Wayfarer

Chapter 933: Xiao Nanfeng's Relentless Advance

The Void Saint's departure caused Su Tianxin to grow more and more anxious.

"Saint, weren't you planning to use all the bronze compasses to trace the cursed effigy associated with Tang? Without the compasses, your plans..." Su Tianxin quickly tried to dissuade him.

"There's no need. I'll find another way," the Void Saint coldly interrupted Su Tianxin's plea.

Su Tianxin turned to Su Qingchan, urging her to persuade the Void Saint to stay.

Su Qingchan stepped forward in a hurry. "Saint, could you take me with you?"

The Void Saint raised an eyebrow at Su Qingchan.

"Saint, if you leave, my father and I will surely fall prey to Xiao Nanfeng's schemes. Please grant me the chance to serve you," Su Qingchan said, her face filled with hopeful sincerity.

The Void Saint had no intention of taking Su Qingchan along. To him, she was merely a plaything, a burden he had no desire to carry—especially one that might draw Yu Fuli's attention.

"You might not lose. Stay here," the Void Saint refused them decisively.

"In that case, could you at least grant me something for protection in light of my service to you, Saint? I won't ask for much—perhaps the two pure yang pillars you obtained from Shi Tianbei?" Su Qingchan requested, kneeling.

The Void Saint considered her request briefly before nodding. "Very well. Use them wisely."

With a wave of his hand, the Void Saint retrieved the two pure yang pillars and handed them to Su Qingchan.

"Thank you, Saint!" Su Qingchan exclaimed.

The Void Saint flicked his sleeves, enveloping Tang in his aura as he vanished from the hall.

Su Tianxin and Su Qingchan were left alone.

Su Tianxin's expression darkened as he stared at the vacated space. He had hoped to persuade the void Saint to intervene against Xiao Nanfeng, but that would clearly be impossible.

"Why didn't you ask for stronger treasures? Why settle for these pure yang pillars?" Su Tianxin scolded his daughter.

"Father, as you saw, the Void Saint didn't even want to take me along with him. He wants to steer clear from our feud with Xiao Nanfeng. Even if I asked for stronger treasures, he wouldn't have given them to me. That's why I chose the pure yang pillars. They might seem insignificant to him, but they're enough for us to set up formations. In our hands, their utility might surpass that of more powerful artifacts," Su Qingchan explained.

Su Tianxin suppressed his anger and examined the pure yang pillars, only for his expression to darken. "The pure yang energy remaining in these pillars is minimal."

"There isn't much, but they should suffice for our formations."

Su Tianxin reluctantly nodded.

In the imperial study in Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng sat at his desk, listening to a report from a spectral guard.

"Your Majesty, this is what Marquis Tang reported," the spectral guard concluded.

"Tell him to prioritize his safety. If his life is in danger, have him contact me. I will do my best to rescue him."

"Understood!" the spectral guard replied.

"Dismissed."

The spectral guard bowed and retreated from the study.

Only then did Xiao Nanfeng learn that the specter that had barged into his Deific Yin realm was the Void Saint.

"Summon Mr. Wen," Xiao Nanfeng called out.

"Understood!" came a respectful reply from outside the study.

Wen Zhong quickly entered.

"Your Majesty, I heard that an intruder broke into your chambers earlier. Was it the Void Saint?" Wen Zhong asked solemnly.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "Indeed."

Wen Zhong's eyes lit up. "Were you able to deter him, Your Majesty?"

"I've frightened him off. He won't appear again during our campaign against Su Tianxin. He's gone into hiding," Xiao Nanfeng replied with a smile. @@novelbin@@

"Wonderful!" Wen Zhong's eyes lit up.

"However, we have to remain vigilant. Though the Void Saint has retreated like a cornered rat, he hasn't given up entirely. He's surely watching our war closely. If anything goes awry, he'll likely come back to attack us," Xiao Nanfeng warned.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. As long as the Void Saint refrains from interfering in our war, Dazhi will be doomed," Wen Zhong said confidently.

"Speed up the campaign against Dachi. The longer we delay, the more likely it is that the Void Saint will reappear," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Su Tianxin's downfall is inevitable—not because of a lack of military strength, but because of morality. The fact that he's being considered an accomplice to the heavens is enough to ensure his destruction."

"Then we'll proceed as planned."

"Understood!" Wen Zhong replied.

Days later, in the imperial study at Dazhi's capital, a group of officials reported to Su Tianxin about the frontline.

"Dazheng's army—they're continuing to push forward with all their might?" Su Tianxin frowned.

"Yes, Your Majesty. They've reclaimed all the Immortal cities we've seized from Dayin, and are now invading our core territory. They have Golden Immortal generals, and occasionally deploy Boundless Immortal zombie kings to the frontlines. We're struggling to maintain our defenses," the official continued, his tone grave.

"And are there no Boundless Immortals deployed in my leech-exterminating army?" Su Tianxin demanded.

"When our Boundless Immortals appear, so does their commander, Ye Sanshui. He's a mid-stage Boundless Immortal whom we've fought three times already. We still haven't managed to defeat him," the official admitted.

Su Tianxin's frown deepened.

At that moment, another official rushed into the study, visibly flustered.

