Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 424 - 424 423 Disaster of the Pool Fish 2 Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Ticket

424: Chapter 423: Disaster of the Pool Fish 2 [Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Ticket] 424: Chapter 423: Disaster of the Pool Fish 2 [Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Ticket] The hall was enveloped in silence for a long time before Master Xu finally spoke with a chuckle,

“What a good idea, being able to stir up trouble is also a skill.

Sikong Mansion has always been thirsty for talent and can never have too much.

So, do you have confidence in controlling him?”

Li Chuping could only grit his teeth and stand his ground.

Given his usual way of doing things, he rarely made decisions with no way out, but pressured by the cunning methods of two Masters, he had no other choice.

“This person was introduced to the sect by me, and in a way, I have watched him grow.

That he stirs trouble is true, and that he has the ability is also undeniable, so I have been observing him all along.

After the Mirage incident, considering that although he is rash, his heart for the public good was sincere, he could be forgiven.

In my personal feelings, after all, there is some kinship…”

Master Zong nodded, “In that case, take him in.

Administer a light punishment, deduct one or two years of his stipend to serve as a warning to others.”

Li Chuping sighed, “Deducting his stipend seems meaningless for him; since joining the sect, he only claimed the introductory resources once, and for the nearly twenty years since, his stipends have been completely forfeited due to punishments.

Such penalties will only force him to become a pirate.”

The two Masters looked at each other, and Master Xu laughed, “Is it the fault of our system again?

Well then, you handle it.

But once he’s in Sikong Mansion, he can’t continue to act willfully like before.

You must make this clear to him.”

For the three Mansion cultivators, there is a particular procedure for taking an official post; below the Tongxuan rank, each Outer State Capital Commandant’s Mansion manages on their own, and they are not really considered part of Sikong Mansion yet.

Only after surpassing the Tongxuan rank and being nominated by the local Capital Commandant’s Mansion, with a nod from Sikong Mansion, is one officially a member of Sikong Mansion.

In most cases, Sikong Mansion gives face to the Capital Commandant’s recommendations, but there are a few instances where direct recruitment is made, depending on the situation.

This was a minor issue, quickly glossed over.

Amidst all the trivial matters, before the meeting concluded, Master Xu reminded them, “The Shanyin Ghost Festival is approaching, and it’s our turn in Sikong Mansion to send someone.

Pay attention to this, we do not want to become a laughingstock.”

One of the Golden Core practitioners hesitated, “The Shan Sect has nine True Inheritors in the Tongtian Realm, and our Sikong Mansion only has two, with Sun Kaiyu on an assignment outside, fearing he won’t be able to return anytime soon; Li Shulun is in seclusion, refining his sword for two more years, we can’t count on the two of them.

The strength of the other Tongtian Realm disciples in Sikong Mansion is still somewhat lacking.

What do you think…”

Master Xu snorted, “I’ve told you before, stop stuffing Sikong Mansion with those who have high status but low ability owing to their backgrounds.

You’ve accumulated favors but find yourself in a tight spot when it comes time to act.

Forget it, find someone capable from the Outer States.

Chuping, you are more familiar with the subordinates, so I’ll leave this matter to you.”

Li Chuping nodded in agreement.

The meeting was over, and the Masters floated away, while the crowd of Golden Core cultivators scattered as well.

Li Chuping stepped out of the hall, his mood somewhat irritable; although he had been with the mansion for five years as an Assistant, with the cultivators’ long lifespans, five years were actually quite brief.

In Sikong Mansion, there were many cultivators who had served for decades or even a hundred years, like those Golden Core colleagues he had just left, the least experienced of whom had been there for no less than thirty years.

Thus, he was an unequivocal newcomer in Sikong Mansion.

Each one had seniority, everyone had a background, so all kinds of messy, menial chores fell to him, leaving him, who was accustomed to holding authority in the State, feeling like a hero out of his element.

There was no other way but to soldier on.

