Wayfarer

Chapter 521: Sage Yellowbrow

A large group of purple-furred monsters were garrisoned on a large island on the Eastern Sea, and another thousand guards were on patrol.

dOn the island were plenty of buildings that had been constructed in a hurry. In one courtyard, Xiao Nanfeng was basking in the sun and sipping tea as he glanced through a stack of reports.

Just then, the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost walked over with a grimace.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, you're the commander of the subjugation forces. Why haven't you started attacking Thousand-Spirit Island? Why are we waiting on this small, remote island?"

"The Thousand-Spirit Island is no easy foe, and we need to make our attacks count. I am the commander, and I need to understand my opponents before attacking them in earnest."

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost frowned. "It's just a small island! Head over there now, and I can take on their strongest spirits. The remaining spirit kings will easily surrender."

"It's not as simple as you think," Xiao Nanfeng replied, shaking his head.

"Is there any need for such a delay? If I were commander, I would already have seized the island by now!"

"And yet you are not the commander. Do you intend on disobeying my orders?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost stiffened. That was what he was most annoyed about. He was supposed to have been the commander for this subjugation mission, but Xiao Nanfeng had somehow taken over. What was the Heavenly Emperor thinking? Not only had Xiao Nanfeng become the commander-in-charge, the Eastern Aspect had had to assign a Martial Aspect as vice-commander.

That thankless task had ended up going to the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost, whom Xiao Nanfeng reined in at every opportunity.

"I would never dare," the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost replied, fuming.

"In that case, keep guard on the island and wait for word from the frontline scouts," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost continued, "Martial Aspect Xiao, if we remain on this remote island, the cultivators' morale will plummet. That won't be good in the long run either!"

"You only have a thousand subordinates. What need do you have for morale? My five thousand troops are doing just fine. What's wrong with your troops?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost: ...

He hadn't wanted to help out Xiao Nanfeng, which was why he had only brought a thousand cultivators with him. Xiao Nanfeng was now using that decision against him.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, your spies won't be able to find out anything. Why not have my subordinates take on that responsibility?"

"And what if they leak our whereabouts?"

"That's impossible. My subordinates are stronger than your spies. What's more, this is a Martial Aspect's task. Whoever divulges any information would be punished by death."

"It's not that I don't trust your subordinates—I simply trust mine more."

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost's face stiffened. Wasn't that the same thing?!

"Martial Aspect Xiao, what if I had a look myself?"

"I am the commander of this mission. You're not intending to desert, are you? If you do, I'll report this to the Heavenly Emperor immediately and request a new vice-commander."

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost frowned. Wasn't Xiao Nanfeng being far too shameless? He was bringing up the authority of the Heavenly Emperor every other sentence!

"I would never desert," the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost gritted out.

"In that case, you should listen to my orders. However, considering you're too fidgety to remain on the island, let me give you a task away from it.

"Oh?"

Weren't you planning on staying on the island like a coward? What's with this task?

"I'll give you three days to reach the city of Yongding in the Dazheng Empire. My avatar will await you there."

"Aren't we going to attack Thousand-Spirit Island? Why do I have to head to Yongding?"

"That's top secret, and I can't divulge that information. You'll see once you get there. This is your permit. Now, go!"

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost was still frowning when he took the permit in hand. "Understood."

He turned and flew away from Xiao Nanfeng's courtyard, fuming.

He returned to his own hall and erected a formation to block all noise. Ao Shuai and a group of cultivators were waiting for him there. Ao Shuai asked, "Well? What's Xiao Nanfeng doing on this remote island?"

"He might have guessed our plan," the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost replied seriously.

"What?" Everyone was taken aback.

"We won't have an opportunity to pilfer the Thousand-Spirit Island's wealth for the time being. Xiao Nanfeng refuses to make a move not because he's worried about the Thousand-Spirit Island's strength, but rather about us."

"Xiao Nanfeng really is an ass. Why don't we have the forces elsewhere strike first? Let them take down Thousand-Spirit Island and pilfer the treasure. Don't worry about Xiao Nanfeng," Ao Shuai suggested, frowning.

"Our troops are hidden around Thousand-Spirit Island, but if they make a move, Xiao Nanfeng will learn of it quickly enough. By the time they take down Thousand-Spirit Island, Xiao Nanfeng can easily head over and claim all the treasure for himself with the Heavenly Emperor's decree. Why would we help Xiao Nanfeng out like that?"

"You're right. Xiao Nanfeng must be waiting for our troops to make a move. Damn it. What do we do?"

"Bear with it for now," the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost replied.

"Xiao Nanfeng really is a troublesome foe," Ao Shuai cursed.

"Don't worry. He can hardly keep staying guard here. When the fighting begins in earnest, we just have to find an opportunity to take him down at the hands of the spirits on the island."

"Understood!" Everyone nodded.

"However, Xiao Nanfeng just sent me off on an errand." The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost retrieved the permit that Xiao Nanfeng had given him.

"He must be worried that he won't be able to control you. That's why he wants you to leave," Ao Shuai analyzed.

"Better that way. Once I'm gone, he'll drop his guard and might even attack Thousand-Spirit Island directly. At that point, you'll be in charge of luring the spirit kings on the island to take him down. Once he's dead, I'll return to deal with the mess."

"Understood!" everyone shouted.

