Chapter 2071: The Abyssal Emperor's Shadow

“Afraid?” Hua Fuchen softly uttered the word. “Afraid…”

Hua Qingying continued, “Brother, it has been ten thousand years since you ascended to the position of God Monarch. Over these years, you may not have noticed the changes in yourself, but I have seen them clearly.”

“Yun Che was right about one thing: you’ve become… more and more like the previous God Monarch.”

Hua Fuchen did not refute. He slumped slightly in his seat and spoke softly, “I once thought that even if I became God Monarch, I would still be myself. But the word ‘identity’ is far more terrifying than I imagined. It’s never just a simple title; once it hangs over your head, it subtly and constantly changes a person in every aspect.”

“Though I’ve harbored resentment towards the previous God Monarch all these years, gradually, I’ve come to resent my past self more—hating how naive, foolish, impulsive, childish, inflexible, and self-righteous I was back then. In fact, after repeatedly facing major events concerning the fate of the Divine Realm, I’ve begun to empathize more and more with the previous God Monarch…”

“I once believed all the fault lay with the previous God Monarch. Later, however, I increasingly felt that the one who truly caused Wanxin’s death… was me.”

“So, you’re afraid,” Hua Qingying stated. “And you’ve done everything in your power, even if it means stifling Cai Li’s perception, to prevent her life from encountering any turmoil.”

“How could I… not be afraid?” Hua Fuchen murmured.

Hua Qingying had always known that the greatest burden regarding Hua Cai Li and Yun Che’s situation never fell on Cai Li or Yun Che, but on Hua Fuchen.

The coldness in her voice faded. “If none of this had happened, I would have fully supported all the arrangements you made for Cai Li. Cai Li herself would have remained content, never defying any of your decisions or words.”

“But she met Yun Che, and gave him her heart and soul.”

Hua Qingying softly recited, “Once you’ve seen the great ocean, other waters are not enough… You understand this saying more deeply than anyone.”

“Cai Li is already hopelessly devoted. If you forcibly separate them, then after tearing Yun Che from her life, Cai Li won’t return to her former state. Instead, it will be as if her very soul has been gouged out… Aren’t you more aware of that feeling than anyone else?”

“…Stop talking,” Hua Fuchen lowered his face, his tightly clenched hands trembling slightly.

Hua Qingying sighed softly. She knew many of her words were piercing his heart, but for Cai Li’s sake, she had to speak them.

“Brother, I’m not forcing you to make a decision. I just hope you can give Cai Li and Yun Che a chance… or rather, let me rephrase that: give them some time.”

“Cai Li’s profound energy cultivation speed is incredibly fast. After meeting Yun Che, her Sword Heart became even more enlightened, and her progress in the Sword Dao has been astonishingly rapid.”

“As for Yun Che, with his third-level Divine Master Realm cultivation, he can contend with those in the early Divine Extinction Realm. I have never heard of such a prodigy.”

“Dian Jiuzhi has been infatuatedly waiting for Cai Li for many years, and now Cai Li’s body and soul are completely restored. During the audience with the Abyssal Monarch three years from now, he will certainly bring up the marriage. If you can’t directly break off the engagement, find a way to postpone the wedding and buy those two children more time, allowing them to grow strong enough.”

Hua Fuchen remained silent, unsure if he had absorbed what was said.

A long silence followed, the atmosphere so heavy that every speck of dust seemed to be sealed in place.

Hua Qingying turned and slowly walked away. Only when she reached the entrance of the Sword Pavilion did she speak softly, “Even if the engagement is directly broken off, it would only incur the wrath of the Senluo Divine Realm. But appeasing such anger is not impossible; it merely requires compromising the dignity of a God Monarch.”

“Back then, to ensure Cai Li could enter the ‘Cradle,’ you knelt before the Pure Land for seven days straight. During those seven days, no matter who you met, even a mere attendant knight, you would bow your head and plead… At that time, Cai Li’s life infinitely outweighed your dignity.”

“I have said all I can. You are Cai Li’s father, and the God Monarch of the Heaven Punishing Divine Realm. How you decide rests entirely on your will.”

Hua Fuchen still offered no response.

Stepping out of the Sword Pavilion, Hua Qingying looked up at the sky. In a trance, she seemed to see Qu Wanxin’s figure once more.

Wanxin, is what I’m doing… right, or wrong…?

Yun Che, I have placed my greatest trust in you. When you are weak, I will do everything in my power to clear obstacles for you.

Please… please do not ever betray Cai Li.

Hua Qingying had been gone for a long time, but Hua Fuchen remained motionless, sitting silently in his original spot, as if he had lost his soul.

His greatest pressure never came from the Senluo Divine Realm.

There was one thing Hua Cai Li didn’t know, nor did Hua Qingying.

