Chapter 730: The Determination of the Pale Moon

Cang Yue could never have imagined such a situation. She harbored deep hatred for Feng Hengkong, but faced with a scene so unbelievable that no one would trust their own eyes, she could only stare helplessly, turning to Yun Che beside her with a pleading gaze. "Husband... what exactly is going on...?"

"Let them rise first," Yun Che said. "We can discuss everything once we are inside the hall."

Cang Yue nodded slightly, composing herself, then stepped forward a few paces and extended her hand to Feng Xue'er. "Sister Xue'er, please rise. Your noble status is unparalleled; such an immense gesture truly makes me uneasy."

Feng Xue'er remained with her head bowed, softly saying, "Empress Cang Feng, you speak too highly... Xue'er is currently burdened with guilt, and kneeling in apology is only right. I only hope it might slightly alleviate Empress Cang Yue's resentment."

Cang Yue shook her head and helped Feng Xue'er to her feet. Seeing Feng Xue'er up close, she couldn't help but marvel inwardly that such a perfect, dream-like being existed in the world. If there were only one favored daughter of heaven, it could only be the young woman before her.

"Although I have never left the Azure Cloud Nation, I have often heard tales of the Divine Phoenix Nation's Snow Princess. Now, seeing you in person, you surpass those rumors by countless folds," Cang Yue praised.

Extreme anger and hatred for one person can easily spill over to their relatives. Yet, Cang Yue, who hated Feng Hengkong so intensely, found herself unable to feel even a hint of resentment towards Feng Xue'er. Perhaps, no one in this world could ever harbor hatred for her.

"Feng Hengkong, you may also rise." Cang Yue turned back, her voice instantly becoming calm, yet laced with coldness. "This is not the place to speak. Follow me to the Azure Cloud Main Hall!"

Following Yun Che's silent cue, Cang Yue instructed Dongfang Xiu, "Prefect Dongfang, please guard the outside and allow no one to enter. Furthermore, what you just witnessed must not be mentioned to anyone."

"Yes," Dongfang Xiu bowed slightly. He glanced at Feng Hengkong, intending to warn Cang Yue to be careful... but recalling Yun Che and Feng Hengkong's earlier kneeling, he swallowed his words.

Watching Cang Yue, Yun Che, Feng Hengkong, and Feng Xue'er enter the Azure Cloud Main Hall, Dongfang Xiu and the others exchanged bewildered glances, some still reeling from the shock.

"What on earth just happened? Was that really... the Emperor of Divine Phoenix?" Feng Yunlie asked, eyes wide. He racked his brain but couldn't comprehend what had transpired... That was the Divine Phoenix Emperor, the Phoenix Master, who lorded over the world!

Although both were national leaders, as a general of Azure Cloud, he had to admit that the title "Master of Divine Phoenix" carried a thousand times more weight than "Master of Azure Cloud"! Feng Hengkong's personal presence here was already astounding, but no one could have ever dreamed that he would kneel before the Empress of Azure Cloud... and his cries were filled with profound pain and remorse.

"That man was indeed Feng Hengkong, the Emperor of the Divine Phoenix Nation. I saw him three years ago," Xia Yuanba confirmed with certainty.

"...And that woman, could she be the rumored Snow Princess of Divine Phoenix?"

"Yes, she is the Snow Princess. I didn't expect her to come along... but three years ago, my brother-in-law and she had a very good relationship." Xia Yuanba rubbed his head, a little puzzled.

"Indeed, after all, Yun Che's incident with the Primordial Profound Arts three years ago happened because he was saving the Snow Princess... The Snow Princess, a heaven-sent treasure of the Divine Phoenix Empire and the foremost beauty of the Profound Sky Continent, truly lives up to her reputation!" Dongfang Xiu exclaimed with a heavy sigh of admiration.

"Brother Yun is truly something else. In just a few days, he managed to turn such an utterly dire situation around to this extent," remarked the Under Heaven's First, his voice lowered to a whisper only he could hear. "I never imagined there could be a woman in this world whose beauty rivals that of the Little Demon Empress..."

A profound silence fell over the Azure Cloud Main Hall. Feng Hengkong stood at the center, looking up at everything around him. He had always imagined he would one day personally set foot in the Azure Cloud Imperial Palace, but never in this manner. Likewise, Cang Yue had never envisioned meeting the person she hated most in her life under such circumstances.

