Wayfarer

Chapter 519: Crusade Against Thousand-Spirit Island

Days later, in Xiao Nanfeng's manor, Zhang Lingjun and Xiao Nanfeng were deep in discussion. She and Xiao Nanfeng had gotten along rather well before, but ever since Zhang Feifan's discussion with her, she kept thinking about their first encounter in which he had seen her nude.

"What's the matter? Your face seems rather red," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"N-Nothing. I had a hiccup with my cultivation, but it's gotten better since."

"Don't rush matters of cultivation. Take it slowly."

Zhang Lingjun rolled her eyes. Xiao Nanfeng was a faster cultivator than she was—what right did he have to say that?

"We managed to exchange the recipe for producing arhat armor for two thousand purple-furred lifeforms. In addition to the three thousand we reclaimed from the palace, you have a standing force of five thousand now." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

Zhang Lingjun nodded in gratitude. "It's all thanks to you. Otherwise, the various Martial Aspects would have used them as cannon fodder, nothing more."

"There's no need for thanks. I'll have to borrow them from you soon enough. Don't be stingy then, will you?"

"Naturally. Do you need them now?"

"There's no rush. I have something I'd like you to help with first."

"What's the matter?"

"Please send a petition to the Heavenly Emperor on my behalf."

"Hmm?"

"I can do so myself, but there's a whole protocol I'd have to follow, and it would cause a delay. On the other hand, you can meet the Heavenly Emperor directly. I need to send this petition to the Heavenly Emperor as quickly as possible."

"What are you trying to do?"

"My half-year preparation period is over, and I'll have to start taking on Martial Aspect tasks immediately. The Hall of Martial Aspects contains a task that I have to obtain at any cost."

"You aren't going to petition the Heavenly Emperor for that, are you? He never cares for such trifles." Zhang Lingjun seemed surprised.

"It concerns the Buddhas of Three Aspects, so I believe the Heavenly Emperor will consider it."

"Which task pertains to the Buddhas of Three Aspects?" Zhang Lingjun asked seriously.

She had learned that the Buddhas of Three Aspects could well be the masterminds behind her mother's death. Although Xiao Nanfeng had taken down the Past Buddha, the Present and Future Buddhas were still around. She viewed them with great enmity.

"The task that I petitioned for to begin with: subjugating the Thousand-Spirit Island."

"I remember that now. Several months ago, the Immortal spirits of Thousand-Spirit Island once attacked your empire. How did you know that the Thousand-Spirit Island and the Buddhas of Three Aspects are linked?"

"I have a spy there."

Zhang Lingjun was taken aback. "It's only been a few months! How did you do it?"

"I was lucky," Xiao Nanfeng replied. "Someone just claimed the task this morning, and I can't afford any delays. Please bring this petition to the Heavenly Emperor immediately. I need to be in command of the army."

Zhang Lingjun took the petition and nodded. "Very well. I'll go immediately."

Within a small courtyard in the Sieve of Heaven, the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost was having tea as he watched Ao Shuai fume in front of him. "Master, who's made you so angry?"

"Who else but Xiao Nanfeng? I hate him!"

"Has he provoked you again? Haven't you been trying to forge arhat armor recently?"

"That's why I'm so frustrated. I sought out many forgemasters and failed dozens of times before finally crafting a single suit. It cost me a fortune in materials!"

"But didn't you succeed? You'll grow more successful with practice."

"The success rate apparently can't be increased. The forgemasters said that they only succeeded because of luck. Trying to increase their proficiency is near-impossible. I heard that the other Martial Aspects are having the same problem. Xiao Nanfeng must have deliberately hidden some crucial information if he was able to make dozens of suits of this armor. He tricked us out of hundreds of purple-furred monsters!"

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost frowned. "Xiao Nanfeng's sly and devious, as we know. But don't worry, he won't last long."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"His half-year preparation period is about to end, and he'll be receiving tasks right away. The Eastern Aspect has already earmarked his first task: claim a tithe from the sea of skeletons." The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost smiled.

"The sea of skeletons? That's a death zone. What if he refuses?" Ao Shuai seemed a little worried. 

"Martial Aspects are able to refuse one appointed task, but there are several even more dangerous areas for him to pick from. Among those options, the sea of skeletons might be the safest." The Martial Aspect smiled.

Ao Shuai suddenly beamed as well. "Very good. If Xiao Nanfeng's sent to the sea of skeletons, he'll surely die!"

"Xiao Nanfeng is skilled, talented, and lucky. It's a pity that he's not one of us," the Martial Aspect replied, sipping from a cup of tea.

"I heard that you've been arranging forces all around Thousand-Spirit Island. Are you planning to take them on?" Ao Shuai asked curiously.

"Thousand-Spirit Island is rich and replete with resources, and is a source of immense wealth to us. Our plans are almost complete, so we just have to tighten the noose."

"You're going to attack Thousand-Spirit Island soon, then? Don't forget about me—I want in!"

"Naturally. You're a representative of the Eastern Aspect, and will be in charge of supervising our forces." The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost nodded.

"Has the edict of appointment for the subjugation of Thousand-Spirit Island been handed down already?" Ao Shuai seemed eager and impatient.

The Martial Aspect handed a document to Ao Shuai. "This morning, the Eastern Aspect signed the document himself. I shall be the commander in charge of the subjugation."

"Great!" Ao Shuai said. The next moment, he suddenly frowned. "But I heard that this task came from Xiao Nanfeng, who reported that the Thousand-Spirit Island disrespected the Imperial Court. As the cultivator who issued the task, he has the right to follow us. Wouldn't that ruin our plans?"

"He's about to die in the sea of skeletons. He's not coming to Thousand-Spirit Island!" The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost smirked.

"That's true. Xiao Nanfeng will die in the sea of skeletons, while we claim vast riches from Thousand-Spirit Island!" Ao Shuai cried out in excitement.

Just then, a cultivator walked into the yard.

"Martial Aspect, the Eastern Aspect has requested that you return to the Hall of Martial Aspects and return the edict of appointment."

"Hm? Why?" The Martial Aspect was astounded.

"The Heavenly Emperor has decreed that the commander of the subjugation forces will be Xiao Nanfeng."

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost: ...

Ao Shuai: ...

What sort of situation was this? Their entire plan...!