Wayfarer

Chapter 944: I Advise You Not to Interfere

After Chu Tianban left, Wen Zhong and the other officials returned to Xiao Nanfeng's study. They learned about the situation involving the crown prince of the Imperial Court from Xiao Nanfeng.

"The crown prince of the Imperial Court, Yu Banruo—and the cultivator who once went by the title Sagacious King, which the giant in the mirror world mentioned..." Wen Zhong said gravely.

Zheng Qian, standing nearby, added, "It may be a coincidence, but his identity as the crown prince of the Imperial Court is extremely problematic. I worry that he might interfere in our war with Dachì."

"Your Majesty, we must strike Dachi at lightning speed and secure victory before Yu Banruo has a chance to intervene," Wen Zhong urged.

Xiao Nanfeng pondered for a moment before responding, "We'll proceed methodically. What of the crown prince of the Imperial Court? If he dares interfere, so be it. If we must oppose him, we will. Our path is righteous, and no one can stop us. Should he dare to side with those who betray all living beings, I'll gladly send him to meet the Heavenly Emperor."

The officials solemnly nodded and responded, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Three days later, within the imperial study in Dachi's capital, several officials reported to Su Tianxin, "Your Majesty, over the past three days, Dazheng's army has continued to attack our Immortal cities. They're all in chaos, and we're losing roughly ten a day. The situation at the frontlines is dire. Even with additional reinforcements, we can't hold back Ye Sanshui and his zombie kings," one official reported grimly.

"I understand," Su Tianxin replied, nodding.

"Your Majesty, we've already lost sixty Immortal cities. Without a significant victory to boost morale, I fear that our troops' spirits will plummet," the official continued.

"Wait a little longer."

Su Tianxin frowned. Of course he wanted to boost morale—but how was he supposed to do so? He had already lost the moral high ground. How many soldiers were still willing to fight for him. He still had a few loyal Boundless Immortal subordinates left, but so did Dazheng's army.

In the last battle at Tianyue, though Su Tianxin had managed to kill two of Ye Sanshui's zombie kings, three of his Boundless Immortals had been captured. Ye Sanshui now had three more zombie kings in his employ.

Dazheng's army outmatched him in terms of military prowess. The common people were restless, and power struggles among the higher echelons of the Immortal cities further weakened his position. He could hardly take to the battlefield himself. Was he supposed to personally lead his army and abandon the capital?

He was waiting for an opportunity, one that might just resolve all his difficulties.

Just then, a guard hurriedly entered the imperial study. "Your Majesty, Chu Tianban, former Northern Aspect of the Imperial Court, requests an audience."

Su Tianxin's eyes lit up. "Quick, send him in!"

Amidst the officials' confusion, Su Tianxin left the session of court. He walked up to his study to personally greet his guest.

Soon, Chu Tianban was sent in.

"Greetings, Immortal Emperor Su." Chu Tianban smiled.

"Long time no see, Northern Aspect Chu. Please, come in," Su Tianxin said eagerly.

Chu Tianban nodded and walked toward the reception area, where Su Tianxin had already arranged Immortal tea, wine, spiritual fruits, and Immortal delicacies.

Seeing the prepared spread, Chu Tianban quickly understood how desperate Su Tianxin had been the past few days.

"Northern Aspect Chu, may I ask what Crown Prince Banruo thinks of my application?" Su Tianxin asked urgently.

Chu Tianban nodded. "His Highness has agreed."

"Really?" Su Tianxin's face lit up with joy.

"However, he requires double the terms you initially offered," Chu Tianban continued.

"Double? Very well. From today onwards, I and Dachi will be loyal only to His Highness. I will ensure that he ascends to the Heavenly Emperor's throne as quickly as possible." Su Tianxin agreed without any hesitation.

The Dachi officials in the distance were puzzled by this pronouncement.

Su Tianxin then addressed them. "As you've heard, from today onwards, Dachi will support Crown Prince Banruo in inheriting the Heavenly Emperor's legacy, re-establishing the Imperial Court, and leading all cultivators of the world to oppose the heavens."

"Crown Prince Banruo? Reforming the Imperial Court?" The officials' eyes lit up in surprise.

Yu Banruo was the heir to the Imperial Court. With Yu Fuli dead, the blessings of the Imperial Court would naturally be bequeathed upon Yu Banruo.

At this moment, the reverence that the people of the world held for Yu Fuli extended to Yu Banruo. As Yu Fuli's son, he naturally stood against the heavens. No one doubted that the heavens would target Yu Banruo first upon their return.

With Yu Banruo in the lead, Su Tianxin's ties to the heavens would be utterly dispelled. Who would dare accuse him of being a pawn of the heavens then?

Supporting Yu Banruo's fight against the heavens would be a righteous cause, one that no one could oppose. Doing so would be equivalent to going against all of humanity.

If Dazheng continued to attack Dachi, Xiao Nanfeng would essentially be challenging Yu Banruo and the good of the world.

