Chapter 619: The Third Step: Claiming the Cities

After returning to Dazheng's borders, Xiao Nanfeng's main body reunited with his avatar. The three thousand arhats and two bodhisattvas were swallowed up by the black lotus, which returned to Xiao Nanfeng's mindscape to digest its gains. As for Xiao Nanfeng's avatar, the fortune that remained within his body was sent back to the skies above Yongding.

Then, the cultivators split up again. Xiao Nanfeng's avatar left with Zhao Yuanjiao, while Xiao Nanfeng's main body and Zhang Lingjun returned to Yongding.

When the Martial Aspects saw Xiao Nanfeng's return, they shot him a series of complicated looks.

"Xiao Nanfeng, did you request aid from the Imperial Court?" the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost demanded.

"I didn't," Xiao Nanfeng replied, shaking his head.

"Someone from the city, a Golden Immortal, claimed to be a Martial Aspect of the Southern Quadrant. Who was that?"

"I don't know."

The Martial Aspects: ...

No one believed Xiao Nanfeng's nonsense, but what could they do if he refused to tell them the truth?

"I heard that a few superior draconic veins allied with you," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost probed again.

"They did cause a ruckus in Dayin's capital with me, but left thereafter," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

The Martial Aspects were silent. Just what did Xiao Nanfeng mean? Left? Would they come back the next time they were summoned, then?

"Martial Aspects, thank you for guarding Yongding on my behalf." Xiao Nanfeng thanked the gathered Martial Aspects.

"I will report on your actions truthfully to the Heavenly Emperor," Zhang Lingjun added beside him.

The Martial Aspects glanced at each other and made no attempt to continue the conversation. As the two cultivators flew toward the palace, one Martial Aspect frowned and ventured, "Zhang Lingjun's cultivation seems to have improved by quite a bit."

"Oh?" The other Martial Aspects frowned.

Xiao Nanfeng returned to the palace and devoted himself once again to his endless work.

"Focus on pacifying the citizens all over Dazheng. Publicly report on the destruction on Linsha and our countermeasures to prevent further attacks. Starting today, the entire empire will be in mourning for three days for those civilians whose deaths were in vain," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.

"Understood!" the officials replied, Zheng Qian leading them.

On an island in the Eastern Sea, Xiao Nanfeng's avatar and Zhao Yuanjiao waited patiently for a black-robed figure to approach.

"Master!" The two cultivators' eyes lit up.

Ku Jiang had arrived. He glanced at Zhao Yuanjiao in surprise. "You've broken through to late-stage True Immortal! Have you had a chance encounter?"

"Thanks to Nanfeng, I was able to absorb a superior draconic vein," Zhao Yuanjiao replied, smiling.

"Hardly, Senior Brother! You deserved it," Xiao Nanfeng said immediately.

The two cultivators quickly related all that had happened thus far to Ku Jiang.

Ku Jiang nodded and turned toward Xiao Nanfeng. "Acquiring the help of this black lotus is truly a blessing."

"I am truly grateful to the black lotus and to you, Master. Otherwise, things wouldn't have gone quite so smoothly."

"I hardly did anything," Ku Jiang said, shaking his head.

"Master, if you hadn't been willing to remain in Yongding and impersonate a Martial Aspect of the Imperial Court at the right time to scare Ao Canghai and the others, Ao Canghai might have allowed Yin Shenhua to leave so that he could deal with us. Master, did we mess up your plans by requesting your presence here?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Though I have to return soon, it isn't otherwise a big deal. However, your current circumstances are far too dangerous," Ku Jiang remarked, frowning.

"Master, please relax. Once the black lotus distills the cursed effigies it has devoured into essence, it will grow greatly in strength. At that point, I won't be in any danger at all. As for Yin Shenhua, the truth that we've revealed to the world will suffice to ruin his reputation for good. Dayin will fall before us just like that," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"In that case, I'll be able to leave in peace. I await your good news," Ku Jiang said.

"Farewell, Master!" the two cultivators exclaimed, bowing.

In Xiao Nanfeng's study in Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng received the latest news from Dayin.

