Wayfarer

Chapter 650: The Yuqing Holy Land

Within a hall in the Sieve of Heaven surrounded by formations were Martial Aspect Tu Feng and a deferential man.

"Martial Aspect, my avatar is in communication with the Immortal Emperor and Empress," the man said.

"Very good. Convey my words to them both."

"Yes, Martial Aspect!"

After a while, the man said, "The Immortal Emperor wants to know why you failed.

Tu Feng replied, "Please pardon me, Your Majesty. Xiao Nanfeng foiled my plans. He took all five Martial Aspect positions as follows..."

"Xiao Nanfeng? That lad who's helping the Taiqing Immortal Sect rise up again?"

Tu Feng nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. He's a huge variable. The Taiqing Immortal Sect has been revitalized to a large extent thanks to him, and even has plenty of True Immortals by this point. We can't leave them be any longer, Your Majesty."

The other party was silent for a moment. "I promised the Yuqing holy land not to finish off the sect completely."

"Your Majesty, the Taiqing Immortal Sect was weak enough that allowing it to live would showcase your magnanimity. Now that they're rising up again, however, we can't just watch on. They'll surely seek revenge against you for our actions in the past if we don't finish them off now. What's more, five of their disciples just became Martial Aspects. We can't allow them to become a threat!" Tu Feng exclaimed.

The other party fell silent again. "Very well. Collect what information you can about Xiao Nanfeng. I'll have someone take care of it."

"Understood," Tu Feng said. Then, after a pause, he continued, "Your Majesty, I took advantage of the Demon Child to handle Xiao Nanfeng this time around. I'm afraid what I did will be uncovered, and I don't know how to handle the aftermath."

"It doesn't matter. The Demon Child is about to undergo another demonic transformation. It's about time we make use of him."

The Martial Aspect of Windform raised an eyebrow. "Is it time to strike?"

"That's right. There's no need for you to worry any longer."

Tu Feng watched on in anticipation. "Will I need to take part, Your Majesty?"

"You're a spy I've positioned in the Imperial Court. Your safety is of paramount importance, so don't act out of turn. Worry not. You'll be awarded any benefits we obtain regardless."

"Understood. Thank you, Your Majesty!" Tu Feng exclaimed gratefully.

In Dazheng's imperial study at Yongding, Zhao Yuanjiao had personally shown up to meet with Xiao Nanfeng. Xiao Nanfeng dismissed his aides.

"Senior Brother, what are you doing here yourself? You could have just had your subordinates send a message!" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"I've contacted Master."

"Oh? What did he say?"

"He said that he doesn't need our assistance at present. That Immortal Emperor is apparently particularly skilled, and he may target our sect now that it's showing signs of rising up again. He warns you to be careful," Zhao Yuanjiao said.

"Naturally. I'm prepared for that traitor's assault at any moment, but wouldn't it be difficult for him to attack the Taiqing Sect in the east when he's in the south?"

"Master just wants you to be careful. He also mentioned that Yu'er might be in trouble. If you have any subordinates, send them my way. I'll be heading over to help her out."

"What's wrong with Yu'er? Many of my spectral guards are already stationed by the Yuqing holy land, but they haven't heard anything amiss. What did Master say?"

"He simply wants you to send a few subordinates over and help her regain control of the situation. As for the precise nature of the trouble, he didn't mention anything. I'll be taking a look myself," Zhao Yuanjiao said.

"There's no need. Let's leave immediately."

"You, yourself? What about Dazheng?"

"My other body will return from the Imperial Court, so don't worry. I just have a few miscellaneous affairs I need to handle first."

"Very well!" Zhao Yuanjiao nodded.

Xiao Nanfeng summoned a few trustworthy subordinates, gave them some orders, and then secretly left Yongding.

The two cultivators flew toward the south at great speed.

The Yuqing holy land was in the purview of the Southern Quadrant, and was a particularly long distance away.

Even so, Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao were both True Immortals. They pushed themselves to get there as quickly as possible, and managed the journey in just ten days.

They spotted the Yuqing holy land from afar.

The Yuqing holy land was located by the side of the Southern Sea, its southern border adjoining the sea. Mountains surrounded it from the other three cardinal directions. Clouds and fog hung around it, as did visible wisps of spiritual aether. Countless Immortals, spirits, and divine beasts were flying in and out of the vicinity, an incredible sight to behold.

"As expected of the Yuqing holy land. It has twelve peaks, with one Golden Immortal for each peak; the twelve Golden Immortals of Yuqing are known throughout the world. In the past, the Taiqing Immortal Sect could almost have become a holy land itself—what a pity," Zhao Yuanjiao murmured, glancing wryly at the scenery before them.

"Yu'er's father is among those twelve Golden Immortals, isn't he?"

"Indeed. It was all thanks to him that the traitor wasn't able to finish off the sect."

"In that case, we'll need to show him utmost respect," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Zhao Yuanjiao nodded.

The two cultivators flew toward a valley by the side of a giant mountain, where a huge stone tablet proclaimed the territory to be the 'Yuqing Holy Land'.

As they landed in the valley, their True Immortal auras were quickly recognized by the Yuqing disciples guarding the holy land.

One stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Immortals."

The two cultivators bowed as well. Zhao Yuanjiao stepped forward. "We are disciples from the Taiqing Immortal Sect—Zhao Yuanjiao and Xiao Nanfeng. We're here to pay a visit to our senior, Han Bingdie, of Chiyang Peak."

