Wayfarer

Chapter 795: Controlling the City

In the aftermath of the battle, as news of Xiao Nanfeng's victory over the Immortal Emperor of Dahan spread, empires, ordinary and divine, sent their scouts toward Dahan in order to figure out just what was going on. This seemed to be a golden opportunity.

Of Xiao Nanfeng's two black coffins, one trapped the Immortal Emperor of Dahan and the other Saint Lun Hui. Naturally, Xiao Nanfeng was unaware of the saint's true identity—and it surely wasn't his main body regardless.

Xiao Nanfeng locked down Dahan's capital, plunging the city into chaos.

While some of Dahan's soldiers attempted to rescue their emperor, they were quickly subdued by Xiao Nanfeng's subordinates. The city's residents were thrown into panic. Many attempted to flee, but with the city gates sealed, no one could escape. Tension and chaos spread throughout the city.

Xiao Nanfeng took a deep breath. His voice boomed across the city. "Citizens of Dahan's capital, hear me. I am Xiao Nanfeng, Eastern Aspect of the Imperial Court."

His words reverberated throughout the city. All eyes turned toward the sky where Xiao Nanfeng hovered. Many scowled in anger and seemed unwilling to listen.

"I know that you're worried about my plans. Allow me to explain the situation. I bear the divine empire of Dahan no enmity, and did not come here today for conquest. I am here because your Immortal Emperor abducted my companion in cultivation, Lady Yaoguang of the Shangqing holy land. It was for no other reason that I braved the capital's defenses to save her."

The people quieted down.

If Xiao Nanfeng were a cruel tyrant, they would have felt far more fear and unease—but as a man desperately trying to rescue his beloved, they could sympathize with him. The anger and fear that had gripped their hearts began to dissipate.

"I don't intend to harm any of you. Do not be afraid. I won't tarnish the name of the Imperial Court."

Many of the people were reassured. The Imperial Court was a well-known authority they respected.

"You need not guard against me. Rather, guard against those who might use this opportunity for evil—those who would stir up trouble or manipulate you for their own ends. I ask that you return to your homes or shelter in a safe place to avoid involvement. I shall leave as soon as I find my companion, and no harm will come to you."

The people were greatly relieved by this declaration. Many had seen chaos unfold as looters spread throughout the city. They began to retreat to safety.

Just then, a Dahan official suddenly yelled out, "Xiao Nanfeng, release our Immortal Emperor!"

Xiao Nanfeng replied coldly, "I have your Immortal Emperor in my possession. He's unharmed for the time being. Until I find my companion, he'll remain in my possession. If you want him to leave, start searching for Lady Yaoguang. Otherwise, I'll kill him."

"How dare you!" the official thundered.

"If you intend to provoke me, I may well kill him sooner," Xiao Nanfeng replied icily.

The official stiffened as others began to speak up.

"Prime Minister, don't provoke Xiao Nanfeng! The safety of our Immortal Emperor is of utmost priority. We have to find Lady Yaoguang and conduct an exchange."

"Exactly! Prime Minister, you'll get the emperor killed if you keep behaving in this manner!"

"We need to mobilize the city guards immediately.

As the officials argued, Xiao Nanfeng waved his hand and conjured an image of Lady Yaoguang in the sky.

"Citizens of Dahan, this is a portrait of Lady Yaoguang. Whoever finds her will be rewarded with three Golden Immortal treasures. In addition, I will personally ensure the finder's safety and help them leave Dahan and settle anywhere else in the world if they so wish."

The citizens' eyes lit up.

Without the incentive of a reward, few would have deigned to help. Now, with three incredible treasures on the line and promise of safe passage from the empire, excitement spread like wildfire.

The fear and panic that had gripped the city quickly transformed into fervor, precisely the effect that Xiao Nanfeng had been hoping for.

Earlier, via spiritual harmony, he had inspected the building in which Lady Yaoguang had last been sighted. There was a huge hole in the floor, clear evidence that someone had intentionally tunneled into the building and abducted her during the fight.

