Chapter 631: Unforgivable Crime

Seven days after the Little Demon Empress's return, the grand ceremony, which had been interrupted four months prior, resumed as scheduled. The Demon Emperor Hall, extensively damaged, had also undergone sufficient repairs during these seven days.

Compared to four months ago, when the hall was filled with constant whispers and fierce contention between two factions, today the Demon Emperor Hall was even more crowded, yet utterly silent, so quiet that not even a breath could be heard. The seating arrangement for the core families had also significantly changed. The chief seat for the Guardian Families prominently displayed the character "Yun." As for the Helian clan, who had occupied the chief seat four months ago, now, led by Helian Kuang, all their top figures knelt in the center of the hall, without even a seat. All forces that had pledged allegiance to Prince Huai's Manor—whether Guardian Families, princely manors, other major powers, or renowned supreme experts—knelt there obediently, trembling under the Little Demon Empress's chilling might.

"How are the preparations for Xiao Yun's enthronement ceremony coming along?"

"Your Highness," a voice replied, "everything is prepared, and the enthronement ceremony can proceed tomorrow. However... regarding the location for Prince Xiao's Manor, we await Your Highness's instructions."

"Naturally, the closer to the Yun Family, the better."

"Yes... This humble subject understands."

"Prince Xiao Yun is twenty-two this year and unmarried. Since he has become a prince, the matter of a princess ought to be considered soon." The Little Demon Empress turned her gaze to the Tianxia clan. "Tianxia Qi, the beloved daughter of the Tianxia clan head, has just turned twenty. She possesses a beautiful countenance, exceptional talent, and is yet to be married. I have long heard that she and Prince Xiao have been fond of each other, sharing mutual affection, truly a match made in heaven. I intend to arrange Tianxia Qi's marriage to Prince Xiao. What is the Tianxia clan head's opinion on this?"

The Little Demon Empress's words left Xiao Yun gaping, unable to react for a long time. Tianxia Qi, meanwhile, let out a surprised gasp, tightly covering her mouth with both hands, her face flushed with excitement and joy. Tianxia Xiong Tu quickly rose from his seat. "For Your Highness to personally arrange this marriage is the greatest fortune of my daughter's life. Xiong Tu naturally has no objections... Xiong Tu thanks Your Highness for this immense grace on behalf of my daughter."

"Tianxia Qi thanks Your Highness for this immense grace." Tianxia Qi curtsied gracefully, the persistent blush on her face revealing her deep shyness and delight.

"Hey... Seventh Sister, show some restraint... some restraint!" Tianxia Wu tugged at Tianxia Qi's sleeve, speaking weakly.

"Restraint be damned!" Tianxia Qi said in a low, fierce voice. "I haven't settled the score with you for all the times you bullied my Brother Yun, hmph!"

"Aren't you my sister?" Tianxia Wu muttered carefully, his heart filled with complicated emotions... Who would have thought that the "Profound Sky Bastard" everyone in Demon Imperial City ridiculed back then would now... Alas, how unpredictable life is... But with Xiao Yun's character, he shouldn't hold a grudge against us for how we treated him before... Uh, probably not... After all, aside from his status back then, his personality and his treatment of Seventh Sister were always very good.

Xiao Yun also quickly rose from his seat, suppressing his excitement as he said, "Xiao Yun offers profound gratitude to Your Highness for this bestowed marriage. Xiao Yun vows never to fail Seventh Sister in his lifetime."

As he spoke, he involuntarily looked at Tianxia Qi. Their eyes met, and Tianxia Qi stuck out her tongue and made a face at him. Even under everyone's gaze, her smile was still as radiant as a hundred blooming flowers.

The Little Demon Empress nodded slightly. "This is excellent. Clan Head Yun, Tianxia Qi is the most precious jewel of the Tianxia clan. Your Yun Family's betrothal gifts must not be meager."

Yun Qinghong rose, smiling. "Naturally. I have always been fond of the Tianxia family's princess. If this matter proceeds, my Yun Family will truly experience double happiness. Once an auspicious day is chosen, I will personally visit with substantial gifts to propose on behalf of Xiao'er."

