Chapter 742: The Saint Emerges

In a hall in Shenfeng's capital, Yang Chuan frowned as he eyed Xiao Nanfeng. "Three simultaneous denunciations and an official declaration of war against Hongyue? It feels like we're in too much of a rush. I haven't finished planning things with my allies, and Shenfeng has just finished its recent war. Is it ready for another one so quickly? And what about the disciples of the Taiqing Immortal Sect?"

Xiao Nanfeng poured Yang Chuan a cup of tea and smiled. "I know, I know. Everything is a bit rushed, but we have no other choice."

"Oh? Why not?" Yang Chuan sipped his tea.

Xiao Nanfeng took a deep breath. "Lou Yujing has enlisted the saint's assistance."

Yang Chuan's teacup wobbled as he spilled tea all over and exclaimed, "Are you joking?"

"I'm confident. He's due to arrive at Hongyue's capital today, and Lou Yujing will surely attempt to persuade him to attack us. It's very likely that he'll succeed."

"Oh?"

"If the saint attacks us furtively, things will be even more troublesome. That's why I'm trying to attract his attention with the three denunciations. I want to lure the saint into attacking us directly."

"Can you succeed?"

"I believe so. Let's try it and see."

Yang Chuan frowned.

He couldn't help but feel hesitant about Xiao Nanfeng's idea.

"I've already reported this matter to the Heavenly Emperor as well," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Oh? What did he say?"

That was far more reasonable. The Heavenly Emperor's support would be invaluable against the saint.

"He told us to evaluate the saint's strength, and that he would be paying attention."

"And then?"

"That was it."

Yang Chuan was taken aback. "The Heavenly Emperor's not going to make a move himself? But we're facing a saint! His avatar alone was incredibly strong. How are we going to take on his main body, if that's what he's sending over?"

"That's why I issued the three denunciations and sent a declaration of war to Hongyue in advance," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"A declaration of war?"

"Indeed. I want to cause a commotion and attract the world's attention, as well as that of the saint."

"But..." Yang Chuan still seemed worried.

"Don't be too concerned. Although the Heavenly Emperor isn't going to make a move himself, his attention is definitely on us. If the saint's main body appears, the Heavenly Emperor will surely step in. If the saint uses an avatar or manifests in some other way, we'll have to do our best to broadcast his attacks publicly. These denunciations and the declaration of war will be our best tools in doing so."

"Very well. As long as you're confident. That said, I'm not sure it'll be easy for Lou Yujing to command the saint considering the saint's elevated status."

Xiao Nanfeng agreed. "That said, we have to prepare for the worst. War is on the horizon."

"Very well." Yang Chuan nodded.

In a hall in Hongyue's capital, Lou Yujing sat on a draconic throne as Tu Jiuniang, Yuan Wudi, Li Qianjun, and Li Qianjun's wife, Tu Siniang, stood before him. Also in attendance were Lou Yujing's other confidantes, including the new Minister of Rites, Tang Zhengqi.

Everyone was silent. They shot furtive glances at Tang Zhengqi.

After all, the cultivators gathered here were all in the upper echelons of Hongyue, and had known each other for many years. That a foreigner like Tang Zhengqi would be present for this meeting was beyond their expectations.

Just then, in the center of the hall, a cloud of blood-colored fog suddenly manifested. The iron tang that accompanied the cloud left everyone wary.

Lou Yujing stood up. "We welcome the saint."

"We welcome the saint," everyone echoed. They bowed down.

Tang Zhengqi went so far as to kneel down and prostrate himself. "We welcome Your Eminence!"

Everyone gave him an astonished look once again. Was Tang Zhengqi out of his mind? Why was he going so far?

Tang ignored everyone else's dubious looks. This was how the other officials had died back on the saint's island. The only reason he had been spared was because of how obsequious he had been.

The blood-colored fog suddenly drew back and condensed into the form of an elderly man in blood-colored robes, the saint whom Tang had been sent to meet.

The saint's gaze swept coldly across the gathered cultivators before landing on Tang's prostrate form. He nodded in satisfaction and pride.

"Rise," the saint said calmly.

Everyone obeyed.

The other cultivators had bowed at their waist, so it was easy enough for them to rise. Only Tang would have to stand back up.

To show his deep respect, however, Tang rose and bowed thrice more, then stood to the side. The saint was very pleased with his deference, even as the other cultivators eyed him disdainfully.

"Lou Yujing, you dared to take advantage of my ploy in the Southeastern Aquatic Palace?" the saint demanded.

