Chapter 553: The Capital of Dayin

Dark clouds hung high overhead over the sea. A storm brewed; lightning and rain came crashing down on a lone figure above its surface, Zhao Yuanjiao. He was undergoing his True Immortal tribulation.

Xiao Nanfeng, Zhang Lingjun, and Emperor Feng watched on from an island in the distance.

"You've been quite busy lately, Senior," Xiao Nanfeng said, smiling. "The lives you've taken recently have caused no small amount of chaos for the divine empire of Dayin."

"I only killed those of my officials who betrayed me by helping Yin Shenhua take over my territory after the collapse of Dafeng despite my generosity as their former liege. They deserve to die," Emperor Feng replied. "Why? Does it bother you?"

"No, Emperor. I was simply reflecting on my thoughts. You managed to gain incredible treasure while advancing my senior brother's cultivation. I should thank you," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Emperor Feng glanced askance at Xiao Nanfeng. "You've got a silver tongue, don't you? Zhao Yuanjiao's cultivation was too weak. If I am to possess him, I naturally have to strengthen him first. How else would I use his body? To be frank, I'd prefer yours. If you let me possess you, I'll use all the relics and treasure that I obtained to advance your cultivation. How about that?"

"I'd rather not, thank you," Xiao Nanfeng refused the offer immediately.

"A pity." Emperor Feng's eyes glinted; he clearly hadn't given up just yet.

Just then, Zhao Yuanjiao successfully overcame the last of his tribulation. The dark clouds in the air turned radiant before they infused themselves into his body.

"Time to help him familiarize himself with his body again," Emperor Feng said, flying over to Zhao Yuanjiao, possessing him, then sitting cross-legged in meditation to digest his gains.

"I can't believe Emperor Feng forced us to accompany him to take revenge on his past officials. He really does want to keep a close eye on us, doesn't he?" Zhang Lingjun said.

"He doesn't trust anyone at the moment," Xiao Nanfeng replied. "He's worried we'll reveal that he's been freed."

"What's he up to?" Zhang Lingjun frowned.

"I don't know the specifics, but I'm sure it's something big."

"Oh?"

"He's particularly dangerous, and he doesn't fear our background. I suspect he's conspiring to retrieve something from the capital of Dayin, but is refraining from killing us so that the Imperial Court doesn't investigate."

"You mean, he might kill us once he's finished?" Zhang Lingjun frowned.

"He was prepared to kill us from the very beginning despite the role we played in freeing him. Do you really expect any different from him? don't be tricked," Xiao Nanfeng warned.

Zhang Lingjun nodded.

"Don't worry. He might want to make us into his puppets, but I already have a counterplan in mind. I won't let him succeed."

"Do we need to report this to the Heavenly Emperor?" Zhang Lingjun asked.

"I already have, but haven't yet received a response."

Seeing that Xiao Nanfeng seemed to have thought of everything, the uneasy Zhang Lingjun slowly calmed down.

A few hours later, Emperor Feng flew up to them in Zhao Yuanjiao's body.

"Indeed, a True Immortal's body is far easier to maneuver in. Xiao Nanfeng, do you really not want me to help advance your cultivation?"

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "Thank you for being thoughtful, Emperor Feng, but I'm quite alright. If you've finished with your preparations, let's get going."

"Then let's go," Emperor Feng announced.

The party of three flew straight toward the capital of Dayin.

Two days later, they appeared by its borders.

From afar, they could see a huge sea of fortune in the air, filled with roiling fortune that expanded as far as the eye could see. A huge golden dragon pointed due north, its tail extending beyond sight. This was the nature of a divine empire, mighty and strong.

"This sea of fortune is even larger than what my Dafeng once possessed. Are you certain Yin Shenhua would allow you to seize 60% of it?" Emperor Feng laughed.

"Who knows? What if the Immortal Emperor of Dayin has had a change of heart?"

Emperor Feng sneered disdainfully. He shook his head. "If he refuses to pay even 30% of his fortune, what makes you think he would give you 60% of it? Dream on."

"Senior, you're not responsible for collecting the tithe of fortune. Surely you don't have to worry about it?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Oh, I'm not worried. I'm simply thinking about how we should make our way in."

Beneath the sea of fortune was the capital of Dayin proper, with walls that were hundreds of meters tall and carved with runes. The walls enclosed an expansive tract of land, beyond the likes of what Xiao Nanfeng could estimate. He could vaguely see floating islands beyond, grand and magnificent.

By the southern gate was a tree with a huge signboard on which "Capital of Dayin" was written. There were a large number of guards stationed by the gate and inspecting those cultivators who sought entry.

Immortals flew out from within as cultivators riding on giant spiritbeast steeds headed in. The city was clearly bustling.

"How else? Simply follow me," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Emperor Feng shook his head. "We need to act in secrecy. We can't reveal ourselves except in utmost need."