The Martial Aspect of Silverfrost made sure everyone understood their responsibilities before he stepped out of the hall and began to fly toward Yongding.

Days later, in a hall on Thousand-Spirit Island, Yin Tianci and Mo Lengxuan looked at a middle-aged man. The man's yellow brows were so long they extended all the way to his cheeks. He strode forward sternly and bowed. "Your Highness, we've been waging war and conquering the land these last few months, so it took us longer than expected to return. I apologize for the wait."

"Sage Yellowbrow, of course I can't blame you for helping deal with enemy forces around the divine empire of Dayin," Yin Tianci replied with a smile.

"Truly, Island Lord. You've done excellent work," Mo Lengxuan added.

Sage Yellowbrow frowned. "But what's this I've heard about some third party making a mess of Thousand-Spirit Island during my absence?"

"How could that be?" Mo Lengxuan replied.

"Sage Yellowbrow, please calm down. I was the cause of the problem," Yin Tianci said immediately.

Sage Yellowbrow shook his head. "Your Highness, I don't mean to blame you. Your seeking revenge on Xiao Nanfeng isn't a big deal, but you're acting in far too crude a manner. Was Mo Lengxuan responsible for all of this?"

"Ah?" Yin Tianci was perplexed.

Mo Lengxuan frowned. "Island Lord, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean? If you wanted to kill Xiao Nanfeng, do so without causing a ruckus. Are you trying to make sure that everyone knows the Thousand-Spirit Island was attempting to kill a Martial Aspect of the Imperial Court?! You're attempting to sow enmity between Thousand-Spirit Island and the Imperial Court!"

"I—no, it wasn't my fault! It was Tang's idiea!" Mo Lengxuan said immediately.

"And where's Tang?"

"He was sent to the prison in Dayin's capital."

"Hmph! Another of your scapegoats, then?" Sage Yellowbrow demanded.

Mo Lengxuan was momentarily at a loss for words. He turned to Yin Tianci for assistance.

Yin Tianci furrowed his brows before he spoke. "Sage Yellowbrow, please calm down. There has always been friction between Thousand-Spirit Island and the Imperial Court, and this incident isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Furthermore, Xiao Nanfeng won the clash, so I doubt the Imperial Court will mind too much. However, I'd like to hear your opinion on how I should deal with Xiao Nanfeng."

"My advice is to avoid trying to provoke him altogether. After all, if your interference is made known, Your Highness, it would only shame the Immortal Emperor."

Yin Tianci frowned. He had waited on Thousand-Spirit Island for so long in order to get Sage Yellowbrow's assistance with his revenge. If Sage Yellowbrow weren't willing to do so, he would have wasted all his time!

Yin Tianci looked toward Mo Lengxuan, motioning for him to add to the conversation.

Mo Lengxuan hesitated. In the end, he gritted his teeth. "Your Highness, why don't we listen to the island lord..." 

Yin Tianci gave him a chilling glare, causing Mo Lengxuan to blanch. Mo Lengxuan cursed inwardly. Why was Yin Tianci so stubborn? If he didn't help Yin Tianci out, Yin Tianci would surely toss him to the wolves!

Mo Lengxuan had no choice but to turn back to Sage Yellowbrow. "Island Lord, Xiao Nanfeng humiliated His Highness several times—and almost managed to kill him. If we don't seek revenge, His Highness' grudge will never be resolved, impeding his future cultivation. Island Lord, please help His Highness take revenge."

Sage Yellowbrow frowned, deep in thought. "Is that so? Very well. How do you intend to proceed?"

"Kill Xiao Nanfeng," Yin Tianci spat out.

Beside him, Mo Lengxuan added immediately, "We won't be able to take on Xiao Nanfeng in the Imperial Court, but he has another body in Yongding. We can destroy that to avenge His Highness."

Sage Yellowbrow continued, "Do you have any plans in mind?"

"Tang suggested that you, Sage Yellowbrow, lead all the spirit kings of Thousand-Spirit Island to Yongding and deal Xiao Nanfeng a crippling blow," Yin Tianci said.

Sage Yellowbrow frowned. He thought to himself, "What nonsense is this? The strongest spirits of Thousand-Spirit Island heading out in force to kill a mere Earth Immortal? Who would take Thousand-Spirit Island seriously after that?"

Mo Lengxuan didn't want Tang's plan to be implemented, either. He interjected, "Rather than cause a huge commotion, I think we should aim to assassinate Xiao Nanfeng. With your strength, Sage Yellowbrow, you can surely kill Xiao Nanfeng without raising a fuss."

Yin Tianci frowned, somewhat dissatisfied.

"Your Highness, we can't be too flagrant about this. Otherwise, you might be held accountable if someone investigates the event," Mo Lengxuan advised.

Yin Tianci was silent for a moment before he relented. "Very well. as long as Xiao Nanfeng dies."

"Island Lord, for His Highness' sake, please make this trip," Mo Lengxuan requested.

Sage Yellowbrow considered the proposal before finally nodding. "I'll head there and back as quickly as I can, then."

"Let me accompany you. I'd like to see Xiao Nanfeng die!" Yin Tianci suddenly shouted with anticipation.

"Island Lord, why don't you assign two True Immortals as His Highness' escort?" Mo Lengxuan suggested.

"Very well."

Sage Yellowbrow, two of his subordinates, Yin Tianci, and Mo Lengxuan flew into the air and departed for Yongding.