Chapter 22 — The Abyssal King Returns

The second audience was held exactly ten days after the first, Huyền Khương's main hall was once again filled with people, everyone held their breath waiting for the official answer from the Venerable Master who abdicated the throne seven years ago. Bách Uyên stepped out into the middle of the main hall, looking calm but his eyes were filled with the determination of a person who has thought thoroughly and has nothing to hesitate.

"Before answering your request, I want to tell a story." He raised his voice, and his words echoed through the silent hall as everyone listened. "Seven years ago, I gave up the Seal of Heaven's Mandate not because I no longer loved this world, but because I realized that there are things more precious than ultimate power—the life of an innocent child, the love between people without needing titles or status."

He stopped for a moment, his eyes scanning each face that was listening attentively. "During seven years of living among humans, I have learned many things that I never understood when I was sitting on the throne. I learned to appreciate the simplest things, learned that happiness does not necessarily come from power or the worship of people, but can come from a warm meal with the people you love."

Murmurs arose throughout the main hall, many ministers looked at each other with worry, not knowing where Bách Uyên was leading the story.

"Therefore, after many days of thinking, I decided not to accept the Seal of Heaven's Mandate," he spoke decisively, making the whole hall stir. "But I will not let the Underworld fall into a situation where no one can guide it. I would like to recommend Nhiếp Bách Khương, my cousin, who has proven his virtue, fairness, and courage over the years and is worthy of becoming the new Lord of this world."

Nhiếp Bách Khương, standing in the row of ministers, was stunned by that declaration even though Bách Uyên had personally informed him a few days in advance. The feeling of actually facing the entire court still made him stunned. He walked out and knelt down before Bách Uyên.

"Brother... have you thought about it carefully? This is such a huge responsibility..."

"I thought very carefully." Bách Uyên helped him up, his voice sincere. "You have the qualities that a wise lord should have, and more importantly, you understand the suffering of common people from what you have experienced. I trust this world to you."

The council of elders, after a short discussion, unanimously approved this decision, knowing that this was not an abdication of responsibility, but a wise choice based on what they had witnessed over the past month from both of them.

"But Your Majesty, if you don't take back your throne, what do you plan to do next?" An elderly minister asked, his voice filled with sincere concern.

Bách Uyên smiled, a smile of relief that those present had rarely seen from him during the past stressful days. "I will return to the human world, living a simple life with my daughter, and the woman who has shown me the true value of happiness. But I promise, if the Underworld needs me in important matters, I will always be ready to return to give my full support."

Nhiếp Bách Khương's coronation ceremony was scheduled to take place half a month later, enough time for the court to carefully prepare for a grand ceremony, marking the official beginning of a new dynasty, built on the foundation of justice and trust that had been restored after seven dark years.

During that preparation period, Bách Uyên spent all his time with Thục Di and Tiểu Yên, taking them to visit the places that were associated with his childhood and years of rule - the royal garden where he learned to ride horses with Nhiếp Bách Khương in his childhood, the royal library where so much knowledge of the world was kept, and even Điền Nguyệt Hinh's resting place, where he took Tiểu Yên to burn a stick of incense for the mother she had never had a chance to meet.

"My mother is a very good person, isn't she, father?" Tiểu Yên asked, standing in front of the simple grave that was rebuilt after the fall of Cố Thanh Vũ, no longer neglected like during the past seven years.

"Yes, your mother is the kindest and gentlest person I have ever known," Bách Uyên replied, his voice low and full of nostalgia but not as heavy as before. "Your mother will definitely be happy to see you grown up and healthy like this."

Thục Di stood quietly behind, allowing father and daughter to have private space for that emotional moment. In her heart, she also silently thanked the woman she had never met, for giving birth and loving such a lovely child, and indirectly leading fate to bring her to father and daughter.

After burning incense, Bách Uyên turned to look at Thục Di, his eyes filled with respect. "Thank you for always being by my side, accompanying my daughter and me through all these events."

"It's my choice, no need to thank me," she replied, taking his hand. "Now that everything is settled, we can really start a new life."

During the days preparing for the coronation ceremony, Nhiếp Bách Khương often went to Bách Uyên to ask for advice about traditional rituals, how to respond to conservative elders, and about things to keep in mind when receiving the Seal of Heaven. Bách Uyên patiently taught every small detail, not hiding any of the valuable experience he had accumulated over hundreds of years in office.

"When you receive the Seal of Heaven's Mandate, you will feel a huge flow of magical power entering your body. Don't panic, let it naturally adapt to your bloodline." Bách Uyên advised. "And most importantly, never let that power make you forget the reasons you deserve it in the first place — your righteousness and empathy for others."

"I will always remember your teachings," Nhiếp Bách Khương replied, bowing his head solemnly, silently engraving each word of advice in his heart as a vow to himself and to the whole world he was about to shoulder.

Chu Bách Thành, after witnessing the entire process of power transfer going smoothly, also asked to retire from the position of General, ceding his position to a younger generation of generals that he had diligently trained during his years of hiding on the border. Bách Uyên and Nhiếp Bách Khương both tried to convince him to stay and continue to contribute, but the old general only smiled gently, saying that he had completed the final mission of his life, now it was time to rest and enjoy the remaining years with his small family that he had sacrificed too much to miss during many years of war.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will still be nearby. If the court needs you, I am always willing," he said, smiling and looking at Bách Uyên with the eyes of a person who is satisfied with what he has devoted his entire life to the ideal.

Diệp Uyên Thanh was also officially appointed as a close advisor to the new Supreme Master, continuing his role of preserving and imparting valuable historical lessons to a new generation of leaders, ensuring that the mistakes of the past will never be repeated again under this new dynasty.

Nhiếp Bách Khương's coronation ceremony took place solemnly but no less warmly, with the witness of a large number of people from all over the U Minh Giới regions flocking to the capital. When the Seal of Heavenly Mandate was handed over to the new Venerable Lord, a gentle stream of light enveloped the entire main hall, as if an approval from heaven itself for this righteous choice.

Standing in the crowd witnessing the ceremony, not in the most solemn position but just an ordinary spectator next to Thục Di and Tiểu Yên, Bách Uyên felt a sense of relief filling his soul, completely different from the heaviness he felt during his own coronation ceremony many years ago. This time, he does not have to shoulder any responsibility, he is simply a father, a man, standing next to the people he loves, witnessing a new and beautiful page of history opening up for the world he has always considered his homeland.

Tiểu Yên held her father's hand tightly, looking up at the splendid main hall with eyes sparkling with joy, no trace of the pain that had tormented her for the first seven years of her life. Thục Di stood on the other side, gently squeezing Bách Uyên's hand, all three of them looked towards the platform, where a new chapter of the Underworld was officially starting, and also where the final chapter in the long journey of a Venerable Lord chose to give up the throne to find something more precious than power.