Earlier that day…
"Are you sure only the two of us are enough without Sister Ling? We're going to face your uncle, after all."
Lin Yueru's voice carried a note of concern as she and Cang Yue soared through the pale morning sky, their wings catching the sunlight that broke through the clouds. Below them stretched the vast plains of the Cang Empire, and ahead — the towering walls of the Cang Outer Family's palace.
Cang Yue's expression, however, remained calm. "It's enough," she replied, her tone steady but firm. "Sister Ling's presence would only make them wary. Besides… I've always wanted to have a talk with those family members of mine."
Yueru glanced sideways at her. "Do they really offend you that much?"
Cang Yue was quiet for a moment, her golden eyes dimming slightly as she stared ahead. When she finally spoke, her voice softened — not with weakness, but with something heavier.
"No… not exactly," she said. "My uncle was one of the people who accused my mother of cheating back then."
Lin Yueru blinked in surprise. "Accused…?"
Cang Yue gave a faint, almost bitter laugh. "I haven't told anyone other than my closest friends and family. The Cang Family has always been known for its 'blessed bloodline.' For nearly two thousand years, only sons were born into our line — not a single daughter in all that time. People used to call it Heaven's favor."
Yueru tilted her head. "Two thousand years of only men being born? That's… impossible."
"The heavens have their ways," Cang Yue replied softly, a faint smile touching her lips — one that didn't reach her eyes.
What she didn't say was that the Moon Empress herself had played a role in her birth.
"That's what Che'er told me once," she continued, her voice barely above the whisper of the wind. "But when my mother gave birth to me — a daughter — they called me a curse. They branded her a whore and claimed she'd defiled the family's purity. To them, it was impossible for a woman to be born into a bloodline that had produced only men for two thousand years. My birth ended their so-called divine blessing.
Trust me… none of the family liked it."
Her tone wavered, not with anger but with something heavier — sorrow sharpened by memory.
"Father didn't believe them," she went on after a pause. "He was the Emperor — but even his throne couldn't wash away the stain of my birth. Still, he stood by her. He never once blamed my mother. He shielded her from every accusation, every venomous word.
Even when I was proven to be his legitimate child, it didn't stop the whispers. To them, I was still the cursed daughter… and my mother, the disgrace that ruined their blessed line."
Yueru's brows furrowed, her heart aching at the confession. "I didn't know…"
Cang Yue nodded slightly, her gaze distant. "How could you? It's not something I ever spoke of. To the world, I was the perfect princess — calm, graceful, untouchable. But inside that palace back then, I was just the child they wanted to erase."
"I remember vividly…" Cang Yue's voice trembled, though her expression stayed composed. "My stepmothers used to beat me for things their sons did. They never cared — they just needed someone to blame. And who better than the 'cursed child'?"
Her fingers clenched slightly on the hilt of her sword as she continued, her voice dropping to a soft, pained murmur."Mother always took the blows for me. She'd tell me it was fine, that everything was better now… but her bleeding forehead and bruised arms said otherwise."
Lin Yueru's eyes darkened. "How cruel…"
"Mother suffered," Cang Yue whispered. "And eventually… Sister Ling came to us."
Her tone shifted — lighter, almost nostalgic. "She protected us. I still remember — she beat up my brothers one by one, ignoring their titles and ranks. Not even the Imperial Protectors dared to stop her. My stepmothers tried to send her back to the villa, but the villa refused — said they wanted nothing to do with her stubbornness."
A faint smile curved her lips. "Sis Ling's hard head became my shield. After that, no one in the palace dared to touch us again."
Her smile faded. "But…"
Yueru stayed silent, sensing the weight that followed.
"Mother was poisoned." Cang Yue's voice grew small, each word trembling. "No one ever found out who did it. Even on her deathbed, she forgave them all. She didn't die with hatred in her heart. She told me I was her light — the gift heaven had given her. Her pride and joy."
She drew a slow breath, steadying the pain that still lingered. "After she died, I tried to live as she wanted — with grace, with strength. But as I grew older, my brothers began using me as a tool. They wanted to marry me off to nobles to gain influence. The worst among them was Fen Juecheng. He…"
Her jaw tightened. "He wanted to own me. Turn me to a trophy. To break me. So I ran away."
Yueru's eyes widened. "You fled the capital?"
"I fled because I was terrified," Cang Yue admitted. "Father was gravely ill, and I used the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament as my excuse — I said I was going to find someone to represent the Imperial Family. But deep down… I just wanted to escape being used as a pawn."
"So, I lay low in the New Moon Profound Palace under the name Lan Xueruo," Cang Yue began, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Things were quiet… at first. Until the city governor's son, Murong Ye, decided to make my life miserable. He followed me everywhere — like an annoying fly that wouldn't go away."
