Chapter 543: Killing Gaze

"Oh..." Yun Che stretched his neck. Even he hadn't expected the Little Demon Empress to suddenly make such an "inopportune" move.

The hall fell silent for several breaths. A person slowly rose from the seats on the east side—it was Prince Huai. He bowed and said, "To the Little Demon Empress, this was arranged by your humble servant."

"Hmph!" The Little Demon Empress glanced sideways, her voice cold. "The twelve families have followed the Ancestral Demon Emperor since he conquered the world, a lineage spanning ten thousand years. Their seating arrangements for the Demon Emperor Grand Ceremony have remained unchanged for ten thousand years! Why did you alter the seats of the twelve families? You must provide this Empress with a complete explanation!"

His seating arrangement was initially meant to undermine the Little Demon Empress, to show her that most of the forces originally loyal to the Demon Emperor's lineage had now sided with him. He hadn't expected her to suddenly make an issue of it in front of everyone. He calmly replied, "To the Little Demon Empress, your humble servant dared not be careless in arranging this grand ceremony. I consulted with the various family heads and regional princes beforehand about their preferred seating. Many expressed a desire to be seated on the east side, so I took the liberty of changing the seating for the twelve families and the princely estates. I beg the Little Demon Empress's forgiveness."

Outside the Demon Imperial City, people naturally didn't understand the underlying meaning of Prince Huai's words; they merely found it strange that he would consult families about their preferred seating while preparing the ceremony. However, the powers within the Demon Imperial City understood perfectly clear. The phrase "many expressed a desire to be seated on the east side" clearly implied, "most are willing to pledge loyalty to my banner!"

"Took the liberty?" The Little Demon Empress's eyes narrowed slightly. This subtle change in expression instantly made the air in the entire hall turn frigid. "Who gave you the authority to take such liberties? The twelve families and princely estates hold equal standing. Only this Empress has the power to alter the seating arrangements of the twelve families and princely estates! When did it become your turn to decide the positions of the twelve families? Are you planning to change this Empress's seat at the next ceremony as well?!"

"This humble servant would not dare!" Prince Huai hastily bowed his head, his face filled with apprehension. Secretly, he gritted his teeth. With all the heroes of the realm present, he naturally couldn't retort against the Little Demon Empress's reprimand; he could only meekly accept it.

The Little Demon Empress's gaze swept across the guardian families and princely estates seated on the east side. Her delicate lips slowly parted, uttering words one by one, each impossibly bland: "You all... like... sitting on the east side?"

The east side was occupied by the seven great guardian families and sixty princely estates. Under the Little Demon Empress's piercing gaze, their hearts clenched, and their limbs grew cold. They felt as if an icy blade was pressed against their throats. Coupled with their guilty consciences, they dared not speak, nor even lift their heads. Each held their breath, not daring to exhale.

Even Yun Che, seated on the west side, felt an overwhelming sense of oppression. He was secretly astonished. The Little Demon Empress's aura was truly terrifying, and perhaps understandably so. A century ago, she lost her father, and soon after, her newlywed husband—who was also her younger brother. As the last person with the Demon Emperor's bloodline, she was forced to shoulder immense responsibility. Yet, in recent years, some people sought to seize the legacy her ancestors had built over ten millennia.

The phrase "hatred filling the cosmos" was insufficient to describe the state of her heart and soul.

Furthermore, she was exceedingly petite and delicate, with unparalleled beauty. Without a formidable aura, how could she possibly command the respect of the world's heroes?

A profound silence descended upon the grand hall. None of the seven guardian families or sixty princely estates dared to respond. They had sided with Prince Huai because of his growing power; had they chosen otherwise, they wouldn't face annihilation when the Little Demon Empress abdicated, but their lives would certainly not be easy. However, their allegiance to Prince Huai in no way meant they no longer feared the Little Demon Empress.

"Patriarch Helian, you answer this Empress: Why did you choose to sit on this east side?"

