Wayfarer

Chapter 767: Tu Feng Returns

Xiao Nanfeng and Lou Yujing eyed each other coldly within the pavilion.

Their discussion had broken down, and killing intent flashed in Lou Yujing's eyes. "Xiao Nanfeng, this was your choice. Whatever happens now, you only have yourself to blame."

"And as for you, Lou Yujing, remember this: the heavens know what you've done. Retribution will come in due time."

"So be it. Come at me, then!" Lou Yujing declared.

He knocked his teacup to the ground. A flash of red light surrounded his body in a pillar of light.

Xiao Nanfeng formed a seal with his hands in preparation, but Lou Yujing only laughed. "Don't worry. I don't intend to strike at you today. I'll destroy the Shenfeng Empire first."

Then, he vanished within the pillar of red light, which flashed and disappeared itself.

Lou Yujing left; Xiao Nanfeng was left frowning. He discovered that Lou Yujing might have guessed the relationship between Shenfeng and Dazheng.

"Lou Yujing, you really are familiar with the Taiqing Immortal Sect, aren't you?"

From the conversation, it was clear that Lou Yujing had been eyeing the Taiqing Immortal Sect carefully all these years, and it wouldn't have been hard for him to deduce the relationship between him and the Divine Emperor as a result.

He got up and walked out of the pavilion himself. He knew that this marked the true start of the war against Hongyue.

Deep within a prison, Martial Aspect Tu Feng hung on a huge rack, his body bloody all over—no, he wasn't a Martial Aspect any longer. Having been in cahoots with Saint Chi Hai, he had betrayed the Imperial Court and was slated for death by execution.

He had been tortured within an inch of his life. Though blood stained his features and body, his expression was calm. He neither shrieked nor groaned in agony. His face wasn't contorted in grievance or dissatisfaction. He was so quiet it was frightening.

Just then, a series of footsteps could be heard at the far end of the prison. Before long, a figure was standing in front of him.

He raised his head to eye the visitor and narrowed his eyes. He smirked. "Xiao Nanfeng? Is it your turn to interrogate me? Come on, now. Let's see what you've got. If I cry out in pain, I'll change my surname to match yours. How's that?"

Xiao Nanfeng gave him a serious look. "I heard that you were tortured by both the imperial judiciary and the Hall of Martial Aspects, but to no avail. You should know that your crimes are punishable by death. No one will be able to save you."

"Death it is. What's the point of all this fuss? Execute me and be done with it all. Don't bother trying to get more information out of me." Tu Feng chuckled.

"Do you think dying like this will be worth it?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"It's not a question of worth. I chose my side; I lost. I'll have to pay the price. As for you, Xiao Nanfeng, I have to admit I underestimated you several times." Tu Feng frowned.

"Oh? In what way?"

"When you were nominated as a Martial Aspect by Zhang Lingjun, you were nothing more than an Earth Immortal. I thought you were Zhang Lingjun's gigolo, only able to advance to such a vaunted position thanks to her infatuation. I never expected you to be able to reclaim sixty percent of Dayin's fortune, an impossible task. And when I thought that merely luck, you then took advantage of the Martial Aspects of the eastern quadrant to destroy Dayin entirely. Surely that was your limit, I believed—until you managed to overwhelm even the divine empire of Hongyue and capture the saint's main body. You're clearly skilled. If not for the fact that we belong to different factions, I'd have liked to get to know you better."

As conceited as he was, he had to admit that Xiao Nanfeng was talented—no, far beyond that.

"No enemies are absolute. You could always switch your allegiance," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Ha! You're just trying to get more information out of me, aren't you? Forget it." Tu Feng sneered disdainfully.

"I'm well aware of who you are. You're a spy twice over: for Lou Yujing and for Chi Hai."

Tu Feng frowned. He had no comment for Xiao Nanfeng.

"What, are you still trying to protect Lou Yujing?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"So what if I do, and so what if I don't? Are you going to change your plan based on what I tell you?"

"I won't," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Then what's the point? Why bother asking all these questions?" Tu Feng shook his head.

"I'd like you to know the truth."

"Are you trying to manipulate me? It's true that I loathe the saint for having discarded me, but so what? No one can save me at this point."

"To the saint, you're nothing more than a pawn, nothing more than a tool. I know you've come to terms with this, but how do you think Lou Yujing feels about you?"