They didn't mention Yu'er considering her relative lack of status in the holy land, which might cause her unnecessary trouble if word were to spread to her father. It would be preferable for them to first contact Yu'er's mother, Han Bingdie, a Taiqing elder and one who was familiar with both of them.

The Yuqing disciple was taken aback. He glanced at the other young man to his back, dressed in blue. Upon hearing Zhao Yuanjiao's words, he too was shocked.

"You're Xiao Nanfeng?" The young man in blue looked toward Xiao Nanfeng angrily.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned but nodded. "I am. We'd like to see Senior Han Bingdie from Chiyang Peak. Please inform her of the matter."

The young man continued to glare furiously at Xiao Nanfeng, as if he had committed an incredible crime. Rather than erupting in anger, however, he only spat out, "Wait here!"

Then, he headed into the depths of the mountain to report the news.

Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao eyed each other.

The young man quickly returned with Han Bingdie, who glanced at them in surprise. "What are you two doing here?"

"We greet our senior!"

"Come, follow me," Han Bingdie said.

"Understood!" the two cultivators replied.

The young man who had just gone to report to her was still frowning. "Madam Han, is that the Xiao Nanfeng whom Yu'er keeps mentioning?"

Han Bingdie smiled wryly at the young man. "Xia Lan, he's indeed Xiao Nanfeng. Sorry for causing you all this trouble. Your mother and I have been persuading your father to let you return, and you'll be able to do so in just a few days."

"No, that's not what I mean. I—" The young man fumed. "At any rate, Xiao Nanfeng's not a good person."

"We'll talk later, alright?" Han Bingdie smiled.

Then, she brought Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao into the depths of the Yuqing holy land.

"Senior, that was...." Xiao Nanfeng began.

"Yu'er's older brother. They have the same father, but different mothers. His name is Xia Lan. He fought with his father in order to protect Yu'er and was punished by having to guard the entrance to the holy land."

"What? Yu'er's older brother?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

Upon hearing that Xia Lan had been punished while trying to defend Yu'er, Xiao Nanfeng's annoyance at him drained away.

The trio flew toward the depths of the Yuqing holy land, which was surrounded by clouds and fog. There were many cultivators atop the mountain peaks around them, flitting back and forth.

"Senior, is Yu'er here?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Han Bingdie gave Xiao Nanfeng a wry smile. "You really have an impressive information network. To think you'd show up of your own accord without my having contacted you..."

"What's wrong?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Xia Lan mentioned that you're both advanced cultivators. What realm have you reached?" Han Bingdie asked.

"We're both True Immortals," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"True Immortals? That quickly? It's barely been any time at all. How have you ascended so quickly?" Han Bingdie exclaimed.

"Too much happened over the past two years. We were forced to grow strong quickly."

Han Bingdie furrowed her brows and sighed. "Even so, even as True Immortals... There's a big problem."

"Senior, we only know a little of what's going on. Won't you tell us what happened to Yu'er?" Xiao Nanfeng pleaded.

"You're both aware that Yu'er's a Yuqing holy maiden now, right?"

"What?"

"You didn't? How did you learn of the news, then?"

"Please continue, Senior."

"Yu'er had only just become a Yuqing holy maiden when it somehow became public knowledge. There are plenty of delegations who have traveled here hoping for her hand in marriage."

"What? Hoping for her hand in marriage?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"Naturally. The position of a Yuqing holy maiden is equivalent to, or even superior to, that of a princess of a divine empire. The birth of a holy maiden spawns a proliferation of suitors."

"And what does Yu'er think?" Xiao Nanfeng asked immediately.

"Well, you're here, aren't you? What do you think Yu'er thinks?"

"Me?"

"Hmph! If not for you, why would Yu'er get into such a big fight with her father?"

"Ah?"

"Yu'er's refusing to welcome or meet with any of these suitors," Han Bingdie sighed.

"If she's unwilling, then why does Mountain Lord Xia insist?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Han Bingdie glanced askance at Xiao Nanfeng. "And what would you know? Her father's the lord of the Chiyang Peak. He has to consider not just his family, but the peak and even the holy land's future. A marriage born of politics might be cruel, but it may prove necessary."

"What if I ask for her hand in marriage?" Xiao Nanfeng suggested.

"You? Your little empire would hardly appeal to my husband," Han Bingdie sighed.

"No, Dazheng has expanded considerably since then. It now controls forty Immortal cities and boasts a massive quantity of fortune. Dazheng is growing stronger by the day," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Forty Immortal cities? You must be joking! Where could they have come from?" Han Bingdie replied in disbelief.

"Haven't you heard of the commotion I've caused recently, Senior?"

"Oh?"

Beside them, Zhao Yuanjiao nodded. "Senior, Nanfeng led a group of cultivators to destroy the divine empire of Dayin, and his Stratagems Against Yin have spread throughout the world."

Han Bingdie sighed. "It seems as though I'm not up to date with regards to worldly affairs, though wars of this sort are largely of interest to empires. For holy lands, such conflicts, especially distant ones, are of little interest to the majority of cultivators. Is what you said the truth?"

"Absolutely, Senior," Xiao Nanfeng promised.

Han Bingdie considered Xiao Nanfeng more thoughtfully. "If that's the case, though your cultivation may be somewhat lacking, it's clear that you do have potential. Tell me more about the situation. I'll arrange for your lodgings at the foot of Chiyang Peak before heading up the mountain to inquire as to my husband's thoughts."

"Thank you, Senior!" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed gratefully.