Wayfarer

Qu Jianfeng's attitude was particularly assertive; he intended to strip Xiao Nanfeng of all authority immediately.

Despite his distaste, Xiao Nanfeng asked, "Sir, since you're the acting city lord appointed by the Immortal Emperor of Dayin, you must be aware of the situation here. Might I ask when you intend on rescuing the city lord Lan Jiguang?"

"You have no need to worry about such matters," Qu Jianfeng replied.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned. The next moment, his pupils contracted. His avatar had received a surprising piece of news.

In the imperial study at Yongding, Xiao Nanfeng's avatar was perusing a pile of documents when a peach blossom flower suddenly manifested out of thin air.

"Is something wrong, Senior?" Xiao Nanfeng's avatar immediately put down his brush.

He knew that the blood peach tree had a message for him.

More flowers emerged, their petals forming words. "Qu Jianfeng, whom your main body is interacting with, is the Goat Yanluo who chased Yin out of Fengdu. He has likely possessed Qu Jianfeng. I don't know why he has returned. The Goat Yanluo is disguised very well, but I can recognize him."

"Qu Jianfeng has been possessed by the Goat Yanluo?" Xiao Nanfeng's avatar exclaimed in surprise.

In the plaza outside Fengdu Hall, after Xiao Nanfeng's main body was made aware of the truth, his face suddenly turned cold.

"Do you intend to replace me so abruptly without making yourself clear, Sir?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"What? Are you trying to keep your position as acting city lord?" Qu Jianfeng asked in surprise.

The gathered cultivators all looked strangely at Xiao Nanfeng. The Immortal Emperor of Dayin would easily be able to strip away even Lan Jiguang's position as city lord, let alone Xiao Nanfeng's tenuous position as acting city lord. What was Xiao Nanfeng trying to do?

"My senior uncle has appointed me to guard and manage the city of Fengdu. If the Immortal Emperor really has appointed a new city lord, I would be happy to give up my position. Might I see the edict of appointment?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

He was confident that the Goat Yanluo's claim that he had been appointed as the new acting city lord was a lie. The Immortal Emperor of Dayin would clearly be able to identify that Qu Jianfeng had been possessed, and would never allow such an appointment.

"Insolence! You dare doubt His Majesty's decision?" one official thundered.

"And who are you?" Xiao Nanfeng retorted coldly.

"You've not been here for long, so you wouldn't recognize us. However, the other commanders are familiar with us. We represent His Majesty and convey his edicts to Fengdu. Are you doubting his word?" the official asked.

"You're only messengers, not representatives of the Immortal Emperor of Dayin. Isn't it routine that officials would present their edicts of appointment before taking charge? Do you have such an edict, or not?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"You!" The official was at a loss for words.

The Goat Yanluo suddenly smiled coldly. "Do you think I'm here to trick you?"

"There's no need for all this talk. Show the edict and I'd be happy to defer to you," Xiao Nanfeng declared.

The Goat Yanluo took a deep breath. "On the way here, we encountered a few demons. We killed them in passing, but the edict was destroyed during the fighting. A subordinate has already returned to Dayin to collect a new one, and it'll be brought back shortly."

"So you don't have the edict with you? Then I'll ask that your appointment wait until the edict is presented to me," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

He chose not to expose the Goat Yanluo; no one would believe his claim, and he might even anger his opponent. If the Goat Yanluo were to go on a rampage, no one present would be able to stop him just yet. He might as well try a different tactic against him.

The Goat Yanluo frowned in exasperation, not having expected to encounter such a troublesome opponent.

Just then, the commanders spoke up.

"Xiao Nanfeng, he's Qu Jianfeng from the Shangqing holy land. The Immortal Emperor has made overtures to the holy land plenty of times, and it's only to be expected that the Immortal Emperor would make such an appointment."

"Right, these officials are also known envoys of the Immortal Emperor. How could this be fake?"

"You just want to keep your authority a little while longer, don't you?"

The commanders smirked, happy that Xiao Nanfeng was soon to lose his authority.

"Did you hear what they said? Xiao Nanfeng, they all believe me." The Goat Yanluo smiled.

"And none of them are the acting city lord. Their trust is irrelevant," Xiao Nanfeng retorted disdainfully.

The Goat Yanluo: ...

The commanders frowned as well.

Xiao Nanfeng stared at the Goat Yanluo and continued, "I serve as the acting city lord, as Lan Jiguang's representative. I bear the responsibility of maintaining the prosperity and security of Fengdu. You, who attempted to oust me from my position without an edict, who incited the commanders to challenge my authority, are a scourge to the city. As acting city lord, I hereby inform you that you are not welcome in Fengdu. Please leave the city immediately."

"What?!" the Goat Yanluo exclaimed.

He thought that he had misheard. Was Xiao Nanfeng planning to chase him out of the city? He had spent all this time gathering an illustrious procession to take over the city. He wasn't going to let his plans go to naught!

"Xiao Nanfeng, are you crazy? He's the acting city lord appointed by His Majesty himself. How could you expel him from the city?" one commander shouted.

Even Chang Bing himself was anxious. "Xiao Nanfeng, he's Master's brother-in-law and has connections to the Taiqing Immortal Sect. Don't offend him too much!"

