Chapter 741: Three Denunciations

Chapter 741: Three Denunciations

In an empire adjacent to both Shenfeng and Hongyue, court was in session. The emperor sat on a draconic throne as he eyed his officials before him. One official had been designated as the emperor's representative and was leading a discussion.

"Is anyone unaware of the enmity between Shenfeng and Hongyue?" the official asked.

"Prime Minister, all of us are aware of the feuds between these two neighboring empires. Not long ago, Yuan Wudi and Tu Jiuniang attacked Shenfeng's capital and fled in disgrace. News of that fight has spread far and wide."

"I even heard that Dazheng, Shenfeng's ally, is even more impressive. Its capital was besieged by a horde of zombies, including seven Boundless Immortal zombie kings, and yet it still survived unscathed! I can hardly believe it."

"Dazheng became known around the world for having taken down the divine empire of Dayin; now, its reputation will only be enhanced."

"The rising star of the south is Shenfeng, and that in the east is Dazheng. The two empires have allied despite being half the continent away. It really is remarkable."

The officials made their points all at once. They were all shocked by the events that had transpired to date.

The prime minister shook his head. "It seems like you haven't received the latest news—or, more accurately, the news hasn't had time to spread."

"Oh? What's going on now, Prime Minister?" an official asked.

"Just moments ago, the Taiqing Immortal Sect, the Southern Aspect Yang Chuan, and the Shenfeng Empire simultaneously issued denunciations and declarations of war."

"The Taiqing Immortal Sect? Wasn't it destroyed two centuries ago? I heard that Lou Yujing was from the Taiqing Immortal Sect. Could it still have extant disciples? How did they end up allied with Shenfeng and the Hall of Martial Aspects?" someone exclaimed.

"Xiao Nanfeng seems to be the Heaven division leader of the Taiqing Immortal Sect at present," the prime minister explained.

"Oh?" Many officials were taken aback, though a large fraction was aware as well.

"Prime Minister, could you provide more information?" an official asked.

The prime minister turned to the emperor, who nodded. "Recite the denunciation."

"Understood!"

The officials all turned to the prime minister, who began, "The first denunciation is issued by the Taiqing Immortal Sect.

"In times of yore, the Taiqing Immortal Sect, once a bastion of righteousness and glory, had disciples spread far and wide across the world. One such was Lou Yujing. The sect granted him its full support and a tremendous quantity of resources to help him establish the Divine Empire of Hongyue in exchange for a tithe of fortune to help the sect advance into a holy land. Yet Lou Yujing, traitor and ingrate, attempted to eradicate the sect to avoid repaying the promised sums of fortune. Tens of thousands of Taiqing disciples and elders were killed in the calamity, and its ancestral lands, now the city of Taixu, were taken over. Even that did not suffice for Lou Yujing. His underlings exhumed the Taiqing dead and forged their specters and residual spirits into a relic, torturing and taking advantage of them even in death. The Taiqing Immortal Sect hereby denounces Lou Yujing as a cold-blooded murderer and demon whose death is rightly deserved. Though 231 years have passed since the calamity that befell Taiqing, its disciples will never forget the deeds that Lou Yujing wrought. As our ancestors watch over us, we shall march to Hongyue for his head! Death to the traitor and ingrate of the Taiqing Immortal Sect!"

All the officials took a deep breath.

"Shocking," an official murmured.

"If this is true, I can understand why Lou Yujing engenders such hatred. I only knew that the Taiqing Immortal Sect collapsed due to an internal schism, but it seems that it was orchestrated entirely by Lou Yujing."

"'A cold-blooded murderer and demon'..."

"This denunciation will surely win the sympathy of many. If these crimes can be corroborated, it's clear that the Taiqing Immortal Sect stands on the moral high ground."

"I remember Xiao Nanfeng's Stratagems Against Yin, which sketched out how he took down Dayin with limited manpower and resources. He too started by issuing a denunciation and inviting other forces to take down Dayin alongside him. He even sent delegations to many empires seeking an alliance. At the time, many lost out on an incredible opportunity because they were too cautious to participate. I believe we have to take advantage of this opportunity this time."

"Do you suggest that we take on Hongyue alongside Shenfeng, then?"

The prime minister shook his head. "No. I believe we ought to participate, but which faction we side with should depend on what benefits they promise to us."

The officials glanced at each other and nodded thoughtfully.

"If I'm not mistaken, envoys from the two empires will be arriving shortly," the prime minister continued.

"Indeed. We ought to think about which side will promise us more profit."

"Wise you are, Prime Minister! We should negotiate for the best terms."

Many officials agreed with the prime minister's suggestion, but the emperor felt somehow uneasy about the whole situation.

In the imperial study in Hongyue's capital, Lou Yujing's face was grim as he stared at the three denunciations. Then, with a bang, he tossed the three scrolls at the wall.

"Husband, what are we going to do? It's almost like what happened when Xiao Nanfeng took down Dayin! What should we do? Pacify the neighboring empires around us?" Tu Jiuniang exclaimed.

"Absolutely not! There's no such need. If they dare attack, I'll have my zombie army take down their capital. They're not worth our time," Lou Yujing said.

"I understand." Tu Jiuniang nodded, though she was concerned by her consort's vehemence.

In the palatial valley of Shenfeng's capital, Xiao Nanfeng was glancing through the documents neatly arranged on his table as the Divine Emperor peeled him some fruit.

"We've formally declared war on Hongyue. Shall we send envoys to the neighboring empires to prevent Hongyue from seizing control of them first?" the Divine Emperor asked.

"Ignore them. They're weak and hardly worth our time to bother with."

"Oh?"

"Shenfeng has far more resources than Dazheng did when it took on Dayin. We don't need allies," Xiao Nanfeng explained.

"Very well!" The Divine Emperor nodded.

A day later, a certain empire's prime minister spoke with several officials in charge of their empire's information network.

"Have Shenfeng's envoys been around?"

"No."

"And Hongyue's envoys?"

"We haven't seen them either."

"How can that be? Do they not intend to bother with us?!" the prime minister thundered.