Yun Che had already provided Cang Yue with a sufficiently detailed account of the events concerning Divine Phoenix. Although he had orchestrated everything, Cang Yue was the ruler of the Azure Cloud Nation, and he had done all of this for her. Therefore, it was ultimately her decision how Feng Hengkong would atone for his sins.

"Sister Xue'er, please take a seat." In stark contrast to her attitude towards Feng Hengkong, Cang Yue spoke softly and gently to Feng Xue'er. She now understood why this mythical favored daughter of heaven would humble herself to come here and kneel before her... And even setting aside those reasons, no one could possibly harbor ill will towards her.

"Thank you, Empress Sister," Feng Xue'er said, not holding back, and took a seat beside Yun Che.

"Feng Hengkong, are you truly willing to come here to atone for your sins?!" Cang Yue turned sideways, her expression instantly turning cold as she faced Feng Hengkong.

If, after disembarking from the Phoenix God Ship and setting foot on Azure Cloud soil, his heart still harbored unwillingness and resentment, then with Feng Xue'er's kneeling, all those emotions completely dissipated, replaced by inner trembling and profound pain. He might not have done it for the blood debts he accumulated in Azure Cloud, but solely to free Feng Xue'er's spirit from the burden he imposed, he would devote all his strength to atone... even if it meant sacrificing his dignity as the Divine Phoenix Emperor, or even his life.

"I have come here today solely to apologize and atone! I know that the devastation I caused to Azure Cloud is immense, beyond description, and I could never repay it even with a thousand deaths... As long as it can pacify Azure Cloud and appease your resentment, Empress Cang Yue, I will accept it willingly, without a single regret."

"Yue'er, when I was in Phoenix City, I already proposed conditions, and they essentially agreed," Yun Che began, then detailed the five conditions he had presented to Feng Hengkong and Feng Tianwei while hovering above Phoenix City.

Yesterday, when Yun Che had declared these final conditions, Feng Hengkong's face had turned ashen, and he had roared in fury, practically exploding with rage, just as he had every time before. Now, listening to Yun Che repeat the same words—regarding compensation, territorial concessions, even the destruction of his profound cultivation and kneeling in Azure Cloud for a century, as well as the fifth condition of centuries of tribute... his expression remained calm and unruffled throughout.

In contrast, Cang Yue's face revealed increasing shock as she listened to Yun Che's conditions... She utterly detested Feng Hengkong and the Divine Phoenix Empire, but Yun Che's five demands were undeniably overbearing, even utterly cruel. If the Divine Phoenix Nation were to fulfill all of them, its five-thousand-year dignity would be utterly trampled by Azure Cloud—a nation only a thousand years old and always the weakest—and plunged forever into an abyss of shame...

The cruelty of these terms of atonement was unprecedented, not just in Azure Cloud's thousand-year history, but throughout the entire history of the Profound Sky Continent.

"These conditions, are you Divine Phoenix... especially you, Feng Hengkong, truly willing to accept them?" Cang Yue's delicate brows furrowed as she looked directly into the Divine Phoenix Emperor's eyes, fearless. She wanted to hear his answer from his own lips.

"Yes," Feng Hengkong replied without hesitation, closing his eyes.

"Good..." Cang Yue's chest rose and fell sharply, and her gaze became sharp and profound.

"Empress Sister!" Feng Xue'er quickly stood up and pleaded with Cang Yue, "Xue'er deeply understands that Father Emperor has committed unforgivable mistakes, and all the reparations Brother Yun proposed are rightful. However... regarding the elimination of Father Emperor's profound cultivation and his century-long stay in Azure Cloud, I beg Empress Sister for clemency. Father Emperor's status is special; he is not only the Emperor of the Divine Phoenix Nation but also the Sect Master of the Phoenix Divine Sect. If he were to remain in Azure Cloud, the Divine Phoenix Nation's populace would surely fall into turmoil, and the Phoenix Divine Sect would also face prolonged unrest."

