Everyone was stunned by Emperor Weide's words. Ironically, the people who knew the truth were much more surprised than those who were blind to it. Although the Cao family wasn't renowned, people, even in the Imperial City, knew about them. After all, a family that had been slaughtered in a single day was something extremely unusual. Besides, their patriarch had been a 6th-grade Spirit Warrior. This incident had brought awareness to everyone about the threat of the demonic cultivators. Soon after, the Hongchen Kingdom had even suffered through a demonic beast stampede caused by them, and they had attacked the Imperial City just before the first invasions by demons. Obviously, the Cao name was known through those events.
Hearing Emperor Weide, everyone looked at Cao Yun. No one recognized him. To be fair, Cao Yun was still covered in blood, although it had dried up. Besides, his tears had washed most of the blood from his face. The young man clearly had a powerful aura despite his apparent weakness. What shocked everyone was that Cao Yun didn't show any deference toward Emperor Weide, and the Emperor didn't acknowledge it at all. In fact, people almost felt defiance in Cao Yun.
Cao Yun was controlling himself as much as he could, but he had his limits. Right now, he knew what Emperor Weide was trying to do, so he let him do as he pleased. Later, though, Cao Yun would inflict his seals on his very soul. Of course, he would make sure that this process was as painful as possible.
"Listen to your Emperor!"
Emperor Weide began to float a bit higher, and his voice echoed like thunder. He sent his three seals as high as possible so that his aura could cover as much of the capital as possible. All the officials kowtowed. Even the guards who were still worried about safety kowtowed. The entire Imperial City was listening to the words of Emperor Weide.
"This young man is known as the Wubei Sect's Young Sect Master Chen Guo. In reality, he is Cao Yun, son of Cao Shui and Cao Guang, the last survivor of the Cao family. More than ten years ago, demonic cultivators sent by Demon King Mo Wang himself slaughtered the Cao family because of their potential. The Cao family was getting too powerful and would have been an obstacle to their plans. Because they were great defenders of our Hongchen Kingdom, they paid the ultimate price. Unfortunately, even my 5th Imperial Brocade Guards failed to protect them in time.
"When they arrived, most of the family had already been slaughtered. But thanks to the heroism and sacrifice of Cao Beiwen, Cao Shui, and Cao Guang, only two members of the Cao family survived. For a long time, we failed to find them both. Cao Yun was able to find refuge in the Wubei Sect thanks to Spirit Master Xiao Xuefeng. When we learned the news, we ordered the young man to conceal his identity. With his talent, he was able to join the Wubei Sect as Chen Guo. Even Sect Leader Xuan recognized his merit and eventually made him Young Sect Master.
"You might wonder about the second survivor of the Cao family massacre. She was Cao Yun's younger sister, Cao Huiying. Even though Cao Yun had almost given his life to protect her, she had been heavily injured. Without Spirit Master Xiao Xuefeng and the help of the Wubei Sect, she would have succumbed to her wounds. Thankfully, Cao Yun had been able to bring his sister to them in time. She was saved. However, the shock and pain had caused her to lock away her memories. In order to protect her and to keep her safe from other demonic cultivators, we decided to adopt her as our daughter.
"Yes, Princess Yong Ke was in fact Cao Huiying. And today, she followed her family and made the ultimate sacrifice. She gave her life to save both her brother and our own life. Through her pain and death, she gave us the absolute gift. After more than fourteen thousand years, the Forsaken Dao Era has been broken! After millennia of strenuous efforts, of agony and doubts, mankind finally shattered the boundary keeping us away from the Dao. Cao Yun has achieved the impossible! He became our first 1st-grade Sage in the history of the Forsaken Dao Era!"
The crowd was completely silent when they listened to the story of Cao Yun and Cao Huiying. Obviously, Cao Yun and everyone who knew the real story could see through the deception. It was more than clear that Emperor Weide was trying to give credit to all the right people in order to appease Cao Yun's anger and to create as much solidarity among the Hongchen Kingdom as possible. However, he never mentioned the Huang family, despite their connections with Cao Yun, and focused solely on the Wubei Sect and the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute.
