novel against the - Chapter 2070

Chapter 2070: Three Trials

For several days, Hua Caili hadn’t seen Hua Fucheng, who was clearly avoiding her. However, Hua Fucheng hadn’t ordered Yun Che’s expulsion. When she asked Hua Qingying, her aunt replied indifferently, “Your father needs time.” Then, in a slightly heavier tone, she added, “You and Yun Che should be more restrained. Don’t think I don’t know your intentions. You want to get pregnant as soon as possible to force your father’s hand.”¹

“Oh? Hehehe… Indeed, nothing can be hidden from Aunt. Then… then… I’ll go now, Aunt. Don’t secretly peek!”

Hua Qingying could only sigh helplessly.

On the seventh day, when Hua Caili entered the Yi Xin Sword Pavilion, she finally saw Hua Fucheng.

“Father supreme-ruler!” she called out eagerly, approaching him with a coquettish expression.

“Sit down,” Hua Fucheng gestured to the seat beside him, his face stern.

Hua Caili obediently obeyed, then timidly asked, “Father supreme-ruler, are… are you still angry with me?”

“Hmph!” Hua Fucheng coldly snorted. “You ignored everyone for days, staying with that boy, openly pressuring me. If I were angry… I would have been driven mad by you already.”

Hua Caili gave a charming smile, sweetly saying, “Father supreme-ruler, I just can’t leave Yun gege.”² She jumped off the chair, kneeling before her father, gently shaking his knees. “Father supreme-ruler, please, grant me my wish with my gege. I promise to listen to you in everything from now on… … …”

“Alright, alright,” Hua Fucheng raised his hand to his forehead; he couldn’t stand his daughter’s coquettishness. He sighed, “These past few days, I’ve been at your mother’s tomb.”

Hua Caili opened her lips but said nothing.

“I talked to your mother a lot, thought a lot, but I still can’t overcome the obstacle in my heart.” His voice still carried a hint of unresolved struggle, finally settling into deep helplessness. “But I also can’t ignore what your aunt said…”

“Your heart and soul are completely entwined with that boy. If we forcibly separate you, you’ll be heartbroken and devastated. Regardless of the reason, it would be a great harm to you.”

Hua Caili’s eyes brightened at her father’s words. Excitedly, she said, “Father supreme-ruler, you… you mean you’re willing to accept…”

“I didn’t say that,” Hua Fucheng sternly interrupted, then changed his tone. “However, I can give that boy a chance.”

“Wow!” Hua Caili’s eyes sparkled. She cheered, “Father supreme-ruler, you’re the best! I knew you would…”

“Let me finish,” Hua Fucheng used his voice to suppress his daughter’s unrestrained excitement. “I haven’t accepted your relationship yet. I’m just giving him a chance. Whether he can seize it depends on himself.”

“I will give him three trials. If he passes all three… ” The immense pressure in his heart caused him to pause before continuing, “…regardless of the obstacles or cost, I will grant your wish.”

These words were spoken to Hua Caili, but they were also a commitment he made to himself. If Yun Che truly was trustworthy, then for Hua Caili, he would bear any consequences… his dignity, his future, even his life.

But if he wasn’t… even if Hua Caili was heartbroken, he would have to sever their ties immediately.

Hua Caili’s joy cooled slightly. “Three trials… Father supreme-ruler, aren’t you going to deliberately make things difficult for Yun gege and then use it as an excuse?”

Hua Fucheng poked his daughter’s head, grumbling, “I, Hua Xin, the supreme-ruler Venerable, would stoop to using such methods to deliberately make things difficult for a junior? Hmph, I can see that since you have Yun Che, your Father supreme-ruler has become a villain in your eyes.”

“No, no!” Hua Caili quickly pleaded. “Father supreme-ruler is the best Father supreme-ruler in the world. So… can Father supreme-ruler secretly tell me what the three trials are? I promise not to tell Yun gege.”

Hua Fucheng looked askance. “You told that boy even the secrets of the Pure Land without reservation, and you expect me to believe you?”

“Let’s go,” he stood up. “Let’s go see that boy.”

“You don’t seem worried at all,” Li Suo said with concern.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Yun Che reclined on a jade chair in the courtyard, looking relaxed as if resting at home. “Besides, it shouldn’t be long before I leave here.”

“You mean… Hua Fucheng will still choose to expel you?” Li Suo’s voice showed confusion. “This contradicts what you said earlier.”

