Chapter 907: War Once More

In the imperial study in Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng's avatar was reviewing a stack of documents while Wen Zhong stood by.

After a moment, Xiao Nanfeng set the papers down and asked, "Have these reports been verified?"

"I've double-checked them thoroughly, Your Majesty, and there are no errors I'm aware of. We have fully uncovered the subversion and infiltration of Dachi subordinates within our forty Immortal cities. Additionally, we've also monitored their subversive activities in neighboring empires under their influence," Wen Zhong replied.

"The Immortal Emperor of Dachi is ambitious, to say the least. To infiltrate and subvert so many distinct groups of people must have taken a great deal of effort. Let's help them expose their plans, shall we?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Your Majesty, do you intend to act now?" Wen Zhong asked, his expression shifting.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "Everything is in place, and we have a solid foundation. Let's declare war. It's time for us to wage a campaign and gain the final resources we need for Dazheng to advance to a divine empire."

"Understood! I'll make the arrangements immediately," Wen Zhong replied.

Before long, Wen Zhong had disseminated Xiao Nanfeng's orders across the empire.

All of Dazheng's forces swiftly began to mobilize for war.

Within the Immortal city of Zhenzhou, one of the forty Immortal cities in Dazheng's control, a group of individuals was drinking and conversing within a large hall.

"To think Xiao Nanfeng's scheming went so deep! When Dazheng took over this city, we agreed that it would handle civil affairs while we, the major clans, handled military affairs. It seemed fair enough at the time, but it's clear we were played."

"Dazheng's civil administration is simply beyond compare. Over the years, the people have come to adore and revere Dazheng and its officials. Even though we control the military, no one will listen to us anymore."

"If Dazheng decides to reclaim military authority someday, the people will surely side with them. We'd have no way to resist."

As the complaints grew, one person frowned and asked, "What's the meaning of this? Are you suggesting that we revolt against Dazheng?"

"And so what if we do?" a red-robed man replied.

Several people in the hall stood up and glared at the red-robed man.

"You intend to rebel?" one asked coldly.

"Don't act innocent, now. Everyone invited here for drinks today has received advance notice. We're all on the same side." The red-robed man smiled.

The other man frowned uncertainly.

The red-robed man produced an imperial edict, along with certain scrolls, charms, and tokens. "Do you believe me now? I've received orders from the Immortal Emperor of Dachi. Tomorrow night, all forty Immortal cities will rise up against Dazheng simultaneously. Until then, no one is to spread any of this information lest it leaks."

The others examined the edict, scrolls, charms, and tokens. Their expressions hardened. Many of them had received similar instructions.

"The Immortal Emperor of Dachi promised us that we would be granted full military and civil authority once we take over the city. Can we trust that promise?"

"The Immortal Emperor of Dachi is a man of his word."

"Let's do it, then."

"Agreed. We'll act tomorrow. Let's gather our men."

"Remember, don't tip off the authorities. We can't let Dazheng catch wind of this."

The conspirators left the hall, each preparing for the rebellion.

The next evening, within the Immortal city of Zhenzhou, a loud proclamation echoed across the city. "People of Zhenzhou, hear me! Dazheng is unworthy of your loyalty. Our city shall join the divine empire of Dachi and embrace a brighter future. Any resistance will be met with death!"

The declaration caused an uproar throughout the city.

"Who dares to rebel?"

"The commander of the Eastern Gate! Is he crazy?"

"This is chaos!"

Battles erupted across the city as rebellious factions launched attacks on government centers.

"Clan Head Ling, are you crazy? You would dare rebel against Dazheng?"

"Everyone, listen up! Kill all the dissidents!"

"Protect Dazheng and eradicate the rebels!"

Chaos reigned throughout the city, though the rebels weren't given too much opportunity to act.

At one location, an insurgent leader led his troops to storm a civil administration building. However, before he could issue any commands, one of his trusted bodyguards suddenly turned on him and drove a sword through his chest.

"You—I promoted you myself! Why would you betray me?!" the rebel leader gasped, coughing up blood.

The bodyguard gave him a cold glance, ignoring the question, and barked at the other soldiers, "Clean this up. Kill everyone who participated in the rebellion!"

"Yessir!" the soldiers responded.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"What? You're all spies? Impossible!" the rebel leader exclaimed. His eyes bulged in disbelief, even as he was beheaded.

The same situation occurred all over the forty Immortal cities of Dazheng. The rebel leaders had long since been pinpointed by Dazheng's spectral guards, and they were systematically being taken down.

