Heaven Temple Lower Court.
As Heaven Temple's representative in the secular world, Hong Ru had lately been feeling quite pleased with himself.
Of course, given Hong Ru's status, there was no need for him to display that satisfaction.
But others had displayed Hong Ru's present satisfaction for him.
For instance, Moon Hall Master Baili Fei, Wood Hall Master, Lightning Hall Master, and the others of Heaven Temple not only treated Hong Ru with even greater respect, but also carried out his orders with far greater efficiency.
So long as they did not violate the prohibitions of Heavenly Leader of Sun Moon Heaven, the Mountain Lord of Lightning Prison Mountain, the Peak Master of Qingli Peak, and the like, every order and demand from Hong Ru could be fulfilled.
The outside world did not know just how glorious Hong Ru's circumstances were now, but Heaven Temple's upper ranks knew very well. All because the Nine Sun Divine King's decree had praised Hong Ru with one phrase—"more than sufficiently quick-witted"—sending his authority soaring wildly.
Previously, Hong Ru had cooperated with the various factions of Heaven Temple in their law-enforcement plans. Now, those plans had become subject to Hong Ru's unified command.
In fact, Heaven Temple's secular affairs were now entirely in Hong Ru's hands.
Originally, authority over secular affairs had belonged to the Hall Masters such as Baili Fei. These Hall Masters had been deeply dissatisfied at first.
No one would be happy to have their authority carved away, so there had naturally been all manner of overt and covert obstruction and delay.
But after Ye Zhen and Sacred Priest Mo Yu had successfully been exiled, Hong Ru had taken full control of power.
More importantly, before this, Heaven Temple's secular forces had merely been secular forces. But as Heaven Temple's grand