Chapter 704: Against Evil

A month later, in the valley within Shenfeng's capital, Xiao Nanfeng was seated in a small courtyard and perusing a stack of documents. The Divine Emperor walked by and smiled. "Your administrators really are skilled. They're making a fuss all over Shenfeng."

Xiao Nanfeng glanced up and smiled. "Are there more officials upset about the upcoming reforms?"

The Divine Emperor sat down beside Xiao Nanfeng and nodded. "Your policies that prioritize the people are in danger of infringing on some officials' benefits, so they're naturally opposed to it."

"It's only been a month, but Shenfeng's fortune seems to have doubled. Can't they tell?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

The Divine Emperor looked up at the sky, at the billowing sea of fortune high above. "More than double—triple, even, and it's increasing faster and faster, without any expansion necessary. I'm shocked at how this could be possible."

"The common people are the weakest but most loyal of us. Treat them well, and they'll reciprocate in kind. Losing officials by prioritizing the people speaks poorly of those officials; losing people by prioritizing officials speaks poorly of your empire."

"I know, I know. Even if I lose some officials, I can always recruit more—but if I lose all the people, I'll have nothing. I've been ignoring those officials most upset about these policies." The Divine Emperor smiled.

Xiao Nanfeng caressed the Divine Emperor. "There's nothing my wife isn't good at."

"But the mass reforms we've been introducing will likely ignite our rivalry with Hongyue. Our scouts report that Hongyue has been exhorting several neighboring empires into attacking us. They might send out troops at any moment," the Divine Emperor said.

"Neighboring empires? I haven't even thought about them yet, but they're already trying to attract our attention by conspiring against us?It's almost as if they want to be destroyed as quickly as possible." Xiao Nanfeng chuckled.

"If they cooperate, they'll have far more troops than we do." The Divine Emperor frowned.

"We're in a world of Immortals now, not the mortal world. So what if they have troops? The most important thing is to have skilled generals who can rout the enemy. Numbers are hardly relevant by this point."

"My shadow cursed effigies haven't regained their full strength yet, and Shenfeng lacks such skilled generals," the Divine Emperor said.

"Don't worry. Dazheng's generals might as well be Shenfeng's. I can send Ye Dafu and the others over to assist you."

"Will their presence here cause trouble for Dazheng?" the Divine Emperor asked in worry.

"I doubt it. As long as we don't claim outright that Dazheng and Shenfeng are a single empire, we should be fine. We're already allies who have loaned administrative officials from one another. Why not martial generals too?"

The Divine Emperor nodded. "Very well. Let's show off our strength, then."

"I've been waiting for this day for quite some time too," Xiao Nanfeng said, smiling.

"Have you been planning stratagems all month long? Just like the Stratagems Against Yin?" the Divine Emperor asked curiously.

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"The Stratagems Against Yin were surprisingly effective, but as far as wars among equals go, it's safer to go for an overwhelming victory at the outset."

"A direct clash?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

"Why not?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"But—"

"Don't worry. I know that Shenfeng currently has limited resources, but that's alright. We'll take it one step at a time. First, we'll take down all the neighboring empires to showcase our strength and invite aspiring cultivators all over the world into Shenfeng. We'll take on Hongyue thereafter."

"Oh?"

"The first step of my plan is to accumulate fame and reputation by crusading against evil. I've researched the neighboring empires. There are plenty of kingdoms and empires in the vicinity who frequently wage war on one another, making life particularly difficult for the common people. Corpses are strewn all over the land. This is a calamity for their people, but a blessing for us. Only by taking down such vile empires can we contrast and demonstrate our wise and just governance. We'll attack them and take them down as quickly as possible, gain fame, and then conquer the world," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"There are six big empires and forty kingdoms in the vicinity. Are we taking them all down at once?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

"We have the strength for it. Why not?" Xiao Nanfeng replied confidently.

The Divine Emperor smiled wryly. "I didn't expect your appetite to be so large. It's easy to wage war, but what next? How do you plan to properly administer the conquered territories thereafter?"

"I'll send for another twenty thousand officials from Dazheng. We can guarantee that the transition goes smoothly. They all have experience and expertise in doing so," Xiao Nanfeng told her.

"Twenty thousand officials? Are you joking?" the Divine Emperor gasped.

"If it's insufficient, I can send for even more."

"No, no, it's far too many!" The Divine Emperor laughed.

"Hardly! Six empires and forty kingdoms—the twenty thousand officials I send for surely won't be enough. You'll need to recruit from among the people as well. Don't you have plenty of administrative officials who have nothing to do and are trying to secure as many benefits for themselves as possible? Make them work so that they don't have the time to come up with such plans," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Very well," the Divine Emperor replied, nodding.

