Chapter 259: The Empty City

Outside the city of Yongding, by the peak of a mountain shrouded by fog, were a group of cultivators. At their lead was Nalan Yunhai's uncle, the emperor's brother-in-law. Among the cultivators behind him was the Pestilence Sage.

Of course, the real Pestilence Sage had been killed by Xiao Nanfeng while within the draconic palace, and this 'Pestilence Sage' was naturally Tang in disguise. Tang, the omen of calamity, had become one of the emperor's brother-in-law's trusted confidantes since escaping from the draconic palace.

"Where were you last night, Pestilence Sage? You were missing for some time," another cultivator questioned.

Tang ignored that cultivator and turned to the emperor's brother-in-law. "Division Leader, you said that we would be dealing with Xiao Nanfeng. I've been focusing my attention on Yongding, and I noticed something amiss last night. Although we've learned that Xiao Nanfeng was about to march forth with his troops, that information is now out of date: his troops set out last night."

"I'm very glad the Pestilence Sage took the initiative to scout for unformation, unlike the rest of you. Aren't you aware of the enmity that the Pestilence Sage bears toward Xiao Nanfeng? Do you really think he would be sharing our intelligence with Xiao Nanfeng? Do you all have pigs' brains?" the emperor's brother-in-law demanded.

The other cultivators scowled, but they ultimately lowered their heads and didn't dare to defend themselves. Tang almost shuddered. He really had been passing information to Xiao Nanfeng, but fortunately, the emperor's brother-in-law hadn't thought anything of that rumor.

"Pestilence Sage, you seem to have grown somewhat weaker," the emperor's brother-in-law continued, with some concern.

"I was badly injured by Xiao Nanfeng during an altercation in the draconic palace, and am still recovering from those wounds," Tang immediately replied.

The emperor's brother-in-law smiled. "Worry not. Xiao Nanfeng won't be able to escape from calamity. You'll be able to take your anger out on him in no time."

"Division Leader, is it true that the two monks Xu Kong and Xu Ming will be assisting us?" Tang asked with anticipation.

"Their rogue soldiers are just a group of hodgepodge cultivators, and we've managed to infiltrate quite a number of them. I've had them consistently requesting that the two monks join in. They bear Xiao Hongye and his son a deep grudge. If not for their concern about Ku Jiang and Hong Lie's potential presence in Yongding, they would have struck long since."

"Oh?"

"Since they're worried about Ku Jiang and Hong Lie, I've helped them ensure that Ku Jiang and Hong Lie won't be around. If the two monks still refuse to take action like doddering old fools, I'll truly look down on them then."

"I am deeply impressed by your planning, Division Leader!" Tang stated, an adept bootlicker as always.

The emperor's brother-in-law smiled in pride and satisfaction.

"That said, I didn't expect that Xiao Nanfeng would dispatch all hundred thousand of his troops last night in an attempt to catch us off-guard. Laughable, I say."

"It's a pity. If we had known, we would have been able to catch Xiao Nanfeng ourselves without needing the assistance of those two monks." Tang frowned.

"It matters not. We're not in a rush, and can afford to wait," the emperor's brother-in-law replied with a confident smile.

Within the city of Yongding, two black-robed men stepped into a crowded street. They were none other than Xu Ming and Xu Kong.

Although the guards of Yongding would verify the identities of those who passed through the city gates, it was trivially easy for two Wingform-realm cultivators to pass such checks.

They frowned as they took in the changes to the city. A group of children were chasing each other through the streets.

"A month ago, the common people wouldn't even dare speak loudly on the streets. Now, however, children are running amok, and even adults are running their mouths. It feels like we're in a different city entirely. How has Xiao Nanfeng effected such change so quickly?" Xu Ming exclaimed.

"This is crazy. The guards are even helping push coal carts, retrieving kits from trees, helping common matrons lecture rash, rowdy fops? They're the least respected city guards I've ever seen. They have no authority to their name. This is ridiculous!" Xu Kong commented.

"You must be new to the city of Yongding! Our lord is different from those old, corrupt officials in your cities. Young Master Xiao is sympathetic to the plight of the common people. The guards aren't to take a single coin from us, and they work on behalf of the common good. Aren't you envious? Haha, at the very least, I've never seen such an amazing lord. If anyone dares to attack Yongding, I'll volunteer to join the frontlines in defense. Our lives are truly blessed. Long live Young Master Xiao!" a seller of stinky tofu called out beside them.

"Hear, hear! Young Master Xiao helped clear my brother-in-law's name and reputation, and his family intends to erect a memorial for him."

"Young Master Xiao has announced his recruitment of talents from all over the world to help him govern and reclaim his lands. I intend on seeing if I qualify in just a moment."

The common people's exchange caused Xu Kong and Xu Ming's faces to darken. They crept away.

"How frightening. All this in a single short month? We can't let Xiao Nanfeng keep this up. Otherwise, by the time his troops arrive at our cities, the common people will revolt and push open the gates to welcome them in," Xu Kong cursed.

"Worry not. We're here to catch Xiao Nanfeng today," Xu Ming replied.

"Senior Brother, I can't believe Xiao Nanfeng would trap himself like this and send out all hundred thousand of his troops, dividing them into ten groups and sending them toward ten different cities simultaneously. He's leaving Yongding completely unprotected. Why don't we head straight for the Xiao manor?" Xu Kong asked.

