Wayfarer

Chapter 198: You Jiu in Danger

After Xiao Nanfeng saw You Jiu off, he headed toward the main hall of the governor's manor, where Zheng Qian, Ye Dafu, Ye Sanshui, and the others were awaiting him.

There were many officials in the palace: both the tutors and students from the Isle of Xiao, along with many officials originally from the area, which Xiao Nanfeng had promoted.

"We greet King Xiao," the cultivators chorused, bowing as Xiao Nanfeng stepped into the hall.

Xiao Nanfeng took the seat of honor and smiled at the cultivators. "I've gathered everyone here today in order to discuss what we should do next.

"Young—King Xiao, a month ago, we took down two more cities. Our army has expanded to ten thousand troops, and we're ready to strike on a moment's notice. The cities all around are mired in chaos, so it would be trivial to take them down. My lackeys can each lead a battalion and conquer them. Please give the order!" Ye Dafu requested expectantly.

"Silence," Ye Sanshui hissed. "Those troops that you've recruited are a mess. Do you think they can lay siege to cities?"

"Third Uncle, it's only been a month! Don't you think I'm already doing very well by being able to train my troops to such an extent? You should know that the cities around us are in a mess, and they're even more disorganized than we are!" Ye Dafu replied sullenly.

Xiao Nanfeng was far more relaxed with regards to Ye Dafu and his lackeys than Ye Sanshui. Ye Dafu and his lackeys were Ascension-realm cultivators that were cultivating Indomitable Body. They were like tanks on the battlefield, and they led their troops from the front. It would be trivial for them to take down a few disorganized cities.

What he was worried about was logistics and the transfer of power after they took down those cities.

"Everyone, do you think our logistics can keep up after just a month of training?" Xiao Nanfeng turned toward the scholars and officials.

"We'll do our best," the officials immediately replied.

Xiao Nanfeng turned toward Zheng Qian, who frowned. "King Xiao, you've just added a large group of officials to our ranks. With these officials, we could keep expanding, but there hasn't been enough time to vet everyone's background carefully. I'm worried that..."

Everyone blanched, understanding Zheng Qian's meaning. They weren't necessarily reliable; there could well be spies among their number.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "There's no need to worry, Mr. Zheng. I've just received news that King Yan and King Qi have been summoning talented officials and generals to court, then secretly killing them. It's causing an uproar across both empires, and everyone's hard-pressed just to fend for themselves. They don't have the wherewithal to install spies in our ranks. The death of an empire is almost always caused by traitors within—and to think that these traitors were the kings themselves! Even if there were spies among our number who were loyal to the two kingdoms, I'm sure that they would quickly come to see how we stand in comparison to the two kingdoms."

Some of the officials pursed their lips and fell deep in thought.

Xiao Nanfeng faced the officials and began, "The humans' domain is in turmoil, and demons have taken over the ranks of royalty. If not now, then when? All of you are officials who have dedicated your life to the common people. You know well that those people in the cities we govern enjoy far more stable and robust lives than their counterparts in the two empires. We act in accordance with the will of the heavens and for the benefit of the common people. Do you all agree?"

The officials didn't dare refute Xiao Nanfeng's words. They replied, "Yes, King Xiao! We will lend you our full support!"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. The spectral guards sent him reports on the officials daily, and he was well aware of how they stood. He needed their support now, however, and chose not to expose several officials whose loyalties were in question. Everything was in his control, and he had to take over the humans' domain as quickly as possible. If the officials didn't act on their desires, he would ignore them; those that did would face the spectral guards. Once the humans' domain had been unified, he would be able to take the time to pass out reward and punishment.

"I understand, Your Majesty." Zheng Qian nodded.

"In that case, let's' follow the plan we've established, continue taking down these cities, and expanding our territory. Ye Sanshui will be commander-in-chief, and Ye Dafu his second-in-command. Send out the troops immediately. Mr. Zheng, you'll be in charge of assigning officials to the new cities that w e take down."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

The cultivators got to work. Xiao Nanfeng personally took responsibility for a few large undertakings. He appeared in front of the soldiers and fighters, raising their morale. After a city was taken down, he quickly arrived at the scene to reward the top-performing soldiers and pacify the common people.

Xiao Nanfeng employed a large number of officials from the area. For one, those eight hundred students of his wouldn't be enough for this venture, and they would serve as competition and encouragement for the students.

In just half a month, Xiao Nanfeng's holdings grew by five cities to a total of eight. The eight cities had all started restoring their functionality, and countless minor clans and talents had left the two empires and migrated to Xiao Nanfeng's territory. Xiao Nanfeng was deeply in need of the talented, and he admitted them all.

What he needed now was speed, to gain control over a larger patch of territory as quickly as possible. The eight hundred students, having learned on the job for three months, had grown far more mature. They might not yet be skilled enough to handle administrative affairs on their own, but Xiao Nanfeng trusted in their abilities. He arranged high-ranking positions for them all and even assigned some spectral guards to protect them.