Lou Yujing took a deep breath and shook his head. "I wouldn't dare, Saint. The cultivator that you had entrusted the coffin to attempted to take advantage, and I did what I did to clean up the mess."

"Oh?"

"That cultivator only gained your favor because of his bootlicking behavior, Saint. You helped him take over an ancestral zombie's body. He was polite and deferential toward you, but was very different in private. You had him cooperate with me, but he made things difficult for me at every turn and even dared to claim your relics for himself. He betrayed you and sought to kill me. In self-defense, I was forced to take him down."

"And you expect me to thank you for what you did, then?" the saint demanded.

"I've worked tirelessly for you all these years, Saint, and I've never betrayed you. I ask that you consider my circumstances," Lou Yujing replied.

The saint eyed Lou Yujing coldly; the latter calmly met his gaze.

The saint smirked. "You're trying to push back against my authority now, are you? Have you forgotten about how you begged for my assistance two centuries ago?"

"We were cooperating to take down the Taiqing Immortal Sect together, and we both stood to gain from doing so. I owe you nothing," Lou Yujing declared firmly.

The saint sneered. "Very well. Why have you sought out my assistance, then? More trouble that you can't handle on your own?"

"Indeed, Saint. I asked for this meeting for two reasons: the first, to explain what happened in the black coffin; the second, to request your assistance—with payment, of course."

"Oh?"

"I'm sure you've learned about the situation with the black coffin over the course of the last three days, Saint. I won't waste your time expounding further on that matter. I'd like to seek out your help in killing a certain cultivator who bears great enmity against me and poses a great threat."

"Someone like you fears another cultivator so? Who is it? An Immortal Emperor, or some hierarch?"

"Neither an Immortal Emperor not a hierarch. His name is Xiao Nanfeng, Emperor of Dazheng," Lou Yujing said.

"Xiao Nanfeng? An ordinary emperor? How advanced in the Boundless Immortal realm is he?"

"He isn't a Boundless Immortal, but a True Immortal with two bodies."

The saint was taken aback. He looked at Lou Yujing in disbelief. "You sought out my help for a mere True Immortal?"

Was Lou Yujing crazy? Was this really the Lou Yujing he knew?

"I admit it. He's a True Immortal, but I've already lost to him several times. I attacked him with a horde of zombies and even had Yuan Wudi and Tu Jiuniang deter his allies, but I still lost," Lou Yujing said.

"Oh?"

Although the saint had heard about Xiao Nanfeng quite a few times over the last three days, he had only performed a cursory investigation. He knew little of Xiao Nanfeng's skills or reserves of strength.

Lou Yujing summarized Xiao Nanfeng's exploits for the saint, who began to take this True Immortal much more seriously.

"In other words, you believe this cultivator to be blessed by fortune. You fear not his strength, but his fortune and ability?" [1]

"Yes, Saint. I remember that you once taught me that the Heavenly Emperor Yu Fuli was one such cultivator. With his blessing, he managed to create the Imperial Court, winning against all cultivators in his way despite always being of lesser cultivation. No matter the opponent, all perished before him. This sinister fortune has, I believe, resurged in Xiao Nanfeng."

The saint frowned. "Are you certain? How can this Xiao Nanfeng compare to Yu Fuli?"

"Saint, Xiao Nanfeng only took a decade to reach this point. He destroyed the divine empire of Dayin and even killed Yin Shenhua. Wasn't Yin Shenhua another subordinate of yours? I'm sure you must have heard of him before," Lou Yujing said.

The saint frowned. "That same Xiao Nanfeng?"

He did recall hearing about Xiao Nanfeng in the past. Then, however, he believed Xiao Nanfeng to be nothing more than Yu Fuli's pawn, that Yu Fuli and the Venerable Buddha were the true powers behind Yin Shenhua's demise, with Xiao Nanfeng nothing more than a puppet. Now, however, he had cause to reevaluate his perspective.

"Saint, although Xiao Nanfeng's cultivation is limited, he is surrounded by a group of Boundless Immortals. His individual strength is weak, but he has momentum on his side. Others only consider his individual strength, not the blessing of fortune nor the prowess he brings to bear. I think him an exceedingly dangerous threat, and had no choice but to enlist your assistance."

The saint was silent. He didn't expect that Lou Yujing would think so highly of Xiao Nanfeng.

"And what price do you intend to pay?"

"Whatever you demand, Saint."

The saint glanced at Lou Yujing in true surprise. Was Lou Yujing that fearful of Xiao Nanfeng?

1. Protagonist aura made manifest... ☜