Helian Kuang, as the patriarch of the Helian family, possessed strength and status formidable enough to look down upon the entire Illusory Demon Realm. His personality, true to his name, was arrogant and unrestrained. But when the Little Demon Empress suddenly called his name, a jolt went through his entire body. He stood up, cupped his hands, and was about to speak when his gaze met the Little Demon Empress's dark and chilling eyes. Instantly, his heart grew cold, his body turned frigid, and his mouth opened and closed several times, unable to utter a single word.

No one had expected the atmosphere to suddenly become so tense right at the start of the ceremony.

At this moment, Yun Qinghong stood up and respectfully said, "Little Demon Empress, please calm your anger. I have something to say."

The Little Demon Empress did not turn her head, merely stating, "Speak."

Yun Qinghong said, "Yes... Today marks the Little Demon Empress's centennial on the throne. This grand ceremony is watched by all under heaven, and heroes from distant lands have journeyed to share this day with Your Majesty. While the seating changes might be slightly inappropriate, seating is ultimately just seating. In my humble opinion, it is not a major issue. If Your Majesty is displeased with Prince Huai's unauthorized arrangements, you can simply order him to restore them after the ceremony. There is no need to spoil the occasion over such trivial matters."

Yun Qinghong's words were partly to calm the Little Demon Empress and partly a subtle jab. "Indeed, such trivial matters are not worth this Empress's serious consideration," the Little Demon Empress said. "Patriarch Yun, please take your seat. Helian Kuang, you may also withdraw!"

One was told to "please take a seat," the other to "withdraw." One was addressed as "Patriarch Yun," the other by his given name, "Helian Kuang." Even a fool could see who held more importance in the Little Demon Empress's eyes. The Helian family had been suppressed by the Yun family for ten thousand years. Having finally secured a prime seat in history, they were immensely proud and had been continuously sending provocative glances toward the Yun family. But now, it was as if the Little Demon Empress had slapped them hard across the face—and in front of all the world's heroes, no less, utterly losing face.

As for Prince Huai, who was still bowing and standing, the Little Demon Empress seemed to have forgotten his presence, completely ignoring him. Prince Huai gave a wry smile and took his seat.

Yun Che secretly mused: This Little Demon Empress truly has a strong and domineering temperament. Prince Huai tried to undermine her with the seating arrangement, but she used the incident to deliver two resounding slaps in return. This woman is absolutely not to be provoked!

As Yun Che was thinking, he suddenly saw the Little Demon Empress's gaze turn in his direction. Startled, he hurriedly pulled his head back, muttering to himself, "Don't see me... Don't see me... Don't see me..."

The Little Demon Empress nodded faintly at Yun Qinghong. But suddenly, her gaze sharpened abruptly, fixing directly on the person beside Yun Qinghong.

The Little Demon Empress's sudden shift in gaze startled Yun Qinghong for a moment, but he quickly realized she wasn't looking at him, but at Yun Che. Just as he was about to stand and inquire, he heard the Little Demon Empress open her lips and ask, "Patriarch Yun, I heard you recently adopted a godson. Is this person beside you he?"

Yun Che: (!!@#$... As expected, I've been noticed!)

Yun Qinghong stood and replied, "To the Little Demon Empress, it is indeed. My godson's original surname is also Yun, and his given name is Che. He shares a profound connection with my family; three months ago, he saved my son's life and became sworn brothers with him. Thus, I naturally took him in as my adopted son. Che'er, please stand and pay your respects to the Little Demon Empress."

Yun Che reluctantly stood up, offering an incredibly "simple and honest" smile. "Yun Che of the Yun family... pays his respects to the Little Demon Empress."

Although Yun Che had his head lowered, he could still distinctly feel a murderous gaze piercing him directly, as if wishing to penetrate his very organs. Yun Che had always believed that gazes could kill; for instance, the Little Demon Empress's gaze could certainly make a less courageous person's heart burst from fright, causing instant death.

Fortunately, this murderous gaze lasted only an instant. Following it, the Little Demon Empress's indifferent voice rang out with just three words: "Take your seat."

Yun Che quickly sat down, secretly letting out a breath of relief.