Back then, the engagement between Hua Cai Li and Dian Jiuzhi was personally bestowed by the Abyssal Monarch. Hua Fuchen and Dian Luohou had jointly facilitated this, and with the Abyssal Monarch’s personal decree, the union of the two individuals—and the two nations—became unshakable, celebrated by all under heaven.

For Hua Fuchen, this ensured Hua Cai Li’s lifelong peace and safety; for Dian Luohou, it fulfilled his son’s greatest lifelong wish.

That day, when requesting the Abyssal Monarch to bestow the marriage, the Abyssal Monarch looked at Dian Jiuzhi and nodded approvingly, “I have long heard of Jiuzhi’s deep affection for Cai Li and his devoted longing. Despite being the Senluo Divine Son, he has never allowed any woman to approach him all these years.”

“Very good. In that case, I shall personally grant you this marriage. Cai Li grew up under my watchful eye and is cherished by everyone in the Pure Land. You must never, ever betray her in the future.”

“In my entire life… I despise those who betray affection the most.”

It was originally just a casual remark from the Abyssal Monarch, intended as a warning to Dian Jiuzhi.

At the time, Hua Fuchen felt greatly relieved to hear it.

Now, however, every word weighed upon his soul like a thousand tons.

Hua Cai Li walked back, puffing with anger. She ignored everyone who greeted her along the way, causing onlookers to exchange bewildered glances.

Returning to her courtyard, she stood before the lotus pond where she often played, but had no desire to enjoy its beauty. She angrily picked up a jade stone near her feet and tossed it into the pond.

The small lotus pond, however, splashed quite a bit. From within the water, a figure slowly emerged, still holding the jade stone she had just thrown in.

“My esteemed Goddess Cai Li, did you throw this golden stone, or this silver stone, or perhaps this broken stone?”

Hua Cai Li’s lips parted wide as she stared, dumbfounded, at Yun Che slowly emerging from the lotus pond. Then, her anger dissolved into a giggle.

Yun Che glided over and landed in front of Hua Cai Li. “Who made my Cai Li so angry?”

“Who else?” Cai Li grabbed Yun Che’s hand, her face still puffed up with indignation. “Father God just won’t budge, and… he even yelled at me!”

“Wow! That’s too serious!” Yun Che exclaimed with a look of feigned horror. “He yelled at you today, so won’t he hit you tomorrow?”

“Pfft… Father God wouldn’t do that.” Hua Cai Li lightly hit Yun Che’s chest and whispered, “It’s all your fault. I worked so hard to get that angry, and now it’s all gone in an instant.”

“Then don’t be angry,” Yun Che smiled. “Actually, your Father God’s attitude towards me has been far better than I expected. He gave me face, patience, and even the opportunity to speak with him, a God Monarch, as an equal. I doubt any other God Monarch besides him could do that.”

“Besides, he’s angry because he cares. If it were your other sisters, he probably wouldn’t even pay them any mind.”

“You’re still defending him.” Hua Cai Li tiptoed forward and softly leaned against Yun Che’s chest, the knot in her heart instantly dissolving into warm comfort. “Big Brother Yun, you’re so good, yet Father God still… What will it take for him to finally agree?”

“He will,” Yun Che said softly. “Because you are his most important family. He’s just finding it hard to accept right now. Give him time, and he’ll definitely be willing to make concessions and compromises for you.”

“Ah?” Hua Cai Li looked up. “Really… will he?”

Yun Che nodded. “He definitely will. Although Father God and I have only had brief interactions, I can sense that his love and protection for you far exceed your imagination.”

“However, he is not just your father; he is also the God Monarch of the Heaven Punishing Divine Realm. For us, it’s enough to love each other and never fear or abandon each other. But the pressures and considerations your Father God must bear… perhaps far surpass what we can understand.”

“Therefore, in this matter, I actually feel… we should be more considerate of his position and feelings.”

As Yun Che spoke, Hua Cai Li couldn’t help but recall the momentary anguish and heartache her father had shown. Her heart twinged, and she gently nodded in Yun Che’s embrace, “Mm, I understand. Tomorrow, I’ll go and coax Father God obediently.”

Inside the Mind-Remembering Sword Pavilion, Hua Fuchen had somewhat calmed his mind. When he released his divine sense and reached Hua Cai Li’s location, what he heard was Yun Che’s words.

“This boy…” he murmured softly, a mix of emotions swirling in his heart.

Hua Lianzhi hurried over. “Elder Sister, you’re back—Ah!”

She gasped in alarm, her face instantly drained of color, and she hastily turned away. “I-I-I… I didn’t see anything… nothing at all…”

Hua Cai Li was also startled and quickly moved away from Yun Che. But immediately, her lips curved into a smile, and she pulled Yun Che directly towards her bedchamber. “Lianzhi, seal the barrier. Don’t let anyone disturb me today, no matter who calls.”

“Yes, Elder Sister,” Hua Lianzhi replied, still trembling.

