Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 1350 - 1346: Suppression

"Ahem," he coughed lightly twice, drawing the attention of the two, awkwardly saying, "Director, Lord Duan, why not find a place to have a proper talk? How about the tavern over there? Lord Duan must be hungry too."

Confronting each other on the street is not a good idea.

It is almost lunchtime now, and other officials will soon appear.

By then, both will become a laughingstock.

Huang Zhengyang sneered, "What’s there to talk about? Personal resentment above official duties, yet you dare claim to act impartially, how laughable!"

"A newly appointed official, eager to secure his position, recklessly acts, that’s the real joke!"

"Duan Tianhai, this is the heart of a villain!" Huang Zhengyang scoffed, "Wong, this Director position is executed flawlessly, convincing everyone, there’s no need to rush for achievements. Is the merit of eliminating the Undying Evil Venerable not enough?"

"Is that your merit?" Duan Tianhai laughed, "This is stealing the merit of Chu Zhiyuan, the impressive one is not you, but Heavenly Sword Sect’s Chu Zhiyuan!"

Huang Zhengyang said blandly, "This time, it is also suggested by Brother Chu."

Duan Tianhai was startled.

Mo Qiuqiu quickly said, "Lord Duan, Director, let’s go chat at the tavern."

He spoke while leading the way.

Duan Tianhai huffed, "There’s nothing to talk about between us."

Huang Zhengyang said, "Duan Tianhai, are you feeling heart void?"

Duan Tianhai shook his head, "Your mindset is unjust, nothing to say to you."

"Ha, heart void." Huang Zhengyang’s face showed disdain.

Mo Qiuqiu at the front said, "Lord Duan, Director, someone is coming."

Huang Zhengyang and Duan Tianhai turned their heads to look, a group of officials in red robes coming out from the nearby Ministry of Revenue.

"Let’s go." Duan Tianhai huffed.

Huang Zhengyang pursed his lips.

...

Chaoyi Building, located in the center of bustling West Alley Street, has three floors, over twenty meters high.

Colorful flags flutter in the air.

Colorful flowers cluster around the three-story entrance, both magnificent and splendid.

Huang Zhengyang and Duan Tianhai sat in an elegant room on the third floor, facing each other, one side by the window.

Mo Qiuqiu sat between the two, facing the window.

After sitting down, Huang Zhengyang and Duan Tianhai stared at each other without speaking.

Mo Qiuqiu felt helpless.

They were both high-ranking, influential figures, now bickering like children.

"Ahem, Director, indeed this matter is beyond comprehension, no wonder Lord Duan doesn’t understand."

Mo Qiuqiu lightly coughed twice and said.

"Too little knowledge, hence unable to comprehend." Huang Zhengyang pursed his lips.

Duan Tianhai huffed, "Isn’t it just random guessing, wasting labor and resources for a big gamble? If you lose, there’s no loss; if you win, you’ll earn great merit!"

"You don’t understand." Huang Zhengyang huffed, "Staying in the government office all day, what do you know about the horrors of these demon people?"

"And not talking about other things, how can you be certain that demon people will appear?" Duan Tianhai sneered, "Even predicting where they will appear? I really don’t know you Huang Zhengyang have the talent of foreseeing the future!"

"I don’t have this ability, but not everyone under the sun lacks it." Huang Zhengyang said.

"Who?"

"Hmph."

"Could it be that Chu Zhiyuan?" Duan Tianhai sneered, "Relying on him, you’ve earned quite a bit of merit; your achievements today depend entirely on him."

"That’s right, Brother Chu has helped me greatly!"

"Don’t forget, he is a disciple of Heavenly Sword Sect, not a court official!"

"Though Brother Chu is a disciple of Heavenly Sword Sect, he cares for the world, more concerned about the people than many court officials!" Huang Zhengyang glanced at him, shaking his head, "Like you!"

"How utterly laughable!" Duan Tianhai sneered, "You actually trust a person from martial arts so much."

"Compared to Brother Chu, you’re far inferior, only thinking about your small domain, only focusing on your reputation, ignoring the life and death of the people, hence a hypocrite!"

"Utter nonsense!" Duan Tianhai showed disdain.

"Compared to Brother Chu, on which aspect do you excel?" Huang Zhengyang said, "Greater achievements, stronger martial arts, or more concern about the people’s suffering and world peace?"

