Against the Gods - Volume 06 - Lordship in Illusory Demon

by Mars Gravity

  “Haha,” Duke Hui Ye faintly laughed: “I know how you feel. But the fact that you were willing to undergo the Profound Handle Soul Search is enough proof of your innocence.”

  The edges of Yun Che’s mouth twitched as he laughed coldly to himself: This two man show is truly flawless, even I was almost about to believe him.

  Yun Waitian cupped his fists toward Duke Hui Ye and said agitatedly: “Duke Hui Ye had said everything that I wanted to say. How could my son’s innocence be placed on the same level as the prestige of the Yun Family. Even if he had to carry the name of a sinner who harmed his fellow clansman, this Profound Handle Soul Search cannot be allowed… I thank Your Highness for reminding my child about this. Although Your Highness is not much older than my child, you are much better than my child in handling such situations.”

  Duke Hui Ye laughed slightly and said: “Great Elder is too kind. As the accused party, it is no wonder that anger clouded his mind, that he couldn’t think properly. I am an onlooker and can naturally see the bigger picture more clearly.”

  “Hehehehe” Just as Duke Hui Ye finished talking, a sarcastic and inharmonious laughter rang out. Duke Hui Ye glanced at Helian Peng and asked: “Elder Helian, what are you laughing about?’

  Helian Peng stood up and sarcastically said: “Your Highness, don’t you find this extremely laughable? Although the Yun Family has been in decline, they are still one of the twelve Guardian Families. But at the family gathering of a Guardian Family, a wild brat actually appeared to cause trouble. What’s even more laughable is that even now, he’s still standing there perfectly fine… Hahahaha, if this were to happen in my Helian Family, just the fact that he made such accusations, let’s not talk about the Patriarch but even if it were a normal disciple, if it was a light punishment, he would be crippled on the spot and if it was heavy, he would be put to death immediately. But this Yun Family… Hehehehe, is really appalling, laughable, yet pitiable. Where is there any bit of their Guardian Family aura and greatness? It’s hard for me even if I don’t want to laugh.”

  Although Helian Peng’s words were sarcastic, they were straight to the point, instantly causing all the elders and disciples present to be embarrassed as they looked at Yun Che with rage. Yun Waitian instantly walked forward and commanded: “Enforcement Elder, hurry and capture this brat whose intentions are malicious!”

  Hearing what was said, the Enforcement Elder flew and landed on the stage. Just as he was about to rush towards Yun Che, a calm yet slightly authoritative voice sounded: “Stop.”

  Although the voice was not too serious and did not pack much feelings, it caused the Enforcement Elder to stop. That was because this voice had come from Yun Qinghong.

  “Yun Qinghong, you’ve finally talked. I thought you were going to watch this show until the end!” Yun Waitian laughed and he even called “Yun Qinghong” by his name: “What is it, are you going to protect this audacious and reckless so-called godson of yours?! Or, are his actions really your wishes?”

  “You’re right. I am indeed going to protect him.” Yun Qinghong said calmly as he looked directly at Yun Waitian. His calm gaze made Yun Waitian feel an authoritativeness that should not have existed, as his body uncontrollably tensed up.

  “Enforcement Elder, step down.” Yun Qinghong said.

  Hearing those words, the Enforcement Elder was stunned and looked at the Great Elder. Seeing that he did not moved, Yun Qinghong frowned and his voice instantly became deeper: “Step down!!”

  This two words were not harsh but in the ears of the Yun Family disciples, they were as deafening as thunder, and all the Elders looked at Yun Qinghong in shock… After being crippled for more than twenty years, Yun Qinghong had led a reclusive life and rarely cared about family matters. He had also never scolded anyone, and this was the first time the disciples of the young generation had heard their crippled Patriarch give such an authoritative command.

  The Enforcement Elder’s body trembled and he frantically uttered “yes”, before quickly retreating.

  Yun Qinghong’s gaze turned and landed on Yun Xinyue, as he said in a calm yet undeniable tone: “Yun Xinyue, step on stage and be prepared to receive the Profound Handle Soul Search.”

  Once Yun Qinghong’s words came out, everyone was stunned and the place grew restless. Duke Hui Ye’s brows twitched as he asked in a slightly angry tone: “Patriarch Yun, what is the meaning of this?”

