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

by Mars Gravity

  “Yun Che pay respects to father-in-law.”

  “Yue’er pay respects to father.”

  Yun Che and Cang Yue came into the Monarch Palace hand in hand to pay respects Cang Wanhe. Cang Wanhe nodded slowly and smiled pleasingly: “Che’er, now that I have handed Yue’er to you, I feel completely reassured. Especially since you two love each other. This cannot be more perfect. Yue’er’s mother would also rest in peace in heaven. After three days, you need to remember to go pay homage to her mother.”

  “Yes, this is Yun Che’s duty.” Yun Che replied.

  “Okay!” Cang Wanhe nodded as his expression suddenly turned stern: “Che’er, yesterday was your big day so some words were better left unsaid. Today however, I must say that I believe you’re not a rash person. Yesterday’s incident does indeed bring about the possibility of huge repercussions. The strength of the Divine Phoenix Sect is far beyond your imagination. Even if our four major sects were to combine together, they would not be comparable to even one of the branch sects of the Divine Phoenix Sect. Their heritage and legacy are so vast that it is comparable to that of the sacred grounds. Yesterday, the reason you dared to injury them and force them to retreat is probably because you know that they would probably try to cover up this matter. However, we do not understand their true intentions and are uncertain whether they would really do that. Furthermore, there were so many people present. Although we have warned them, we cannot be certain they would not divulge this matter, or even spread it to the public. If this matter were to really spread… Divine Phoenix Sect would definitely attempt to kill you.”

  Even after what Cang Wanhe had said, Yun Che still had a completely calm face. He merely nodded and said: “I have thought about what father is worried about. Please rest assure. The fact that I dared to act like that against the three from the Divine Phoenix Sect was not only because of the fact that they might hide this matter. Actually, even if this matter were to spread, or if they were to voluntarily inform their sect, the Divine Phoenix Sect would not exact revenge against me in the short term.”

  “Oh?” Cang Wanhe had a face full of questions.

  Yun Che looked up and said: “Because of the upcoming ‘Profound Sky Seven Nation Ranking Tournament’ and the ‘Primordial Profound Ark’ thing. With these two important matters at hand, and the fact that I already told the three of them that I would be heading to the Divine Phoenix Empire in five months, even if the Divine Phoenix Sect found out about what happened yesterday, they probably wouldn’t be so free to look for me to take revenge.”

  “However, just as a precaution, I would still need to prepare for possible changes. Therefore, I will be leaving the palace in one month’s time.”

  Chapter 376: Frozen Cloud’s Invitation

  “Ahh? You want to leave the palace? Where do you want to go?” Cang Yue caught hold of Yun Che’s arm and asked nervously. Yun Che did not belong to the palace. This was something Cang Yue was very clear of, however, she did not expect him to leave so quickly.

  Yun Che laughed comfortingly: “I have not decided yet. Maybe I’ll leave Blue Wind Empire… However, don’t worry, the Divine Phoenix Sect will not find out about what happened yesterday and there is a ninety nine percent chance they won’t touch me within the short term. My decision to leave is only to take precaution against the slight chance it happens. At the same time, I will be able to prepare for the upcoming Seven Nation Ranking Tournament.”

  Cang Wanhe pondered for a moment, then said: “Che’er do you really want to participate in the Seven Nation Ranking Tournament? After your conflict with the Thirteenth Prince yesterday, when you arrive in Divine Phoenix Empire’s territory, we’re afraid you’ll… sigh. Although you have frightening talent, the Divine Phoenix Empire is really too strong. They are so strong that we can’t help but tremble every time we think about it… Within the Divine Phoenix Empire, there are Overlords! And they have more than one!”

  “I have to go.” Yun Che replied calmly: “After revealing my phoenix flames, clashing against the Divine Phoenix Sect is inevitable. Since there is no escape, it’s better for me to look for them myself.”

  Cang Wanhe was very worried, but this was quickly appeased by Yun Che. Looking at him, he slowly said: “Che’er, we believe you. With your talent and wits, we believe that even if it were Divine Phoenix Sect, you would be able to return safely!”

