The Art of Chaotic Divinity

Chapter 1574: Yan Cangtian's Request

Night had deepened by the time Ling Feng returned to the Tianwei Academy, stepping once more into that familiar medicinal herb garden.

He had promised his teacher, Yan Cangtian, that he would visit after returning.

"Teacher, I am back."

He knocked lightly on the study door. The herb garden had once been nearly destroyed, yet after Yan Cangtian's return, new spiritual herbs had already been planted.

No matter the circumstances, he was first and foremost a devoted alchemist.

"Come in. I already heard you were back. You are quite the busy man now. I did not expect you to visit this old fellow so soon."

Yan Cangtian's voice came from inside. He sounded as playful as ever, yet beneath it lingered a trace of bitterness and restraint.

It was clear he was holding something back.

"A teacher for a day is a father for life. Since I have returned, of course I must come see you first."

Ling Feng pushed the door open. Inside, Yan Cangtian was bent over a damaged alchemy furnace, carefully trying to piece it back together.

"At least you still have some heart."

Yan Cangtian glanced at him and patted his shoulder. "How is that girl from the Yue family? She should be fine now, right?"

"Yes. I was fortunate enough to find the Void Lotus Root."

Ling Feng nodded calmly.

"That is good."

Yan Cangtian held a fragment in his hand, aligning it with care as he tried to restore the broken furnace piece by piece.

"Teacher, with your means, if the furnace is broken, you could simply buy a new one. Why bother fixing this?"

Ling Feng stepped forward to help, unable to hold back his question.

"That is true. A broken furnace remains broken no matter how much you repair it. Why not replace it with a new one?"

Yan Cangtian gave a faint, bitter smile. "But after so many years, you grow attached. Feelings are strange. You know it can never be the same again, yet you still cannot let go. Does that not sound absurd?"

Ling Feng's heart skipped. He looked up at Yan Cangtian and drew a slow breath.

"Teacher, you are speaking about more than the furnace."

"Yes."

Yan Cangtian sighed. "You are clever. You understand what I mean."

He fixed his gaze on Ling Feng and clenched his fist.

"Little Feng, how have I treated you all these years?"

"Like both teacher and father. In my heart, you are half a father to me."

Ling Feng spoke with complete sincerity.

A trace of moisture flickered in Yan Cangtian's eyes. After a long pause, he finally said, "Then, Little Feng, I have a request."

"You want me to speak to Jingwang, no, to His Majesty, and ask him to show leniency to the Empress Dowager, correct?"

With Ling Feng's insight, the answer was obvious.

Yan Cangtian could not let go.

"After seeing the vast ocean, no other waters compare. After Wushan's clouds, all others pale."

Yan Cangtian let out a quiet sigh. "Besides, this time, I owe her my life. Without her, I would already be dead. She has not treated me without feeling. Little Feng, I know you have grievances with the Yan family and with her, but I..."

"Enough, Teacher. You do not need to say more. I agree."

Yan Cangtian froze, staring at Ling Feng in disbelief. He had not expected such an immediate answer.

"Why not? You are my teacher."

Ling Feng smiled faintly. "Besides, this disaster may not have been caused by Yan Jinghong alone. That demon Lin Canglang was likely the one pulling the strings."

When Yan Jinghong was on the verge of death, Ling Feng had seen demonic qi gather into Lin Canglang's form.

In a sense, Yan Jinghong had also been a victim.

Even if one set that aside, the Yan family had already fallen. Some were dead, others imprisoned. Only the Empress Dowager remained, and she could no longer stir trouble.

Yan Cangtian had loved Yan Ning for years. If she were executed, there was no telling how broken he would become.

"Little Feng, thank you!"

Yan Cangtian's eyes filled with tears. He looked as if he might burst into loud sobs.

"Teacher, that is a bit embarrassing. You are actually crying."

Ling Feng could not help but laugh. He had never seen him like this before.

"Hmph, mind your own business. A young man's heart is always full of spring."

Yan Cangtian shot him a glare.

Ling Feng laughed. "At your age, you still call yourself a young man?"

"Hmph. Do not let appearances fool you. All these years, I have remained pure!"

Yan Cangtian's old face flushed red.

"Right..."

Ling Feng sniffed and raised a thumb. "Teacher, you are truly the Tianbai Empire's most devoted romantic. No, that is not quite right. The most infatuated man."

"Get lost!"

Yan Cangtian kicked at him. Ling Feng dodged and bolted out, laughing.

"I cannot afford to offend you. Take your time fixing that furnace. I am leaving!"

"Scram!"

Yan Cangtian cursed as he watched Ling Feng run out of the courtyard. Only then did he mutter softly,

"Little Feng, thank you."

...

After spending the night at the General Weiyuan Mansion, Ling Feng entered the palace early the next morning to bring up Yan Cangtian's request to Mo Feng.

"Brother Feng's teacher is also my teacher."

Mo Feng agreed without hesitation. "The Empress Dowager holds a revered position and is also my grandmother. Even if the Yan family committed treason, I cannot bring myself to be ruthless. I will announce that she has passed away from illness. She will leave the imperial city and live under a new identity. From that moment on, the world will no longer have an Empress Dowager."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ling Feng bowed.

"Brother Feng, there is no need for such formality. In private, I am still Feng Mo."

Ling Feng smiled. "People say rulers are often heartless. After everything that has happened, you have not changed."

He paused, then added, "But a ruler must still carry himself as one. I believe you will become a good emperor."

"It is a pity you refuse to stay. I would not hesitate to give you half the empire."

"Everyone has a path they must walk. Mine leads to the peak of martial arts."

Ling Feng looked at him and placed a token on the table.

"Feng Mo, this is a token of the Dongling Immortal Pool, the Heaven Slaying Ten Absolutes. After this turmoil, the Tianbai Empire's strength has suffered. The Tianyang Empire and the Nanjiang demon clans may start to make moves. Keep this token. From now on, anyone who dares provoke the Tianbai Empire stands against me, Ling Feng."

"Brother Feng..."

Mo Feng gripped the token, his eyes filled with gratitude. With this in hand, the Tianbai Empire now had the backing of Dongling Immortal Pool. Any enemy would have to think twice.

"This is all I can do. If anything happens, send word to Dongling Immortal Pool. If the empire is in danger, I will come, no matter the distance."

"Brother Feng, I truly do not know how to thank you."

"If you want to thank me, then tonight, I will host a banquet at my residence. If you are my brother, we drink until we drop."

Ling Feng raised a brow with a grin.

"Alright. Tonight, we drink without restraint."

Mo Feng nodded firmly. He knew that Ling Feng would be leaving the next day.

No matter how far apart they might be, Brother Feng would always be Brother Feng.