Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 429 - 429 428 Just Right 2

429: Chapter 428 Just Right 2 429: Chapter 428 Just Right 2 Hou Niao soon completed the onboarding process, as being at the heart of the supervisory system saved him from many messy and tedious delays.

The job entry went smoothly, so smoothly that it seemed almost unbelievable to him.

He did not know that this was actually a personnel action approved by the Master above, and thought it was all thanks to Li Biejia’s influence and connections.

He felt a slight remorse, but it was fleeting.

Isn’t that what a mentor is for?

For now, his position remained at the Sikong Mansion, as an Assistant Commandant, which was about the same level as the Prosecutor in the State.

Levels were closely linked to the realm and achievements in cultivation.

For instance, a cultivator at the first level of the Tongtian Realm would hardly obtain anything practical and would just do menial work; someone like him, at the second level of the Tongtian Realm, would generally take on apprehension tasks; once a cultivator reached the third level of the Tongtian, the Natural Realm, they would qualify to become a Capital Commandant or an Assistant Commandant of the Sikong Mansion.

Therefore, Li Chuping had not mistreated him and had given him a position one rank higher.

Hou Niao did have some achievements, like in Yinling, in the debates in the Southwest, in Xionger Town; but each time, those above only saw his mistakes.

Now, with this recounting of his achievements, he realized he did have some capital?

The penalties came early and continued, but now he had finally managed to see the skies clear.

This was a sinecure.

He did not need to be office-bound and could be assigned out of the blue to perform certain tasks or sent to various state offices.

The exact placement also depended on luck and how well one could network.

If he wanted to climb higher, overcoming the position of a State Commandant was an insurmountable barrier, and also a crucial test by the Sikong Mansion to see if a cultivator had the capacity to control the whole situation.

This position was also the most fiercely contested in the Sikong Mansion, and he was far from qualified in terms of seniority, experience, connections, or achievements.

He did not really care.

What mattered was that his status was useful.

Wouldn’t it be joyful to flaunt his power and bully others once he was out and about?

Looking at the somewhat complacent Assistant Commandant Hou, Li Chuping was unsure whether what he had done was right or wrong, but since he had already taken the first step, he could only go on.

“Get familiar with the ways of the Sikong Mansion, its organizational structure, and scope of duties…

especially the family laws and regulations!

You be careful, the internal rules of Sikong Mansion are no joke.

If you really breach them, the consequences won’t be as simple as a penalty on your resources!

Don’t expect me to help you, understood?”

Hou Niao grinned, “So, my past troubles don’t count, right?”

Li Chuping felt trapped but could only put up a front, “Whatever happened before, the Sikong Mansion has covered for you.”

That was exactly what Hou Niao had been waiting to hear.

Could the Prince Manor, however prestigious, surpass the Sikong Mansion?

The prince had no real power, and not being a core member in a high-ranking system like the Shan Sect, it was just an empty title.

Now, seeing the previously revered Prince Manor as something not so fearsome from the perspective of the truly powerful, he realized there was no need to worry unnecessarily every day.

Armed with a stack of must-reads for new recruits at Sikong Mansion, Assistant Commandant Hou cheerfully made his way back home.

He felt good because, although the issues were not resolved, his position had securely put a large lid over his head, ensuring safety.

As for visiting the library to look for cultivation techniques, he had already waited this long, a few more days wouldn’t hurt.

It was important not to rush and make it egregiously obvious that he came for this, making Li Chuping think it was for his own benefit.

Face mattered—his own and that of Assistant Li.

They needed to provide everyone an acceptable reason, not just make it look like blatant exploitation.

Returning to his gated residence, the sun had not yet set, and all was quiet within.

This was a good sign, at least, the Huang acted; he had his own ulterior motives for instigating the Huang to stir up trouble in the Mortal World; when the deeds of the Prince Manor were fully exposed in Yujing, it would greatly reduce the pressure from Prince Manor on him.

The Prince Manor dared not mess with the Red Joy Troupe, for this would violate the basic limit of coexistence between Mortal Cultivation, a boundary no one dared to touch; naturally, they wouldn’t dare to rashly move against him, the so-called defender of the wronged, and could only wait, wait for time to pass, wait for the situation to calm down, then plot their next move.

And he, he only needed to use this time to elevate himself to a place where no one could touch him, and that was the foundation of a Cultivator’s survival.

The women of the Red Joy Troupe would be under pressure, from all sides, but this was something they had to face anyway.

He wouldn’t carry everything on his own shoulders; the right way to survive was for each to bear their own, helping each other out when capable.

He continued his evening Cultivation, meanwhile seriously reviewing every rule and regulation of the Sikong Mansion, for someone as experienced with the law as he was, studying these wasn’t out of respect or compliance, but to find exploitable loopholes.

This was the first lesson his father had taught him, at the time he had been dismissive, but now that he had grown up, he realized this was the true wisdom of survival.

Engrossed in Cultivation, time passed unnoticed until after midnight, when some noise finally came from the south courtyard.

He didn’t bother about it and continued to pore over the scrolls from the Sikong Mansion; in Sikong Mansion, one’s position determined one’s privileges, and as an assistant, he was somewhat a small leader, so he needed to understand more, finish quickly, then return the scroll.

While he was engrossed, a soft voice from outside, belonging to Huang, inquired, “Is Master available?

May your concubine see you?”

Huang recounted the evening’s performance, because of the tight schedule, they could only pick the most important scene to perform, but precisely because it gathered the best actors of the Red Joy Troupe, the performance was very successful.

“…The performance was very successful, the audience’s response was very enthusiastic, simply returning to take bows five or six times, not to mention whether the goal was achieved, but from a commercial performance perspective, it looks very promising,”

Hou Niao smiled slightly, “Know why?”

Huang shook her head, she was still somewhat confused, and couldn’t blame her, given her limited perspective.

Hou Niao chuckled, “Because you performed the voice of the ordinary people!

Yujing has been peaceful for too long, no one dares to openly speak against Cultivation Power, nor do they have the channels to do so, it’s about emotional resonance.

But I must warn you, such performances can continue, but don’t spread them too wide, and definitely don’t charge, considering this kind of content as a commercial performance direction is very dangerous!”

This time Huang finally understood, “Understood, we don’t lack that little money, it’s about an attitude, letting the Cultivation circle hear the voices of our grassroots, charging would change the flavor.”

Hou Niao nodded, “Starting tomorrow, all sorts of pressures will come, don’t be afraid, ignore the mortal forces of the Government, but if it comes from the Quanzhen three mansions, ah, likely from the Sima Mansion in an attempt to stop, then just take the opportunity to back down.”

Huang’s mind started to clear up, “Master is right, if Sima Mansion intervenes, it means they’ve already got the news, and Prince Manor wouldn’t dare to mess around.”

Her mood lightened, although still uncertain of the final outcome, but at least there was a glimmer of hope for a safe passage.

“This morning, Master told me, each person must pay the price for their behavior, I deeply agree.

So, what price does Master need?”

Hou Niao looked at her, “How about this, I’m quite good at weeding, seeing that your residence is a bit neglected, I am willing to labor on behalf of the lady…”

Indeed,

…Renting the house costs much, the newcomers fear might be demons.

The powder deep and purple rich, the flesh tone fading from rosy charm.

Hope the wind keeps blowing, only worry about the sun scorching.

Pity the stray grass, gather it up for fragrant burning.