Every day, Xiao Nanfeng received reports on the officials' and students' actions. The eight hundred students were uniformly bullied, many of whom were stymied by local officials, but Xiao Nanfeng didn't intend to step in. If they weren't able to deal with even these provincial tricks on their own, how would they be able to handle more territories in the future? They were young and yet naive; it would be best to expose them to the intricacies and intrigue of official affairs as soon as possible. After all, any officials harboring malicious intent could be killed at any time. Anything was worth it if it meant that these eight hundred students could grow rapidly.

Xiao Nanfeng even had the spectral guards record incidents of cunning students overcoming the scheming officials and distributing them among the students, who were encouraged and inspired to learn from their betters and administer the same strategies themselves.

During that period of time, the only thing that worried Xiao Nanfeng was that You Jiu hadn't reported back from the palace of King Yan. Although he had the spectral guards check on the matter daily, there was no sign of You Jiu at all.

"How goes the investigation on King Yan's palace?" Xiao Nanfeng asked a spectral guard.

"Half a month ago, a pillar of red light shot into the air from the depths of King Yan's palace. The next day, the palace's formation activated, sealing off regions of the palace from the likes of us. We haven't been able to gain access," one spectral guard stated.

"Continue the investigation. Interrogate those officials who can enter and exit the palace at will," Xiao Nanfeng commanded.

"Yes!"

Suddenly, another spectral guard rushed into the hall. "King Xiao, we've found our head! He was found unconscious outside the city, and we've just brought him in."

"What? Lead the way!" Xiao Nanfeng immediately stood up.

The spectral guards led him toward a distant hall, where a group of spectral guards were tending to You Jiu's injuries.

"King Xiao!" Everyone bowed as he arrived.

Xiao Nanfeng immediately checked up on You Jiu. Not only was You Jiu unconscious, his entire body was bruised black and purple, and his bones were cracked. He looked to be in particularly bad condition.

"You Jiu's spiritual power has been all but drained, as has the qi in his dantian. What in the world happened?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

He carefully infused a little spiritual power into You Jiu, allowing him to slowly open his eyes.

"You're awake, Head?" the spectral guards cried out.

"Sir Xiao, I lost the length of red rope you handed me. Please punish me," You Jiu replied weakly.

"That's not important right now! Recuperate," Xiao Nanfeng commanded.

"Sir Xiao, will you help me check if there's any trace of the red rope cursed effigy left on my body?" You Jiu asked.

Xiao Nanfeng raised an eyebrow, sensing that something was amiss.

"All of you, retreat," Xiao Nanfeng commanded.

"Yes, King Xiao!" Everyone retreated out of the palace.

Xiao Nanfeng reached for a Talisman of Phantasmagoria, then brought You Jiu into an illusory realm.

Within the illusory realm, You Jiu's spiritual avatar was battered and wispy. His avatar looked almost obliterated; his limbs were missing, and what remained of him was a ghastly sight.

"There's no trace of anything left behind from the red rope," Xiao Nanfeng announced.

He deactivated the Talisman of Phantasmagoria and returned them to reality.

"Thank goodness. I haven't become a cursed slave," You Jiu replied thankfully.

"Just what happened to you when you headed to the capital of Yan? How did you end up in such straits?"

"I had initially gone to King Yan to make him cede his formation to me, but a burst of red light suddenly emitted from his body and shot toward the red rope in my hand. The red rope seemed to come to life and tangle around me. Meanwhile, King Yan fell to the ground dead," You Jiu reported.

"Oh?"

"Sensing something amiss, I attempted to tear the red rope, but I was unable to do so. It coiled around my neck and shone with red light. Knowing that disaster was about to strike, I hurriedly flew away from the palace. By the time I reached a patch of forest, I was unable to defend against the red light any longer and was sent into an illusory realm," You Jiu recalled.

"Has that red rope cursed effigy already regenerated? It must be weak if it took that long to drag you into an illusory realm." Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"Yes, Sir Xiao! Within the illusory realm, the red rope's cursed spiritual avatar was stronger than mine, but only by a limited amount. Our fight lasted for over ten days before my spiritual avatar dissipated. Just as it was about to devour my avatar, I self-destructed, wounding it with explosions from my arms and legs. It was very badly injured; perhaps worried that I would continue self-destructing, it gave up on targeting me and expelled us both from the illusory realm. It flew away unsteadily, whereas I attempted to make my way back as quickly as possible. However, by the time I reached the outskirts of the city, I was exhausted and lost consciousness. I expect others carried me back," You Jiu continued.

"As long as you were able to return. The rest isn't important," Xiao Nanfeng informed him.

"Sir Xiao, I believe that that red rope will surely attempt to seek out other cursed slaves to regain more of its spiritual power. It'll grow quickly in no time, and the balance of power in the humans' domain will shift once more."

"It's already been shifting. According to your description, King Yan died half a month ago, but news of this hasn't spread out of the empire of Great Yan. I expect that the royalty of Yan have chosen to keep the matter a secret; they intend to quell the rebellions all over the empire."

"Ah?"

"It's not a matter. We're stronger than they are, and their resistance will be futile. The enemy we have to take care of at any cost is that red rope. Rest well and let me handle it," Xiao Nanfeng informed him.

"Yes, Sir Xiao!" You Jiu lowered his head, abashed.