Wayfarer

Chapter 993: Comforting the Three Women

The next day, in a dim hall, Yu Banruo was recuperating when a subordinate barged in with an urgent report. He looked a little better, but his pallor was obvious.

"What did you say? Liu Miaoyin has gone mad too?" Yu Banruo exclaimed in shock.

"Yes, Your Highness. This morning, the Divine Emperor grievously wounded the Immortal Emperor of Daliu and seized him. Madam Rouge did the same with the Immortal Emperor of Dasong, and Liu Miaoyin with the Immortal Emperor of Dahuai. Before they departed, they challenged you to face them in combat, or they'd do the same thing the following day."

"Ridiculous—these crazy women! They're doing this just because Xiao Nanfeng was severely injured? He's fine now, so why are they behaving like lunatics? Ahem!" Yu Banruo fumed, coughing violently in anger.

"Moreover, this time, Liu Miaoyin was witnessed with a green world tree," the subordinate added.

"Liu Miaoyin has mastered a world tree as well? A second one?" Banruo exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, Your Highness. Not only that, Xiao Nanfeng and Yan Zhenhuo are spreading false accusations to the world, claiming that the nine Immortal Emperors targeted by the three women had their truesouls swapped, that they're all imposters. They clearly intend to tarnish your reputation," the subordinate reported.

Yu Banruo's face darkened. "I thought Xiao Nanfeng was just a nobody, but he's turned out to be my greatest rival to date."

"Your Highness, what should we do now? Four Immortal Emperors have already been captured, and the remaining five are desperately trying to contact you," the subordinate said anxiously.

"Lay low for now. Once I recover, I'll deal with Xiao Nanfeng and the others properly," Yu Banruo said.

"Understood! I doubt those three women would dare slaughter civilians recklessly," the subordinate replied.

"Exactly. Once I recover, I'll gather the remaining five Immortal Emperors before teaching those women a lesson," Yu Banruo said coldly.

Just then, Yu Banruo's subordinate's eyes widened. "Your Highness, my avatar just received word that those three women aren't playing by the rules—they've already started attacking other empires! Right now, they're heading to the Daheng, Damei, and Dalun to capture their respective Immortal Emperors."

"What? Didn't they promise to only attack one capital per day? How can they go back on their word?" Yu Banruo exclaimed.

"I don't know, Your Highness! I'm receiving multiple reports confirming this information. The three Immortal Emperors can't resist them at all."

Yu Banruo's face twisted in frustration. "They really will stop at nothing to force me to fight, won't they?"

Yu Banruo's subordinate bowed.

"Quickly, inform the two remaining Immortal Emperors to go into hiding. Don't let them get caught as well!"

"Understood!"

In the imperial palace of Dasa, the Immortal Emperor of Dasa and his subordinates frowned at a messenger. "What did His Highness say?"

"His Highness instructed you to lay low for now. Once he recovers, he will deal with those three women. He believes that, although they're crazy, they won't dare harm civilians in the capital. You needn't worry about the capital's safety," the messenger replied."

The Immortal Emperor of Dasa considered this for a moment before nodding. "Very well."

After making arrangements with his officials, he left the capital with a dozen followers as he headed toward a secret location.

Suddenly, he whirled around mid-flight, stopping abruptly and glaring at the sky. "Who's there? Why are you following me?"

He launched a powerful attack toward the clouds, scattering them with a burst of wind to reveal a group of black-robed figures. In the lead was none other than Xiao Nanfeng.

"Xiao Nanfeng? What are you doing here?" the Immortal Emperor of Dasa exclaimed.

Xiao Nanfeng turned to the black-robed figures and ordered, "Go on. Don't let a single one of them escape."

"Understood!" the other black-robed cultivators replied.

Then, Xiao Nanfeng led them in a dive down toward the emperor and his entourage.

"Damn it, stop him!" the Immortal Emperor of Dasa shouted in panic.

However, Xiao Nanfeng was simply too fast. He transformed into a golden streak of light, coming face-to-face with the Immortal Emperor of Dasa in an instant.

He unleashed a barrage of punches with overwhelming force, causing the void itself to quake.

The Immortal Emperor of dasa was sent flying. He shouted in shock, "Xiao Nanfeng, why are you targeting me? Why not go after the Immortal Emperor of Daliang?!"

He had already guessed that Xiao Nanfeng had anticipated his escape and was deliberately following after him.

Xiao Nanfeng's ten golden crows shot into the sky, causing it to turn dark. Overwhelming solar energy entered Xiao Nanfeng's body, bolstering his strength. "The Immortal Emperor of Daliang? Yan Zhenhuo and his subordinates are on their way to stop him. Don't worry. None of the nine of you will be able to escape."

Xiao Nanfeng closed in on the Immortal Emperor of Dasa and threw another punch at him.

"No!" the Immortal Emperor of Dasa screamed.

The impact triggered a fiery explosion. The Immortal Emperor of Dasa hurtled through the sky, coughing out blood from the impact.

