Chapter 663: Impersonation

Chapter 663: Impersonation

In an Immortal city beyond the Yuqing holy land, a group of spectral guards were interrogating the cultivators that Xiao Nanfeng had brought back. Within half a day, they had obtained preliminary results.

"Your Majesty, we interrogated them individually and pruned away those with avatars. We've obtained some information," a spectral guard reported.

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng replied curiously.

"These people are just underlings who aren't high enough up the hierarchy to have much information. All they know is that Long Si's extending an offer of marriage to Xia Yu'er on the order of the premier lord of the Southeastern Aquatic Palace. They seem dead set on acquiring her at any cost. Sage Green Lotus would fully support Long Si in bringing her to the Southeastern Aquatic Palace at any cost from within Yuqing."

"Do you know roughly why?"

"No, Your Majesty. Long Si's subordinates are likely unqualified to learn of further information. They did report that, after Your Majesty beheaded Long Si, Sage Green Lotus met with him multiple times in his residence, conspiring for a prolonged period each time."

"Continue the interrogation. I want to know everything there is to know about the Southeastern Aquatic Palace and its most important cultivators: their looks, their habits, and their special characteristics. Figure out everything you can about Long Si. I want to know about any catchphrases he might have, his subconscious mannerisms, and his acquaintances and how he treats them."

"Understood!" the spectral guard replied.

"Check the backgrounds of all the prisoners again. Make sure no one with an avatar can report on what we're doing," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.

"Understood!" the spectral guard said again. He retreated from the room.

"Aren't you being a little too careful?" Yu'er exclaimed.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "There has to be some reason the Southeastern Aquatic Palace and Yuqing holy land are working together to abduct you. Even your father has gotten involved. It's clear that you're of exceptional importance."

"But I'm safe now! What's there to worry about?"

"Considering how important you are, they won't stop trying to find you. The Yuqing holy land and Southeastern Aquatic Palace have significant resources at their disposal, and you'll be in grace danger. We need to think of a way to resolve this problem—we have to be active, not passive," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Xia Lan jumped in. "We have to be active? What are you planning to do, destroy the Southeastern Aquatic Palace?"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "I was planning to do so already, but I'll have to move up my plans since they concern Yu'er."

Xia Lan gaped. He gave Xiao Nanfeng an odd look. "You alone? You must be bragging!"

"Third Brother, you don't know anything. Don't speak to Xiao Nanfeng like that," Yu'er replied, dissatisfied.

Xia Lan froze. "Yu'er, you believe him?"

"What, do you want me to believe you instead? If you aren't going to help, stop making a fuss. Go on! I have important matters to discuss with Nanfeng," Yu'er said.

Xia Lan gaped. He felt so upset he might well spit out blood. Just what had happened for Yu'er to trust Xiao Nanfeng so blindly?

Meanwhile, Zhao Yuanjiao frowned. "The Southeastern Aquatic Palace must have something that the Yuqing holy land fears. Otherwise, there's no need for the Yuqing holy land to prey on its own holy maidens."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "It's inconvenient to contact Mountain Lord Xia at the moment, but Sage Green Lotus surely knows more than we do. Perhaps we can start with him."

"You want to meet Sage Green Lotus?" Zhao Yuanjiao asked.

"Let's wait a few more days first. I'll need to get a grasp of all of Long Si's subconscious mannerisms and figures of speech."

"Very well!" Zhao Yuanjiao nodded.

Three days later, in a hall in which Xia Xingchen was located in Chiyang Peak, a teary-eyed Han Bingdie grumbled at Xia Xingchen, "You're heartless! Green Lotus hurt your daughter. How could you let him go so easily? How are you going to answer to Yu'er?!"

"Husband, this is too much. You're the Mountain Lord of Chiyang Peak. How could you have let Long Si and Green Lotus go so easily? They're both complicit in her disappearance, I'm sure!"

"Husband, you really have disappointed us."

His other two wives grumbled at him as well.

The image of a wise, mysterious sage that he had painstakingly cultivated all these years had been shattered in an instant. He had made a fool of himself not just in front of the Yuqing disciples, but also the countless guests who had been in attendance for Xia Xingchen's banquet.

Some had even called him a pimp! His reputation was entirely tarnished now.

"It's all Long Si's fault! That damned scumbag!" Sage Green Lotus smashed another vase.

He had no choice but to serve as scapegoat for this entire affair.

Just then, a Yuqing disciple walked into the hall.

"What are you doing here?" Sage Green Lotus demanded.

The Yuqing disciple bowed down. "Mountain Lord, Long Si from the Southeastern Aquatic Palace has sent subordinates to arrange a meeting with you."

"Long Si?" Sage Green Lotus exclaimed.

"Yes, Mountain Lord!" the Yuqing disciple replied.

"Where is he?"

"The messenger followed me into the holy land, but didn't dare venture too far in due to the glances he was receiving from the Yuqing disciples around."

Sage Green Lotus paused for a moment. "Who else knows that Long Si wants to talk to me?"

"Only I do, Mountain Lord."

"Listen well. I don't want anyone else to know of this, or I'll hold you accountable," Sage Green Lotus demanded.

"Understood!" the Yuqing disciple replied, trembling.

"Where?"

The Yuqing disciple reported the location immediately.

Sage Green Lotus nodded and secretly left Taiyi Peak.

He headed out the mountain pass and in a certain direction. Quickly, he found himself at sea. An island appeared over the horizon.

Long Si was flying above the island.

"Long Si, how dare you!" Sage Green Lotus thundered.

"This isn't a safe place to talk. Let's talk elsewhere," Long Si replied.

He led the incensed sage toward another island in the distance.

"This is all your fault. Not only did you fail to catch Xia Yu'er, you even implicated me!"

"Who said I didn't catch her?" Long Si smirked.

Sage Green Lotus glared at him in disbelief. "You managed to take her away? But didn't you kidnap Zhao Yuanjiao instead? Ah—I understand now! You deliberately caught Zhao Yuanjiao as well to use him as bait!"

Long Si nodded. "That's right. I caught Zhao Yuanjiao to cover up my tracks. Fortunately, I did the right thing. Otherwise, all our efforts might have been in vain."

Sage Green Lotus huffed. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"The Yuqing holy land has been in an uproar these last few days. How would I have told you?"

Sage Green Lotus nodded grudgingly. "You've gotten what you wanted, but you've ruined me in the process!"