Chapter 856: Cloud Family Visitor

After returning to Demon Imperial City with the group who had arrived in the Illusionary Demon Realm for the first time, Xiao Yun and Tianxia Diyi immediately headed for the Yun Family.

The Yun Family had received word in advance, and Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou were already waiting at the main gate.

Seeing Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou's eagerly waiting figures from afar, Xiao Yun sprinted over and knelt heavily to the ground. "Father, Mother, your son has returned," he said.

Tianxia Diyi followed closely, bowing as he said, "Patriarch Yun, Madam Yun, my apologies for not greeting you sooner."

Yun Qinghong smiled and nodded, reaching out to help Xiao Yun up. His gentle gaze swept over the unfamiliar faces behind them and the dazzlingly beautiful Ice Palace maidens. Just as he was about to ask, he suddenly heard Mu Yurou anxiously inquire, "Yun'er, where's Che'er? Didn't he come back with you? And the Little Demon Empress... has she returned to the Imperial Palace?"

"Father, Mother, regarding Elder Brother and the Little Demon Empress..." Although Xiao Yun had prepared his words on the way, facing Mu Yurou's concerned gaze, he still felt flustered. He swallowed nervously before forcing himself to speak casually. "Actually, Elder Brother sustained some injuries before returning. So, after they returned, the Little Demon Empress took him to the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley to seek the Golden Crow Divine Spirit for healing."

"Ah!!" Mu Yurou gasped. Her face, filled with expectation and joy, instantly turned to panic. She immediately gripped Xiao Yun's arm, her knuckles turning white from gripping so tightly. "Che'er... how did he get hurt... Is it serious... Who hurt him... What exactly happened to him..."

"I... Elder Brother..." Xiao Yun was terrible at lying, especially when facing his closest and most respected mother. He was at a loss for words, stammering and unable to form a complete sentence.

"Yurou, there's no need to worry." Yun Qinghong smiled calmly and patted Mu Yurou's shoulder. "You're truly distraught with worry. Have you forgotten that Che'er not only possesses exceptional medical skills, but also has an extraordinary physique, allowing even severe injuries to heal quickly? Even if his injuries are particularly severe this time, hasn't the Little Demon Empress already personally taken him to the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley? With the Golden Crow Divine Spirit's power, no matter how severe the injuries, he will surely recover safely."

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Xiao Yun eagerly nodded in agreement. "Although Elder Brother's injuries this time are... a little bit serious, once he's with the Golden Crow Divine Spirit, he'll definitely get better right away, so Mother doesn't need to worry at all. Perhaps Elder Brother will be back safe and sound tomorrow."

Yun Qinghong's words finally eased Mu Yurou's panicked heart somewhat. "Yes... the Golden Crow Divine Spirit values Che'er so much, it surely won't hold back its divine power. Che'er will definitely be safe and sound."

"Haha, that's natural." Yun Qinghong nodded with a smile, but at the same time, a hint of gravity flashed in the depths of his eyes.

He was well aware of Yun Che's extraordinary recovery abilities... but this time, his injuries were so severe that he couldn't even return home and had to go straight to the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley.

The injuries he sustained this time must be extremely perilous...

What exactly happened on the Profound Sky Continent?

"Oh, right! Father, Mother, I found Grandfather on the Profound Sky Continent."

Xiao Yun quickly went to Xiao Lie's side, helping him walk forward, and said to Yun Qinghong and Mu Yurou, "He is my biological grandfather, and he is also the one who raised Elder Brother to adulthood. Grandfather, these are my parents in the Illusionary Demon Realm. They raised me for over twenty years, treating me as their own son. In my heart, I have always considered them my true parents."

Xiao Lie looked them over, then slightly bowed. "Forgive my intrusion," he said. "For your kindness in raising Yun'er, I, Xiao Lie, can never repay it in this lifetime."

Xiao Lie's voice fell, but there was no response for a long time. The moment Xiao Yun revealed his identity, Yun Qinghong's whole body trembled. He froze like a statue, staring blankly at Xiao Lie, his eyes trembling, followed by his entire body beginning to tremble slightly.

"Father?" Xiao Yun looked at Yun Qinghong, who seemed to have suddenly lost his soul, with confusion.

Thud!!

