Chapter 528: Reunion

As Yun Che and Yun Qinghong conversed, two figures swiftly swept across the sky before descending. A faint laugh followed: "Heh heh, Yun Qinghong, it's truly been a long time."

The newcomers were Heaven's Might and Heaven's First. Heaven's Might's greeting, "It's been a long time," carried a great deal of emotion. Though they lived in the same city, it had indeed been a long time since they last met.

"Heaven brothers, it has been too long." Yun Qinghong slowly nodded, a deep sense of emotion showing on his face. "What about Helian Peng? Did you catch him?"

"That scoundrel ran quite fast, but I gave him a good kick in the backside. It'll hurt for ten days or so, which is somewhat satisfying, hahahaha." Heaven's Might burst into laughter.

Heaven's First stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "It's truly wonderful to see Patriarch Yun regain his former might. With you back, the Yun Family's resurgence is imminent."

"I'll take that as a good omen," Yun Qinghong said with a slight smile, then his expression turned serious. "Prince Huai's ambition has been laid bare. The Little Demon Empress's Grand Ceremony in a month will surely not be peaceful. Please inform Brother Heaven that I will visit your residence within five days to discuss important matters."

"Patriarch Yun, we would naturally be delighted by your personal visit. I fear our patriarch might not even wait five days once he learns of your recovery; he might just come to you himself," Heaven's Might chuckled. His words were no exaggeration; Yun Qinghong was the person Patriarch Heaven's Grand Scheme respected most. After Yun Qinghong became crippled, he sighed about it countless times.

"Patriarch Yun, major events have just occurred in your clan, so you must be preoccupied. We only returned to bid farewell and will not trouble you further. I will relay all your words. If you have time another day, you are welcome to visit my Heaven Clan," Heaven's Might said with a bow. Although he was infinitely surprised, he did not presume to ask how or when Yun Qinghong and his wife had recovered.

"Certainly!" Yun Qinghong returned the slight bow.

"Brother Yun, words cannot express our gratitude." Heaven's First gave Yun Che a firm nod.

"You're too kind, Brother Heaven. See you in a month," Yun Che said with a smile. "Also, if you'll permit me to speak frankly, with the Little Demon Empress's Grand Ceremony approaching, there's a high chance of turmoil. Therefore, I believe this is not the time to be distracted by settling grievances with the Helian Family. The overall situation takes precedence; personal grudges can wait. Ten years wouldn't be too late."

Yun Che's words did not displease them. Heaven's First nodded slightly, and Heaven's Might looked at him with admiration, sighing softly, "Patriarch Yun, this adopted son of yours is truly extraordinary."

"Farewell."

Heaven's Might and Heaven's First departed. The events that unfolded in the Yun Family today could not possibly be kept secret; by evening, they would likely be the talk of the city. Prince Huai's long-standing ambition would also be largely brought into the open. During this period, Demon Imperial City was destined to be turbulent, and the Twelve Guardian Families would all enter a state of extreme tension.

The Little Demon Empress's Grand Ceremony in a month would no longer be a simple celebration of her hundred years on the throne but could very likely become a turning point for the future destiny of the Illusory Demon Realm.

As soon as the two left, Yun Xiao and Mu Yurou returned, having seen off Mu Yu Bai. The moment Mu Yurou entered, she rushed to Yun Qinghong's side and anxiously asked, "What about that family patriarch's token? Where on earth did it come from?"

Yun Qinghong actually wanted to know the origin of the token even more. He looked at Yun Che and said, "Che'er gave it to me."

"Che'er?" Mu Yurou turned around in surprise, her face filled with disbelief.

"Che'er, it's time to tell me about this family patriarch's token, isn't it? This was your previous promise," Yun Qinghong said calmly, but the slight flicker in his eyes betrayed his urgency. This token, lost for a hundred years, had been on his father, Yun Canghai, when it disappeared. As the most important item of the Yun Family, Yun Canghai never parted with it!

Yun Che's lips moved, and he slightly composed himself before saying, "Let's go inside to talk. I will tell you everything you want to know, completely and truthfully."

"Good!" Yun Qinghong nodded. From Yun Che's expression, he knew that what he was about to say was of great importance. He took Mu Yurou's hand and walked indoors.

Yun Xiao quickly approached Yun Che, his face full of surprise. "Big Brother, did you really give that family patriarch's token to Father?"

"Yes," Yun Che nodded. "I will tell you its origin without any concealment. After all, it originally belongs to the Yun Family."

After speaking, he glanced at Yun Xiao, who seemed a little dazed, and asked, "Yun Xiao, are you still thinking about what happened earlier?"

Yun Xiao lowered his head, a mix of emotion and self-mockery on his face. "I still can't accept that Yun Xinyue, whom I always respected the most, could be... such a person. I even doubted you, Big Brother, because of him just now. I was truly... too foolish!"

"For all these years, I've worked desperately, hoping to do more for Father and Mother. Yet, when the entire Yun Family was almost in danger, I couldn't do anything. Instead, I foolishly supported the person who nearly destroyed the clan... If it weren't for you, Big Brother, I don't know what would have become of the Yun Family in the future... You and I are similar in age, but... but the gap between us is so vast... I'm truly useless. I wonder when I'll ever be like Big Brother."