  “Mn, I will definitely not disappoint father.” Yun Che thought for a moment and said: “Father, do you know what the ‘Primordial Profound Ark’ is?”

  “Primordial Profound Ark…” Cang Wanhe’s expression changed, revealing an obvious yearning: “It is a mystical existence. It is shaped like that of a gigantic flying ark and its size is nearly as big as the entire Blue Wind Imperial City.”

  “That’s huge!” Yun Che was amazed.

  “Nobody knows what it actually is, or where it came from. The name Primordial Profound Ark was given by the Divine Phoenix Sect. Since a very very long time ago, it had already begun to appear above the Divine Phoenix capital. It is exceptionally high away from the ground and that height was only achievable by an Overlord.”

  “Every time it appears, it would hover at the same place for six months. On the last day of the six months, the door to the Primordial Profound Ark would open by itself for twenty four hours before closing. After that, the Primordial Profound Ark will disappear… The next time it appears would be three hundred years later. Every time on the last day before it disappears, many strong profound practitioners would try to board the Profound Ark to search for treasure. However, since the numerous times in the past, it has always ended in failure.”

  “Why do people think that that the Primordial Profound Ark holds treasure?” Yun Che asked.

  “Within the Divine Phoenix Sect, there is a special branch sect in charge of searching for treasures from all over the world. It has been rumored that every time the Primordial Profound Ark appears, the spirit stones that the branch sect use to search for treasure would give off a bright gold light. Some of the stones would even break apart. Such strange observations undoubtedly prove that there are unimaginable treasures on the Ark! Furthermore, there is nothing on Profound Sky Continent that has been able to make the stones give off a golden light.”

  “Therefore, even though the elders that have went onto the Primordial Profound Ark have not received any success in all these years, the Divine Phoenix Sect have never given up on searching. Every time the Profound Ark appears, searching the Profound Ark for treasure would be the biggest event for the clan!” Cang Wanhe paused for a moment before continuing: “Feng Xichen mentioned yesterday that the top three ranking sects would be able to enter the Primordial Profound Ark with the Divine Phoenix Sect… Every time the Primordial Profound Ark appears above the Divine Phoenix capital, the Divine Phoenix Sect would never allow people to meddle with it even if it were people from the Sacred Grounds. This is the first time they have allowed others to have the chance to explore it with them.”

  Primordial… Profound… Ark…

  What exactly was it?

  “Jasmine, do you know what is it? It seems to be extremely strange.” Yun Che said in his mind.

  Jasmine said indifferently: “I have indeed seen a profound ark so large that it’s bigger than an imperial city, but a profound ark that repeatedly appears and disappears over time, hmph, that’s the first time I’ve heard about it before. I am quite interested in this “Primordial Profound Ark” that this emperor is describing.”

  Yun Che: “…”

  At this point, following two announcements, two man dressed in extravagant clothing walked in with a formal gait. The moment they saw Yun Che and Cang Yue, their expression changed visibly.

  These two people were the Crown Prince Cang Lin and Third Prince Cang Shuo.

  “This son pays respect to royal father. We wish father longevity and good health.”

  Cang Lin and Cang Shuo was careful and respectful. There was no sign of the insolence the
y had before. Cang Wanhe raised his brow and waved them away: “Since you have already paid your respects, if there is nothing else, leave. We are discussing matters with Yue’er’s husband.”

  Yun Che’s actions the day before left Cang Lin and Cang Shuo with lingering fear. Seeing Yun Che this time, their scalps grew numb. They did not dare to stay for long and immediately announced their leave. Yun Che looked at them from his peripheral before turning and speaking in a stern manner: “Father, how do you want to deal with the two of them?”

  Hearing what Yun Che said, Cang Yue was shocked, she turned and looked nervously at Cang Wanhe’s reactions.

  Cang Wanhe was stunned for a moment, then, he suddenly became dejected: “Che’er, what do you think we should do?”

  Yun Che replied calmly without hesitation: “The most heartless is the Imperial Household. This phrase is a mockery of, and an attack on the imperial family. However, at the same time, it also represented the helplessness of the family. The vast history has already proven, with bloodshed, that if the emperor does things kindly, the imperial family would unquestionably be in danger. Therefore, even if we cannot bear it sometimes, we still have no choice but to be heartless… Furthermore, it was them who were heartless first! If father were to just forgive, it would be like telling the Imperial Household that rebelling and revolting is forgivable! This would tempt more people to bear the intention to revolt.”

