Chapter 757: Heavenly Sword Mountain Villa's Honored Guest

After three days in Floating Cloud City, Yun Che's injuries and profound energy had completely recovered. On the morning of the fourth day, Yun Che and Feng Xue'er bid farewell to Xiao Lingxi and the others before piloting the Primordial Profound Ark towards the Blue Wind Imperial City. They intended to stay there for two days before returning to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace.

Meanwhile, Number One Under Heaven remained in Floating Cloud City, dedicating himself to watching over Number Seven Under Heaven's safety every day, fearful of any mishap.

The Primordial Profound Ark traversed space, arriving above the Blue Wind Imperial City in an instant.

Three months was not enough time for the Blue Wind Imperial Family to fully recover and find peace after the war, but the atmosphere had changed dramatically. After learning that Yun Che had a "mysterious master" behind him, one who had almost terrified the Sun Moon Divine Hall, Feng Hengkong's actions shifted from mere compensation to clear gestures of goodwill. Over the course of two months, he not only actively dispatched more Divine Phoenix Army troops to aid Blue Wind but also sent a total of eighty thousand jin of purple crystals to the Blue Wind Imperial Family in three separate installments.

While eighty thousand jin of purple crystals was negligible compared to the hundred jin of Purple Vein Divine Crystal they had "stolen" from Blue Wind, it was still a vast amount of wealth and resources. Furthermore, it sent a clear signal of "goodwill" towards Blue Wind to everyone. Coupled with the earlier rumors that the Divine Phoenix Nation had left Princess Snow in Blue Wind, the other five Heavenly Profound Nations grew even more anxious. Envoys, and even their monarchs, visited every few days, bringing gifts, their demeanor as humble as if they were addressing the Divine Phoenix Nation itself.

When Yun Che and Feng Xue'er arrived at the Blue Wind Imperial City, Cang Yue was reviewing reports on reconstruction and civilian resettlement and relief efforts across Blue Wind. With Yun Che back, all matters would naturally be handled with greater ease.

"Husband, you've returned at a perfect time. I have something important to tell you."

Although she spoke of "important matters," a mischievous glint flickered in her beautiful eyes: "The matter of the Divine Phoenix Nation marrying Sister Xue'er to you was originally a semi-secret, but recently, it has inexplicably become widely known. The other five nations have all received the news. Yesterday, an envoy from the Azure Sea Nation traveled a great distance to propose marrying their Frost Jade Princess to you, to forge an eternal bond of alliance with our Blue Wind Nation."

"Ah?" Feng Xue'er let out a soft murmur, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked at Yun Che.

"Hmm? This... Yue'er, by the look on your face, you haven't already agreed, have you?" Yun Che pressed his nose.

Cang Yue said with a smile, "'Frost Jade Princess' is no ordinary princess. She is the youngest daughter of the current Azure Sea Nation monarch. Though not yet twenty, her beauty is already renowned. Rumor has it that Frost Jade Princess is not only of breathtaking beauty but also possesses unparalleled talent among all the Azure Sea Nation monarch's children. She is also his most beloved child, and within the Azure Sea Nation, she is known as the 'Azure Frost Jade Consort.' Their proactive offer to marry Frost Jade Princess here clearly demonstrates their sincerity."

"Moreover, they brought a portrait of Frost Jade Princess, which I glanced at a few times. Thinking you might like it, I didn't refuse."

Cang Yue, and indeed everyone, clearly understood that the change in the five Heavenly Profound Nations' attitude towards Blue Wind was partly due to the Divine Phoenix Empire, but largely due to Yun Che—the terrifying man who had forced even the Divine Phoenix Nation to yield.

Although his status was merely Blue Wind's Consort during Cang Wanhe's reign, in the eyes of these other monarchs, Yun Che was now undoubtedly the true "monarch" of Blue Wind.

As Cang Yue spoke, she placed a rolled-up, exquisite scroll in front of Yun Che, her phoenix eyes filled with smiles and warmth. She hadn't left the portrait to tease Yun Che or because she couldn't refuse Azure Sea Nation; rather, she genuinely thought he might like it. If he showed even a slight interest, she would agree to the marriage. As for diplomatic relations between the two nations, that was secondary.