"It's precisely because he's dispatched all his troops that it's suspicious," Xu Ming replied.

"You're worried that there's an ambush?"

"Precisely."

"But Ku Jiang and Hong Lie are both at the capital of the Tianshu Empire, and Zhao Yuanjiao's guarding Taiqing Island. What other backer could he have? He's surely trying to mislead us," Xu Kong asserted.

"Better to be safe than sorry. It won't hurt us to be careful. Recklessly charging into the Xiao manor is the worst possible option for us; we should lay low until we're prepared to strike decisively. We'll sneak up toward the Xiao manor so that we can deal with any ambushes that might arise. If there are none, then we can simply capture Xiao Nanfeng and be done with it," Xu Ming stated.

"Understood!" Xu Kong nodded.

The two cultivators crept up toward the Xiao manor, thinking that they had secured victory.

Although there were guards around the Xiao manor, they weren't able to do anything against the two Wingform-realm cultivators. Given their enhanced hearing, they were even able to hear Xiao Nanfeng talking from within the manor. The two monks smirked at each other as they snuck in.

Just then, they heard Xiao Nanfeng's words to his subordinate in full. "Are you certain that the monks Xu Kong and Xu Ming will appear today?"

Xu Kong and Xu Ming blanched. They were certain they had entered the city in stealth. How did Xiao Nanfeng know they were here?

"Is there an ambush, Senior Brother?"

"Stay calm," Xu Ming whispered.

The two monks checked their surroundings as they continued to listen in.

Within the Xiao manor, You Jiu and Xiao Nanfeng were putting on a show for the two monks. The city was filled with spectral guards, who had almost immediately noticed their appearance within the city. You Jiu himself had discovered them as they drew near, and he quickly reined in his aura and alerted Xiao Nanfeng.

Xiao Nanfeng had prepared a few contingencies, and the monks sneaking into the city was one of the scenarios he had considered.

You Jiu was there both to help Xiao Nanfeng put on a show and to protect him from the two monks.

"Don't worry, Elder Xiao. The Taiqing Demonic Sect is prepared to strike the moment Xu Kong and Xu Ming arrive. We'll capture them and kill them together." You Jiu pretended to be a disciple of the Taiqing Demonic Sect.

"And the emperor's brother-in-law?"

"He arrived yesterday, and is waiting by the mountain to the south of the city. We've already set up a formation around the palace with Immortal relics. Once Xu Kong and Xu Ming step inside, they'll be trapped. The division leader himself will come and kill them, dealing with the rogue soldiers in the Xiao lands once and for all. That said, Elder Xiao, we expect you'll honor your word and hand those cities to the division leader," You Jiu confirmed.

"I, Xiao Nanfeng, am a man of my word. I sent my troops out last night so Xu Kong and Xu Ming would drop their guard and sneak into the city. They're dead meat," Xiao Nanfeng promised.

"To think the Jingang Temple would attempt to take over these lands—they really are seeking their own downfall!" You Jiu laughed.

The conversation stopped there, but outside the Xiao manor, the two monks found themselves sweating.

"How did they know we were coming?" Xu Kong asked.

"Ku Jiang and Hong Lie did head to the Tianshu capital. My disciples have confirmed that with their own eyes. But if they knew we were coming here, we must have fallen for their trap. Could some of our troops be their spies?" Xu Ming wondered.

"Thank goodness you were so cautious, Senior Brother. Otherwise..." Xu Kong shook his head.

"We leave now. They likely have multiple contingencies for us. Perhaps the entire city is filled with Immortal formations which will be activated the moment we show ourselves," Xu Ming said.

Xu Kong nodded. Considering that they had already been exposed, it would be foolish for them to consider making a move now.

The two monks slunk back out of Yongding, then headed to investigate the mountain that You Jiu had mentioned.

They cautiously circled the mountains and forests in the vicinity to ensure that there was no ambush before sneaking up toward a mountain whose peak was shrouded in fog.

They were easily able to identify the cultivators at the peak of the mountain.

"They really are here—the Tianshu Emperor's brother-in-law, along with a few Spiritsong-realm elders from the Taiqing Demonic Sect. They've been waiting for us!" Xu Ming narrowed his eyes.

"Senior Brother, there are no ambushes in the area. Shall we strike?" Xu Kong's gaze promised violence.

"They were attempting to kill us once we attacked Yongding. It's a pity that they've underestimated us. We can counter-attack them, instead!" Xu Ming nodded.

"Shall we strike?" Xu Kong asked again.

"Kill them all in one decisive blow," Xu Ming stated.

"Understood!"

At the peak of the mountain, Emperor Tianshu's brother-in-law glanced toward Yongding. "Why aren't those monks here yet?"

Suddenly, he blanched. Life-threatening danger blanketed him.

"Oh, we're here!"

"Kill!"

Xu Kong and Xu Ming struck simultaneously, their staffs careening down toward the mountaintop from the high heavens.

"No!" the demonic elders cried out.

"Bastards!" the Tianshu Emperor's brother-in-law roared.

Flames erupted across the top of the mountain as its peak collapsed in a shower of rubble. Smoke began to rise up.