Chapter 309: Temporarily Settling Dust

The people of Burning Heaven Clan all retreated. Over two thousand elite disciples and eight super experts of the Sky Profound Realm withdrew, disgraced and without dignity, under the immense deterrence brought by Yun Che alone.

In terms of combat strength, Yun Che was astonishing, but not enough to truly threaten the Burning Heaven Clan’s contingent. However, his unpredictable and ingenious moves, coupled with his ruthless and merciless methods, completely shattered the Burning Heaven Clan’s psychological defenses. When Yun Che generously threw Fen Juecheng back to them, it only made them more hesitant to act, fearing further repercussions.

The Burning Heaven Clan’s wedding party failed to retrieve Princess Cang Yue. Instead, they lost two hundred disciples, and Fen Juecheng was severely wounded. All of this was witnessed by countless people present, completely ruining the clan’s reputation and prestige. In stark contrast, Yun Che, who forced the mighty Burning Heaven Clan into such a predicament, profoundly shook the minds and souls of everyone watching.

This figure, who was already almost deified, not only returned alive but was also far more powerful than the rumors suggested! The "deified" versions that once seemed exaggerated and ridiculous now appeared to be severe understatements.

At such a young age, he forced back a colossal sect like the Burning Heaven Clan, which ordinary people viewed as god-like, and successively defeated peak-level experts Fen Moran and Fen Duancang. His future potential was simply unimaginable! No wonder Princess Cang Yue was so devoted to him, and no wonder even Ice Moon Fairy Xia Qingyue was his wife. Even the matter concerning Chu Yuechan now seemed less difficult to accept.

“Junior Brother Yun!!”

Cang Yue rushed forward and hugged Yun Che tightly, burying her head in his chest, laughing and crying. She completely disregarded her imperial princess’s dignity and the gazes of those around them. During the time Yun Che was “dead,” her entire world had been dark. Now, being able to hold him so truly and warmly, she felt she had nothing left to ask for.

“Haha,” Cang Wanhe chuckled, his smile more contented than when he learned of the ranking battle’s top position. “She truly is my daughter. Yue’er’s judgment is excellent indeed.”

“Indeed, in that respect, Her Royal Highness surpasses Your Majesty,” Dongfang Xiu said with a smile.

“Hahahaha…” Cang Wanhe not only wasn’t angered but laughed heartily at the remark. However, after just two laughs, he began to cough rapidly.

“The outcome of today’s events truly exceeded all my expectations,” Dongfang Xiu said, looking at Yun Che with a sigh. “I am not even qualified to predict or judge this young man’s future achievements. After today, he will undoubtedly become a target for the Burning Heaven Clan. Yet, for some reason, I don’t worry about him at all. Instead, I worry for the Burning Heaven Clan.”

“It is the same for me,” Cang Wanhe said, a smile appearing on his pale face before he closed his eyes and sighed silently. “Alas, I won’t live to see the day he asserts his might across the land... I only hope he can take good care of Yue’er. If he does, even if the imperial family falls into chaos, I will have fewer regrets and worries. Dongfang Xiu, please personally invite Yun Che to the palace for a talk on my behalf.”

“Everyone, disperse.”

Imperial guards moved out, gradually dispersing the dense crowd of onlookers. Since his severe illness, Cang Wanhe had rarely appeared in public, making it impossible for even those living in the imperial city to see him. Yet, now that Cang Wanhe was present, the focus of everyone’s gaze was not on him but entirely on Yun Che, with expressions of immense shock, awe, admiration, and even fanaticism. They had originally come to witness the princess’s wedding, but instead, they had seen a major event that would undoubtedly shake the empire.

While a mishap on the princess’s wedding day should have been extremely inauspicious, the imperial palace was filled with lively celebration. Cang Wanhe was clearly in excellent spirits today, his face devoid of its usual gloom. Upon returning to the palace, he immediately ordered grand rewards for the entire palace.

Yun Che and Cang Yue walked side-by-side behind Cang Wanhe’s imperial carriage, enduring countless fervent gazes as they entered the palace. Just past the palace gate, they encountered the third prince, Cang Shuo, rushing out. Seeing Yun Che and Cang Yue returning together, he froze for a moment, then his expression changed. But as they met face-to-face, he had no time to avoid them. He could only steel himself, forcing a gentle smile onto his face: “Imperial Sister, you’re back. And Junior Brother Yun... your performance today was truly eye-opening and awe-inspiring.”

“This is my Third Imperial Brother,” Cang Yue stated plainly, her voice devoid of emotion.

“Oh!” Yun Che said with an enlightened expression, smiling. “So it’s the renowned Third Prince. My apologies. I recall the Third Prince returned to the palace shortly before us. Are you now rushing out for an urgent matter? Is there anything Yun Che can help you with?”

Seeing Yun Che’s faint smile, Cang Shuo felt a sudden jolt, his scalp tingling. He had witnessed Yun Che’s entire confrontation with the Burning Heaven Clan. This seemingly harmless Yun Che could brutalize the young master of the Burning Heaven Clan without batting an eye. His status as an imperial prince likely meant nothing to Yun Che. If he caused Yun Che any displeasure, killing him would probably be no different than killing a chicken.

Cang Shuo quickly let out a breath and said with a smile, “I just have some trivial private matters to attend to. There’s no need for Junior Brother Yun to trouble himself.”

“Oh... personally handling even trivial matters. The Third Prince is truly diligent and capable, a model for the imperial family!” Yun Che chuckled. Cang Shuo was not only one of the culprits behind the imperial family’s turmoil, but he had also single-handedly orchestrated the marriage between Fen Juecheng and Cang Yue. Naturally, Yun Che had no goodwill towards him.