"Although Father Emperor brought all this upon himself, as his daughter, Xue'er should share in his burden of guilt. I implore Empress Sister to sympathize with Xue'er's personal plea and consider the greater good of Divine Phoenix. Please allow Xue'er to remain in Azure Cloud in Father Emperor's stead. As for the other reparations, Father Emperor will certainly implement them as quickly as possible upon his return. I beg Empress Sister..."

"Xue'er, this does not concern you!!" Feng Hengkong roared. "Empress Cang Yue, you should know that every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor! Your father's death and Azure Cloud's current situation were all caused by me! My daughter had absolutely no involvement in any of it! She has been unconscious for the past three years, playing no part whatsoever!"

"Now, my only desire is to atone! Whatever you demand of me now, I will not even flinch! But Xue'er is my unassailable inverse scale, which I will never allow anyone to touch!!"

Feng Hengkong's voice was sharp and resolute. Feng Xue'er's heart tightened. "Father Emperor, you clearly promised Xue'er earlier that I could come! Are you simply abandoning Divine Phoenix and the Sect?"

Feng Hengkong slowly shook his head. "Xue'er, to your Father Emperor, your safety is more important than my own life, more important than the Sect... more important than anything else in this world. If I had to choose, I would rather see Divine Phoenix and the Sect perish than for you to suffer the slightest harm."

Cang Yue: "..."Yun Che: "..."

"No, that won't happen. If I stay here, Brother Yun will protect me, and I surely won't be harmed at all. I will pray daily for Empress Sister's father, and for Azure Cloud, Divine Phoenix, and Father Emperor. After a century of atonement, I will return to Phoenix City... If Father Emperor misses me, he can visit Xue'er anytime." Feng Xue'er smiled, her words betraying no worry or apprehension about the future. "Divine Phoenix can exist without Xue'er, but it absolutely cannot exist without Father Emperor. This is a matter that concerns the entire nation and the entire Sect, Father Emperor cannot be willful!"

"Xue'er, I..."

"Father Emperor," Feng Xue'er gently interrupted Feng Hengkong's words. "Xue'er has always grown up under Father Emperor's doting love and protection, and received the Phoenix God's grace, yet I've never been able to do anything for Father Emperor or the Phoenix Divine Sect. Now, I can finally share some of Father Emperor's burden, and my heart is filled only with happiness and contentment; I don't feel wronged or afraid in the slightest... Besides, my favorite Brother Yun is here, and if I can see Brother Yun often, Xue'er will be even happier than when I was in Phoenix City. Don't forget, three years ago, Brother Yun risked his life to protect Xue'er, so by Brother Yun's side, Xue'er feels incredibly safe. Father Emperor truly has nothing to worry about... right?"

"Xue'er, you..." Feng Hengkong reached out, wanting to touch Feng Xue'er's shoulder, his eyes once again involuntarily blurring.

"Empress Sister, Brother Yun is the best person in this world to Xue'er. As Brother Yun's wife, you must also be the gentlest and kindest Empress in the world. Please, Empress Sister, spare Father Emperor's life and freedom, and allow Xue'er to remain in his stead. From now on, Xue'er and Father Emperor will sincerely repent and fully atone for the sins committed over these past three years... Please, Empress Sister, grant this wish. Xue'er will forever remember your kindness."

Every word Feng Xue'er spoke struck Feng Hengkong's heart forcefully, and likewise resonated deeply within Cang Yue's. Looking at her snow-like countenance and eyes a thousand times more beautiful than stars, Cang Yue's heart throbbed intensely... She was well aware of Feng Xue'er's identity: she possessed the most noble bloodline in the entire Profound Sky Continent, and in the future, she would become a Divine Phoenix Sect deity. Her status and position would surpass even Feng Hengkong's.

She would even surpass all living beings in the Profound Sky Continent!!

Under Feng Xue'er's gaze, Cang Yue remained silent for a long time. After a considerable pause, she turned to Yun Che, seeking his help.

"Yue'er, this matter must, of course, be decided by you. Whatever decision you make, I will support you," Yun Che said with a smile. He also trusted that Cang Yue would arrive at the best possible outcome.

"..." Cang Yue slowly turned around and paced deliberately towards the imperial throne. The hall instantly fell silent, with only the rustle of her phoenix-embroidered robe dragging on the floor audible.