Duan Tianhai huffed, "This time was motivated by Chu Zhiyuan, wasn’t it?"

"I earnestly requested Brother Chu to predict the next location of Dan Yang Heavenly Demon People appearance, if not for my friendship with Brother Chu, he wouldn’t risk it!"

"Is he also gambling big?"

"Why would Brother Chu gamble? Aren’t his achievements big enough?"

"..."

"Therefore, your knowledge is shallow, heart also narrow, completely unaware of what bizarre abilities might martial arts have at Brother Chu’s level."

"Hmph, my knowledge is shallow..."

"These years, you’ve been focused only on being an official, long neglecting cultivation, how could you know the taste of peak cultivation?"

Duan Tianhai coldly said, "If he truly has such abilities, I would have no objection, allowing immediate passage!"

"Brother Chu definitely has." Huang Zhengyang said solemnly, "Moreover, even if mistaken, God-Binding Rope won’t be worn out; those tributes can take it as a relaxing outing, so why are you obstructing us? Isn’t it due to personal grievances!"

"I still don’t know your Evil Extermination Department’s methods?" Duan Tianhai coldly said, "Even if there isn’t, you’d still pretend there’s a demon appearing, and use God-Binding Rope!"

Huang Zhengyang huffed, "Alright, you can join us in action, or send someone along!"

Mo Qiuqiu quickly said, "Director!"

Huang Zhengyang waved his hand lightly, "Duan Tianhai, is this good enough now?"

Tianhai has a firm temper and strong character, being tough with him is of no use.

Moreover, Duan Tianhai’s status is there, if he really dares to act, boundless troubles will follow.

The only thing to do is to convince him with reason and use Brother Chu to suppress him entirely.

Forcing him to approve the application for God-Binding Rope.

As for the dispatch of those tributes, it doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry; it turns out the problem isn’t that hard to solve.

Duan Tianhai squinted his eyes at him.

Huang Zhengyang said lightly, "This time, let you witness Brother Chu’s true abilities, let you understand the vastness of the world and the strength of capable people!"

"...Alright, I will send someone alongside." Duan Tianhai said solemnly, "Won’t you deliberately harm him?"

"The ones you send, don’t make them too weak; don’t let them be a drag, dragging us down!"

"That’s natural!" Duan Tianhai huffed.

...

Leaving the tavern, on the way back to the Evil Extermination Department, maneuvering through the bustling crowd, Mo Qiuqiu said, filled with lingering fear, "Director, I almost thought you two were going to fight."

"Fight him?" Huang Zhengyang, walking with his hands behind him, said smugly, "He would be delighted for me to make a move!"

"Exactly, exactly." Mo Qiuqiu said, "If you truly hit him, there would be endless consequences, really not worth it."

Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry counts as a Civil Servant, the Director of the Evil Extermination Department is a Civil Servant.

More importantly, the Director’s rank is inferior to Vice Minister.

This is violating hierarchy in officialdom, also an offense against the literary by using martial arts.

Each is a major taboo.

If you really make a move, it’s likely the Director’s position will be in jeopardy.

Huang Zhengyang said, "Being able to force him to bow his head this time is also due to Brother Chu’s reputation, intimidating him; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so agreeable."

"He’s also wary of Mr. Chu?" Mo Qiuqiu, puzzled, "He’s merely a civil servant, how does he interact with Mr. Chu?"

"Hmph, regardless of civil or military officer, court officials all know Mr. Chu’s weight." Huang Zhengyang huffed, "Especially his prestige among the people of the world."

"Now I understand..." Mo Qiuqiu realized, "Lord Duan is afraid of offending Mr. Chu, affecting his own reputation among the people."

Huang Zhengyang laughed, "If he didn’t care about official reputation, it wouldn’t have been so effective."

"Director is brilliant!" Mo Qiuqiu remarked.

Huang Zhengyang chuckled, "Hopefully Brother Chu knows and doesn’t blame me; dealing with these civil servants requires mental games!"

Mo Qiuqiu praised, "Director’s intelligence is exceptional, not inferior to these civil servants!"

"Haha..." Huang Zhengyang laughed heartily.

He was quite satisfied with his own methods and wit; in any case, it was accomplished.