Chapter 871: Xiao Yun's Son (Part 2)

Xiao Yun and Tianxia Qiyi brought the child to Xiao Lie. "Grandpa, please name this child," Xiao Yun said.

Xiao Lie reached out, gently touching the infant's tiny hand, but he did not pick the child up, fearing he might disturb this little being who had just escaped a nightmare. Suppressing his tears, he slowly said, "Years ago, I named your father Xiao Ying, hoping he would soar the skies like an eagle, majestic and powerful in all directions. But I never imagined he would leave us so young."

"Through half a lifetime of ups and downs, and half a century of vicissitudes, I have finally seen and understood many things clearly. For this child... I do not ask for any achievements or fame when he grows up. I only wish for him to live a life of peace and safety, free from disaster or harm. Let's name him Yong'an."

"Yong'an..." Xiao Yun murmured, then nodded with great force. "Yes, Yong'an it is."

"Child, did you hear? Your name is Yong'an." Tianxia Qiyi held the baby tightly. Although she had stopped sobbing, her tears continued to flow uncontrollably.

"Xiao Yong'an, what a wonderful name," Yun Qinghong said with a smile. "As the saying goes, 'survive a great disaster, and good fortune will follow.' Yong'an faced calamity as soon as he was born, yet he bravely pulled through. From now on, his good fortune will surely be boundless."

"Yes, he truly is tenacious," Yun Che nodded approvingly. "The devil energy that invaded his body was more than I expected. During the purification process, my biggest concern was whether he could endure until the energy was completely cleansed. But he was remarkable... it took three hours, double the time I had estimated, yet he persevered with incredible resilience."

This heartfelt praise, coming from Yun Che no less, brought tears of excitement to Xiao Yun's eyes. Tianxia Qiyi's tear-streaked face showed a deep sense of pride as she held the child tightly, unwilling to let go for even a moment.

"Hahahahaha..." Tianxia Xiongtu threw his head back and laughed. "I was terrified of Xuanyuan Wentian before; thinking of him still makes me tremble. But... if even a newborn child can defeat his power, what reason do I have to fear him now?! If he dares to come again, I'll risk my life to ensure he never returns!"

"Hahaha, well said, Brother Tianxia!" Yun Qinghong also burst into laughter. "Yong'an has set a remarkable example for us. What is there to fear from Xuanyuan Wentian now! Brother Tianxia, please stay today, and our two families shall drink to our hearts' content. As for preparing for battle, we can discuss that tomorrow!"

"Excellent!" Tianxia Xiongtu readily agreed.

Xiao Yong'an's rebirth after calamity swept away the gloom that had enveloped the Yun family, replacing it with an almost overflowing atmosphere of joyful excitement. Even the heavy shadow left by Xuanyuan Wentian seemed to have vanished like smoke.

As the head of the Twelve Guardian Families, the change in the Yun family's mood subtly dispelled much of the gloom throughout Demon Imperial City.

However, after the initial euphoria, as calm returned, they still had to confront the immense fear of Xuanyuan Wentian... a potentially devastating disaster that could strike at any moment.

Over a dozen days passed. Yun Che's injuries had fully healed, and the Little Demon Empress's and Feng Xue'er's injuries were also mostly recovered. Post-disaster work in Demon Imperial City was largely complete. Led by the Twelve Families, Demon Imperial City began preparing for the crisis that could arrive at any time... the terrifying shadow Xuanyuan Wentian had cast that day left them no room for negligence or complacency.

Powerful cultivators from across the Illusory Demon Realm, whether by summons or by choice, began gathering in Demon Imperial City, preparing to collectively resist Xuanyuan Wentian. After all, if Demon Imperial City were destroyed, the entire Illusory Demon Realm would crumble.

The three Grand Elders—Yun He, Yun Jiang, and Yun Xi—who sacrificed their lives resisting Xuanyuan Wentian had all been buried. Yun family disciples doubled their daily training time and intensity. After the joy brought by Xiao Yong'an's birth gradually subsided, the Yun family and the entire Demon Imperial City became enveloped in an increasingly heavy atmosphere of tension.

This was because Demon Imperial City was facing the most terrifying crisis in its history, far surpassing the Duke Huai rebellion. If they could not withstand it, Demon Imperial City would cease to exist... this was no exaggeration.

Every day, Yun Qinghong left home to discuss countermeasures with the various family heads and dukes. Yun Che didn't need to ask for the outcome; he knew from Yun Qinghong's expression that they were unable to find a truly effective strategy. After all, Xuanyuan Wentian's power was too terrifying; in the face of such overwhelming strength, strategies, profound artifacts, and sheer numbers seemed utterly pale and ineffective.

Moreover, as someone who had directly confronted Xuanyuan Wentian, Yun Che understood his terror more clearly than anyone else.

Yun Che sat on the highest rooftop of the Yun family, his gaze calm as he silently watched the distance. He had been in this position for most of the morning. Just then, the Little Demon Empress, her colorful robes fluttering, gracefully appeared beside him. Her face was cold as she asked, "When do you plan to return to the Demon Imperial Palace?"

Yun Che turned his head, smiling. "Caiyi, is it true that if you don't see me for an hour, you'll be too preoccupied with missing me to eat or sleep?"

"Hmph!" The Little Demon Empress scoffed. "Don't forget, you are now a member of my Demon Emperor Clan. Since you've returned, you naturally should reside in the Demon Imperial Palace."

"I know," Yun Che said, his face full of helplessness. "But my mother is always reluctant to let me leave."

