Chapter 582: Acquired Fortune

Chapter 582: Acquired Fortune

Back in the Thunderclap Hall's illusory realm, Yin Shenhua gritted out, "The tithe has been deposited."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "I've been informed. In that case, I'll fulfill my promise and leave Dayin immediately."

"And what of Mo Shanhe and Yin Tianci?"

"We'll discuss that later," Xiao Nanfeng replied. "If your subordinates dare to bother Dazheng again, I'll kill them."

"How dare you! I just handed over 60% of Dayin's fortune. Do you realize what a tremendous sum that is? You had better hand over Mo Shanhe and Yin Tianci immediately.

"Don't forget, Yin Shenhua, that that fortune was owed to the Imperial Court to begin with, not to me. You might have lost that fortune, but you've gained another five years to gather more."

"Hm?" Yin Shenhua narrowed his eyes.

The implicit meaning behind Xiao Nanfeng's words was clear—Yin Tianci could delay his rebellion another five years. That didn't seem too bad.

"What's more, I even brought you Emperor Feng. I think you'll gain almost as much from defeating him, won't you? It's not a loss for you either way," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Yin Shenhua was silent.

"Very well, then. We'll be leaving," Xiao Nanfeng said. He turned to the black lotus. "Past Buddha, we should leave." itabha." The black lotus nodded.

Just then, Emperor Feng roared, "Xiao Nanfeng, if you dare work together with Yin Shenhua, I won't forgive you! I'll kill you and Zhao Yuanjiao!"

By then, however, Xiao Nanfeng had written Emperor Feng off as a complete disappointment and was ignoring him.

The black lotus brought itself and Xiao Nanfeng out of the illusory realm.

"Hold it!" Emperor Feng roared.

"Don't worry. I'll deal with you, then take them on afterwards. They won't be able to escape from the Thousand-Lotus Formation," Yin Shenhua replied.

"Who knows? Don't you remember how the black coffin got removed from your lotus barrier? I'm sure he can escape," Emperor Feng fumed.

"If I say that they can't leave, then they won't be able to leave. It's not clear that Xiao Nanfeng will necessarily be able to make it out of the Thousand-Lotus Formation, but even if he does, I have countless guards outside of it. Not even you from the past would have been able to escape," Yin Shenhua replied confidently.

"And what of Mo Shanhe and Yin Tianci? Xiao Nanfeng kidnapped them despite your confidence," Emperor Feng spat out.

"You're simply far too confident, you see. You want to deal with them on my behalf? Don't you think I can do that on my own? Once I master you, I'll take them down!" Emperor Feng declared.

"Oh? Do you think you'll succeed? Let's see, then!" Yin Shenhua retorted.

The two Immortal Emperors began to fight once more as Xiao Nanfeng returned to the Thunderclap Hall in reality.

The black lotus also dispelled its transformation and surrounded itself in black fog. It floated by Xiao Nanfeng's side.

"How do you feel, Senior Brother?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Thanks to you stalling for time, and the help of the demonic sect master and the gathered generals, the curse only triggered after we had dispelled 99% of its strength. I really was lucky," Zhao Yuanjiao said wryly.

"My thanks, Demonic Sect Master," Xiao Nanfeng said immediately.

"His Majesty sent me out of the Thunderclap Hall on urgent business. You there, accompany me, now!" Mo Shanhe shouted.

"But..." The golden-armored cultivators visibly hesitated.

"You won't be able to pay the price of ruining His Majesty's plans. Now!" Mo Shanhe demanded again.

"Understood!" the golden-armored cultivators replied.

Any other official, or even Dayin's princes, wouldn't have been able to commandeer them, but Mo Shanhe was different. He was Yin Shenhua's closest confidante and the one in charge of Dayin when Yin Shenhua was in secluded cultivation. No one dared to doubt his words.

Several golden-armored cultivators immediately shrouded him in fog as they soared into the air toward the outskirts of Dayin's capital.

City guards were out in full force, quelling any disturbance that was about to arise. They inspected just about every group of fliers in the air, but none dared to intercept Mo Shanhe and the golden-armored cultivators, personal guards to Yin Shenhua himself.

Very quickly, they made it out of the capital.

"Prime Minister, it's dangerous outside the capital. You've been taken hostage out there once before, after all," a golden-armored cultivator warned.

"What nonsense are you talking about? That was part of a scheme!" Mo Shanhe retorted.

"But the third prince was taken hostage outside the capital as well..."

"You're unaware of the whole story. Don't bother trying to second-guess me. Simply obey my orders."

"Understood!" the golden-armored cultivators replied.

As they reached a forest in the distance, Mo Shanhe said, "This will do. Someone will be here to receive me. You may return."

"But..." The golden-armored cultivators were clearly hesitant to obey.

Mo Shanhe's face grew more dour. "What's the matter? Do you intend to pry when it comes to the Immortal Emperor's secrets?"

The golden-armored cultivators blanched. One immediately said, "We wouldn't dare, Prime Minister! We'll return immediately."

"Good." Mo Shanhe nodded.

A group of golden-armored cultivators bowed toward Mo Shanhe as they flew off. One was so curious he considered heading back to check out the situation, only to turn and see Mo Shanhe standing on a mountain peak in the distance staring at him. He was so shaken that he shook his head and turned back immediately.

Only when the golden-armored cultivators had all vanished did Mo Shanhe fly into the forest and vanish from sight.

At the same time, in the Thunderclap Hall, a huge explosion rang out, causing even the dragon-head mountain to shake violently. The Thousand-Lotus Formation cracked and exploded in flames.

"Emperor Feng, do you intend to oppose me even in death? How dare you!" Yin Shenhua roared, his words reverberating throughout the palace.

"Immortal Emperor!" A group of golden-armored cultivators rushed over.

What remained of The Thousand-Lotus Formation was nothing more than ruins. The Thunderclap Hall had likewise crumbled away. Yin Shenhua's draconic robes seemed a little tattered where he stood; anger and fury flashed in his eyes as he considered his surroundings.

"Where's Xiao Nanfeng and the others? Could they really have escaped?" Yin Shenhua exclaimed. He looked toward the golden-armored cultivators. "Xiao Nanfeng escaped. Didn't you see him?"

"We didn't. Only the prime minister made it out. He rushed out of the city with a few golden-armored cultivators in tow," one cultivator reported.

Yin Shenhua narrowed his eyes, finally realizing what was going on.

"Mo Shanhe, whom I've been looking for for so long—he was right under my nose the entire time! Damn it. Chase after them, now! Bring the prime minister back!" Yin Shenhua roared.