novel against the - Chapter 2080

Chapter 2080: The Fog Emperor Reappears

Meng Jianxi’s body tensed. He spoke with difficulty, “Mother… don’t force me.”

Meng Xuanjue said coldly, “I’m not forcing you, I’m saving you!”

“When Jianzhou¹ died, I was four parts heartbroken, but six parts relieved. His and Meng Jingzhe’s deaths would leave no flaws, and I originally intended to never let you know. But those two incompetent fools² allowed Meng Jianyuan to return alive!” In truth, Meng Jianxi had long suspected Meng Jianzhou’s involvement in Meng Jianyuan’s death. As Meng Jianzhou’s only full brother³, he was keenly aware of Meng Jianzhou’s hatred for Meng Jianyuan.

This is why, after he awakened his supreme power and became the Weaving Dream Divine Son⁴, he ruthlessly crushed Meng Jianzhou, who should have been his closest kin, into the mud, extinguishing all his courage and ambition. But he never imagined that his mother was involved… She was the Divine Empress of the Divine Kingdom, standing at the pinnacle of women in the world. She had no reason to take such a huge risk, an act that would bring dire consequences if exposed.

As for Meng Jianzhou… he didn’t even know until his death that his success was secretly orchestrated by his birth mother. He always believed himself flawless, thinking that only he and Meng Jingzhe knew.

“Back then, I was too confident in my unshakeable position as Divine Empress, and almost got threatened by that bitch! After that, I realized that no opponent should be underestimated, and any threat must be nipped in the bud!”

Meng Xuanjue suddenly grabbed Meng Jianxi, forcing him to look into her eyes. “Meng Jianyuan is more than just a ‘bud’ now! His threat to you is almost in your face! How can you remain so indifferent?!”

“I’m not indifferent,” Meng Jianxi struggled to calm himself. “But right now, I absolutely should not, and cannot, act against Meng Jianyuan.”

“When did I ask you to act against Meng Jianyuan?” Meng Xuanjue said in a low voice. “Your Divine Father now treasures him. Acting against him is tantamount to digging your own grave. Right now, what you should do, and must do… is to prevent him from becoming the Weaving Dream Divine Son. At the very least, he shouldn’t so easily, so naturally, share the title of Divine Son with you!”

“Instead of being arrogant and indifferent!!”

She grabbed Meng Jianxi’s arm, her fingers tightening slowly, her nails almost embedding themselves in his flesh. “Remember, in this Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, the Divine Lord has the final say! Even if you have ten grandfathers and ten uncles, your voice will not surpass your Divine Father! Only when you secure the position of Divine Son, becoming the only Divine Son in your Divine Father’s eyes, and in the eyes of the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, then even if everything is truly exposed, your Divine Father, even in his rage and hatred, will not make it public, and will not implicate you… because you are the only choice!!”

“In the future, when you inherit your Divine Father’s power and become the Weaving Dream Divine Lord… then even if your mother has ten times the sins, you can dismiss them with a single word!! Even with a hundred thousand Meng Jianyuans, they would merely be your subjects. Understand?!”

Meng Jianxi closed his eyes and looked up, then said heavily, “I understand. I will follow Mother’s teachings, and even the smallest threat will be eliminated at the very beginning.”

“Good.” Meng Xuanjue’s hand finally loosened. “This is how my Xi’er should be. Now, go to your grandfather. Six of the nine Dream Palaces are already on your side, sharing your fate. Your attitude will determine the enthronement ceremony seven days from now.”

Meng Jianxi left the Divine Empress’ palace and let out a long breath.

At that moment, Meng Zhe flew over, his expression anxious. “Your Highness! Did you receive the news? Divine Father intends to make Meng Jianyuan the second Weaving Dream Divine Son, and it will be seven days from now!”

“Mm, I know.” Meng Jianxi responded somewhat listlessly.

Meng Zhe observed his expression and said resentfully, “What is Divine Father thinking? It’s simply… inexplicable!”

“Indeed, inexplicable.” Meng Jianxi nodded in agreement. He looked ahead, murmuring, “Mother asked me about this earlier, and to appease her, I said that Divine Father’s actions were out of joy, guilt, and a desire to make amends, which is understandable. In reality… I completely fail to understand what Divine Father is doing.”

“If Divine Father is acting out of affection and a desire to make amends, this action is actually harming him. After all, Meng Jianyuan disappeared for so many years, and now has no foundation or support in this Divine Kingdom, let alone popular support. To suddenly thrust him into the position of ‘Divine Son’… compared to superficial respect, there will undoubtedly be more doubt, cold stares, confusion, and unease.”

