Chapter 978: Yan Zhenhuo
In the imperial study at Yongding, You Jiu respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, the fake Dragon King of the Western Sea has confessed. As expected, he revealed information about Ye Dafu and his companions."
"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng replied.
"When you executed Chu Tianban, Your Majesty, Yu Banruo assigned his subordinates to avenge him and capture you if possible. His subordinates failed to find an opportunity to target you while you were alone, so they shifted their focus to Ye Dafu and his companions instead," You Jiu explained.
Off to the side, Ye Sanshui cursed. "Ye Dafu, that fool! How could he and the others let themselves be captured? Does Yu Banruo think he can use Ye Dafu as bait for His Majesty? Dream on!"
"Calm down, Ye Sanshui. Let You Jiu finish," Xiao Nanfeng interjected.
Only then did Ye Sanshui suppress his anger.
"These impersonators didn't know exactly how Ye Dafu and his companions ended up captured, but they do know that the leader of the team that Yu Banruo assigned to this mission is the former Western Aspect of the Imperial Court," You Jiu continued.
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"The Western Aspect? Yan Zhenshui?" Xiao Nanfeng clarified.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Yan Zhenshui commands a team of subordinates. Their headquarters is in Dayan—and Dayan's Immortal Emperor is Yan Zhenhuo, Yan Zhenshui's elder brother."
"In other words, the Immortal Emperor of Dayan, Yan Zhenhuo, is very likely to be Yu Banruo's subordinate as well." Xiao Nanfeng frowned.
"Yes, Your Majesty," You Jiu confirmed.
Ye Sanshui began, "Your Majesty, shall I lead a small group of subordinates to check out those headquarters?"
Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "We shouldn't. Some of those cultivators we've interrogated may have avatars who have revealed what's going on to Yan Zhenshui. We would only be falling into a trap if we were to do so."
Ye Sanshui frowned. In the end, he took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, perhaps we should leave Ye Dafu and the others to their fate. They brought this upon themselves."
"Don't be foolish! Ye Dafu and the others are subjects of Dazheng. I would hardly abandon them. That said, I want you to stay out of this for the moment. I'm concerned your emotional attachment to them might cloud your judgment," Xiao Nanfeng said firmly.
Ye Sanshui sighed again but ultimately nodded in agreement.
"Your Majesty, what should we do next?" You Jiu asked.
"I will personally write to Dayan. A delegation from the Ministry of Rites will deliver my letter," Xiao Nanfeng declared.
"Understood!"
A few days later, in Dayan's capital by the shore of the Western Sea, two men were seated in a pavilion up in the mountains within the imperial palace.
One wore a red draconic robe. His demeanor was dignified and stoic—Yan Zhenhuo, the Immortal Emperor of Dayan.
The other man, equally handsome but with a faintly sinister air in his eyes, was Yan Zhenshui, the former Western Aspect of the Imperial Court. [1]
The two sipped their Immortal tea as they gazed at the waves of the distant sea.
"Brother, did you attend the recent hunt for the saints?" Yan Zhenshui asked with a smile.
"How could I miss it? It was right in our backyard. Unfortunately, we failed to capture the Void Saint, who was rescued by two other saints. It was a pity," Yan Zhenhuo replied, shaking his head.
"Are you also interested in the world tree?" Yan Zhenshui asked curiously.
Yan Zhenhuo nodded. "Who wouldn't be? Someone recently revealed that the Heavenly Emperor told the supreme cultivators of the world before his death that, to defeat the heavens, one first had to acquire a world tree. These world trees lie within the nine domains of heavenly law, and only through the charms of heavenly law held by the saints can they be mastered."
After a moment of silence, Yan Zhenshui spoke again. "Brother, have you considered the matter I mentioned before?"
"Which matter?" Yan Zhenhuo took a sip of his tea.
"Pledging allegiance to Crown Prince Banruo."
"Allegiance?" Yan Zhenhuo frowned.
"Brother, I know that you're powerful and even rule over the divine empire of Dayan, but you can't compare to the crown prince. His strength is beyond imagination. Currently, nine divine empires have already joined him in secret. They're waiting for his signal to openly support his bid to rebuild the Imperial Court. If I introduce you to him, the crown prince will surely consider you a trusted ally," Yan Zhenshui said earnestly.
Yan Zhenhuo studied his younger brother for a while before shaking his head. "Zhenshui, I don't intend to pledge allegiance to Yu Banruo. I urge you not to get too deeply involved with him, either."
"Why? The heavens could return at any moment. Shouldn't we try to grow stronger quickly? If the crown prince restores the Imperial Court, the entire world would benefit."
"I spent time in the Imperial Court in the past, and I understand it better than you do. Yu Banruo is strong and powerful, but not a wise ruler."
"In what way?" Yan Zhenshui frowned.
"He has ambition and strength, but he lacks compassion. He is unfit to be the Heavenly Emperor."
"Compassion?"
"The Heavenly Emperor earned the reverence of all beings even before he sacrificed himself to battle the heavens for the sake of the world. But Yu Banruo sees all of humanity as tools with which to fight the heavens. Such a man is unworthy of the throne, and I shall not follow him."
"You misunderstand the crown prince, Brother!"
"There's no misunderstanding. I trust my judgment. You must choose your own path. If you decide to follow Yu Banruo, I won't stop you—but if you ever want to leave his side, you can always turn to me. I'll always have your back," Yan Zhenhuo said sincerely.