Lin Yueru chuckled. "Sounds like someone needed a good beating."
"Oh, trust me," Yue said with a soft laugh. "Che'er took care of that part. He came and freed me from that nuisance. Well, Retsu-chan did. She flicked his forehead with less effort. I owe them for that — it was one of the first times he truly stood up for me."
Her smile turned faintly nostalgic as she added, "That was also the day I met Sister Yuechan. I… might have been caught snooping around his quarters at that time, and she tied me to a tree for it."
"Pff—!" Lin Yueru burst into laughter. "She tied you up? Oh, heavens, I wish I could've seen that!"
Cang Yue pouted slightly but couldn't help laughing too. "Hey! I didn't expect it, alright? I was trying to see Che'er to thank him — which, unknowingly, was a fair assumption!"
Their laughter faded into warm smiles as she continued, her tone softening. "Anyway… that was also the day Che'er and Retsu-chan accepted my proposal — to become the champions of the Blue Wind Imperial Family. They trained me day and night until I earned the right to stand beside them… as the third member of our team."
Lin Yueru smiled gently, her tone fond. "You've come a long way, Yue'er."
"I have," Cang Yue murmured, looking toward the distant palace. "And now… it's time to show my family just how far I've come."
She exhaled slowly, her tone gentling. "For generations, the Blue Wind Imperial Family had been a laughingstock — always last in every tournament. I wanted to bring pride back to our name, even if it was the last thing I did."
Her gaze softened as a small, genuine smile found her lips. "And that's when I met Che'er — Yun Che. Back then, his only companion was Retsu-chan. I begged him to help me, though I think he already knew what I was going to ask before I spoke."
She laughed faintly, almost in disbelief at the memory. "That was the moment everything changed. I didn't just find someone to fight for my family… I found the best among them. And he trained me — not to find someone worthy of the Blue Wind Imperial Family name, but to become that person myself."
Lin Yueru's eyes softened, her voice gentle. "Your life has been full of ups and downs, Yue'er."
"I used to fear my uncle," Cang Yue said softly, her gaze distant as the palace came into view on the horizon. "He insulted my mother every chance he got. She never fought back — she just smiled and endured it. But I could see it in her eyes… every word he spoke cut her deeper than any blade."
Her fingers curled slightly, her voice steady yet heavy with memory. "Now, I can face him. I won't bow, and I won't hide. Though…" she gave a faint, mischievous smile, "I do owe him a little payback — especially after what his son did to Mei Mei."
Lin Yueru's eyes widened. "She was hurt?"
Cang Yue nodded. "Retsu-chan saved her in the last second. But that moment awakened Shin Yue—" a small smile touched her lips, "—and let's just say she handled them well. My cousin and his friends ended up kissing the floor so hard my uncle begged me to forgive them."
Lin Yueru laughed softly, shaking her head. "I can't imagine how they must've looked. Maybe meeting you really did change my fate too."
Cang Yue turned toward her, her expression gentle. "Maybe?" she teased lightly. "You were the one who said you wanted to run away from your arranged marriage."
"I did," Lin Yueru admitted with a smile. "And maybe becoming your protector isn't so bad after all."
Cang Yue's smile grew warmer, a quiet pride glinting in her eyes. "Then, let's protect each other, Ru'er."
For a moment, the two women shared a look — calm, resolute, and bound by quiet understanding — before spreading their wings again, flying side by side toward the looming palace where Cang Yue's past awaited her.
"I see you've finally gotten those wings under control," Cang Yue said, glancing sideways as Lin Yueru expertly glided through the air beside her.
"I did," Lin Yueru replied proudly. "Took me a while to figure out how to balance them, but these things are incredible. Makes us below Sky Profound Realm feel like we can soar."
Cang Yue smiled. "But you broke through to the fifth level of Earth Profound Realm, didn't you?"
"I do," Lin Yueru admitted with a grin as she finally make a breakthrough in her cultivation. "This thing uses far less energy than flying on my own. And look who's talking — you broke through to the third level of Sky Profound Realm. You could the Profound Flying Technique. Do you still need yours?"
"Of course," Cang Yue answered, adjusting the faint glow of her wing artifact. "They conserve profound energy. Besides, these wings are Nemu's design — I can't let them collect dust."
"Ehee~," Lin Yueru giggled. "I broke through last night, actually. Used the pill you gave me — that thing's broken! A single one pushed me up five levels! Finally surpassed the former genius Ling Yun! It's a shame I have to wait a month before I can take another. I couldn't wait to achieved Peak Earth Profound Realm."
"That's what Che'er told me," Cang Yue replied.
"Wait, is it true he made them?"
