Upholding Righteousness

After dealing with the Golden Robe Divine Envoy, Madam Jiuzhen turned her gaze toward Long Shanying, the aged chieftain of the Dragon Elephant Tribe, who was kneeling on the ground.

Long Shanying felt Madam Jiuzhen's gaze upon him.

His scalp tingled.

He honestly lowered his head, not daring to meet Madam Jiuzhen's eyes.

The Golden Robe Divine Envoy was, after all, a Heavenly Being Divine Demon.

Yet Madam Jiuzhen had captured him in an instant.

This woman was truly incredibly formidable.

"Since you have entered the Wei River and registered your names, you shall naturally receive the protection of my Water Mansion."

"Today, this man of the Golden Brilliance Imperial Dynasty has already been subdued by me."

"From now on, you need only serve the Water Mansion well."

Long Shanying said gratefully:

"Many thanks, my lady, for lending us aid and saving my Longshan Clan."

"From this day onward, we shall offer daily worship to the Divine Lord and never show the slightest neglect."

After saying this, Long Shanying turned to Longshan Lie, who had returned after seeing the situation improve.

"Lie, quickly bring out the item and present it to my lady."

Longshan Lie hurried forward and offered up a Jade Box.

"This is a small token from my Longshan Clan."

"Please accept it, my lady."

Madam Jiuzhen took the Jade Box and opened it.

Her brows rose slightly.

She had not expected such a destitute little tribe to possess such a treasure.

She put away the Jade Box.

Then she gave Long Shanying a slight nod.

"You have shown consideration."

"I shall accept this item."

"Tomorrow, Water Mansion officials will come to register your tribe."

"The Water Mansion's Twelve Guards are currently recruiting Dao soldiers."

"Dao soldiers may receive specialized cultivation methods, along with annual military pay."

"If war breaks out, you may also exchange Military Merit for contribution points. Contribution points can be exchanged at the Water Mansion's Myriad Treasures Pavilion for Dao Artifacts, pills, spirit beasts, and even Daoist arts and divine abilities."

"If you do not wish to join the military, you may take the divine official examination instead. Becoming a divine official will likewise earn you contribution points."

Seeing Long Shanying's utmost respect, and knowing that the Dragon Elephant Tribe was naturally a warrior race that might rise to prominence in the future, Madam Jiuzhen did not hesitate to offer a few pointers and form a good connection.

Hearing Madam Jiuzhen's words, Long Shanying said gratefully:

"If not for your guidance, my lady, how could we have known such things?"

"We of the Longshan Clan swear never to forget your kindness. From now on, we shall follow wherever you lead."

Madam Jiuzhen raised her brows. He truly was an old fox.

But she did not refuse.

Power abhorred a vacuum most of all.

If she did not seize the Water Mansion's power, the other hall masters and commanders would.

The extent of one's power determined one's voice within the Water Mansion.

Ultimately, it affected one's resources and Dao path.

Thus, Madam Jiuzhen accepted Long Shanying's allegiance.

"If anything arises, come find me at Bitao Mountain by the Wei River."

With that, Madam Jiuzhen ignored everything else.

She transformed into a streak of light and flew directly into the Water Mansion.

Only after Madam Jiuzhen had departed did Long Shanying, who had been kneeling on the ground, rise after a long while.

Looking at his children, grandchildren, and the several hundred Dragon Elephant tribespeople, tears streamed down the old man's face.

"We succeeded."

"From now on, our Dragon Elephant Tribe will no longer need to fear the Golden Brilliance Imperial Dynasty's retaliation every day."

"With the Water Mansion's protection, we can finally live in peace!"

Having broken free of his shackles in a single day, the elderly Dragon Elephant chieftain felt as though the sky was high and the sea vast.

As for the Golden Brilliance Imperial Dynasty, he had long cast it from his mind.

"Even though a Dao Lord stands behind the Golden Brilliance Imperial Dynasty,"

"Madam Jiuzhen still dared to capture the Golden Robe Divine Envoy without hesitation."

"This proves that the Wei River Water Mansion does not fear the Golden Brilliance Divine Race at all."

"In other words, a Dao Lord also stands behind the Wei River."

At that thought, the old Dragon Elephant chieftain felt a wave of relief.

When the sky fell, the tall ones would hold it up.

His Dragon Elephant Tribe was merely a small tribe, seeking only a place to settle and multiply.

Now that they had joined Madam Jiuzhen's ranks, their safety was assured.

"Next, we must demonstrate our value."

Long Shanying looked toward the surging Wei River.

A fierce ambition flashed through his eyes.

The Dragon Elephant Tribe had been a warrior race since ancient times.

Now was an age of great contention.

In his view, the Wei River Water Lord was not one willing to remain obscure.

