For several minutes, Fang Shaolong kept hugging Cao Yun who hugged him back in return. Honestly, it felt incredibly good. Although Cao Yun had never known him in his childhood, he could still sense a familiar aura around him. Fang Shaolong reminded him of his mother. Both men lost themselves in the moment. Fang Shaolong's tears were now warmer, he was still tormented by terrible thoughts but they were pushed back by Cao Yun's presence.

Cao Yun didn't dare to break this embrace first. Finally, Fang Shaolong stood straight and moved back while his hands were still grabbing onto Cao Yun's shoulders. The middle-aged man looked at his nephew from top to bottom.

"Good, good."

He had to fight off tears of joy, but he was able to speak clearly. This was probably the first time ever that anyone but his wife had seen Fang Shaolong in this state. Indeed, the Hall Master was always elegant and dignified. Almost no one could read his emotions unless he wanted to. However, he was now quite different. Despite the joy and the warmth of Fang Shaolong, Cao Yun could tell that he was in terrible pain. His wife was dying and even Cao Yun couldn't do a thing about it. Of that, Fang Shaolong was sure. Unfortunately, he was absolutely right. But, at the very least, his last family member was alive.

For Fang Shaolong, Cao Yun would indeed be his last family once his wife was unfortunately dead. He didn't want to even entertain that thought but he knew it to be true. Considering her frail condition, she had never been able to bear any child. In fact, she had almost died because of a pregnancy. Since then, Fang Shaolong had made sure that she would never be pregnant again. Not having any children had been rough for both of them. With his cultivation, he could easily have kids with a younger woman or even a cultivator in the future, but he wouldn't. Fang Shaolong had sworn to stay faithful to his wife even in death.

Obviously, Fang Shaolong didn't know what Cao Yun had learned about his sister. But he couldn't tell him right away. There had to be precautions.

"Former Hall Master Fang, I have important matters to discuss with you. Is there any place where we can go?"

Fang Shaolong knew that his nephew couldn't speak freely. Although it was unlikely, if someone were to eavesdrop, it would be a disaster. That being said, Fang Shaolong had no place that could really protect them against powerful cultivators. Honestly, Cao Yun wasn't too worried as the most important woman of the Huang family, Matriarch Huang Yufeng knew who he was, and so did Huang Liyue. However, he still decided to be as careful as possible. Thus, Fang Shaolong took him to a secluded room with a few array formations protecting it. After all, Fang Shaolong had to discuss business in his residence from time to time.

Immediately, Cao Yun unleashed his own array formations from an array formation plate. Even a 9th-grade Spirit Warrior wouldn't be able to eavesdrop easily. They would have to either destroy the array formation or spend weeks if not months studying it. Even Sun Liao would probably not be able to decipher this array formation in less than a few days. Thus, Cao Yun and Fang Shaolong could speak freely in there. In fact, they could even act freely and no one would be the wiser.

As soon as Cao Yun was confident his array formations were concealing everything, he kowtowed before his uncle and bowed three times.

"This unfilial one greets Uncle."

"Nephew, stand up, stand up."

"Uncle, I have dire news for you. I know that you've been plagued with difficult times, but I can't hold them back from you. My sister, Cao Huiying is alive."

He had thought about it for quite some time. But in the end, Cao Yun had decided to be direct. Fang Shaolong barely believed what he just heard but he didn't react. He could tell that his nephew wasn't done, so he listened until the bitter end.

"The traitor, Emperor Weide, captured her. I don't know what they did to her, but she seems to have lost her memories. She is now his daughter, Yong Ke. Worse than that, he plans to sacrifice her as soon as her cultivation is high enough. In the Soul Embryo of the women of our family lies a secret. He believes it is the way for him to finally break through the Greater Tribulation and to become a Sage. Unfortunately, he is most likely right. I have no idea how long it will take, but I can't wait too long. I'll have to kill Emperor Weide before he rips out the soul of my sister, your niece. I realize that this is a lot to take in..."