"Not him, but my master Mihawk." Yue said softly. "He's from the Dead Spirit Realm. He knows things that even the most ancient sects here don't. It's not surprising he could craft something like that."
Yueru huffed, folding her arms mid-flight. "The same as that fiancée of yours right? That guy's mysterious all right. Too bad he's a pervert."
Cang Yue gave a small laugh. "You're still going on about that?"
"He is! You have no idea what goes on in men's heads. Probably always thinking about ways to—"
"Rue'er."
"—defile us!"
Cang Yue sighed, though a teasing smile tugged at her lips. "You have quite the imagination. Maybe other men are like that… but not Che'er. Kon surely is, but not him."
Yueru raised an eyebrow. "You surely trust him a lot."
"I do," Cang Yue said simply, looking ahead at the clouds. "Maybe you will too… one day."
"As if…" Yueru muttered, though her tone was softer than usual.
Cang Yue smiled quietly. She could see it — the shift in Lin Yueru's heart. The tension between her and Che'er had softened. The snide remarks were fewer. More like frenemies, perhaps… but the trust was already growing.
It was only a matter of time.
They folded their wings and landed at the palace gate as if they owned the sky. Cang Yue tugged her veiled hat into place; Lin Yueru mirrored the movement beside her. The guards at the gate straightened immediately, eyes narrowing as they took in the two visitors.
"Halt! This is a restricted area," one barked.
Cang Yue let her gaze sweep over them once — a subtle probe of Haki. Their cultivations barely scraped the Spirit Profound Realm. Child's play to her now, but she kept her expression perfectly composed. There was no need for a display.
She stepped forward without ceremony. "I am the Blue Moon Princess, Cang Yue. I request audience with the King."
The guards exchanged incredulous looks. The veil hid her face; none of them recognized the princess who rarely set foot in the palace. Not to mention, the outer palace so far from the Imperial City.
"Blue Moon Princess?" one scoffed loudly. "Ha! And I'm the heir to the heavens."
Another spat a laugh. "You think you can fool us with a veiled hat? The princess never comes here. Do you take us for fools?"
"We'll have your heads if you try anything," a third sneered, wagging a finger as if the threat were a joke.
One of them took a step forward, voice thick with mockery. "You should leave before we make you regret wasting our time."
They laughed together — crude, confident — certain the two women were nothing more than pretenders. Lin Yueru's fingers twitched at her side; there was a flash of impatience in her eyes. Cang Yue's jaw tightened only slightly. Her smile was polite — but it didn't reach her eyes.
The jeers continued, careless and loud, unaware they were prodding a sleeping storm.
Cang Yue's sigh was barely a breath — but the air answered her anyway.
"Yue'er…" Lin Yueru murmured, alarm and awe threading her voice.
"I don't have time for this." Cang Yue's words were soft, almost polite. Then she stopped pretending. The world tilted, just for a heartbeat.
A thin pressure rolled out from her like the hush before a storm — Haoshoku. It seeped into the marrow of the guards' bones: a cold, absolute authority that scraped away bravado and left raw, animal fear. No one collapsed; she hadn't wanted their bodies broken. But every man at the gate staggered as if the sky had frowned upon them.
"You—!" one of them tried to draw his sword. His hand shook so badly the blade rattled uselessly in its scabbard.
Cang Yue's expression didn't change. She stepped forward and let a second wave slip from her — greater, more focused. The pressure filled their chests like ice. Weapons clattered to the ground; knees hit stone. Only a handful managed to remain on their feet, pale and trembling.
Lin Yueru's eyes went wide with astonishment. "You… you used Haoshoku," she breathed. She heard about it days before when Yun Che introduced Haki but, never actually felt its power directly. "You actually—"
The guards froze. Their breath caught in their throats as an invisible weight pressed down on them — heavy, majestic, undeniable.
That aura.
Their faces drained of color the instant they felt it — an oppressive yet dignified presence that seemed to pierce through their very souls. None dared to move. None dared to speak. It wasn't the coldness of killing intent that seized them… but the natural authority of someone who had long since transcended their world.
Cang Yue didn't need to reveal her face. She didn't even raise her voice.
The mere release of her conqueror's aura was enough — that noble, overwhelming presence that rolled over the palace courtyard like a storm.
Cang Yue.
The cursed child of the Imperial line — the girl they once mocked and dismissed — had returned not as a shadow of shame… but as a sovereign.
She remembered Yun Che's words clearly:
"You don't need to show your face to make people bow. Power speaks for you. Let your aura tell them who you are."
And so she did.
The guards trembled, caught between reverence and fear, unable to look her in the eye. Even Lin Yueru, standing beside her, felt the faint chill of awe ripple through her heart.