"I know that many officials have been with you for an extended period of time, and that you can't bear to criticize them—but this is important. Since they're serving as officials in the Shenfeng Empire, they have to comply with the empire's policy. Only when the whole empire is united can we move forward as one. I don't want anyone to hold us back," Xiao Nanfeng said seriously.

The Divine Emperor nodded. "I understand. I'll establish a supervisory committee specifically for this purpose."

"Good! Waging war against all these empires and kingdoms will quickly help Shenfeng become famous. There are plenty of disciples in sects and holy lands trying to choose among empires to join, much like the Yuqing disciples who have joined you. The stronger Shenfeng is, the more they'll revere it and anticipate joining it. With our fame, we'll get more recruits; with those recruits, we'll take on Hongyue."

"You're right. That was the same with me fifty thousand years ago. The more victories I won, the more cultivators were willing to join me. By the end, I didn't need to recruit any cultivators at all—the whole world wanted to join my cause." The Divine Emperor nodded.

"What's more, I suspect that the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue will be a troublesome foe. He may have an association with a saint who's been troubling us. Although you're a Boundless Immortal, I'm still worried. It's best if we can expand Shenfeng in terms of manpower and fortune. At that point, even if Hongyue is forced to summon a saint to assist them, you'll at least be able to protect yourself with your empire's strength."

"I'll do as you say," the Divine Emperor replied, nodding.

A few days later, in Xia Hong's manor, Xia Lan was glancing at an edict with an astonished expression. "Second Brother, isn't the Divine Emperor being ridiculous? Weren't the thousand officials from Dazheng enough? She wants even more—and generals as well! Xiao Nanfeng's not an idiot. Why would he dispatch his subordinates to an empire he barely knows about?"

Xia Hong frowned. "Nothing's impossible for me. Nanfeng just agreed to these requests, actually. The officials and generals are already on their way."

Xia Lan fell silent. Why was it that something went wrong for him whenever he criticized Xiao Nanfeng?

Above a stretch of the sea, an intense fight unfolded. Fire and wind filled the air, and tidal waves washed over the sea.

Xiao Nanfeng flew toward the scene. As he closed in, the cultivators quickly stopped fighting and rushed over.

"Xiao Nanfeng, what took you so long? I'm bored to death!" the Demon Child grumbled.

"Your Majesty!" Ye Dafu and the others rushed over.

They were gleaming in gold, and their auras billowed from them.

"You're all Golden Immortals? Your Indomitable Body really is shocking. Have any of you even encountered bottlenecks to date?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"Your Majesty, we've all become Golden Immortals!" Ye Dafu cried out in excitement.

"The Demon Child's attacks really hurt. A Boundless Immortal's strength is terrifying!"

"It's all thanks to the Demon Child. He's been a huge asset!"

"I underestimated the Demon Child beforehand. He's really amazing."

The golden cultivators all began to flatter the Demon Child, who forgot all about his complaints upon hearing the compliments.

"I am impressive, aren't I?" The Demon Child grinned.

"Demon Child, I really do have to thank you. If not for you, who knows how much longer it would have taken them to become Golden Immortals?"

"Haha, it was nothing!"

The Demon Child had spent all month fighting the twelve golden cultivators and had grown particularly sick of it by the end. The puppet shows and feasts were the only things keeping him going—along with the effusive praise from all the golden cultivators.

Xiao Nanfeng looked toward Ye Dafu and the others with joy. Twelve Golden Immortals would be a tremendous boost to Dazhengs strength.

Unfortunately, however, there were now few other True Immortals in Dazheng, but this wouldn't be much of a problem. Low-tier Immortals could easily be recruited from various sects and holy lands.

"Where's Ao Zhou?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"He headed back to the Imperial Court to turn in his mission to take down the Southeastern Aquatic Palace, and hasn't yet returned," Ye Dafu said.

"Alright, then. We won't wait for him." Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty?" Ye Dafu asked curiously.

"We're going to wage war. I'm here to lead you to your troops," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Oh? Have cultivators invaded Dazheng?" The golden cultivators were taken aback.

"No—we'll be fighting in the Shenfeng Empire," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Oh?" Ye Dafu's eyes brightened. "Great. I'm looking forward to it!"

"More combat!" The golden cultivators grinned at each other.

"What about me? Do I have to go to Shenfeng to fight, too?" the Demon Child asked.

"No, you won't be needed. There's an even more important task that I need your help with. No one else can do it," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Really? Haha, count me in, then!" the Demon Child promised.