My construction materials are weird

“You've misunderstood, Master Sun! The Minister absolutely didn't mean that!”

Bi Xia was also a good actor, putting on an appearance of having suffered a great injustice.

Bi Xia knew why Sun Tong and Xia Qing were making things difficult for him. Sun Tong and Xia Qing also knew that Bi Xia and Han Wu understood they were creating obstacles regarding budget allocations.

Everyone was in the same boat, their hearts as clear as mirrors.

It was also the only thing the Demon Suppression Department could use to control the Merit Hall. You might control the money and resources, but I have the right to review and judge you.

Without this token, Sun Tong wouldn't treat Bi Xia as an equal.

“Master Sun, you're unaware, but the so-called not notifying the Merit Hall's higher-ups doesn't mean we won't notify all of them. We will notify you and Vice-Master Xia Qing. You've misunderstood,” Bi Xia said.

Whether it was a genuine misunderstanding wasn't important. What mattered was Bi Xia's statement.

They were reporting, reporting to Xia Qing and Sun Tong, not directly ignoring them.

“Ah, is that so? It seems I misunderstood,” Sun Tong said, putting on an act of sudden realization.

Of course, only a fool would believe Bi Xia's words.

He was only changing his tune because he saw the restrictions on the allocation and appropriation of his own merit points. Sun Tong asked himself, wasn't he smart? Even if he was foolish, would Vice-Master Xia Qing be a fool as well?

Didn't they see the implementation of the arrest before, without notification?

It was just that things were ambiguous before, and it was only because he, Sun Tong, had a hold on Bi Xia of the Demon Suppression Department that Bi Xia was now putting on such a great performance, saying he had misunderstood.

So, whether it was a misunderstanding or not wasn't important; what mattered was that Bi Xia changed his tune.

“Yes, Master Sun has misunderstood. Of course, you can't entirely blame you; I'm also to blame for not explaining some things clearly. It's our fault, our fault. It's good that the misunderstanding has been clarified. So, what do you think…?” Bi Xia said.

“Well, Minister Bi is right. The allocation and review of merit points every time is quite troublesome. Vice-Master Xia Qing, what do you think? Can we change it?” Sun Tong said.

“Master, since you've said so, and since it was a misunderstanding just now, I think it can be changed, but…”

Xia Qing said 'but' again. Bi Xia and Han Wu were extremely annoyed by this 'but' at this moment.

“But, you see… it's not that this subordinate doesn't trust the colleagues of the Demon Suppression Department, it's just that even if I don't trust others, wouldn't I trust Minister Bi, Vice-Minister Han Wu, and the others? I trust all of you colleagues, but…”

Bi Xia and Han Wu were depressed. Here it comes again.

“But, you see, we can't just approve whatever amount the Demon Suppression Department requests, right? That wouldn't be in accordance with the rules. I have a small idea. What do you think about this? We'll assign some personnel to enter the Demon Suppression Department to specifically review the merit points needed by the Demon Suppression Department and see if there are any areas that can be optimized. After all, these merit points are the blessings of the Mystics and the blood and sweat of the cultivators. I think…”

Good heavens, they were directly extending their reach into the Demon Suppression Department.

Just like dispatched accountants, they needed to audit before anything could be done. You couldn't just say how much you needed and get it.

“Vice-Minister Xia Qing, don't you think you're going too far?” Han Wu said angrily.

“Ah, am I going too far? I don't think so. Do you think I'm going too far?” Xia Qing asked.

“Yes, you are.” Han Wu said.

“But, after all, these are merit points. You have to know that cultivators will fight tooth and nail for a single merit point, even giving their lives. I think being cautious is for everyone's good,” Xia Qing said.

“You…” Han Wu wanted to retort, but he heard Bi Xia say, “Master Xia Qing is right. I think it's very necessary.”

Bi Xia suddenly stopped Han Wu's anger.

What was even more amazing was that Han Wu was too lazy to even act after hearing this, showing no surprise at all.

It was like a duet between the two of them, or rather, they had expected this all along.

“Master Sun, your suggestion is very good. The Merit Hall dispatching financial personnel will help us identify any internal problems. This point is very necessary. We agree,” Bi Xia said.

Bi Xia wasn't joking.

He had experienced too much and no longer trusted human nature. Human hearts absolutely couldn't withstand testing.

And one shouldn't test human nature. Such self-proclaimed clever tests would only make things worse.

Because of disappointment, he had stood up and established the Demon Suppression Department. And then what?

Even after its establishment, the Demon Suppression Department would still have things that would disappoint him.

Would turning the Spiritualist Demon Suppression Department into the Cultivator World Demon Suppression Department change anything?