"Oh, it's good to be powerful; beautiful princesses just come knocking..." Yun Che groaned inwardly. He took the scroll but didn't open it. Instead, he asked seriously, "Yue'er, is this Frost Jade Princess as beautiful as Xue'er?"

Cang Yue paused, then smiled and shook her head. "Xue'er is a celestial immortal made manifest; her beauty can overshadow the sun and moon. While Frost Jade Princess is indeed a national beauty, how can she possibly compare to Sister Xue'er?"

"Oh!" Yun Che nodded emphatically, then put the scroll down directly. "Then forget it. I couldn't possibly be interested in a woman I haven't even met, let alone marry her... unless she's as beautiful as Xue'er."

"Hee hee..." Feng Xue'er smiled sweetly. "Brother Yun is trying to make me happy again."

Cang Yue reached out and took back the scroll. She said with a smile, "The Azure Sea envoy is still in the city. If you don't like it, husband, I'll really refuse them, won't I?"

"Yes, just refuse them outright. Any reason will do," Yun Che said with a hint of helplessness. Women of even slight power or prominent family background would strenuously object if their husbands wanted to take concubines, yet Cang Yue, now the monarch of Blue Wind, doted on him to no end.

Yun Che suddenly noticed that among the jade slips placed by Cang Yue's hand, the top one was embedded with a cyan eagle emblem. This emblem was clearly the Xiao Sect's unique "Sky Eagle Mark"!

"Have people from the Xiao Sect been here recently?" Yun Che asked, his tone very casual. Their visit was perfectly normal.

"Yes," Cang Yue nodded lightly. "For two months now, people from the Xiao Sect have continuously sought an audience, and each time it was Sect Master Xiao Juetian himself. But my lingering resentment towards them has not faded, so I've never received them. A few days ago, they found a way to send this jade slip, claiming that the entire Xiao Sect would forever pledge loyalty to the Imperial Family and obey any commands."

Considering the three years of the Divine Phoenix invasion, the Xiao Sect had not only shown no resistance and shamelessly bowed down to the Divine Phoenix, but had also offered numerous "tributes" in terms of supplies to the Divine Phoenix Army to help them quickly conquer Blue Wind. Now that the situation had drastically changed, they were naturally extremely terrified, restless every day, and desperately trying to apologize and pledge loyalty.

"Xiao Sect." Yun Che let out a faint, contemptuous smile. But then, he suddenly thought of something, and his smile quickly faded. "What about Heavenly Sword Villa? Have they come recently?"

At the mention of "Heavenly Sword Villa," Cang Yue's phoenix-like face, which had been full of warm smiles, fell slightly. She then slowly shook her head. "No, they haven't. Back then, when Imperial Father was murdered and Blue Wind was on the brink of despair, Heavenly Sword Villa's indifference filled me with anger and resentment, and I swore to 'never forget their betrayal, and forever consider them enemies.' Now that Blue Wind has escaped calamity and been reborn, Heavenly Sword Villa... let's just pretend nothing ever happened, and they never even existed."

Cang Yue's expression and tone were calm, as if she had completely come to terms with the matter. However, her vanished smile still indicated that she had not truly let it go.

Nine times, as empress, she had personally penned pleas for help, begging to the extreme. Even if Heavenly Sword Villa had responded, explaining that they had to betray their trust and refuse for their own self-preservation, she might have slightly accepted it. Instead, her nine pleas were met with nine instances of complete indifference, not even a shred of a reply, as if they already considered the Blue Wind Imperial Family to no longer exist.

That was a kind of anger and humiliation she might never forget.

Three months ago, the Divine Phoenix Army retreated and offered various apologies and compensations to Blue Wind, even actively trying to show goodwill. Yet Heavenly Sword Villa had still never visited the Imperial Family...

"Hmph, that's right, they have no face to come anyway." Yun Che let out a cold laugh, a sinister chill within it that Cang Yue and Feng Xue'er couldn't comprehend. "It's fine if they don't come. I was going to pay them a personal visit anyway... today it is!"

Blue Wind Nation, Heavenly Sword Villa.

Today, the atmosphere at Heavenly Sword Villa was exceptionally solemn because frightfully high-status guests had arrived at the villa.

