Chapter 621: Dividing Up Dayin

In a small garden in Dazheng's palace, Xiao Nanfeng smiled as he hugged Zhang Lingjun.

She had gotten drunk and was pinning his body down on the grass. Suddenly, she bared her emotions and seemed primed to make a move on him when, after murmuring sweet nothings, she lay down on his chest and fell asleep.

Nothing happened between the two cultivators; there were just a few more lipstick marks on Xiao Nanfeng's face.

"Can True Immortals get drunk, too?" Xiao Nanfeng murmured uncertainly.

"Zhang Lingjun drugged the wine," the black lotus suddenly said.

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfneg was taken aback.

"That foolish girl—she likes you, but doesn't know how to express it. That's how she came up with such an idea. She drugged the wine but used more of the drug than she should have. Your techniques passively filter out the drug, so you're perfectly fine, but she fell asleep instead..." the black lotus murmured.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled even as he groaned.

"Zhang Lingjun is unfamiliar with matters of romance and love, but it's clear that she harbors deep feelings toward you. I can tell she's prideful and doesn't like to lose at anything or to submit to anyone, but even so, while you were being chased by the roc, she was willing to get down on her knees to beg others to save you. She's a good girl, and you shouldn't let her down," the black lotus warned.

Xiao Nanfeng affectionately ran his hand through her hair. "I won't."

The black lotus fell silent as Xiao Nanfeng spent the night by Zhang Lingjun's side.

The next morning, when Zhang Lingjun awoke, she suddenly found herself in Xiao Nanfeng's lap. She blinked, then remembered that she had drugged the wine last night. Her face flushed.

She checked her body and found her clothes in perfect condition. She blanked: just what had happened last night?

"Have you awoken?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, blinking his eyes and smiling.

"What did I do last night?" Zhang Lingjun murmured.

The next moment, she saw the lipstick marks on Xiao Nanfeng's face. Her memories of last night quickly took shape.

"Last night, you—" Xiao Nanfeng was right about to explain when Zhang Lingjun darted out of Xiao Nanfeng's lap. "Don't say it!"

She ran off, flushing. She had suddenly remembered everything that had happened.

She was too embarrassed to speak with Xiao Nanfeng. What nonsense had she said last night? Meanwhile, Xiao Nanfeng didn't seem to have been affected at all. Would he laugh at her in private?

Xiao Nanfeng watched her run off, his mouth still open. He hadn't even said a thing. What was she running for?

"Don't run off! Hear me out. I actually—" Xiao Nanfeng began.

"I won't! Nothing happened last night. I'm going to enter secluded cultivation. Don't bother me. We can talk later!" Zhang Lingjun called out from afar.

Then, a gust of red wind blew by with the cups and flask of wine in tow.

At the same time, all the windows and doors of Zhang Lingjun's residence slammed shut with a creak before they were sealed with a formation.

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Xiao Nanfeng: ...

A few days later, within Dayin's capital, Dayin's formations master had somehow brought in a new superior draconic vein from afar and repaired the dragon-headed mountain and Thunderclap Hall.

Within Dayin's imperial study, Yin Shenhua perused a few documents. He frowned while deep in thought. Before him stood a group of officials and monks.

"Have you concluded your investigation?" Yin Shenhua asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Some of the victims that Xiao Nanfeng saved from the Buddha's Grottos actually have relatives who are city lords of a few of the Immortal cities. They've been causing plenty of trouble, and quite a few strangers have been entering the manors of the Immortal city lords. We suspect that plenty of them are planning to betray Dayin," an official reported.

"These bastards! Father has already explained that the Venerable Buddha was responsible for everything. Are they still going to betray Dayin regardless?" Yin Mingwang scowled.

"I've anticipated this situation. Though many of the three hundred Immortal cities are intending to change their allegiance, the fact that they're still Dayin's cities in name is good enough. The damage to our reputation can be restored in time. The people will soon forget what atrocities we've committed, after all, and they can't prove that the Venerable Buddha is innocent," Yin Shenhua said.

"Father, should I kill off all those traitorous city lords?" Yin Mingwang asked.

Yin Shenhua shook his head. "Don't make a fuss, or the citizens may well rise up once more. It might even cause a chain reaction that topples the entire empire."

"Then are we to allow these cultivators to remain city lords? They're surely trying to finish off our loyal officials in secret so as to help Xiao Nanfeng and external forces take over their Immortal cities! They're just waiting for the right time to let the world know. We can't just allow this to happen. The longer things drag out, the more unfavorable the situation will be for us," Yin Mingwang said, frowning.

"I've been picking out reliable subordinates over the last few days. It's just about time for us to make our move. You'll head to the various Immortal cities with them with edicts of appointment from me."

"Edicts of appointment? To those traitors?" Yin Mingwang furrowed his brows.

