Chapter 824: You're All I Need

Lan Yaoguang withdrew her blue moon and returned to her physical body.

By then, Yaoguang Villa was surrounded by numerous high-ranking cultivators of the Shangqing holy land.

They immediately recognized the corpse on the ground as Yan Ziqun, the previous hierarch. His corpse had been neatly split into two halves. By its side was an elder who was trying to flee, whom they arrested.

"This is what happened," Lan Yaoguang began, recounting what she had experienced. "If Nanfeng hadn't shown up in time, I would likely be dead. We can't tolerate such traitors."

"An assassination attempt on the hierarch demands the harshest punishment Shangqing has to offer. Elder Zhao, how dare you!" someone shouted.

The gathered cultivators eyed the traitorous elder. A surge of killing intent caused him to tremble in terror.

"Yan Ziqun tricked me! I—" the elder began.

Xiao Nanfeng had largely guessed what was going on. Yan Ziqun, upset that the position of hierarch had been stripped from him, intended to kill Lan Yaoguang and malign her in order to regain his position as hierarch.

Even if the assassination were to end in failure, he still had followers and a large group of supporters within the Shangqing holy land, some of whom he could blackmail for support. It would have caused a schism in the holy land and a power struggle against Lan Yaoguang.

Xiao Nanfeng wasn't afraid of trouble, but he saw no need for pointless conflict. That was why he had advised Lan Yaoguang to kill Yan Ziqun immediately.

With Yan Ziqun dead, everyone would surely side with Lan Yaoguang. The traitors in the holy land would need to be rooted out immediately.

"Rest assured, Hierarch. We will investigate this matter thoroughly. No one involved in this assassination plot will escape punishment." A supreme elder responsible for Shangqing's judiciary stepped forward and bowed.

"Very well." Lan Yaoguang nodded firmly.

She was eager to speak with Xiao Nanfeng privately about the affair, and didn't want to waste time on lengthy discussions.

No one asked any questions about the missing specter heartstone; whatever had happened to it would be revealed from the interrogation.

The female Shangqing cultivators' eyes lit up upon seeing Xiao Nanfeng.

"You must be Eastern Aspect Xiao. I'm Holy Maiden Qingshui from the Shangqing holy land. Eastern Aspect Xiao, I have a few questions about cultivation I'd like advice on. May I schedule a private session with you?" A rather beautiful woman stepped forward.

Qingshui wasn't the only one who behaved that way. Plenty of female cultivators surged toward him, their eyes bright as they caught sight of him.

Their enthusiasm was palpable. They jostled aggressively with each other to introduce themselves to him. Lan Yaoguang frowned at the sight, irritated by their behavior.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled and shook his head. "I apologize, but I don't have time to discuss cultivation at the moment."

"In that case, when might you be free, Eastern Aspect Xiao?" Holy Maiden Qingshui didn't seem inclined to relent.

"Eastern Aspect Xiao, I heard that you once lectured at the Yuqing holy land. Would you be willing to do the same for us?" another Shangqing cultivator suggested.

Lan Yaoguang clenched her fists tightly, inwardly cursing at these vixens for trying to steal her husband.

"I apologize, but I truly have no time at the moment. I'm spending time with my wife," Xiao Nanfeng replied, his tone polite but firm.

He took Lan Yaoguang's hand, causing all eyes to shift to her. Lan Yaoguang blushed as a surge of warmth and satisfaction welled up, while the female Shangqing cultivators looked toward her with varying expressions of disappointment and jealousy.

Xiao Nanfeng and Lan Yaoguang departed, leaving a group of disheartened Shangqing cultivators behind.

"The hierarch is beautiful, but we're good-looking too, aren't we? Couldn't Eastern Aspect Xiao spare a moment for us?"

"Right? Could the hierarch be against him meeting with all of us?"

"Eastern Aspect Xiao really is devoted. Our hierarch is very lucky..."

The female disciples slowly dispersed as they grumbled in disappointment.

After returning to Yaoguang Villa, Xiao Nanfeng immediately instructed his subordinates to comb through the grounds and reset the formations in the area, ensuring that no unauthorized cultivators could enter.

In a secluded courtyard, Lan Yaoguang gave him a look. "Why didn't you accept those holy maidens' invitation to share your cultivation insights with them?"

Xiao Nanfeng laughed. "I didn't know you could get so jealous, Yaoguang."

"Who's jealous? I didn't forbid you from doing so," Lan Yaoguang replied, her face flushed. She looked away in mock indignation.

Xiao Nanfeng embraced her. "You're all I need. I have no interest in anyone else."

Lan Yaoguang's eyes shone with affection. She suddenly leaned in and kissed him.

Xiao Nanfeng responded in kind, wrapping his arms around her as they indulged in a deep, passionate kiss. Only after they were panting for breath did they finally pull apart.

