Chapter 865: The Dajing Empire

Within a certain hall, Han Gucheng listened to a report from one of his subordinates.

"Your Majesty, just now, an Immortal city has declared independence from Dahan and established itself as a new kingdom, the kingdom of Dajing. We've learned that many of Xiao Nanfeng's subordinates are present in the city," the subordinate continued.

"The kingdom of Dajing? Who's the king?" Han Gucheng asked, frowning.

"A woman named Liu Miaoyin, though no one has seen her appearance."

"Liu Miaoyin? Another of Xiao Nanfeng's acquaintances or subordinates, perhaps? Why are they all women?" Han Gucheng frowned as he fell deep in thought.

Aside from Xiao Nanfeng's close allies, only Yu Fuli and Yang Chuan had seen Liu Miaoyin for themselves. Eighty thousand years ago, Liu Miaoyin had been known as the Venerable Buddha. Few knew her real name, especially after so many years had passed.

"Your Majesty, it's clear that Xiao Nanfeng intends to stir up trouble in Dahan. Should we act?" Han Gucheng's subordinate asked.

Han Gucheng let out a cold laugh. "This is the best Xiao Nanfeng can do.

"Ah?"

"He's arranging for someone to establish a new kingdom in Dahan in order to lure me out. Does he really think I'll rise to this provocation?" Han Gucheng scoffed.

A nearby subordinate furrowed his brows. "Your Majesty, do you mean that Xiao Nanfeng is doing this on purpose to lure you into a trap?"

"Precisely," Han Gucheng replied, nodding. "Xiao Nanfeng alone is no match for me, but he has allies—Madam Rouge and the Divine Emperor, for one. Even though Yu Fuli mentioned that Madam Rouge has left, who knows if that's true? I won't fall for their tricks."

"But if Xiao Nanfeng continues causing trouble in Dahan, the situation could become dire. He has developed highly effective techniques for neutralizing empires," Han Gucheng's subordinate murmured.

"It doesn't matter. Even if we lose Dahan, we can reclaim it in due time. My power grows stronger by the day. Soon, even Madam Rouge and the Divine Emperor won't be able to protect Xiao Nanfeng. I'll behead him right in front of them," Han Gucheng said confidently.

Having obtained the Superior's cursed effigy and the charm of heavenly law over reincarnation, Han Gucheng's cultivation was advancing rapidly. Only a fool would expose himself prematurely at this point—remaining in hiding was undoubtedly his best option.

"What about our agents in court? Should they do anything?" Han Gucheng asked.

"Have them do nothing. Ensure that they hide themselves well. I don't want to be exposed because of any of you," Han Gucheng commanded.

"Understood!" everyone replied.

Another month later, in the same hall with the same people, one of Han Gucheng's subordinates reported, "Your Majesty, the kingdom of Dajing has officially ascended into the empire of Dajing today. That Liu Miaoyin has formally become the emperor as well.

Over the past month, Han Gucheng's power had risen severely. His expression remained calm and devoid of anger.

"The empire of Dajing? What a joke." Han Gucheng sneered. "What do the forces all around think of it?"

"There are quite a few forces poised to make a move, but none of them dare set foot within Dahan. After all, Your Majesty, they know that you're still alive, and your presence strikes fear into their hearts. Your recent actions have reaffirmed your might and are keeping them in check."

Han Gucheng frowned. "In other words, my reputation is helping Liu Miaoyin intimidate potential threats?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" his subordinate reported.

"Liu Miaoyin, Xiao Nanfeng, how lucky you are," Han Gucheng spat out coldly.

"At the moment, twenty Immortal cities have already defected to their rule. Their momentum is growing, and they're rapidly absorbing more territory from Dahan.

Han Gucheng frowned. "Is no one in court resisting them?"

"Following your orders, Your Majesty, our agents haven't interfered. Some veteran officials and generals have launched counterattacks against Dajing, but they can't match the strength of its forces."

Han Gucheng nodded thoughtfully. "With Xiao Nanfeng pulling the strings, it's no surprise that they're struggling."

"Should we really not intervene, Your Majesty?" Han Gucheng's subordinate asked again.

Han Gucheng nodded firmly. "As I said, none of you are to act."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" his subordinate reported.

Three days later, in the same hall, Han Gucheng gave his subordinate an incredulous look.

"Repeat the report."

"Your Majesty, 'you' appeared in Dahan's capital today and summoned the ministers of court. You denounced Dajing and issued orders to prepare for war against them," the subordinate reported, looking equally perplexed."