"Silence!" Xiao Nanfeng declared.

Everyone looked toward him in surprise, not understanding his exceptionally standoffish behavior.

"Whoever is unwilling to comply with my orders may leave Fengdu as well, but I make no guarantee as to your safety thereafter."

"You!" Everyone thought that Xiao Nanfeng was making a mountain out of a molehill.

The Goat Yanluo, however, suddenly narrowed his eyes at Xiao Nanfeng. He seemed to have sensed something. Smiling coldly, he continued, "Xiao Nanfeng, you're really making a fuss, aren't you?"

"Lan Jiguang's orders are no fuss. You showed up out of nowhere, without any authentication to prove your claim. Even if you're from the Shangqing holy land, I hope you'll act with propriety befitting your station."

"And if I refuse to leave?"

"I control a whole city's worth of resources. You may not be able to best me."

The onlookers gaped, all of them thinking that Xiao Nanfeng had gone crazy. He intended to use all the resources of the city to fight to the death with Qu Jianfeng? Wasn't that too ridiculous? Furthermore, after a few days, once the edict arrived, his status as acting city lord would be but a joke.

The Goat Yanluo glared at Xiao Nanfeng for some time before finally seeming to quell his anger. He looked toward the cultivators gathered nearby. "Xiao Nanfeng might not believe me, but what about the rest of you?"

"Xiao Nanfeng's a swindler. He even tried to distract our attention with a bout of fighting these last few days while he took advantage of the situation to establish his own authority. He tricked us!"

"Compared to Xiao Nanfeng, you're a far better option, Senior Qu!"

"Senior Qu, we believe you. Lan Jiguang must be dead, and you'll likely be the city lord of Fengdu from now on. Please take care of us!"

The commanders treated Qu Jianfeng with particular respect.

"Thank you for your trust. Since we're not welcome here any longer, why don't we convene outside the city? Please enlighten me about the situation in Fengdu. I'll host a banquet!" the Goat Yanluo began.

"No, Senior, please allow me to host the banquet!"

"Let me do it, let me!"

The commanders eagerly jumped at the chance to develop a close relationship with Qu Jianfeng.

"It doesn't matter who hosts the banquet. More importantly, I'd like to get to know all of you better. Officials of Fengdu, you're all welcome as well. It'll help me find a suitable appointment for you in the future." The Goat Yanluo invited the majority of the cultivators present.

"Thank you, Senior Qu!" Many officials bowed down in sudden excitement.

Xiao Nanfeng's face turned cold. "Everyone, I'll repeat myself. On behalf of Lan Jiguang, I order you not to leave the city with Qu Jianfeng. If you're willing to respect Lan Jiguang's orders, remain here."

"Xiao Nanfeng, aren't you getting a little too full of yourself?"

"Right, do you intend to disrupt our lives?"

"Even if Lan Jiguang were here, he would hardly be so authoritarian."

"Save it!"

The commanders heckled Xiao Nanfeng.

While some officials held their tongues, it was clear from their expressions that they shared the same views. They treasured the opportunity to participate in Qu Jianfeng's banquet, thinking that they would need his attention and knowledge of their existence in order to ascend rapidly through the ranks in the future.

"Senior, I have a fully furnished villa outside the city. Shall I lead the way?" one commander volunteered.

"Very good," the Goat Yanluo said.

"This way, Senior!" the commander immediately said.

The Goat Yanluo suddenly paused and looked toward Chang Bing. "Chang Bing, head on over with your Green Battalion as well."

Chang Bing frowned and shook his head. "I'm grateful for the invitation, Senior Uncle Qu, but my master appointed Xiao Nanfeng as the acting city lord before his departure. I can't disobey his orders."

The Goat Yanluo's face turned cold. He looked toward Xiao Nanfeng again. "Xiao Nanfeng, you think you're so powerful, don't you? Let's just wait and see."

"Let's wait and see," Xiao Nanfeng echoed, not giving in.

"Let's go!" the Goat Yanluo declared.

"Let's go!"

The Goat Yanluo and the commanders flew out of the city, accompanied by several ordinary officials of Fengdu despite Xiao Nanfeng's command to the contrary.

"These officials have followed Master's orders to the letter in the past, and I thought them all loyal. Was it all just a facade?" Chang Bing murmured, watching them leave.

"If they want to die, I won't be able to stop them. Who's to blame but themselves?" Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"They're going to die?"

"What else could happen at a cursed king's banquet?" Xiao Nanfeng replied disdainfully.

"What cursed king?" Chang Bing still didn't get it.

Ye Dafu suddenly frowned. "Your Majesty, is there something wrong with Qu Jianfeng?"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "He's the Goat Yanluo, an equal to Yin. He has possessed Qu Jianfeng. I don't know what's making him eye the city of Fengdu, but I suspect disaster's about to strike."

"What? That's impossible! Senior Uncle Qu cultivates the Shangqing blue moon, which is anathema to cursed effigies. How could he have been possessed?" Chang Bing exclaimed.

"The Shangqing blue moon is hardly invincible," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"But, but—" Chang Bing still seemed incapable of accepting this reality.

"I'm going to write to the capital right now. Arrange for someone to serve as messenger and have the Immortal Emperor send support immediately," Xiao Nanfeng said seriously.

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