Yan Zhenshui's expression grew conflicted, but he eventually nodded.
The two continued to watch the waves until Yan Zhenshui asked, "Brother, why have you really called me here today?"
"I'm waiting for someone. Stay and wait with me," Yan Zhenhuo said.
"Waiting for someone? Very well."
Before long, a figure flew toward them.
Right outside Dayan's capital, Yan Zhenhuo's subordinates flew over to the figure and led his way. The figure quickly arrived by the pavilion.
"Xiao Nanfeng?!" Yan Zhenshui exclaimed, stunned.
Xiao Nanfeng's sudden appearance left Yan Zhenshui bewildered. He had been seeking an opportunity to target Xiao Nanfeng, only for the latter to show up out of nowhere.
"Emperor Xiao, you're quite bold to come here alone," Yan Zhenhuo said. His laughter boomed as he stood to greet his guest.
"I trust your integrity, Emperor Yan. Since you invited me to discuss matters, I naturally have to show appropriate sincerity," Xiao Nanfeng replied with a smile.
"Please join me, Emperor Xiao," Yan Zhenhuo said.
Xiao Nanfeng nodded and took a seat at the stone table.
Meanwhile, Yan Zhenshui continued to gape at Xiao Nanfeng and at his elder brother.
Xiao Nanfeng turned to Yan Zhenshui. "Western Aspect Yan, it's been quite a while."
Yan Zhenshui gave his elder brother a look.
"Zhenshui, pour Immortal Emperor Xiao a cup of tea," Yan Zhenhuo ordered.
"Me?" Yan Zhenshui asked, incredulous.
"Yes. Do so," Yan Zhenhuo said sternly.
Though clearly displeased, Yan Zhenshui complied. He poured a cup of tea for Xiao Nanfeng himself. "Enjoy, Emperor Xiao."
Xiao Nanfeng glanced at the two brothers, understanding that the gesture was Yan Zhenhuo's way of apologizing on his brother's behalf. "Thank you, Emperor Yan."
He accepted the tea with a smile but didn't drink from it, signaling his acknowledgment of Yan Zhenhuo's goodwill without forgiving Yan Zhenshui outright.
"Brother, why did you invite Immortal Emperor Xiao here?" Yan Zhenshui asked.
Yan Zhenhuo explained, "Immortal Emperor Xiao sent me a letter accusing you of capturing his subjects. He requested their release. I replied and invited him to discuss the matter in person."
"What?" Yan Zhenshui paled.
He hadn't anticipated that Xiao Nanfeng would bypass him entirely and address the issue with his elder brother instead.
"Emperor Yan, now that I'm here, will you provide me with an explanation?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
Yan Zhenhuo turned to his younger brother. "Zhenshui, what say you?"
Yan Zhenshui blanched. "Brother, I didn't kidnap Xiao Nanfeng's officials. I don't know what to say!"
Yan Zhenhuo frowned. "Repeat yourself."
Yan Zhenshui paused before forging ahead stubbornly. "Brother, I didn't kidnap Xiao Nanfeng's officials."
Xiao Nanfeng didn't interrupt. He waited patiently. He could sense that the two brothers seemed to be at odds; this was a familial matter and none of his business.
Yan Zhenhuo eyed his younger brother for some time before turning to Xiao Nanfeng. "Emperor Xiao, my brother claims not to have kidnapped your officials."
Yan Zhenshui sighed in relief. His eyes flashed with conceit, thinking that his brother had believed him.
Xiao Nanfeng replied coolly, "I'm here to understand your stance, Emperor Yan, not Western Aspect Yan's claims. How will you respond?"
Yan Zhenhuo eyed Xiao Nanfeng for a long moment before finally flashing him a smile. "I thank you for informing me of the situation in advance, Emperor Xiao. Yan Zhenshui is my brother. Given his claim, I naturally have to side with him."
Xiao Nanfeng frowned.
Notably, Yan Zhenhuo had not claimed to believe his brother's words.
"That said, I have been impressed with your actions on the world stage, Emperor Xiao, and especially with the Covenant of All Under the Heavens that you were involved in before the Heavenly Emperor faced the heavens. I respect your actions and do not intend to let you return empty-handed, but neither can I simply stand against my brother. I have a suggestion."
"Indeed?"
"I understand that you cultivate the Imposing Avatar of Rulai, Emperor Xiao. Coincidentally, I cultivate the same technique. I'd like to suggest a friendly spar between the two of us. If you can best me, I will assist you in recovering your lost officials. Otherwise, I ask that you drop the matter."
"Brother, there's no need for such a thing! This is your territory. It'd be easy for you to capture him," Yan Zhenshui hissed.
"Silence! It's not your place to speak," Yan Zhenhuo snapped.
Yan Zhenshui paused. He glanced at his brother and fell silent.
"Emperor Xiao, what do you think of my proposal?" Yan Zhenhuo asked.
1. Their names reflect their looks, to some extent: 火 (huo), fire, for Yan Zhenhuo, and 水 (shui), water, for Yan Zhenshui. Fire is associated with yang and masculine attributes; water with yin and feminine attributes. Yan Zhenhuo's empire, Dayan (大炎), is also associated with fire, but the same is not true for his surname, Yan (严). ☜