<h4>Chapter 160: Zhao Yuanjiao''s Actions</h4>
"Xiao Nanfeng, Zheng Qian—how well you cooperate with each other," Nn Feng spat out.
He had never suffered such an ignominious defeat. Bitter cold shed in his eyes; he wasn''t intending to let matters drop so easily.
"Senior Brother Nn Feng, don''t you have more to say to me?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"And what might that be?"
"An apology," Xiao Nanfeng replied seriously.
"You want me to apologize to you?" Nn Feng scoffed in derision.
An apology would imply that he were bowing down to Xiao Nanfeng, and he had no intention of doing so.
"Your subordinates infiltrated my ind and attacked those under my purview. Not only that, they deliberately targeted my friend, Zheng Qian. Mr. Qin kidnapped Zheng Qian and even Taiqing disciples to interrogate them. Don''t im that this has nothing to do with you, either—if you do that, I''ll settle matters with them individually," Xiao Nanfeng continued, not giving in at all.
He had already made an enemy of Nn Feng; there was no reason to hold back. Zhao Yuanjiao had given him a look that meant that he had settled things. In that case, Xiao Nanfeng intended to make Nn Feng pay. An apology was only an excuse to try to get him angrier.
Nn Feng red at Xiao Nanfeng. "And if I refuse?"
"If you refuse, and in doing so refuse to correct the wrongs you have wrought, how could you serve as the seniormost disciple of a division of the Taiqing sect?" Nn Feng replied coldly.
"Xiao Nanfeng, you''ve already destroyed the protective formation that shields the Isle of Nn. Do you still intend to push things further? Do you im no fault of your own?" Zhao Tianheng suddenly asked.
Xiao Nanfeng raised an eyebrow at Zhao Tianheng. What was going on? He was a disciple of the Ascended division. Why would Zhao Tianheng be siding with Nn Feng? Could Zhao Yuanjiao not have convinced his uncle?
"Division Leader, I''ve been wronged, and my friends unfairly treated, disparaged, imprisoned, whipped, and vited. I seek only an apology in redress. Surely this is no outrageous request?"
"What grievances you have may be reported and addressed by the sect. You, on the other hand, chose to beat down the equivalent of Nn Feng''s door. He''s the seniormost disciple of the Mortal division, and does possess the right to oversee and discipline ordinary disciples. His actions are within the scope of his purview, and while his inappropriate handling of affairs has been revealed, it remains that an ordinary disciple like you has no right to question him. Or do you think you can do whatever you please just because you have the moral high ground? Not only have you destroyed the formation surrounding the Isle of Nn, you even add insult to injury by demanding an apology in submission. I shall not simply bear witness to such a ludicrous oue. The name and reputation of the Taiqing sect might even suffer for suchwlessness!" Zhao Tianheng criticized.
The elders nodded. There was a strict division of rank within the sect, and it would be inappropriate for the seniormost disciples of a division to bow down to an ordinary one. If this were to be canonical, they elders might even have to apologize to ordinary disciples out of a moment''s carelessness as well!
"Uncle, Xiao Nanfeng is no ordinary disciple," Zhao Yuanjiao suddenly stated.
"How so?"
"Xiao Nanfeng is the seniormost disciple of the Ascended division, matching Nn Feng in status. It is only reasonable that Nn Feng apologize to his equal for disrespect shown," Zhao Yuanjiao continued.
"What? Xiao Nanfeng is the seniormost disciple of the Ascended division?" The elders gaped.
The position of seniormost disciple was no ordinary title. It granted the disciple the ability tomand the disciples of the division in ce of the division leader of the sect, withmensurate authority to boot.
"Not only does such a position require the approval and acknowledgement of the majority of the disciples in the division, it must also be epted by the associated division leader. How could his position be valid without my knowledge as the leader of the Ascended division?" Zhao Tianheng asked coldly.
"By the Ascended token," Zhao Yuanjiao replied.
Zhao Tianheng raised an eyebrow. "Senior Brother Ku handed you the Ascended token, and instructed for Xiao Nanfeng to be made the seniormost disciple of the division?"