At the far end of the hall, Cang Yue stopped. She raised her phoenix eyes and looked forward... There, a massive portrait hung, depicting her father, Cang Wanhe, who had passed away three years ago.

Time seemed to suddenly stand still at that moment. Cang Yue silently gazed at Cang Wanhe's eternally motionless figure, her eyes sometimes blurred, sometimes trembling... No one knew the complexity of the thoughts swirling in her mind, or how difficult the choice she was making truly was.

After a long time, a full quarter of an hour, Cang Yue's voice finally resonated through the hall.

"Feng Hengkong..." she said softly. "If I were merely an ordinary woman, the grudge for my father's murder would be irreconcilable. I would not hesitate to tear you limb from limb with my own hands..."

"Although I could now use my husband's power to kill you, I cannot," Cang Yue said, turning around, her steps slow and heavy. "Because I am the ruler of the Azure Cloud Nation... If you were to die in Azure Cloud, Divine Phoenix would surely fall into chaos, and my nation's suffering would continue, perhaps even worsen. Even if you were to leave strict orders before your death, it would be futile."

"Stripping you of your profound cultivation and keeping you in Azure Cloud for a century follows the same logic. Once enmity is sown, it is bound to erupt eventually—perhaps in decades, a century, or even centuries. After all, Azure Cloud is a weaker nation; if such an eruption occurs, it will only be Azure Cloud that suffers."

"Therefore... although I will never forgive you, I cannot kill you."

Feng Hengkong: "..."

"I will not kill you, nor will I force you to cripple your own profound cultivation, nor will I compel you to kneel before my father's mausoleum for a century... Because even if you knelt for ten thousand years, my father would not be resurrected. Ceding Scarlet Jade City, the tribute of profound crystals, profound iron, and Phoenix battle armor for two centuries, even a public apology and a ceasefire treaty... I can forgo all of these!"

"..." Feng Hengkong abruptly turned his head, his face filled with disbelief.

"Ah?" Feng Xue'er covered her lips with her hand. "Empress Sister, is... is that truly real?"

Yun Che also wore a look of surprise.

"Although I am a woman, as the Empress of Azure Cloud, my words naturally carry absolute weight!" Cang Yue stated with utmost calm. "Of the five conditions you previously agreed to, I will only keep one. I will not insist on the others."

"Five hundred billion Purple Profound Coins in compensation!" Cang Yue said solemnly. "I will only retain this one! The Azure Cloud Nation is now riddled with wounds, and countless citizens are displaced; these riches are needed to rebuild their homes."

"Rea... really?" Just the fact that Feng Hengkong wouldn't have to cripple his profound cultivation and remain here already fulfilled Feng Xue'er's greatest desire, filling her heart with boundless joy, delight, and gratitude.

Feng Hengkong opened his mouth, still unable to believe his ears. No territorial cession, no tribute, not even an imperial decree of apology... His Divine Phoenix Nation could preserve its dignity completely just like this...

"However, I have two additional conditions!" Cang Yue's gaze pierced directly into Feng Hengkong's.

"Empress Sister, please tell us. As long as it's achievable, Father Emperor and Xue'er will do their utmost," Feng Xue'er said, filled with joy.

"First," Cang Yue's tone was calm and solemn, "Countless cities and homes in Azure Cloud have been destroyed. Currently, chaos reigns everywhere, and with Azure Cloud's strength alone, stability cannot be restored quickly. Therefore, within the next five years, your Divine Phoenix Nation must dispatch over sixty percent of your army to be stationed in Azure Cloud, assisting in the reconstruction of cities and homes!"

To only retain monetary compensation from the five great conditions was a boon almost too good to be true. Feng Hengkong had expected Cang Yue's two additional conditions to be extremely harsh and difficult, but to his surprise, her first additional demand was remarkably simple. He nodded slightly. "Very well, I agree... I will leave seventy percent of the Divine Phoenix army in Azure Cloud, at the disposal of Empress Cang Yue or various lords, and will issue strict orders that they are absolutely not to offend any Azure Cloud citizens."

"Good," Cang Yue nodded, indicating her trust. Then her gaze shifted from Feng Hengkong's face to Feng Xue'er. "The second condition is even simpler. Snow Princess Feng Xue'er, I want you to..."

"Marry my husband, Yun Che, as his concubine!!"