Mu Yurou gently tugged on Yun Qinghong's sleeve and whispered, "Has our son met the Little Demon Empress before?"

"I'm afraid it's more than just a meeting," Yun Qinghong said with a wry smile.

"But Che'er rarely leaves the house these days, and the Little Demon Empress is almost impossible for ordinary people to see. How could that be?" Mu Yurou asked, puzzled.

Yun Qinghong remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Three nights ago, I sensed Che'er concealing his aura. After circling the house, he headed north. His aura concealment was almost perfect; had I not coincidentally glimpsed a shadow, I wouldn't have noticed him. Shortly after, the aura of Golden Crow Flame emanated from the north of the city. Judging by its purity, it must have come from the Little Demon Empress. Not long after that, Che'er returned home. I didn't think much of it then, but now that I consider it, something 'big' seems to have happened that night, and that Golden Crow Flame might have been directed at Che'er."

"This..." Mu Yurou's face filled with surprise.

The Little Demon Empress returned to her throne, her imperial might, like a towering mountain, enveloped the entire Demon Imperial Hall, causing the very air to cease its flow under the pressure. Each word she spoke resonated deeply within one's heart. Having been discovered by the Little Demon Empress, and realizing she knew he was alive and present in the hall, Yun Che, with all his extraordinary experiences across two lives, felt quite unnerved. Among all the people he had ever met, none could compare to her in terms of overwhelming might, astonishing presence, and piercing gaze—of course, with the exception of the abnormal existence known as Jasmine. Compared to her, Feng Hengkong, the Emperor of the Divine Phoenix Empire, could hardly be said to possess any imperial presence at all. Instead, Yun Che slightly closed his eyes, diligently organizing the history of the twelve families he had reviewed over the past month, pondering how to deal with the unfolding situation. "Although this Little Demon Empress nearly cost me my life," he mused, "as a Yun family descendant, I suppose I must ultimately repay evil with good. I, Yun Che, actually have to repay evil with good one day!"

"...Very well, let's begin with the Northern Sea Realm," the Little Demon Empress said, her gaze falling on the back of the hall. "Where is the Lord of the Northern Sea Realm?"

A tall man in blue robes stood up and replied with extreme reverence and caution, "Reporting to the Little Demon Empress, I am Kong Jingcang, the current Lord of the Northern Sea Realm. The Northern Sea Realm currently has a total population of seventy-three million, comprising ninety-one different races, of which four parts are human and six parts are demon. Seventy-four years ago, the Savage Wolf Tribe rebelled, which was quelled four years later. Fifty-three years ago, a natural disaster struck, with Mount Beihao erupting. Fortunately, the Little Demon Empress dispatched aid, preventing a major catastrophe. The Northern Sea Realm is currently peaceful and harmonious, free from disasters or unrest."

"...I am Feng Daosong, the City Lord of Profound Demon City. Profound Demon City and its surrounding territories currently have a total population of fifty-three million, comprising two hundred and twenty-seven races. It still centers around profound formations and the forging industry. Currently, three of the Illusory Demon Realm's ten most powerful profound formation masters reside in my Profound Demon City..."

"...I am Lan Tengwu, the Lord of the Five Elements Realm. For the past century, I have steadfastly guarded the border, never daring to relax for a single day. I will absolutely not allow the wicked individuals from the Profound Sky Continent to take another step in."

The various lords began to present the significant events of their respective regions over the past century. In the center of the east side, Prince Huai maintained a relaxed demeanor, though his gaze was far from calm. He continuously glanced toward the Yun family's seating. Finally, his eyes met Yun Qinghong's. Both men simultaneously narrowed their eyes. Prince Huai offered a faint smile, while Yun Qinghong also smiled subtly, but his smile carried unmistakable contempt.

Prince Huai's brow furrowed sharply.

Although their exchange was only a brief meeting of gazes and expressions, it was a communication that could be called an "ultimatum." Prince Huai was asking: Have you decided to side with me? This is your, and the Yun family's, last chance.

Yun Qinghong's answer consisted of just two simple words: "Heh heh."