Wayfarer

Chapter 787: Accusation Against Ao Canghai

In the Sieve of Heaven, within Ao Canghai's manor, a man of average appearance stood before Ao Canghai.

The man bowed respectfully. "Eastern Aspect Ao, my main body is currently with the head of Snowborne. I'll be relaying the conversation between him and you."

Ao Canghai nodded, then asked, "Did the assassination fail?"

"There were some minor issues, but everything is still under control."

"Another failure? Doesn't Snowborne always succeed? How much fortune have I already paid you for this?!" Ao Canghai exclaimed irritably.

"I told you not to bother me for no reason. If it were that easy to assassinate Xiao Nanfeng, you wouldn't have needed my help. If not for my dealings with your father in the past, I'd have made you pay dearly for that attitude of yours."

Ao Canghai took a deep breath and suppressed his frustration. "I was too impatient. I just heard that Xiao Nanfeng has become the new Taiqing sect master, and was infuriated to learn of the news. We can't delay things any longer. Xiao Nanfeng is growing ever stronger, ever more quickly. If this drags out, even Snowborne won't be a match for him."

"As if Xiao Nanfeng can compare to the likes of Snowborne. The Dazheng Empire is but an ordinary empire. Snowborne has killed innumerable emperors, even Immortal Emperors. Xiao Nanfeng is nothing in comparison. He won't be so lucky next time."

"As long as you kill him soon. Under no circumstances are you to reveal my involvement," Ao Canghai warned seriously.

"Snowborne never leaves evidence behind. Rest assured," the head of Snowborne replied.

"Good." Ao Canghai nodded.

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the hall. It was one of Ao Canghai's close subordinates. "Eastern Aspect, the Heavenly Emperor has sent word. He will soon arrive at the Hall of Martial Aspects and requests that all Martial Aspects in the Sieve of Heaven greet him."

"The Heavenly Emperor's coming to the Hall of Martial Aspects?" Ao Canghai exclaimed in surprise. He turned back to the average-looking man. "Are you sure my involvement wasn't leaked?"

"No one knows of your involvement," the head of Snowborne repeated.

"Good." Ao Canghai nodded again.

He stepped out to find several of his trusted Martial Aspects waiting for him.

"Why is His Majesty coming to the Hall of Martial Aspects?" Ao Canghai asked one of them.

"We don't know, Eastern Aspect. All we heard was that he was on his way. He might already have arrived."

"Let's go quickly, then."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

Ao Canghai and his group headed toward the floating island where the Hall of Martial Aspects was located.

Before long, they were in the plaza right outside of it.

By then, the plaza was filled with officials of the Imperial Court and a large number of Martial Aspects besides. All eyes were fixed on a throne at the entrance to the hall, where Yu Fuli sat sipping on divine tea. The Martial Aspects in the vicinity were reporting to him.

Ao Canghai narrowed his eyes. Xiao Nanfeng was right there.

"When did Xiao Nanfeng return to the Imperial Court? Why didn't anyone inform me of this?" Ao Canghai frowned. He had a sinking feeling.

He rushed forward. "I apologize for the delay, Your Majesty. Please forgive us."

Yu Fuli turned to Ao Canghai.

Yu Fuli smiled. "Here you are, Eastern Aspect Ao. Let's begin, then."

The crowd was puzzled by Yu Fuli's words. Was the Heavenly Emperor here specifically for Ao Canghai?

Ao Canghai's heart skipped a beat. Something seemed very wrong.

"Might I ask why you've come to the Hall of Martial Aspects today, Your Majesty?"

"Moments ago, someone came to me with a formal accusation charging you of attempting to harm your colleagues and plotting the murder of a Martial Aspect."

"What?!" The Martial Aspects in the vicinity turned to Ao Canghai in shock.

Ao Canghai himself turned pale. Panic washed over him. He glanced at Xiao Nanfeng; things were badly awry. Without solid evidence, who would dare make such a serious accusation?

"Your Majesty, I've always performed my duties with utmost diligence. These claims aren't credible. Someone must be intent on slandering me," Ao Canghai replied quickly.

He didn't dare accuse Xiao Nanfeng of slander directly. That would only make him seem more guilty.

"I've been watching you," Yu Fuli said. "Whether or not this accusation is true, we'll quickly find out. Coincidentally, the plaintiff is here. Both of you may defend yourselves."

"Understood!" Ao Canghai bowed respectfully.

"Xiao Nanfeng, didn't you want to lodge a formal complaint? Go ahead."

Xiao Nanfeng took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I am Xiao Nanfeng, a Martial Aspect of the eastern quadrant. While it is improper for me to accuse a superior, I can't sit idly by while assassination attempts are made on my life. I humbly ask that you investigate this matter thoroughly."

"Continue."

"I have now survived two assassination attempts from a force known as Snowborne. Though I narrowly escaped both times, I can hardly do so indefinitely. Fortunately, during the second attempt, I uncovered information about the culprit from my assailant. To my utter disbelief, Ao Canghai was the one who ordered my assassination."

