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--- Chapter 279 ---
Huan Caiyi's arrival caused a long round of welcome chants echoing in the Demon Imperial Hall. Even though there are some unpleasant gazes, most people are still respectful and fearful of Huan Caiyi.
Over the past hundred years, Huan Caiyi has done more than grieve.
So, most people are affected by Huan Caiyi's prestige.
Arriving to her rightful throne, Huan Caiyi sat with absolute calmness on her face. In fact, her sheer beauty caused many people's hearts to skip a beat until they remembered who she was. They felt shivers down their spines when remembering how merciless Huan Caiyi was.
A few inches behind Huan Caiyi's thrones are seats for Yu Long and two ladies. Even though the seats are nothing grand compared to the one Huan Caiyi had, they are still better than nothing.
Not to mention that the audience is more mindful of the seat's position more than anything. To sit near the Demon Empress means honor and status.
They curiously stared at Yu Long, Chu Yuechan, and Thalia, wondering who they were.
The Twelve Guardian Family's patriarchs already knew about Huan Caiyi's relationship with Yu Long but only smiled inwardly and said nothing when seeing these people's confused gaze.
Those from opposing factions, such as the Duke Huai Palace, had a questioning look on their faces, which made the patriarchs want to laugh at their incoming demise.
Yu Long ignored the gazes and yawned casually. He lifted his right arm on the armrest and supported his chin on his hand, putting an uninterested look.
How arrogant! That's what people perceived at this very moment.
But this small action of Yu Long couldn't help but make people more curious.
Chu Yuechan and Thalia nearby also gained immense attraction from the audience. Their beautiful appearance rivals Huan Caiyi. If not for their humble choice of dress, they might be on the same level as the Demon Empress.
Huan Caiyi's gaze wandered around the Demon Imperial Hall. The sitting arrangement in the Inner Court is 'traditionally' separated into three spaces, and the middle one was for her.
On the west wing area are the people who supported Huan Caiyi through and through, like the Twelve Guardian Family and some skilled figures in the Illusory Demon Realm.
The people who opposed Huan Caiyi with Duke Huai Palace as the leader are in the east wing area. Huan Caiyi didn't look down on them despite their small numbers compared to her side.
Huan Caiyi also noticed the 'evil' gaze they were making behind those innocent expressions. She snorted inside because she could sense that man's presence on the grandest seat in the east wing area.
Duke Ming!
He was of medium stature, looking elegant and handsome. His face was rather pale, especially in that red robe. Overall, he looked like a weak scholar, yet having this faint yet frightening pressure from his entire body.
Huan Caiyi knew Duke Ming's weak scholar appearance was only a cover for his jet-black heart. He has plotted many things behind her back and even murdered her family members with his scheme.
To her, it was unforgivable. She wished she could tear Duke Ming down to pieces right now.
Of course, Huan Caiyi maintained a dignified and calm look.
"Before we start, I have an announcement." She opened her charming lips.
"This man behind me is Yu Long, and he is none other than my beloved fiance."
"He and I are engaged after the wondrous experience. You shall address him as Consort Yu until our marriage."
The audience was 'naturally' shaken. Strictly speaking, Huan Caiyi should have remarried after one hundred years, but no man could open her cold, locked heart.
Yet here, out of nowhere, she announced she was in love with someone and even engaged with him.
How could they not be shocked?
They couldn't react and accept this news well.
Even the patriarchs of the Twelve Guardian Families still found Huan Caiyi's announcement a bit dazing.
Meanwhile, the main character of this announcement had his mouth twitching slightly.
Yu Long secretly complained, 'Consort Yu that, Consort Yu this, can you just give me a better title?'
Chu Yuechan and Thalia giggled on the side. Yu Long's little reaction can't escape their eyes.
"Your Highness-!" Before anyone could question Huan Caiyi, she clapped her hand and silenced the hall.
Huan Caiyi continued, "Anyway, let's start the ceremony."
A loud cheer erupts as oriental music plays in the background. Dancers appeared on the stage nearby, and the servants brought the tastiest foods and wines in the Illusory Demon Realm to everyone's table.
