Chapter 515: My Dear Daughter

In a small courtyard of the Sieve of Heaven, Zhang Feifan was enjoying tea in solitude when Zhang Lingjun arrived. She smiled. "Father, I'm back."

Zhang Feifan put down his teacup and looked toward his daughter. "Have you seen the Heavenly Emperor? What did he say about your circumstances?"

"I told the Heavenly Emperor that I encountered the Taiqing Grandmaster within the red moon illusory realm. The Heavenly Emperor replied that all was well," Zhang Lingjun said.

"'All was well'? Was that it?" Zhang Feifan frowned.

"That was all he said. I then asked about my mother, but the Heavenly Emperor refused to say anything." Zhang Lingjun sighed.

Zhang Feifan had another sip of bitter tea as he fell deep in thought. He didn't speak again for quite some time.

"What's the matter, Father?" Zhang Lingjun asked curiously.

Zhang Feifan suddenly looked toward Zhang Lingjun. "What do you think of Xiao Nanfeng?"

"Xiao Nanfeng? He's an incredibly talented cultivator with superlative ability and techniques. He's not someone to be trifled with. Why do you ask, Father?" Zhang Lingjun smiled.

"I mean, how would you feel about Xiao Nanfeng as a prospective suitor?"

Zhang Lingjun blushed. "Father, what could you mean? Xiao Nanfeng and I are innocent!"

Of course, she was discounting the first time they had met, when Xiao Nanfeng had seen her nude body.

Zhang Feifan sighed. "I know of everything that happened in the Palace of the Moon. Xiao Nanfeng's actions shocked me."

"Do you mean his ability to defeat the Past Buddha with the help of the cursed effigy in the black fog? I heard of it afterwards, too. I can't believe it myself," Zhang Lingjun replied.

Zhang Feifan shook his head. "That's not what I mean. I'm talking about what happened after you defeated the Past Buddha."

"After?"

"While you were unconscious, Xiao Nanfeng guarded you for over ten days without going anywhere. He possessed the Palace of the Moon's access token, and would have been able to claim all the treasure within the palace, but he prioritized your safety and stayed right by your side. I was very impressed," Zhang Feifan said.

"Perhaps he was worried that others would snatch the token or the treasure within the palace?" Zhang Lingjun asked, thinking back to the scene.

"He's a Martial Aspect. Who would dare steal from him in broad daylight? He didn't fear those cultivators—he prioritized your safety instead. He's worth your trust," Zhang Feifan said.

"Hm?"

"My dear girl, is combat the only thing you're interested in? You should pay attention to possible romantic relationships, too," Zhang Feifan advised.

"Father, what are you talking about? I'm a princess of the Imperial Court, and the Heavenly Emperor favors me. Not only that, I obtained the Taiqing Grandmaster's inheritance. I'm sure I'll be able to accomplish great things. Relationships would only impede my growth," Zhang Lingjun replied.

"Do you think you have plenty of backers already? You should know that even your staunchest backer might turn on you—and if that happens, you'll be the first person doomed."

"Father, what do you mean?"

"My dear daughter, there are things I can't tell you. Before your mother departed, you were whom she worried about. I don't want anything to happen to you, and I need you to understand not to rely on your backers too much. They support you only out of goodwill. With that goodwill gone, what would you rely on?"

"Father, you mean the Heavenly Emperor and the Taiqing Grandmaster..." Zhang Lingjun was about to continue, but Zhang Feifan extended a hand and prevented her from saying more. "It's sufficient that you're aware of the matter. Don't speak of it, lest you be deemed disrespectful."

Zhang Lingjun frowned, but nodded.

"Xiao Nanfeng owes you for your recommendation to serve as Martial Aspect, but favors can be spent. Do you expect him to help you for good?" Zhang Feifan asked.

Zhang Lingjun nodded seriously. She was intelligent and understood her father's intent immediately.

"My dear daughter, I ask you the same question as before: how do you feel about Xiao Nanfeng as a prospective suitor? Would you be against him becoming your partner in cultivation?"

"Father, how could you ask such a question? I and Xiao Nanfeng...?" Zhang Lingjun flushed again.

"I understand Xiao Nanfeng. He is just and righteous, and loyal to his companions. He reciprocates kindness and generosity. He boasts tremendous talent and is a man of honor. Han Bingdie's daughter, Yu'er, and Lan Jiguang's daughter, Yaoguang, have both displayed some degree of affection to him, but their interactions have all been chaste. Neither Yu'er nor Yaoguang have married Xiao Nanfeng, and you too stand a chance—an excellent one, at that."

"Father, this is becoming more and more absurd! Surely I'll be able to find my own partner?" Zhang Lingjun asked, somewhat uncomfortable.

"Oh, my foolish daughter! Do you think all good things will come to you? Xiao Nanfeng's right by your side. If you don't fight for him, you won't have a chance in the future no matter how you regret it!"

"Father, have you been charmed by Xiao Nanfeng?" Zhang Lingjun didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

"You're my dear daughter. Would I ever lie to you? I've been looking out for you all these years, but Xiao Nanfeng's the only one I've approved of. Furthermore, he's right by your side. Think of what an excellent opportunity this is!"

"Father, are you saying this because you think Xiao Nanfeng has a particular talent for cultivation? Because you think he'll grow to become an exceptional cultivator?"

"If that were all I cared about, you would have plenty of options here in the Sieve of Heaven. As I told you, what matters most is his personality and the values he upholds. If you become a couple, even when I'm gone, I can guarantee that he will take good care of you on my behalf."