No, it wouldn't. It might work for a short time, but once enough time had passed, some things would come back.

Rather than that, it was better to establish a mechanism from the beginning.

The previous Demon Suppression Department couldn't do it because everyone was one of them, and there was no one at his level. Now that there was the Merit Hall, it would be better than before at the very least.

He truly wanted to develop and strengthen the Demon Suppression Department, not just play around.

“Minister Bi is indeed extraordinary. I could tell from your previous personal leadership in clearing out the corruption that you have courage and ability. How about this? The Demon Suppression Department will also dispatch personnel to reside in my Merit Hall, specifically to monitor the corrupt personnel within the Merit Hall. What do you think?” Sun Tong said.

“Oh?” This time, Bi Xia was truly stunned.

At the same time, Sun Tong's position in his heart suddenly rose sharply.

Bi Xia was a proud man, having previously addressed Xuan Huang as elder brother. In the entire world, the only person he truly submitted to was Xuan Huang. As for Sun Tong?

To be honest, he really didn't think much of her, just a pretty little vase raised by Xuan Huang, pleasing to the eye, but not truly admired.

But at this moment, he had changed his mind a bit, and quite a bit.

Perhaps the initial change in his mind began with Sun Tong's promotion of the Demon Suppression Department, and at this moment, with just that decision, his change in opinion of Sun Tong took a big step forward.

“Is that appropriate?” Bi Xia asked out of caution.

As an experienced veteran, although he had previously looked down on Sun Tong, he wasn't stupid. How could he not see what Sun Tong meant to Xuan Huang?

If she was simply a pretty little thing raised by Xuan Huang, then he would be underestimating Xuan Huang too much. If Xuan Huang wanted beauties, what kind of beauties couldn't he get from the world?

Although this Sun Tong had a world-class appearance and temperament,

more of it was nurtured by Xuan Huang. It wouldn't be difficult for Xuan Huang to cultivate more beauties like this.

A mere Sun Tong wasn't enough.

He was also an expert, a third-order expert, and a third-order expert who had taken a big step forward.

He had his own Dao heart and persistence, and Xuan Huang must have had it as well.

This Sun Tong, although not Xuan Huang's lover, might be even more important than a lover, a gap in Xuan Huang's humanity, a loophole,

or rather, a gap and loophole deliberately left by Xuan Huang, so that he wouldn't become inhuman due to a lack of peers.

Or rather, too transcendent, becoming a ring of a new human.

This is far more important than any pretty face or little lover. Disdain is disdain, but offending them is out of the question.

He needed to discern whether Sun Tong was sincere or simply being polite.

"What? Minister Bi Xia doesn't believe me?" Sun Tong wasn't angered by Bi Xia's disbelief; instead, she asked in a gentle tone.

Questioning her depended on one's status. Others questioning her would certainly provoke displeasure, but Bi Xia was different.

"No, I'm marveling at Palace Master Sun's brilliance and decisiveness. Bi is filled with admiration... Since that's the case, let's mutually establish presences, and our brotherly units can work together." Bi Xia was convinced.

"Good, let's progress together," Sun Tong said.

Now that everything had been said and a frank exchange had taken place, probing and mutual tearing down could be avoided.

The ensuing negotiations between the two sides were much more amicable.

"Speaking of which, the Demon Suppression Department has a need requiring a large number of points. Originally, I thought we'd resolve it ourselves. After all, Palace Master Sun should know that we have some assets," Bi Xia said.

"I know. Minister Bi Xia, what are your plans? Speak freely," Sun Tong replied.

"It's like this: we plan to experiment with the construction of transcendent technology, aiming to set an example for cultivators," Bi Xia didn't hide anything.

After all, they had already reached this point in their conversation.

"This? Why?" Sun Tong truly hadn't expected the Demon Suppression Department to do this.

This has nothing to do with you. You're just a punitive structure. Why bother doing this?

"What's Palace Master Sun's opinion on the Demon Suppression Department's appearance in the cultivation world?" Bi Xia asked, not directly answering the question.

"Hmm?" Both Sun Tong and Xia Qing fell into contemplation.

Actually, it wasn't difficult to understand. Both of them quickly figured it out with their intelligence.

Considering the timing of the Demon Suppression Department's appearance, some troubles were unavoidable. Unlike when they established the Merit Palace, they had nothing. There were no laws or regulations; everything was a blank slate.

It took many years to establish the Merit Palace's rules and standards.

The Demon Suppression Department was different. It came with established rules and standards, as well as clear authority and responsibilities.

The problems they faced after their establishment were much more troublesome than what she had faced initially.

"Are you worried about too many troublemakers? Doing nothing would provoke dissatisfaction, so you're shifting everyone's attention and creating a sort of alibi?" Sun Tong said.