Duke Huai Palace's people frowned. It was clear Huan Caiyi didn't want to disclose Yu Long's information to them.
At first glance, Yu Long looks no more than a handsome boy. However, everyone with a cautious nature always knows to never look down on others, especially those who look harmless.
Duke Huai kept staring at Yu Long with a weird gaze and asked his father telepathically, 'What do you think, Father?'
'This new fiance of that wench might be a new obstacle for us.'
'But even with my sharp sense, I can't sense anything from him.'
Duke Ming calmly sipped his warm wine, 'We can't rule out the possibility.'
'Huan Caiyi had been unpredictable in the last two decades. Even though she was pitiful, I made her so, but it doesn't mean she was witless.'
'She has cut our influence with the Twelve Guardian Families, preventing us from gathering force to rebel against her. However, she doesn't know our real power.'
'Keep your eyes on the Consort Yu. I will face her after this.'
'Understood!' Duke Huai couldn't help but feel joy flowing straight to his brain. They would be the ruler of the Illusory Demon Realm in a few moments.
He looked down, staring at Huan Caiyi's beauty and licking his pale lips slightly. Who doesn't want to conquer a cold beauty?
Huan Caiyi ceremonially drank a 1,000-year-old wine in this festive mood and down it quickly. She raised her cup, "Cheer, everyone."
Everyone followed Huan Caiyi, unlike Duke Ming, who had drunk his wine, and they waited for her to start the next event.
Yes, it was questioning and apprising to decide whether they could get more resources for the next hundred years. The Yun Family has declined, and this ceremony will determine their fate.
Fortunately, Yun Canghai has returned, preventing the Yun Family from losing its position.
Of course, the evil villains didn't know about Yun Canghai's return and recovery of the Demon Emperor's Seal. They eagerly waited for a juicy piece of meat left behind by the Yun Family.
People started reporting their status to Huan Caiyi one after another.
When Yun Qinghong, the current patriarch of the Yun Family, stood up, everyone immediately raised their eyebrows.
Yun Qinghong steadily walked to Huan Caiyi, showing no sign of paleness or weakness that everyone knew. His breathing is even and carries the solemnity of a patriarch.
When did Yun Qinghong's cold poison get cured? Everyone thought simultaneously.
Not only that, but they also felt. Yun Qinghong's body emits a terrifying might of profundity. His cultivation base has become more powerful as well!
This fact is overturning their opinion about the Yun Family's fate.
As Yun Qinghong reported the update on his family's state, everyone observed Huan Caiyi's expression.
They couldn't see much.
Surprisingly, Yun Qinghong finished his report in a few minutes. He didn't say anything outrageous and said every sentence with utter calmness.
"I see..." Huan Caiyi said after some time. "Yun Qinghong, you may return and find me tomorrow."
Everyone was surprised by this outcome.
"Yes, Empress!" Yun Qinghong cupped his hand.
"WAIT!" A cold voice interrupted the ceremony.
Huan Caiyi's lips curled up faintly, 'This is it. You can't stay calm, don't you?'
"What's the matter, Duke Huai?" She looked up, seeing Duke Huai's playful look.
Duke Huai shrugged and replied, "Your Highness, don't you think we should point out the elephant in the room? Besides your fiance, whose origin is unknown and questionable. The Yun Family didn't deserve its current position."
"They haven't contributed much over the past decade."
"They also lost our precious artifact, the Mirror of Samsara... And the Demon Emperor's Seal after the late Demon King's disappearance to the Profound Sky Continent."
"Counting all these issues they caused, I believed we should demote them from the Twelve Guardian Families and seize their resources."
"Of course, if you want to stay blind to it, you can..."
"But it would be unfair to everyone who works hard, no?"
Murmurs echoed in the hall. Everything Duke Huai said made sense, but why did it sound malicious? Because it is.
"Mirror of Samsara, are you talking about this?" A lazy voice comes from the center of the hall.
Everyone moved their gazes to the lazy-looking young man, who had a silver pendant dangling in his left hand.
"..." Duke Huai.
"..." Duke Ming.
"..." Everyone.
All of a sudden, the hall turned dead silent.