Cao Yun didn't like this speech at all. Indeed, he hated it because deep down he felt happy. Finally, his family was recognized by the Hongchen Kingdom. Their slaughter, and all the pain he and his sister had endured, were now acknowledged and even became the source of praise. Even though the details were false, the feelings of the crowd were real. Within their silence, Cao Yun's senses were sharp enough to catch a few whispers as well as some glances and even changes in the breathing of people. Most of the crowd was too stunned to react. It would take days, even weeks, for the news to travel across the Hongchen Kingdom. Cao Yun was convinced that the Huang family and the Myriad Cherry Blossom Hall would make sure that everyone heard about it.
Of course, Cao Yun was absolutely right. In less than two months, almost every single human being on the Piaolu planet would have heard the tale of the Cao family. With more details, albeit sprinkled with falsehood, people would come to admire Cao Beiwen and his entire family. The names of Cao Yun's parents, of his brother, of some of his cousins, and of his sister would be known by nearly everyone. Some tales would even be crafted about them. Of course, Cao Yun becoming a Sage was also incredible and shook all of the Hongchen Kingdom. Even demons heard of it.
For the time being, the crowd was still a bit shocked. But when they heard the victorious tone of Emperor Weide talking about the end of the Forsaken Dao Era, they were galvanized. To be fair, he had given orders to Jian Zhenli and a few officials. Their spiritual senses were spread across the Imperial City to improve morale. A few guards and officials suddenly stood up and cheered. Soon, the entire population of the Imperial City was cheering through the streets. Although it was an official address by their Emperor, they lost all decorum, and their joy exploded, which was exactly what Emperor Weide wanted.
"Hongchen Kingdom, listen to me!
"The Cao family suffered for us! They gave their lives for us! Today, their last daughter sacrificed herself! Their last son risked his life to save mine! The Cao family gave birth to the greatest heroes of mankind! Honor their names and their memories!"
Emperor Weide finally turned toward Cao Yun. Without saying anything, he made his intentions very clear. Upset, Cao Yun decided to play along. Deep down, he knew that Emperor Weide was using his love for his family in that moment. However, it didn't matter. This was the best occasion for Cao Yun to honor his family's memory. As such, he floated higher with the body of his younger sister, he simply couldn't part with her.
Cao Yun rose until he reached Emperor Weide. Then, the Emperor did something that shocked everyone even more. He bowed before Cao Yun and before Cao Huiying's corpse.
"We offer our deepest apologies to the Cao family, who had to suffer so much for the greater good of the Hongchen Kingdom. We swear that our life will be dedicated to the eradication of the Empyrean Asura Theocracy and its butchers. Nothing can repay the debt we have toward the Cao family, but we swear on our Dao Heart that we will die rather than betray their sacrifice! Our entire Hongchen Kingdom gives its highest praise to the Cao family, to Cao Huiying's sacrifice, and to Young Sect Master Cao Yun."
Once more, officials and a few people who were directed to do it began to roar. All the crowd followed almost as if they had had the idea themselves. The entire Imperial City was praising Cao Huiying and Cao Yun.
Although he was next to the man he hated the most on the entire Piaolu planet, Cao Yun felt great joy in his heart. If he had not cried all the tears in his body already, he might have cried some more. He thought about his parents, about his brother, about his great-grandfather. Everyone in his family appeared around him. As the crowd was praising his name, he heard them praise everyone in the Cao family. He could almost feel his relatives around him. It felt as if they had finally had closure. But it wouldn't be complete until the war was over and Emperor Weide lay dead. On that, Cao Yun would never negotiate. Everyone who had been involved in the slaughter of his family had forfeited their life already. One way or another, they would die. However, he would also make sure that the Hongchen Kingdom would survive.
