by Mars Gravity
In this entire process, the current Patriarch Yun Qinghong had the least attention paid to him. No one asked him for his opinion and no one cared about his feelings… because even though he was the Patriarch, he had long ago become a useless cripple whom even a beggar could ignore… because at least a beggar could still move under his own power.
The suggestion that Yun Xinyue should become the new Patriarch was met with raucous approval from the entire Yun Clan, and there was not a word that was said in opposition. And the one who had given this suggestions, who had brought it to conclusion was Duke Hui Ye himself, so it was hard for anyone to feel that it was inappropriate. In fact, given the current situation, forget about shouting out one’s objections, those present would hardly even dare to express their objection in any way.
However, as everyone was on the verge of witnessing the fall of the old Patriarch and the beginning of the inauguration of the new Patriarch, there was one ‘unenlightened’ person who stood up.
“I have an objection!”
These four bland words utilized the power of profound energy to possess an extremely strong penetrating effect. And amidst the noisy environment, it was clearly transmitted into everyone’s ears, and even caused the great clamor to instantly die down. All eyes turned at the same time to the origin of that voice.
Yun Che stood up and unhurriedly strode forward five paces. He gave a faint smile to Duke Hui Ye and Yun Waitian, whom he faced, while he exposed himself to the gaze of the crowd at the same time.
Yun Che had, after all, stayed with the Yun Family for two months. Even though a large proportion of the Yun Family had never seen him, they had all heard that Yun Che had become Yun Qinghong’s godson… It was just that the godson of a crippled Patriarch was simply not enough to draw the attention of those within the Yun Family. For him to step out all of sudden and say those four earth-shattering words, ‘I have an objection’, caused everyone to be stunned in place. Following that however, the gazes filled with shock were increasingly replaced by gazes filled with mockery and no small amount of schadenfreude.
“Who the hell is this kid?”
“He has an objection? Heh, what does he mean? Who does he think he is? Who does he think the people who are standing in front of him are?”
“Oh, this seems to be the god-son of Yun Qinghong. Could it be that this person is some sort of retard?”
“Peh, perhaps he just wants to steal some of the limelight. Heh heh, speaking out is easy, but let’s see how you handle the fallout now… It’s time to watch a show!”
As for Duke Hui Ye, the branch of the Royal Family he was from was extremely formidable and it was public knowledge that it rivaled the power that the Little Demon Empress held. Even the stately Great Elder of the Yun Family had to be polite and respectful to young duke and would not dare show any sign of slighting him. Even those who had never heard of Duke Hui Ye before, would still understand what kind of background he had. So when he asked if ‘anyone had any objections’, no one thought that someone would actually really step forward. This was undoubtedly a rude slap delivered to Duke Hui Ye’s face.
“Big… Big Brother!” Yun Xiao cried in alarm has he moved forward to drag Yun Che back. Yun Qinghong extended his hand to block him, after which, he silently shook his head.
“Oh?” Duke Hui Ye had also naturally did not expect that there was someone who was willing to sing a different tune; moreover this was after the entire Yun Family had recognized the proposal that he made. He turned around and casually measured Yun Che with his eyes. In a voice that contained only amusement and no anger, he said, “And you are?”
Yun Waitian fixed his eyes upon Yun Che and his brows wrinkled up. Then, he continued by saying, “Your Highness Hui Ye, this person is actually not part of our Yun Family. Moreover, he is only a foster son who was taken in two months ago by Yun Qinghong. We also have no idea where this fellow came from, but Duke Hui Ye, please do not bother with what he is saying.”
At this point in time, Yun Waitian had abandoned even addressing Yun Qinghong as ‘Patriarch’ and directly called him ‘Yun Qinghong’.
“Foster son?” Duke Hui Ye faintly narrowed his eyes, “This is truly strange, this king has never heard of someone from the Yun Family taking in a foster child. For Patriarch Yun to have set such a precedent, it seems that this foster son of Patriarch Yun must truly possess some exceedingly extraordinary qualities.”
