Chapter 258: Xu Kong and Xu Ming

A month later, two monks sat opposite each other in a small pavilion, having plain tea as they chatted.

If Xiao Nanfeng were present, he would immediately have recognized one of the monks as one of the three Wingform-realm cultivators that had been lying in wait to ambush Xiao Nanfeng outside Taiqing Island, whom Ku Jiang had dispatched before heading to the draconic palace. That monk was Monk Xu Kong of the Jingang Temple.

Monk Xu Kong had been dealt a devastating spiritual injury by Ku Jiang's guqin, and had been recuperating ever since. By now, his wound had healed.

Monk Xu Kong put down his cup and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Xu Ming, why are you suddenly bringing up General Ma today? Do you intend to seek revenge for him?" [1]

Monk Xu Ming shook his head. "General Ma's not particularly strong. He thinks that he's all that just because he was once a soldier of the Xiang clan, and he's been trying to reap benefits all over as a result. He secretly brought his subordinates to Yongding without us in an attempt to excavate the draconic vein there, not thinking that Xiao Nanfeng would return and take him down. He has only himself to blame. Why would I care?"

"That's true, but he's ruined our plan. Senior Brother, we've accepted a writ from the Xiang clan to take over these lands within a certain period of time. Xiao Nanfeng's return has upended our consolidation of power. This will be disadvantageous for us!" Xu Kong frowned.

"A writ? Xu Kong, you cultivate to distance yourself from the mortal world. Be not deceived by these matters of empire and dynasty."

"What's wrong with a writ? Is that so difficult to accept? All that we're doing is in order to preserve the Jingang Temple. Look at the Taiqing Immortal Sect! When they arrived at the Eastern Sea two centuries ago to avoid calamity, they were a weaker force than we were. They've only experienced such rapid growth because of their support of Nalan Qiankun and the establishment of the Tianshu Empire. Look how quickly they've grown! The fortune that the Tianshu Empire receives goes in part to them, fostering stronger and stronger cultivators. Should we be ashamed of doing the same by supporting the Xiang clan? If we can secure a source of fortune for the Jingang Temple, I'll do anything," Xu Kong replied.

Xu Ming frowned. "Xiang Pojun suffered a humiliating defeat when he went to attack the Taiqing Immortal Sect over a month ago."

"So what? He's not the only cultivator from the Xiang clan that's returned. He's in secluded cultivation now while he recuperates. If we can succeed in the meantime, we'll demonstrate our importance. With the Taiqing Immortal Sect as an example, many forces have decided to support the Xiang clan. Because Xiao Hongye once offended us, we chose to assist the Xiang clan regain control over Xiao Hongye's lands. I was deeply injured by Ku Jiang when I attempted to capture Xiao Nanfeng by Taiqing Island. I'll take revenge for both new and old wrongs now," Xu Kong continued.

"Xu Kong, beware of vice," Xu Ming warned.

"Don't speak to me of vice, Senior Brother. Strength is what can quash these desires. If either of us were to become Immortals, if we could steamroll over these problems with strength and power, no vice would exist. What causes vice is a lack of strength; it is power and impetus that drives me forward," Xu Kong replied.

Xu Ming considered Xu Kong's argument and found it reasonable.

"We work now to reclaim the Xiang clan's empire not simply for fortune, but also for the promise that they made us. You've seen their gains from the hidden realm of the Spirit Emperor. They've promised us that, if we help them reclaim their lands, they'll lead us to that realm so we too can benefit from that opportunity. We could become Immortals, Senior Brother! Aren't you tempted?" Xu Kong asked.

Xu Ming frowned. Of course he was.

"Other generals have sought me out asking us to seek revenge on General Ma's behalf, but you've always forbidden it. Why?" Xu Kong asked.

"Do not be impatient. We need to plan things through carefully before acting; the generals do not command us. Although I've forbidden you from seizing Xiao Nanfeng, we've had spies watching his every move. Are you aware of what he's done recently?" Xu Ming asked.

"I am. He's managed to source a large number of officials and has restored proper governance to the city of Yongding. He's exterminated the Chief Steward's influence completely, freeing wrongfully convicted prisoners, abolishing all superfluous taxes, and purging corruption at any cost. In just a month, he's won the hearts of the people, who now consider him a wise and virtuous ruler."

"He's rather adept at buying people's hearts." Xu Ming frowned.

"Although he hasn't attacked other cities yet, he's been drilling troops outside of Yongding. Over the last month, he's sent for a hundred thousand troops. According to my investigations, they came from a place known as the undying realm. It seems that he's been cultivating a large stockpile of talent and troops within this hidden realm. The troops at his disposal are making the cities nearby very wary, and many of the cities that we control have asked for aid over the last month, hoping that we'll deal with the threat of Yongding," Xu Kong continued.

"Now that his hidden realm is exposed, can't we take it over?" Xu Ming smiled.

Xu Kong's eyes widened. He smiled in excitement. "Senior Brother, you're going to seize his hidden realm?"

