Chapter 727: 代父赎罪

Yun Che's words suddenly made the atmosphere tense again, pouring a bucket of cold water on the immense joy the Divine Phoenix Sect felt from Feng Xue'er's awakening of the Phoenix Soul.

Now, no matter how much Feng Hengkong couldn't accept it, he had to understand that Yun Che held the Divine Phoenix Sect's lifeline firmly in his grasp—at least for the next decade, until Feng Xue'er fully matured. And because of Feng Xue'er's resolute stance, they were absolutely unable to act against Yun Che. The fate of this sect, which had stood proud on the continent for five millennia, was now controlled by Yun Che.

However, Feng Hengkong no longer showed the same resentment and unwillingness as before. After a brief period of gloom and rigidity, his expression actually relaxed. This was because things had come to such a pass that he couldn't help but accept his fate. He let out a heavy breath and slowly said, "Xue'er is right... entirely right. All of this began because of me. Xi Luo, Elder Tianqing, and the others, they all died because of me... Although I was wholeheartedly devoted to the Divine Phoenix, my methods and their consequences were indeed terrible enough to warrant this retribution..."

"Had it not been for my decision three years ago, how would my sect have suffered this calamity, and how would Xi Luo and the others have met such tragic deaths? Everything is a grave mistake I made."

"And naturally, I must bear it!" Feng Hengkong placed his hand over his heart. "Xue'er's Phoenix Soul has awakened; my greatest lifelong wish has been fulfilled. I can truly say I have no further desires! Now, as long as the sect can remain temporarily safe, let alone asking me to cripple my profound strength or kneel for a hundred years, even if you demand I immediately take my own life here and now, I would not frown! Withdraw troops, cease war, compensation, ceding land... and tribute, I will not short the Blue Wind Nation by a single cent!"

"I only hope you keep your word!!"

Feng Hengkong let out a low roar, his palm burst into phoenix flames, and then he struck his profound veins with full force.

"Sect Master!!" All members of the Divine Phoenix Sect cried out in alarm, rushing frantically towards Feng Hengkong. But how could they possibly stop him in time?

"Father, no!!" Feng Xue'er exclaimed in distress, a flash of crimson fire also flickering in her phoenix eyes.

In an instant, Feng Hengkong's Phoenix profound energy was completely sealed. Even the profound energy he had gathered in his arm completely dissipated. When his palm struck his chest, even the flames had extinguished... Not to mention destroying his profound veins, he couldn't even inflict a minor flesh wound.

"Sect Master!" The Phoenix Elders immediately swarmed forward, seizing Feng Hengkong's arms. "Sect Master, don't... please don't!"

"Xue'er..." Feng Hengkong stared blankly at Feng Xue'er, his nose stinging slightly, his eyes a little misty. At least he knew that even though Feng Xue'er resented him, she genuinely cared about his safety.

Feng Xue'er did not lift the seal on Feng Hengkong's power. She turned to Yun Che, her eyes full of pleading. "Brother Yun, although Father committed an irreversible grave mistake, Xue'er knows better than anyone that he is absolutely not an evil person. Otherwise, the Divine Phoenix wouldn't have allowed Grandfather to pass the Sect Master position to him. As Sect Master and Emperor of the Divine Phoenix Empire, Father carries unimaginable responsibilities and pressures. Thus, his decisions are sometimes born of helplessness, extremist, or even cruel and merciless. But he truly isn't a person filled with evil. Xue'er would rather believe that when Father made that decision three years ago, he felt more anguish and helplessness than anyone else... because all the sins, blood debts, lost souls, and infamy would fall upon him alone."

"Xue... Xue'er..." Feng Hengkong's body trembled, and the moment the words left his mouth, his tear ducts completely gave way. Earlier, when Feng Xue'er shielded Yun Che and spoke angrily against him for Yun Che's sake, he felt a pain like a thousand arrows piercing his heart. But now, with these words from Feng Xue'er, even if he were to die a thousand deaths, he would harbor no more resentment.

"Brother Yun, Xue'er isn't trying to excuse Father's guilt. It's just that neither the Divine Phoenix Sect, nor the Divine Phoenix Empire, nor Xue'er herself, can do without Father. I earnestly ask you, Brother Yun, to spare Father and give him an opportunity for long-term atonement and compensation to the Blue Wind Nation. Let Xue'er go to the Blue Wind Nation with you in Father's place, to apologize to Empress Cang Yue... and to the entire Blue Wind Nation."

"Xue'er, what... what are you saying!" Feng Hengkong's face turned to one of horror. "All of this is Father's fault; it has nothing to do with you..."

"No..." Feng Xue'er slowly shook her head. She lifted her phoenix eyes and softly said, "I am Father's daughter. As his daughter, it is only natural that I atone for his mistakes and repay what is owed alongside him. Xue'er wishes to clear the sin, hopes Father remains safe, and even more, hopes Father remembers today's transgression and, from now on, treats Blue Wind kindly, and treats all innocent and kind people well, never committing the same grave mistake for any reason again."