  “What do I mean? Who are you to care?” Yun Qinghong coolly replied: “This is my Yun Family’s matters and I don’t need you to be gesticulating here.”

  The mutters of the entire arena immediately turned into dead silence and everyone stared in awe, wondering whether there was a problem with their ears. Yun Qinghong… actually scolded this Duke Hui Ye, and actually scolded him without leaving him face. Duke Hui Ye’s face immediately darkened as he coldly laughed: “Patriarch Yun, you… you dare act so disrespectful towards me!”

  “Hmph!” Yun Qinghong laughed it off coolly: “So what if I’m disrespectful towards you? From the moment you stepped into my Yun Family grounds until now, have you given me, the Patriarch, any respect? I am from the same generation as your father, and my father is the reputable “Demon King”. His title of king is of the same seniority as your grandfather. In the past when your father saw me, he still had to obediently call me ‘Big Brother’. Me teaching you a lesson only natural and you, a junior, entered my Yun Family, yet did not pay respects to me, the Patriarch. Instead, you continuously interfered with my family matters in front of me. Your actions are wild and arrogant, and now you even question me for being disrespectful towards you?”

  “Is this how your father usually teaches you? Hmph, you’re a disgrace to your father, grandfather, and the entire Illusory Demon Royal Family. In fact, you’ve lost all their face.”

  Chapter 521: Patriarch’s Crest

  Yun Qinghong’s angry rebuke carried an incomparably shocking aura. Every word that came from his mouth was accompanied by an ostensible pressure which took the air out of the entire building. Every single person present could feel the weight of this oppressive aura and all the Yun Family members present, from the elders to the young disciples, every single one of them had been stunned into silence. Even Yun Xiao’s mouth was gaping open, and he looked at Yun Qinghong with a gaze which scarcely could contain his disbelief… The father he was familiar with was a courtly and peaceable man, and on most days he did not speak much, nor was he willing to interact with other people, to the point where he rarely even left his own courtyard. He had seemed to have reached a state where he was detached from all worldly affairs.

  He could scarcely believe that his own father, facing the respected Duke Hui Ye, would utter such strong, unyielding words. And these words even carried such a tyrannical power.

  Duke Hui Ye would never even dream that Yun Qinghong would deliver such a furious denunciation. Yun Qinghong was clearly a cripple, but facing his current gaze, even he as duke, felt his heart skip a beat. And he, as an esteemed duke, when had ever been lectured so harshly in the public eye? He pointed a finger at Yun Qinghong and in a voice which faintly trembled, “Yun Qinghong, you…”

  “How impudent!” Yun Qinghong’s voice sank an octave further as he directly cut off Duke Hui Ye’s words, “The three words ‘Yun Qinghong’, are they for you to say?! I, Yun Qinghong, made a name for myself in the Demon Imperial City at the age of fourteen. At that time, your royal father was not even born yet! And even the Little Demon Emperor would address me as brother. Who do you think you are, to dare to address this Patriarch’s name so casually?! To have no regard for one’s seniors, to show such lack of courtesy, to be so utterly lacking in breeding and to be filled with such foolish conceit. To top it all off, you have such an exaggerated opinion of yourself that even when you have thrown your royal father’s face all over the ground, you do not even know it! The entire Illusory Demon Royal Family has truly been shamed to the ground because of you! Such an inferior child, even this patria
rch can hardly even be bothered to correct you. Hmph.”

  “You…” Duke Hui Ye entire body trembled. His eyes grew dark, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He, Duke Hui Ye, after arriving at the Yun Family holdings, had been welcomed with respect by the Great Elder himself, and the gazes directed towards him were filled with reverence. When he spoke, everyone echoed his words and not one had dared to put a foot wrong. What an impressive spectacle that had been. As for this patriarch, Yun Qinghong… a cripple, he had not even deigned to give him a single glance; he was currently being scolded miserably by this cripple for the entire world to see. And every single rebuke was impossible for him to refute.