Envious gazes fell upon Tianxia Xiong Tu. Although he sat upright and composed, the flush on his face was undeniable, and his heart churned... Back then, just the thought of his daughter and Yun Xiao made his hair stand on end. But now, his daughter marrying Xiao Yun had almost become a blessing for the entire Tianxia clan. This was because Xiao Yun was no longer the same, and the Yun Family was now far beyond what it once was.

The ceremony quickly passed two hours. Those who had sided with Prince Huai had also knelt for two hours. Throughout the entire process, they knelt motionless, not daring to interrupt, nor even to make a sound. They were like a group of criminals awaiting judgment... Oh no, they were criminals to begin with!

At this moment, the Little Demon Empress's gaze suddenly turned to the center of the hall, and her previously calm eyes instantly turned cold.

Although none of those kneeling dared to look up, the Little Demon Empress's oppressive aura felt like the coldest blade pressed against their throats. This made them shiver, hastily lower their heads even further, and not even dare to breathe deeply.

"I ordered you to exterminate Prince Huai's entire nine generations of kin within ten days! Seven days have passed. How have you fared?"

The Little Demon Empress's tone when speaking to them was entirely different from when she addressed the Yun Family or the Tianxia clan; it was so low and chilling that it suffocated them.

The Little Demon Empress didn't specify whom she was addressing, so the clan heads kneeling at the very front hastily scrambled to reply, "Your... Your Highness, Prince Huai's paternal four clans, maternal three clans, and his wife's two clans have all been exterminated, with not a single one left behind..."

"Those stationed outside the city have also all been annihilated, please... please rest assured, Your Highness."

"The bodies have been publicly incinerated before the city gates as Your Highness commanded... not a trace remains."

"Your Highness's command, we would never dare to neglect, even if it meant certain death..."

Helian Kuang fumbled to produce a jade slip, raising it high with both hands. "Deep beneath Prince Huai's Manor, there was an unburnt secret chamber where we found this jade slip... Engraved within is Prince Huai's 'Fallen Flame Demonic Art'... Your Highness possesses divine power, so this Demonic Art is naturally unworthy of your attention. However, at the end of this jade slip, a blood escape technique is recorded... It should be what Ming Wang used when he escaped that day."

The Little Demon Empress's crescent eyebrows twitched slightly, and with a gesture of her hand, the jade slip in Helian Kuang's hand flew into hers. Yun Che, seated beside Yun Qinghong, also focused his gaze on the ominous jade slip. The blood escape technique Ming Wang used that day was very strange; even with the Little Demon Empress's power, she couldn't discern his escape direction. But if the blood escape technique Ming Wang used could be comprehended, he would have no escape if he ever fell into the Little Demon Empress's hands again.

The Little Demon Empress unfolded the jade slip directly. At its very end, she indeed saw a strange blood escape technique. She glanced at it indifferently for a few moments, then closed the jade slip.

"Your Highness, I, Bai Yi, also made a discovery while purging Prince Huai's remnants." Bai Yi also hurried forward, raising a much larger jade slip with both hands. "This jade slip was also found in Prince Huai's underground secret chamber, and it contains the names of all... all..." At this point, Bai Yi swallowed hard before continuing, "The list of everyone who pledged allegiance to Prince Huai's Manor. Please... please examine it, Your Highness."

Many people present felt their hearts violently tremble, and cold sweat streamed down their bodies.

"No need to look!" The Little Demon Empress didn't even glance at the jade slip, speaking in a deep voice, "Hand this list over to the Punisher Prince's Manor. And issue an order: all individuals on this list must write a confession in their own blood within three days, nail it to the North City Wall, and display it for three years! Should they do so, I will temporarily spare their lives and pursue the matter no further. However, if after three days, any name on the list fails to leave a blood confession on the city wall, they will be considered remnants of Prince Huai's Manor... and will be executed without mercy!"

Another bloody Asura Decree was mercilessly issued from the Little Demon Empress's lips, causing the air in the hall to suddenly turn cold.

Yun Che's eyes immediately lit up. This was because the Little Demon Empress's command was extremely clever. For apart from Bai Yi, no one else should know exactly which names were on that list. Although the jade slip was large, it certainly wasn't comprehensive. Yet the bloody decree of "execute without mercy" would prevent anyone implicated with Prince Huai's Manor from holding onto any hope of escape; they would obediently confess their crimes in their own blood on the city wall.

