Chapter 561: Put to Action

Chapter 561: Put to Action

Although Zhang Lingjun had now been rescued, Xiao Nanfeng's involvement in the Buddha's Grotto couldn't be revealed. Xiao Nanfeng had the purple-furred monsters continue searching for Zhang Lingjun in the outskirts of the capital.

The countless cultivators of the capital of Dayin quickly realized what was going on. Had Zhang Lingjun gone missing?

In a small, secluded cottage within the city, Ao Shuai gaped upon hearing his subordinates' reports. "I thought Xiao Nanfeng was smarter than this, but he's lost Zhang Lingjun after just a few days. What a joke he is."

"I think this is retaliation for Xiao Nanfeng having sullied Dayin's reputation," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost suggested.

Ao Shuai smirked. "That's why I'm saying Xiao Nanfeng shouldn't play with fire." Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com

However, the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost then shook his head as he frowned. "No, it's not quite so simple."

"Oh?"

"Master, we can't stay here any longer. If Dayin can't even tolerate such a small slight, then they've clearly accumulated sufficient resources and are about to make a move."

"What move? Dayin's... rebellion?!" Ao Shuai narrowed his eyes. He had finally guessed what was going on.

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost sighed. He nodded, finally revealing the truth to Ao Shuai.

Suddenly, Ao Shuai understood his father's intentions to date. He asked, "If the divine empire of Dayin were to rebel, it would surely kill any envoys of the Imperial Court on its territory to announce it to the world, wouldn't it?"

"Precisely."

"No wonder Xiao Nanfeng isn't getting punished for neglecting this mission. In other words, Xiao Nanfeng has trapped himself in Dayin, hasn't he? Dayin won't let him leave even if he tries to!"

"Indeed. He's done for. Given what just happened, however, it's clear that Dayin's rebellion is imminent. We can't stay, either."

Ao Shuai shook his head. "No. I want to see Xiao Nanfeng die with my own eyes. No one knows that we're hidden here, and we'll be very safe."

"But what if something were to happen, Master?"

"Xiao Nanfeng's like a cockroach. He might have a means of saving himself, and I won't be satisfied if he manages to run off. I'd like to keep an eye on him—and I have his nemesis with me."

"Master, you can't attack a Martial Aspect. If anyone finds out, nobody will be able to save you," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost warned.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't be that foolish," Ao Shuai replied.

Three days later, Mo Shanhe arrived at a valley, where he peered into a pit where the Buddha of Dual Cultivation's Grotto had been.

His subordinates checked the surroundings, only to find nothing of interest whatsoever.

"Is there no trace of the perpetrator whatsoever?" Mo Shanhe frowned.

"Nothing at all. It's all been wiped clean," one of his subordinates reported.

"The Buddha of Dual Cultivation and his disciples were here. How could they have vanished out of nowhere?"

"The Buddha of Dual Cultivation would never leave with such short notice. What's more, the entire Buddha's Grotto vanished, leaving no trace behind. Something is clearly wrong."

"You really are a skilled actor. If I didn't know that you hid Zhang Lingjun somewhere safe, I might have been tricked myself."

"Please don't mind, Senior. Although the princess is safe now, we can't let it be known that we've found her. The purple-furred monsters are loyal and would keep the secret, but they're not necessarily good actors. Only by hiding the truth will we be safe. I don't want to cause too much trouble."

Emperor Feng sneered. "You don't want to cause trouble? You're the one causing all the trouble."

"Hardly, Senior!" Xiao Nanfeng laughed in response. "I'm sure you managed to gain quite a bit from our expedition."

Emperor Feng glared at Xiao Nanfeng. He smirked. "Xiao Nanfeng, you have more secrets than I expected."

"Hardly, Senior."

Xiao Nanfeng knew that Emperor Feng wanted to learn how he had managed to get into the Buddha's Grotto, but he had no interest in letting Emperor Feng know at all.

"Have your subordinates stop following me," he continued.

"What do you mean, Senior?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

Could Emperor Feng have learned of the spectral guards' surveillance? You Jiu himself led it.

"I used to be an Immortal Emperor myself. Don't you think I can identify when I'm being followed? I know roughly of the techniques of those spying on me. They're the spectral guards from the fallen divine empire of Dawei, aren't they? I met the Specter King myself a millennium ago. To think you would have inherited their foundations, too..."

Xiao Nanfeng raised an eyebrow. Emperor Feng really had detected You Jiu's presence, then.

"Hardly, Senior. I only managed to obtain a scant portion of Dawei's treasures." Xiao Nanfeng shook his head.

"Emperor Wei's Hegemon's Fist was unparalleled in his time. Although that technique has since spread across the world, no one could reach his vaunted heights. Within the Buddha's Grotto in which I was sealed, however, I could sense the refinement of your rendition of Hegemon's Fist. Unless you received pointers from Emperor Wei himself, you would never have reached that level of skill. Furthermore, you even control the spectral guards of his kingdom. Need I say more?" Emperor Feng smirked again.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "I was simply lucky to have attuned to the technique more than most, Senior. I hardly possess Dawei's foundations."

Emperor Feng's face grew dour. "Are you really going to keep denying it?"

"It's the truth, Senior. Hegemon's Fist resonated with me. Emperor Wei never gave me any pointers—and he could hardly have, considering that he's been dead for a millennium."

Emperor Feng bore him no goodwill; why would he reveal his secrets to him?

"Stop having your subordinates follow me," Emperor Feng repeated. "If you really want to know what I've been doing all this time, all you needed to do was ask."

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng replied curiously.

"As you've seen, I have a secret technique that allows me to devour the strength of the cursed effigies subordinate to the Buddhas of Three Aspects. If I want to deal with Yin Shenhua and the Three Buddhas, I'll need far more strength. That's why I've been searching for Buddha's Grottos to advance myself before taking revenge on Yin Shenhua. I'm sure your spectral guards have set up a strong information network. Do you know where more of these Buddha's Grottos are located?"

Xiao Nanfeng frowned as he analyzed Emperor Feng's words. In the end, he concluded that Emperor Feng was telling the truth, at least partially. As for whether he had other designs in mind as well, Xiao Nanfeng didn't know.

"Zhang Lingjun knows my secrets, and I wouldn't ordinarily allow her out of my sight. If you can help me find more Buddha's Grottos, I'll let this matter slide."

Emperor Feng believed that Xiao Nanfeng had hidden Zhang Lingjun, not that the Heavenly Emperor himself had taken her away.

Xiao Nanfeng was silent for a moment before he smiled. "It's not hard for you to find more Buddha's Grottos, Senior, as long as you're willing to take the risk."

"Oh?" Emperor Feng's eyes lit up. He waited expectantly for Xiao Nanfeng to continue.