The arrival of these two individuals caused the sword qi surrounding Heavenly Sword Villa to undergo immense changes.

"To think that both Elders have personally graced my humble villa, I, Yuemeng, am truly overwhelmed with trepidation. Had I known of your arrival earlier, I would have led the entire villa a hundred li to welcome you."

Ling Yuemeng, his posture respectful yet anxious, personally poured tea for the two distinguished guests—a century-old treasured brew called Sword Green Tea, which he usually couldn't bear to drink.

"To think that both Uncles have come, it's truly a pleasant surprise. You didn't notify Yufeng earlier, so my husband and I could have gone to welcome you."

Compared to Ling Yuemeng, Xuanyuan Yufeng was much more at ease. This was because the two distinguished guests who arrived today were indeed her uncles by seniority, and they had cared for and doted on her quite a bit when she was young.

These two individuals looked to be past middle age, but their hair and beards were jet black. The man on the left wore a green robe, was of medium build, and had a kindly smile. The man on the right wore a gray robe, was slightly taller, and had a thick black beard that reached his chest, also with a gentle expression. Solely based on their appearance, they seemed like two amiable middle-aged men. However, Ling Yuemeng, a master of the sword, felt a chilling aura emanating from them. Although they merely sat there, with their profound energy restrained, an invisible sword intent enveloped their surroundings. This sword intent was so immense, vast, and unfathomable, like an endless ocean.

Their eyebrows also slanted sharply upwards, like two keen swords poised to pierce the sky, inspiring awe and fear.

"Heh heh," the green-robed elder said with a faint smile, "The two of us were originally ordered by the Sword Master to go to the Blackfiend Nation, and before our departure, we were also entrusted by the Ninth Elder. After handling the matters in the Blackfiend Nation, we took a detour to come here."

Xuanyuan Yufeng stepped forward and said, "The Sword Master personally gave the command, and both uncles personally went. It must be a matter of great importance. For both uncles to take a detour for my husband and me to handle such important matters, it truly honors us excessively."

The gray-robed elder stroked his long beard and smiled faintly. "No matter. We cannot neglect a request personally made by the Ninth Elder. Yuemeng can now be considered half a person of the Sword Region, and Yufeng even more so. There's no need for you to be so formal, heh heh heh."

"I wonder what instructions my esteemed father-in-law has given for both Elders to personally visit? Yuemeng will surely obey without question," Ling Yuemeng said respectfully. Three years ago, he would certainly not have dared to utter "esteemed father-in-law," but now, he said it quite smoothly.

"It's nothing important." The green-robed elder still wore a placid smile. "The Ninth Elder is very fond of Ling Jie. It's only been less than half a year since he left the Sword Region and returned here, but the Ninth Elder has been thinking of him day and night. He instructed us that when we return after handling the matters in the Blackfiend Nation, we must bring Ling Jie with us on the way."

"If you two have no urgent matters recently, it would be even better if you returned together," the gray-robed elder interjected. "The Ninth Elder rarely smiles on ordinary days, but when he reunites with you, his face always lights up with a big smile."

Ling Yuemeng and Xuanyuan Yufeng exchanged smiles, their faces reflecting joy. Xuanyuan Yufeng's relationship with her father, Xuanyuan Jue, had originally been "severed." However, Xuanyuan Yufeng was, after all, Xuanyuan Jue's only daughter. With time, after his anger subsided, he missed his daughter but couldn't bring himself to back down. But ever since they, husband and wife, returned to the Sword Region with Ling Yun and Ling Jie three years ago, their previously strained relationship began to ease. Moreover, Xuanyuan Jue was extremely fond of Ling Jie. He not only personally guided him in sword cultivation but also generously used a large amount of Sword Region resources on Ling Jie, allowing Ling Jie's profound energy and sword cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds in recent years.

The fact that their relationship with Xuanyuan Jue could ease to this extent in just three years was primarily due to Ling Jie.

Xuanyuan Yufeng's face was wreathed in smiles. Just as she was about to respond, a low voice, like muffled thunder, suddenly pierced the air from outside.

"Xuanyuan Yufeng, get out here!!"