Wayfarer

Chapter 620: Learn and Live, Copy and Die

Back in Yongding, in the hall in which Ao Canghai was currently situated, Ao Canghai asked, "Have you found the Golden Immortal in Yongding? Was it one sent by the Imperial Court?"

The Martial Aspects all shook their heads. "We haven't found a thing."

"We might have been tricked. These supposed Martial Aspects from the Southern Quadrant could have been sent by Xiao Nanfeng himself," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost said.

Everyone else frowned.

Ao Canghai, on the other hand, warned, "Do not drop your guard. That Golden Immortal could have come from the Imperial Court."

"If that were so, shouldn't we have received some news? But the Heavenly Emperor didn't send anyone over," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost replied.

Ao Canghai frowned. "The Golden Immortal who appeared might be one of our rivals in the Imperial Court."

"Oh?" The Martial Aspects glanced at each other seriously.

"But don't worry. We're here rightfully on His Majesty's orders. Even if other Martial Aspects have appeared, they won't be able to cause a ruckus."

"Understood!" the Martial Aspects replied.

"Eastern Aspect, Yin Shenhua's actions really are strange, aren't they? The three hundred Immortal cities of Dayin are close to rebellion. How can he stand to do nothing?" a Martial Aspect wondered.

"How can he?" Ao Canghai retorted.

"The Venerable Buddha working with Xiao Nanfeng is about as strong as Yin Mingwang. It's no opponent for Yin Shenhua, and Yin Shenhua should be able to destroy all of Dazheng's ordinary cities," the Martial Aspect replied.

Ao Canghai didn't respond. Instead, another Martial Aspect did. "How can an Immortal Emperor—a Boundless Immortal at that—attack a city of ordinary cultivators? That would wipe out Yin Shenhua's reputation faster than the rumors going around! Dayin barely has any standing left. If Yin Shenhua does something so remarkably foolish, it would be done for."

"But even if he doesn't do that, he can start by recapturing Luye, can't he?" the Martial Aspect asked.

"The rumors that he consumes his citizens have fully taken off after Xiao Nanfeng's expose. The people won't just listen to Yin Shenhua—they're already starting to doubt his credibility. Xiao Nanfeng's been repeatedly reuniting the survivors of the ordeal with their families in Dayin, causing Yin Shenhua's reputation to collapse at an even faster rate. He's already failed to take on Dazheng several times, and he won't be able to sustain any more defeats," Ao Canghai said.

"He's worried he won't be able to reclaim Luye and completely lose the faith of the Immortal cities of Dayin?" the Martial Aspect exclaimed.

"Indeed," Ao Canghai said.

"But how can Xiao Nanfeng stand against him if he were to fight to reclaim Luye at full force?" the Martial Aspect replied in disbelief.

"What if we were to suddenly appear there?" Ao Canghai asked.

"Why would we help Xiao Nanfeng defend Luye?" the Martial Aspect retorted.

"Yin Shenhua doesn't know that."

The Martial Aspects fell silent. They didn't dare reach out to an enemy like Yin Shenhua, but if only he knew the truth...

"What Yin Shenhua needs to do now is regain the trust of the people and tighten his control over the various Immortal cities. He can't do it with force lest he cause more rebellion. The cities won't fall back in line so easily—this will be a complicated process, and Yin Shenhua must have his hands full by now," Ao Canghai said.

"Can we take advantage of the situation to seize those Immortal cities ourselves?" a Martial Aspect asked, eyes brightening.

The other Martial Aspects looked toward Ao Canghai expectantly as well.

"Eastern Aspect, Dayin is about to collapse. I'm sure the forces all around are eyeing those cities as well," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost said eagerly.

"Indeed. I heard that some other divine empires and even ordinary empires are approaching the Immortal cities of Dayin themselves," Ao Canghai replied.

"Are they intending to divide Dayin up? If other forces can do so too, why not us? We can't just watch on as Xiao Nanfeng and those other forces take advantage, can we? Eastern Aspect, we have to send our subordinates to seize cities of their own, too!"

"Right, just a single Immortal city would represent incredible wealth. Even if we no longer want the city afterwards, we'd be able to sell it for a great profit."

"Eastern Aspect, let's make a move!"

The Martial Aspects were all in agreement.

Ao Canghai nodded. "Very well, but before you do so, report to me beforehand. Let's prevent any conflicts."

"Oh?" The Martial Aspects cocked their heads in confusion until one Martial Aspect's eyes lit up. "Eastern Aspect, does that mean that you've already made your move?"

Ao Canghai nodded. "Just so. Three hundred Immortal cities is more than enough for us to divide up."

"Understood!" the Martial Aspects called out eagerly.

"Eastern Aspect, which cities are you negotiating with? Our subordinates will stay away from them," the Martial Aspect continued.

"The Immortal city of Honghai."