“Of course not,” Yun Che smiled. “They say emperors are ruthless, but for Hua Fucheng, Caili is too important to him. So, after the initial anger and disbelief, he will ultimately make a great compromise for Caili.”

“But this compromise requires an absolute, insurmountable prerequisite.”

“Prerequisite?”

“It’s coming soon,” Yun Che whispered. “Probably in a day or two. But how will he do it, or what excuse will he use?”

“If it were me, I’d probably use ‘trials’ as the name.”

As he pondered, Hua Lianzhi’s hurried voice reached his ears: “Young Master Yun, my elder sister and Father supreme-ruler are back!”

Yun Che’s body instantly tensed like a spring. It’s here… He took a deep breath.

He stood up and saw Hua Fucheng and Hua Caili entering the barrier. He quickly stepped forward, bowing slightly, “Junior Yun Che greets supreme-ruler Venerable Hua Xin.”

“Yun gege!” Hua Caili, who had been walking side-by-side with Hua Fucheng, affectionately clung to Yun Che’s arm the moment she saw him, her body pressed tightly against his.

Hua Fucheng’s temper flared, then he forcefully suppressed it. Ah, daughters grow up too fast.

“Boy,” Hua Fucheng’s eyes were like cold swords, the demeanor of a supreme-ruler Venerable fully displayed. “I have something to say to you alone.”

He walked directly to the gazebo on the right side of the courtyard, turning his back to the two without saying a word.

Hua Caili secretly squeezed Yun Che’s hand, then worriedly said, “Father supreme-ruler, please… talk nicely to Yun gege, don’t be harsh on him. I… I haven’t been harsh on him.”

Hua Fucheng didn’t respond, but he felt a pang of heartache.

Yun Che gave her a reassuring look and slowly walked behind Hua Fucheng.

Without any movement from Hua Fucheng, an isolating barrier formed around them, completely cutting off all external auras.

Hua Fucheng finally turned around. He looked at Yun Che, his gaze authoritative but not overbearing. But the invisible pressure of a supreme being was enough to make almost all souls in this world tremble.

“Yun Che,” he said calmly, his expression impassive. “Several days have passed. Have you changed your mind?”

Yun Che respectfully replied, “My affection for Caili transcends life and death, heaven and earth can bear witness, and it will never change in this life.”

“Hmph!” Hua Fucheng’s tone was slightly cold. “Conveniently, my mind hasn’t changed either. Under no circumstances will I allow you two to be together!”

Yun Che suddenly raised his head, urgently saying, “Senior…”

“Don’t rush to prove your so-called ‘true heart’,” Hua Fucheng interrupted him. “Listen to what I have to say, then re-examine your ‘true heart’.”

Yun Che fell silent, then said, “Yes, junior will listen carefully.”

Hua Fucheng turned sideways, hands behind his back, slowly saying, “For me, severing you and Caili is too simple. I only need a thought, a finger to erase you from the world.”

“However, you did save Caili’s life, and I can’t bring myself to do something so ruthless. But…” his voice grew heavy, “Just because I won’t, doesn’t mean others won’t.”

“The Sen Luo supreme-ruler Son, Jiu Zhi, not only has a formal engagement with Caili, but he himself has waited for Caili for many years. His deep affection for her may surpass yours. And for a man, the most unforgivable things are the revenge of a father’s death and the hatred of a stolen wife.”³

“Do you think the Sen Luo supreme-ruler Son will let you go? Will the Sen Luo supreme-ruler Kingdom let you go?”

“How easily I can kill you, so can he!”

Yun Che said without fear, “When I decided to stay with Caili in the Misty Sea, I had already considered this. The anger of a supreme-ruler Kingdom’s supreme-ruler Son is indeed terrifying, but since I have made my choice, I will not regret it, nor will I fear it.”

“Not afraid?” Hua Fucheng sneered. “Why aren’t you afraid?!”

He suddenly turned his gaze. “I ask you, who saved your life? Who taught you your abilities?”

Yun Che paused, then frankly said, “My master. When I was about ten years old, she awakened me from a coma after a severe injury. All my abilities were also given by my master.”

“Good to know,” Hua Fucheng said. “Caili’s aunt said you have many unusual qualities, many abilities that perhaps only you possess in the entire Abyssal World.”

“Your master must be an incredibly powerful ancient supreme soul. She gave you a new life and made you the inheritor of her power and proof of her existence. And you, still young and inexperienced, haven’t even let your master’s brilliance shine in this world, yet you’re willing to risk your life for an irrational romance?!”