"That's not important."

"What's important, then?"

Tu Feng frowned. "Just what are you trying to get at?"

"I know you don't fear your own death. You'd die if it means that your whole clan can be at ease, don't you?"

"How did you kno—What nonsense are you talking about?!"

"You became the saint's pawn for two reasons: first, because the saint meddled with your soul, and second, in order that the rest of your clan can live peacefully. But do you really think that's what's happening now?"

"You're trying to threaten me with my clan, now?" Tu Feng sneered disdainfully.

"Do you really think Lou Yujing will shelter your clan?"

Tu Feng smiled coldly but didn't speak. Indeed, that was what he believed. After all, Jiuniang was the empress of Hongyue, and Siniang was Li Qianjun's wife. His clan held high positions in Hongyue, and Xiao Nanfeng's empty threats were meaningless.

"I came to inform you that your clan is likely all but dead."

"And why should I believe you, Xiao Nanfeng?"

"I've been delaying my visit to you in order to gather evidence. Fortunately, I found a few fleeing foxes."

Xiao Nanfeng waved a hand as a few small kits bounded in from behind him.

"What happened to you, Granduncle?"

"Granduncle, everyone's dead! My parents—everyone!"

"Granduncle, you'll be alright, won't you?"

The kits leapt toward the bloodied Tu Feng and began to cry.

"What are all of you doing here?" Tu Feng exclaimed. He turned to Xiao Nanfeng in shock. "Are you trying to threaten me with their lives?"

"Tu Feng, speak with them. We'll resume our discussion later." Xiao Nanfeng walked to the side of the prison.

Tu Feng turned to the crying kits. "Did Xiao Nanfeng abduct you?"

"No, he saved us! We would have died otherwise."

"What? Tell me everything!"

"Lou Yujing killed all our great-grandparents. Grandaunt—no, Tu Jiuniang—tried to kill us too!"

"What? Impossible. Be more specific," Tu Feng demanded.

"My father and all the elders of the clan were summoned into a black coffin by Lou Yujing. My father's avatar was beside me, and he was informing me about what was going on. Then..." The little kit described how Lou Yujing had devoured the saint.

"Why would Jiuniang help Lou Yujing? Doesn't she care about the rest of her clan?!"

"Then, Lou Yujing's people killed our whole clan. My father died. My mother died! All our great-grandparents died, avatars and all! My father told us to run into the forests. There were lots of scary people chasing after us. My little sister fell behind—she died too. If the spectral guards didn't show up then..."

"Lou Yujing was going to kill us all!" another kit cried out.

The kits each explained what had happened to them. From their accounts, Tu Feng was able to piece together the sordid tale in its entirety..

"No—Lou Yujing, that bastard! How could he have killed my entire clan? Jiuniang, a traitor? I don't believe it. This can't be!" Tu Feng was so agitated that all the chains around him were rattling.

Only then did Xiao Nanfeng make his way over. "Tu Feng, why did you only rescue the saint's main body when within the Sieve of Heaven? Why not do it beforehand? Lou Yujing must have ordered it explicitly. He was eyeing the saint's charm of heavenly law from the beginning, and he intended for you to die there."

"I'll kill you, Lou Yujing!" Tu Feng snarled.

He shouted hoarsely for some time before glancing down at himself and the chains that bound him. He sighed bitterly. "How foolish I am. I'm an idiot!"

"Do you want revenge?"

"Of course I do, but it's impossible now. I have to be held accountable for my crimes—to the Heavenly Emperor and to the whole world. I'll be executed tomorrow."

"I can help you."

Tu Feng pinned Xiao Nanfeng with a stare. "Very well. I'll reveal everything to you as long as you promise to kill Lou Yujing—and the traitor of the Tu clan, Tu Jiuniang!"

"No—I can help you leave. You can secure your own revenge," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"What? How could that be?" Tu Feng frowned disbelievingly.

"I'll help you on the condition that you serve as a loyal official of Dazheng for fifty years."

Tu Feng's frown deepened. He was sure he was slated for death, but Xiao Nanfeng seemed confident that he could get him out. Could he be serious?

"Your loyal servant Tu Feng greets you. Long live Your Majesty!" Tu Feng exclaimed.

He was shaking out of gratitude not for being saved, but for having the chance to avenge his deceased clan members himself.