"If I don't reveal myself, how can I collect the tithe of fortune from Yin Shenhua?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"You won't be able to get a single wisp of fortune, anyway. Give up on that notion—I might be able to help you out once I take my revenge," Emperor Feng replied.

He didn't think the two cultivators would be able to go against him.

"Why didn't you mention it beforehand, Senior?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"It's not too late to bring it up now. I'll teach you both how to disguise yourselves, then find a merchant caravan to lead us in," Emperor Feng continued.

"It's too late," Xiao Nanfeng corrected him.

Just then, rainbow light burst into the air as troops from Dayin rushed out of the capital. Music blared and qi techniques filled the air as a ceremony unveiled itself in short order. Everyone watched on in surprise.

"The Prime Minister of Dayin and a hundred officials of court greet the envoy of the Imperial Court, Martial Aspect Xiao, on His Majesty's orders!" a shout boomed.

A large number of officials from Dayin flew out of the southern gate of the city straight for Xiao Nanfeng's party of three.

Emperor Feng frowned. He had intended to sneak into the city and carry out his plans freely, not expecting to become the center of attention the moment he arrived.

"Did you betray me?!" Emperor Feng glared at the two cultivators with killing intent.

If not for the fact that he had possessed Zhao Yuanjiao and was confident in his ability to kill the two cultivators instantly, he would already have done so.

"Senior, I'm an envoy of the Imperial Court. It's only natural that there should be some fanfare when I arrive in Dayin—otherwise, how would I be able to reclaim the fortune owed to the Imperial Court?" Xiao Nanfeng emphasized.

"What need is there for fanfare? There's just the three of us!" Emperor Feng thundered.

"Hardly. I've brought ten thousand subordinates with me," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Ten thousand? Where?" Emperor Feng exclaimed.

Suddenly, ten thousand purple-furred monsters flew toward Dayin from a barracks stationed outside the capital. They flew over to the three cultivators in a neat formation, ceremonial weapons in hand. They bowed respectfully as they got in place behind Xiao Nanfeng.

"This is a procession you prepared?!" Emperor Feng's eyes twitched.

How was he supposed to do anything in secret with such a huge commotion?

"Senior, you're currently possessing my senior brother, so you can't reveal that anything's amiss. An envoy from the Imperial Court has to act formally, and I must make a good showing so as not to ruin the reputation of the Imperial Court. Please don't cause a diplomatic incident," Xiao Nanfeng warned.

Emperor Feng's face turned dark. What else could he do but follow Xiao Nanfeng's lead now?

Meanwhile, Zhang Lingjun giggled inwardly. She glanced at Xiao Nanfeng with admiration. How had he come up with such a plan to restrain Emperor Feng despite their power disparity?

Meanwhile, in the watchtower in the distance, Yin Tianci, Tang, and Yin Tianci's other subordinates were watching the procession from afar.

"Xiao Nanfeng really knows how to make a fuss, doesn't he? He stationed his subordinates and officials from the Imperial Court here a month in advance," Yin Tianci said coldly.

"Indeed," Tang replied. "The officials of rites and rituals from the Imperial Court have been informing the whole city about an upcoming visit from its envoys to drum up interest. Furthermore, ten thousand purple-furred monsters appeared outside the capital and garrisoned there. Given such a huge commotion, if Dayin didn't receive the envoys with pomp and ceremony, it would have been a show of gross disrespect and an invitation for the Imperial Court to find fault with Dayin."

"What's Xiao Nanfeng trying to do here? Isn't he worried that I would kill him?" Yin Tianci frowned.

"Xiao Nanfeng must have some important purpose in mind. Otherwise, he would never have dared to show up here. That said, regardless of what he's planning, his presence is beneficial to us." Tang smiled.

"Indeed. Now that he's made his way here, he might as well stay." Yin Tianci chuckled coldly.

"You have to be careful, Your Highness. I saw Mo Lengxuan acting rather agitated lately. I'm sure he has some hare-brained scheme with which he intends to take on Xiao Nanfeng. We have to be careful not to get implicated," Tang continued.

Yin Tianci narrowed his eyes as he nodded. "I won't trust Mo Lengxuan any longer. He's a pig-headed fool with nothing to show for his efforts."

"You're very wise, Your Highness. All the incidents that happened in the past occurred because Mo Lengxuan was so weak. I simply don't understand how he made it to such a high station within the divine empire of Dayin."

"He had a good father."

"Oh?"

"This is supposed to be a secret, but it doesn't hurt for you to find out. Mo Lengxuan has another identity—look over there. That's his father," Yin Tianci said.

"The prime minister of Dayin, Mo Shanhe, is his father?" Tang exclaimed.

"Indeed. Mo Shanhe is one of Father's most trusted officials. So even if his son, Mo Lengxuan, is a fool..."

"No wonder," Tang said, frowning.

Afar, the prime minister of Dayin, Mo Shanhe, greeted Xiao Nanfeng's party with a procession of his own.