"Your wisdom is unparalleled, Your Majesty," the officials chorused, bowing deeply.

Their worries were swept away in an instant.

Elated, Su Tianxin drank and conversed with Chu Tianban. The mood in the imperial study grew jovial.

At court the next day, Su Tianxin officially announced that Dachi would support Yu Banruo's ascension as Heavenly Emperor. Dachi formally aligned itself with humanity and declared enmity against the heavens.

The news spread rapidly across the world, sparking heated discussions among the prominent clans of Dachi.

The news also reached Yongding.

Xiao Nanfeng sneered at Su Tianxin's declaration. "Dazheng's army will not cease attacking Dachi. Continue claiming Dachi's Immortal cities."

"Understood!" the Dazheng officials chorused.

Three days later, in the imperial study at Dachi's capital, Su Tianxin grimaced. "Are we still losing cities?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. We've lost even more cities over the past three days—going from roughly ten a day to twelve or thirteen. Dachi has lost forty cities in three days, and over a hundred Immortal cities overall," an official reported.

"How can this be?" Su Tianxin's expression darkened.

"I suspect that Dazheng has already persuaded many prominent clans to defect. These clans have pledged loyalty to Dazheng and passed the point of no return. Even if they wanted to renege on their pledge, they would only face backlash from both sides. Instead, they've chosen to bet everything on Dazheng—perhaps swayed by certain promises from Dazheng's end," the official explained.

Su Tianxin scowled. "Inform all Immortal cities and military encampments that anyone still loyal to Dachi will not be held accountable for past association with Dazheng—not now, and not ever."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the official stammered, Despite Su Tianxin's offer of amnesty, he knew that it would be difficult to prevent the loss of more Immortal cities. He would have to end the war immediately.

He hurried to find Chu Tianban.

"Northern Aspect Chu, I am now under Crown Prince Banruo's rule. I ask that the crown prince mediate the conflict between Dachi and Dazheng to stop the war," Su Tianxin said urgently.

Chu Tianban nodded. "I've already informed the crown prince, and he has commanded me to act. Be patient. I will be meeting with Xiao Nanfeng shortly."

"Thank you," Su Tianxin said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Chu Tianban nodded and flew toward Yongding with a group of subordinates in tow.

The moment they arrived, a Dazheng official approached. "Northern Aspect Chu, His Majesty has been expecting you. I have been stationed here to await your arrival."

Chu Tianban raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been waiting?"

"Three days," the official replied.

Chu Tianban frowned. In other words, Xiao Nanfeng had expected his arrival almost as soon as Su Tianxin made his proclamation about joining Yu Banruo.

"Lead the way."

"Please follow me," the official replied.

Before long, Chu Tianban and his entourage arrived within the imperial palace, where he found Xiao Nanfeng sitting leisurely in a garden, sipping tea and gazing at the clouds. Gentle golden light radiated from his body.

Chu Tianban noticed that Xiao Nanfeng wasn't actively waiting for him but appeared to be in some enlightened state. Remarkably, Xiao Nanfeng seemed capable of exiting this state at will.

As the golden light faded, Xiao Nanfeng opened his eyes and looked toward Chu Tianban.

"You've come again," Xiao Nanfeng said with a smile.

Chu Tianban arched his head. "Xiao Nanfeng, do you intend to oppose Crown Prince Banruo?"

"Please, have a seat."

Chu Tianban frowned, but sat down nonetheless.

"Last time, you mentioned that you enjoyed my Immortal tea and wanted to take some back to savor later—but you didn't. Why not have another cup now?"

"What do you mean by that?" Chu Tianban's brows furrowed.

"My tea isn't for just anyone. This might be your last chance to enjoy it—so I hope it'll be something to remember," Xiao Nanfeng replied. He smiled as he sipped at his tea.

"Oh? Do you imply that I'll lose the privilege of drinking it hereafter?"

"That depends on the choice you make. If you side with those who have betrayed humanity, you will no longer be worthy of my tea." @@novelbin@@

"Ha! Xiao Nanfeng, you're far too arrogant. Yes, you've accomplished much over the years. You've managed to topple the Dayin, Hongyue, and Dahan empires—but to Crown Prince Banruo, those Immortal Emperors are insignificant. Do you truly believe you're untouchable? Crown Prince Banruo has shown you respect, yet you refuse his offer. Do you intend to oppose him?" Chu Tianban said coldly.

"I have no intention of opposing Crown Prince Banruo, but I cannot countenance his sheltering Dachi and Su Tianxin. He can be wrong, and I can ignore those wrongs, but I won't be compelled to do things I don't wish to do because of it," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Just what do you want?" Chu Tianban demanded.

"Nothing much—I just want Su Tianxin dead. I advise you and Crown Prince Banruo not to interfere."

Chu Tianban froze in shock, uncertain if he had misheard. How dare Xiao Nanfeng speak with such defiance?