Against the Gods - Volume 04 - Burning Heaven’s Fury

by Mars Gravity

  Yun… Yun Che? That Yun Che? Could it be…

  “Could it be any other Yun Che!? This person’s appearance, the large oddly-shaped sword in his hands, everything is the same as it is in the rumors!”

  “But, hadn’t he already died a year ago? This is a fact that those ten large sects had all seen with their own eyes, so this should probably be a person who looks similar, no?”

  “I guess… so?”

  ………………

  The roar of noise from the crowd drowned out all legible hearing. Regarding this person who had clearly already passed away, while others might treat him as someone who was possibly an imaginary person, Fen Juecheng would never recognize wrongly. Facial features might be similar, but that Sky Profound heavy sword with that frightening aura… In this world, there was only one! Also, he had been enclosed under the same Sword Management Terrace as Yun Che then. His gaze, his demeanor and that completely inexplicable manner, all of these matched the Yun Che he knew exactly!

  Looking at this Yun Che in front of his eyes who seemed exactly like he had resurrected from the dead, Fen Juecheng had reached a point of being incapable of being even more shocked than he already was, “You’re…. You’re not dead!”

  “Heh!” Yun Che raised his eyes slightly and laughed coldly at Fen Juecheng, “I, Yun Che, have quite a long life. Even you are living so well, so how can it be proper for me to just die like that… Does my still being alive disappoint you?!”

  This voice, was also definitely Yun Che’s. Fen Juecheng’s pupils shrunk for a split second, following which, he was calm again. After that, he suddenly laughed aloud, “Hahahaha, it’s really interesting, Yun Che. Your life really is doggedly good. Mu Tianbei couldn’t kill you, and was killed by you instead. Everyone had thought that you had been killed by the demon, yet after such a long time, you still climb back alive unexpectedly. My respect for you is already at an extreme. As for disappointments, you sure don’t give much. On the contrary, seeing you still alive, I’m actually rather glad, since you died too ‘easy’ a death that day. That large debt you owe us for killing my second brother, we, the Burning Heaven Clan, still have yet make you properly pay it off!!”

  These few lines that Yun Che and Fen Juecheng exchanged set off an even bigger explosion through the surrounding crowd again.

  “He’s really… really that Yun Che who had clearly died?”

  “Age, appearance, weapon…. Everything fits! Other than the Yun Che who had ranked first, who can have such monstrous strength at such a young age, to cause the earth to crack like this just by landing! Other than Yun Che, who would have the guts to block the path of the Burning Heaven Clan’s procession!”

  “I’d heard that Yun Che had been severely injured by an extremely wicked person then, and then he had been pressed at the bottom of the Sword Management with that person… But nobody had seen his corpse! Maybe he hadn’t actually died then, and has now come back anew! We might be wrong, but how can the Young Clan Master Fen be wrong?!”

  “Big news! This really is big news that will shock the entire country!”

  As Blue Wind Empire’s peerless legend, Yun Che once caused almost unprecedented controversy about him, and right now, news that this legend who was originally dead was now back alive, it was clear as day how big a commotion it would stir up. Almost everyone who had a Sound Transmission Jade began making transmissions at the first possible moment. Only a dozen or so breaths had passed since Yun Che’s appearance, and news of him being still alive had quickly dispersed like an invasive ripple.

  “Your Majesty! Something big…. Something big has happened! A voice transmission was just received, Yun Che… Yun Che is back! He hasn’t died, he has returned alive!”

  Within the imperial chariot, Cang Wanhe had just left the Moon Embracing Palace. Originally dispirited and lifeless, upon hearing this news, he trembled, “What did you say? Yun Che? Impossible, it’s practically a load of nonsense, Yun Che died at Heavenly Sword Villa, this is something that everybody knows, how can he possibly be back all of a sudden!”

  “It’s absolutely true! He has appeared outside the Imperial Palace, and is now obstructing the path of the Burning Heaven Clan’s procession… All who are at the scene have seen him clearly!”

  The little eunuch had just finished speaking when an imperial bodyguard clad from head to toe in golden armor rushed forward hurriedly and spoke urgently, “Your Majesty! Something big has happened outside the Imperial Palace. The Yun Che who should’ve been dead has actually appeared alive, and is now blocking the front of Burning Heaven Clan’s procession!”