Yun Qinghong knelt heavily to the ground, kneeling before Xiao Lie.

"Father!!" Xiao Yun was greatly startled.

"Ah! Pat... Patriarch!!" The Yun Family elders and disciples behind him also turned pale with shock.

Xiao Lie also stepped back half a step in surprise, then quickly reached out to help him up. "This... what are you doing... you mustn't do this!" he exclaimed.

But despite his utmost effort, Yun Qinghong remained deeply knelt, unmoving. Beside him, Mu Yurou also knelt down with him, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Senior Xiao..." As Yun Qinghong spoke, tears streamed from his tiger-like eyes. "I, Yun Qinghong, have wronged you... It was my fault that Brother Xiao Ying died young. It was my fault that your family was torn apart, with loved ones separated for over twenty years... Yet you bore no hatred or resentment, and instead treated Che'er as your own flesh and blood, painstakingly raising him for over a decade, allowing my family to finally reunite..."

"Even if I, Yun Qinghong, were to live ten lives, I could not atone for my guilt towards you, nor could I repay your immense kindness..."

When he first learned from Yun Che that Xiao Ying had died over twenty years ago, he was heartbroken. The boundless gratitude and endless guilt he felt towards Xiao Ying had formed a deep knot in his heart. Now, upon seeing Xiao Lie, all the emotions accumulated in his heart burst forth like a mountain flood. This Yun Family Patriarch, revered and admired by so many, wept like a child before this seemingly frail old man.

Mu Yurou wept with him. She clearly understood the suppressed pain in his heart, and now, before Xiao Ying's father, he could finally release it all.

Xiao Lie's eyes also grew moist. Before him was the patriarch of the Illusionary Demon Realm's top family, a position comparable to the supreme sacred grounds of the Profound Sky Continent. Yet such a person was kneeling before him, an utterly ordinary old man, in front of everyone... This bond of friendship was as weighty as ten thousand mountains. He finally understood completely why his son, Xiao Ying, had been willing to go to such lengths for him back then.

"Get up... quickly, get up," Xiao Lie said with tears in his eyes, trying repeatedly to help them both up. "What happened back then was never your fault, and you don't owe us anything. My son, Xiao Ying, died for friendship, without regret, and I have never held any hatred or resentment towards you. Now, both Yun'er and Che'er have grown into adults and achieved remarkable things. Let all the past become like smoke and clouds; why dwell on it in your heart?"

Not only did he show no blame or resentment, but he even earnestly urged Yun Qinghong not to be consumed by self-reproach. Yun Qinghong was overcome with emotion, unable to speak through his sobs, and heavily kowtowed to Xiao Lie.

The Yun Family members behind them finally understood that the person Yun Qinghong was kneeling to was none other than the one who had raised Yun Che on the Profound Sky Continent. They ceased their commotion at once, and each one felt profound respect.

"Senior Xiao," Yun Qinghong declared, his words resolute, "Xiao Ying and I are brothers. Xiao Ying's father is therefore my father, Yun Qinghong's father. My biological father was harmed by villains and passed away, leaving me unable to fulfill my filial duties. From now on, you are my father, Yun Qinghong's father, and I, Yun Qinghong, am your son... Should I ever be unfilial, heaven and earth shall not tolerate me!"

"Father, please accept your son's bow." Yun Qinghong's expression was solemn, and he deeply bowed with Mu Yurou beside him.

Although Yun Qinghong was much older than Xiao Lie, this scene held no discord whatsoever and brought tears to the eyes of almost everyone present.

Xiao Lie was already weeping profusely. He did not decline Yun Qinghong's intention, accepted the couple's bow, then reached out to help them up. "Good, good children, please get up..." he said.

This time, Yun Qinghong finally allowed himself to be helped up.

"This is wonderful!" Xiao Yun's nose stung. "Father, wherever he is now, must also be very happy and relieved... Oh, right, besides Grandfather, I also have my paternal aunt."

"Father, Mother, this is my paternal aunt, her name is Xiao Lingxi," Xiao Yun said, pointing to Xiao Lingxi.

