Chapter 986: You Still Owe Me Nine Songs

The war between Danan and Daxi officially commenced in earnest.

The outcome of this war seemed inevitable, barring powerful external intervention. Once Yan Zhenhuo's proclamation spread, Daxi had fallen into complete chaos.

Yan Zhenshui had only been in power for less than a month. During that time, he had dismissed many of Yan Zhenhuo's loyalists, individuals who would not take this betrayal lightly. Those loyalists weren't independent; many represented powerful factions in Daxi.

As such, when Yan Zhenhuo's proclamation was issued, and when he sent personal letters to his former supporters, the result was obvious.

Even though Yan Zhenshui and his officials tried to dismiss those claims as part of Danan's conspiracy, their efforts were futile. Yan Zhenhuo's letters included confidential details known only to his inner circle, completely convincing his former supporters who had recently been ousted from power.

Those loyalists quickly arranged meetings with their old colleagues, comrades-in-arms, and proteges, igniting revolts across Daxi.

"Restore Dayan! Overthrow Yan Zhenshui!"

"Death to Yan Zhenshui, dishonorable villain and traitor!

"Dayan will stand firm against traitors!"

Even before Danan's army crossed Daxi's border, internal rebellions had already risen up all across the empire.

Yan Zhenshui did his best to suppress the revolts and dismiss the accusations against him, but his rule was new, his base of support shaky, and his lack of skilled generals and competent ministers obvious. What could he possibly do?

He sought aid from Yu Banruo, but he had his own plans and refused to send him reinforcements.

Yan Zhenshui was forced to dispatch his own subordinates to eliminate the leaders of the rebellion, but the forces under his command were no match for those loyal to Yan Zhenhuo.

"Vajra Generals, suppress the rebellion!" Yan Zhenshui finally ordered.

"Understood!"

Three Boundless Immortals who cultivated the Indomitable Vajra Body departed to crush the uprisings in various cities.

The next day, an urgent report came back. "Your Majesty, Danan has mobilized its army. Xiao Nanfeng's twelve generals are participating. They're poised to intercept our Vajra Generals!"

Yan Zhenshui cursed. "They're no match for Xiao Nanfeng's men. Have them retreat immediately!"

Before long, another report came in. "Your Majesty, it's too late. All three Vajra Generals have been captured."

"What?" Yan Zhenshui blanched.

"Your Majesty, the frontlines have been breached!" another soldier reported.

Yan Zhenshui slumped onto his draconic throne, his expression bleak.

"Your Majesty, rebellions are breaking out across the empire, and we can't contain them. The public has also uncovered our secret sound transmission artifacts, further proving that the coronation was a sham. Why don't we send out your avatar in Yan Zhenhuo's body to counter this narrative?" one official suggested.

Yan Zhenshui shook his head. "Leave me."

He refused to deploy Yan Zhenhuo's body, knowing that Xiao Nanfeng was waiting for him to make this move and walk into their trap.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The officials departed reluctantly.

Only one man stayed behind. He approached Yan Zhenshui, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Don't worry. The loss of Daxi will be temporary. Once we swap out Madam Rouge's truesoul, these lands will still be ours."

"But—"

"No buts. You've played your role well so far. Continue the act, and be sure to lure Madam Rouge into our trap. If you succeed, you will be rewarded with incredible merit." The man patted him on the back.

In Danan's capital, within a grove of peach blossoms in the imperial palace, Xiao Nanfeng and Madam Rouge were having tea together.

"The campaign is progressing smoothly. At this rate, we'll conquer Daxi within a month," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"And then?"

"What do you mean, 'and then'?" Xiao Nanfeng looked puzzled.

"You still owe me nine songs. Have you forgotten?" Madam Rouge teased.

Xiao Nanfeng froze. "I've already sung them all for you."

"When? I don't recall," Madam Rouge replied, feigning ignorance.

Xiao Nanfeng fell silent. He had sung far more than nine songs to her within their dream—but now, she was acting as if she remembered none of it.

"Let me give you a hint: Primrose and Can't Help Falling for You. Don't you recall those?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"What Primrose? What Can't Help Falling for You? I have no idea what you're talking about. Are you trying to renege on your promise?" Madam Rouge asked, feigning anger.

Inwardly, she was delighted. Xiao Nanfeng's reactions were incredibly endearing. She wanted to tease him further as a source of amusement when they eventually reconciled.

She was an Immortal Emperor, and she was naturally skilled at hiding her emotions. Even Xiao Nanfeng didn't sense anything amiss.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned. He would have been more than happy to sing to the Yanzhi of their shared dream, but Madam Rouge professed not to remember anything. If he infused too much passion into the song and was criticized for it, it would be far too awkward.

