Chapter 732: Half-Year Agreement

"I never thought Empress Cang Yue could be so eloquent; she truly surprises me!" Feng Hengkong's voice was quite cold, seemingly ironic rather than appreciative.

"You know Xue'er's identity, yet you repeatedly claim this action will preserve the dignity of my Divine Phoenix Nation. Still, you demand that my most esteemed princess marry your Azure Wind consort as a concubine, not only demeaning herself but also directly subordinating her to your Empress Cang Yue, which undoubtedly implies that my Divine Phoenix Nation will forever be inferior to your Azure Wind Nation."

"Oh," Feng Hengkong was interrupted by Cang Yue's drawn-out tone before he could finish roaring. She said with a faint smile, "So, Sect Master Feng's strong reaction earlier was because he was unwilling for younger sister Xue'er to be a concubine. In that case, I shall concede a step. After younger sister Xue'er marries my husband, she will be a primary wife, equal in status to me! This has never occurred in the thousand-year history of my Azure Wind Nation, and it can be considered a great compromise on my part regarding imperial dignity, for the peace of our two nations. Surely, Sect Master Feng, you are satisfied now!"

Feng Hengkong's anger and expression froze simultaneously. Midway through Cang Yue's words, he suddenly realized that her proposal for Feng Xue'er to be a "concubine" was merely a setup for her current "retreat as an advance" strategy! He had completely fallen into the trap Cang Yue laid.

Cang Yue continued to speak softly, "Furthermore, when I was an Azure Wind princess and married Yun Che, my husband was paramount. Even though I am now enthroned as empress, my husband remains supreme. Therefore, as the Emperor of Azure Wind, my husband Yun Che is the most esteemed figure in Azure Wind, not merely a former consort! Younger sister Xue'er would naturally not marry an Azure Wind consort, but rather the most revered and noble person in the Azure Wind Nation! There is no humiliation in that."

"However, Sect Master Feng's words did remind me. Since younger sister Xue'er is the most noble and highest-ranking person in the Divine Phoenix Nation, she naturally has the most authority to speak on this matter. In that case, it seems more appropriate for me to inquire with younger sister Xue'er herself."

Feng Hengkong remained silent for a long time. He found it difficult to accept that he, the Emperor of the Divine Phoenix Nation for a century, had been led by the nose by the empress of a weaker nation, who had only been enthroned for three years and was merely in her early twenties.

"Younger sister Xue'er, are you willing to marry Yun Che, to be with him forever, and thereby resolve the grievances between our two nations?" Cang Yue turned to Feng Xue'er, her sharp, blade-like demeanor from facing Feng Hengkong softening into a gentle smile.

During Cang Yue and Feng Hengkong's sharp exchange, Yun Che had remained silent, and Feng Xue'er likewise hadn't spoken. Ever since Cang Yue mentioned her marrying Yun Che, she had been in a daze. She blinked her clear, crystal eyes and softly, vaguely asked, "Marrying Brother Yun... is it forever?"

"Of course, it's forever." Cang Yue said with a smile, "After you marry your Brother Yun, you will belong to him, and he will also belong to you. You can possess everything of each other, and from then on, you will rely on and accompany each other forever. No one will be able to stop or restrain you."

"Then, were big sister Empress's words from before also true?" Feng Xue'er's beautiful eyes grew even more misty.

"Of course," Cang Yue knew what she was asking. "Your big sister is the Emperor of Azure Wind, and like your imperial father, her words are as good as gold. As long as you are willing to marry your Brother Yun, your Divine Phoenix Nation will not need to apologize, cede territory, or offer tributes. Your imperial father can also return to Divine Phoenix unharmed at any time, and you, from then on, can be with your Brother Yun for as long as you wish."

Feng Xue'er had come to atone for her imperial father's sins, and if atonement were possible, she was willing to bear any punishment. But she couldn't have imagined that Empress Cang Yue's ultimate "punishment" would be like this. In her worldview, everything being described before her, this form of "atonement," was simply too wonderful.

"If, if it's like this," Feng Xue'er quietly turned her gaze towards Yun Che, but as soon as it brushed against his clothing, she withdrew it under the impact of a strange, unfamiliar emotion. Her heart rate instantly accelerated many times over, and her voice grew softer: "Of course, I'm will—"

"Xue'er!" Feng Hengkong's low shout interrupted Feng Xue'er. "This matter isn't as simple as you think! This is a lifelong commitment! It's the most important decision anyone makes in their life, one that should never be rushed or impulsive!"

"I know," Feng Xue'er murmured softly. "Although I've rarely encountered the outside world, the memories granted to me by Lord Phoenix God have made me vaguely aware of many things. I know that if a girl marries a man, it's for life... But if it's Brother Yun, wouldn't forever be wonderful?"