"I've appeared in Dahan?" Han Gucheng frowned mightily.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It seems that someone has impersonated you and headed into Dahan's capital," Han Gucheng's subordinate reported, looking equally perplexed.

Han Gucheng overturned a tea table and roared, "Xiao Nanfeng, you're overstepping your bounds!"

He immediately guessed that it was Xiao Nanfeng's doing. The establishment of Dajing had been infuriating enough; now, Xiao Nanfeng was even going as far as to impersonate him. It was audacious and deeply insulting.

"Do you truly believe that this is Xiao Nanfeng's work, Your Majesty?" his subordinate asked cautiously.

"Who else could it be? At a time like this, who else would dare impersonate me?" Han Gucheng snarled.

"In that case, what should we do, Your Majesty?"

"Are all the officials in the capital blind? Can't they differentiate fact from fiction?!" Han Gucheng thundered.

"He looks just like you, Your Majesty."

"Looks can be faked. How about aura? Is his aura the same as mine?" Han Gucheng demanded.

"The impersonator has reined in his aura and prevented others from sensing his true identity. What's more, key officials like the Minister of Personnel and the Expedition General are standing by his side and vouching for his authenticity. Their support has silenced any doubters," the subordinate explained.

Han Gucheng's face twisted with rage. "The Minister of Personnel? The Expedition General? They've betrayed Dahan and are collaborating with Xiao Nanfeng to install a fake me! Despicable!"

"Should we expose the imposter, Your Majesty?"

Han Gucheng clenched his fists tightly. Fury burned in his eyes, but he managed to suppress it. "That's exactly what Xiao Nanfeng wants—to lure us into acting."

His subordinate frowned.

"Bear with it. Let them continue playing their games. It's just a single divine empire. I've already abandoned three divine empires. What's one more? Keep observing them. Soon enough, I'll make them regret this," Han Gucheng said coldly.

"Understood!"

In the capital of Dajing, within a grand hall in the capital, Liu Miaoyin sat in a black and gold draconic robe as she looked toward Xiao Nanfeng. "You really are working fast. I barely ascended Dajing into an empire before you came up with a fake Han Gucheng!"

Xiao Nanfeng sighed. "I didn't have a choice. Han Gucheng's lingering influence is simply too strong. If Dajing were to expand by force, there would surely be countless injured. I want to avoid that as much as possible."

Liu Miaoyin nodded. "Very reasonable. Your fake Han Gucheng has already scared off several restless factions. Seeing how easily we expanded, they wanted to try the same thing—but have quickly backed off."

"They're just a bunch of cowards. I'm not worried about them. I'm trying to lure out Han Gucheng or at least one of his subordinates. Unfortunately, he's too cautious and has forbidden his followers from acting. What a shame," Xiao Nanfeng said with a sigh.

"Just advancing to this extent is fast enough. Who else could match your rate of territorial acquisition?" Liu Miaoyin murmured.

But Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "The reason we've been so successful is because of your Black Lotus of Truth. I wouldn't dare to act so boldly otherwise. That said, you'll likely have a lot to deal with so far as the empire of Dajing is confirmed.

"What's mine is yours. What's there to worry about? At any rate, you'll be handling it all." Liu Miaoyin smiled.

"You're quite the hands-off ruler," Xiao Nanfeng said, shaking his head with a laugh.

"Not hands-off—just a figurehead," Liu Miaoyin replied.

Xiao Nanfeng was momentarily taken aback. He noticed that Liu Miaoyin's demeanor had changed recently. She seemed less serene and more playful.

Liu Miaoyin noticed his expression and smiled. "Yu Fuli's advice and the Yuqing Grandmaster's insights on cultivating the heart gave me much to think about. My heart has become too still, so I'm experimenting with change. If my behavior seems strange, don't mind it."

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes lit up. "That's a great thing! I'll do my best to help. You seem much more approachable now."

"Oh? Was I not beforehand?" Liu Miaoyin asked.

"Not exactly. You were calm and kind, but you felt distant, like someone high above. Now, you seem more relatable, more... human."

Liu Miaoyin pondered this and nodded. "It seems that my efforts in worldly cultivation are paying off. If you notice anything else, let me know."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

From that moment, Xiao Nanfeng began treating Liu Miaoyin as an equal and a close friend. Their conversations grew more relaxed, filled with humor and camaraderie.

Their relationship, too, seemed to shift and become something more profound.