"Brother Yun, Xue'er is willing to go to Blue Wind with you today, to meet Empress Cang Yue. No matter what punishment Empress Cang Yue imposes, Xue'er will have no regrets or grievances... Is that alright?" Feng Xue'er looked at Yun Che, her phoenix eyes shimmering with mist, full of entreaty.

"Xue'er, don't say foolish things!" Feng Hengkong panicked, completely. Even when Yun Che pushed him to the brink of despair earlier, he hadn't been this terrified. "Yun Che! Three years ago, I ordered the invasion of Blue Wind; I ordered the swift conquest of the entire Blue Wind territory, even resorting to extreme measures; and I ordered the assassination of Cang Wanhe! Every command came directly from my mouth! All of it is my sin alone! Don't talk about crippling my profound strength or atoning for a hundred years; even if you want my life, I can give it to you right now! But none of this has anything to do with Xue'er!"

Feng Hengkong struggled to free himself from the elders' grasp, roaring with wide eyes. "I will go with you to the Blue Wind Nation right now, and you can do with me as you please there! My sins can only be atoned for by myself alone! Yun Che, you should know better than anyone that this matter has nothing to do with Xue'er... absolutely nothing to do with her!!"

At this moment, Feng Hengkong was consumed by regret. When Feng Xue'er desperately protected Yun Che earlier... wasn't she also saving the Divine Phoenix Sect? He couldn't imagine how much worse the situation would have become had Feng Xue'er not appeared in time.

It was Feng Xue'er who pulled the entire sect back from the edge of the abyss. And now, it was she again, for his peace of mind, offering to go to the Blue Wind Nation in his place to atone for the grave mistakes he had made...

Even if there were a true cure for regret in this world, it likely wouldn't be able to erase the tormenting remorse that filled every corner of his soul.

Yun Che glanced indifferently at Feng Hengkong, then took Feng Xue'er's small hand and smiled. "Very well, then. As Xue'er wishes, you shall return with me in your father's stead."

"Yun Che!!" Feng Hengkong roared like a lion, his entire body trembling violently. "You... you dare! If you dare to take Xue'er today, if you dare to harm even a single strand of Xue'er's hair, I..."

"Tsk!" Yun Che sneered coldly. "Xue'er saved my life; I cherish her too much to harm her. If it weren't for Xue'er, do you think you'd still be alive and shouting there now?! Do you think your Divine Phoenix Sect would merely lose a few people?"

"Speaking of harming Xue'er, Feng Hengkong, compared to you, I truly admit defeat!" Yun Che said mockingly.

"You..." Those words instantly turned Feng Hengkong's face ashen.

"As emperors of nations, my Cang Yue is tens of thousands of times more benevolent than you. She will not harm Xue'er, nor will I allow anyone to harm her. Furthermore, when it comes to representing the Divine Phoenix, Xue'er is far more suitable than you in many aspects!"

"Cherish the status, freedom, and life that Xue'er has preserved for you!! My Cang Yue will tell you how she expects you to atone when Xue'er returns!"

"Brother Yun, thank you. I know this is very selfish... but he is my father, after all, and I..." Feng Xue'er lightly held the small hand Yun Che was holding in his palm, her voice and gaze hazy like mist. She knew very well what a huge concession this was for Yun Che.

Yun Che shook his head and smiled. "You were willing to swear a poisonous oath to 'sever your Phoenix blood and soul' for me. Compared to that, what I've done is utterly insignificant."

"...Mhm!" Feng Xue'er nodded vigorously, a fairy-like smile blossoming on her face.

"No! We absolutely cannot let Xue'er go to Blue Wind with Yun Che... Father, quickly stop him!" Feng Ximing urgently exclaimed, "That's Xue'er!!"

Feng Hengkong didn't respond to Feng Ximing. After a moment of wavering in his eyes, he suddenly declared loudly, "Yun Che, you can take Xue'er to Blue Wind today... but I must come with you!! Otherwise, even if I die here today, I will absolutely not let you take Xue'er!"

"Father..." Feng Xue'er's heart tightened in alarm, and she was about to speak, but then she heard Yun Che say calmly, "Fine! Or rather, it's even better! After all, what my Cang Yue most wants to see is your personal apology!"

"Brother Yun..." Feng Xue'er's hand tightened.

"Don't worry," Yun Che whispered.

Those few soft words immediately dispelled the unease and anxiety that had just arisen in Feng Xue'er's heart. She lightly murmured, "Mhm."

Yun Che didn't refuse because he knew exactly what Feng Hengkong was worried about. He wasn't concerned about Feng Xue'er's safety... After all, with Feng Xue'er's current strength, which clearly surpassed Feng Tianwei's, there was no one in the Blue Wind Nation capable of posing a threat to her. However, Feng Xue'er had never left the Divine Phoenix City area since childhood, and Yun Che was an extremely "dangerous" individual. Not to mention Feng Hengkong, no normal father would feel at ease letting his daughter, who had never left home, be taken by a man to a foreign land alone.

Therefore, Feng Hengkong had to accompany them, ostensibly for "protection," even if it meant placing himself within the Blue Wind Nation's borders.

***

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