Wayfarer

Chapter 573: Thunderclap Hall

Two days later, the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost and Ao Shuai arrived at Xiao Nanfeng's guest island together. They initiated negotiations in a secluded pavilion.

"Come, have some tea. There's no rush," Xiao Nanfeng said, greeting them warmly.

To him, they might as well have been gods of wealth come to bless him.

"Xiao Nanfeng, everything that happened before was just a misunderstanding," Ao Shuai said, frowning.

"Right, a misunderstanding. I'm certain you wouldn't have sold a bow to target me, Master Ao. Don't worry. I've already written a petition to have the best researchers of the Imperial Court determine the truth and clear your name." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

Ao Shuai: ...

Beside him, the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost took a deep breath. "Young master, don't beat around the bush. Simply tell the truth."

If they were to continue sipping tea and maintaining a pleasant facade, the petition might well reach the Heavenly Emperor's hands before they could do anything about it.

Ao Shuai scowled. He was deeply dissatisfied by the notion of submitting to Xiao Nanfeng.

"Perhaps it would be better if I explained what happened. Martial Aspect Xiao, Ao Shuai fell for Mo Shanhe's trap, not anticipating that Mo Shanhe would have a spy by Ao Shuai's side inciting him to deal with you. We've already caught and interrogated that spy. Mo Shanhe deliberately had Ao Shuai come across the Sunfell Bow and then sell it back to a Dayin armory in order to deal with you and tarnish the Imperial Court's reputation. Martial Aspect Xiao, I hope you'll be understanding and think about the big picture."

Xiao Nanfeng didn't fully believe the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost's explanation. "What are your intentions, then?"

"For the good of the Imperial Court, please don't advertise the truth of the matter. We'd be happy to provide you with sufficient compensation," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost replied.

"Compensation? You should know that I cultivate the Sky of Ten Suns, and the technique is instrumental to my cultivation. The Sunfell Bow that Ao Shuai sold was responsible for killing four of my golden crows and almost caused me to perish during the martial tournament. What sort of compensation do you think would suffice for such indignity?" Xiao Nanfeng's face went cold.

"We've already contacted the Eastern Aspect, who has agreed to hand over another nomination for a substitute Martial Aspect," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost replied.

"That's far too insufficient. It might be enough to deter me from killing Ao Shuai, but what of the four golden crows I lost? What of my near-death experience? I won't make things hard for you. Give me that and four Golden Immortal relics, and I won't look into the matter further," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Impossible. Do you think Golden Immortal relics are that easy to acquire? Many Golden Immortals don't even have such relics," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost replied.

"I don't think my request is overboard. Feel free to head back and discuss it between yourselves, then pass on my request to the Eastern Aspect. Come back when you've made up your mind," Xiao Nanfeng said, preparing to leave.

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost blanched. Next time? Next time would be far too late!

"On behalf of the Eastern Aspect, I can offer two nominations for substitute Martial Aspects," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost replied.

"Why would I want so many?" Xiao Nanfeng shook his head.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, your request is impossible to fulfill. We can't provide you with any Golden Immortal relics," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost said firmly.

Xiao Nanfeng eyed the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost. He didn't want to press the other party too much, either—the curse was strong, but dispelling it was possible given sufficient time. What if they decided to pay to have Ao Shuai's curse cleansed instead? Xiao Nanfeng would acquire nothing then.

"Then I'll take four additional nominations, one for each Golden Immortal relic that you can't provide. That's an easier request for you to handle, I'm sure."

"Five nominations? If the Eastern Aspect were to sign that, the entire Eastern Quadrant would be made a laughingstock! Three at most."

"A laughingstock, perhaps, but one that doesn't concern me. On the other hand, if I expose the truth to the public, the Eastern Aspect will truly be a laughingstock then, won't he? I've already been quite considerate with my requests. Take it or leave it," Xiao Nanfeng said firmly.

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost eyed Xiao Nanfeng for a long moment before he said, "Give me a moment."

He passed on Xiao Nanfeng's request to a subordinate with an avatar at the Imperial Court, who reported it to Ao Canghai immediately.

After another long moment, the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost returned. "The Eastern Aspect has agreed. The nominations will arrive at your manor within two hours."

"Let's wait, then. We have plenty of time to spare. Would you like to have a taste of my Immortal tea? It's a specialty that Dayin provides to envoys from the Imperial Court, and it's quite good." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

Neither Ao Shuai nor the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost, however, were in the mood for tea at all. They frowned and waited patiently, ignoring Xiao Nanfeng.

Two hours later, Xiao Nanfeng suddenly smiled. "I've received the nominations. Thank you for your generosity, Ao Shuai."