  The present scene had become blanketed in dead silence and everyone’s ears were still buzzing with the sound of Yun Qinghong berating Duke Hui Ye. His words had caused a some of the seniors to recall the memories they had of Yun Qinghong… He was the son of the Demon King, and his innate talent had been even higher than the Demon King at the same age. Amongst all those of his generation, including the Illusory Demon Royal Family, none were his equal. At the age of fourteen, he had caused shockwaves throughout the entire Demon Imperial City and all the seniors knew this fact intimately. And the fact that he and the Little Demon Emperor called each other brother was also an unimpeachable fact. At that time, no one would doubt that Yun Qinhong would succeed Yun Canghai as the second Demon King.

  After a silence which lasted more than twenty years, people had nearly forgotten just what kind of figure Yun Qinghong used to be. But his sudden crippling could not wipe away his past glories. And his title as the youngest ever Monarch in the history of the Illusory Demon Realm was something that no one could take away. His splendor was so dazzling that it practically burned the eyes and up till this day, no one had surpassed it.

  When Yun Qinghong was at the same age as Duke Hui Ye, his accomplishments were something that Duke Hui Ye did not even have the right to discuss.

  Once these memories were jolted back to life, these seniors immediately felt that the wanton rudeness that Duke Hui Ye showed Yun Qinghong was just too ridiculous.

  “Patriarch… This is truly our Patriarch!” An elder stood up excitedly, “Is the Patriarch… is he coming back?”

  His excitement was not allowed to continue as the one who sat beside him restrained him and dragged him back into his seat. The other person, who bore a solemn expression, gave his head a heavy shake… The excited elder’s expression suddenly tightened and he swiftly curbed his exuberance as he settled down.

  Among the core elders and normal elders, a large majority of them displayed looks of astonished joy and emotion on their faces, but they swiftly smothered their expressions. And amidst the raucous and rowdy environment, no one had noticed this particular point. But Yun Che just happened to be facing the direction where the elders were seated and he took note of the temporary change in expression amongst those seated there. His gaze grew concentrated and a deep astonishment emerged in the depths of his eyes.

  Could it be…

  After Yun Qinghong had finished his stern rebuke, he gave a cold snort, and no longer paid any attention to Duke Hui Ye. With sunken brows, he looked towards Yun Xinyue, who had an overcast and uncertain expression on his face. He said, “Yun Xinyue, what are you still standing there for? Come forward immediately and prepare yourself to receive the Profound Handle Soul Search.”

  Yun Qinghong’s sudden explosion completely caught Yun Waitian by surprise. Once he heard Yun Qinghong’s words, his eyes narrowed and he swiftly said, “Yun Qinghong, you… do not go overboard!”

  “Overboard? How am I going overboard?” Yun Qinghong replied in a sedate voice.

  Yun Waitian in a tone that was unyielding and stubborn, “We already clarified before that Xinyue will definitely not be allowed to submit himself to the Profound Handle Soul Search, or else our Yun Family will become the laughingstock of the entire Illusory Demon Realm! Are you, for the sake of protecting your godson, willing to even disregard the sanctity of our Clan’s honor?”

  Yun Qinghong’s gaze was calm and tranquil. Being held directly under that gaze, Yun Waitian suddenly felt like it was difficult to breathe… He faintly began to feel that the previous Yun Qinghong, the previous Yun Family Patriarch, after a long hibernation of twenty-two years, was finally back.

  “If we go solely by the words of an outsider, there is indeed no real reason for us to subject Xinyue to a Profound Handle Soul Search.” Yun Qinghong’s voice suddenly grew more serious as he continued, “But now, it is this patriarch’s command! Has it come to this? That I, as a the head of this clan, cannot even order a junior in the family to do such a simple thing?”

  “Urgh…” Yun Waitian’s throat violently contracted as he was left speechless.

  “Yun Xinyue, come on stage to receive the Profound Handle Soul Search right now… This is an order!” Yun Qinghong commanded.

  Yun Xinyue’s hands started to shake; his forehead was covered with a sheen of cold sweat. He threw a pleading gaze towards Duke Hui Ye, but he discovered instead that Duke Hui Ye’s expression was also extremely ugly. Even though he saw Xinyue’s silent cry for help, he could not force any words out of his mouth… Yun Qinghong’s fierce and cruel criticism had choked him up to the point where he felt like he was going to explode.

  “Hahahaha! This is pathetic, it is simply too pathetic! Yun Qinghong, do you really still think that you are the Yun Qinghong of old? Right now, all that you truly are is a mere cripple!” Helian Peng once again let out his shrill, mocking laugh.