Cang Yue's wings folded softly behind her as her gaze swept over the palace gates. Her voice, calm yet carrying the weight of command, broke the silence:
"Announce it to the household," she said softly. "Tell my uncle… that his niece has come to see him."
Princess… Cang Yue?
The realization struck them like a hammer to the chest. The Imperial Princess of the Blue Wind Empire — the sole heir to the throne — stood before them, veiled and calm, her presence heavier than any army.
Their earlier mockery echoed in their minds like the tolling of their own death knell. The one they had insulted, dismissed, and threatened to drive away was royalty. Not just any noble — but the one born to inherit the empire itself.
One of the guards stumbled backward, nearly dropping his weapon. "P–P–Princess… Cang Yue?! I–It can't be—"
Another slapped his comrade's arm, eyes wide with terror. "You fool! You questioned the princess herself?"
The realization spread like wildfire among them. Their laughter was gone, replaced by a trembling silence.
Knees hit the ground one after another — thud, thud, thud — until all of them were bowing before her, foreheads pressed to the cold marble.
"Y–Your Highness! We beg forgiveness!" "We didn't know! Please spare our foolish lives!"
Even the most arrogant among them could barely look up. Fear and awe clung to the air like thick mist.
Cang Yue, still veiled, regarded them coolly. The faint frost of her aura lingered, shimmering in the sunlight like shards of diamond dust.
From the corner of her eye, Lin Yueru studied the woman beside her.
Cang Yue…
She could hardly recognize her anymore.
She heard it from Xue Ling. Once, she was clumsy — the kind who tripped over her own steps during sparring. Meek, polite to a fault, easily startled by sudden sounds or stern voices. The sheltered princess who apologized even when others were in the wrong.
But now—
The air around her commanded obedience. Her gaze held weight, her words carried authority, and the faint golden shimmer of her aura felt like standing before royalty reborn.
This wasn't the same Cang Yue who once hid behind Yun Che's shadow.
This was the woman who, just last night, stood before hundreds and reinstated Jin Zhuo as the City Lord with a single sentence — silencing every noble in the hall without raising her voice. No trembling hands, no nervous stammer. Only calm, decisive strength.
Just like when Shin Yue took over.
Lin Yueru folded her arms and let out a soft whistle. "Who would've thought… the timid princess turned out to be this terrifying."
Cang Yue's lips curved faintly, her eyes never leaving the palace gates. "Terrifying?"
"I mean that as a compliment," Lin Yueru added quickly, smirking. "Guess you really did spend too much time with that pervert or your master."
Cang Yue's faint smile didn't fade. "Maybe I did. Or maybe I just learned how to stop being afraid. Maybe they taught be to be a bit firm?"
The guards bowed even deeper, their pride shattered, their loyalty sealed by fear and respect alike.
Cang Yue turned slightly, her calm composure unshaken, and gestured toward the gates. "Take me to my uncle, Cang Lingwu," she said, her tone firm yet regal. "I would hate to make my own way in."
"Yes, Your Highness!" the captain stammered, scrambling to his feet and signaling the others.
The massive gates creaked open, the sound echoing through the courtyard like a herald's call.
As Cang Yue and Lin Yueru stepped through, the kneeling guards dared to glance up — just in time to catch the fading trail of her frost aura, lingering in the air like a divine reminder:
The cursed child had returned — no longer a frail girl hiding behind whispers, but as the Princess of Blue Wind Empire, rightful heir to the throne.
"Believe me now?"
Silence answered, broken only by the guards' ragged breathing. The leader — a burly man whose earlier mockery had vanished from his face — scrambled to his knees, eyes a glossy pool of fear and respect.
"Your Majesty… Princess Cang Yue…" he stammered, voice hollow. "Forgive our insolence. We didn't see Mount Tai before us! We didn't mean to.... I— I will escort you at once. Please spare us."
Cang Yue inclined her head just slightly, the smallest motion of acknowledgment. She never wanted to humiliate them; she only needed the path cleared.
"As I say," she continued, voice calm and cold as frost, "Blue Moon Princess Cang Yue requests an audience with her uncle, Cang Lingwu. Either one of you escort me to the palace, or I will find my own way in."
The leader swallowed, then scrambled to his feet, pulling the remaining guards up with trembling hands. Their faces were pale, their previous swagger replaced by frantic obedience as they opened the great gates and formed a trembling escort.
Word spread faster than they moved. Servants peered from windows; palace sentries crowded the halls.
Lin Yueru fell into step at Cang Yue's side, wings folding neatly behind her. The procession swept through the palace's marble courtyards, past rows of kneeling servants and stunned courtiers. The closer they drew to the inner chambers, the thicker the silence grew — not deference alone, but the kind of uneasy hush reserved for a storm about to break.