"Father, you're overthinking things. I have no intention of being in a relationship at the moment, and I feel as though I ought to rely on myself instead. Rather than count on others, I would prefer to strengthen myself. Under the tutelage of the Heavenly Emperor and the Taiqing Grandmaster, I'll do my best to grow stronger and clear my mother's name."

Zhang Feifan smiled wryly. "Forget it. I suppose saying anything to you right now is useless—but please keep my words in mind."

Zhang Lingjun nodded, a complicated expression flashing across her face. She wasn't foolish, but this conversation had caught her off-guard. She didn't know quite how to respond when her father brought up this topic all of a sudden.

She wouldn't mind if Xiao Nanfeng were her future consort, but...

She couldn't help but blush at the thought of her first encounter with Xiao Nanfeng.

Days later, outside Xiao Nanfeng's manor in the Sieve of Heaven, Chang Bing welcomed a group of cultivators who had come bearing a hundred purple-furred monsters. The red-robed general in the lead said, "General Chang Bing, these purple-furred monsters aren't easy to find. We only managed to meet the quota from the reserves of three Martial Aspects. Please confirm that they're acceptable."

Chang Bing turned to Zeng Daniu behind him. "Bring these purple-furred monsters into the manor."

Zeng Daniu and a group of purple-furred monsters charged forward, suppressed the hundred purple-furred monsters opposite them, then dragged them forcibly into the formation in Xiao Nanfeng's manor.

The red-robed general watched them in shock. "If you don't mind my asking, don't you need us to hypnotize them?"

He was planning on extorting Chang Bing for it, but Chang Bing had dealt with the situation in an unexpectedly forceful manner.

"We have our own techniques," Chang Bing replied, shaking his head.

"But we haven't dispelled our own hypnosis technique! How will you apply yours? Directly overlapping your technique with ours can easily cause the purple-furred monsters to become disoriented and lash out madly."

"That's fine. If they don't listen up, we'll beat them. They'll submit eventually," Chang Bing replied.

The red-robed general gave him a look. This wasn't a matter of force, was it? It could be resolved in far less forceful a fashion, so why did these people insist on using their fists?

"Here's the recipe for producing arhat armor. Who among you will inspect it?" Chang Bing retrieved a jade tablet.

The red-robed general immediately beckoned to an elder behind him. "Elder Chen, you're renowned for your mastery of the forge. Please confirm the authenticity of this recipe."

The elder began studying the proffered tablet.

It took quite a while before the elder nodded, sighing. "Arhat armor is as intricate as to be expected. This recipe is authentic."

"Truly? Wonderful!" The red-robed general's eyes lit up.

"However, even with this recipe, it won't be easy to forge arhat armor. It has particularly exacting requirements regarding the forge, the forgemasters, and the materials alike," the elder warned.

The red-robed general didn't seem perturbed. "As long as the recipe is real, that's sufficient. If Martial Aspect Xiao can forge the armor, I believe we ought to be able to as well."

The elder, sensing that the red-robed general didn't understand his concerns, turned to Chang Bing. "General, might I ask which master among you forged your suits of arhat armor?"

He was particularly interested in this matter because he knew that he wouldn't have a very good chance to forge the armor successfully even if he were to follow the recipe perfectly. The forgemasters who were able to make such suits of arhat armor had to be superior ones beyond even his level.

Chang Bing smiled. "Many in Martial Aspect Xiao's manor can forge these suits of armor. We forge our own suits and don them ourselves. That's how we can be confident in their abilities."

"What? You can all forge arhat armor? Truly? Are you all forgemasters?" The elder was gobsmacked.

How could that be? Were these cultivators all superior to him in forgecraft?

"Elder Chen, since you've authenticated this recipe, let's report back to the Martial Aspect," the red-robed general said.

"No, even with this recipe, the success rate will be minimal," the elder explained.

Chang Bing nodded. "That's right. We do fail sometimes, but it's easy enough to repair when we do so. Forging these suits of arhat armor several times is perfect as training. Once you get comfortable with the process, it's easy enough. Several of my juniors failed quite a few times before they finally succeeded."

The elder gave him an odd look. Is it really that simple? Are you trying to hoodwink me with nonsense?

Just then, another troop of cultivators emerged with a hundred purple-furred monsters.

"Everyone, since you've confirmed the authenticity of the recipe, let's consider the trade concluded. We're rather busy at the moment, so I'm afraid I won't be able to discuss matters further," Chang Bing said.

He beckoned his fellow disciples to the next group of cultivators, leaving Elder Chen perplexed and confused.

In a large courtyard within Xiao Nanfeng's manor, a cloud of black fog flew across the detained purple-furred monsters and awakened them from their long stasis. Then, the cloud of black fog returned to Xiao Nanfeng's mindscape.

"Senior, you awoke with incredible timing. I was worried I would have to suppress these purple-furred lifeforms while waiting for you," Xiao Nanfeng joked.

Within his mindscape, the black lotus suddenly spoke up. "The Past Buddha's cursed spiritual avatar was a little unusual, so it took longer than expected. Everything's fine now."

The black lotus' voice was rather hoarse, and it was difficult to determine its gender.

"Senior, you can speak now? Did the Past Buddha strengthen you that much? Are the Buddhas of Three Aspects of particular importance to you, then?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"They are, but they're also extremely dangerous," the black lotus replied.

"Don't worry, Senior. You've provided me with a tremendous amount of help. I'll do my best to help you deal with them," Xiao Nanfeng promised.

"Very well," the black lotus replied.

While Xiao Nanfeng and the black lotus were having a discussion, Chang Bing rushed over.

"Division Leader, there's someone claiming to be the Heavenly Emperor's assistant summoning you to the palace on his orders."

"The Heavenly Emperor wants to meet me?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.