Cang Shuo certainly heard the sarcasm in his words and immediately let out a dry laugh. “Junior Brother Yun, you flatter me. I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll excuse myself now. Another day, I will definitely...”

“Wait!” Yun Che said with a chuckle, not giving him a chance to leave immediately. “I greatly admire your Imperial Sister Cang Yue and wish to spend my life with her. Third Prince... what are your thoughts on this?”

Cang Shuo’s face stiffened, then he quickly put on a joyful expression. “Junior Brother Yun is truly a peerless dragon among men, unmatched in this world! As her Imperial Brother, I also long ago saw that Imperial Sister was deeply fond of you. If Junior Brother Yun could marry my Imperial Sister, it would naturally be a match made in heaven, a tale worthy of being passed down for a thousand years. It is a century’s fortune for our imperial family to gain a hero like Senior Brother Yun! As a prince and Cang Yue’s Imperial Brother, I naturally give my full approval.”

“So, Third Prince, your meaning is that you believe I am a better match for Princess Cang Yue than Fen Juecheng?”

“Naturally,” Cang Shuo replied without changing his expression. “What is Fen Juecheng? He’s just a piece of trash who only relies on his sect. Compared to Senior Brother Yun, he’s like mud compared to clouds. If it weren’t for the fear of the Burning Heaven Clan’s power and creating powerful enemies for the imperial family... I would have stopped Fen Juecheng’s delusion even if it meant my death. Thankfully, Junior Brother Yun appeared in time, preventing Imperial Sister from marrying such a good-for-nothing. I, too, breathed a long sigh of relief.”

“...” Truly, he was the only one among the princes capable of contending with Crown Prince Cang Lin. His thick skin, quick reactions, and ability to say whatever suited the situation were truly miraculous and unparalleled, inspiring a strong sense of admiration in Yun Che. He took Cang Yue’s hand and said with a half-smile, “Since the Third Prince says so, I’m relieved. When Cang Yue and I marry, please don’t forget to attend our wedding banquet, Third Prince.”

Without waiting for Cang Shuo’s reply, he turned and led Cang Yue through the palace gate without looking back. Cang Shuo turned to watch their retreating figures, a sneer appearing on his face. He muttered softly, “Ignorant fool, provoking the Burning Heaven Clan like this, do you really think you’ll live much longer!”

Back in the imperial palace, Cang Wanhe dismounted his carriage and said to Yun Che with relief, “Yun Che, it’s a great fortune that you’re still alive. When you won the top position in the ranking battle for the imperial family, revitalizing our glory after years of dormancy, I was overjoyed. But then came the dreadful news of your demise. Since then, I’ve often lamented. Though Yue’er acted normally in front of me, how could I not see her immense inner pain? Thankfully, you’ve returned alive. Even if I were to pass away now, I would rest easy.”

“Imperial Father!” Cang Yue exclaimed anxiously. “Now that we have the Soul Burning Flower and Junior Brother Yun is back, your illness will surely be cured immediately...”

“Your Majesty, you speak too highly. I only hope that today’s events will not bring any trouble to the imperial family,” Yun Che said modestly.

“Haha!” Cang Wanhe laughed heartily. “You can rest assured about that. Although the imperial family’s power cannot compare to those transcendent sects, they aren’t something they can simply move against at will. Furthermore, for today’s events, they cannot blame the imperial family at all. In fact, I could turn the tables on them, citing their failure to protect the princess, allowing her wedding to be ruined, and damaging the imperial family’s reputation. Yun Che, what are your plans next? If you have none, how about staying in the palace for now? Or perhaps returning to the Azure Wind Profound Palace?”

“Returning to the Azure Wind Profound Palace is out of the question,” Dongfang Xiu said with a wry smile. “Although Yun Che’s profound energy is only at the Earth Profound Realm, his combat strength already surpasses even Qin Wushang. If he were to return to the Profound Palace, given his talent, even becoming the Palace Master would be somewhat beneath him.”

Yun Che shook his head and said, “Within three days, the Burning Heaven Clan will certainly launch an assassination attempt against me. Staying here would only bring danger to the imperial family. As for where I’ll go next, I already have a plan. Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness.”

Cang Wanhe didn’t insist and nodded. “Good! Since you dared to act so ruthlessly against the Burning Heaven Clan, I trust you have a countermeasure. When you won the top honor for the imperial family in the ranking battle, I had planned a three-day grand banquet for you, but it couldn’t happen. Let’s make up for it today. Guards, issue the order...”

“Wait!” Yun Che raised a hand and said, “Yun Che accepts His Majesty’s kind intentions. However, due to the Burning Heaven Clan, I must leave here as soon as possible, and I don’t have much time. I must first resolve some important matters... For now, let me cure you of your illness.”

Cang Wanhe trembled, and Dongfang Xiu’s face also showed clear excitement. Cang Wanhe asked, highly agitated, “You... you truly are confident you can remove the poisonous gu from me now?”

The root cause of the imperial family’s turmoil was, undeniably, his severe illness. If he could recover and regain full power, with his decades of residual authority, wavering or neutral forces would undoubtedly rally behind him. At that point, Cang Lin and Cang Shuo would no longer be a concern, and the ambitions of the Burning Heaven Clan and Xiao Sect would be forcibly quashed.

“Junior Brother Yun said before that as long as we found the Soul Burning Flower, he would definitely be able to cure Imperial Father. Now that we have the Soul Burning Flower, Junior Brother Yun will surely succeed,” Cang Yue said with joy.

Yun Che nodded, smiling. “I am indeed completely confident... However, there’s no longer a need for the Soul Burning Flower. The Soul Burning Flower was part of the Burning Heaven Clan’s betrothal gifts; it’s better to return all of them to avoid giving them any leverage.”