"Yes, Elder! Such a token possesses authority equivalent to the division leader''s in your absence. Elder Ku designated Xiao Nanfeng as the seniormost disciple with the Ascended token while you were coincidentally away on business. I vouch that this is true on the basis of this token that I wield," Zhao Yuanjiao replied, holding up a token for all to see.
The elders stared at each other, knowing of the politics in y. Elder Ku, who bore the Ascended token, had no less authority than Zhao Tianheng despite not being a division leader.
"Why are you only telling me this now?" Zhao Tianheng asked coldly.
"I''ve been in secluded cultivation to recuperate from my injuries, and was unfortunately forced to dy news of the matter. At this point, the majority of the disciples of the Ascended division have gathered by the za outside the Hall of Immortal Recruitment. Any who wish to do so may voice concerns or allegations regarding Xiao Nanfeng''s candidacy, and they may challenge him in public," Zhao Yuanjiao reported.
Xiao Nanfeng was rather shaken himself, not expecting that Zhao Yuanjiao had promised to make him the seniormost disciple of the Ascended division without reporting the matter to Zhao Tianheng. Were the two of them at odds with one another?
Zhao Tianheng narrowed his eyes at Zhao Yuanjiao and said coldly, "Then we''ll head to the za by the Hall of Immortal Recruitment. I''d like to see just how many Ascended disciples will support Xiao Nanfeng''s appointment."
Zhao Tianheng flicked his sleeves in annoyance, then flew through the air back to Taiqing Ind.
Behind Zhao Tianheng, two more elders of the Ascended division soared into the air after him.
The remaining elders nced at each other withplicated expressions on their faces. This had been a fight between Xiao Nanfeng and Nn Feng. How did this uncle and nephew pair end up getting involved? What was going on?
"Nn Feng, will you apologize now orter?" Xiao Nanfeng continued to provoke Nn Feng.
Nn Feng narrowed his eyes as he stared at Xiao Nanfeng, having guessed what was going on. All this nonsense about Elder Ku''s orders before he left—Elder Ku hadn''t even known about the stupendous growth in Xiao Nanfeng''s strength by then! All this had to be a ploy that Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao had devised startingst night.
"Apologize? Ask me again once you''ve be the seniormost disciple of the Ascended division," Nn Feng scoffed.
"My master has long since appointed me the seniormost disciple of the division. What''s there to question? This will be just for show. Would you like to participate, too?" Xiao Nanfeng offered with a smile.
Nn Feng''s face turned dark. He refused to speak.
"Senior Brother, since Nn Feng refuses to admit guilt, I''ll wait a little while longer. Let''s head to the za of the Hall of Immortal Recruitment and exin everything to the junior disciples, then lead them back here to witness Nn Feng''s apology." Xiao Nanfeng smiled, continuing to fan the mes of conflict.
Zhao Yuanjiao nodded.
"Ye Sanshui, please help escort Mr. Zheng and Ye Dafu back to the Isle of Xiao for treatment. I''ll return shortly."
Ye Sanshui nodded gingerly, as though he were seated on a carpet of nails. The fact that he was standing with Xiao Nanfeng meant that he hadpletely offended Nn Feng.
"Elders, in case you''re freeter, I''ll invite you all to watch a spectacle right here."
The elders traded nces with each other. Just how brash could this young disciple get?
As Xiao Nanfeng and his retinue departed, the elders of the Heaven and Earth divisions flew back to the Taiqing Ind. Only four Mortal elders remained, frowning at Nn Feng.
"Nn Feng, Xiao Nanfeng won''t be an easy opponent."
"He''s the son of Elder Xiao Hongye, and it would be improper for us to show you too much favoritism. We apologize."
The four elders bowed.
Nn Feng shook his head. "No matter. I didn''t expect him to be such a tough opponent, either. If you wouldn''t mind, could you help Mr. Qin restore some of his spiritual power?"
"Of course." The four elders nodded at this simple request.
The four elders immediately transferred some of their spiritual power to Mr. Qin, gradually restoring some color to his face.