“You flatter me.” Yun Che said laughingly. He stayed perfectly composed in the face of Duke Hui Ye’s mighty aura, as though he wasn’t even facing someone who stood at the peak of the Illusory Demon Realm, but rather a peer who couldn’t be any more ordinary: “I am only a nobody, so Duke Hui Ye obviously does not recognize me. Even though I am not a member of the Yun Family, my surname is also Yun, with my name being Che.”
“Yun Che!” Yun Waitian deeply uttered: “Today is a major event for our Yun Family. Whether or not your surname is Yun has no meaning, for you are still just an outsider who has no right to butt into our Yun Family affairs. Apologize to Duke Hui Ye immediately for your offense, then scram… Or else, even that godfather of yours would not be able to protect you!”
Yun Family’s Great Elder berated so angrily, and even caused the rest of the young generation to end up trembling with fear while drenched in sweat. However, Yun Che merely gave him an indifferent glance, and said without a change in expression: “I, Yun Che, am not a member of the Yun Family, nor am I a citizen of Demon Imperial City. I’ve only arrived at Demon Imperial City two months ago, and just happened to save Yun Xiao from ambush outside the city. Yun Xiao and I were compatible, so we became sworn brothers. Since I saved his son, the Yun Patriarch accepted me as his adoptive son… Since I have become the Patriarch’s godchild, then I can be considered to be a half member of the Yun Family. If you want to talk about outsiders, I believe that this Duke Hui Ye should be the true outsider, right? If an outsider could decide the Yun Family’s succession of Patriarch with a few words, then why do I, a half ‘insider’, not have the right to speak up?”
Once Yun Che’s words came out, Yun Xiao instantly broke into cold sweat, while those elder-class characters who were a few hundred years old were all struck dumb into speechlessness.
Chapter 518: World-shaking
“Insolence!!!”
Yun Che’s words stunned everyone present. Yun Waitian became angry and bellowed: “Insolent brat, how dare you offend His Highness Hui Ye! If it were not for Yun Qinghong, based on those words you said, I would’ve personally give you a few tight slaps.”
Yun Ched willfully laughed, showing no signs of panic: “Great Elder’s anger is truly great, did I say anything wrong? This duke who is completely unrelated to the Yun Family can bother with your Yun Family affairs, but I, a half member of the Yun Family, cannot? Furthermore, the person who asked if there were any objections seemed to be that duke as well.”
Seeing that Yu Che did not back off, and instead continue, caused Yun Waitian to laugh in anger: “His Highness Hui Ye is a duke, and his words are like gold, enlightening us, the Yun Family about the matter of the next Patriarch. Who are you to compare to yourself to His Highness Hui Ye? If there were any objections, my Yun Family Elder Council would object. Since when was it your turn, you ridiculous little thing, hurry up and scram! If you are to say another word…”
“Ahh~” Duke Hui Ye lifted up his hand to stop Yun Waitian from speaking, his facing still maintaining its calm. He did not seem even a bit angry… However, a brat whose background was unknown, who was only at the Sky Profound Realm was indeed not even fit to cause him to become angry. If he were really to become angry, others would find it weird instead. He laughed and said: “Great Elder doesn’t have to get angry. Changing Patriarchs is a huge matter. Someone having an objection is just normal. Even though Yun Che is not a member of the Yun Family, he’s still the godson of the current Patriarch. Saying that he is half a Yun Family member is indeed not too much. Furthermore, his godfather
would be the one that is giving up his position; for him to have something to say is normal. Why not let us listen to what he has to say.”
“Your Highness, I heard that this brat came from the Southern Borders to Demon Imperial City two months ago. There are not many people from the Yun Family that knows him. There is no need for a man with such high status as you to listen to rubbish from a brat.” Yun Waitian said.
“No, no,” Duke Hui Ye shook his head: “Letting Xinyue succeed as Patriarch is not something your Yun Family decided, but something this king suggested, and what Yun Che said was not wrong. This king is still an outsider and something an outsider suggested leading to objections is something normal. Furthermore, this Yun Che is the godson of the current Patriarch. If he were to be really chased away by you like this, wouldn’t it seem as though this king is narrow-minded, bullying others with authority and cannot take ‘objections’?”
