Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 602 - 602 601 Meeting an Acquaintance Again

602: Chapter 601: Meeting an Acquaintance Again 602: Chapter 601: Meeting an Acquaintance Again “Another assignment abroad?

Where to this time?”

Judge Wan had a plan ready.

“This mission isn’t far, it’s within the territory of Shan Country, in the Zhongqing City of Pingliang State.

We suspect signs of collapse in the tripartite system of Zhongqing City, but to what extent it has deteriorated, whether it stops at benefiting tangled interests or involves collusion with foreign states, is yet to be deeply investigated, and it’s not easy to conclude rashly.

The rotten must be cut out, and the righteous and loyal must be preserved; there’s vital importance in these distinctions.

You go, take over the post of Capital Commandant of Zhongqing City, you have the authority to act independently, but remember, do not make your strikes too broad, because Pingliang State is quite a special place.”

“Zhongqing City of Pingliang State?”

Hou Niao’s mind instantly flashed with memories of Pingliang State.

Although he had never been there, as a Sword Cultivator from the Shan Sect, he still had a basic understanding of the states within his own country.

Pingliang State, the smallest among the nineteen states of Shan Country, is also a border state.

Like the Da Feng Plain, it also borders the Anhe Dao Country, just with a shorter border line.

The adjacent area isn’t near Liuyang but is separated by thousands of miles, in completely opposite directions.

Though Pingliang is small, its output is plentiful.

For Shan Country, which isn’t particularly rich in natural resources, this is an exception.

The Geng Essence Mine here is well-known across the Continent and is an indispensable core material for crafting Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures.

Because of its special terrain, although it is small, it is surrounded by mountains on all sides, forming an enclosed Pingliang Basin, which gives it a sense of being a nation unto itself; in fact, that was indeed the case hundreds of years ago when it was a small country called Langzhong Country, named after the closed fertile lands.

But such a petite country could no longer survive the changing fortunes on the Continent, caught between the Shan Sect and the Anhe Daoist Sect, living in a suffocating way until it was cunningly annexed by Shan Country to become its nineteenth state.

At that time, the powerful Anhe Daoist Sect fought colorfully with the Shan Sect over this piece of fertile ground of Langzhong Country, and somehow, although Langzhong Country was more aligned with the Daoist Sects, it finally fell into the arms of Shan Country.

This has been one of the causes of discord between the Shan Sect and the Anhe Daoist Sect over the centuries.

This peculiar border state of Shan Country showing some abnormalities doesn’t seem new, does it?

It’s unlike other larger states of Shan Country, where the populace adheres to Quanzhen, where often a single decree from the tripartite system could resolve most troubles through appropriate personnel deployments – who would dare to act strong under their suppression?

But the former Langzhong Country, now Pingliang State, has its unique cultural traditions and its own Daoist Cultivation lineage.

To accommodate local sentiments, many actions can’t be too brutally direct.

Therefore, such situations frequently arise, and Yujing turns a blind eye as long as it doesn’t escalate too severely.

It seems like we can’t get past it now?

“You really know how to pick places for your disciples!

Even the landlord’s donkey isn’t driven this hard!

So, what’s the stance of the military command at Zhongqing City?”

Judge Wan chuckled, “It’s your benefactor, Li Biejia, who found you this task.

He says you’re capable but too sluggish, and need a place to make a mark as a local authority so you can climb higher in the future—it’s not my business!

The military command of Zhongqing City is headed by locals from Langzhong Country, following Sima Mansion’s strategy of using barbarians to control barbarians, which is actually just laziness, so don’t count on them.

The central military command is controlled by the local merchants’ association’s Cultivators.

Yes, basically without the normal functions of a military command—just a group of merchants’ bodyguards.

You know the profits from the Geng Essence Mine are staggering.”

Hou Niao truly felt overwhelmed.

“So, the tripartite system in Pingliang State is just for show?

Only the Capital Commandant’s office is under our control?

There’s still such a place in Shan Country, truly incredible!”

Judge Wan felt somewhat awkward; he too found it unbelievable, but the various issues concerning the original Langzhong Country were somewhat taboo in the Shan Sect, not to be lightly discussed or questioned about the top-level decisions.

They could only patch things up below, desperately plugging the holes, which was quite straining.

This was why he was curious about this young Cultivator before him.

To say he was a confidant of Yu Zhengxing, for Yu Zhengxing sent him to dangerous tasks just like he would to a foe; to say he was Li Chuping’s lapdog, while others did everything possible to avoid sending their subordinates to this black hole, Pingliang, Li Chuping precisely sent his lapdog into it?

A very peculiar person, seemingly disliked by everyone?

Yet, it didn’t seem entirely so?

It was puzzling.

“Actually, the Capital Commandant’s office is also stuffed with quite a few locals…

Let’s put it this way, to support the local cultural traditions, we handed over Sima Mansion to the forces from the original Langzhong Daoist lineage.

To stabilize the local economic lifeline, we handed over Situ Mansion to the local merchants’ system, leaving only the Capital Commandant’s office to oversee, making it very difficult to operate freely, facing all kinds of restrictions.”

Hou Niao gave a bitter smile.

“Li Biejia truly appreciates me…

Uncle, can I not go?”

Judge Wan seriously said, “I don’t have the decision-making power here, and moreover, this matter has also been approved by two old ancestors from the Xu sect.

It’s too late for regrets; the decree from above is hard to defy.

Kid, as someone who has been through it, I think you might consider this matter from another angle?”

“You are still young, becoming a Capital Commandant of a state at your age is unique in the centuries-long history of Sikong Mansion.

You know, in Sikong Manson, seniority matters.

What is seniority?

The most scrutinized and tested seniority is to stand alone in a state office.

In this sense, it might not necessarily be a bad path to progress?”

“It could also be a trap!

Would such a path of advancement even come my way if it were so?”

Judge Wan consoled him, “Actually, I’m just stating the difficulties upfront, so you are mentally prepared and don’t underestimate the situation.

How could the Shan Sect’s control over Pingliang State over the past two hundred years be without any gains?

This Jade Scroll contains names of people we’ve planted within various powers of Zhongqing City.

But from the experience of someone who’s been through it, I must warn you not to completely trust this list—you should still make your own judgments, then decide.”

Hou Niao took the Jade Scroll, feeling speechless.

What was the point of such a list if he also had to verify it?

“What authority do I have in Zhongqing City?

What range of forces can I mobilize?

Most importantly, am I going there to investigate or to solve?”

Judge Wan nodded, the young Cultivator’s mind was clear.

“Your authority is within the purview of the Capital Commandant, but you have the right to act first and report later.

However, I warn you, do not act in a way that provokes local backlash or uproar.

“As for mobilization, I’ll coordinate with the Capital Commandant’s office of the neighboring Gao Tang State.

If you really need trustworthy personnel, just ask them—they won’t refuse you.”

“As for the purpose, Li Biejia said, Hou Peirong is exceptionally capable; just investigating would be underutilizing you.

Sending you there means solving the problem.”

“…”