Chapter 854: Han Gucheng's Resolve

Both of Xiao Nanfeng's avatars emerged from secluded cultivation and summoned his ministers to his imperial study at Yongding.

"Your Majesty, you've been in secluded cultivation for three months. A great deal has happened," You Jiu began, giving him a complicated look.

"Three months?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

The dream had reset about once every three days. How had he suddenly lost three months? Still, he didn't dwell on it—time in the dream world didn't align with the outside world.

"Let's go over everything one by one, then. Mr. Zheng, how's the situation going with regards to Dazheng and Shenfeng?"

"Everything remains as it was," Zheng Qian replied.

"Good." Xiao Nanfeng nodded approvingly, then turned to Wen Zhong. "Mr. Wen, what about the divine empire of Dahan?"

"Everything is proceeding smoothly. Han Gucheng isn't paying attention to Dahan at all, so we've already gained control of nearly half its Immortal cities under Han Bing's name. However, if Han Bing's soul were to return, that may pose a considerable challenge."

"No matter. If Han Bing returns, I'll handle it. The important thing now is to ensure that those cultivators we've taken in are strictly monitored by the spectral guards."

Wen Zhong nodded in agreement.

"Your Majesty, a major upheaval has taken place in the green knoll hidden realm," You Jiu jumped in.

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng replied curiously.

"Daliang and Dadong have also fallen like Daxue. Their citizens were all devoured by the Enlightenment Grounds, assisted by the two Immortal Emperors. We didn't dare intervene, and couldn't do anything."

"Han Gucheng and Saint Lun Hui are working together now? They're truly ruthless," Xiao Nanfeng murmured, his face sinking.

"The green knoll hidden realm has now become a wasteland. All three divine empires are gone, and the Enlightenment Grounds have vanished as well."

"Vanished?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"That's right. Our people have been keeping watch from a distance. Just a few days ago, all the Enlightenment Grounds entered a patch of dense fog and disappeared in an instant. We searched extensively but found no trace of them."

Xiao Nanfeng frowned deeply as he analyzed the situation. "It seems that Han Gucheng and Saint Lun Hui's plans are nearing their conclusion, then."

"I believe so as well, but we can't find any trace of them at all," You Jiu replied, frustrated.

At that moment, a spectral guard suddenly rushed into the study. "Your Majesty, I have urgent news from the Sieve of Heaven!"

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng glanced over.

"Just now, Han Gucheng appeared in the Sieve of Heaven. As the former Immortal Emperor of Dahan, he submitted a petition requesting an audience with the Heavenly Emperor. He's currently waiting for the Heavenly Emperor's summons," the spectral guard reported.

"Han Gucheng went to the Sieve of Heaven to request an audience with the Heavenly Emperor? Isn't he in collusion with Saint Lun Hui?" You Jiu exclaimed, astonished.

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes flashed. "All the better. I'll go meet him.

Before long, Xiao Nanfeng arrived at the Sieve of Heaven.

His subordinates led him toward Han Gucheng, who was waiting for an audience in a grand hall.

Han Gucheng noticed Xiao Nanfeng as well. His expression shifted briefly before settling into a small. As the current Eastern Aspect, Xiao Nanfeng wielded significant authority over countless Martial Aspects and officials, making it nearly impossible for Han Gucheng's presence in the Sieve of Heaven to escape his notice.

"Eastern Aspect Xiao, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Han Gucheng smiled.

"Han Gucheng, what are you doing here in the Sieve of Heaven?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, frowning.

"Why, I'm still an Immortal Emperor, even if I've passed that position onto my son. All Immortal Emperors under the heavens are officials of the Heavenly Emperor. Is there anything wrong about my requesting an audience with the Heavenly Emperor?"

His words were reasonable, but Xiao Nanfeng couldn't help but feel a sense of unease upon looking at Han Gucheng.

"Han Gucheng, something seems off about you," Xiao Nanfeng asserted.

Han Gucheng's former hostility was nowhere to be seen. His demeanor was calm, warm even. "Eastern Aspect Xiao, if I remember correctly, there isn't much enmity between us, is there?"

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng's unease deepened.

"In the green knoll hidden realm, it was you who interfered with my plans and seized the fortune I sought. My son also paid the price for his mistake and remains in your custody. Every time, I've been the one suffering losses. By that reasoning, while I have grievances against you, you should have none against me," Han Gucheng replied with a chuckle.

"What are you trying to say?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, frowning.

"Not all conflicts are irreconcilable. Besides, there's no hatred between us. Why not work together with me instead?" Han Gucheng smiled.

Was Han Gucheng proposing a truce? Xiao Nanfeng's suspicions deepened. Han Gucheng was known for being vengeful, and such a sudden offer of peace was entirely out of character unless he was trying to lull Xiao Nanfeng into a sense of complacency.