“Have you considered whether you’re worthy of your master, who bestowed everything upon you?!”

Before Yun Che could speak, Hua Fucheng continued, “Furthermore, if you truly care for Caili, you should leave her as soon as possible. I’ve already explained the reasons, but I didn’t expect that after so many days, you still haven’t changed your mind. This makes me doubt whether your feelings for Caili are genuine or selfish!”

Yun Che didn’t refute, but said, “The true heart of staying with someone is also a kind of selfish desire. There’s no conflict between the two.”

“Heh, don’t spout such nonsense,” Hua Fucheng sneered. “You just need to know one thing: I will never marry Caili to you. This twisted entanglement between you two will end today. The fact that you’re still in the supreme-ruler Kingdom is already a great tolerance and grace from me, considering you saved Caili’s life.”

As he spoke, he lightly patted his hand, and a seven-foot-long jade box, surrounded by Xuan Qi, appeared on the stone table.

“The Zhe Tian supreme-ruler Kingdom never owes anyone favors. This box contains one of the strongest supreme swords forged in the Casting Sword Pavilion, named ‘Nine Star Liu Xia’. Its power is not inferior to the swords of the Seven Sword Venerables. With this sword, you will not only have unparalleled sword power, but you can also rely on the name of my Zhe Tian supreme-ruler Kingdom to act without fear, and no one will dare to bully you.”

“In addition, there are three Soul Pills and three Body Tempering Pills. Their level of Xuan Qi is so high that even half-supreme-ruler Xuan practitioners would go mad for them. I’m giving you six at once! This is a treatment that even the most talented juniors in my supreme-ruler Kingdom wouldn’t dare to hope for.”

Hua Fucheng turned around, his finger pointing at the stone table, his eyes, filled with the might of a supreme-ruler, looking at Yun Che.

“Take it, say goodbye to Caili, and leave the Zhe Tian supreme-ruler Kingdom.”

“Of course, you can also make another choice. That is to stubbornly cling to your so-called ‘fearlessness’, be swept out of the Zhe Tian supreme-ruler Kingdom, and continue to live in foolish delusion, continuing to try to stop a chariot with your arm, ruining your brilliant future, ruining your master’s expectations.”

After Hua Fucheng’s speech, he thought Yun Che should at least be shaken… but in his sight, Yun Che’s eyes and expression showed no wavering, not a trace of emotion.

Yun Che’s gaze only lightly swept over the jade box. Even upon hearing the names ‘Nine Star Liu Xia’ and the pills, he didn’t look back.

Maintaining his respect for his elders, his tone remained unyielding: “My master’s kindness towards me is without any ulterior motive, nor will she put any shackles on me. On the contrary, her greater expectation for me is that I can live the life I want more freely.”

“The Sen Luo supreme-ruler Son’s hatred is indeed terrifying, but it was expected and reasonable. My feelings for Caili once transcended life and death, and now, what threat do we fear?”

He raised his head, looking at Hua Fucheng proudly. “supreme-ruler Venerable, if you want to expel me, I have no power to resist. But… I still say the same thing, as long as Caili doesn’t give up on me, I will never abandon her. This vow is witnessed by heaven and earth, even death cannot erase it!”

Hua Fucheng looked at him for a few breaths, then his supreme aura subsided, and he sighed softly, “You kid, you’re really unyielding.”

He casually waved his arm, and the barrier instantly dissipated.

“Yun gege!” Hua Caili immediately rushed over, clinging tightly to Yun Che, smiling brightly. “Father supreme-ruler, see? I told you Yun gege’s feelings for me are unwavering.”

“Uh?” Yun Che looked surprised.

“Actually, that was Father supreme-ruler’s test for you,” Hua Caili directly revealed the truth. “The barrier wasn’t two-way isolation. My aunt and I could clearly see and hear you outside.”

“Test?” Yun Che’s surprise deepened. “What test?”

“It’s… … Father supreme-ruler said he would give you three trials. If Yun gege passes all of them, he will agree to cancel the engagement with the Sen Luo supreme-ruler Kingdom and agree to us being together.”

Yun Che passed the first test without any difficulty. Hua Caili was undoubtedly in a good mood, and even her worries about the following tests lessened.

Yun Che’s surprise quickly turned to joy. He excitedly said, “So that’s it. supreme-ruler Venerable, thank you for giving me a chance. No matter what the trials are, I will do my best to prove my heart for Caili to you.”