Meanwhile, the black-robed figures overwhelmed the Immortal Emperor of Dasa's subordinates. Without imperial might to bolster the emperor's strength, it would be impossible for him to escape.

By the time the cultivators in the vicinity heard the commotion and rushed over, the fighting was already over. Xiao Nanfeng and his group had captured the Immortal Emperor of Dasa and his entourage.

Half a day later, in Dajing's capital, Xiao Nanfeng waited in Dajing's imperial palace for Liu Miaoyin to return.

Before long, she did so. Liu Miaoyin's hands were stained with blood. In each hand, she gripped the body of a bloodied, barely breathing Immortal Emperor. Clearly, she had fought fiercely and emerged victorious.

"Are you alright?" Xiao Nanfeng asked worriedly.

"I merely captured two weaklings. How could I be injured?" Liu Miaoyin replied, throwing the defeated Immortal Emperors to her subordinates. With a wave of her hand, she cleaned the blood from her fingers.

She hurried over to Xiao Nanfeng, inspecting his injuries. "Let me see how you're doing."

Xiao Nanfeng pulled back his collar, revealing his chest. The wound Yu Banruo had inflicted on him was completely healed.

"I told you, I'm fine. Have you forgotten about my fusion with the Records of Life and Death? I've already recovered," Xiao Nanfeng said with a smile.

Liu Miaoyin lightly punched his chest, her eyes red. "You scared me to death!"

Xiao Nanfeng smiled, scooping her into his arms. "Don't worry. I won't let you worry about me again."

The next day, Xiao Nanfeng headed straight for Shenfeng's capital.

The Divine Emperor was just about to set off when she encountered Xiao Nanfeng heading her way with the unconscious Immortal Emperor of Dasa.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, frowning.

She still seemed to be upset at him.

"You don't need to go take down another Immortal Emperor. I've already captured the Immortal Emperor of Dasa," Xiao Nanfeng said, throwing the unconscious figure to his subordinates as they retreated to leave the two of them alone.

The Divine Emperor glanced at Xiao Nanfeng before pursing her lips. "Are you upset at me for meddling?"

"Of course not, my dear wife. I should thank you for standing up for me."

"You don't blame me? Madam Rouge must have acted on her own, then. Whatever I do, she copies. What's her problem?" the Divine Emperor said, her tone tinged with jealousy.

"This was just an accident. I overestimated my Imposing Avatar of Rulai and fell into Yu Banruo's trap," Xiao Nanfeng explained, pulling her into his arms to comfort her.

"Don't touch me." The Divine Emperor was still feeling upset.

"Alright, alright. Shall I show you my wound? It's already healed. With the Records of Life and Death, all wounds will fade quickly with time."

"Don't rely on cursed effigies. Everything has a limit. You might be fine this time, but what about next time?"

"I'll be more careful in the future," Xiao Nanfeng replied gently.

On seeing Xiao Nanfeng's earnest expression, the Divine Emperor finally relented, her anger dissipating. "I simply wanted to remind Madam Rouge to be careful."

"Message delivered." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Good. Arrange a meeting between us soon. I'd like to speak with her," she said thoughtfully.

Xiao Nanfeng blinked in surprise.

"What's the matter? Are you unwilling to do so?" The Divine Emperor frowned.

"I'd be happy to. Let me talk to her," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Inwardly, he felt a headache brewing. Liu Miaoyin had made a similar request the night before.

Was the confrontation between them inevitable?

He'd try to drag things out as long as he could.

"I heard that you had your subordinates set up a formation in the undying realm. Is there something important there?" the Divine Emperor asked, changing the topic.

"I intend to absorb the Heaven's Hand there," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Oh?" the Divine Emperor said.

Xiao Nanfeng briefly explained how he was able to absorb these Heaven's Hands to advance his cultivation.

"Follow me!" The Divine Emperor suddenly tugged on Xiao Nanfeng's hand.

"Where to?"

"To my hidden realm. There's a Heaven's Hand there, which may be of use to you."

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes lit up. "I'll send for Blue Lantern immediately."

Before long, Blue Lantern, Xiao Nanfeng, and the Divine Emperor entered a dim, dismal hidden realm. The sky was occluded with dark clouds, with intermittent flashes of lightning. Shadow covered the entire realm.

"The Heaven's Hand here is suppressing my shadow cursed spiritual power. I was preparing to destroy the Heaven's Hand here to regain my former strength, so this is convenient for both of us," the Divine Emperor explained.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. He turned to Blue Lantern. "Is it possible to establish a formation to lure down this Heaven's Hand?"

Blue Lantern glanced at the sky overhead. "This Heaven's Hand is just like that in the vajra hidden realm. It's particularly potent. I can help lure it down, Your Majesty, but you need to be very careful in absorbing it."

"Don't worry," the Divine Emperor said. "I'll ensure Nanfeng's safety. We can begin right away."