  “Even if I am a cripple, I am still the Yun Family Patriarch!”

  “Yun Family Patriarch? Hehe…” Helian Peng’s mocking laugh arose once again, “What evidence can you bring out to prove that you are the Yun Family Patriarch? What right do you have to call yourself the Yun Family Patriarch? Even an outsider like myself knows that the one symbol which proves the status of a Yun Family Patriarch is the Patriarch’s Crest that has been handed down since the time of your ancestor. Only if you have the Patriarch’s Crest, can you be the Yun Family Patriarch! It is just like how, within the Illusory Demon Royal Family, only the one who holds the Demon Emperor’s Seal is the true Demon Emperor! Yun Qinghong, since you call yourself a patriarch, then you must have the Patriarch’s Crest.”

  “All those years ago, because he did not have the Demon Emperor’s Seal, the Little Demon Emperor did not dare to assume the title of Demon Emperor and the Little Demon Empress could only be called that very title. Even the Little Demon Emperor and Empress did it in such a way. So Yun Qinghong, if you do not have the Patriarch’s Crest, what right do you have to call yourself the Yun Family Patriarch? And what right do you have to order your clansmen around?!”

  One hundred years ago, as the Demon King Yun Canghai left and never came back, the Yun Family’s Patriarch’s Crest disappeared along with him. And it was only after these events that Yun Qinghong succeeded him as Patriarch. The Yun Family’s ‘Patriarch’s Crest’ had been lost for one hundred years; this was something every single person in the Demon Imperial City knew. Because this Patriarch’s Crest could be said to be the most important artifact to the Yun Family, and within it contained the most original form of the Purple Cloud Art; it even held the power imprint and soul imprint of every single person who had ever held the title of Patriarch. Once it was lost, it was impossible to duplicate or replace it.

  After Yun Qinghong had finally emerged from his silence of twenty-two years to once more forcefully proclaim his status as Patriarch, Helian Peng had deliberately chosen to mention the Patriarch’s Crest that had been lost for one hundred years. It was truly an insidious assault against Yun Qinghong’s weak point. But Yun Qinghong was not the least bit flustered, the corners of eyes slanted and he coldly laughed, “Helian Peng, you are rather attentive to the affairs of the Yun Family today, especially our Yun Family’s Yun Xinyue. You have been quite protective over him… Ah, but since you want to see my Yun Family’s Patriarch’s Crest, le
t me fulfill your desire.”

  As Yun Qinghong’s voice fell, the arm that had always been pressed down on the armrest of wheelchair steadily rose up and within his palm, a purple jade tablet, that fit nicely into the hollow of his palm, released a clear purple radiance.

  Once this purple-colored jade tablet had made an appearance, every single Yun Family disciple present clearly felt the Purple Cloud Art within their bodies start to throb involuntarily. Even the blood within their bodies began stirring restlessly. All the present Yun Family members who were older than one hundred years of age began to stand up one after the other. Even the three grand elders Yun Jiang, Yun He and Yun Xi stood up as one, their faces displaying an expression that was deeply moved and astonished at the same time.

  “It… It is the Patriarch’s Crest! It is our Yun Family’s Patriarch’s Crest!” Grand Elder Yun Xi directly blurted these words out. A stately grand elder had actually lost control of his emotions, so one could imagine just how agitated he was.

  “The Patriarch’s Crest… It is not possible! Wasn’t the Patriarch’s Crest lost those hundred years ago?! But, this aura…”

  “We can’t be mistaken! This is without a doubt the Patriarch’s Crest! It is definitely not possible for another one to exist in this world!”

  “The Heavens have had mercy on us, our Yun Family’s Patriarch’s Crest….. has finally returned to us!”

  …………

  The young generation did not truly understand the significance of the concept behind the ‘Patriarch’s Crest’. But for all of the seniors who were older than one hundred years of age, it was the one thing in the Yun Family that nothing could be compared to; a sacred artifact which was valued above all. And for the Patriarch’s Crest to see the light of day once more, and in Yun Qinghong’s hand no less, these Yun Family seniors were moved to the point where they were besides themselves as tears began to flow from some of their eyes.