Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter 118: The War Smoke Settles (Part Five)

Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance.

"So, he ran off to find you and tried to blackmail you without even knowing what was going on?" The Divine Emperor asked, not lifting his head from the memorials submitted from across the realm.

Biri had already explained the ins and outs of the matter. Believing he had left nothing out, he chose not to answer the question.

The Divine Emperor glanced at him and shook his head. "With that temper of yours, perhaps you should give up that bird shop of yours. You're losing money anyway."

Biri replied, "First of all, it is a donkey meat shop."

"So many years have passed, and you are still holding a grudge over that old donkey scamming you back then," the Divine Emperor noted.

Biri retorted bluntly, "If the Old Emperor hadn't ascended, I’m sure he wouldn't have let it go either."

The Divine Emperor chuckled. "I’ll grant you that. My Great-Uncle may appear broad-minded, but he is actually quite petty."

Biri ignored this and said, "I promised to do one thing for you after losing to you, and that task is now complete."

The Divine Emperor raised an eyebrow. "It’s not that simple. Although I haven't been watching him every single second, this is my Wuyang. You think doing a few trifles counts as helping me?"

Biri frowned. "What does Your Majesty want?"

"The Feng family has a younger son named Feng Yang," the Divine Emperor said. "Bring him back, and we shall be square."

Biri wondered why the Emperor was so focused on such trivial matters. He knew the situation of the Feng family well enough; aside from that one person, their strongest member was only at the peak of the Yin-Hui realm. In the past, they might have held the title of Border King, but the youngest son had neither status nor strength. Why would he catch the Emperor's eye?

Still, it didn't matter. If that was all, it would be no trouble to find Feng Yang and bring him back. Biri left shortly after.

The Divine Emperor looked at Feng Qi, who was lying on the floor.

Feng Qi had regained consciousness, but he did not open his eyes.

The Divine Emperor couldn't help but laugh. "I am the one who woke you; do you really think you can deceive me?" He paused, his expression turning serious. "This is a crime of deceiving the sovereign."

Feng Qi opened his eyes and said expressionlessly, "We meet again, Your Majesty." As he spoke, he forced himself to stand. He didn't know what kind of poison that shopkeeper had given him, but his limbs still felt weak.

"I once asked you to consider your identity when we next met—whether you are the Heir of Yanbei or a disciple of Xueyun Sword Sect. Can you answer me now?"

Feng Qi replied, "Yanbei is gone. What is the point of speaking of the Heir of Yanbei?"

The Divine Emperor was silent for a moment, then sighed, "A pity." He tossed a dossier to Feng Qi. "Read this."

Feng Qi opened the file and froze.

Feng Changkong led the Xingtai Army north through the night, crossing Yao Mountain and the Red River. By last night, they had reached Honghuai. It took them three quarters of an hour to breach the city.

In just a few lines, one could imagine the sea of blades and blood behind the words. But Feng Qi was focused on something else.

He knew his grandfather was leading the Northern Expeditionary Army, but he hadn't expected such an offensive. Only seven days had passed since Feng Changkong took command, and he had already recaptured Honghuai.

What about the experts from the Barbarians and Bohai? The Xingtai Army and the Imperial Guard were not much different from Yanbei; they lacked Dao-realm powerhouses and top-tier experts. Unless his grandfather moved in formation the entire time, such a victory was impossible—yet any military formation would surely hinder their marching speed. It was impossible to achieve this pace.

"The Master of Tianxiang Valley and the Feng God Guards are stationed in Jizhou, recovering and guarding against a Barbarian southward advance. With the addition of the Tang Sect and the White Elephant Sect—whom I summoned via flying missives—our top-tier combat power is no longer inferior to the Bohai rebels."

Feng Qi shook his head. He was no novice in military affairs. After the repeated ravages of Su Yuzhe, the morale in Jizhou must be abysmal. Unless a transformative power appeared, a counter-offensive was impossible. The He-Dao realm was the peak of cultivation, capable of turning the tide, but the Barbarians had such experts as well...

"Did Xueyun and Taibai intervene?" Feng Qi asked. "I wondered why the major sects were silent when such a massive event occurred in the Underworld. Now I realize, Your Majesty must have informed them in advance?"

The Divine Emperor raised an eyebrow but did not deny it. "Before I found you, I happened to sense the presence of the Xueyun Sword Law and the Master of Daoming Temple, so I had a chat with them."

Thinking of the praises he had heard in the streets recently, Feng Qi said insincerely, "Your Majesty is truly diligent and loves your people."

The Divine Emperor ignored the sarcasm. "The return of Yanbei is inevitable. When the time comes, we need the Feng family to raise the banner. Marshal Feng is old, but he and I have been a compatible sovereign and subject; the Divine Dynasty still relies on him for much."

Feng Qi said, "So you thought of me."

The Divine Emperor nodded. "Naturally, no one is more suited for this than the Heir of Yanbei."

Feng Qi was silent for a while. "What if I refuse?"

The Divine Emperor said earnestly, "I promised the Marshal and Dou Xiaotong that I would do nothing to you. But Yanbei was built by the sweat and blood of the Feng family over dozens of generations. If I were to appoint a new Prince of Yanbei... would you truly be content?"