Ao Shuai was so mad that veins were throbbing from his forehead. The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost tugged firmly on his sleeve, reining him in.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, please return the Sunfell Bow and Sunstrike Arrows to us."

"I'm afraid you must be mistaken. Ao Shuai sold off the Sunfell Bow; it's no longer his. At most, I'll permit you to remove the traces of the curse on it. This relic is mine."

"Very well. Let me do so, then," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost conceded.

Xiao Nanfeng retrieved a jade box.

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost opened it and had Ao Shuai inspect it carefully to ensure that it was the bow and remaining arrows that he had sold. Only then did he nod.

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost charged his arms up with lightning, then swept them over the bow and arrows, clearing away whatever remained of the curse. The two cultivators inspected the relics again before returning them to Xiao Nanfeng.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, it's getting late. We won't impose on you any longer. Farewell!" the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost said.

"I won't send you off," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.

The Martial Aspect of Violetfrost and Ao Shuai left quickly with their subordinates in tow.

After they left the island, Ao Shuai gritted out, "He's ridiculously greedy. Five nominations?! Does he think they grow on trees? How many cultivators within the Imperial Court would foot exorbitant prices for these nominations? If he were to sell them, he'd be rich beyond belief!"

"Don't worry, Master. The Eastern Aspect specifically marked these nominations so that they're only valid if Xiao Nanfeng himself signs them, and Xiao Nanfeng can't leave the capital of Dayin at present. I'm sure Dayin will strike at his avatar at the same time when it's ready to rebel, so we might as well have promised him nothing. We won't have lost anything by handing them to him," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost concluded.

"Hmph!" Ao Shuai was still aggrieved.

"Yin Shenhua's outraged that Mo Shanhe has been captured, and his rebellion is likely imminent. We have to leave Dayin immediately—the Eastern Aspect commanded us himself. You can't remain here willfully," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost warned.

"Very well," Ao Shuai replied.

After the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost and Ao Shuai left, Zhao Yuanjiao walked up to Xiao Nanfeng.

"Five nominations? They must not think you'll make it out alive."

"We'll see, I suppose. Senior Brother, one of the nominations is for you."

"Are you already planning things out so far in advance?" Zhao Yuanjiao gave him a look of surprise.

"It's not that far in advance. There are four quadrants of Martial Aspects, and Ao Canghai leads the eighteen Aspects of the Eastern Quadrant. Another five loyal to us would give us seven in all—and we'd be able to contend against Ao Canghai then."

"We'd still have the numerical disadvantage, wouldn't we?" Zhao Yuanjiao frowned.

"Not all eighteen Aspects of the Eastern Quadrant are loyal to Ao Canghai," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.

Zhao Yuanjiao hummed thoughtfully. "In that case, it's worth a try."

"Before that, though, I need to deal with the problems we're about to face."

"Yin Shenhua?"

"That's right. All the city lords in Dayin have received a missive over the last two days to rescue Mo Shanhe regardless of the cost. Yin Shenhua's showing his hand, and I'm afraid we'll have much to deal with now."

Just then, a group of Dayin officials flew toward Xiao Nanfeng's guest island.

"Is the envoy of the Imperial Court, Xiao Nanfeng, present?" an official called out.

"Speak of the devil," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

He waved a hand, beckoning for the purple-furred monsters to welcome the delegation and bring them toward the pavilion.

"I am Dayin's Vice-Minister of Rites. Greetings, Envoy," the official in the lead said.

"Is something the business?"

"His Majesty has received your petition and would like to invite you to the Thunderclap Hall to discuss it in more detail," the official said, bowing.

Behind the official were a group of exceptionally strong cultivators. Xiao Nanfeng easily deduced that, if he were to refuse, they would attack him and bring him there by force.

"About the fortune owed to the Imperial Court, you mean?" Xiao Nanfeng clarified.

"Indeed, Envoy. Please follow me."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

The cultivators at the back of the delegation exhaled in relief. They certainly didn't want to have to bring Xiao Nanfeng there by force unless they had to.

"Nanfeng," Zhao Yuanjiao murmured in worry.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother. Focus on your safety. I'm prepared," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Zhao Yuanjiao nodded, a complicated look in his eyes.

Xiao Nanfeng turned toward Dayin's delegation. "Has Yin Shenhua convened a session of court?"

"Ah..." The official clearly hesitated.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded, unperturbed. "I understand. If this is to be a private meeting, then I alone will suffice. Let's go."

The official bowed and led the way as Xiao Nanfeng was escorted toward Dayin's palace.

Dayin's palace was surrounded with fog and built atop a giant mountain in the shape of a dragon's head. There were plenty of halls all across the mountain, and that at the very top was where the imperial court of Dayin convened: Thunderclap Hall.