When Xiao Nanfeng ordered his subordinates to seal the city, it wasn't simply a matter of shutting the city gates, but also to reactive the city's defensive formation and prevent anyone from leaving by sky, sea, or even underground, so as to ensure that Lady Yaoguang couldn't be brought out of the city.

Within half a day, the Demon Child and Ye Sanshui returned.

"Your Majesty, I failed in my duties. He escaped," Ye Sanshui admitted.

"He escaped into the sea and vanished entirely! I searched throughout the area but couldn't find him at all. It's ridiculous!" the Demon Child grumbled.

"Based on his actions, I suspect he's the head of Snowborne. Don't worry. I already have a plan. Demon Child, return to Shenfeng's capital immediately and continue protecting the Divine Emperor. I'll handle things here."

"What? Already? But I haven't even had any fun yet! I don't want to go back and keep studying just yet!" the Demon Child groaned in frustration.

"I'll give you a two-day break, but remember to keep an eye on the city." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"That's more like it!" The Demon Child whooped and took off.

"Your Majesty, has Lady Yaoguang still not been found?" Ye Sanshui asked.

Xiao Nanfeng pursed his lips. "Return to Yongding immediately and bring Mr. Bai over. He should be able to help me contact Lady Yaoguang."

"Understood!" Ye Sanshui replied.

Two days later, in a hidden villa within Dahan's capital, Lady Yaoguang sat meditating within a barrier formed by the Cursebane Sword. Above her head, a superior yin pearl floated, emitting a pale light that attempted to suppress her spirit. The pearl continuously tried to approach her, only to be repelled by the blue aura from her Cursebane Sword.

The superior yin pearl seemed infuriated. No matter how it approached, the sword's aura repelled it.

Meanwhile, a group of white-robed men were deep in conversation outside the room.

"Is she still resisting?" one of them asked.

"She is. She hasn't fallen into the illusory realm just yet," another man reported.

"Unbelievable. This is the strongest superior yin pearl that Snowborne possesses. It's never failed before. How can it be ineffective against her?"

"It's because she possesses the Cursebane Sword from the Shangqing holy land. I heard that it was specifically designed to counter evil objects, but never imagined that it would be this powerful." The man seemed frustrated.

"It doesn't matter. Even if we can't batter down her defenses, we've trapped her. The problem is how we'll get out."

"Is there any way out?"

"No. With the entire city under lockdown, it's only a matter of time before they find us. We'll be exposed soon enough."

"What do we do, then? Bribe someone?"

"How? Xiao Nanfeng is offering three Golden Immortal treasures for finding us. If we attempt to escape, we'll be hunted down. The city's officials would happily hand us over in exchange for their emperor. We're done for."

"How did things turn out this way? How did Xiao Nanfeng even know that Lady Yaoguang was still in the city?"

"I've managed to contact the head. He's injured too, and can't provide help right now. He told us to hold out until he comes up with a solution."

"We don't have any other choice, do we?"

As the group continued to strategize, another white-robed man rushed over. "One of our spies in Dahan has sent word that he can help us escape. He has strong connections in the city."

"What?!" everyone cried out.

"He says he doesn't have an avatar, so he can only contact us via primitive means. I've managed to secure a connection with him. I've confirmed his identity, and he's trustworthy."

"You can meet with him first. If you're certain that he's safe, bring him to me. I'll decide what our next steps are," the leader of the white-robed men ordered.

"Understood!"

Not long later, he returned—this time accompanied by a group of black-robed subordinates.

"What are you doing?" the white-robed leader hissed.

The man remained silent as the black-robed cultivators stormed the villa and took it over.

"What? Who are you lot?!" the leader shouted.

The next moment, a shadow appeared with lightning speed. A heavy blow sent the white-robed men flying.

Their leader spat out a mouthful of blood and gasped in mid-air, "A Boundless Immortal? You're Xiao Nanfeng's subordinates?! No!"

A gust of wind blew through the villa, dispersing the fog in the area and revealing Xiao Nanfeng in the air.

"Seize them all!" Xiao Nanfeng ordered.

"Understood!" The black-clad cultivators charged toward the remaining assassins.

The Snowborne assassins attempted to resist, but it was too late. Within moments, they were overpowered and left severely injured, on the verge of death.