"Thank you, Elders. Please, head toward the za of the Hall of Immortal Recruitment to keep an eye on Xiao Nanfeng. I''m worried that Zhao Yuanjiao will help him cheat through this process. I''ll arrive shortly after," Nn Feng stated.
The four elders nodded again as they flew off toward Taiqing Ind.
Once everyone was gone, Nn Feng''s face turned dark.
"Your Highness, I didn''t reveal any hint about the location of the underground cer at all, but Xiao Nanfeng was able to pinpoint its location immediately. Something''s wrong," Mr. Qin reported.
"Could someone have informed him?" Nn Feng asked, frowning.
"That''s unlikely. We only began hiding the prisoners when he started attacking the array, and we were keeping tabs on him all along. How could anyone have informed him of anything in the meantime?" Mr. Qin asked, frowning.
Nn Feng hesitated. "Could he have determined where the prisoners were kept from the gaze of my other subordinates, then deliberately pinned it on you?"
"It''s very likely. Your Highness, this Xiao Nanfeng isn''t a trifling foe!" Mr. Qin warned.
"To haveid out a n like this in just one night—I do have to admit that he''s capable. If not for my giving in to him just now, I might have lost significant reputation. Alright. Reset the array," Nn Fengmanded.
"Yes, Your Highness!" the cultivators in purple all around them replied.
Once again, mists filled the Isle of Nn. The formation that Xiao Nanfeng had broken reformed once again. Despite the damage to the formation, its core had been unaffected, and the formation could be restored at any time. The reason Nn Feng hadn''t done it earlier was to use it to feign weakness.
"Your Highness, I don''t know how Xiao Nanfeng managed to destroy my spiritual crane. If he can do this, he might not have trouble dealing with the appointment ceremony and challenges from any Ascended disciples. He really may be the seniormost disciple of the Ascended division, and matters will be far more challenging to deal with then," Mr. Qin stated in worry.
"I won''t let him be the seniormost Ascended disciple. Now that he''s headed toward Taiqing Ind, the Isle of Xiao must be undefended.
"You mean to have me head to the Isle of Xiao right away?" Mr. Qin asked.
"Indeed. Otherwise, why would I have had the elders restore your stamina? While he''s gone, retrieve the Immortal''s Destruction and kill Zheng Qian," Nn Fengmanded.
"It''s a trivial matter, but would it be too obvious? You might be the subject of suspicion then, Your Highness."
"This is clearly an attack perpetrated by Xiao Nanfeng''s enemies; it has nothing to do with me. And once Xiao Nanfeng loses possession of the Immortal''s Destruction, he won''t have the power to do anything," Nn Feng opined disdainfully.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Mr. Qin replied.
At sea, Xiao Nanfeng and Zheng Qian split up. Zheng Qian and his retinue sailed back to the Isle of Xiao, whereas Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao joined Ye Sanshui''s small boat toward Taiqing Ind.
"Why did you taunt Nn Feng and anger him by demanding an apology?" Zhao Yuanjiao asked as they sailed.
"It''s easy for an enraged person to make mistakes. I intend to counterattack at Nn Feng," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.
"How?" Zhao Yuanjiao asked.
"You''ll see. It''s too early to reveal that just yet."
Zhao Yuanjiao frowned at Xiao Nanfeng, feeling as though he was up to something big, but he couldn''t quite figure out what.
"Senior Brother, I asked if you would help me smooth the transition to be the seniormost Ascended disciple. Why didn''t you report to Division Leader Zhao Tianheng?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.
"He''s had someone in mind for this position. If I didn''t dere this publicly, it would never have been your turn," Zhao Yuanjiao replied, smiling coldly.
"Oh?"
This uncle-nephew pair seemed to be scheming against each other...
As though sensing Xiao Nanfeng''s curiosity, Zhao Yuanjiao sucked in a deep breath and exined, "Who do you think would take over my ckguards if I were to die?"
Xiao Nanfeng''s eyes widened. Was Zhao Yuanjiao wondering if his two recent assassination attempts had been orchestrated by his uncle, Zhao Tianheng?