Wen Zhong stood beside him. "Yin Shenhua was decisive in blaming Your Majesty and the 'Venerable Buddha' by your side for the purported deception. If nothing else, he is a skilled actor."

"Has the situation in Dayin stabilized?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"The common people are no fools. They can judge what they've been told for themselves. The people of Dayin are split: some trust Yin Shenhua, and others don't. Dayin's Immortal cities are all divided. Stable? Only to the extent that it hasn't yet collapsed." Wen Zhong smiled.

"As we expected. This is the best situation. If Dayin were to collapse, it would be difficult for us to absorb the various Immortal cities into Dazheng. Not only would some choose to become independent, the forces all around Dayin would try to snatch them up as well. Right now, if they attempt to pilfer the Immortal cities of Dayin, Yin Shenhua will surely counterattack vigorously, stabilizing the situation for us."

"Isn't that so? We can carry out the third step of our plan to destroy Dayin, then." Wen Zhong's eyes glittered.

"The third step is to fold the various Immortal cities into our empire. We'll see how skilled your students are, Mr. Wen."

"Worry not, Your Majesty. The time draws near for Dazheng's rise. What's more, the survivors you reclaimed from those Buddha's Grottos are a tremendous resource. They'll be instrumental in helping us absorb the various Immortal cities of Dazheng," Mr. Wen said.

Xiao Nanfeng couldn't help but frown. "We don't need to take advantage of these victims in our plans. Let's not force them to do anything. If they're willing to help us expose Yin Shenhua's evil, that's for the best. We'll spread their words far and wide—but if they don't want to reveal themselves, we won't make them, either."

"You are benevolent, Your Majesty. I won't do anything untoward, but given my analysis, I suspect the victims would support your cause out of gratitude regardless," Wen Zhong said.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "Then let's begin."

"Understood!" Wen Zhong replied.

Two days later, as the situation at Dayin continued to evolve, the Immortal cities of Dayin became starkly divided. Some shouted that Yin Shenhua had to be taken down. Others said the same for the Venerable Buddha.

After all, although information spread rapidly through the divine empire thanks to those cultivators who had avatars of their own, it wasn't instantaneous. On the other hand, Yin Shenhua was able to speak to his entire empire at once thanks to the sea of fortune above Dayin. His rapid countermeasures meant that many were brainwashed by Yin Shenhua's words before news of what had been revealed at the capital could spread to them.

Even so, the two conflicting explanations continued to vie for dominance within the various cities of Dayin.

Just then, a group of guests headed to the city lord's manor for a particular Immortal city. The guests were led to a hall in the backyard of the manor, whereupon a group of cultivators rushed over.

A male cultivator was stained with blood, his entire body skinned. He weakly reached out for the cultivators who had rushed over. "Father, Mother, Sister! I'm back! It's all thanks to Xiao Nanfeng, who rescued me. Otherwise, those cursed effigies would have forged me into a demonic puppet!"

"Oh, my son, my son!" A middle-aged woman was overwhelmed with tears.

"Brother, I thought you were dead..." A young woman sniffed as she wiped her tears away.

"Son, did you see who the culprit was?" an imposing middle-aged man asked.

"I did, Father! I was forced to be in close proximity with those cursed effigies, and I saw Yin Shenhua with my own eyes. He was responsible! I even saw Second Uncle, who shared the same constitution I did. He was going to be forged into a puppet as well, but he wasn't able to survive the ordeal. He perished three years ago and melted into a pool of blood!"

"I understand. The best pills and elixirs have been prepared for you, and we've sent for the most skilled physicians around. Once they've stabilized your condition, I'll be by your side," the middle-aged man promised.

"Understood!"

The weeping cultivators left the hall with the victim.

Only the imposing middle-aged man remained within the hall, along with the victim's escorts.

"My deepest gratitude for bringing my son back to me. Please convey my thanks to Emperor Xiao on my behalf," the middle-aged man began.

Among the escorts, the youth in the lead bowed. "His Majesty said that Dazheng used extraordinary means to seize several relics from your estate with which to fortify his cities' formations in an effort to protect his people. He bade me apologize to you on his behalf, City Lord Mo. Those relics are all accounted for and will be returned to you once the war comes to and end."

