Chapter 581: Xiao Yun Is Crowned King

The Little Demon Empress remained silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. "This matter, indeed, I have wronged the Yun family," she said. "From this day forward, I will certainly provide a proper account to your Yun family and to the senior Demon King."

Yun Che, however, shook his head. "Little Demon Empress, though you are the ruler of the Illusory Demon Realm, as a woman and new to the throne, you are easily influenced and coerced by those with ulterior motives. You have had to weigh and compromise on certain matters. You have never wronged our Yun family. The true perpetrators who persecuted my Yun family to this extent, who trampled on 'loyalty and righteousness,' and who truly defied the authority of the Demon Emperor—I believe everyone present today can clearly see who they are."

Indeed, everyone present clearly saw and understood who Yun Che was referring to. The seven family heads, standing not far from Yun Che, no longer displayed their usual majesty and arrogance. Their faces were ashen and grim, and under the gaze of the crowd, they felt like prisoners being judged, experiencing extreme discomfort. They repeatedly sought help from Prince Huai with their eyes, but Prince Huai's expression was even more distressed than theirs. Facing Yun Che, fear had already taken root in his heart, and he dared not speak presumptuously—because Prince Huai himself was utterly unable to withstand Yun Che's every counterattack.

Yun Che's words caused a slight ripple in the Little Demon Empress's gaze, and her look toward him subtly shifted once more. She spoke slowly, "The grievances and injustices the Yun family has endured over these years, I have always been perfectly aware of them. Your resentment and indignation, I deeply empathize with. Alas..." She sighed faintly. "It's just that the Demon Emperor's Seal is too important to me. I ask you to return it. Here, I promise you that from today forward, as long as I remain on the throne, your Yun family will never suffer the slightest bullying again!"

The Little Demon Empress was known throughout the land for her cold and stern nature. Yet, at this moment, facing such a crucial matter as the Demon Emperor's Seal, she showed no anger or coercion. Her voice was calm and peaceful, and in front of everyone present, she made what could only be described as an immense promise to the Yun family!

Everyone present was profoundly moved. The Yun family members, in particular, trembled with excitement, as if caught in a dream.

This was the Little Demon Empress's solemn promise to the Yun family, made openly before all the heroes of the realm! The moment her words were uttered, they guaranteed the Yun family's inevitable and unstoppable resurgence in a short time. Their return to the position of the head of the Twelve Guardian Families would be just around the corner—no, their status would even surpass what it once was!

However, considering everything the Yun family had given and endured over the past century, no one felt this was an overly extravagant boon. The Yun family was truly worthy of such a promise; in the entire Illusory Demon Realm, only the Yun family possessed such qualifications.

"Little Demon Empress, you are truly wise!" Su Xiangnan rose and declared, "Given the Yun family's loyalty, righteousness, and contributions, they certainly deserve such immense favor from you."

"Although we are also a Guardian Family, my Tianxia clan deeply feels that only the Yun family is worthy of this special honor," Tianxia Xiongtu readily echoed.

Yun Qinghong slowly rose, a myriad of emotions swirling in his heart. How could he not understand the profound meaning of the Little Demon Empress's promise? The Yun family had achieved a shocking victory in the competition; subsequently, the Yun family had been vindicated, Yun Canghai's name cleared, and the Demon Emperor's Seal returned. Now, the heroes of the realm had re-acknowledged the Yun family, and the family had received an immensely significant promise from the Little Demon Empress. Furthermore, even Prince Huai's long-conceived plan had been utterly shattered.

All of this was brought about by Yun Che.

The relief and pride he felt as a father far surpassed the excitement and joy brought by the Little Demon Empress's promise. He bowed deeply to the Little Demon Empress, saying, "I, Yun Qinghong, head of the Yun family, on behalf of my entire clan, thank the Little Demon Empress for her immense grace. My Yun family vows to remain loyal to the Little Demon Empress until death!"

