There's Always Some Bastard Trying to Harm Imperial We

When Empress Pingxin heard Haotian say this, she couldn't help but ponder.

If Haotian truly knew nothing about the situation in the Underworld...

That was indeed a bit excessive.

After all, he was the nominal ruler of the Underworld; such blatant sidelining was indeed inappropriate.

The due respect still had to be given.

Otherwise, Haotian's visit this time would be utterly meaningless.

If he gained no substantial benefits and couldn't even obtain nominal ones, Haotian would likely refuse to speak his mind and reveal his solution.

And she would lose Haotian as a powerful ally.

After weighing the pros and cons, Pingxin had no choice but to reply, "Enough!

Since you, Daoist friend, have put it that way, This Seat agrees.

Does Daoist friend have any other conditions?"

Seeing that Empress Pingxin had finally accepted his terms, Haotian continued, "Third, the Yin Gods of the Underworld must guarantee the maintenance of order there.

If anyone disrupts the order of the Underworld, they must be punished.

From stripping divine office to utter annihilation, depending on the severity of the offense."

As Haotian's words fell, Empress Pingxin agreed readily this time.

"Fine!"

Seeing the third condition accepted quickly, Haotian pressed his advantage.

"Fourth, and last.

If there are Lost Souls in the Underworld with great Merit, or Lost Souls who have done good deeds for three consecutive lifetimes, send them all to the Heavenly Court.

Imperial We needs them to become Heavenly Soldiers, to continue contributing to the stability of the Three Realms.

At the same time, it counts as a reward for them."

Hearing Haotian's conditions, Empress Pingxin replied indifferently, "Fine!

This Seat accepts all four of your conditions, Daoist friend.

May I ask if Daoist friend will accept one condition of mine?"

Haotian replied calmly, "Speak, Daoist friend."

"If someone interferes in the affairs of the Underworld in the future, can Daoist friend support This Seat?"

Hearing Empress Pingxin's request, Haotian immediately fell into thought.

It seemed this Empress Pingxin wasn't too fond of the Six Sages either.

She was already starting to be on guard.

But that was fine.

If Empress Pingxin was unwilling to let the Sages meddle in the Underworld, then he, Haotian, wouldn't have to fight alone.

With her clear refusal and him sharing the pressure, even the Sages would have to retreat in defeat.

Only then could the order of the Underworld operate according to his intentions, without becoming a backyard for the Six Sages' struggles under their conflicts.

Coming to the Primordial World, all I, Haotian, talk about is order—damn order!

Whoever dares to disrupt order, Imperial We will first take away theirs.

After a moment of deliberation, Haotian spoke, "If any cultivator truly disrupts the order of the Underworld, including interfering in its operations or arbitrarily placing their people there, as long as you, Daoist friend, speak up, Imperial We will surely step forward and face it together with you."

Hearing Haotian's words, Empress Pingxin's heart immediately relaxed.

At least Haotian wasn't the type to take benefits without bearing responsibility.

With Haotian sharing the pressure, her control over the Underworld would be much more stable.

Having thought this through, Empress Pingxin said, "Good!

Then it's settled."

"Now, may I ask, Fellow Daoist, how should we make the Underworld operate more efficiently?"

Since the terms had all been settled, Haotian no longer bothered with concealment.

"The Underworld holds countless Lost Souls. Why not, Fellow Daoist, select from among them those who possess Merit to form the lowest framework of the Underworld? Though their cultivation is not high, they can serve as Yin Soldiers and Yin Messengers to guide the newly formed Lost Souls. With many Lost Souls as the foundation, you could also arrange for some from the Witch Clan to come and take up posts in the Underworld. While building the Underworld's framework and maintaining its normal operation, they can also accumulate some Merit, thus helping the Witch Clan shed the plight of karmic entanglement as soon as possible."

Hearing Haotian's words, Empress Pingxin's heart stirred greatly.

"Fellow Daoist, please elaborate!"

Haotian then spoke again: "Then Imperial We shall humbly offer my thoughts! A mere shallow opinion—whether to adopt it, Fellow Daoist, you may decide for yourself. In Imperial We's view, you could establish a Yin Si in the Underworld. Use the divine seat of the Great Emperor Beiyin Fengdu to command all matters of the Yin Si. Beneath him, set up the Five Ghost Emperors, responsible for subduing Ghost Kings who carve out their own territories. At the same time, establish the Ten Hall Yama Kings to manage the specific affairs of Lost Souls within the Underworld. Further, set up Left and Right Judges along with Civil and Military Judges to ease the administrative burdens of each Yama King. Also, establish the Ten Great Yin Marshals, responsible for overseeing the Yin Messengers who guide Lost Souls. With this, the structure of a Yin Si is roughly in place. As for more detailed arrangements, you can make adjustments slowly. What does Fellow Daoist think of this method?"

As his words fell, Haotian looked toward Empress Pingxin.

Empress Pingxin, upon hearing this, did not give an immediate reply. Instead, she began calculating the feasibility of this method in her mind.

Seeing Empress Pingxin's reaction, Haotian naturally understood her thoughts.

Deliberating? Let her take her time!

This method was not something he, Haotian, had devised himself. He, Haotian, had merely "borrowed" from the institution that the Buddhist Gate of his past life had set up to siphon authority from the Underworld.

He had to admit, this structure was still workable. At the very least, after the Underworld adopted this framework, its operations did become much smoother. If not for their meddling in Mortal Realm affairs and their own reckless actions, this Yin Si structure could be said to be quite viable.

Of course.

That was the Buddhist Gate's own messing around, unrelated to the merits or flaws of the structure itself.

But now, though.

Since he, Haotian, intended to use it, he could only let the Buddhist Gate take the loss.

No!

It was still the Western Teachings now—where was the Buddhist Gate?

So, Imperial We hasn't taken advantage of anyone.

Moreover, as the Heavenly Emperor, arranging matters of the Underworld is perfectly legitimate. On the other hand, the West's meddling in Underworld affairs is the true act of overstepping.

To put it bluntly, you're a folk organization.

Yet you've gone and built an officialized organization.

What kind of behavior is that?

Is it meant to replace the Heavenly Court?

As this thought arose, Haotian's heart tightened with a chill.

In the future, the Buddhist Gate might indeed harbor thoughts of replacing the Heavenly Court. After all, from the organizational structure of the "Buddhist Gate," it was entirely modeled after an official body.

What are the Five Directional Jiedi, the Eight Legions of Devas and Nagas?

Are those departments a proper religious sect should have?

At that time, the Heavenly Court, counting even this Heavenly Emperor himself, only had the Six Royals.

The Buddhist Gate, on the other hand, already had its Five Directions.

You, someone in charge of teaching, setting up all these departments—what exactly are you trying to do?

It really seems like anyone can rebel against the Heavenly Court now.

Fortunately, I had already decided to stand up and get things done.

Otherwise, in the future, I might actually end up being replaced by that Buddhist Gate.

Boundless, that Dao Ancestor!

All of them are traitors and rebels!

There's always some bastard trying to harm Imperial We!

Betraying the Mystic Gate, and those bald donkeys even feel proud of their betrayal.

Fine!

You just wait for Imperial We!

Watch how I deal with you, and that'll be the end of it.

The West shall flourish?

The West can flourish, but the Western Teachings cannot!

Even if you change the name, it still won't work!

The flourishing of the West can only be accomplished under Imperial We's leadership.

Once I have enough people in hand, just watch—I'll arrange the West so clearly you won't know what hit you.