================
Cang Lingwu had been gritting his teeth since dawn.
The report had come like a thunderclap: Princess Cang Yue has arrived in Xuanwu City.
Even now, he could still remember the humiliation. The day the cursed princess unleashed those water dragons and restrained not only his son but him—along with his personal protectors. He could still feel the suffocating force of that pressure, the suffocating presence that lingered long after she was gone.
A hidden ruler.That was what he saw that day — a sovereign sleeping beneath the skin of a timid girl.
And now, that hidden ruler had awakened.
He slammed his fist against the armrest of his chair, the sound echoing through the grand hall. "How did she get this far? What reason does she have for coming here now of all times?"
His advisers and attendants bowed their heads, not daring to speak. The last messenger who brought him bad news had nearly lost his life.
"She reinstated Jin Zhuo as the City Lord," one of them finally said, trembling. "On the spot. Declared it before the entire ten families. Even the Zhu Family's general is beaten. we didn't know Jin Mulan possessed the power of a throne as well?"
Cang Lingwu's face twisted with fury. "That rebel?! We cut off all communication between Xuanwu City and the Imperial Capital! How in the hell did she learn of our dealings?"
Silence. No one answered.
He leaned back on his throne, his expression dark. So the Imperial Family wasn't as broken as they thought. The rebellion that once seemed like a certain victory had turned into a slow, rotting stalemate.
He clenched his jaw as his thoughts spiraled.
"After the purge during Cang Wanhe's supposed execution — when the princess's rebellion rise — we thought my brother had imprisoned every legitimate heir for their coup… only to leave her."
Cang Lingwu's voice dripped with venom, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the armrest.
"That cursed child. The girl who shattered our two-thousand-year line of men. The heavens mock us by giving her the throne."
For generations, their family's pride rested upon that divine male lineage — the so-called Blessed Bloodline. Every generation produced sons destined for power, warriors of the Cang name who ruled without question. Until she was born.
A daughter. A curse. An insult to heaven itself, or so they had believed.
Her birth had divided the royal house — half saw her as a miracle, the other half as a divine punishment. And Lingwu was the first to sharpen that whisper into a blade.
He closed his eyes, remembering.
Back then, he had prayed for his brother's death. If the Emperor fell, he would rally the outer royal branches, seize control of the court, and restore the Cang name to its rightful, masculine glory.
Everything had been within his grasp. His brother's illness, the growing unrest, the fading loyalty of the nobles — all had lined up like fate itself guiding his hand.
And yet—
That frail little girl had ruined everything.
Not only had her father recovered, but the cursed princess rose beside him — radiant, confident, and blessed by fortune itself.
What was worse, she had gained more than just the throne's legitimacy. She had earned power — the kind of power even the great sects hesitated to challenge.
Lingwu slammed his fist against the table, his composure cracking like the wood beneath his hand.
"Somehow… she rose from the ashes — stronger, bolder… and with backing I can't even provoke!"
The words echoed through the chamber, dripping with rage and disbelief.
He stared at his trembling hands, his mind clouded by hatred and dread.
"The heavens mock me," he muttered through clenched teeth. "They gave a throne meant for kings… to a cursed child."
The appearance of Xue Ling, a Throne-level powerhouse, openly standing by her side, had sent shockwaves through the smaller Cang families. Even the Wu Clan, who had promised their support to his cause, began to waver.
Frozen Cloud Asgard. And that damned swordsman rumored to have stood beside her.
Cang Lingwu's nails dug into the armrest. "How did she gain all that power… that influence? Frozen Cloud Asgard backing her, a Throne at her side, and even the nobles rallying behind her name? She was supposed to be nothing—nothing!"
His voice cracked into a growl. "She was supposed to die with her mother!"
The air grew heavy. No one dared breathe.
"Your Majesty!"
The heavy doors burst open as a trembling guard stumbled into the throne room, breathless and pale.
Cang Lingwu snapped his head toward him, irritation already flaring. "What is it now?!"
"P-Princess… Princess Cang Yue requests an audience!"
For a moment, silence swallowed the entire hall.
Then, Cang Lingwu shot to his feet, his expression twisting. "She… she's here?!"
Before he could even prepare himself, the great doors opened once more — but this time with deliberate grace.
Two figures stepped through the golden archway, their footsteps echoing against the marble floor. The hall seemed to grow colder and brighter all at once.
At the front walked a woman dressed in flowing imperial blue, her veil fluttering faintly in the gentle wind that followed her. Behind her was another — a proud beauty with crimson eyes and an unmistakable aura of sharpness, like a blade hidden in silk.
Every servant in the hall instinctively dropped to their knees, heads bowed to the floor. The air trembled with reverence.
But then—
"Please."
Her voice was calm, soft, yet firm enough to command the room.
