There's Always Some Bastard Trying to Get Me

Empress Pingxin couldn't help pondering Haotian's words.

If Haotian really knew nothing about the state of the Underworld,

then it was indeed going a bit too far.

After all, he was nominally the ruler of the Underworld. This blatant attempt to sideline him was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

They still had to show him the respect he was due.

Otherwise, Haotian's visit would be utterly pointless.

He wouldn't have gained a single tangible benefit, or even a nominal one.

Haotian probably wouldn't share his plan.

And she would lose a powerful ally in Haotian.

After weighing the matter, Pingxin had no choice but to reply, "Very well!

Since you've put it that way, fellow Daoist, I agree.

Do you have any other conditions?"

Seeing that Empress Pingxin had finally agreed to his condition, Haotian continued, "Third, the Underworld's Yin Gods must ensure that order is maintained.

Anyone who disrupts the Underworld's order must be punished.

The punishment may range from stripping them of their divine office to wiping them from existence.

It will depend on the severity of their offense."

After Haotian finished speaking, Empress Pingxin readily agreed this time.

"Good!"

Seeing how quickly she had agreed to the third condition, Haotian hurried to press his advantage.

"Fourth, and this is the last condition.

If there are Lost Souls in the Underworld who have accumulated great Merit,

or who have done good deeds for three lifetimes, send them all to the Heavenly Court.

I need them to become heavenly soldiers and continue contributing to the stability of the Three Realms.

At the same time, this will serve as a reward for them."

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

I agree to all four of your conditions, fellow Daoist.

Would you agree to one condition of mine?"

Haotian calmly replied, "Go ahead, fellow Daoist."

"If someone interferes in the Underworld's affairs in the future, will you support me?"

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

It seemed Empress Pingxin wasn't too fond of those Sages either.

She was already preparing for them to interfere.

But that was all the better.

Empress Pingxin didn't want the Sages meddling in the Underworld. That meant he, Haotian, wouldn't have to fight alone when the time came.

With her openly refusing to yield, he could step in and share the pressure.

Even the Sages would have no choice but to retreat empty-handed.

That way, the Underworld's order could operate according to his intentions.

The Six Sages' infighting wouldn't turn the Underworld into a backyard for their battles.

I came to the Primordial World, Haotian thought.

And all I'm here to do is uphold order. That's it.

If anyone dares disrupt the order, I'll make sure they lose theirs first.

After a moment's thought, Haotian said, "If any cultivator truly tries to disrupt the Underworld's order—

including interfering with its operations or arbitrarily planting their people here—

just say the word, fellow Daoist, and I'll face them alongside you."

At Haotian's words, Empress Pingxin felt a great weight lift from her heart.

Thankfully, Haotian wasn't the sort to take all the benefits and shirk all the responsibility.

With Haotian sharing the burden, she could keep a much steadier hold over the Underworld.

After thinking it over,

Empress Pingxin said, "Good!

Then it's settled.

Now, tell me how to make the Underworld operate more efficiently."

Now that they had settled their terms, Haotian saw no reason to keep holding back.

"The Underworld has many Lost Souls. Why not choose some among them who possess Merit and use them to form the lowest tier of the Underworld's structure?

Their cultivation may be low, but as Yin Soldiers and Yin Messengers, they can still guide the newly formed Lost Souls.

With so many Lost Souls at the bottom tier, you can also arrange for some members of the Witch Clan to take up positions in the Underworld.

That would establish the Underworld's framework and maintain its normal operations.

It would also allow them to accumulate some Merit, helping the Witch Clan escape their predicament of being bound by Karmic Debt sooner."

Hearing Haotian's words, Empress Pingxin was immediately intrigued.

"Please elaborate, fellow Daoist!"

Haotian continued, "Then allow me to offer my humble opinion!

This is just a suggestion. Whether to adopt it is entirely up to you, fellow Daoist.

In my view, you could establish the Yin Si in the Underworld.

The Great Emperor Beiyin Fengdu would head it and oversee its affairs.

Below him, you could establish the Five Ghost Emperors, who would be responsible for subduing the Ghost Kings who carved out territories for themselves.

You could also establish the Ten Hall Yama Kings to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Lost Souls in the Underworld.

Then you could appoint Left and Right Judges and Civil and Military Judges to ease the administrative burden on the Yama Kings in each hall.

Finally, you could establish the Ten Great Yin Marshals to oversee the Yin Messengers who guide the Lost Souls.

That should be enough to put together the basic structure of the Yin Si.

As for the finer details, you can make adjustments as you see fit.

What do you think of this approach, fellow Daoist?"

After speaking, Haotian looked at Empress Pingxin.

But hearing his words, Empress Pingxin didn't answer at once.

Instead, she began weighing the feasibility of the plan.

Seeing Empress Pingxin's reaction, Haotian naturally understood what she was thinking.

Considering it?

Take your time!

This plan hadn't been dreamed up by Haotian.

He had merely "borrowed" the idea from the institution the Buddhist Gate had once established to siphon off the Underworld's authority.

He had to admit, the structure was pretty good.

At the very least, once the Underworld had this framework, its operations had become much smoother.

If they left aside meddling in Mortal Realm affairs and their own arbitrary actions,

this Yin Si structure could be considered highly workable.

Of course,

that was because the Buddhist Gate had gone off on its own, not because the structure itself was flawed.

But now,

since he, Haotian, was going to use it, the Buddhist Gate would just have to take the hit.

No, wait!

It was still the Western Teachings now. What Buddhist Gate?

So he wasn't taking advantage of anyone.

Besides, as Heavenly Emperor, it was only right and proper for him to arrange matters in the Underworld.

It was the Western Region that would be overstepping by meddling in the Underworld's affairs.

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

And you've set up an organization that looks like an arm of the government.

What kind of behavior is that?

Are you trying to replace the Heavenly Court?

The thought made Haotian's heart clench.

Perhaps the Buddhist Gate really would try to replace the Heavenly Court one day.

After all, its organizational structure was modeled entirely on that of an official body.

The Five Directional Jiedi, the Eight Legions of Devas and Nagas—

were those proper divisions for a religious sect?

At the time, the Heavenly Court had only six Royals, counting him, the Heavenly Emperor.

The Buddhist Gate had gone straight for five directions.

You're supposed to be teaching people. What do you need all those divisions for?

So now anyone could rebel against the Heavenly Court?

Good thing he had already decided to get his act together.

Otherwise, the Buddhist Gate might really replace him one day.

By the boundless Dao Ancestor!

They were all traitors!

There's always some bastard trying to get me!

They'd defected from the Mystic Gate and even developed a sense of superiority over those baldies.

Fine!

Just you wait!

I'll show you what I can do.

And the Western Region's rise?

The Western Region could rise, but the Western Teachings could not!

Even if you changed your name, it still wouldn't happen!

The Western Region would rise only under my leadership.

Once I had enough people at my disposal, just watch me set everything up for the Western Region.