Wayfarer

Chapter 551: Emperor Feng

After absorbing the second bodhisattva's energy, much of the humanoid monster's tumors, blisters, and rotting portions of skin had vanished, and a few features could be seen on what had been an indistinct face.

As it turned toward the black lotus, the black lotus, still wreathed in black fog, floated over to Xiao Nanfeng's side.

"Oh? You've eaten the bodhisattva of delusion? Who are you?" the humanoid monster demanded.

"And who are you?" the black lotus retorted.

The humanoid monster stared into the black fog, his gaze piercing.

"What an interesting form. Do you bear these golden lotus hoods enmity? I've absorbed all the power of the hidden realm from these arhats and bodhisattvas, but what remains are their cursed spiritual avatars and the purest form of their cursed spiritual power. Take them as a greeting gift," the humanoid monster said probingly.

The black lotus hesitated before ultimately accepting. The black fog around it sucked in all the golden lotus hoods in the vicinity as it devoured them all.

Only then did the humanoid monster continue, "I was right. You do bear the Buddhas of Three Aspects enmity. It looks like we have a shared enemy, then."

The black lotus replied, "Your appearance is a result of the decay caused by the power of the hidden realm, isn't it? You must have been sealed for at most a century, which means you have some degree of understanding of the world at large. She is Yu Fuli's granddaughter, and he is a Martial Aspect of the Imperial Court. Think twice before striking at them."

Then, the black lotus flew back into Xiao Nanfeng's mindscape and vanished from sight.

The humanoid monster glanced toward Xiao Nanfeng and Zhang Lingjun in surprise.

"Xiao Nanfeng, Martial Aspect of the Imperial Court, greets his senior," Xiao Nanfeng said, bowing.

Zhang Lingjun stepped out of Xiao Nanfeng's embrace and bowed to the humanoid monster as well. "I am Zhang Lingjun, daughter to the Imperial Court's Princess of the Moon. How might I address you?"

The humanoid monster was silent for a moment before replying placidly, "I said I wouldn't make a move on you, and I keep my word. I am the Immortal Emperor of Dafeng."

"The Immortal Emperor of Dafeng? You're still alive?!" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"Have you heard of me?" the humanoid monster asked.

"Of your legend," Xiao Nanfeng replied, nodding.

"What legends? Elaborate!"

"It's rumored that, a century ago, in order to revive his empress, Emperor Feng unsealed the entrance into the Underworld Palace and sent countless Heaven Immortals within in search of the Records of Life and Death, all of whom perished. The entire affair ultimately caused widespread rebellion across his empire, causing the illustrious empire of Dafeng to collapse overnight. In the end, countless cultivators of immense strength warred over the remnants of the empire, and the crown prince himself conspired to seize power in a coup. The Dragon Yanluo was implicated. In the end, Emperor Feng perished alongside those cultivators against whom he fought," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Perished alongside them? Ha! I simply fell prey to the schemes of a scholar known as Wen Zhong. I defeated the Dragon Yanluo and those cultivators who attempted to kill me. If not for Yin Shenhua's sneak attack against me, I would never have landed in such dire straits."

"Yin Shenhua, the Immortal Emperor of Dayin?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"Indeed. He and the Buddhas of Three Aspects conspired against me, killed my empress, and left me in this state. Now, either they die, or I will!" Emperor Feng gritted out.

"Your empress' death was a result of Yin Shenhua's scheming? In other words, he was the one who incited you to excavate the entrance to the Underworld Palace, too?"

"That is so. He must have claimed my empire in my absence, I suppose?"

"Much of what was once the empire of Dafeng has been claimed by Dayin," Xiao Nanfeng replied, nodding. "It's clear you bear Dayin and the Three Buddhas great enmity."

"Great enmity? Hardly. It goes far beyond that—I will hound them until my death and beyond. They conspired to part my soul from my physical body while I was in a weakened state. They claimed my body and trapped my soul here, using it as a relic to purify the power of the hidden realm for a hundred years. I intended to kill you to keep the secret of my freedom as I take revenge on Yin Tianci and the Buddhas of Three Aspects, but it looks like you bear them enmity as well. Excellent. Let's work together."

"You misunderstand, Immortal Emperor. We bear no enmity against the divine empire of Dayin or the Three Buddhas. It was merely a coincidence," Xiao Nanfeng replied immediately.

He didn't want to be associated with Emperor Feng at all.

Emperor Feng chuckled. "Do you think I'd let you go that easily? If you don't accompany me to deal with Yin Shenhua and the Three Buddhas, I'll kill you."

"Senior, do you intend to force our hand?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"You will accept, for you have no other choice. Don't expect that cursed effigy from before to be able to protect you. It's weaker than I am, and although the praying mat in Zhang Lingjun's hands seems to bear an uncommon aura, I don't fear it. Even the Heavenly Emperor's name won't stop me. That's why you had better come along," Emperor Feng commanded.