“Hmph!” Hua Fucheng snorted. “That’s only the first trial. You’re celebrating too early.”

He flew into the air, instantly disappearing outside the courtyard. “Yun, come with me. Caili is not allowed to follow.”

Hua Caili followed halfway, but had to stop. Hua Fucheng had only just relented, and she dared not disobey, so she could only stomp her foot in annoyance.

At this time, Hua Qingying appeared beside her. “Your father took him to the Hundred Li Folding Sword Platform. I can take you there, but you can only observe from afar, you can’t make a sound.”

“Okay!” Hua Caili quickly nodded. “Aunt is the best.”

The Hundred Li Folding Sword Platform, surrounded by countless swords, the sword energy like a surging tide.

Hua Fucheng took Yun Che to the center of the Folding Sword Platform, and a huge barrier opened at this time, isolating the inside and outside of the platform.

Clearly, even now, he didn’t want too many people to know about Yun Che’s existence.

Yun Che looked around and said, “supreme-ruler Venerable, are you going to test my swordsmanship?”

Hua Fucheng stood with his hands behind his back, without answering.

Yun Che didn’t speak again.

After a long silence, a gap slowly appeared in the barrier, and three figures entered side by side, accompanied by three sword cries.

The three landed neatly and immediately bowed respectfully to Hua Fucheng, “This son Hua Wan Xiao/Hua Meng Yu/Hua Gui Yuan greets Father supreme-ruler”

Hua Wan Xiao, the eldest, bowed and said, “I don’t know why Father supreme-ruler summoned us, what are your orders?”

Hua Fucheng didn’t answer, but turned to Yun Che. “I heard that you can rival a supreme-ruler-Extinction Realm early-stage cultivator with the strength of a third-level supreme-ruler Sovereign. Although there are often prodigies who can surpass minor realms and defeat opponents, this level is absurd. If it weren’t for Caili’s aunt’s words, I wouldn’t believe a word of it.”

The three princes’ gazes also turned to Yun Che at this time. Upon hearing “rivaling a supreme-ruler-Extinction Realm early-stage cultivator with the strength of a third-level supreme-ruler Sovereign,” their expressions became undoubtedly strange. If Hua Fucheng weren’t here, they would have burst into laughter.

“Therefore, I’m here to verify it myself.”

He turned to the three. “These are my three sons. They all broke through to the supreme-ruler-Extinction Realm within the past thousand years and have already solidified their foundation at the first level of the supreme-ruler-Extinction Realm.”

“Choose one of them to fight you. If you win… no, as long as you don’t lose, you’ll pass this trial. But if you lose, it means you used some method to deceive Caili and her aunt, and it’s enough to prove your ulterior motives, and the consequences…”

“You know the consequences!”

“This…” Hua Gui Yuan blurted out, then quickly stopped.

To become a half-god, they were undoubtedly among the most outstanding among the princes. Yet, they were to fight someone whose Xuan Qi was only that of a third-level supreme-ruler Sovereign?

The three princes looked at each other, their faces unpleasant. If it weren’t Hua Fucheng’s order, it would be a provocation and insult to them.

Glancing at his three sons, Hua Fucheng continued, “As princes of my Zhe Tian supreme-ruler Kingdom, you naturally focus on sword cultivation. But the three of you cultivate different Xuan techniques and swordsmanship. Choosing which opponent will test your perception.”

“No need.”

Before Hua Fucheng finished speaking, Yun Che calmly said, “The three princes have come all this way, how can they return without accomplishing anything?”

He extended his palm, facing the three. “I choose… … all three of you at once.”

—

**Translation Notes:**

1. **强逼你父神 (qiángbī nǐ fùshén):** This phrase literally translates to “force your father supreme-ruler,” but it carries a stronger connotation of subtly coercing or pressuring someone into doing something against their will. The nuance is more about manipulative persuasion than outright force.

2. **云哥哥 (Yún gēge):** This is a term of endearment. “Gege” (哥哥) is used by females to address older brothers or male friends, implying a close and affectionate relationship. It adds to the familial and intimate tone of the scene.

3. **杀父之仇,夺妻之恨 (shā fù zhī chóu, duó qī zhī hèn):** This is a classic pairing of grievances in Chinese culture. “Revenge for a father’s death” and “hatred for a stolen wife” are considered the ultimate insults and triggers for vengeance, highlighting the gravity of the situation for Yun Che. The parallel structure emphasizes the intensity of these feelings.