  Cang Wanhe closed his eyes and said with a face of helplessness: “We know all of this. They had even nearly destroyed the entire Imperial Household. The attempt to murder me is undoubtedly related to them as well. Che’er, if it weren’t for you, we would have already died. Yue’er’s fate would’ve been miserable as well. The Imperial Family would have become the puppets of the Xiao Sect and Burning Heaven Clan. We hate that we cannot kill them ourselves. However… They are the only two among my sons who possess the ability to become an emperor. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have ignored their internal conflicts all this time. We would be unable to rest at ease if we pass my throne to any of the other five princes. And Yue’er just had to be a girl… On one hand, it is the crime of revolt, on the other, it is the bloodline and the Imperial Family’s future. We truly cannot make a decision.”

  “Actually, father does not need to be so conflicted. This matter is an easy choice.”

  Yun Che leaned forward and whispered secretly to Cang Wanhe’s ears.

  Cang Wanhe was shocked at first. Then, his entire body started to tremble, and his eyes revealed extreme excitement. He held onto Yun Che, and asked agitatedly: “Che’er is what you said… really true?”

  “Of course.” Yun Che said while beaming: “With my medical skills, such a matter is exceptionally simple. I’ll go prescribe some medication later and I assure that father… Hehe, can battle for another three hundred years!!!”

  In regards to Yun Che’s medical abilities, Cang Wanhe did not doubt them at all. He was so agitated that his beard was also trembling. Suddenly, he stood up and slammed the table, shouting: “Men! Quickly arrest our unfilial sons, Cang Ling and Cang Shuo, and lock them in the prison! Get the Minster of Justice, Shen Tiemian, to come meet me! We will personally pass down the punishments of our two unfilial sons!!”

  Outside of the imperial hall, Cang Yue could not help but ask: “Husband, what did you tell father just now? Why did he have such a huge change in attitude?”

  “This… is a secret between men.” Yun Che laughed cheekily. The main reason Cang Wanhe was so worried was because he over-indulged in his youth, and had already lost his reproduction ability. After Cang Yue, he did not have any more children. Therefore, if a prince died, he would have one less prince, for he could not impregnate and train up another prince.

  If the problem of unable to impregnate did not exist, Cang Wanhe would not be so conflicted. Given another few years of time, he would easily be able to get another ten children and concentrate on training and nurturing them to succeed the throne.

  “Yun Che.”

  Above him came a gentle and cool female voice. Chu Yueli and Xia Qingyue slowly descended and stood in front of Yun Che and Cang Yue.

  Cang Yue’s eyes met with Xia Qingyue’s for a moment before they both shifted their gaze. Xia Qingyue’s icy eyes looked to be a cold field of eerie calmness. Cang Yue’s expression however, was far more complicated. After all, Xia Qingyue was Yun Che’s official wife whom he had married first… In this case, Cang Yue was considered his second wife. Compared to Xia Qingyue, she naturally felt unusual. She pursed her lips and softly greeted: “Chu fairy, Xia… fairy.”

  A strange atmosphere surrounded Cang Yue and Xia Qingyue. Chu Yueli slightly raised her brows and went straight to the point with Yun Che: “Yun Che, other than coming here to attend you and Princess Cang Yue’s wedding, the two of us have come here for another matter.”

  “…Chu fairy, please speak freely.” Yun Che replied.

  “Our Grand Asgard Mistress would like to meet you.”

  Yun Che looked up in shock: “Grand Asgard Mistress? Meet me?”

  “That’s right.” Chu Yueli stared slightly and said: “The Grand Asgard Mistress already knows about the matter between you and my sister. Naturally, she also knows that you know some Frozen Cloud Arts, as well as the fact that you came to Frozen Cloud Asgard to cause trouble previously… However, the reason why she wants to meet you is not to punish you, nor is it to harm you. I can assure you that. If you can spare some time, why not follow us to our Frozen Cloud Asgard?”