  At this, Cang Wanhe, who practically had no strength left in his body originally, seemed to have been electrocuted. Sitting up straight, he said with a trembling voice, “Quick, quick! Bring us to the front… quick!!”

  Not far ahead, Qin Wushang and Qin Wuyou exchanged glances with eyes filled with shock and incredulity. After which, both became gusts of violent winds, and rushed towards the outside of the Imperial Palace.

  The entire street was currently in a mess. The main character of today was originally supposed to be Fen Juecheng, but with Yun Che’s appearance, all the attention and spotlight had been stolen by him. How large of an impact he had made in the period after his “death”, could clearly be seen.

  From beside Fen Juecheng, a silhouette flashed and Fen Moran dashed out. Staring at Yun Che, he spoke heavily, “So he’s Yun Che? Hmph, it’s better that he’s not dead. Causing Second Young Master’s death, if he died just like that, it would be too easy on him! I’ll take him down here, and bring him back to our clan!”

  “Wait!” Fen Juecheng put out a hand to stop him, and said with narrowed eyes, “There is no need for Thirteenth Elder to take matters into his hands today. Today is a joyous day for me and Princess Cang Yue. If we were to accidentally see blood, it would be unlucky. Yun Che, I really don’t know if I should admire you for your laudable courage, or if I should deride you for egotistical foolishness. It wasn’t easy for you to recover your life, yet you won’t hide away obediently, choosing rather to deliver yourself to death! However, your luck’s not bad. I’m in high spirits today, so I’ll reward you with a few more days to live. Regarding the matter of my second brother, after Princess Cang Yue and I are done with our wedding, I’ll settle it with you properly… Before I change my mind, you should best scram now!”

  Fen Juecheng’s expression and intonation was like that of an aloof judge. After all, beside him were two thousand elite Burning Heaven Clan disciples, as well as eight Sky Profound Realm experts. This surmounted to a strength that was enough to make the entire Blue Wind Empire walk sideways. If it was him alone, he would definitely be restraining fear while talking to Yun Che, but with such a troop by his side, how would he even seen Yun Che as anything of a threat… However, wanting to let Yun Che off today, of course, wasn’t because he was “feeling happy”. Rather, it was because the influence Yun Che had amassed and left behind this past year was simply too large. Even if he was from the Burning Heaven Clan, it still wasn’t good for him to lay hands on Yun Che in front of such an audience. If he did, it would be extremely easy for him to be publicly denounced.

  Fen Juecheng’s voice had just fell, and then a young girl’s quivering voice came from behind him, “Junior Brother Yun… Is it really you… is it really you!?”

  While she was speaking in a voice that was moved emotionally to the extreme, Cang Yue had already jumped down from the palanquin, rushing forward without a care towards Yun Che. In her rush fueled by desperation, Fen Juecheng was left only being able to reach an arm out subconsciously, unable to hold her back. He could only watch as she rushed in front of Yun Che, and locked both her arms around him tightly.

  “Junior Brother Yun… It really is you… You’re still alive… Junior Brother Yun… Junior Brother Yun…”

  He was but mere inches away from her, yet Cang Yue just couldn’t believe her eyes. Her tears sprung forth like a lake and in her agitation
, her speech was incoherent. His features, eyes, sword, aura… Everything about him spoke volumes to her, telling her that truly, he was the Yun Che she had once thought she had lost forever, and he was wholly, in the flesh, back here, by her side. This immense fantasy-like surprise caused her to almost faint.

  Yet unlike Cang Yue, Yun Che’s expression was especially flat, as if he wasn’t moved at all. He hadn’t even moved forward to hug her. Looking at her completely tear-stained face, he spoke gently, “It’s me… I’m back here alive, just in time… to catch Senior Sister’s marriage.”

  Cang Yue’s slender frame shook and she shook her head hurriedly, “No… It’s not like this… Junior Brother Yun… It’s not like what you’re seeing, I…”

  “There’s no need to say anymore, I understand.” Yun Che cut her off, allowing her no chance to continue. His expression remained calm, so calm that it made Cang Yue flustered and terrified at the same time… He had returned so miraculously, yet his first look at her was the sight of her being escorted to the wedding ceremony. Even she, herself, knew how unforgivable she was being right there and then. However, it really had not been her intention to marry Fen Juecheng, yet in her fright, she was unable to explain her situation… However, the fact that she was marrying out today was an indisputable fact, firmly cast in stone.