"You told me you sang this song for me in the dream. Why not sing it again? Perhaps it'll help me remember what happened," Madam Rouge suggested slyly.

Xiao Nanfeng: ...

Xiao Nanfeng was obviously reluctant. If Madam Rouge didn't recall anything, then all his hard work would go to waste—and she would likely even laugh at him!

"Forget it. Let's chat about other affairs," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Don't! I'd like to hear you sing." Madam Rouge smiled.

Xiao Nanfeng: ...

The more Xiao Nanfeng resisted, the more excited Madam Rouge became. She found him utterly charming in this state and had to suppress the urge to embrace him.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

The campaign, led by Yan Zhenhuo, was a resounding success. With the twelve golden cultivators as generals and spectral guards as support, Danan's army advanced triumphantly, utterly routing the Daxi forces.

The three hundred Immortal cities of Daxi were conquered at an astonishing pace, leaving only the capital in chaos. The sea of fortune above Daxi's capital dissipated, and its once-mighty golden dragon of fortune had become but a faint, transparent shadow.

During this time, Madam Rouge continued to tease Xiao Nanfeng despite the latter's embarrassment.

However, Xiao Nanfeng began to sense that she might indeed remember the events of the dream, even though she refused to admit it.

This left him in a state of uncertainty. How did Madam Rouge truly feel about the dream? Was she inclined to accept what happened there, like him, or did she dismiss it as nothing more than a fleeting fantasy?

For the moment, however, he had to give his full attention to the war.

"Once we deal with Yan Zhenshui, I'll have a candid conversation with her," he resolved.

The next day, Daxi's capital was an explosion of chaos.

Citizens fled the city in droves, unimpeded.

Yan Zhenshui had been utterly defeated and abandoned by his people. Only a few followers remained in the imperial palace with him.

From the palace, he could see the fleeing citizens, the crumbling defenses, and the overwhelming Danan forces gathering outside the city.

Yan Zhenshui's face turned pale. He never imagined that his Daxi would collapse so quickly. Was he truly unfit to be an emperor?

A man in black whispered, "Don't worry, Lord Yan. Everything is proceeding according to His Highness' plan."

Yan Zhenshui asked, "Is His Highness here?"

"He is. He's hiding in the shadows. For now, your task is to draw Xiao Nanfeng out."

"Aren't we dealing with Madam Rouge?" Yan Zhenshui asked, confused.

"That will come later. For now, we'll capture Xiao Nanfeng before forcing Madam Rouge to appear. We'll take one step at a time."

Yan Zhenshui nodded. "Very well."

A figure emerged behind him—Yan Zhenhuo's body, now under Yan Zhenshui's control.

Yan Zhenshui's avatar flew into the air, radiating golden light.

"Imposter! How dare you impersonate me, deceive my loyalists, and bring chaos to Daxi? Come out and face me!" "Yan Zhenhuo" roared.

On the command platform outside the city, Yan Zhenhuo narrowed his eyes at his brother's avatar and said nothing.

Ye Dafu smirked. "Is your brother still pretending to be you, even now? He's quite the actor."

Yan Zhenhuo glowered. "I apologize for this farce. I cultivated the Imposing Avatar of Rulai. It's formidable, so be careful."

"Don't worry. We've been itching to see just how strong your cultivation is," Ye Dafu reassured him. He turned to his brothers. "Attack!"

"Die!"

The twelve golden cultivators shot into the air simultaneously, heading straight for Yan Zhenshui's avatar.

"Ye Dafu? You again?" Yan Zhenshui sneered.

"Yan Zhenshui, last time, you crushed us like ants. Let's see how you fare this time around!" Ye Dafu said coldly.

He punched forward.

"I'll kill you all!" Yan Zhenshui declared, retaliating with a punch of his own.

A fiery shockwave was unleashed as their punches collided. Ye Dafu was knocked back but not severely injured.

"A mid-stage Boundless Immortal? Impossible! Didn't you just advance into Boundless Immortals?" Yan Zhenshui exclaimed.

He had expected to be able to cripple Ye Dafu with one blow, but had only ended up sending him flying. That wasn't right!

The other golden cultivators shot over, each poised to punch forward.

"Die!"

The eleven punches struck Yan Zhenshui's body with overwhelming force.

The void rippled as a firestorm engulfed his body. Yan Zhenshui was sent flying.

Ye Dafu shouted, "Six of you, go seize Yan Zhenshui's main body. Everyone else, take down Yan Zhenshui's avatar with me!"

"Understood!" the golden cultivators shouted in unison.