesty can grant young mistress lasting peace, this maid will accept any punishment Your Majesty deems fit!"

"Ridiculous, as if I can simply dispose of you!" Yun Che looked down, coldly.

Ruiyi stood frozen, looking at Yun Che's angry face, fearing that this rage, born from her actions, would implicate Cang Shuhua. Then, with a look of utter resolve, she said: "This maid was ignorant and rash, presumptuous, and committed an unforgivable mistake... As long as it appeases Your Majesty's anger, this maid will accept any punishment or atonement without complaint."

"Is that so!"

Yun Che's voice remained icy and bone-chilling: "You have accompanied Concubine Hua for ten thousand years, and your transgression today was also out of loyalty to her, to fight for her injustice. If I were to kill you, I fear it would grieve Concubine Hua's heart, and it's hardly worth it for a mere maid like you."

"I've changed my mind. I plan to stay in Azure Sea for a while longer, residing temporarily in this Azure Sea Palace."

"Since you're so eager to atone," he slowly raised his hand, his slightly lowered finger pointing at Ruiyi, "then tonight, you will attend to my bed-chamber."