When Cao Yun was done talking, he waited. For several minutes, he examined the face of his uncle who was silent and stoic. Cao Yun could tell that many thoughts were swirling in his head. At last, he spoke.

"Yong Ke...? I met her once... She had some weimao hiding her face... I... I did feel something strange, but I never... My niece is alive! Shui'er! Your daughter is alive! Your younger son is alive! The heavens have not forsaken us completely. Nephew, no matter what, you cannot die! You and your sister must live on! Forget about killing Emperor Weide, you have to get your sister and escape far. Forget the Hongchen Kingdom. Forget everyone. Please."

"Uncle, I can't! I promised my parents that I would get justice. But I also promised that I wouldn't die. Even if I could, I wouldn't leave the Hongchen Kingdom. This is our land. I won't let Emperor Weide chase us away. Besides, there is no escape. Fleeing from a traitor to fall into the claws of a demon god would be foolish. Uncle, do not despair. I understand you, but I can't forsake this land."

"What did this Hongchen Kingdom ever do for us?! Since I was a child its emperor slaughtered my family. When my sister finally founded a family of her own, I thought I would have some happiness as well, but it was ripped away from me too. This Hongchen Kingdom always takes from us. It requires us to sacrifice again and again. This isn't a land, this is a gaping mouth with cruel teeth. Nephew, do not let yourself be blinded by its illusions. One day, the demons will destroy us all. Until that day, we're just fighting against the giant teeth of this monster, not realizing that we're already on the wrong side of those teeth, slowly falling into its stomach."

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Fang Shaolong completely lost all composure. Cao Yun could clearly see the rage and the hatred in his eyes. But, deeper, he could see his pain. Fang Shaolong was reaching the end of his endurance. Even when some good news came his way, it was always surrounded by horrors. The survival of his nephew and niece should be a moment of celebration, but he couldn't allow himself to be happy because their lives were about to be extinguished anyway. The heavens were showing him some hope just to take it away in the same breath.

Deep within Fang Shaolong, Cao Yun could tell that his uncle had almost developed an inner demon. With his current mind cultivation, Cao Yun could recognize it easily, it was a combination of Flying Poison and Yin Bird with a tinge of Devouring Robber. If it kept on festering, Fang Shaolong's mind would collapse in a few decades. The most likely conclusion was that his body would slowly break down, his cultivation would regress, and he would die. In fact, Cao Yun could almost foretell that he would perish the same day his wife died. At that time, his will would collapse completely.

Without any hesitation, Cao Yun entered his uncle's sea of consciousness. His sea was pure darkness. It was so bleak Cao Yun almost thought he was in the Yellow Death World. Thankfully, there was no Evil Qi, Death Energy or Ghost Energy of any kind. His Po had not yet completely devolved into actual Turbid Demons. Unfortunately, Cao Yun couldn't simply get rid of the problem. Indeed, cutting some part of his Po would do more damage. However, he could slowly impart his mind cultivation to his uncle.

Immediately, Cao Yun chanted the mantra of 'Sealing the Seven Demons in the Nine Peaks'. Cao Yun's figure appeared in his uncle's sea of consciousness. The young Cao Yun was made of silver and was surrounded by golden rays. Above his head, his Five Aspects were vibrant. Beneath his crossed legs, the Nine Soul Peaks were coming out of the obscure water. Soon, Cao Yun's light spread farther and farther. Fang Shaolong could feel a warm and soothing sensation throughout his body and soul. Then, he saw his memories before his eyes, as though he was reliving them.

Fang Shaolong saw memories of his childhood in the Shui family. He remembered his sister, his parents, his friends. Then, he saw the first time he met his wife. He saw all the good moments he had spent with her. Although their story would end in tragedy, it wasn't defined by its worst aspects. If he could change his life, Fang Shaolong would still choose to be with his wife, no matter what, no matter the end, no matter the pain. Finally, he saw his sister's face when she talked about her children. Despite everything that had happened, she had been the happiest woman in the world in those moments.