Clap, clap, clap…
A loud applause started, and as Yun Che clapped, he praised loudly: “No wonder you’re a duke. Such magnanimity and boldness is indeed commendable, unlike some others who lived a few hundred years for nothing, you’re much stronger.”
“YOU!” Yun Waitian instantly flew into a rage. Him offending Duke Hui Ye in public could be understood as being ignorant and rash, but his last phrase was obviously criticizing him. However, after he said “YOU”, he did not continue, but instead laughed coldly. He thought that with his status, flying into a rage because of a junior in public was just embarrassing himself. Furthermore, him offending Duke Hui Ye would obviously not do him any good.
This Duke Hui Ye was definitely not some kind and magnanimous person.
“Is he really the youth that saved Number Seven that day?” On his seat, Unparalleled Under Heaven looked at Yun Che and asked.
“Yes, it’s him.” Number One Under Heaven nodded.
“This youngster is a bit reckless.” Unparalleled Under Heaven said.
Number One Under Heaven thought for a while, before replying: “Even though I only met him once, he doesn’t seem to be a rash and thoughtless person.”
“Haha.” Unparalleled Under Heaven laughed slightly as he turned his attention to Yun Qinghong, then thoughtfully said: “If he really is someone Yun Qinghong made godson, then he’s definitely not simple. Your father has more than once said that even though Yun Qinghong is completely crippled, he is not a person to be looked down upon. Even though the current Yun Family seems as though the control is with Yun Waitian, it’s only a superficial view. Your father and I strongly believe that it is not possible for Yun Qinghong to not have backups… If Yun Qinghong is willing to accept this child as his godson, this child is definitely not normal.”
Number One Under Heaven: “…”
“This king has said before that this king does not want to hear any useless rubbish.” Duke Hui Ye narrowed his eyes and looked at Yun Che with a playful glance. That glance was like someone getting interested in a toy: “You said that you had objections, that means you don’t agree on Yun Xinyue becoming the next Patriarch. Then, let us know the reason why, or you could suggest someone who is more suitable to become Patriarch. If your reason is reasonable or that everyone agrees with you, then it would be the best. Otherwise, if your words were merely objecting for the sake of objecting… Heh, for such a huge matter being treated as a farce by you, let’s not say the Yun Family, but even this king would likely get angry.”
As Duke Hui Ye finished speaking, a sense of dismay was released, causing the younger disciples on the seats to shudder. Duke Hui Ye was a part of the “Illusory Demons Seven Scions”, and his strength didn’t need to be questioned. Being born in the royal family, his innate and acquired royal aura was not something that an ordinary person can withstand.
Yun Che was unfazed as he said: “I am half a Yun Family member. Naturally, everything I say and do is for the sake of the Yun Family. The Patriarch is the most important leader of the family, the choice of Patriarch affects the future of the entire family. It’s not a matter where even a little negligence can be allowed. When choosing the Patriarch, although strength is important, it is not the most important. Instead, the most important is personality and character… Duke Hui Ye, on this point, I’m sure you agree as well.”
Duke Hui Ye smiled slightly and said: “Of course. However, from what you said, are you questioning Yun Xinyue’s character? From what this king knows, not only is Yun Xinyue a gifted talent, his character is flawless. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be no one disagreeing with the proposition of Yun Xinyue as the next Patriarch. Do you mean that the understanding of him from the clan members who stayed with him for tens of years is inferior to you, an outsider who has only been in Demon Imperial City for two months?”
Yun Che laughed strangely and said thoughtfully: “Everyone knows, that in this world, the hardest thing to see clearly is the human heart. I said before, the reason I had become Yun Qinghong’s godson was because when I first arrived in Demon Imperial City, I had saved his son Yun Xiao. That day, other than Yun Xiao, Under Heaven Clan’s princess, Number Seven Under Heaven, was attacked as well. Yun Xiao and Number Seven Under Heaven were both direct descendants of their Patriarch, the news of them being attacked together is not something trivial and I’m sure everyone present has heard of this news.”
