The Royal City's Waters Run Deep

Si Bingwen remained calm, seemingly having already been informed of the relevant information.

"I have already dispatched family martial artists to rescue your General."

"However, if you wish to immediately begin the reconstruction of the Pei Province Demon Slayer Division, it is not something I can achieve alone."

"You will need to gain the support of the other halls."

"After all, it is not only Pei Province that has suffered great losses due to demon attacks."

Family martial artists... gain support...

Li Xuanxiao keenly noticed the details in Si Bingwen's words.

Rescuing a province's General should have been the responsibility of the entire Demon Slaying Hall, so why did Si Bingwen need to send his own family martial artists?

Similarly, rebuilding the Pei Province Demon Slayer Division was to maintain stability in Pei Province and the stability of Great Yu.

This also fell under their responsibilities, yet Si Bingwen used the word "gain."

Even if multiple provinces suffered losses, the Demon Slayer Division should have proactively moved to rebuild as quickly as possible. Why would they still need to seek support?

Si Bingwen's words were thought-provoking, and Li Xuanxiao fell silent in contemplation.

The headquarters of the Demon Slayer Division seemed not as united and cooperative as he had imagined.

Instead...

It felt like there were factions, each at odds with the others?

"Please enlighten me, sir. Rebuilding the Pei Province Demon Slayer Division should be the responsibility of the Demon Slayer Division headquarters, so why do we need to seek support?"

Unable to figure it out, Li Xuanxiao bowed again and asked.

"The waters in the Royal City are very deep. The Demon Slayer Division headquarters is stationed in the Royal City, with many high-level martial artists, and seldom do demons cause trouble..."

"People of different classes, different levels, and different backgrounds all gather here, but they do not have a common enemy."

"Everyone fights for their own interests and doesn't pay much attention to what happens below."

"The tragic state of Yu Province and Pei Province is a matter of great loss for some, but for another group, it is a welcome development."

At this point, Si Bingwen glanced sideways at Li Xuanxiao: "The martial artists who came from Yu Province to request aid arrived before you."

"Moreover, Yu Province has always been known as the 'Granary of Great Yu,' which shows its importance."

"But even so, the reconstruction plan for the Yu Province Demon Slayer Division has been progressing with great difficulty and slowness."

"If you do not actively seek support, the reconstruction of the Pei Province Demon Slayer Division will be greatly delayed."

"Yu Province is relatively easier to deal with, after all, food is the foundation of people's livelihood. Even if it's slow, it will at least progress steadily."

"But Pei Province... that's another story."

Li Xuanxiao listened silently, a surge of anger gradually rising within him.

As expected... no matter the world, those in power always prioritize their own interests.

What do the lives of those at the bottom have to do with them?

Power is only accountable to its source. When needed, they speak of the people being most important, then the state, and lastly the ruler, spouting hypocritical platitudes.

When not needed, they are cast aside like worn-out shoes...

Li Xuanxiao's face showed sorrow, and he quietly closed his eyes.

In his mind, he saw cities destroyed one after another, displaced civilians, and helpless crying children.

He saw Liu Gelin, nailed to the outer wall, his eyes refusing to close in death.

He saw the Patrol Hall Master, impaled like a hedgehog, long dead but still tightly gripping his blade.

So many...

Li Xuanxiao felt a surge of frustration rush to his head.

Even as they spoke, countless martial artists in Pei Province were still fighting demons, desperately protecting the civilians.

"Sir, the martial artists of Pei Province... are dying right now."

"To protect the people of Pei Province, for Great Yu, for those high and mighty superiors..."

"Their heads were severed, they were pierced by a thousand arrows, or they became food for demons, dying tragically."

"And now, I still need to seek the support of these superiors, begging for their mercy?"

Li Xuanxiao's eyes reddened, not from tears, but from suppressed rage.

Si Bingwen remained silent, not daring to meet Li Xuanxiao's gaze.

He was merely one of the eight halls of the Demon Slayer Division, and because he disliked conflict, he had very little say within the organization.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to rely on his family martial artists to rescue his own younger brother from the Demon Emperor's pursuit...

Li Xuanxiao reined in his emotions. Anger wouldn't solve anything. Without sufficient strength, he would only be ridiculed for his impotent rage.

As things stood, Si Bingwen was not an enemy. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been reduced to needing to send family martial artists to rescue his own brother.

Li Xuanxiao took a deep breath, calming his turbulent emotions.

"Sir, please tell me, what exactly should I do, and how can I win them over?"

Li Xuanxiao asked humbly. Such a complex place must have its own set of rules for operation.

If he acted rashly like a hothead and offended someone he shouldn't have, not only would he be unable to get help, but he might even lose his own people.

So, despite his anger, he remained calm. He would handle the immediate task first and then think about other matters.

The situation in Pei Province couldn't be delayed, but what he could accomplish alone was extremely limited.

To save the entire Pei Province, he needed to leverage the power of the Royal City!

Si Bingwen looked up at the young man before him. "I regret to have to tell you a fact."

"From the moment you stepped into the Demon Slayer Division headquarters and presented your identity Jade Token."

"You have already been targeted by countless people."

"And the instant you were brought into my Demon Slaying Hall, regardless of whether you wanted it or not, you were already branded and sorted into a faction."

"This is both good and bad."

"For the halls that are on good terms with our Demon Slaying Hall, it will naturally be much easier for you to win them over."

"Conversely, for those halls that are at odds with us, or even have direct conflicts of interest, winning them over will become exceptionally difficult."

Li Xuanxiao listened quietly and pursed his lips. "Sir, is there any other way?"

The thought of having to humble himself and beg these superiors made him feel uncomfortable all over.

Rather than seeking their support, Li Xuanxiao would much rather put a knife to their throats!

Si Bingwen glanced at Li Xuanxiao. "Of course, there are ways."

"There are always exceptions. If you want to bypass all the rules and man-made obstacles, there isn't no way."

"As long as you have enough strength!"

Li Xuanxiao's eyes lit up. He could rely on his strength?

That would be truly wonderful!

Li Xuanxiao wouldn't dare boast about anything else, but when it came to strength, he had never conceded to anyone!

With the system as his backing, if he still couldn't defeat these people, he might as well go find a crooked tree and hang himself.

Li Xuanxiao immediately asked, "How can I rely on my strength?"

Si Bingwen's expression turned serious. "Think carefully. The Demon Slayer Division headquarters is not like the branch divisions in the lower provinces!"

"The Martial Artists here are the elite, the strongest batch in the Royal City, no, in the entire Great Yu."

"It won't be easy for you to defeat them!"

As soon as Si Bingwen finished speaking, he felt a surge of powerful aura.

Li Xuanxiao held nothing back, fully circulating his True Essence. "Just tell me, sir, I'll handle the rest!"

The Mystic Lotus Sutra was circulated to its extreme, and his True Essence surged like a massive wave!

The calm on Si Bingwen's face instantly vanished, his eyes widening involuntarily.

Mystic Realm!

And not just the initial stage of the Mystic Realm!

At least... the middle stage of the Mystic Realm!

When did the Pei Province Demon Slayer Division produce such a monstrous talent?