New tears flowed on Fang Shaolong's face. But those memories didn't stop there. The former Hall Master also saw the people of the Hongchen Kingdom. He saw them help one another after the demonic beast stampede. Many memories flooded his mind. No, he couldn't forsake them. Emperor Weide had committed terrible and heinous crimes, but the Hongchen Kingdom could not be defined by this traitor. He had betrayed the ideals of Emperor Nuwa. They had to save the Hongchen Kingdom from his depravity!

Fang Shaolong fell to his knees and bowed.

"Nephew, forgive this poor old man. My pain got the better of me. It was unsightly... But you've helped me see things clearly. Thank you, great Nephew. If only your mother could see what a fine gentleman you've become... She would be brimming with joy. Nephew, just tell me what you need and you'll get it."

Cao Yun grabbed Fang Shaolong's shoulders and helped him up.

"Uncle, there is nothing to be ashamed of. You have gone through some hard times. I can't promise that everything will be fine, but I can swear that I will do everything in my power to protect what little remains of our family. The only thing I ask of you is that you take good care of your wife. Everything else, I will try to obtain from acting Matriarch Huang Cixi."

"Huang Cixi...? I do think this young woman is formidable. She will probably listen to you, but remember that the Huang family only ever cares about the Huang family. She won't risk her family for you. But if you can promise her power and influence, she'll be interested. Every time I've met her, I could tell that she had lofty ambitions. One day, she might very well become Emperor herself."

For several minutes, Cao Yun and Fang Shaolong talked about Huang Cixi but Cao Yun wasn't really interested in that for the time being. They would have enough time later for that. Once his uncle was calm, Cao Yun taught him the full 'Sealing the Seven Demons in the Nine Peaks' method. In fact, Cao Yun had added some of his own understanding and pointers to it. It was even better than the Weaver of Souls' original method, not by much, but it was still an improvement. For a method at this level of complexity and efficiency, improving it even slightly was a great achievement.

Fang Shaolong swore to practice it and to keep it secret. For a moment, Cao Yun hesitated but teaching it to his wife would do more harm than good. No matter what, she would die without being able to raise her cultivation. Spending a lot of time on cultivating her mind would be a waste. Instead, she should try and enjoy life as much as she could. And this was why Cao Yun wanted Fang Shaolong to care for her and not spend his time worrying about his nephew and niece.

Finally, the two men left the room. Fang Shaolong took his nephew to meet his wife. Considering her condition, neither of them wanted to cause her any extreme emotions. The poor woman looked like she was over eighty, her body was thin, far too thin. On the best days, she could barely walk alone, but she loved spending some time near her garden. Although she couldn't attend to it right now, she loved just seeing it and smelling its fragrances. In her room, Fang Shaolong had put many of the flowers from said garden, so she was always surrounded by it.

Since she was barely conscious, they didn't spend much time with her. But Fang Shaolong wanted to present her to his nephew. Cao Yun also saw a few paintings of her and the couple together. Fang Shaolong and his wife were very thrifty, but he had still spent some money to hire great painters for his wife.

In the end, the young man spent a few days in Fang Shaolong's residence. Several times, they talked in the secluded room surrounded by Cao Yun's array formations. Obviously, he taught the 'Sealing the Seven Demons in the Nine Peaks' method to his uncle and made sure he was progressing and ridding himself of his inner demons before they truly became an issue. But Cao Yun also told him everything about his journey, his friends, his brothers. Cao Yun hid nothing, but just to be safe, he had put several seals in his mind. No one could access what Cao Yun was telling him. Even killing Fang Shaolong and taking those memories through force would destroy them. In fact, it would also brutally attack the murderer.

Since Cao Yun knew how to extract memories, he also devised ways to protect someone from that. Apart from Xiao Xuefeng, no one in the Hongchen Kingdom should be able to get Fang Shaolong's memories now.

Finally, it was time for Cao Yun to go meet Huang Cixi. He left Baziyun City as he had entered it and prepared to now enter through the main gate.

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