"I know you find it odd, but these are my sincere intentions. I'd rather not fight with you anymore," Han Gucheng said.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "I'm not unwilling to accept this supposed truce, but I can't imagine that you would actually offer one."

"The Heavenly Emperor has yet to meet with me. Why don't we have a talk for now?" Han Gucheng offered, smiling.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The two cultivators moved to a pavilion outside the hall and sat down.

At Xiao Nanfeng's command, tea was served.

"Go ahead, Han Gucheng," Xiao Nanfeng began.

Han Gucheng nodded. "I've come to understand your prowess through our clashes. Your subordinates are planning something in Dahan, aren't they?"

"Oh? Do you still care about Dahan?"

"Of course I care about my divine empire—but there are more important things to me, near and dear to my heart."

"Hm?"

"I've come to understand your prowess through our clashes. I've also realized that continuing to fight you would only bring mutual destruction, endangering the ones I hold dear. My wife and son are everything to me. For their sake, I'm willing to put aside our grudges.

Xiao Nanfeng was momentarily taken aback. "What caused you to have such a drastic change of heart?"

Han Gucheng had a sip of tea. "My family."

"Your family?"

Han Gucheng nodded. "I have three beloved wives, and a son whom I adore. They're my relatives, the most important people to me.

Han Gucheng's expression softened. His gaze grew distant and filled with warmth as he spoke of his family.

"And?" Xiao Nanfeng prompted.

"I've evaluated the cost of fighting you. It would lead to the death of people we both hold dear, and I can't bear the thought of my family suffering because of my ambitions. For their sake, I wish to reconcile with you."

Xiao Nanfeng fell silent. He had anticipated deception or manipulation, but not this—an enemy laying down his arms for the sake of his family's happiness.

Was this really Han Gucheng who sat before him?

Han Gucheng suddenly chuckled. "Now, you may laugh, but though I once schemed endlessly, though my ambitions were as high as the heavens, after starting a family, I've come to realize that nothing is more important than a harmonious family and the safety of my loved ones. Perhaps this might become a weakness for you to exploit in time, but today, I genuinely want to resolve our enmity. Please, Eastern Aspect Xiao, state your conditions for peace."

Xiao Nanfeng was momentarily stunned. He didn't know how to respond. He had never encountered such a request before—it was almost as if he had become a villain threatening someone else's family.

"Can you tell me about your family?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, his expression somewhat strange.

"Of course. I met my three wives back when I was still a relatively unknown figure and my cultivation was still weak. One is my senior sister, another my junior sister, and the final is my childhood sweetheart. In my youth, I had grand ambitions but was inexperienced in matters of the heart. Through life-and-death trials, I came to know and love them.

"My senior sister is the most gentle of all, willing to forgive me no matter what mistakes I make. My junior sister is the most mischievous. She plays pranks on me often, but she was also the first to step forward to protect me in times of danger, always putting herself in harm's way on my behalf. As for my childhood sweetheart, she grew up with me. She appears delicate but is strong and steadfast. She doesn't express herself well, but when it comes to me, she transforms into a different person entirely, standing fiercely by my side and refusing to let me suffer any harm."

As Han Gucheng reminisced, his face was suffused with a warm, happy smile. When he spoke of his three wives, his eyes gleamed with affection.

"My son, Han Bing, was wrinkled and ugly when he was born. But before long, he became a chubby, adorable little thing. I’ll never forget how excited I was when he first called me ‘Father.’ Back then, he couldn’t even walk yet. Once, when I was holding him, he peed all over me. That little rascal—he’s the only one who dares to act up with me like that..." Han Gucheng recalled with a laugh.

Xiao Nanfeng listened silently, his expression growing stranger by the moment. The Han Gucheng before him bore none of the hallmarks of a ruthless overlord. Instead, he radiated a profound love for his family.

Was this really the same Han Gucheng he knew?

Could this be an act? If it were, Han Gucheng's acting skills had to be unparalleled—Xiao Nanfeng could detect no falsehood in his demeanor.

As Han Gucheng spoke of his family, his entire being seemed to glow with warmth and happiness.

It felt unreal and wholly unexpected.

Xiao Nanfeng remained silent for long moments. He eventually concluded that, if Han Gucheng's words were genuine, then he was indeed a man worthy of respect.

"Eastern Aspect Xiao, I sincerely wish to reconcile with you. Please, state your terms for ending our feud," Han Gucheng said earnestly.

Xiao Nanfeng paused. He was just about to respond when an official entered the pavilion and announced, "The Heavenly Emperor will grant an audience with Immortal Emperor Han and Eastern Aspect Xiao in the imperial study."

The conversation between the two cultivators was interrupted, but Han Gucheng didn't seem annoyed. Instead, he smiled and said, "Eastern Aspect Xiao, since the Heavenly Emperor has summoned us, shall we continue our discussion afterwards?"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.