"Immortal Emperor, Xiao Nanfeng has issued an announcement!"

"An announcement? Read it," Su Tianxin ordered.

The official hesitated, glancing nervously at the others in the room. He was clearly reluctant to read it aloud.

"Read it!" Su Tianxin demanded.

Since it was a public announcement, there was no point in keeping it a secret. The other officials would inevitably hear about it from other sources anyway.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the official stammered, then began to read.

To the citizens of Dachi: On this day, Dazheng's army has officially entered Dachi's borders.

I understand that war brings suffering in victory and in defeat alike. The common people are those who bear the brunt of the suffering. Though I hold a personal grudge against Su Tianxin, I do not wish for all of you to suffer needlessly.

However, I cannot stop this war, for within Dachi lies a monstrous evil—Su Tianxin.

Were he merely an Immortal Emperor protecting his people, I would respect his title and settle our grievances privately. But he is no guardian of his people. Su Tianxin is a lackey of the saints, of the heavens' underlings.

I provide two pieces of evidence for my claim. First, over two months ago, the Void Saint personally visited Dachi's capital. Su Tianxin and his daughter received him as an honored guest. I personally witnessed this when I infiltrated the capital, and many others must have seen it too.

Second, the saint granted Su Tianxin and his daughter protection tokens against the calamity of the heavens. Those who hold such tokens are surely servants of the heavens, who will be spared from destruction when calamity descends. I seized one such token from Su Qingchan's avatar. I can present it to the world to expose Su Tianxin's crimes.

The Heavenly Emperor sacrificed his life to fight the heavens for the sake of all life.

How can we, the people, allow ourselves to coexist with the saints' underlings?

The people of Dachi are being raised as livestock for the heavens, with Su Tianxin and his daughter as their caretakers.

Su Tianxin, monstrous evil that he is, is unworthy of the title of emperor.

For the people of Dazhi and for the good of the world, I, Emperor of Dazheng, Xiao Nanfeng, will stop at nothing to destroy this monstrous tyrant.

I urge the people of Dachi to see Su Tianxin's true colors and join me in eradicating the servants of the heavens, the enemies of all life in the world.

Signed, Xiao Nanfeng, Emperor of Dazheng.

The official finished reading the announcement. A heavy silence descended.

The gathered officials looked toward Su Tianxin with mixed expressions. Some were filled with doubt, and others with fear. While some dismissed Xiao Nanfeng's claims as slander, others believed them. Their hearts sank with unease.

Su Tianxin's face twisted with shock and anger. Xiao Nanfeng had upended the board, laying bare truths that no one dared to speak. Was he mad?

"Father, Xiao Nanfeng is slandering us. We have to act swiftly to prevent these rumors from spreading," Su Qingchan urged.

"Indeed, Your Majesty! We must counter this vile propaganda!" the officials echoed, clamoring for action.

"We believe that you are innocent, Your Majesty. Xiao Nanfeng is attempting to lead the people of Dachi astray!"

"Xiao Nanfeng is despicable. Your Majesty, we have to do something against him immediately."

As the officials argued for action, Su Tianxin nodded grimly. "See to it that all officials are mobilized to suppress these rumors and reassure our citizens and troops. We cannot let Xiao Nanfeng’s lies take root.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” an official replied, swiftly leaving to carry out his orders.

Su Tianxin issued further instructions to the other officials, who quickly got to work.

When the study was emptied, Su Tianxin was finally able to drop his facade.

"How dare Xiao Nanfeng expose all this to the public? And he's even insulting the saints and their tokens of protection. Is he insane? Doesn't he fear any reprisal?" Su Tianxin muttered in disbelief.

"He doesn't, Father," Su Qingchan replied.

"What?"

"Have you forgotten? The Void Saint has withdrawn from our conflict."

Su Tianxin's eyes widened in realization. "You mean that Xiao Nanfeng intentionally scared off the Void Saint so that he could reveal the truth?"

Su Qingchan nodded. "By driving away the Void Saint, Xiao Nanfeng created an opportunity to expose these secrets—truths that no one dared to speak of before."

“Even if the Void Saint is deterred by rumors of Yu Fuli’s resurrection, what about the other saints? Doesn’t he fear their retaliation?” Su Tianxin asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

“The other saints won’t intervene,” Su Qingchan said, shaking her head.

Su Tianxin’s face grew grim. “You’re right. The other saints care even less about us and would rather avoid provoking Yu Fuli’s wrath, especially if he really has revived. Xiao Nanfeng knew this too.”

“Father, we can't suppress this announcement. We must act quickly. Only by defeating Xiao Nanfeng can we neutralize its impact,” Su Qingchan said.

“I’ve already reached out to other Immortal Emperors and sect leaders for aid. But after this announcement, they may not dare help us. What can we do now?” Su Tianxin asked, his frustration mounting.

“If we can’t rely on outsiders, we must handle this ourselves. Father, we should use that formation,” Su Qingchan suggested.

“That’s our trump card. We can’t use it lightly,” Su Tianxin protested.

"Xiao Nanfeng has forced our hand. If not now, then when?"

After a moment of silence, Su Tianxin frowned and nodded. "That formation it is."