Lan Yaoguang draped her arms around Xiao Nanfeng's neck and looked into his eyes.

Smiling, Xiao Nanfeng lifted her up in his arms and carried her into her bedroom.

The doors to her bedroom sealed shut as the room's defensive formation was activated, preventing anyone else from drawing near.

In the divine empire of Dahan, after Xiao Nanfeng captured the Immortal Emperor of Dahan, the whole empire was beset by chaos.

Nearby forces, emboldened by the news of his capture, began sending armies to attack Dahan. The officials and generals of Dahan were paralyzed by fear and indecision.

Some insisted on negotiating for the emperor's freedom, while others, believing that Dahan's downfall was near, were attempting to seek new allegiances.

Within Dahan's capital, the officials of court were arguing loudly in the Immortal Emperor's absence.

"Xiao Nanfeng's already killed two Immortal Emperors and taken down two divine empires. He'll surely do the same to His Majesty."

"Nonsense! As long as His Majesty lives, we can negotiate for his life."

"Negotiate? How? All our neighboring forces are already starting to invade us!"

"Not only that, a few city lords of Immortal cities have already defected. This is the end of Dahan..."

"Traitors! Are you suggesting we surrender?"

Chaos erupted in the hall.

Many of the officials were bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Everyone knew that if the Immortal Emperor of Dahan didn't return, the empire would be done for.

Several of the officials remained silent despite the chaos. They observed the situation dispassionately.

As the argument grew more and more intractable, some of the officials even came to blows. Only then did the group of silent officials quietly move toward a side chamber and bow toward it respectfully.

A fog-shrouded figure emerged. None of the brawling officials noticed him until he calmly sat down on the throne.

"Who dares sit on the Immortal Emperor of Dahan's throne? Do you intend to stage a coup?!" an official suddenly shouted.

The accusation drew everyone's attention.They turned to the figure as he dispelled the fog around himself and revealed a familiar face.

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Y-Your Majesty?!" the officials exclaimed in shock.

Seated on the draconic throne was none other than Han Gucheng.

"It can't be. Isn't the late emperor dead? What's going on...?"

"Who are you? Who dares impersonate the former Immortal Emperor of Dahan?!" another official demanded.

Han Gucheng eyed the officials coldly and turned toward those who had remained silent. "Have you noted everything down?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," one of them replied. "We have a list of every official who disloyal towards the empire."

"Arrest them," Han Gucheng commanded.

"Understood!"

A group of guards burst into the hall and seized the provocateurs among the officials.

"No! You can't arrest me! I haven't betrayed Dahan!"

"He's lying! The former Immortal Emperor is long dead. This is all a scheme!"

"Catch him!"

Several disloyal officials tried to cause a ruckus, but Han Gucheng's personal guards were more than equipped to handle them. They were suppressed within moments.

The officials' eyes widened as they noted several familiar faces among Han Gucheng's private guards, who had vanished after his "death."

Was this really the real Han Gucheng?

The traitorous officials hurriedly begged for mercy.

"Your Majesty, I was wrong! Please spare my life. I've dedicated half my life to the empire—please spare my clan at least!"

"Have mercy, Your Majesty! I was foolish. Please spare me!"

"I was wrong, Your Majesty. I was deceived! Please have mercy!"

"Take them away," Han Gucheng ordered coldly.

"Understood!" the guards replied.

The pleading officials were quickly dragged out of court.

"Your Majesty, it's wonderful that you're still alive," one official exclaimed, overcome with emotion.

The rest of the court was equally shocked and elated.

Although Han Bing was the Immortal Emperor of Dahan, he had succeeded the throne rather than establishing it himself. Many of the officials remembered the founder of the empire, Han Gucheng, fondly; they had been loyal to him from the beginning and had witnessed the rise of his empire. Now that he was back, their loyalty was quickly restored.

"Draft an official decree to the forces surrounding Dahan. I don't care what reasons they have for attacking us, but any force that has invaded Dahan must cede double of what they've taken as compensation."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the officials chorused.

"As for those city lords across Dahan daring to rebel and declare independence from the empire—kill their clans to the last," Han Gucheng commanded.

"Understood!" everyone replied.

The divine empire of Dahan had been powerful and uncompromising under Han Gucheng's rule. It quashed its neighbors, leaving them cowering and keeping any ambitious forces in check. With Han Gucheng's return, Dahan would likewise return to its original status quo.

One official stepped forward in concern. "Your Majesty, Emperor Han Bing was captured by Xiao Nanfeng. What should we do?"

"Where is the Minister of Rites?"

"Here, Your Majesty!" An official stepped forward.

"Lead a delegation to Dazheng. Bring gifts to negotiate for Han Bing's release. If Xiao Nanfeng agrees, we'll leave it at that. If he refuses, warn him that the Immortal Empire of Dahan will declare war. If he dares harm my son, I'll see his entire empire razed to the ground!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the official replied, bowing.