"Indeed. They've earned significant merit for themselves by ruling over their respective Immortal cities. Don't they deserve a promotion? They'll become officials of court in Dayin's capital. Meanwhile, our loyal subordinates shall take over the Immortal cities that they govern," Yin Snehua said.

"Reassigning these traitors to Dayin's capital, where they'll be watched? And if they refuse the edict, that would be treason, a crime punishable by death! The people wouldn't revolt if that were the case, and the forces eyeing our territory wouldn't be able to strike! Father, how wise you are!" Yin Mingwang's eyes lit up.

"I'd like to see who dares pilfer from Dayin then. Kill all those who try!" Yin Shenhua declared coldly.

"Understood!" everyone replied.

"Go on. Start by replacing the most suspicious city lords with loyal subordinates, then comb through the administration of each city to sort out what's going on. Finally, brainwash the people and have the Venerable Buddha shoulder the responsibility for all the crimes that have been revealed."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

Back in Yongding, in the hall in which Ao Canghai was currently situated, a group of Martial Aspects were toasting each other in glee.

"Eastern Aspect, we've succeeded! Our subordinates have all convinced an Immortal city each to join us."

"None of those city lords are fools. They can tell that Xiao Nanfeng's strength is all but illusory, and they're more than willing to serve us instead. Of course, much of it is due to your reputation, Eastern Aspect, because only you can take on Yin Shenhua."

"We've got more than a dozen Immortal cities among us!"

The Martial Aspects gossiped with each other about their successes.

Ao Canghai smiled in satisfaction. The Martial Aspects had all managed to claim an Immortal city each in his name, and he had had even more success.

"Time is tight. There are forces all around Dayin angling for its Immortal cities. We'll have to speed up our recruitment efforts as well," Ao Canghai said.

"Don't worry, Eastern Aspect. We'll do our best!" a Martial Aspect promised.

Just then, one of his subordinates rushed into the hall.

"Eastern Aspect, something's wrong! Quite a number of city lords are requesting aid," the subordinate reported.

"Oh?" Ao Canghai said.

"Yin Shenhua has sent his subordinates to the various Immortal cities, bringing them edicts of appointment promoting them to courtly officials. The city lords are expected to head to the capital immediately to assume their new positions."

"What?" Ao Canghai blanched.

The next moment, the other Martial Aspects' subordinates all rushed into the hall, repeating the same time.

"Is Yin Shenhua trying to regain control over the Immortal cities of Dayin?"

"What do we do now? We spent significant effort and significant cost in order to take down the Immortal cities we did! Are we going to give them all up?"

"Eastern Aspect, what do we do?"

The Martial Aspects all looked toward Ao Canghai anxiously.

"What about those city lords loyal to other forces? And what about those loyal to Xiao Nanfeng?" Ao Canghai asked.

"I don't know, Eastern Aspect."

"Then find out!"

"Understood!"

The celebratory mood in the air had been entirely wiped out.

"An Immortal city represents a tremendous source of wealth. It would be too much of a pity to just give up on one..."

"Does Yin Shenhua intend on saving his empire? Dream on! An Immortal city isn't just a source of wealth, but also of the fortune that its people can generate. We can't relent."

"Much of Dayin's strongest forces have fallen, and they're nothing to be afraid of. Why shrink back?"

The various Martial Aspects attempted to persuade Ao Canghai into continuing their seizure of the various Immortal cities.

Ao Canghai frowned. In the end, he decided, "The other forces attempting to steal Dayin's Immortal cities must feel the same way. Since Yin Shenhua has roused such ire, let's cooperate with those forces and split up Dayin together. Signal the leaders of those forces and arrange for a meeting."

"Understood!" the Martial Aspects called out eagerly.

In Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng and Wen Zhong were enjoying a game of go in a pavilion.

"Your Majesty, it's begun. There is a group of cultivators ready to split up Dayin," Wen Zhong said, smiling.

"Greed blinds all. A pack of wolves circles a vile tiger, wounded and nearing death—but not yet dead. If the wolves want tiger meat, they'll have to suffer the tiger's backlash. Think about how vicious the tiger would be when it knows it's not going to survive," Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

"This will be a difficult fight, but Dayin should completely collapse thereafter," Wen Zhong said.

"Tell our subordinates and those city lords who have agreed to work with us to prioritize their own safety. Make sure they aren't embroiled in combat," Xiao Nanfeng warned.

"I've already warned them, Your Majesty," Wen Zhong said, setting a piece down on the go board.

"You're as reliable as ever, Mr. Wen." Xiao Nanfeng smiled as he too made his move.

"I only followed the plan you outlined, Your Majesty," Mr. Wen demurred.

"Nonsense, Mr. Wen," Xiao Nanfeng said, making his move. "You shall be foremost in merit in this maneuver to take down Dayin."

The two cultivators glanced at the game board before them as if they were seeing the dissolution of Dayin.