"Both Brother Yun and I possess the bloodline and Phoenix Soul bestowed by Lord Phoenix God. Therefore, my soul can clearly feel the warmth his soul brings me. The days I spent with Brother Yun three years ago in Phoenix Perching Valley were the happiest of my life. Brother Yun not only saved my life and awakened my Phoenix Soul for me but also showed me the most beautiful side of the world. Moreover, my soul can feel that there could never be another person in this world who could give me this feeling."

"Just like yesterday, when I saw Brother Yun again—that was a tremendous joy I had never, ever experienced before."

"So, if this is the atonement, I'm truly willing to atone like this for my entire life."

Feng Xue'er spoke, then murmured, and then couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. The moment her smile bloomed, the previously solemn hall instantly grew warm.

Cang Yue's expression was somewhat complex, but it lasted only a brief moment. She glanced gently at Yun Che, then smiled warmly again. She could see that Feng Xue'er harbored subtle feelings for Yun Che that went beyond gratitude, but she hadn't expected them to be so profound and pure. Perhaps, for Feng Xue'er, with her supremely pure heart, Yun Che's appearance was entirely captivating.

A deep sense of powerlessness washed over Feng Hengkong's face and entire body. Phoenix Souls were originally one and would instinctively attract each other. He preferred to attribute all of this to the mutual attraction of the Phoenix Souls within their bodies.

"Xue'er..." Feng Hengkong spoke, his voice tinged with helplessness and a touch of sorrow. "Do you remember what your imperial father told you after you returned from Lord Phoenix God's side when you were thirteen?"

"I remember," Feng Xue'er nodded gently without hesitation. "Imperial father admonished Xue'er not to leave Divine Phoenix City before turning seventeen, and not to have contact with anyone outside of close family. Before twenty, I was not to leave the Divine Phoenix Nation, and after twenty, I was to begin experiencing and understanding the world with my own eyes."

Feng Hengkong nodded slightly. Only when facing Feng Xue'er did the warmth in his eyes lack any impurity. "Xue'er, you grew up by Lord Phoenix God's side; you are too pure and kind. Although your imperial father wishes to protect you for life, you will eventually grow up, and in the future, you will even bear the responsibility of the entire Divine Phoenix..."

"Therefore, even if your imperial father is reluctant, my protection for you will only last until you are seventeen. After seventeen, your imperial father had originally planned to take you to see all of the Divine Phoenix Nation, to understand the hardships of the human world. By the time you turned twenty, your imperial father would fully let go, allowing you to explore the entire Profound Sky Continent on your own and independently decide everything for yourself."

"However, for these past three years, you have been in a deep slumber. Although you look exactly the same as three years ago, as if you haven't aged at all, you are now nineteen years old. Yet, your imperial father has not been able to show you our Divine Phoenix Empire. In another six months, you will turn twenty."

"Imperial father..." Feng Xue'er murmured softly.

"Although three years were taken from you, your imperial father's words from back then will not be retracted. Once you turn twenty, you can decide everything for yourself, and no one will be able to interfere. Therefore, give yourself, and your imperial father, another six months." Feng Hengkong's eyelids drooped slightly. "During these six months, you will grow, perceive, and understand more things, especially what your feelings for Yun Che truly are."

"If, after six months, your feelings for Yun Che are still the same as today," Feng Hengkong clenched his hands tightly beneath his long sleeves, "then your imperial father will personally arrange it as you wish. Even if the entire sect opposes it, your imperial father will bear the full responsibility. However, if your feelings change by then, you must never force yourself. Your imperial father will also find a way to handle matters with Azure Wind."

"Mmm." Feng Xue'er paused, then finally nodded gently. "Xue'er will listen to imperial father."

"Empress Cang Yue, you have heard. It is not that I and Xue'er are unwilling, but this matter concerns Xue'er's entire life and must be approached with utmost caution. I can entrust Xue'er to Yun Che, not to preserve Divine Phoenix dignity, but because it is Xue'er's heartfelt wish. However, it must be at least six months from now!"

"Very well!" To Feng Hengkong's surprise, Cang Yue did not use this as an opportunity to cause trouble. Instead, she nodded decisively. "Sect Master Feng, your word is as good as gold. With that promise from you, I will consider it agreed! However, I will not give up half a year in vain! Within these six months, while your Divine Phoenix Nation makes its final decision, Feng Xue'er must remain in my Azure Wind Nation! As for you, you may leave at any time!"

Cang Yue spoke with absolute certainty, leaving no room for concession!

Feng Hengkong's brow twitched sharply. Feng Xue'er had grown up by the Phoenix God's side and had never left Divine Phoenix City before yesterday. How could he easily accept leaving her in Azure Wind, especially near the extremely dangerous Yun Che? He was about to issue a strong refusal, but when he looked up, he saw Feng Xue'er's gaze, devoid of anxiety and instead filled with anticipation. His heart immediately softened, and the words caught in his throat were forcibly swallowed back. He turned around and suddenly flew up, soaring out of the hall.