"Hehe, I knew it wouldn't be difficult to stump Palace Master Sun. Yes, that's what we're guarding against. With the establishment of the Demon Suppression Department, troublemakers will inevitably make baseless accusations everywhere. You might say it's not important, and it truly isn't. Strictly speaking, the Demon Suppression Department isn't here to handle these small problems. We're here to deal with incidents and problems that can cause unrest. But if we ignore it..."

"If you ignore it, someone will definitely gossip. Even if it doesn't affect the Demon Suppression Department, it will still damage its reputation... Especially now that the Merit Palace and the Demon Suppression Department stand as equals. It's no longer a time when the Merit Palace is the sole dominant force," Xia Qing said.

"Alas, that's exactly the case," Bi Xia sighed.

It was a very complex problem.

Previously, the Merit Palace was the sole dominant force. There was no reference point or counterbalancing force. Cultivators would tolerate everything from the Merit Palace.

If you didn't tolerate it, what could you do? Could you possibly threaten the Merit Palace?

No one could threaten it.

Now it was different. Two departments of equal status had appeared. A single misstep could lead to cultivators whispering behind their backs, because there was a choice now. If not the Merit Palace, there was the Demon Suppression Department.

Similarly, if not the Demon Suppression Department, there was the Merit Palace.

Wasn't this the reason why the Four Superpowers and Eight Great Families wanted the Demon Suppression Department to be established? To break the figure above their heads and prevent it from being the sole dominant force.

Therefore, the environment of the Merit Palace and the Demon Suppression Department had changed. It had changed when the Demon Suppression Department was established, when one became two.

The sacred, unshakeable position had become shakeable, had become two. Two was completely different from one.

This was the meaning behind Xia Qing and Sun Tong's words.

The environment had changed, and actions had to change. This was not only a problem faced by Bi Xia but also a problem faced by the Merit Palace.

It would have been better not to mention it. Speaking of this, Sun Tong and Xia Qing also had a headache.

Although, in the final analysis, no matter how dissatisfied the cultivators were, they wouldn't shake the position of the two.

But that was a slacker's way of thinking. Did the Mystic Master entrust this department to you so you could slack off, so you could rely on being unshakeable and not care about anything?

If that were the case, it would be too incompetent, and you would be unworthy of the Mystic Master's grace.

If that were the case, Sun Tong felt that she might as well resign from her position as Palace Master and become a genuine little maidservant for the Mystic Master. At least her heart wouldn't be so tired.

The two of them still had some aspirations.

"So, you want to use the development of transcendent technology cities as a shield?" Xia Qing asked.

"Cough cough, it can't be said to be a shield. We want to use this matter as a roundabout way, at least until we've completely established ourselves," Han Wu replied on his behalf.

It wasn't purely a shield. If it were truly used as a shield, that would be wrong.

That was an escapist thought.

They were just relying on this matter to establish themselves and get through this transitional period, which was to give the cultivators a buffer.

The birth of new things would inevitably make people curious, and those troublemakers would also be the most active.

But once time passed and everyone's enthusiasm dissipated, it wouldn't be so difficult.

"Hmm, I understand. Our Merit Palace will also participate. We'll provide the funds, and you can implement it," Sun Tong said. "We want a transitional period."

They were worried about how to face the impact on the Merit Palace caused by the cultivators' changing attitudes after the appearance of a department of equal status to themselves.

They were worried about how to solve it, and Bi Xia had provided a solution.

Regardless of how the cultivators' mindsets changed, there was a reason to say that they were practicing the classic "Transcendental Technology" announced by the Mystic Master for the future of cultivators, and this was the top priority.

Therefore, during this period, it was inevitable that they would not be able to take care of cultivators like you, and they hoped for your understanding.

After all, you wouldn't want the Mystic Master's efforts to be silenced, would you?

The more they thought about it, the more they felt that this reason was invincible. The cultivators' mindsets were constantly changing, such as the changes in mindset caused by the appearance of two top departments.

But there was also a mindset that had never changed. Not only had it never changed, but it was also becoming stronger and deeper over time.

That was the affection and reverence of all cultivators for the Mystic Master.

The Three Great Laws were too OP. As the fundamental source of the laws, the stronger the cultivators were, the stronger their reverence and worship for Xuanhuang would be.

Those with low cultivation levels actually had less reverence and worship for Xuanhuang than those with high cultivation levels.

For example, those with low cultivation levels established a causal connection with Xuanhuang, while those with high cultivation levels had dense connections.

Therefore, as long as it involved Xuanhuang, the entire cultivation world would become 'peaceful'.

… (End of Chapter)