Chapter 640: The Saints

In his study on Mt. Kunlun, Yu Fuli sat with Ao Canghai's report unfurled before him. The Martial Aspects of the Eastern Quadrant, along with Zhang Lingjun, stood before him.

Yu Fuli was well aware of how Dayin had been obliterated, but he still read through Ao Canghai's report carefully once more.

Xiao Nanfeng and Zhang Lingjun, having bypassed the last barrier between man and woman, were now standing facing each other, their ten fingers intertwined. The other Martial Aspects glanced askance at them.

They were shocked that Xiao Nanfeng and Zhang Lingjun dared display their affection for each other so publicly—especially in front of the Heavenly Emperor himself.

Yu Fuli put down the scroll and raised his head to see their public display of affection. Zhang Lingjun flushed red. She immediately wrested her hands out from Xiao Nanfeng's grip.

Yu Fuli glanced past them, not commenting on their behavior.

"You've all done well," Yu Fuli said.

"It's all thanks to Martial Aspect Xiao and the Venerable Buddha," Ao Canghai replied. "The rest of us did little."

Ao Canghai did want to claim credit, but it was near-impossible to do so when word of what had happened had spread throughout the Sieve of Heaven so quickly. Xiao Nanfeng's Stratagems Against Yin had been widely disseminated and publicized. He would only appear to be a fool if he tried to seize the credit from Xiao Nanfeng.

"You're far too modest, Eastern Aspect," Xiao Nanfeng said immediately. "If the Martial Aspects hadn't done their best to protect Yongding and hold off the strongest cultivators from Dayin, the Venerable Buddha and I could hardly have succeeded in our plan. Everyone was jointly responsible for our success."

The Martial Aspects relaxed upon seeing that Xiao Nanfeng was willing to credit them for what they had done.

Although he didn't say anything, Ao Canghai frowned. Regardless of what Xiao Nanfeng said, he wouldn't be getting an outsized portion of the credit. As the Eastern Aspect, he was expected to take on a leadership role, and he had clearly failed in his duties here.

Yu Fuli nodded. "You are all to be rewarded for Yin Shenhua's death. As for the rewards, those will be distributed during the next session of court."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

"Furthermore, do you all remember that monster of black smoke that appeared outside the Palace of the Moon?" Yu Fuli continued.

The Martial Aspects turned serious. They all nodded. How could they have forgotten? They all participated in that fight, and some of them had even been injured as a result. It had taken two Cardinal Aspects working together to suppress the monster, and had even escaped in the end in the form of a huge black hand. If not for Yu Fuli's blow, the hand would have escaped out of the Southern Heavenly Gate.

"Of course, Your Majesty!" Xiao Nanfeng replied. "Official Zhang Feifan used the heart sword you bequeathed him to bring a cursed effigy to a stalemate, forcing the monster of black smoke to strike. It was then that you managed to hook him."

He didn't mention that the cursed effigy was Yin Shenhua. Everyone who was aware of the fact already knew, and those who didn't, didn't need to know.

Yu Fuli nodded. "Indeed. I've been searching for it all this time, and it has finally shown itself."

"Your Majesty, what was that monster?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

Yu Fuli didn't respond. He turned to Ao Canghai. "Ao Canghai, you recognized that monster, didn't you?"

Everyone turned toward Ao Canghai, suddenly recalling how he had initially refused to strike.

Ao Canghai frowned and was silent for a long moment before he finally smiled grimly. "I do, Your Majesty."

"Explain," Yu Fuli said.

Ao Canghai paused before he replied, "I'm unaware of the monster's identity, but I know its aura. As you are aware, Your Majesty, I used to be the Dragon King of the Southern Sea, and I controlled the Southern Sea Draconic Palace. One day, however, the palace was taken over by a monster. I escaped with a large group of sea spirits and ultimately found my way to the Imperial Court, whereupon you were generous enough to take me as a Martial Aspect. The aura that that monster radiated was identical to that given off by the monster of black smoke."

The Martial Aspects all gasped in surprise. No wonder Ao Canghai hadn't made a move back then. Ao Canghai's confidantes were particularly shocked by the secret that had come to light.

"Your Majesty, the aura that monster gave off felt weaker than when it occupied my former palace. I suspect what you killed wasn't its main body," Ao Canghai continued.

The Martial Aspects blanched. If that monster's avatar alone had been so strong, how much stronger would its main body be?

Yu Fuli nodded. "That monster has been in hiding all this time. However, now that it's finally revealed itself, it'll be easier to investigate and analyze. The fact that it once occupied the Southern Sea Draconic Palace means that it must have left significant traces of itself behind."

"Yes, Your Majesty. It continues to occupy the Southern Sea Draconic Palace even now," Ao Canghai replied.