"Prostration is meant for the heavens, not for a human like me," she said, her words echoing clearly. "A simple bow is all I require, if respect is what you wish to show. I am only a princess, not a god."
Her tone carried a warmth that soothed the trembling servants — but in that warmth lay unshakable authority. It was the kind of voice that made men obey without realizing why.
Cang Yue had learned these words from Yun Che himself. He had told her once, "To bow is respect. To prostrate is worship — and worship belongs only to the heavens."
Since then, she had never allowed anyone to kneel before her again. Not soldiers, not servants, not nobles.
To her, it was an insult — not to her pride, but to the divine balance itself. Even Shin Yue doesn't mind if people bowed or not. As long as no one pissed her off.
Cang Lingwu's jaw tightened. Not prostrate before the royal family? To him, it was a direct slap to his authority — a heresy against the sacred bloodline of the Cang.
He forced his expression into a smile, though his teeth were clenched behind it.
"Ah, dear niece…"
Cang Lingwu's smile was sharp and thin, his voice smooth like poison wrapped in silk. "How nice of you to drop by. Why didn't you inform me sooner? We could have prepared a royal welcome worthy of your status."
He gestured to the ornate throne behind him. "Please, sit. You're family — I can have the servants prepare everything at once."
Cang Yue said nothing.
Instead, she extended her hand, and with a faint shimmer of azure light, a small embroidered cushion appeared from her spatial ring. She gently placed it on the carpeted floor before kneeling down upon it.
Lin Yueru followed silently, kneeling just behind her — her sharp eyes sweeping across the startled faces of the courtiers.
Gasps filled the hall.
For a princess to kneel upon the floor, before nobles and servants alike — it defied every rule of royal etiquette. The throne room, once filled with tension, now brimmed with confusion and awe.
But Cang Yue did not kneel in submission. She knelt in conviction.
Her movements were deliberate, calm, and graceful — the opposite of desperation. It wasn't humility born of weakness, but strength cloaked in gentleness.
She remembered the days when the palace servants whispered behind her back — when even bowing before her was seen as unnecessary. The cursed child, they called her. The girl who brought shame to the royal bloodline.
But that girl was gone.
Now, she knelt — not to beg for respect, but to teach them its meaning.
"No such ceremony, Uncle," she said softly, her tone smooth yet edged like water against stone. "I am but a human. Not a deity. I did nothing to deserve such worship."
She lifted her gaze, her silver-blue eyes steady beneath her veil.
"What I seek is not reverence, but trust — the trust of my people. That, I believe, is what a ruler should earn. Not by sitting on a golden chair demanding obedience… but by standing — or kneeling — among those they wish to protect."
Her words echoed through the chamber, elegant and unshakable.
Cang Lingwu's smile faltered for a split second before he forced a laugh. He could taste the sarcasm in her every syllable, and it stung worse than any blade.
"My, my… I never knew my little niece could speak so well," he sneered. "Tell me, did you come here to lecture me? Or just to throw barbed words at your own uncle?"
Cang Yue's tone remained serene. "No, Uncle. I'm not here to throw insults."
She paused — long enough for every ear in the room to hang on her next words.
"I came to remind you."
Cang Lingwu's jaw tensed. "Remind me… of what?"
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze as calm as a lake beneath moonlight. "That power is a burden, not a birthright. And that one day, those who mock the heavens often find themselves at the mercy of its storms."
Lin Yueru bit back a grin from behind her. There it is.
Cang Lingwu's composure cracked, anger flaring in his tone. "Hmph… so the rumors were true. You've changed since that day. You even beat Xingwu again. Can't you show some mercy to your own cousin? He's family — yet you humiliated him in front of his men!"
Cang Yue's voice did not rise, yet every word struck like thunder.
"Mercy? You call it mercy when the strong crush the weak for sport?" Her eyes gleamed with quiet fury. "He bullied a noble family who could not defend themselves. I merely reminded him that those who play absurd games…"
She leaned forward, her tone cooling like frost.
"…should be prepared to win absurd prizes."
The courtiers froze — not just at her words, but at her tone. Calm, measured, utterly fearless.
Even veiled, her presence filled the hall like a sovereign who didn't need a throne to rule.
Lin Yueru glanced at Cang Lingwu, who sat stiffly on his throne, his pride warring with the instinct to bow. She couldn't help but smirk.
"Careful, old man," she thought, "that calm voice of hers will tear down your palace faster than a sword."
Cang Lingwu's fingers tightened around the throne's armrest. "Little niece," he said coldly, "you have quite the sharp tongue. A girl who has never ruled should watch her words before they cut the wrong flesh."
Cang Yue raised her gaze, the soft light from the chandeliers glinting off her veil. Her voice, when it came, was calm—too calm.