Xiao Nanfeng: ...

Zhang Lingjun: ...

The two cultivators glanced at each other as Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "Very well. Since our goals align, we'll be in your care."

"Our goals align? Were you lying to me when you said you didn't bear Dayin any enmity, then?" Emperor Feng narrowed his eyes.

"I have been charged with a Martial Aspect mission, and am headed to Dayin to reclaim the fortune that should have been tithed to the Imperial Court," Xiao Nanfeng explained.

"How much fortune?"

"60% of Dayin's current reserves."

"60% in one go? Ha! That would truly cripple Dayin. Very well. Let's go, then!" Emperor Feng laughed.

"Please don't reveal the existence of that senior within the black fog, Emperor Feng. Like you, it's an enemy of the Three Buddhas."

Emperor Feng nodded to his satisfaction. "Good. I'll be cordial as long as you accompany me to deal with Yin Shenhua and the Three Buddhas."

Then, Emperor Feng suddenly looked toward the injured Zhao Yuanjiao. He flashed over.

"Senior, that's my senior brother. What are you intending to do?!" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

Emperor Feng flew into Zhao Yuanjiao's mindscape and vanished from sight.

Zhao Yuanjiao's pupils dilated as he slowly got to his feet.

"Mid-stage Heaven Immortal? He's too weak. How troublesome," Zhao Yuanjiao commented, clicking his tongue.

"You've possessed my senior brother?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

Zhao Yuanjiao lifted his head. "Don't worry, I didn't destroy his soul. I'll simply be borrowing his physical body so as to hide my aura. His soul is just fine and he retains his consciousness—he simply can't control his body for the moment."

Xiao Nanfeng frowned. "Senior, if you want a physical body for yourself, I'd be happy to oblige—even a True Immortal spirit king, if you're interested. Please release my senior brother."

"As I said, his soul is fine. I'm simply borrowing his body until I can reclaim my own. You seem to care greatly for him—even better. We'll be able to cooperate more smoothly, then."

Xiao Nanfeng's frown deepened. He knew that Emperor Feng had deliberately taken Zhao Yuanjiao hostage to force his cooperation.

"Don't look at me like that. It's an opportunity for this lad too. I can help him strengthen his physical body, and even pass him the insight and intuition I myself gained from cultivation. He'll be able to advance quickly with my help."

Xiao Nanfeng fell silent. There was little he could do with Zhao Yuanjiao in Emperor Feng's hands.

"In that case, Senior, please protect my senior brother well. His name is Zhao Yuanjiao, and he's the Ascended division leader of the Taiqing Immortal Sect."

"You don't have to introduce him to me. His soul is right by my side, and I can simply ask him myself."

Xiao Nanfeng sighed. "Thank you in advance, Senior."

"Good, good. Let's get going. Get me an update about Yin Shenhua and the Buddhas of Three Aspects after all these years. I need to know what has happened since the last century. Only then will our sneak attack bear fruit."

"I'll have the information prepared immediately," Xiao Nanfeng said, nodding.

"I also want information about the officials of the divine empire of Dayin, and especially information about their affiliation as former officials of my empire."

"I do have that information on hand, Senior, and can pass it to you once we leave this Buddha's Grotto," Xiao Nanfeng promised.

"Oh? In that case, you've been planning to scheme against the divine empire of Dayin for a while, then?" Emperor Feng smiled.

"It was information I gathered for my Martial Aspect mission," Xiao Nanfneg replied.

He had naturally had his spectral guards infiltrate the divine empire of Dayin long ago, but he could hardly tell the truth to Emperor Feng, who seemed to have his own designs.

Emperor Feng didn't press him further. "Let's set off, then!"

"Senior, please open up an exit to this Buddha's Grotto," Xiao Nanfeng requested.

He didn't want to reveal his candleflame powers to Emperor Feng.

"Leave how you entered. Why do you need me to make a move?" Emperor Feng frowned.

"A group of cursed effigies dragged us in. We don't know how we entered ourselves," Xiao Nanfeng lied blithely.

Emperor Feng narrowed his eyes at Xiao Nanfeng, not believing him at all.

"Please, Senior," Xiao Nanfeng continued.

Emperor Feng continued to stare at Xiao Nanfeng, but ultimately didn't push the point. He emerged from Zhao Yuanjiao's mindscape. Zhao Yuanjiao blinked and visibly shook himself awake, confirming Emperor Feng's claim that he was still alive.

Emperor Feng waved his crescent sword. "Break!"

A sword slash illuminated the entire Buddha's Grotto, carving out a huge hole in the cave.

Emperor Feng returned to Zhao Yuanjiao's mindscape and possessed his body again. "Let's go!"

Then, he strode out first.