In this way, all those who had previously pledged allegiance to Prince Huai's Manor, currently unknown, would be clearly exposed.

However, for the various Guardian Families and princely manors, it was a huge relief. Just a blood confession could grant a pardon; this was an unexpectedly joyous outcome. But just as they let out a sigh of relief, the Little Demon Empress's next words made their hearts and courage leap into their throats.

"As for the Guardian Families and princely manors on the list, there's no need to write a blood confession." The Little Demon Empress's voice suddenly turned sharp. "Others who followed Prince Huai's Manor might still be considered to have merely drifted with the current. But you, as the pillars and mainstays of the Illusory Demon Realm, dared to defy my Demon Emperor, your rebellious intent clear for all to see! Your crimes are unforgivable! If I were to lightly pardon you now, how could I face the citizens of the Illusory Demon Realm? How could I face the ancestors who brought peace to the Illusory Demon Realm today!"

As if doused with a basin of water from an icy purgatory, the seven clan heads and various princes felt a chill from head to toe. An elderly prince wailed tearfully, "Your Highness, this prince knows he is guilty, but this prince truly was unaware of Prince Huai's numerous crimes..."

"Say no more." The Little Demon Empress coldly interrupted him, stood up, and slapped her hand on the imperial throne. Instantly, with a rumbling sound, a concealed stone door to the right of the imperial throne slowly opened. Beyond it was a spacious, yet somewhat dimly lit, stone chamber.

This stone chamber was rarely opened and only occasionally used when discussing highly confidential matters.

"With the ceremony concluded, I have nothing further." The Little Demon Empress turned sideways, saying expressionlessly, "You may all disperse immediately. Those who have traveled a long distance may depart this afternoon." After a slight pause, her voice turned cold: "The guilty Guardian Families and princes are to remain!"

As her voice fell, the Little Demon Empress turned and, carrying a cold gust of wind, walked into the stone chamber.

The Little Demon Empress's announcement of the ceremony's end was as sudden and capricious as its previous interruption. Some people had intended to say something, but upon hearing the Little Demon Empress's last words, they instantly fell silent, daring not to speak further. They cautiously left their seats, moving their bodies, and exited the Demon Emperor Hall in an orderly fashion.

"Big Brother, aren't you... leaving?" Xiao Yun tentatively asked, looking at Yun Che, who remained seated and unmoving for a long time.

"Oh, I have a small matter I wish to discuss privately with the Little Demon Empress. Don't mind me." Yun Che said mysteriously, resting his chin in his hand.

"But..." Now, just thinking of the words "Little Demon Empress," Xiao Yun, like most people, couldn't help but shiver. The Little Demon Empress clearly intended for no one else to remain, planning to specifically deal with the Guardian Families and princely manors. He was afraid that Yun Che might inadvertently anger the Little Demon Empress again...

"I said don't mind me; go find your Seventh Sister quickly!" Yun Che waved his hand dismissively. "When she left, she looked back at you at least seven or eight times. If you don't go after her soon, she might get angry and refuse to marry you."

"Haha," Yun Qinghong smiled faintly. "Xiao'er, let's go. Your Big Brother surely has his reasons for staying; there's no need to worry too much. You should take care of yourself first. There are quite a few people lingering outside, specifically waiting to speak with you, the new Prince."

"Ah?" Xiao Yun turned his head and indeed saw many people by the hall's entrance deliberately slowing their movements, continuously glancing in their direction.

"Let's go." Yun Qinghong led Xiao Yun up, then gave Yun Che a slight smile without asking further questions, and slowly departed.

Soon, the crowd dispersed, leaving only the kneeling Guardian Families and princes on the hall floor. Without the Little Demon Empress's command, none dared to rise. Every forehead was covered in fine cold sweat. They continuously wiped it away with trembling hands, but no sooner had they wiped it than the cold sweat quickly streamed down again.

Yun Che glanced at them, his eyes devoid of any pity. He leisurely rose and unhurriedly walked towards the stone chamber the Little Demon Empress had entered.