Yun Che stopped, turned, and patted Yun Xiao's shoulder, saying earnestly, "Don't belittle yourself. All these years, you've desperately cultivated for Father and Mother, and you've endured greatly for them. This filial piety is more important and precious than anything else. As for Yun Xinyue, weren't even the elders who've lived for hundreds of years, and the grand elders who've lived for nearly a thousand years, completely in the dark? Your self-deprecation is entirely unnecessary. Overly sharp vigilance, premonition, and insight are not things someone your age should typically possess."

"Uh, Big Brother, you're clearly the same age as me..."

"I am different," Yun Che shook his head. "Yun Xiao, I would rather you keep your current disposition for your entire life, and remain 'useless' as you say, than ever experience what I have been through."

Yun Xiao stared at him blankly, struggling to understand.

Although their conversation was quiet, it certainly didn't escape Yun Qinghong's ears. Listening to Yun Che's words, he paused slightly, a complex expression on his face. Indeed, at twenty-two years old, Yun Che possessed a disposition and insight utterly unsuited to his age. He couldn't imagine what Yun Che had truly experienced.

"Yun Xiao, if you truly want to mature quickly, today is an opportunity," Yun Che suddenly said.

Yun Xiao's spirits lifted. "Really? What opportunity? What opportunity?!"

"Fate always plays various jokes on us – some kind, some malicious, some cruel, even vicious. As a man, if you truly want to stand tall and be self-reliant, the first thing you must learn is to calmly face sudden changes in destiny! This requires sufficient breadth of mind and courage. If you can achieve this, your life will be elevated, and you will gain more strength for Father, Mother, and your Seventh Sister to rely on."

"Calmly... face..." Yun Xiao was still somewhat bewildered, but although he didn't quite understand Yun Che's words, he felt they were incredibly profound!

"What's about to happen next is a test for you," Yun Che said gravely. "Let me see if my good brother, for life, is a true man who stands tall and won't be easily shattered by life's turns!"

Although Yun Xiao had no idea what Yun Che was referring to, his words stirred Yun Xiao's resolve. He declared with force, "My mental fortitude isn't that weak! Even if I can't compare to Big Brother, I will never let you look down on me!"

"Good, you said it yourself... Let's go inside."

Inside the room, with the door closed, Yun Qinghong took out the shimmering purple family patriarch's token. Feeling its unique aura, he suppressed his excitement and urgently asked, "Che'er, quickly tell me, where exactly did you get this?"

As the question was posed, Yun Qinghong, Mu Yurou, and Yun Xiao all stared fixedly at him, nervously and eagerly awaiting his answer. Under their gazes, Yun Che remained silent. Instead, he faced Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou and slowly knelt down... on both knees.

"Che'er, what are you doing... Get up quickly." Mu Yurou panicked and rushed forward, trying to help him up.

Yun Che did not rise. He lifted his head, looked at them—his biological parents—and slowly, little by little, opened his palm...

"Father, Mother... do you remember this item?"

In Yun Che's palm was an old-looking, coppery pendant.

The moment they saw the pendant, Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou were struck as if by lightning, their bodies suddenly trembling violently. Mu Yurou rushed forward as if in a frenzy, snatching the pendant from Yun Che's hand and holding it up to her eyes, her hands shaking uncontrollably. "The Samsara Mirror... It's the Samsara Mirror... It really is the Samsara Mirror!!"

Mu Yurou, who usually spoke as softly as water, now let out a terrifyingly hoarse and trembling sound. Yun Xiao was greatly startled and anxiously asked, "Mother, what... what's wrong with you?"

He turned to Yun Qinghong and found his entire face completely contorted.

"This Samsara Mirror... where... where did you get it from..." The wise and aloof Yun Qinghong struggled immensely to utter that short sentence. Suddenly, a possibility flashed in his mind, and his body trembled even more violently. "Could it be... you..."

Yun Che didn't answer. He raised his left arm, and the Profound Handle imprint glowed brightly on it.

"Ah! Pro... Profound Handle!!" Yun Xiao exclaimed. Although he didn't possess Profound Handle power, he had lived in the Yun Family for over twenty years; how could he not recognize that?

Holding the Samsara Mirror in her hand and seeing the flashing Profound Handle imprint, Mu Yurou froze. Her hands trembled, her lips quivered violently, but no sound escaped her. In an instant, her eyes were completely blurred by tears, the world spun before her, and her body fell straight backward.

"Mother!!" Yun Xiao frantically rushed forward to steady her. "Mother! What... what's wrong? Don't scare me."

Yun Qinghong's eyes were glazed, and his breathing completely stopped. He could no longer feel the presence of his own body; all the blood rushed to his head the moment the Profound Handle glowed, making golden stars dance before his eyes. He almost vomited blood and fainted...

Yun Che's eyes were misty as he quietly said, "Before I was sixteen, my surname wasn't Yun, but Xiao. At that time, my name was Xiao Che... I am not from the Illusory Demon Realm. I grew up in Flowing Cloud City, in the Azure Cloud Nation, one of the Seven Nations of the Profound Sky Continent. My adoptive father was Xiao Ying, and my grandfather was Xiao Lie."