Even these matters, trivial as they seemed, were not necessarily easy to handle, such as how to bring that person into Sikong Mansion without losing face or how to find a truly reliable Tongtian Realm cultivator to be the Ghost Festival Envoy.

These tasks sounded simple but were troublesome, with no glory in success but the potential for great embarrassment should one fail.

It made him a little nostalgic for his days in Jin City.

…Hou Niao was lying on the top of the rockery basking in the sun, feeling so warm that he became drowsy—a natural reaction after days of exhaustion.

He quite liked this sensation and never deliberately used cultivation to ward off sleepiness.

What is cultivation?

To sleep when one should sleep, to eat when one should eat, to relax when it’s time to relax—that’s how to maintain an efficiently high state at all times.

As he hovered between sleep and wakefulness, in a dreamlike trance, he felt the gate leading to the north and south courtyards being pushed open, and people, more than one, hurried into the garden in their panic.

He sighed inwardly; the troubles of the mortal world were endless.

Ever since Mrs.

E Huang had started bringing him food every couple of days, he had a premonition.

The food was very good, and the woman, still charming, seemed to know just what he liked.

Women’s intuition, regardless of mortal cultivation, is always very accurate.

The three ladies stumbled into the garden, looking around; it was deserted.

Standing there, lost and uncertain about what to do next—

Behind them, a young man dressed like a dandy, accompanied by two bruisers and a public official, followed at a leisurely pace.

Last came Mrs.

E Huang, taking uneven steps, her voice tinged with urgency,

“Master Duan, in consideration of my face, could you perhaps extend the deadline?

If you take them to see the authorities, the Hongxi troupe will collapse on stage, and from then on…”

Master Duan was unmoved, “Debts must be paid and murderers must be punished—it’s only right and natural.

These three ladies owe me money, so it’s only fair I come to collect.

The agreement is in black and white—I am only merciful if I decide to extend the deadline, but if I don’t, it means even I am strapped for cash.”

Mrs.

E Huang forced a smile, “Master is jesting.

Everyone knows the Duan family is a great Yu Jing lineage—how could you care about such a small amount of money?

Master Duan, I’ll speak frankly.

The Hongxi troupe is not only the culmination of all my hard work but is also a business that has been run by my father and ancestors for generations.

I won’t let it be destroyed on my watch.

So, no matter what you do, I’ll never sell it!”

Master Duan scoffed, “Strong will!

I have long heard of Mrs.

E’s soft exterior but hard interior, a strong woman among women, and seeing you today, your reputation certainly holds true.

But I am someone with a stubborn nature—the more I can’t have something, the less willing I am to let go.”

Casually lifting Mrs.

E Huang’s chin with his fan, “The Hongxi troupe consists of dozens of performers, most of whom Lady has trained for many years, perhaps even decades.

If they go, will Hongxi troupe still be the Hongxi troupe?”

Pointing to the three trembling women before him, he said disdainfully, “Everyone has their weaknesses.

Among them, some like fine clothes, some help their families through tough times, and some support their lovers.

Even if the payment from Lady is generous, it can’t satisfy everyone’s desires because desire is endless.”

Putting away his folding fan with a snap, he opened it with flair, “There are more people like this than just these three; everyone has an exploitable weakness.

For example, your leading man has a gambling problem, Qing Yi is greedy, Wu Dan has kept a lover, and Hua Lian has an obsession with elixirs…

I’ve only targeted these few unknown dancers, just to save Lady’s face, to let you know that as long as Master Duan wants to find faults with you, he can always find them!

Nobody is perfect, and even if you were, I would still be able to find a crack to exploit.”

With a swift motion, he closed his fan, “The Duan family, being a great Yu Jing lineage, does not resort to unjust acquisitions.

We do everything by the book.

A sum that would ensure Lady never worries about her livelihood again—Lady will manage this theatre troupe for me.

You can oversee the personnel, and I will determine the repertoire.

I have spoken gently and negotiated with you in good faith.

How does Lady instruct me in return?”