"You're afraid your Empress wife and Xue'er will be jealous, aren't you!" After saying this, the Little Demon Empress unconsciously averted her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

"Uh..." Yun Che took the Little Demon Empress's hand and gently pulled, bringing her soft, delicate body into his embrace. "Whether Yue'er and Xue'er get jealous, I don't know, but my Caiyi wife definitely is."

"You..." The Little Demon Empress's eyes flickered with panic, then she stubbornly turned her face away, though she made no strong attempt to break free from Yun Che's embrace.

"Alright, I understand. Starting tomorrow, I'll be at the Yun family during the day, and return to the Demon Imperial Palace at night to be with my Caiyi wife."

Yun Che's gentle whispers softened the Little Demon Empress's body. She whispered, "I just said it casually, you don't have to... force yourself..."

The Little Demon Empress's voice suddenly trembled as she felt Yun Che's hand unexpectedly cover her chest, gently caressing it.

The Little Demon Empress instinctively struggled for a moment, but then immediately softened, allowing him to do as he pleased. Her breathing quickened slightly, and a delicate blush spread across her face.

Yun Che's wrist moved, his hand expertly slipping directly into the Little Demon Empress's colorful robes, unobstructed, enjoying the shape and softness of the snowy skin beneath his palm. He sighed inwardly, amazed that the Celestial Jade Liquid from the Frozen Cloud Asgard was indeed very effective; it could now fill his entire hand!

The Little Demon Empress's compliance only made Yun Che take more liberties. With light movements, he untied the sash of her colorful robe from behind. With a tug, he pulled her dress down to her waist, instantly exposing her jade-white shoulders and delicate breasts to the air.

If they were in the Demon Imperial Palace, she might let Yun Che do as he pleased, but this was the Yun family! A slight chill swept over her snowy skin, and she instantly pushed Yun Che away as if shocked by electricity, hastily pulling her dress back up. Her empress's dignity was completely gone in that moment.

"You... you've been sitting here for a long time. What are you thinking about?" Fearing her reaction might hurt Yun Che's pride, the Little Demon Empress lightly bit her lip and spoke proactively.

"...I'm thinking about the question everyone else is, too: how exactly should we deal with Xuanyuan Wentian if he returns?"

Yun Che let out a small sigh, speaking with some melancholy. "In these past three months, thanks to Xue'er, my profound energy has surged dramatically. The increase is greater than any other time before. I feel as if I've been completely reborn, reaching a realm I never even dreamed of, even gaining a sense of being invincible in the world."

"But... even though my power has grown so much, even if I combine forces with you and Xue'er, we still can't defeat Xuanyuan Wentian."

Yun Che's words made the Little Demon Empress's slightly flushed cheeks grow solemn. She suddenly said, "Yun Che, you must promise me one thing."

Yun Che smiled faintly. "Are you going to tell me that if Xuanyuan Wentian returns to the Illusory Demon Realm, I should use the Primordial Profound Ark to take everyone and escape, leaving only you behind?"

"...Exactly!" The Little Demon Empress nodded emphatically. "That day, Xuanyuan Wentian expended a significant portion of his power to forcefully break through the city's protective formation. Yet, even so, the three of us combined were still no match for him. Although he appeared severely injured, his foundation was completely untouched."

"And before he escaped last time, he clearly stated that in another three months, his devil blood would fully awaken, and by then, his power would reach a so-called 'perfect' state. His demeanor at the time didn't seem like an exaggeration. If all that comes true, then the next time Xuanyuan Wentian appears, he will be even more terrifying than before."

"These past few days, I've also been contemplating ways to deal with Xuanyuan Wentian, but I can't find any viable possibilities. If we stay to resist by force... it would only be a pointless sacrifice! Fleeing is not shameful; it is the wisest choice! Xuanyuan Wentian's power is too abnormal; it must have a bottleneck and immense side effects... If you and Xue'er temporarily retreat, one day, you will surely be able to defeat him!"

"If it's the wisest choice, then of course you must come with us!" Yun Che said, his brows furrowed.

"I cannot leave!" The Little Demon Empress shook her head resolutely. "Don't forget my identity. I am the Demon Emperor of the Illusory Demon Realm, the inheritor of the Demon Emperor lineage's ten-thousand-year will. If I were to flee, I would not only be betraying Demon Imperial City and the Illusory Demon Realm, but also trampling upon the dignity of the Demon Emperor lineage, abandoning its ten-thousand-year will and all its glory!"

"Everyone else should leave this place as soon as possible, rather than wait pointlessly for death. Only I, I can only die in battle; there is no escaping for me!"

"Very well," Yun Che nodded with a smile. "In that case, I will, of course, stay with you."

"Foolish!" The Little Demon Empress retorted with a cold glare. "If you die, who will look after and protect your family and women? Who will defeat Xuanyuan Wentian in the future and save the Illusory Demon Realm from peril!"

The Little Demon Empress's tone softened. She whispered, "Don't forget, I am already a dying person. Even without Xuanyuan Wentian, I have less than two years left to live."

She turned around and softly said, "Yun Che, to be your wife in the last moments of my life has brought me endless contentment. To die in battle, upholding the will and glory of the Demon Emperor, is a better end for me than quietly awaiting death."

"As long as you promise me this... before that day comes, whatever you ask of me, I will do as you wish."

With that, the Little Demon Empress rose into the air and flew far away. As her figure vanished from Yun Che's sight, a soft murmur reached his ear: "When you return to the Demon Imperial Palace, you are permitted to bring your Empress wife and Xue'er with you."

Yun Che: "..."