"Hahahaha!" Grandfather Mu burst into hearty laughter and called out to Yun Che, "The Little Demon Empress's personal promise, every word is as solid as gold and stone! Heaven has finally opened its eyes. My good grandson, you can now return the Demon Emperor's Seal to the Little Demon Empress, can't you?"

As he uttered the words "my good grandson," Grandfather Mu's face glowed with pride, and he was eager to remind everyone that this young man, who had stirred up the world's affairs, was indeed his own grandson, Mu Feiyan.

Yun Che held up the Demon Emperor's Seal with both hands, but still did not immediately step forward to present it to the Little Demon Empress. Instead, he said as calmly as before, "To receive such a promise from the Little Demon Empress to my Yun family, Yun Che is immensely grateful. However, before returning the Demon Emperor's Seal to the Little Demon Empress, Yun Che dares to make two small requests."

The Little Demon Empress gazed deeply at him, yet showed no hint of anger or impatience. Instead, she slowly nodded. "I have said that you may present any request you have," she stated. "Although you are a son of the Yun family, you grew up on the Profound Sky Continent and never received any favor from me or the Illusory Demon Realm. Yet, you have gone through immense hardship and danger to bring the Demon Emperor's Seal back here. This is a great kindness to me and to my Demon Emperor lineage. Any request you make would not be excessive."

From the Little Demon Empress's words, everyone could tell that she had always harbored deep gratitude and guilt towards the Yun family. Since the Little Demon Empress had spoken to this extent, Yun Che naturally had no need for pretense. He nodded slightly, then turned to face the Yun family's seating area. "Xiao Yun, come up."

Xiao Yun, still full of excitement, froze instantly. He pointed at himself, somewhat bewildered. "Ah... me?"

Yun Qinghong said, "Xiao'er, your Elder Brother is calling you over. Although the fact that you are not my biological son has now been publicly revealed, you have no need to be flustered. You have never wronged or owed anyone anything. Go up with your head held high."

Yun Qinghong's words quickly calmed the panic in Xiao Yun's heart. He took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Yes, I understand... I will not bring shame to the family."

Xiao Yun stood up and, under the gaze of the crowd, came to Yun Che's side. Yun Che nodded to him, then took his arm and said to the Little Demon Empress, "This is my sworn brother, my father's adopted son—Yun Xiao. However, from now on, his name is Xiao Yun! The rumors in Demon Imperial City over the past decade were indeed correct; he is not my parents' biological son, and naturally not a true Yun family member, a fact my parents never came forward to deny. His true identity, I presume everyone present now knows... That's right, he is the person whom my father's sworn brother, my adoptive father Uncle Xiao, exchanged for me back on the Profound Sky Continent all those years ago!"

The fact that Xiao Yun was not a son of the Yun family had been widely circulated for over a decade, and everyone had also heard rumors that he might be from the Profound Sky Continent. Therefore, this public revelation did not overly surprise many people; they were merely amazed by the hidden story behind it. To ensure a persecuted brother would not be without descendants, exchanging one's own child... what profound brotherhood that was!

To have such a lifelong confidant... it truly brings comfort throughout one's life.

"Back then, my father and mother were simultaneously pursued by the two Sacred Grounds of the Profound Sky Continent. Not only were they gravely injured and their profound energy depleted, but they were also afflicted by severe poison, all while having to divide their attention and strength to protect and care for the infant in their arms... The situation then was extremely perilous, with virtually no hope of escape. To save me, and to ensure my parents would have a descendant even if they met with misfortune, Uncle Xiao quietly used his newborn son—who is Xiao Yun—to exchange for me... Fortunately, under Uncle Xiao's guidance, my father and mother eventually managed to escape. I remained on the Profound Sky Continent, and Xiao Yun came to the Illusory Demon Realm."

"Perhaps, this was also the arrangement of heaven. Had it not been for Uncle Xiao's profound kindness, I would not have grown up on the Profound Sky Continent, nor would I have ever reunited with my grandfather by chance, much less brought back his remains and inherited his will. And the Demon Emperor's Seal would never have returned to the Illusory Demon Realm."