"You child, so disrespectful, calling an elder by her given name!" Yun Qinghong wiped away his tears and playfully scolded Xiao Yun, then said warmly to Xiao Lingxi, "Miss Xiao, Che'er often mentioned you, saying you looked after him a lot since he was little. My gratitude is beyond words. From now on, you are my own sister, Yun Qinghong's sister. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to ask your elder brother."

Meeting Yun Che's biological parents for the first time, Xiao Lingxi was already extremely nervous and had just managed to figure out how to greet them. Yun Qinghong's declaration, "From now on, you are my own sister, Yun Qinghong's sister," completely bewildered her. Her beautiful eyes widened, her mind in a turmoil, she didn't know whether to accept or decline, and stammered, unable to speak.

A woman's unique intuition allowed Mu Yurou to discern a subtle hint from Xiao Lingxi's reaction. She smiled, stepped forward, and affectionately took Xiao Lingxi's hand, then shot Yun Qinghong a stern glare. "Look at you," she chided. "She's still just a young girl, and you, an old man, immediately want to recognize her as your sister! You're making the young lady sound old."

Looking at Xiao Lingxi, Mu Yurou's expression immediately softened. "Lingxi, don't mind him. From now on, just treat this place as your own home. If you need anything, just tell me; don't be a stranger. As for what to call us, if you like to call me 'older sister,' then do so. If you prefer 'aunt,' then call me 'aunt.' There's no need to follow their men's ways."

"Yes... Au... Aunt." With Yun Che's mother holding her hand, Xiao Lingxi became even more nervous and blurted out the title "Aunt" in confusion.

This address made Mu Yurou smile inwardly. At that moment, her gaze suddenly fell upon a girl. She stood quietly, her profound strength rather weak, but her entire being exuded an indescribable grace and nobility. This nobility was certainly not something an ordinary family could cultivate. Among all the women she had met in her life, only the Little Demon Empress had given her a similar feeling.

Newly arrived in this strange world and at the Yun Family, everyone was more or less nervous and reserved. Only she remained as serene as a dream, as elegant as a painting.

"Who is this young lady?" Mu Yurou was momentarily captivated by the sight and blurted out the question.

"Hehe," Tianxia Qiye (Seventh Under Heaven) chimed in, saying with a grin, "Father, Mother, haven't you always been talking about that princess daughter-in-law you haven't met yet? Well, she's standing right in front of you now."

"Ah... could it be, she is..." Mu Yurou exclaimed in surprise. Yun Qinghong's gaze also immediately fell on Cang Yue, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

Cang Yue stepped forward and bowed gracefully. "Your daughter-in-law, Cang Yue, greets Father and Mother," she said.

Finally seeing the daughter-in-law they had longed for day and night, Mu Yurou quickly stepped forward to help Cang Yue up and looked her over repeatedly, too excited to know what to do. "Good child..." she said. "Look at me, as a mother, I even forgot to prepare a welcome gift..."

"It's fine, we can make up for the welcome gift later. Mother, let me tell you a secret," Tianxia Qiye giggled. "Sister-in-law isn't just a princess anymore; she's the female emperor of Cang Yue Nation, renowned throughout the entire Profound Sky Continent—absolutely amazing."

"Hahahahaha!" Yun Qinghong burst into laughter and sincerely exclaimed, "As expected of the woman Che'er chose! Che'er is truly blessed."

"On your wedding day, we, as your parents, couldn't be there... Child, you've truly been wronged," Mu Yurou said, looking at Cang Yue with great affection. The more she looked, the more she felt Cang Yue was one in ten thousand, a rarity even in the heavens.

Cang Yue gently shook her head. "To be able to marry my husband is the greatest fortune of my life, Cang Yue. How could I feel wronged in the slightest? Finally seeing Father and Mother today has fulfilled a great wish of mine. From now on, my husband and I will serve and honor you well."

"What a good child." Mu Yurou's eyes welled up with tears of joy, but she didn't forget there were other guests. She looked at the Ice Cloud women behind Cang Yue. Even with all her experience, she had never seen so many women of such stunning beauty and remarkable temperament all at once. The sight made her somewhat dizzy, and she hesitantly asked, "Are all these... Che'er's concubines?"

Although the number seemed a bit exaggerated, since his main wife was an emperor, perhaps having a few thousand concubines wasn't too outlandish. After all, wasn't there always the saying of "three thousand beauties in the imperial harem"?