  He had never expected that the Frozen Cloud Asgard’s Grand Mistress would want to meet him. He thought for a while before nodding slightly: “Alright. Previously, I lost control of myself out of anger and went to cause trouble for Frozen Cloud Asgard. I should go ask for forgiveness from Asgard Mistress Xu… I will go alone in a month’s time.”

  Chu Yueli nodded gently: “I hope you keep to your word… Qingyue, let’s go.”

  Xia Qingyue’s gaze stopped on Yun Che for a while before she turned and floated far away, turning into a snowy silhouette in the sky.

  Chapter 377: Change in the Imperial City

  The joyous atmosphere enveloping the entire city, which was brought about by the grand marriage of Yun Che and Cang Yue, had yet to be completely dispersed when astonishing news arrived from within the Imperial Palace…

  Two days after the grand marriage of Yun Che and Cang Yue, Cang Wanhe suddenly issued the order to arrest the crown prince and the third prince, locking them within the maximum security prison. Later, he personally enumerated dozens of crimes, which actually included the shocking crimes of “rebellion” and “patricide.” Then, after three days, Crown Prince Cang Lin, and Third Prince Cang Shuo were publicly beheaded, and all the other members of their camps were also arrested and eliminated without exception.

  Cang Wanhe had acted in an unparalleled calm manner till now after recovering a few months ago, and seized back the authority of an emperor under Yun Che’s influence. However, as soon as Yun Che and Cang Yue got married, he suddenly took drastic actions. He didn’t hesitate to use all the means at his disposal to show the determination and mercilessness of an emperor. It seemed as if he had already decided on doing so and was just waiting for the right opportunity. Seeing such an attitude from Cang Wanhe, all the other princes, as well as the influential factions and officials that had originally preferred to side with the crown prince and third prince, felt themselves in danger as their hearts trembled in fear. Now that Cang Wanhe had Yun Che’s support, the deterrent force of his authority was absolutely no less than that of the Three Major Sects. They didn’t have any guts at all to defy or disobey Cang Wanhe at this point. Fortunately, after beheading the crown prince and third prince, as well as their group members, Cang Wanhe didn’t show any signs of taking action against them. It greatly relieved them to know that they were not in imminent danger, and they didn’t lose any time to express their loyalty towards Cang Wanhe by making use of all kinds of ways. They behaved so desperatel
y, as though they wanted to dig open their chests and take out their hearts in order to present them to Cang Wanhe and have him see their devotion towards him filled in them so as to prove their loyalty.

  The power in Cang Wanhe’s grasp had reached to the highest point since his reign as the emperor of the Blue Wind Empire… It was a height that he had never even dared to think about before. His position as the emperor had also extremely stabilized compared to the past. Now, even the Three Major Sects would no longer dare to look down on his dignity as the emperor.

  Cang Wanhe was very clear that it was only because of Yun Che’s favor that he was able to enjoy all these things. He was extremely grateful to Yun Che, and extremely respectful to Xiao Lie. In Xiao Lie’s presence he would act without showing any majesty of an emperor, and treated him like a brother on an equal footing.

  As for the newlyweds, Yun Che and Cang Yue, they had no interest in what was going on in the Imperial Palace, and spent their every day with their bodies glued to each other. Days passed by without anyone realizing it, and the one month period within which Yun Che had agreed to go to the Frozen Cloud Asgard, was very quickly approaching its end.

  Before leaving for Frozen Cloud Asgard, Yun Che hadn’t forgotten to deal with a certain matter of significance… This matter was indeed the very reason due to which he was actually seen as a “fiend” who kills others with total disregard for human life by ordinary people.

  Blue Wind Imperial City, Medical Saint Hall.

  As the Medicine Hall opened by the generally acknowledged first genius doctor of the Blue Wind Empire, countless people from all parts of the Blue Wind Empire would come every day to seek medical treatment, and numerous people among them would bring great amounts of profound coins and treasures with them to request Gu Qiuhong to open the profound veins of the genius disciples of their sects and families. Due to his medical skill and influence, Gu Qiuhong had amassed so much property that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that his wealth could rival that of an empire.