"Yun Che, come with me!"

"Wait for me a moment." Yun Che looked up at Feng Hengkong, nodded to Cang Yue and Feng Xue'er, and then flew out after him.

After flying out of the main hall, Feng Hengkong ascended in a straight line, stopping in front of the Phoenix Divine Ark. He turned around, facing Yun Che, and said with a grim expression, "Yun Che, in my life, I have rarely thanked anyone. But three years ago, I truly thanked you because you risked your life to save Xue'er's! For that alone, if you had still been alive three years ago, I would have given you any reward you desired without hesitation."

"What are you trying to say?" Yun Che asked indifferently.

"However, ever since Xue'er awoke from her three-year coma, I have harbored murderous intent towards you. Now, I hate you to the core!"

"Xue'er grew up by the Phoenix God's side; she barely met her imperial brothers. So, their deaths might not even cause her slight sadness, let alone make her hate you. But those were my own sons! You killed four of my sons; even if I were to grind your bones to dust with my own hands, it wouldn't extinguish the rage in my heart. Yet, even that isn't what I hate most about you. What I hate most is that you actually, actually..."

A strange 'clank' sound escaped Feng Hengkong's mouth. Yun Che could tell it was the sound of at least one tooth being gnashed or broken.

This was Feng Hengkong's true, gnashing hatred for him.

"I feel the same way about you," Yun Che replied coldly.

Feng Hengkong turned away; at least, not looking at Yun Che's face allowed him to slightly control his emotions and hatred. "What I just told Xue'er was not a compromise to preserve Divine Phoenix dignity, nor was it me forgiving you. It was only because Xue'er genuinely has feelings for you. Heh, Empress Cang Yue truly found my weakness. If I were to forcefully object, it would indeed break Xue'er's heart. For Xue'er, I can compromise on anything!"

"Heh, did you call me out here just to tell me how great a father you are?" Yun Che sneered.

Feng Hengkong didn't get angry; instead, his voice softened. "Based solely on you risking your life to save Xue'er, I can at least trust that you won't harm her. Now that Xue'er's Phoenix Soul has awakened, there are very few people in this world who can hurt her. Leaving her in Azure Wind, close to you, perhaps I don't need to worry too much about her safety. It is indeed time for her to get to know this world."

"However, during the time Xue'er stays here, you must promise me one thing!" Feng Hengkong's voice suddenly became stern and forceful. His words clearly implied his agreement to leave Feng Xue'er in Azure Wind for the next six months.

"Tell me," Yun Che replied.

"Given Xue'er's pure heart, her feelings for you should not change negatively after six months. This half-year is primarily for my sect to have time to react. In the future, I might marry Xue'er to you, but before Xue'er's power fully awakens, you absolutely must not defile her Phoenix God's Body! You should know that doing so would severely hinder her power's awakening!" Feng Hengkong said sternly, his back to Yun Che.

Yun Che raised an eyebrow, then said faintly, "Rest assured, although the fate of the Divine Phoenix Sect has nothing to do with me, I would not do anything that would destroy Xue'er's future."

"Good, I can trust you." Despite his intense hatred for Yun Che, Feng Hengkong could not doubt Yun Che's cherishment of Feng Xue'er, given that he was willing to risk his own life to save her.

"But I also have something you must remember," Yun Che said coldly. "Even if I am with Xue'er in the future, I will never call you 'imperial father'!"

Feng Hengkong's body stiffened slightly. He said nothing more, stepping through the air towards the Phoenix Divine Ark.

Standing before the Ark's entrance, he halted his heavy footsteps, then swung his arm back and threw a red jade stone towards Yun Che. Yun Che raised his hand and caught it, feeling a scorching sensation emanate from his palm.

"With this Phoenix Stone, you can transmit messages to me three times within a range of 300,000 li. Within these six months, if Xue'er encounters any danger or unforeseen circumstances..."

The Ark's entrance fully opened. Feng Hengkong said nothing further but stepped inside. Only after entering the profound ark did he finally turn around, his eyes meeting Yun Che's.

"Are you leaving without saying goodbye to Xue'er?" Yun Che asked, putting away the Phoenix Stone.

"No matter how reluctant one is, a daughter must eventually marry," Feng Hengkong murmured, his brows furrowed in a daze, unsure if he was speaking to Yun Che or to himself. "It's for the best, at least it's much better than someone like Ye Xinghan."

The Ark's entrance fully closed, and the Phoenix Divine Ark soared into the sky, instantly shooting off towards the horizon. A powerful wave of air immediately swept through the Azure Wind Imperial Palace.