“If I were Meng Jianyuan, I would feel like I’m being roasted over a luxurious charcoal fire. Divine Father is such a shrewd person, he wouldn’t fail to understand this.”

Meng Jianxi spoke slowly, but remained puzzled. Even if he were ten times more intelligent, even with a hundred heads, he wouldn’t have thought that Yun Che’s “backer” was not only Meng Kongchan, but also the Zhetian Divine Kingdom.

Meng Kongchan’s actions were undoubtedly out of affection and a desire to make amends, but it was also to give Yun Che an identity, and to show Hua Fucheng his attitude.

“Regardless of the reason, Divine Father’s actions completely disregarded Your Highness’s feelings,” Meng Zhe lowered his voice. “What are Your Highness’s plans for the ceremony seven days from now?”

Meng Jianxi stopped, slowly uttering two words: “Eliminate.”

Meng Zhe also stopped, his gaze fixed on him.

“Although we can’t touch him, we… must make that day seven days from now a day of lifelong shame for him! We must ensure that his title of ‘Divine Son’ not only brings no glory, but becomes a mark of shame that everyone looks down upon.”

“Understood.” Meng Zhe nodded slowly, his eyes shining with excited light.

“I cannot act, and must even maintain a facade of support for him,” Meng Jianxi’s brows furrowed. “You know what to do.”

Hua Qingying descended from the Xuanzhou, only to see Hua Fucheng already standing there, seemingly waiting for her return, his expression rather subtle.

“Where’s Cai Li?” Hua Qingying asked. “Why can’t I sense her presence?”

“She’s entered the Seven Star Zhetian Array,” Hua Fucheng replied truthfully.

“What!?” Hua Qingying’s brows furrowed sharply.

“She knew you would definitely stop her, so she entered before your return,” Hua Fucheng said calmly. “Now that the Seven Stars are shining and the seven arrays are open, it’s too late for you to stop her.”

Hua Qingying coldly glared at him and turned to leave.

“There’s extremely good news for Cai Li’s future.”

Sure enough, as soon as it involved Hua Cai Li, Hua Qingying immediately stopped.

“Meng Kongchan just sent a message, but it’s not about the ‘Fallen Dream’ result, but…” Hua Fucheng paused slightly, then slowly said, “He discovered that Yun Che’s true identity is Meng Jianyuan, who disappeared a hundred years ago.”

Hua Qingying was clearly stunned for a moment, then slowly turned her gaze. “Is this true?”

“This is what Meng Kongchan said himself,” Hua Fucheng said. “Moreover, Yun Che happens to have no memories before the age of ten, and his age matches, these are things you told me. Thinking about it now, it perfectly matches the Meng Jianyuan who disappeared back then.”

Hua Qingying murmured, “Such a… coincidence…”

“The world is vast and full of wonders, it’s truly incredibly strange,” Hua Fucheng sighed. “But this makes things much simpler for Cai Li and Yun Che, at least we don’t have to face it alone.”

“Meng Kongchan, to show his attitude and to give Yun Che an identity as soon as possible, has ordered Yun Che to be made the second Weaving Dream Divine Son, and the enthronement ceremony will be held seven days from now.”

Hua Qingying turned sharply. “Wouldn’t this put Yun Che in the spotlight? Meng Jianxi’s maternal family has a strong foundation, and you once described him as extremely ambitious and resourceful. Even if Yun Che is Meng Jianyuan, he is still a solitary figure who has severed all ties upon his return. Forcibly making Yun Che another Weaving Dream Divine Son will provoke what kind of reaction from Meng Jianxi and his maternal family, you should know very well.”

Hua Fucheng smiled, “For that boy, isn’t this a kind of training and test? Only in such an environment can a person grow the fastest.”

“Has the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom sent out invitations widely?” Hua Qingying suddenly asked.

Hua Fucheng shook his head. “The news must have spread, but Meng Kongchan has no intention of inviting the other five kingdoms widely. However, at that time, I will let you…”

“No need.” Hua Qingying said coldly,不容置疑. “I will go myself.”

“Cai Li’s chosen man, how can he be bullied!”

Even when facing Hua Xin, the Divine Lord, Hua Qingying’s words were always announcements, not discussions. “Seven days from now, I will personally go to the Weaving Dream Divine Kingdom, you don’t need to worry about this.”

“That old thing, Meng Zangji, it’s been a long time since I’ve met him.”

“Qingying, this…” Hua Fucheng raised his hand, but could only watch helplessly as Hua Qingying drifted away, shaking his head helplessly.

Abyss, Fog Sea.