  At this, Yun Che reached a hand out lightning fast, grabbing at Cang Yue’s chest. His hand reached straight away into her wide red clothing, and subsequently, swiftly pulled out… Held in his palm, was a slender dagger with a three inch blade. Upon the tip of the blade was a faint flicker from a smear of mild green… It was the luster of an extremely toxic poison!

  Yun Che’s nose was extremely sensitive to poisons, so when Cang Yue approached, he could immediately smell the highly toxic scent, and this dagger, which had been covered with extremely toxic poison had been hidden by Cang Yue right under the lapels of her clothes in front of her chest!

  Pinching the dagger, which had been dipped in poison, Yun Che did something that astonished everyone. Under a blanket of alarmed cries, he flipped his palm and ruthlessly drove the dagger into his own chest… In that moment, drops of blood splashed out of his chest, and the three inch blade was driven entirely into his body.

  Chapter 303: Blue Wind Palace Chief

  “Ah! Junior Brother Yun… What are you doing! Why are your injuring yourself!”

  Yun Che’s actions caused the color to drain instantly from Cang Yue’s face. Watching beads of blood trickle rapidly from beneath the blade, she panicked, and her heart ached even more that she was at a loss for what to do. Throughout the process, Yun Che’s complexion had not changed. Looking at Cang Yue, he said softly, “Watching me suddenly get stabbed, your heart must ache so, doesn’t it? It hurts just like how I do when I see you getting married.”

  Cang Yue shook her head vigorously, crying out in pain, “No… It’s really not like what you’re seeing! I had absolutely no intention to marry him, I just… I just…”

  Yun Che shook his head, saying, “I understand. The reason why my heart is hurting, isn’t just because of these, it’s because I know, even if I were really dead, the only one in Senior Sister’s heart is me. My heart hurts because you would go so far as to cheapen yourself, harm yourself this way… It hurts just like how I’ve just stabbed myself!”

  “I… I…”

  “This cut, I want to let you know of the pain in my heart… At the same time, it is the punishment I deserve. I had clearly made you a promise, but when you were most helpless, when you needed me most, I couldn’t be by your side, and I caused you to have to hurt yourself in this way to attempt at rescuing your father… Just a little more, and I would have lost you forever…”

  Just before Cang Yue was escorted into the Burning Heaven Clan, she would’ve used the poisoned dagger to end her own life. If Yun Che had returned by even a day late, he would’ve never had the chance to see her again

  Yun Che pulled out the poisoned dagger that had been thrust into his chest, throwing it onto the ground far away. The flow of blood from the wound had also stopped completely in a split second. He lifted his hand and gently wiped the tears away from Cang Yue’s face. Finally, unable to keep his calm, his voice turned incomparably tender. His longing and worry for her during his absence poured forth from his gaze, his voice as he lamented, “Senior Sister… Let me hug you properly… is that okay?”

  “Uu…” Cang Yue teared up and sobbed, throwing herself with full force into Yun Che’s embrace. Winding her arms tightly around him, she hugged him tight, crying aloud. All the misery, longing, despair, hesitation and fear that the past year had brought her… She unburdened herself of all these in Yun Che’s arms, and her heart-wrenching sobs made the insides of the onlookers twist as well.

  Yun Che also hugged her tight, yet he didn’t cry. Rather, he smiled in immense satisfaction and elation. He was glad he could return in time, and had not allowed what could never been undone to happen. Otherwise, he didn’t know how he would’ve faced that sort of terrifying consequence. He patted Cang Yue’s back lightly, saying gently, “Senior Sister… In future, no matter what happens, never again do anything that would hurt yourself, okay?”

  “Uu… uuuu… Never… I’ll never do it again…” Cang Yue sobbed while saying.

  “And don’t marry Fen Juecheng, alright?” Yun Che smiled lightly as he spoke.

  “I… I won’t marry… I’ll never marry him, ever… The only one I want to marry is you… Other than you, I don’t want to marry anyone else… I’ll never marry even if it kills me…”

  Yun Che’s lips curved up a little, “I’m back, so leave everything to me… Are you willing to trust in me… This man you’ve chosen with your entire life?”

