Wayfarer

Chapter 704: Against Evil

Chapter 704: Against Evil

A month later, in the valley within Shenfeng's capital, Xiao Nanfeng was seated in a small courtyard and perusing a stack of documents. The Divine Emperor walked by and smiled. "Your administrators really are skilled. They're making a fuss all over Shenfeng."

Xiao Nanfeng glanced up and smiled. "Are there more officials upset about the upcoming reforms?"

The Divine Emperor sat down beside Xiao Nanfeng and nodded. "Your policies that prioritize the people are in danger of infringing on some officials' benefits, so they're naturally opposed to it."

"It's only been a month, but Shenfeng's fortune seems to have doubled. Can't they tell?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

The Divine Emperor looked up at the sky, at the billowing sea of fortune high above. "More than double—triple, even, and it's increasing faster and faster, without any expansion necessary. I'm shocked at how this could be possible."

"The common people are the weakest but most loyal of us. Treat them well, and they'll reciprocate in kind. Losing officials by prioritizing the people speaks poorly of those officials; losing people by prioritizing officials speaks poorly of your empire."

"I know, I know. Even if I lose some officials, I can always recruit more—but if I lose all the people, I'll have nothing. I've been ignoring those officials most upset about these policies." The Divine Emperor smiled.

Xiao Nanfeng caressed the Divine Emperor. "There's nothing my wife isn't good at."

"But the mass reforms we've been introducing will likely ignite our rivalry with Hongyue. Our scouts report that Hongyue has been exhorting several neighboring empires into attacking us. They might send out troops at any moment," the Divine Emperor said.

"Neighboring empires? I haven't even thought about them yet, but they're already trying to attract our attention by conspiring against us?It's almost as if they want to be destroyed as quickly as possible." Xiao Nanfeng chuckled.

"If they cooperate, they'll have far more troops than we do." The Divine Emperor frowned.

"We're in a world of Immortals now, not the mortal world. So what if they have troops? The most important thing is to have skilled generals who can rout the enemy. Numbers are hardly relevant by this point."

"My shadow cursed effigies haven't regained their full strength yet, and Shenfeng lacks such skilled generals," the Divine Emperor said.

"Don't worry. Dazheng's generals might as well be Shenfeng's. I can send Ye Dafu and the others over to assist you."

"Will their presence here cause trouble for Dazheng?" the Divine Emperor asked in worry.

"I doubt it. As long as we don't claim outright that Dazheng and Shenfeng are a single empire, we should be fine. We're already allies who have loaned administrative officials from one another. Why not martial generals too?"

The Divine Emperor nodded. "Very well. Let's show off our strength, then."

"I've been waiting for this day for quite some time too," Xiao Nanfeng said, smiling.

"Have you been planning stratagems all month long? Just like the Stratagems Against Yin?" the Divine Emperor asked curiously.

"The Stratagems Against Yin were surprisingly effective, but as far as wars among equals go, it's safer to go for an overwhelming victory at the outset."

"A direct clash?" the Divine Emperor exclaimed.

"Why not?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"But—"

"Don't worry. I know that Shenfeng currently has limited resources, but that's alright. We'll take it one step at a time. First, we'll take down all the neighboring empires to showcase our strength and invite aspiring cultivators all over the world into Shenfeng. We'll take on Hongyue thereafter."

"You're all Golden Immortals? Your Indomitable Body really is shocking. Have any of you even encountered bottlenecks to date?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

"Your Majesty, we've all become Golden Immortals!" Ye Dafu cried out in excitement.

"The Demon Child's attacks really hurt. A Boundless Immortal's strength is terrifying!"

"It's all thanks to the Demon Child. He's been a huge asset!"

"I underestimated the Demon Child beforehand. He's really amazing."

The golden cultivators all began to flatter the Demon Child, who forgot all about his complaints upon hearing the compliments.

"I am impressive, aren't I?" The Demon Child grinned.

"Demon Child, I really do have to thank you. If not for you, who knows how much longer it would have taken them to become Golden Immortals?"

"Haha, it was nothing!"

The Demon Child had spent all month fighting the twelve golden cultivators and had grown particularly sick of it by the end. The puppet shows and feasts were the only things keeping him going—along with the effusive praise from all the golden cultivators.

Xiao Nanfeng looked toward Ye Dafu and the others with joy. Twelve Golden Immortals would be a tremendous boost to Dazhengs strength.

Unfortunately, however, there were now few other True Immortals in Dazheng, but this wouldn't be much of a problem. Low-tier Immortals could easily be recruited from various sects and holy lands.

"Where's Ao Zhou?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"He headed back to the Imperial Court to turn in his mission to take down the Southeastern Aquatic Palace, and hasn't yet returned," Ye Dafu said.

"Alright, then. We won't wait for him." Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty?" Ye Dafu asked curiously.

"We're going to wage war. I'm here to lead you to your troops," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Oh? Have cultivators invaded Dazheng?" The golden cultivators were taken aback.

"No—we'll be fighting in the Shenfeng Empire," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Oh?" Ye Dafu's eyes brightened. "Great. I'm looking forward to it!"

"More combat!" The golden cultivators grinned at each other.

"What about me? Do I have to go to Shenfeng to fight, too?" the Demon Child asked.

"No, you won't be needed. There's an even more important task that I need your help with. No one else can do it," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Really? Haha, count me in, then!" the Demon Child promised.