"Ao Canghai hired Snowborne to kill Xiao Nanfeng?"

"Snowborne never leaves any evidence behind. How can this be?"

"Xiao Nanfeng isn't deliberately trying to frame Ao Canghai, is he?"

The surrounding Martial Aspects were shocked, but many seemed to believe Xiao Nanfeng. They remained silent and glanced at Ao Canghai to see how he would respond.

Ao Canghai's heart pounded wildly. He was certain that Xiao Nanfeng had solid evidence; he would never dare level a public accusation otherwise. He cursed the head of Snowborne and his empty promises.

"Is this true, Ao Canghai?" Yu Fuli asked.

Ao Canghai's eyelids twitched. Though Xiao Nanfeng had yet to present his evidence, Ao Canghai was certain that there was enough to at least secure severe punishment—exile, at the very least.

But dare he lie to the Heavenly Emperor?

"Your Majesty, there's some truth to this," Ao Canghai said seriously.

"What?!" The crowd looked toward Ao Canghai in disbelief.

Was Ao Canghai going to confess even before the evidence was presented? Surely something was wrong.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned. He sensed Ao Canghai's cunning at play.

"You admit that you hired Snowborne to assassinate Xiao Nanfeng?" Yu Fuli demanded.

"I did, Your Majesty. But it was all for the sake of the Imperial Court."

"Oh? Explain that to me," Yu Fuli pressed, smiling coldly.

"Everyone here is aware of how capable Xiao Nanfeng is. Though his cultivation is lacking, he's meticulous and skilled enough to take on even a Boundless Immortal in combat. He defeated Yin Shenhua, captured a saint's main body, and then defeated Lou Yujing. He truly is blessed by the heavens, and his talent is prodigious."

The Martial Aspects glanced at each other. Wasn't this the first time Ao Canghai had praised Xiao Nanfeng—and to this extent, no less?

"I was certain that the Snowborne assassins wouldn't be able to harm Xiao Nanfeng. That was why I dared to hire them."

Yu Fuli's voice turned cold. "Do you mean that Xiao Nanfeng ought to thank you for attempting to assassinate him?"

"No, Your Majesty. Hardly. My intent in hiring Snowborne was to infiltrate it and use their intelligence to hunt down the primordial altar."

"Oh?"

Ao Canghai took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, you've had a standing order in the Hall of Martial Aspects to search for the location of the primordial altar, but there hasn't been any news. I learned that the head of Snowborne was aware of the whereabouts of the altar, but was unwilling to divulge that information. In order to strengthen my relationship with the head of Snowborne, I was forced to use such a method."

Yu fuli eyed Ao Canghai as he had a sip of tea. "And have you any proof of that?"

"A subordinate of Snowborne is currently present in my manor. His main body is with the head of Snowborne, and I've been attempting to persuade him to reveal more of Snowborne's secrets. I've had some preliminary success, and I have evidence that the head of Snowborne is indeed aware of the primordial altar's location. I believe I'll be able to uncover the truth before long. This is the evidence."

Ao Canghai presented a jade slip to Yu Fuli.

Yu Fuli accepted the jade slip, examined it briefly, and frowned at Ao Canghai.

Seeing Yu Fuli's reaction, Xiao Nanfeng knew that Ao Canghai had to be telling the truth—partially, at least. The head of Snowborne was indeed aware of the primordial altar's whereabouts.

His face turned dark. "Ao Canghai, you're changing the topic. Your investigation into the primordial altar is a different matter entirely. Why did you hire Snowborne to assassinate me?"

Ao Canghai replied, "I knew that Snowborne couldn't kill you, and I needed a pretext to engage with the head of Snowborne in order to probe his secrets. You're the most suitable target: we've had conflicts in the past, and I know you're skilled. Though I may have acted rashly, all I did was for the benefit of the Imperial Court."

The Martial Aspects glanced at each other again. Ao Canghai's shamelessness knew no bounds.

"I ask that you judge this matter fairly, Your Majesty."

Yu Fuli studied the jade slip. "Ao Canghai, why didn't you report this plan to me beforehand?"

"I was overly eager to contribute, Your Majesty, and was hoping to wait until after I had found the primordial altar. I ask for your punishment," Ao Canghai replied directly.

Purportedly, he was anxious to make a contribution—and he had indeed made progress. If the Heavenly Emperor gave him a harsh sentence, the other Martial Aspects would surely be dissuaded from working hard for the Imperial Court.

Many of the Martial Aspects eyed Ao Canghai coldly. It was apparent Ao Canghai did want to kill Xiao Nanfeng, but he had come up with too ingenious an excuse. If Ao Canghai were punished, it would discourage loyal officials from going above and beyond; if he weren't, it would be unjust to Xiao Nanfeng and a violation of heavenly law.

Everyone turned to Yu Fuli as they awaited the Heavenly Emperor's judgment.