A group of more than ten people, all in similar clothing, clearly belonging to the same sect.

They were all injured, to varying degrees, and the ground was littered with the corpses of Abyss Beasts that had not yet turned to abyss dust, clearly having just experienced a fierce battle.

Half of them were on guard, while the other half surrounded the youngest man. The leader, a middle-aged man, placed his hand on the young man’s body. After a moment, he shook his head heavily, “Abyss dust has already invaded his heart… there’s no saving him.”

The words “invaded his heart” caused everyone’s faces to darken. In their understanding, it was equivalent to death.

Abyss dust is uncontrollable, indestructible, and extremely difficult to dispel. Once it enters the heart, there is no chance of survival.

“No, no…” The tall man closest to the young man’s eyes welled up with tears, unable to accept it, shaking his head in confusion. “Senior Uncle, you must be mistaken. Junior Brother Mu’s injuries weren’t serious, how could… how could…”

The young man grabbed his arm, forcing a smile on his pale face. “Senior Brother Han, everyone has their own destiny, don’t worry. It’s just a pity… I can’t fulfill my promise.”

The tall man bowed his head and gritted his teeth, choked with emotion.

“Senior Brother Han, one last request… I… don’t want to die in the Fog Sea.”

“Okay!” The tall man responded hoarsely. “I’ll take you away! Even if we have to go, we should go whole, not turn into dust in this Fog Sea.”

As soon as he finished speaking, screams erupted around them.

“That… what is that?”

Looking up, in the distance, thick fog was churning, and even the already dim sky seemed to darken several shades.

Everyone stood there dumbfounded, until one person muttered in a daze, “This scene… seems like the legendary…”

Suddenly, an infinitely powerful and terrifying roar, like a demonic chant, echoed in their ears:

“The Fog Emperor patrols the sea, all living beings retreat!”

Each word was soul-shaking, as if echoing directly in their hearts, causing them to change color.

“Fog… Fog Emperor? The legendary…”

“Didn’t they say it was just a fabricated hoax?”

“Legend has it that when the Fog Emperor first appeared a few months ago, it caused the Ancestor Lin supreme-ruler in the depths of the Fog Sea to appear, creating a catastrophe that buried countless corpses! Even if it’s a hoax… it’s someone we can’t afford to offend.”

The middle-aged man immediately shouted, “Go, quickly!”

The voice in the gray fog suddenly took on a hint of anger: “Retreat… disperse!”

Boom!!

The earth trembled, and a storm suddenly surged from the gray fog, violently throwing the terrified people several miles away.

Only the young man, whose heart was invaded by abyss dust and was destined to die, was not affected by the storm, left alone in place.

The middle-aged man hurriedly got up and roared, “Go! Don’t look back!”

The tall man got up and saw the young man left behind, getting closer and closer to the rolling gray fog. His pupils constricted, and he cried out, “But Mu…”

“We can’t care about him!” The middle-aged man said. “He’s already beyond saving, if we dawdle, we’ll all be implicated.”

The tall man gritted his teeth and pushed the middle-aged man. “Senior Uncle, go quickly, don’t worry about me!”

As he roared, he charged towards the young man… and towards the rolling gray fog.

“Han Xu!” The middle-aged man roared, but could only grit his teeth and flee with the other disciples.

Bang!

The tall man stumbled and fell heavily to the ground. He rolled over and rushed to the young man, quickly picking him up… but as he got up, he touched the gray fog that was close at hand.

His suddenly widened eyes met a pair of huge gray eyes that appeared and disappeared in the gray fog, chaotic and distorted.

“Inferior beings, dare to trespass on this Emperor’s might!”

The terrifying pressure was about to crush his soul. The middle-aged man trembled, but forced himself to shout, “I am a mere mortal, how dare I offend… Fog Emperor. But… but my junior brother has been invaded by abyss dust, his life is gone. I just wanted to take him out of the Fog Sea, to die with dignity, with no intention of offending. Please, Fog Emperor, forgive me… I, Han Xu, will be grateful for the rest of my life.”

“Hahahaha!”

In response, the Fog Emperor laughed.

“Loyal and righteous, fearless of death, worthy of this Emperor’s grace!”

Accompanying the Fog Emperor’s words was a sudden shroud of gray fog.

The middle-aged man let out a low groan, but dared not resist… but the feeling of abyss dust invasion did not come. The gray fog lingered on them for a few breaths, then quickly dissipated.

At the same time, the gray and decaying aura that had been particularly strong on the young man also dissipated.

“Hahahaha!” The gray fog rolled away, accompanied by the Fog Emperor’s gradually fading laughter.