"Impossible! How did you all know our plans? We made sure to hide everything!" another rebel leader cried out in despair before being executed.

No one explained anything to them.

Within just two short hours, another announcement rang out above the skies of Zhenzhou.

"Citizens of Zhenzhou, I am your city lord. Rest assured—the rebels have been subdued. These traitors colluded with the divine empire of Dachi to sow chaos in our city. Their treachery is unforgivable!"

The proclamation shocked the people. Had the rebellion ended that quickly?

The agents from other forces were equally stunned. Some had just reported the city's fall to their superiors, only to see it retaken in the blink of an eye.

"Death to the traitors! We stand with Dazheng!" someone shouted.

The cry ignited the crowd's fury. The citizens, unwilling to let their newfound peace be disrupted, rallied together to aid officials in rooting out the remaining rebels.

"Death to the traitors! We stand with Dazheng!" they echoed.

Loud shouts rang across the entire city as the people united under this shared cause. They volunteered to join the officials, shocking the remaining rebels and the spies of various forces, who were afraid of revealing themselves and being torn apart by the crowd.

Similar scenes played out across all forty Immortal cities. Some rebellions had been fierce, others mild; all were swiftly suppressed as a result of Dazheng's meticulous planning.

With the rebels eliminated, Dazheng seized full control of the military in those cities, leaving no vulnerabilities.

At the same time, on the Eastern Sea, outside the wild wastes hidden realm, a black-robed man blanched. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, something has happened."

"What is it?" the surrounding black-robed figures asked.

"Just now, all our agents in Dazheng received orders to launch a rebellion. They acted simultaneously."

Su Qingchan frowned. "Orders? Whose orders?"

"His Majesty's orders—imperial edicts, coupled with documents from their handlers and various credentials."

"Impossible!" Su Qingchan exclaimed.

"It's true. The operation was so secretive that even our own people weren't aware of it beforehand. Someone even made it known that the divine empire of Dachi was the mastermind behind all these rebellions."

"Father, you didn't issue these orders, did you?" Su Qingchan asked, turning to the Immortal Emperor of Dachi.

"What do you think?"

"Of course you wouldn't have, Father. It's not yet the right time to do so."

The Immortal Emperor of Dachi grimaced. "How's the situation?"

"All the rebellions in Dazheng were quelled within two hours."

Su Qingchan turned to the man in consternation. "Two hours? That's ridiculous!"

The Immortal Emperor of Dachi was silent for a moment before he finally commented, "Xiao Nanfeng is truly cunning. Our agents were under his watch the entire time."

"Are you saying that Xiao Nanfeng orchestrated this rebellion? That he forged your edicts and documents to lure our people into exposing themselves?" Su Qingchan asked, frowning.

"Indeed, but we don't know how far his surveillance extends—whether it's limited to agents within Dazheng, or even those outside its borders."

"Could he really reach our agents beyond Dazheng? That's impossible," Su Qingchan murmured.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, we've received more news. Rebellions have erupted in the other empires we've infiltrated. Just like in Dazheng, they all proclaimed loyalty to the divine empire of Dachi before being swiftly crushed. This seems to be Xiao Nanfeng's doing as well."

Su Qingchan and the Immortal Emperor of Dachi fell silent.

"Xiao Nanfeng is clearly declaring war," Su Qingchan said grimly.

"An excuse to launch a war, yes. And in doing so, he's destroyed years of groundwork. Impressive," the emperor spat out.

"Why start a war now?" Su Qingchan frowned.

"Perhaps we forced his hand."

"Oh?"

"If Xiao Nanfeng and Blue Lantern want to leave the wild wastes hidden realm, they'll have to deal with us first. By launching this war, he's trying to pressure me into retreating."

"As if we'd yield to his threats!" Su Qingchan said coldly.

The emperor shook his head. "He's not in a rush to leave. On the other hand, if we don't, he'll slowly devour our territory. This is a warning from him."

"Father, Xiao Nanfeng won't be able to threaten us like this! We can't let him win," Su Qingchan urged.

The Immortal Emperor of Dachi shook his head. "We will."

"We will?" Su Qingchan exclaimed.

"Staying here doesn't benefit us," the Immortal Emperor of Dachi said, glancing around him.

"Father, you mean we'll leave matters here to the other factions and have them weaken Xiao Nanfeng on our behalf?" Su Qingchan murmured, following her father's gaze.

The Immortal Emperor of Dachi nodded.