"It isn't urgent," City Lord Mo replied. "We were ignorant and rashly decried Emperor Xiao, and I apologize for my comments as well."

"Dazheng will not forget your grace in loaning us those relics. Before my departure, His Majesty also bade me inquire about your subsequent plans," the youth continued.

City Lord Mo frowned. He was thankful that Xiao Nanfeng had returned his son to him, but not to the extent that he would necessarily swear loyalty to him. He hesitated, thinking about precisely how to respond to this youth.

The youth smiled. "City Lord Mo, I ask that you not feel pressured. Dazheng does not intend to force you into an agreement or anything of the sort. His Majesty simply hopes that he might deliver a proposal to you."

City Lord Mo exhaled in relief. "Emperor Xiao is wise and just. I will at least hear him out."

"City Lord Mo, two competing narratives have emerged in Dayin. One suggests that Yin Shenhua and his cursed effigy subordinates feast on people; the other, that Yin Shenhua is the victim. Which do you believe more?" the youth asked.

"My son would never lie to me, and I'm hardly blind. It's clear that Yin Shenhua is the culprit," City Lord Mo replied.

"In that case, City Lord Mo, have you considered how Yin Shenhua will treat those who betray him?"

City Lord Mo raised an eyebrow.

"Though it may yet take some time, he should be able to identify that His Majesty saved your son. Could he have guessed that we would send your son back so as to subvert your loyalty to him? Would he be worried that you would use your influence to turn the people against him?" the youth asked.

City Lord Mo's eyes twitched.

You may not intend to risk such trouble to denounce Yin Shenhua, but would Yin Shenhua believe you? If he thought you a rebel, might he not try to get rid of you?"

City Lord Mo was silent for a moment. "That may be so. Yin Shenhua is cruel and callous. If he senses any potential for rebellion, he will surely eradicate my clan."

"No," the youth corrected grimly. "He may well devour your entire clan."

City Lord Mo flinched.

"With Dayin so close to the brink of collapse, if Yin Shenhua were to go on a rampage, no other force would dare to stop him, and no other force would be able to protect you—none save Dazheng. Though Dazheng is only an ordinary empire at the moment, it has taken on Yin Shenhua and Dayin in a few critical clashes and come out ahead each time. Furthermore, Dazheng is backed by the Imperial Court. Not only has the Imperial Court already sent eighteen Martial Aspects to take on Yin Shenhua, it can even summon more reinforcements as necessary. Only Dazheng can defend against and even annihilate Yin Shenhua," the youth replied confidently.

City Lord Mo frowned, pondering the youth's words.

"Dazheng promises any Immortal city who wishes to join it the same policy of governance as that for Luye," the youth continued.

"Oh?"

"The garrison and governance of each Immortal city will be split in the Dazheng Empire. Each Immortal city will control its own garrison and standing forces, while Dazheng is responsible for overall governance. All cities will adopt Dazheng's code of laws, and Dazheng's designated officials will handle administration. Control over the garrison will be ceded to individual city lords. Of course, cities who need assistance from Dazheng's army can request it at any time," the youth said.

"You don't want control over our standing forces?" City Lord Mo exclaimed.

He knew how important military control would be, and that was what he cared about most.

"We trust in City Lord Mo," the youth replied, smiling.

He was a student of no less esteemed a strategist than Wen Zhong himself, and he knew full well the importance of having a loyal military. Even so, given the current situation, Dazheng could hardly make overbearing requests. The priority was to gain the cooperation of the city lords and secure the cities themselves before they fell into others' hands. As for their subsequent governance, all that was a problem for later.

"Allow me to consider the proposal," City Lord Mo said.

"Of course, City Lord. We'd like to leave one of our number here to facilitate communication. Once you make a decision, please contact him."

"Allow me to send all of you off," City Lord Mo replied, nodding in agreement.

The youth smiled as he departed, firm in the belief that, though City Lord Mo might still be deliberating, he would surely submit to Dazheng once his other peers did the same. This trip was a success.