"Tomorrow, the Water Mansion will come to register us."

"We shall see how the Water Mansion conducts its affairs."

The Dragon Elephant Tribe had been silent for too long.

Perhaps this was an opportunity.

Madam Jiuzhen entered the Water Mansion and headed straight for the Internal Affairs Hall.

"Greetings, Hall Master."

When the divine officials handling affairs in the hall saw Madam Jiuzhen, they hurriedly set aside their work and bowed.

She was their direct superior.

"No need for such formality."

Madam Jiuzhen took out the Jade Box offered by the Dragon Elephant Tribe.

"Deliver this item to the Treasury Hall for registration."

"Then have the Treasury Hall's officials assess its value and bring out pills and magical artifacts of equivalent worth."

"Tomorrow, go and enter all the tribes along the upper reaches of the Wei River into the Golden Book and Jade Scroll."

"The Dragon Elephant Tribe has ties to me. Leave these pills and magical artifacts for them."

The divine official accepted the Jade Box and respectfully acknowledged the order.

Clearly, this was not the first time such a thing had happened.

The Water Mansion dominated the Wei River, and countless tribes hoped to establish connections with important figures within it.

Thus, gift-giving had become commonplace.

But while these tribal cultivators dared to offer gifts,

the hall masters and commanders who had only recently ascended to high positions and tasted power did not dare accept them casually.

Above them, the Divine Lord saw all with piercing clarity.

Below them, the Inspection Department directly under Guizhenzi patrolled both within and without.

If they were caught with evidence against them, losing face would be a minor matter; damaging their relationship with the Lord would be far worse.

Besides, Zhou Yuan's offerings to them were not meager.

Each of them also had the income from their own cultivation grounds.

That was already enough for their cultivation needs.

Thus, the hall masters and commanders of every hall turned all gifts and illicit gains over to the public treasury.

With those above setting the example, the Water Mansion's atmosphere was transformed.

The Dragon Elephant Tribe had already made clear its intention to pledge itself to Madam Jiuzhen, and she did not stint in her treatment of a future subordinate tribe.

She directly exchanged the Crimson Dragon Ginseng they had offered for pills and magical artifacts to support the Dragon Elephant Tribe's cultivation.

After arranging this matter,

Madam Jiuzhen straightened her robes and went to see the chief steward.

"Though this scoundrel is a divine race member of the Golden Brilliance Imperial Dynasty, he is not part of its core."

"He has little value."

"Still, he knows the locations of several Divine Iron veins."

"We can pass this information to the Artifact Hall. When an opportunity arises, we can seize those mines."

After using certain methods to interrogate the Golden Robe Divine Envoy, Guizhenzi casually killed him.

He then put the matter out of his mind.

"During your inspection of the Wei River these past days, have all the tribes that came to pledge allegiance been entered into the Golden Book and Jade Scroll?"

Madam Jiuzhen smiled.

"Ninety-nine percent of the tribes have already joined the Water Mansion."

"Only several tribes that recently arrived in the upper reaches have yet to be registered."

"However, I have already instructed my divine officials. The task should be completed tomorrow."

Guizhenzi reminded her:

"For the Water Mansion to develop, these tribal cultivators are of paramount importance."

"The policies established by the Lord must be thoroughly implemented by your Internal Affairs Hall."

Madam Jiuzhen replied solemnly:

"Rest assured, Chief Steward."

"Though we may lack ability, we would never dare show the slightest negligence in matters entrusted to us by the Lord."

She knew that people like them had originally been nothing but insignificant weeds, with neither exceptional foundations nor talent.

If not for the Lord's favor, how could they possess such prestige today?

Thus, nothing else mattered; only the Lord's will could not be disregarded.

Guizhenzi knew that these hall masters and commanders had never been careless in their work, so he merely left it at that.

"In that case, cultivate well."

"The Lord lectures on the Dao once every ten years."

"Make good use of this opportunity."

Zhou Yuan's lecture on the Dao once every ten years was meant to make up for the Water Mansion's people's deficiencies.

After all, the Water Mansion's foundations remained far too shallow.

Old Man Qingrong and the others were fairly accomplished among independent cultivators.

But in the eyes of some great clans and powerful factions, they were not worth mentioning at all.

Old Man Qingrong was also deeply grateful for Zhou Yuan's kindness. Having come from the ranks of independent cultivators, they understood the hardships of seeking the Dao.

Now, to have someone offer unreserved help upon the Dao path was a kindness akin to being given new life.

Guizhenzi raised his head toward the sky. Heavenly secrets flowed within his eyes, and his aged face bore both hesitation and joy.

"There is not much time left."

Spiritual Power circulated within Madam Jiuzhen's body as she murmured:

"Soon!"