“Senior Brother Han.” The young man struggled to stand up from the tall man’s arms. He raised his hands, incredulously looking at his palms, then uttered a dreamlike voice, “The abyss erosion on me, it’s all…”

They returned to the middle-aged man’s side. When the middle-aged man’s Xuan Qi circulated around the young man, he remained motionless for a long time, his eyes widening silently, as if he had suddenly entered the most absurd dream of his life.

“Senior Uncle?” The tall man tentatively asked. “Could it be… really…”

“This is impossible, this is impossible.” The middle-aged man shook his head as if he had lost his soul. “The abyss erosion that was clearly incurable… not only has the heart completely disappeared…”

The people around looked at each other, as if hearing the sound of demons from another world.

A disciple whispered, “Didn’t they say that once you suffer from abyss erosion, even the supreme Abyss Emperor above the Pure Land cannot remove it… how could…”

“Could it be… that it really was… the Emperor of the Fog Sea?”

The young man suddenly turned and knelt heavily towards the direction where the “Fog Emperor” had gone, shouting in a weeping voice, “Mu Cheng, disciple of Qingyun Sect, thank you, Fog Emperor, for your grace! For the rest of my life, I will worship you as my faith, and even in death, I will not abandon you!”

No one responded, and no one else spoke, their hearts turned upside down.

Not long after, the news of the “Fog Emperor” reappearing and being able to instantly remove abyss erosion spread to the edge of the Fog Sea, and quickly radiated to the deeper areas.

Yun Che walked out of the cultivation space and stretched long.

Sensing his presence, the girl’s figure rushed over with a fragrant breeze. “Young Master, you’re finally out. In three hours, it will be the ceremony to enthrone the Divine Son, if you don’t come out…”

“If Young Master doesn’t come out, Zhan Yi will cry.” A delicate female voice came, Meng Zhiyuan’s footsteps light, holding a silver robe. “Young Master, let us help you dress.”

Yun Che reached out, “I’ll do it myself.”

“No way.” Meng Zhiyuan dodged, pouting slightly, resentfully saying, “You don’t let us bathe and sleep with you, if you don’t even let us dress you, we’ll be too ashamed to stay by your side.”

“Mm mm!” Liu Zhanyi quickly nodded in agreement.

“Alright, alright.” Yun Che responded helplessly, following them back to the bedroom.

When he came out, his body was overflowing with silver light, dreamlight swirling around him, his steps full of supreme grace and nobility, making the two girls stare blankly for a long time.

“It fits well, it’s just a little flashy.” Yun Che seemed quite satisfied, then whispered, “Shou Yuan.”

The old man’s figure fell from the sky and knelt down.

“It’s still early, tell me who will be attending the enthronement ceremony.” Yun Che’s expression was very casual, as if he was simply asking, not taking it too seriously.

—

**Translation Notes:**

1. **Jianzhou (见洲):** Refers to a character, Meng Jianzhou, within the story. The name itself doesn’t hold significant cultural meaning beyond its function as a proper noun.

2. **Incompetent fools (那两个成事不足败事有余的蠢货):** This is an idiomatic expression highlighting the incompetence and negative impact of the two individuals. A more literal translation would be “those two who achieve nothing but ruin everything, fools,” but this version is more natural in English.

3. **Full brother (唯一同母的胞弟):** This specifies that Meng Jianxi and Meng Jianzhou share the same mother, emphasizing their closer familial bond.

4. **Weaving Dream Divine Son (织梦神子):** This is a title within the fictional world of the novel, referring to a high-ranking individual with supreme powers. There is no direct English equivalent.

5. **Nipped in the bud (斩扼于萌芽):** This is a common English idiom that accurately captures the meaning of the original Chinese phrase, which literally translates to “cut off at the sprout.”

6. **Divine Father (父神):** This refers to Meng Jianxi’s father, who holds a high position within the Divine Kingdom. The term “Divine Father” reflects his status and power.

7. **Xuanzhou (玄舟):** A type of vehicle or vessel within the story’s fictional world. The term itself doesn’t have a direct English equivalent, but the context suggests a sophisticated mode of transportation.

8. **Seven Star Zhetian Array (七星折天阵):** A powerful magical array within the story’s fictional world. The term is left untranslated as it’s a proper noun specific to the narrative.

9. **Abyss dust (渊尘):** A substance within the story’s fictional world that is described as destructive and deadly. The term is left untranslated to maintain consistency.

10. **Fog Emperor (雾皇):** A powerful entity within the story’s fictional world, associated with the Fog Sea. The term is left untranslated as it’s a proper noun.