"Since it's a being of the Southern Sea, I shall have the Southern Aspect lead the investigation. However, owing to the fact that you were once the Dragon King of the Southern Sea, I'm certain you're more familiar with the terrain. Have a talk with the Southern Aspect and tell him all you know about the monster," Yu Fuli said.

"Understood!" Ao Canghai exhaled in relief as he nodded.

He was particularly fearful of the monster; he was worried he would have been tasked with the investigation.

"All of you may leave. Xiao Nanfeng, remain behind," Yu Fuli continued.

"Understood!" the Martial Aspects replied.

Zhang Lingjun didn't want to leave Xiao Nanfeng behind, but she too replied in the affirmative.

Everyone save Xiao Nanfeng left the study.

Yu Fuli smiled. "You've done very well by taking down Yin Shenhua."

"Would that the Venerable Buddha were still alive," Xiao Nanfeng replied with a sigh.

"The Venerable Buddha's demise is a loss for us all, but it didn't regret its decision to the end. It's worthy of our respect," Yu Fuli said.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

"What's more, the Venerable Buddha saved you from calamity. You would have been in incredible danger otherwise," Yu Fuli continued.

"I know that the Venerable Buddha sacrificed its life to block heavenly sight, but it values me far too much. Surely the heavens wouldn't target a mere True Immortal like me?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled wryly.

"I don't know why the Venerable Buddha made such a decision either, but it must have been privy to knowledge unknown to me. Not only that, it helped you avoid the attention of many of the heavens' underlings as well."

"Oh?"

"To ordinary cultivators, you played an important, instrumental role in destroying Dayin, but to the heavens' underlings, your only achievement was in the Stratagems Against Yin. You share some credit for taking down Yin Shenhua, but the Venerable Buddha was ultimately responsible for taking him down."

"Your Majesty, you mean that the heavens' other underlings might target me if I had the ability to threaten them?" Xiao Nanfeng clarified.

"Indeed. That's why I praise your decision to credit the Venerable Buddha for taking down Yin Shenhua.

Xiao Nanfeng's face turned serious. "Your Majesty, how many such underlings do the heavens possess in the world?"

"Are you worried?" Yu Fuli smiled.

"Those who are ignorant fear nothing. I know too little of the machinations of the heavens," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling wryly.

Yu Fuli nodded. "Very wise."

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

Yu Fuli thought for a moment. "I don't know the identities of all the heavens' underlings myself, but I believe that monster of black smoke is one such."

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng replied curiously.

"It operates under the heavens' command, and Yin Shenhua only managed to contact the heavens with it serving as an intermediary."

"In other words, the monster is the true underling of the heavens, and Yin Shenhua only an underling of an underling?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"That's accurate," Yu Fuli replied, nodding. "That monster of black smoke is deeply trusted by the heavens."

"You must know what that monster's true identity is, Your Majesty?" Xiao Nanfeng hedged.

"A saint."

"A saint?"

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Saints are the most trusted underlings of the heavens, handpicked by the heavens themselves. Sages are granted power over natural law and serve as wardens and custodians of the world in place of the heavens. Shepherds, if you will. They can draw on heavenly strength as necessary."

"Why haven't I heard of the like before, Your Majesty?"

"Because the heavens only instated such a position ten thousand years prior."

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng replied curiously.

"They've been growing over the past ten thousand years—but by the time they matured, I had already succeeded in crafting an Imperial Court."

Xiao Nanfeng was taken aback. The implications—"Your Majesty, you mean that your strength alone suffices to prevent these saints from revealing themselves?"

"Not quite to that extent. They've shown themselves several times before, but they don't tend to fare very well against me—just like this time, for instance."

Xiao Nanfeng felt as though he had to revise his own estimates of Yu Fuli's strength.

"How many saints exist?"

"I'm not certain. Only a handful, I suspect. After all, the natural law of the heavens is unlike that which we can master as cultivators, and only each law can only be bestowed on a single cultivator. The heavens won't disseminate them widely, or they might easily lose control."

"Did Yin Shenhua attempt his premature rebellion on this saint's orders?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Quite so. You were lucky to have gained the Venerable Buddha's assistance. Otherwise, that sage might well have focused on you."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded firmly and bowed. "Thank you for the information, Your Majesty."

"As long as you're aware of the danger you face. I suspect you'll come face to face with this saint in no time at all. Be careful. Don't make Lingjun a widow."

Xiao Nanfeng: ...

Was Yu Fuli already aware of what was going on between him and Zhang Lingjun? No wonder he had revealed so much information to him.

"Your Majesty, might I ask why you think I'll encounter a saint? And under what circumstances will I do so?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Yu Fuli smiled gently and shook his head, revealing to provide more information.

Xiao Nanfeng lowered his head. Was Yu Fuli using him as a pawn?

"Go on. Treat Lingjun well, or you'll face my wrath."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Still confused, Xiao Nanfeng bowed and retreated from the study.