"Therefore, for the Demon Emperor's Seal to return to the Illusory Demon Realm today, the credit ultimately goes to Uncle Xiao's family. Although Uncle Xiao's family is on the Profound Sky Continent, they are great benefactors to my Yun family, and indeed to the Demon Emperor's lineage, and even to the entire Illusory Demon Realm... Does the Little Demon Empress acknowledge this point?"

The Little Demon Empress gazed deeply at Xiao Yun, then slowly nodded. "This profound kindness, I shall naturally remember it," she said.

Yun Che's voice dropped. "What none of you know, however, is that soon after my parents escaped, Uncle Xiao, Xiao Yun's biological father, was found by the Sacred Grounds and... died at the hands of their villains! Xiao Yun's mother then committed suicide out of love, and his grandmother soon after fell ill from grief and passed away... Even I never had the chance to see their faces clearly."

Xiao Yun was speechless.

Yun Che's words deeply moved the Little Demon Empress and everyone present.

"To my Yun family, to the Little Demon Empress, and even to the entire Illusory Demon Realm, Xiao Yun is the descendant of a great benefactor! Yet, during his years in the Illusory Demon Realm, he has suffered endless criticism, cold shoulders, ridicule, and bullying. In fact, three months ago, on my very first day in Demon Imperial City, I personally witnessed him being subjected to malicious harm by others... What justice is there in this?!"

Yun Che's final words were roared, causing everyone's gaze towards Xiao Yun to shift dramatically. No one had imagined that so many hidden circumstances lay behind his identity. The Demon Emperor's Seal indeed returned to the Illusory Demon Realm today because of his parents; it was truly no exaggeration to say that their family had bestowed a great kindness upon the Illusory Demon Realm. They had even lost their lives because of it, and Xiao Yun was their only descendant...

And yet, despite bearing the title of the Yun family's Young Master, he had truly endured endless coldness and bullying... This was a colossal irony.

The Little Demon Empress's gaze shifted slightly, and she said, "Yun Che, is your first request for me to treat Xiao Yun generously and greatly reward his family?"

"Exactly!" Yun Che looked her directly in the eye and said, "However, this is not a request, but something the Little Demon Empress ought to do before retrieving the Demon Emperor's Seal."

"Very well!" The Little Demon Empress nodded without hesitation, then looked at Xiao Yun. "Xiao Yun, the Demon Emperor's Seal was indeed able to return to the Illusory Demon Realm thanks to your biological father! He is my benefactor. But the deceased are gone, and I have no way to repay them. As his descendant, you shall receive my recompense."

"Today, I hereby confer upon you the title of 'Prince Xiao,' with a status equal to that of the other princes. You may freely enjoy royal resources, and I bestow upon you a princely mansion, a thousand catties of purple jade, ten catties of purple-veined heavenly crystal, one Demon Emperor Profound Seal Sword, thirty servants, and thirty guards... Do you accept this?"

At the Little Demon Empress's words, Xiao Yun's eyes widened, and his mouth fell open; he remained stunned for a long time. Everyone in the Demon Imperial Hall was dumbfounded, and even Yun Che was greatly startled.

Yun Che's sole purpose in calling Xiao Yun forward publicly was to seek justice for him, allowing him to gain a new status in the Illusory Demon Realm and no longer endure coldness or bullying. As for the Little Demon Empress's rewards, those were entirely secondary... He had absolutely not expected her 'recompense' to be so earth-shattering...

She had actually conferred a princely title upon Xiao Yun!

However, Yun Che immediately realized that while 'recompense' was only one reason for the Little Demon Empress's extravagant generosity towards Xiao Yun, another reason was for the Yun family! Although Xiao Yun did not possess Yun family blood, he had grown up with the Yun family for twenty-two years, making him, in essence, half a Yun family son! When Yun Canghai was conferred a princely title back then, the entire Yun family was bathed in glory! Now that Xiao Yun was conferred a princely title... the Yun family would likewise receive glory!