"Tell me, Uncle… are you the ruler of this city?"
The question slid into the room like a dagger. The courtiers froze.
Cang Lingwu's jaw stiffened. "What kind of question is that?"
"The kind," she said, rising to her feet, "that a ruler should answer before judging others. "Her aura swelled—not violent, but sovereign, and the air itself seemed to hush in reverence.
"The people of Xuanwu City suffer," she continued, each word deliberate. "They rot in poverty while you sit here, surrounded by gold and excess. According to Jin Zhuo—the rightful governor of this province—five years ago the so-called royal family arrived, built a palace, and began demanding absurd taxes."
"You—!"
"Suddenly," she said, her tone unyielding, "you replaced the Jin Family's leadership, appointed Liu Wuyan as city lord, and cast Jin Zhuo aside. I seem to recall, Uncle, that the Jin Family has served as the governors of this province for generations."
Cang Lingwu's composure broke, anger seeping into his words. "You're nothing but a pampered princess—!"
Cang Yue's tone sharpened like frost. "Uncle," she said evenly, "show courtesy when people are speaking."
The hall went silent. Even the guards dared not breathe.
"You demanded tribute from people who never even knew your authority," she continued. "You came here waving my father's decree, proclaiming yourself royal—and built this palace of indulgence while your citizens starved. I have read the records of provincial governance, Uncle. You did not build a settlement as ordered; you invaded one already standing and drained it dry."
Cang Lingwu rose from his throne, slamming a fist against its arm. "On what basis do you accuse me? Do you think because you wear a crown, you can hurl accusations without proof?"
Cang Yue's reply was steady, measured, and lethal. "Ah, you are mistaken, dear Uncle. Did you truly think I came here without evidence?"
She reached into her sleeve and produced a small bundle of scrolls—royal insignia gleaming upon their seals.
"I may be my father's daughter, but I do not act without cause. You, however, have used his name to rule without his consent. You were ordered to establish a settlement—a frontier to protect the people. Instead, you came to an existing city, declared yourself ruler, and bled it of wealth under the banner of imperial decree."
Her silver eyes narrowed beneath the veil.
"The Jin Family recorded everything," she finished softly. "And I… have read every single word."
"Those damned Jin Family!"Cang Lingwu slammed his fist onto the throne's armrest, his voice echoing through the marble hall.
Cang Yue didn't even blink. Her tone remained composed, but her words struck like blades wrapped in silk."They are not guilty, Uncle. Their only fault was standing in the way of your greed."
Her gaze hardened behind the veil."But tell me—why did you suddenly travel to the Imperial City five years ago? Why did you push so desperately to place yourself—or your son, Xingwu—into the royal succession? You must have thought… a girl in the ruling line would be easy enough to remove."
"You—!"
His voice cracked with outrage, but she cut through it like ice.
"A few nights after your 'visit,' the Wu Clan made their move," she continued."During the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament, their envoys attempted to infiltrate the Imperial City and the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament. We investigated and discovered their true motive."
Her eyes glowed faintly with azure light. "They planned to seize the Imperial Palace. They assumed you had already taken control."
Lingwu's face drained of color."What nonsense—!"
"But they didn't expect me," she interrupted softly, stepping closer."They didn't expect the 'cursed child' to awaken and ruin everything."
Her words fell into the silence like thunder muffled by velvet.
"Isn't that right, Uncle?"
Lingwu gripped the armrest until his knuckles whitened. "You speak without proof! On what basis do you accuse your own blood?"
Cang Yue exhaled slowly, almost pitying him."I chose not to pursue the matter then," she said. "After all, your plans—and theirs—were already in ruins. I thought perhaps mercy would remind you of loyalty."
She paused, letting the silence stretch.
"But treason doesn't fade with silence."
Lingwu snapped, "You have no proof!"
Cang Yue's eyes sharpened. "Oh, I do, dear Uncle."
Her hand flicked, and a golden jade slip appeared, gleaming with sealing runes.
"We kind of interrogated a Wu Clan elder who led the thousand men on that ark," she said evenly."He confessed everything. Sort of. The planned assault during the tournament. The infiltration. The sabotage meant to ignite chaos in the capital. All of it—recorded, verified, and presented to the Emperor himself."
Cang Lingwu froze in place, his face paling.
"So, that about covers it, dear Uncle…" Cang Yue's calm voice carried through the hall, graceful yet unyielding. Her gaze was sharp behind the veil as she continued, "As your niece, I request that you withdraw every corrupted enforcer under your command — the same dogs who turned a blind eye while gangs terrorized this city."
The air grew still.