“This king has indeed heard of it, but does this have anything to do with whether Yun Xinyue can become the next Patriarch?” Duke Hui Ye asked with a slight smile.
“Yes, of course it does, and it’s even greatly related!” Yun Che did not stop and continued. His words caused the brows of Yun Qinghong, who was sitting on the wheelchair, to knit closely together. His gaze was cold… but it all dissipated quickly.
“Number Seven Under Heaven and Yun Xiao were attacked together, and the attacks were very vicious. It was obvious the motive was to kill them. That way, the Under Heaven Patriarch would undoubtedly rage and investigate his matter thoroughly. Yun Xiao’s Uncle, Senior Mu would also meddle in this matter, but Yun Family’s actions… Heh, it doesn’t matter if we don’t talk about it. However, the three black-clothed man who attacked Yun Xiao and Number Seven Under Heaven did not reveal their profound skills. Therefore, it was exceptionally difficult to track their identities. Now, two months have passed, and whether it’s the Under Heaven Family or Senior Mu, they did not uncover anything…”
“What exactly is your point!” Yun Waitian impatiently bellowed: “This is my Yun Family’s Great Assembly, we’re not here to listen to your rubbish!”
“Great Elder, calm down. The main point is coming.” Yun Che said neither quickly or slowly: “Yun Xiao is my sworn brother. Him being attacked, Yun Family can ignore it, treat as though nothing happened but I, as his big brother, cannot. In these two months, I kept trying to find out who was it that tried to assassinate Yun Xiao and the Under Heaven Family Princess. Lucky for him, a while back, I finally figured out the identity of one of the culprits.”
From the seats, the faces of Number One Under Heaven and Unparalleled Under Heaven Changed instantly as their gaze became serious. Two months ago, Number Seven Under Heaven nearly lost her life to the black-clothed men and Greatest Ambition Under Heaven exploded with anger, but even though he personally investigated this matter, it did not come to any results. Yun Che’s words instantly captured their attentions. Number One Under Heaven immediately stood up and asked: “Brother Yun, are you serious? The person that you had found out, who is he?”
Mu Yubai stroked his chin as he muttered with a frown: “This brat, just what medicine is this brat concocting. Even that old man Under Heaven could not discover anything, but he did?”
“Ah? Big Brother really discovered who it was?” Yun Xiao had a face of confusion: “But, he has never stepped out of the house much in during these two months, this, this…”
“Husband, what is Che’er trying to do?” Mu Yurou was equally perplexed as well.
“No need to ask, let’s just watch on.” Yun Qinghong look
ed on with knitted brows as his grip on the handle of the wheelchair grew tighter.
Yun Che turned around and said while facing Number One Under Heaven: “Brother Under Heaven, with one of your family members nearly being assassinated, I believe that even if you and your family were to stab the culprit to death with a thousand swords, it would not quell your anger. But today, I have to ask Brother Under Heaven and our Under Heaven seniors to maintain your composure, since the identity of the culprit that I have figured out is shocking. When I say it, you might not even believe me.”
Yun Che shift his attention to Yun Xinyue and looked at him intently: “One of the culprits behind the assassination attempt of Yun Xiao and Number Seven Under Heaven is not anyone else, but the imposing and prestigious son of the Great Elder… Yun Xinyue!”
Once Yun Che mentioned the two words “Yun Xinyue”, it seemed as though someone randomly tossed out two bombs. The entire plaza became a field of silence, then, it was replaced with deafening, world-shaking noises.
However, this was not sound of shock, but rather… the sound of deafening laughter.
Chapter 519: Evidence
“You scoundrel!” It came as no surprise to anyone that Yun Waitian burned with indignant fury right there and then, “You arrogant little kid, how dare you spout such absurd, laughable and presumptuous words. Do you really think that I would not dare to kill you!?”