It came to Cao Yun's mind that this had been Emperor Weide's intention. Now, Cao Yun had no reason to reveal the truth, a truth that would have weakened the authority of the Emperor. Indeed, people were already praising his family, they had obtained the gratitude he was looking for. Telling the entire truth now would only tarnish their memory by associating it with the worst sin of the Hongchen Kingdom. Moreover, it would tear the foundation of the Hongchen Kingdom, mankind's unity, by putting the Emperor himself into question. As long as Emperor Weide and the others involved in his activities were to die on the battlefield, the truth could remain buried.
Cao Yun wasn't completely sure whether it was Emperor Weide's plan, but it sure seemed like it was. In other words, he had already accepted his death. And yet, he was protecting the Hongchen Kingdom. Honestly, Cao Yun was hoping that the Emperor would beg and grovel, would use underhanded stratagems to save his life and keep his power. If he had, it would have been much easier to torture him to death. But now, Cao Yun couldn't. Despite all his rage, Cao Yun could tell that Emperor Weide genuinely cared about the Hongchen Kingdom. Unfortunately, he didn't care about the individual people in it. He could cut off an arm to save the body. And that arm had been Cao Yun's own blood and flesh. Even now, Emperor Weide could do the worst atrocities if he thought it could improve the chances of his Hongchen Kingdom's survival, even slightly.
In a sense, Emperor Weide was similar to Huang Cixi. Contrary to her, though, he had absolutely no limit. Even Huang Cixi knew how to stop her schemes. She had decency. On the other hand, Emperor Weide only had his drive and had thrown away any other consideration. Clearly, this man had to go. Even if Cao Yun hadn't hated him with all his being, he would have decided to get rid of Emperor Weide. Huang Cixi would be a far superior Emperor to him.
The crowd kept on cheering. Although a large portion of the Imperial City was in ruins, there was incredible joy throughout the city. Maybe it was because of this death and destruction. The Imperial City had realized how weak and exposed they really were. All their illusions of invincibility had collapsed. Before they fell into despair, though, they were given new hope, the first 1st-grade Sage. Since the Emperor himself had pushed him forward, no one questioned anything. No one even tried to ask why it was Cao Yun who had broken through and not Emperor Weide.
The people loyal to the Huang family sent reports and quickly received orders. They were to side with Emperor Weide on this matter. In truth, they were to side with Cao Yun, of course. With all the shop owners, businessmen, and influential people backing up Cao Yun and the Cao family, the crowd became even crazier.
For days, they cheered in the streets while also conducting rescue missions for people who were trapped under debris. Huge tents were used, as well as several damaged buildings, to take care of any injured person. The scene was quite strange as people were joyous even amidst absolute desolation.
Emperor Weide and Cao Yun retreated behind closed doors after some time. Jian Zhenli wanted to come but was refused. Even Cao Yun's friends and brothers stayed outside. However, they were treated like royalty.
Finally, Cao Yun could place his seal within Emperor Weide's sea of consciousness. As he was doing so, Emperor Weide and Cao Yun talked some more.
"You know why I did what I did?"
"I know that you think you're right. No matter what I do or say, you won't change your mind. In fact, the mere fact that I beat you is seen by you as proof of your righteousness."
"I won't ask you to understand. I must seem grotesque and cruel to you. However, I wonder... If all of your race were on the brink of extinction, how far would you go? I won't ask for forgiveness. I am not delusional. And I know that my acts were appalling. As I already told you, I wouldn't change a thing. Unlike others, I have a responsibility as Emperor. I must put the safety and prosperity of our people above even my moral compass. I couldn't allow myself to be driven by anything other than the greater good of our people. Judge me if you want, but can you tell me that you wouldn't have done the same? If you could save the Hongchen Kingdom, your friends, your brothers, from certain death, by killing a few who would have died anyway in that war, would you do it?"
Cao Yun had no definitive answer to this. He could only hope that he would never have been put in that situation. He would have found another way... Of course, he knew that this was false. How far would he actually go?