Xu Ming nodded. "If we had known about all his trump cards, I would have struck a month ago when General Ma died. We needed to wait, however, because this information wasn't yet available to us."

"Oh?"

"Xiao Nanfeng doesn't mean much, and neither do the dozen or so Taiqing elders that have accompanied him here.Even the Immortal's Destruction isn't meaningful without the support of underground draconic veins. From the fact that General Ma was able to defend against the heavenly blades during their fight, it's clear that the draconic vein in Yongding is only strong enough to muster peak-stage Spiritsong-level blows. There are other reasons I've forbidden your involvement so far," Xu Ming continued.

"Are you worried about Ku Jiang, Hong Lie, Zhao Yuanjiao, and so on?" Xu Kong asked.

"That's right. They're the most dangerous cultivators we have to fear. If they were hiding in Yongding to ambush us, we would have suffered," Xu Ming replied.

"You're right, Senior Brother. I hadn't thought things through." Xu Kong nodded firmly.

"We don't have to worry anymore, however." Xu Ming smiled.

"Oh?"

"Just now, Ku Jiang and Hong Lie have invited a number of elders from the Taiqing Immortal and Demonic Sects to accompany them toward the capital of the Tianshu Empire in order to seek the fortune owed to Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao via their fathers."

Xu Kong's eyes brightened. "How did you learn of this, Senior Brother?"

"I've had people watching Taiqing Island. With Zhao Yuanjiao standing guard over Taiqing Island and Hong Lie and Ku Jiang headed toward the capital of the Tianshu Empire, there's nothing for us to worry about. No threats await us in Yongding."

"So you've been planning this all along, Senior Brother! You forbade me from dealing with Xiao Nanfeng because you were waiting for confirmation?"

"Remember this: victory and defeat on many battlefields are decided not by fighting, but by logistics and espionage that take place behind the scenes. Seize windows of opportunity where they arise," Xu Ming instructed.

"I understand, Senior Brother!" Xu Kong nodded.

"This is a rare opportunity that may not come again. We shall move to Yongding and take down Xiao Nanfeng."

"Senior Brother, we're both Wingform-realm cultivators. One of us would be more than sufficient. Isn't it too much for us to both go?"

"Don't forget how the serpent king perished on the Isle of Xiao. The Immortal's Destruction can excavate an entire draconic vein and convert all that strength into a supercharged attack that would threaten us. We have committed to making a move, so we should attack at full force to seize victory in one strike," Xu Ming continued.

Xu Kong nodded firmly. "You're right, Senior Brother. I wasn't being thoughtful enough!"

"Go on. We'll take down Xiao Nanfeng quickly before Ku Jiang and Hong Lie can respond."

"Got it!" Xu Kong replied.

The two cultivators soared into the air and headed toward Yongding.

Last night, in the Xiao manor at the city of Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng had been sitting in his study as he faced Zheng Qian, Ye Sanshui, and Ye Dafu.

"King Xiao, I was just about to get a drink with my brothers this late at night. Why have you suddenly summoned us here?" Ye Dafu asked.

"How are your troops?" Xiao Nanfeng countered.

"They're all trained and drilled. We've prepared all the battle plans, and we're just waiting for your command, King Xiao. The troops have been urging us about when they'd get a chance to see action," Ye Dafu replied, laughing.

"We strike now. Ye Sanshui, you'll serve as commander. Ye Dafu, vice-commander. This is a token of my authority. Commandeer the troops and all the Taiqing disciples following the battle plan that you passed to me. We move overnight. I want to hear your battle reports at greatest haste," Xiao Nanfeng stated bluntly as he passed them the tokens.

"What? Now?" Ye Dafu exclaimed.

"Understood, King Xiao!" Ye Sanshui immediately exclaimed.

"Go, go!" Xiao Nanfeng urged.

Ye Dafu was still confused when Ye Sanshui dragged him out of the study.

"King Xiao, why the urgency? Has something happened?" Zheng Qian asked.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "I've just received word that something big is about to happen. The emperor's brother-in-law is a rather adept strategist."

"Oh?"

"His intention is to command the rogue forces to attack the city of Yongding without ever showing his face himself," Xiao Nanfeng continued.

"The leader of the rogue forces are the two Wingform-realm monks of the Jingang Temple, aren't they? They're going to raid us?" Ye Sanshui was so alarmed that he stood right up.

"The two monks Xu Ming and Xu Kong of the Jingang Temple have made their move. They'll arrive either tonight or the next day," Xiao Nanfeng affirmed.

"In that case, we might face more threats yet. There's also the emperor's brother-in-law, who's hiding in the background. He stands to gain tremendously from this battle," Zheng Qian deduced.

"As sharp as ever, Mr. Zheng. We'll need to make a move as well. Mr. Zheng, hide and protect yourself. I'll kill them both," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.

"Oh?" Zheng Qian was shocked.

1. Xu Kong (虚空) = void, Xu Ming (虚明) = purity ?