She hastily sealed all the courtyard barriers, then retreated outside, intently sensing every approaching presence as if facing a formidable enemy.

Back in the bedchamber, Hua Cai Li flopped onto the soft couch and let out a long sigh. “So annoying, so tired. I just want to sleep. Once I’m asleep, I won’t have to think about anything.”

“Then sleep,” Yun Che smiled. “Perhaps by the time you wake up, your Father God will have found a perfect solution.”

“Oh,” Hua Cai Li responded dismissively, clearly lacking confidence in her father. She opened her arms to Yun Che. “Then aren’t you coming to join me? I don’t know how I’ll fall asleep without holding you now.”

Her lips slightly pouted, her voice soft and sweet, and her beautiful eyes misty, enough to melt stone and calm raging seas.

Yun Che walked over, and before he could speak, Hua Cai Li pounced on him, wrapping her arms around him, and they tumbled onto the soft couch amidst her triumphant laughter.

They played around for a while before Hua Cai Li finally quieted down. Her beautiful eyes closed, and her breathing gradually steadied, as if she was slowly drifting off to sleep.

Yun Che lightened his movements and regulated his breathing. He had just closed his eyes to rest for a short while when he felt a pair of hands stealthily slip inside his clothes. Before he could react, he was firmly entangled by the girl who clearly had a plan.

“Ah… Cai Li, this is…”

“I don’t care!”

Inside the Sword Pavilion, Hua Fuchen’s jade chair shattered directly beneath him, and his long hair stood on end. “This is outrageous… utterly outrageous!”

Boom!!

With a burst of profound energy, the enraged God Monarch Huaxin flew directly towards Hua Cai Li’s courtyard.

Rumble!

Another boom, and he appeared directly in front of the courtyard barrier. As his divine sense spread, he unexpectedly touched upon a young girl’s trembling voice. God Monarch Huaxin was so startled that he hastily retracted his divine sense as if fleeing, trembling all over, his entire face instantly turning black as the bottom of a pot.

Hua Qingying’s voice came from behind him. “It’s normal for a young man and woman to indulge in their desires.”

Hua Fuchen turned around, a storm of emotions with nowhere to go, and could only frantically wave his hands repeatedly. “What kind of behavior is this? What kind of behavior?!”

Hua Qingying said calmly, “Weren’t you and Wanxin like that back then?”

That one sentence stifled Hua Fuchen’s retort. He angrily turned back, his gaze restlessly fixed on Hua Cai Li’s courtyard, unable to advance or retreat.

“Fa-fa-father God,” Hua Lianzhi stepped forward, stammering over the simple two-word address for quite some time before managing to speak it fully.

“Hmph! Just keep spoiling them!”

Hua Fuchen flung his sleeve violently and left in a huff.

He hadn’t flown far when the two Sword Sovereigns, Yuheng and Kaiyang, arrived, following his aura. From a distance, they called out, “Your Excellency…”

“Scram, scram, scram!”

Hua Fuchen didn’t even spare them a glance, instantly speeding away and leaving Sword Sovereign Yuheng and Sword Sovereign Kaiyang to exchange bewildered looks.

Hua Qingying arrived in a flash. “What is it?”

Sword Sovereign Yuheng said, “We heard that Cai Li successfully broke through to the Divine Extinction Realm. The seven of us have already jointly constructed the Foundation-Stabilizing Grand Array, but we’ve yet to receive Your Excellency’s instructions.”

“No need to worry,” Hua Qingying replied. “My brother has been in a bad mood lately, so it’s best not to disturb him for now. He will summon you when the time is right.”

“Indeed,” Sword Sovereign Kaiyang sighed. “This is the first time I’ve seen Your Excellency like this.”

The two Sword Sovereigns were about to leave when they suddenly remembered something and said to Hua Qingying, “There’s one more thing. An hour ago, an invitation arrived from the Senluo Divine Realm. In twenty days, it will be Cai Li’s twentieth birthday, and the Senluo Divine Son, Dian Jiuzhi, will personally come to offer congratulations.”

Hua Qingying pondered for a moment, then said, “Send a message to the Senluo Divine Realm: Cai Li’s ‘twentieth birthday’ is not celebrated in the conventional manner here, and we will not be holding any grand or public ceremony for it.”

“Furthermore, Cai Li has just completed a major realm breakthrough and is currently in the crucial phase of consolidating her foundation, which cannot be delayed. Therefore, Cai Li will enter seclusion soon, and her emergence date is uncertain. We thank the Senluo Divine Son for his kind intentions, but there is no need for him to personally visit.”

“This?” Sword Sovereign Yuheng expressed some doubt.

Sword Sovereign Kaiyang said, “In that case, we shall follow the Sword Immortal’s words and send the message from Kaiyang Pavilion immediately.”

The two Sword Sovereigns departed, and peace finally returned to the surroundings. Hua Qingying let out a soft sigh and murmured, “They truly are two worrisome children.”