  “…As long as you’re here, no matter what, no matter where, it doesn’t matter if the consequences are bad or good, I do not fear anything… As long as you’re with me… Truly, there’s nothing I need to fear…”

  At this moment, those from the palace had reached in a rush. Cang Wanhe tore open the curtains of the imperial chariot. In a look, he saw Cang Yue and Yun Che embracing. Qin Wushang and Qin Wuyou were long, since already staring with their eyes open wide as their hearts rejoiced in surprise and glee.

  On the other side, Fen Juecheng was already about to explode. His face had already thoroughly turned into the color of a pig’s intestine. It was the day their ceremony was supposed to take place, and Princess Cang Yue, who was supposed to be returning to his clan with him had actually, right in front of him as well as under the watchful eyes of countless other people, jumped out of the palanquin and entered into a heated embrace with another man, while crying and pledging her undying love to him…

  This embarrassment was practically even more embarrassing than getting cuckolded ten times in a row!

  Even a normal man would not have been able to accept it… Let alone him, the stately young master of the Burning Heaven Clan!

  If news were to spread… No! Of course news would spread! Under the eyes of so many people present, within two days, news would have spread to every inch of land under the heavens. He, Fen Juecheng, the future Clan Master of the Burning Heaven Clan, would be reduced to a laughingstock!

  The nails on both of Fen Juecheng’s hands turned white as his hands clenched. His face was distorted from extreme fury and finally, he lost control of his emotions. Pointing at Yun Che, he let out an enraged howl, “K… Kill him!! Kill him now!!”

  The procession of troops brought by the Burning Heaven Clan to escort the bride had looked at each other in dismay and a loss of what to do, but upon hearing Fen Juecheng’s howl, it was like they had been awakened from sleep as they moved into action instantly. The dozens of people foremost of the troop rushed forward at the same instance towards Yun Che. And at this point, from above their heads, a storm swept past. A figure like a large bird flew past, high up in the sky, reaching Yun Che first… It was Thirteenth Elder Fen Moran!

  “Ahh!!”

&n
bsp; The crowd backed away in a hurry, and many shrieked involuntarily. Seeing that the one who was rushing towards Yun Che was actually Fen Moran, the people looked as if they had already seen a scene of Yun Che, who had come back from death miraculously, get killed ruthlessly… No one dared to doubt Yun Che’s might; the one who had grabbed first place in the Ranking Tournament was him, and he was the number one of the younger generation. However, Fen Moran strength was top-notch within the Blue Wind Empire. With frightening strength at the seventh level of the Sky Profound Realm, Yun Che simply had no ability to retaliate.

  “Stop!!”

  A low shout suddenly rang out; this voice wasn’t loud, but it was like extremely heavy thunder, ringing out in everyone’s ears. In this low shout, a grey figure flashed across like a shooting star, blocking in front of Fen Moran. An astonishingly overwhelming aura caused Fen Moran to quickly stop. When he saw the person who was obstructing in front, shock flashed past his feature in an instance, “You’re… Dongfang Xiu!”

  “Palace Chief Dongfang!!” Qin Wushang and Qin Wuyou’s startled voices rang out from not far away.

  Obstructing Fen Moran, was indeed Blue Wind Palace’s first Palace Chief… Dongfang Xiu! He was also affiliated with the Blue Wind Imperial Family, and was the number one practitioner in the entire Blue Wind Imperial Family! His profound strength was half a step into the Emperor Profound Realm!

  Although Dongfang Xiu was Blue Wind Palace’s Palace Chief, he rarely appeared in the Palace. All along, he was hardly seen, but since Cang Wanhe had fallen terribly ill in the past few years, the number of occasions he had appeared in the palace had dwindled significantly, perhaps not even making a single visit in half a year… Qin Wushang had noticed Dongfang Xiu’s position right before he had appeared and spoke quietly, ”Could it be that Palace Chief Dongfang had not appeared these few years because he had been secretly protecting the Emperor?”

  “It should probably be the case. The emperor’s previous secret bodyguard might have been strong, but how could he be compared to Palace Chief Dongfang! That year, the emperor had suddenly fallen grievously ill. Certainly, he must’ve noticed something odd, it must’ve been why he had summoned Palace Chief Dongfang to guard by his side.” Qin Wuyou said quietly.