"I will reorganize the city guard under the Jin Family banner," she went on, "with loyal members of the Jin Family and our allied houses. Furthermore, you will abolish those absurd taxes you've imposed on the people… and finally, you will leave this city. From this day forth, Jin Province will fall directly under the Emperor's administration through Jin Zhuo."
Her words fell like blades, each syllable precise and deliberate.
Cang Lingwu's face darkened, his earlier politeness evaporating."Little niece… I take back what I said," he spat, rising to his feet. "You are the cursed child of this family! Why should I bend to your whims?!"
"Maybe," Cang Yue replied coolly, "if Father himself said so… you might be convinced?"
Without waiting for a response, she reached into her sleeve and retrieved a small device — a miniature hologram projector, crafted by Nemu. A faint hum filled the hall as azure light shimmered to life, projecting the regal figure of Cang Wanhe, Emperor of the Blue Wind Empire.
The chamber erupted in gasps.
"What… what trickery is this?" Cang Lingwu stammered, taking a step back.
Before anyone could react further, the courtiers and guards fell to their knees instinctively.Cang Yue raised a hand. "That's enough," she said firmly. "Kneeling and bowing is sufficient. Prostration belongs to the heavens, not us."
Even the Emperor's image gave a faint nod of approval. The servants stared in awe — for the first time, they beheld the true ruler of the Blue Wind Empire, and realized beyond doubt that the veiled woman was indeed his daughter — Princess Cang Yue.
"Lingwu," came the Emperor's voice, calm and commanding. "It's been a while."
"Brother Wanhe…" Cang Lingwu's voice trembled slightly.
"This little invention of Yue'er's is quite convenient," Wanhe mused, glancing affectionately at his daughter through the projection. "Now, about that matter she mentioned…"
"You're not seriously believing her, are you?!" Lingwu burst out, desperation seeping through his words. "She's—she's twisting things!"
"I do believe her," the Emperor interrupted, his tone suddenly sharp. "I trusted Yue'er's mother — my late Lan Ying — more than any other. And I trust her daughter just as deeply."
"Brother, I am your own blood!" Lingwu protested, his face pale.
"Yes," Wanhe replied coldly. "But I never gave you permission to settle in Xuanwu City. The Jin Family's reports were… enlightening. They've kept your corruption well hidden — no wonder no word from this province reached the capital."
Cang Lingwu's composure shattered. "I… I can explain—"
"There's no need." The Emperor's eyes — though mere light and illusion — bore into him with the weight of mountains. "Yue'er has already explained everything. You know what you must do."
The room fell silent. Even the flicker of torches seemed afraid to speak.
"This…"Cang Lingwu's voice faltered. The words refused to come.
The Emperor's gaze hardened, his tone dropping into quiet steel."I expect those matters to be handled at once. Otherwise, Yue'er will… handle them herself. And trust me, Lingwu — her other side is not someone even I would want to provoke."
The faint echo of authority in Cang Wanhe's voice made even the projection feel suffocating."I believe," he added, his eyes narrowing slightly, "you still remember what happened the last time you visited me."
Lingwu's face twisted. "Is this… some sort of petty revenge?"
A humorless smile tugged at the Emperor's lips. "Petty? Perhaps."He took a step closer — the illusion's glow intensifying, shadows dancing across the hall."I remember how you slandered Lan Ying. How you turned our kin against her. Called her unfaithful, a courtesan… and branded my daughter a cursed child. Tell me, brother — did you think I would forget?"
Lingwu's knuckles whitened. "That's… rather petty of you, brother."
Wanhe's expression softened — not with mercy, but melancholy."Yes. And that same pettiness… is what took her life." His voice trembled just slightly, the memory cutting through his imperial calm. "She forgave you before the end. But we remember."
Silence gripped the hall. Even the faint hum of the projector seemed to fade.
"Now," the Emperor continued, his composure returning like a blade drawn from its sheath, "see that you are out of this province. I am asking you nicely, brother."
And with that, the hologram dimmed. The Emperor of Blue Wind vanished — leaving only a stunned silence and the flicker of torchlight on Cang Yue's veiled face.
"That concludes our meeting, dear uncle." Cang Yue's voice was level as she turned to the servants. "If anyone finds themselves without work, the Jin Family is recruiting."
A ripple passed through the crowd — hushed whispers, furtive glances — and Cang Yue stowed the miniature projector into her sleeve. She fell into step beside Lin Yueru and began toward the exit. The courtyard air was cool, the torchlight sharp against polished armor.
They had not gone far before a ring of high-ranking soldiers closed around them, boots grinding on the flagstones.
"Figures." Cang Yue did not hurry; her hand brushed the fabric at her waist as if testing for a hidden blade. She met the main door with a steady look. Cang Lingwu's sneer cut across the space between them like a thrown knife.