Perhaps the previous silence had helped him process many things. This time, Feng Qi answered without hesitation: "I would not be content. But I know what is most important right now."

The Divine Emperor hummed. "Let’s hear it."

Feng Qi said, "If I could reach the realm of the Old Emperor, the tragedy of Yanbei would never have happened."

The Divine Emperor thought this was a reasonable excuse, but he was surprised that Feng Qi would reject his favor. It was the first time he had offered a grace that was turned down, and he had to admit, the feeling was unpleasant.

Feng Qi continued, "If Your Majesty has no other business, I shall return to Xueyun."

The Divine Emperor said, "It is not that there is nothing else. Your personality clashes with Murong Xue, and the marriage is off. I would like to betroth Ling'er to you."

Feng Qi raised an eyebrow.

The Divine Emperor said softly, "What is it? Didn't you once say that marrying Ling'er would be your greatest fortune?"

Feng Qi shook his head. "My Great Dao remains unfulfilled. I do not wish to be distracted by matters of the heart."

The Divine Emperor said with displeasure, "I was married to the former Empress at sixteen, and I never found it to be a hindrance to the Great Dao."

Feng Qi still shook his head. "Is it possible that if you had married later, Your Majesty might have reached even greater heights?"

The Divine Emperor burst into laughter, then waved his hand. "Truly, the words of the young are unrestrained. Very well, since you are unwilling, there is no need for me to force this melon. Besides, Ling'er is so gifted, she need not marry only you."

Feng Qi did not argue. Indeed, from any perspective, he was no longer the primary candidate for the Imperial Son-in-law. Or perhaps he once was, but he certainly wasn't now.

"Biri has gone to find your younger brother. If you are unwilling, then let your brother take the role."

Feng Qi thought for a moment and said, "Yang'er will be a more competent Prince than I."

This was not entirely honest; it was as hypocritical as a couple arguing, where one says to the other, "I am not good enough, you are wonderful, you can find someone better than me."

The Divine Emperor waved his hand. "I have one last question."

Feng Qi said, "If not for this, why would Your Majesty invite me to the palace in such a manner?"

The Divine Emperor looked at Feng Qi, his expression serious. "You have read the Daoist scriptures thoroughly. How do you interpret the term 'Underworld'?"

Feng Qi said, "A place for the reincarnation of all living beings."

The Divine Emperor squinted. "Reincarnation... then who bestowed upon them the power and authority to grant or decide reincarnation?"

Feng Qi said, "That is outside the scope of my consideration. However, if it follows the laws of nature, there must be a deeper power above the Underworld."

The Divine Emperor said, "Immortals?"

Feng Qi shook his head. "Perhaps something even beyond immortals. The Dao-Yuan Continent has no trace of immortals, so there is no way to verify such things."

The Divine Emperor was silent for a while, then waved his hand.

Feng Qi vanished, gone to who knows where.

"To be able to use 'Shrinking the Earth into an Inch' on such a little fellow, moving him from here to Qinchuan in a single breath—Your Majesty has impressive methods." A snow-white bird stood upon the window lattice of the Hall of Diligent Governance.

The Divine Emperor said, "You heard what he said. What do you think?"

Zhetian yawned. "What do I think? Since there is no evidence of a connection between that little brother and the Underworld, we have to believe the kid really didn't notice anything."

It paused, then added, "And if you're really that worried, just go to Yanbei and kill the boy. Why fret so much?"

The Divine Emperor frowned. "If he could be killed, Li Jinxing and Dou Xiaotong would have done it long ago. Do you think I need to worry?"

Zhetian rolled its eyes. "You said it yourself, Li Jinxing and Dou Xiaotong are considering this. Why not leave it to the two smartest minds on this continent?"

The Divine Emperor ignored the mockery and said calmly, "There is a saying among the people that one should not forget to worry for the country even in a lowly position. As a sovereign, I must naturally worry more."

Zhetian said, "Being a Divine Emperor is truly exhausting for you. Look at Dugu Feiyun—that is what a real emperor looks like! Look at you; aside from the dragon robe, what makes you any different from a slave?"

The Divine Emperor frowned. "My Great-Uncle protects the human race with the Heavenly Dao. My talent is limited, and I cannot reach his height, so I have chosen another path to protect the Divine Dynasty. What is wrong with that?"

He suddenly felt that Zhetian was acting strangely today. It had always been aloof; why was it interested in saying these things today?

He turned his head and was startled. "How did you end up in this state?"

White is beautiful—perhaps like falling snow, or dianthus, or white hair. Zhetian’s snow-white fur was the color of white hair.

Zhetian grunted, thinking, *You only just noticed?*

Although his senses and aura had been blocked by the Underworld Emperor's Cauldron at the time, the Divine Emperor understood what had happened in an instant. He sighed, "It wasn't necessary. The Underworld Emperor was already doomed that day. Whether you intervened or not would not have changed the outcome..."

Zhetian’s feathers stood on end, thinking, *Is he trying to renege on the debt?*