Chapter 597: Strategizing Against Dayin

Chapter 597: Strategizing Against Dayin

Back in Yongding, after Yin Shenhua left with his subordinates, Ao Canghai and the other Martial Aspects didn't give chase. Clearly, capturing Yin Shenhua wasn't going to be an easy feat.

"Martial Aspects, I've prepared a banquet in your honor. Please attend," Xiao Nanfeng invited everyone.

The Martial Aspects frowned at each other. Yin Shenhua had left out of nowhere, and the Martial Aspects were certain that something had happened. Perhaps Xiao Nanfeng knew of what was going on.

Although Ao Canghai seemed rather upset, he did descend toward the plaza of Xuanhuang Hall. R/ê/Ad lateSt ch/a/pters at nô(v)e(l)bin/.c/o//m Only

The Martial Aspects followed Ao Canghai.

"Please," Xiao Nanfeng said, beckoning them in.

"We protected Yongding only on the Heavenly Emperor's orders, and we failed to capture Yin Shenhua. Forget the banquet. With regards to Yin Shenhua's sudden departure, however—are you aware why that happened?" Ao Canghai asked brusquely.

"I was responsible for Yin Shenhua's departure, naturally. Why don't we talk as we dine? I'll describe the situation in detail," Xiao Nanfeng said again.

Ao Canghai frowned, but finally nodded and accepted the invitation.

Just then, a group of Martial Aspects' subordinates flew toward Yongding from afar. As they landed on the plaza, they hurriedly sent their respective Martial Aspects a mental transmission to inform them about what had happened in Dayin's capital.

Everyone stared at Xiao Nanfeng in shock, but by then, they had already accepted the invitation to his banquet.

The procession walked toward a hall set up specifically for the banquet.

"As the host, allow me to take the seat of honor. Princess, Martial Aspects, please join me!" Xiao Nanfeng called out.

Xiao Nanfeng took his seat at the far end of the banquet table. Zhang Lingjun sat directly to his left, and Ao Canghai to his right. The other Martial Aspects trailed in.

"I have all of you to thank for saving Yongding from certain destruction. Please allow me to toast you." Xiao Nanfeng raised his cup of wine and downed it in a single gulp.

The Martial Aspects looked toward Ao Canghai. Upon seeing him down his cup of wine, so did they.

"While you held back Yin Shenhua, I made a fuss in Dayin's capital..." Xiao Nanfeng briefly sketched out what had happened in Dayin.

By then, the seated Martial Aspects had learned about these details from their subordinates. They weren't as shocked as they should have been.

"Xiao Nanfeng, who's that cursed effigy who accompanied you to Dayin's capital?" Ao Canghai asked.

He had long since been aware of the black lotus cursed effigy, though not of its identity.

"Dazheng is only an ordinary empire, and a middling one even among such empires. How do you intend to compete against a divine empire? That's ridiculous!"

"Despite being a Heaven Immortal, I managed to reclaim 60% of Dayin's fortune from Yin Shenhua. Others would have called that equally ridiculous before I had done it. Wouldn't you agree?"

The Martial Aspects frowned at each other. Even now, they still had no idea how Xiao Nanfeng had succeeded in such a gambit.

It was clear that Yin Shenhua could easily have taken down Xiao Nanfeng. Why would he hand over 60% of Dayin's fortune instead—and allow Xiao Nanfeng to leave unimpeded?

"Martial Aspects, worry not about the war. The Dazheng Empire will lead the charge, but I'll need your assistance against Golden Immortals and higher-realm cultivators," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"You intend for us to help you expand your borders?" Ao Canghai scoffed.

"Hardly. You need not participate in the war. I simply ask that you remain in Yongding and take down whatever Golden Immortals from Dayin arrive in isolation. Once Yin Shenhua loses his empire and his subordinates, we'll easily be able to take him down."

Silence reigned in the hall.

Xiao Nanfeng really did seem like he was serious about this war. Was he crazy? His own empire against a full-fledged divine empire?

The Martial Aspects frowned at each other, then turned to Ao Canghai as one, waiting to hear his opinion.

Ao Canghai glanced at Zhang Lingjun, their overseer, who was quietly sipping on her cup of alcohol. He frowned and deliberated over the proposal before finally giving Xiao Nanfeng a tiny smile. "Very well. If you're so confident, Martial Aspect Xiao, then we'll await your good news."

"Are you in agreement, Martial Aspect?" Xiao Nanfeng asked with a smile.

"Naturally."

Whether he would dedicate himself to such an agreement, however, remained to be seen.

"What do you think, fellow Martial Aspects?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

The Martial Aspects grimaced, but no one objected.

"Very well. Thank you, Martial Aspects. Allow me to toast you again. May we quickly capture Yin Shenhua on behalf of the Heavenly Emperor." Xiao Nanfeng raised his cup of wine in a toast.

Beside him, Zhang Lingjun emulated his actions. "Martial Aspects, let's cooperate to take down Yin Shenhua. I shall report in detail on today's banquet to the Heavenly Emperor."

Ao Canghai inwardly frowned, understanding that Zhang Lingjun was preventing them from recanting.

"Very well!" Ao Canghai smiled grimly as he raised his cup.

The other Martial Aspects all followed suit. None believed that Xiao Nanfeng would be able to succeed; they were all waiting to see him make a fool of himself.