The other Martial Aspects all committed that name to memory. Just then, one of Ao Canghai's subordinates rushed into the hall.

"Eastern Aspect, I have private news to report!" the subordinate called out urgently.

The gathered Martial Aspects made to leave, but Ao Canghai stopped them. "There's no need. He's responsible for the Immortal city of Honghai, and all of you have already learned of my plans." He turned to his subordinate. "What's the matter?"

"Something's wrong in Honghai. Our envoys sent to meet with Honghai's city lord were abruptly told that he had chosen to join the Dazheng Empire instead. He presented Xiao Nanfeng's notice of appointment to them."

"Xiao Nanfeng got to Honghai before we did?" the Martial Aspects exclaimed.

"Are you certain?" Ao Canghai asked, frowning.

"Yes, Eastern Aspect, twice over! He's already handling official appointments in consultation with Dazheng, though nothing's been released publicly just yet," the subordinate replied.

"Damn it, how could Xiao Nanfeng have acted so quickly?"

"What if Honghai's not the only one? Could other Immortal cities have joined Dazheng already?"

"How long has it been? How could Xiao Nanfeng react so quickly?"

The Martial Aspects began to fret anxiously.

"Xiao Nanfeng must have taken advantage of the victims he rescued to do so. Damn it! He has the upper hand now!" Ao Canghai shouted, his eyes flashing with rage. He commanded his subordinate, "Ignore Honghai for now. Work on other Immortal cities. Hurry!"

"Understood!" The subordinate bowed and left the hall.

Ao Canghai turned to the other Martial Aspects. "If you want cities of your own, you'll have to act quickly."

"Understood!" The Martial Aspects rushed off to inform their own subordinates as well.

Back in the Immortal city of Honghai, within the city lord's manor, a black-robed man bowed to the city lord. "City Lord Mo, our divine empire will extend its greatest sincerity to you. As long as you're willing to join our divine empire, you'll remain the city lord of Honghai, and our empire's technique repository will be freely accessible to you."

City Lord Mo couldn't help but smile wryly. How many representatives had he already met with lately? Was it that obvious that Dayin was undergoing internal turmoil?

"I apologize, but you're too late. I've already agreed to work with Ao Canghai of the Imperial Court, and I wouldn't dare renege on my word and suffer the wrath of a Boundless Immortal. Why not try other Immortal cities instead?"

The black-robed man frowned. This was terrible news, but there was no time to waste. Rather than waste more time on City Lord Mo, it would be far better to try his luck in other Immortal cities.

"Very well," the black-robed man said. "My apologies for the disturbance."

Then, he retreated.

Once the man had left, a young man walked out of a side hall—Xiao Nanfeng's diplomat and lead representative.

"Apologies for the trouble, City Lord Mo," the youth said.

City Lord Mo sighed. "Everything is as you predicted. Quite a few forces have attempted to probe my loyalty, and I've only managed to send them off by pitting them against each other."

The young man nodded. "There are too many cities up for grab, so no force would want to waste too much time on any single one. However, Yin Shenhua is sure to send a delegation over as well. He may well decide to strip you of your position as city lord. Please be prepared."

"As for that..." City Lord Mo frowned in worry.

"Worry not. This will be a battle of wits and diplomacy that concerns the three hundred Immortal cities of Dayin. Other Immortal cities will experience the same issues. What you need to do now is ensure your safety, your clan's safety, and the safety of all that you possess. Soon enough, you'll be able to reclaim your position."

City Lord Mo nodded. "I'll listen to you."

"Thank you for your cooperation, City Lord Mo. Dazheng will reward you for your endeavors in kind. You may peruse all the policies that Dazheng has established to date. By expanding Dazheng's borders, you'll be earning merit that no one will dare to dispute."

"Very well."

In a certain garden in Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng and Zhang Lingjun were seated on the grass as they heard insects chirping all around them. The moon shone brightly overhead as the two of them enjoyed a flask of wine together. They spoke of politics and of Dazheng's plan against Dayin. Of course, Xiao Nanfeng led much of the conversation, while Zhang Lingjun glanced at him from the side.

"All the Martial Aspects and forces around are emulating you and trying to seize Dayin's Immortal cities for themselves. Will they cause you any problems?" Zhang Lingjun asked. Her cheeks were flushed from the wine, her pupils dilated.

Xiao Nanfeng laughed. "Those who learn from me might benefit, but those who emulate me blindly will be in deep trouble."

"Oh?"

"Just wait and see. Dayin is about to launch its third wave of retaliation. Those forces who are now attempting to subvert those Immortal cities will shoulder the burden on our behalf." Xiao Nanfeng's eyes flashed confidently.

His confidence was particularly alluring to Zhang Lingjun, who was interested in Xiao Nanfeng to begin with.

Perhaps because of how much she had drunk, Zhang Lingjun leaned over and pressed her body against Xiao Nanfeng's.