First Immortal of Destiny

Chapter 270: A Mess

"I have seen the senior!"

The one leading the group was an old man at the first level of the Qi Gathering stage, quite advanced in age.

With depleted energy and dim eyes... Shen Mo doubted whether he could defeat a peak Body Tempering stage cultivator!

The other four were all Body Tempering stage cultivators, ranging from the fifth to eighth level.

They were not young anymore, and it seemed unlikely that they would make any further progress in this lifetime.

Clearly, they were all here to pass their days as guards in the department.

Shen Mo didn't waste any words and handed the command jade slip and the token of authority to the old man.

Then, amidst the astonished gazes of the others, he walked towards the main hall.

After learning their names, backgrounds, and positions, he waved his hand and dismissed the four Body Tempering stage cultivators.

With his heightened senses and divine sense, he could still hear the whispered conversations of the four cultivators as they returned to their respective residences.

"What do you think? How long do you think this new leader can last?"

"If he can stay stable, it shouldn't be difficult for him to last two or three years. But I'm afraid he might be too proud and want to achieve something."

The one named Zhu Dahai, an eighth level Body Tempering cultivator, muttered quietly.

Another person, who seemed to have less experience, asked in confusion, "Wouldn't it be better for us if he could achieve something? At least we would receive a full monthly salary."

"You know nothing!"

"The previous leader was originally a disciple of the Linjiang Sect. He planned for a long time before obtaining this position."

"He also wanted to make a name for himself, but he was made a laughingstock by the Tian family. After only half a year, he fled back to the Linjiang Sect in disgrace."

"The leader before him was also someone with lofty ambitions but little ability."

"He tried to seize the resources that belonged to the guards from the Tian family, small clans outside the city, and various sects outside the city..."

"As a result, he died outside the city under mysterious circumstances."

"If not for that, our guard department wouldn't have fallen to such a state that we can't even pay our monthly salaries."

Shen Mo's eyelids twitched as he listened!

The guard department was officially established by the five major sects and various forces.

Naturally, the cultivation resources needed were shared by all parties.

But the guard department of Hongye City had been in decline for a long time, and even the Linjiang Sect's investment couldn't stir up any waves.

Instead, it was divided layer by layer, and the final destination of the resources was unknown.

Over time, the Linjiang Sect stopped investing in this place.

As for the small sects, aristocratic families, small clans, and wandering cultivators within the guard area, they naturally wouldn't bear this expense.

As a result, the treasury of the guard department was like a mouse hole. Even if something went in, it would come out with tears!

If Shen Mo could make a name for himself in the future, apart from handing over seventy percent of the cultivation resources to the guard department headquarters in the capital city...

The remaining amount would be used to maintain the daily operation of the guard department!

Shen Mo received the cultivator roster, income and expenditure account book, and detailed information on various forces under his jurisdiction from the old cultivator.

After flipping through them for a long time, he sighed deeply.

It was a complete mess!

There were many registered cultivators, but they were all just receiving empty salaries.

The guard department of Hongye City was in such a dire situation that it had to resort to desperate measures.

The main source of income was a blood silver mine located fifty miles outside the city, which was owned by the Linjiang Sect.

When the guard department was first established, the Linjiang Sect showed its sincerity by transferring one-tenth of the shares to them.

Currently, they could earn eight to twelve medium-grade spirit stones per month.

Seventy percent of that had to be handed over to the guard department headquarters.

What actually ended up in the guard department's account was only about three medium-grade spirit stones per month.

In other words, it was equivalent to three hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Then most of it will be taken by the named cultivators.

Less than fifty low-grade spirit stones will be distributed to the five elderly cultivators.

As for other income, it depends on the mood of various forces.

Basically, it's equivalent to nothing!

In this way, it's no wonder that the talent in this city's Garrison Office is declining.

Not to mention using spirit stone resources to recruit powerful cultivators from small sects, immortal clans, and wandering cultivators to slay demons and eliminate evil.

Even the five people who are still in the Garrison Office cannot receive their full monthly salary!

"Fellow Daoist Tian, I have roughly understood the situation. I wonder what you can teach me?" Shen Mo closed the register and looked at the elderly cultivator below.

The elderly cultivator's name is Tian Shouren.

Although he has the surname Tian, he is not from the Tian Clan of Immortals.

He used to be a disciple of the White Crane Sect, but the sect was destroyed by the Heavenly Demons several decades ago, and he luckily escaped with his life.

But he became a wandering cultivator as well!

After wandering around, he came to the Garrison Office of Hongye City and has been there for more than thirty years.

Although Tian Shouren's cultivation level is low, his age and experience make him quite knowledgeable about the various forces inside and outside Hongye City.

"I dare not." Tian Shouren humbly waved his hand, indicating that he couldn't bear the responsibility of being "taught".

Then, a hint of light flashed in his somewhat cloudy eyes: "This old man doesn't know what Master Shen is thinking, so how can I speak lightly about my shallow understanding?"

"May I ask Master Shen... Are you here to live a peaceful life or to make great achievements?"

Shen Mo lightly said, "Oh," and became interested. He continued, "How should one live a peaceful life? And how should one make great achievements?"

"To live a peaceful life, you should prepare generous gifts and visit the Tian Clan of Immortals."

"As for the various sects under your jurisdiction..."

"The Golden Toad Tower and the Fighting Gold Sect both have powerful cultivators at the Spirit Sea Realm, and their influence is quite strong. You should also pay them a visit."

"With the recognition of these three powers, you can comfortably stay in the Garrison Office. Even matters like exterminating demons and eliminating evil can be handled by them."

"As for other small clans and sects, there is no need to worry too much."

Seeing that Tian Shouren didn't seem as dull as he appeared, Shen Mo's expression became slightly serious, and he continued to listen to his words.

"If Master Shen wants to make great achievements, he will definitely need spirit stone resources."

"But you must not act recklessly, so as not to offend various forces and end up with a tragic fate."

"Within the city, you can unite with other small clans and wandering cultivators to resist the Tian Clan of Immortals."

"As for the immortal clans outside the city, the Golden Toad Tower and the Fighting Gold Sect are already at odds. You can align yourself with one of them to suppress the other."

"In this way, you may be able to restore the prestige of our Garrison Office!"

Shen Mo couldn't help but look at Tian Shouren with a higher regard. His words were in line with his own plans.

"Fellow Daoist Tian, we have only known each other for less than an hour..."

Shen Mo took out spirit wine and spirit fruits from his storage bag and placed them in front of them, pouring a cup of spirit wine for him.

Then, with a smile, he said, "You have already told me all this. Aren't you afraid of revealing too much and being betrayed by me?"

"Sip! Sip!"

Tian Shouren savored the spirit wine, a top-quality wine that he, a poor cultivator, had never tasted before from the Linjiang Sect.

Feeling a bit intoxicated by the fragrance of the wine, he smiled after a while.

"Master Shen, don't try to test me!"

"I am truly not from the Tian Clan of Immortals, nor am I a spy planted by other forces."

"But... now that the demonic calamity has arisen again, I can no longer go to the battlefield to slay demons."

"The Garrison Office was originally established to suppress demonic troubles. It shouldn't have fallen to this state."

"I can give you some suggestions. If it can restore the prestige of our office, it can also be considered as contributing a little to the cause of eliminating demons."

(End of this chapter)