This Seat Watches While Seated

Haotian observed Empress Pingxin's move and sent a voice transmission: "This matter is not so simple.

If we don't agree to Jieyin, I doubt he will let it go.

Even if we brush him off for now, he'll find a way to meddle later.

Rather than that, it's better to conditionally accept Ksitigarbha's entry into the Underworld now.

By setting terms now, we can lock Ksitigarbha—

or the Western Teachings' reach—tight, leaving them no follow-up moves.

Even if we can't completely cut off their subsequent schemes, we can use this chance to cage the Western Teachings' cultivators within our rules.

As long as we cage them within our rules, the more Western Teachings disciples come, the more they work for us.

If you agree, I'll handle Jieyin shortly.

Of course.

If you disagree, I can also refuse Jieyin later.

But if we do that, when Jieyin finds an opening in the future, we likely won't be able to refuse again.

By then, we might not even get to set conditions."

Hearing Haotian's voice transmission, Empress Pingxin's face darkened a few more shades.

She had hoped to use Haotian's status to shut the Western Teachings out.

Now it seemed things weren't that simple.

Haotian wasn't wrong on one point.

If Jieyin was dead set on meddling in the Underworld, it would indeed be a huge headache.

Even if they joined forces this time to force Jieyin back.

What about later?

Heavenly Court and the Underworld were usually under Haotian's and her authority, true.

But the existence of Purple Cloud Palace—

was the exception that broke that pattern.

If the matter escalated to Purple Cloud Palace, who could say which side the Dao Ancestor would favor?

And by then, how could the other Sages sit idly by while the Western Teachings alone meddled in the Underworld?

It would inevitably become the Six Sages carving up the Underworld together.

If it came to that, she would surely lose most of her control over the Underworld.

As things stood, Haotian's idea wasn't bad.

Though she didn't quite understand what he meant by "work for us."

It probably wasn't a good term.

Still, first cage Ksitigarbha within the rules she set.

With Ksitigarbha as a precedent, even if other Sages tried to meddle later, they'd have to follow suit and be caged within the rules.

That way, though she'd lose some authority.

At least she could retain most of the benefits.

After weighing the options, Empress Pingxin gave Haotian a slight nod.

Signaling him to handle the negotiations.

Seeing they had reached a consensus, Haotian didn't hold back.

He spoke up: "What does Sage Jieyin mean by this?

Just now, Fellow Daoist Pingxin made it very clear—the Underworld has been incorporated into the Heavenly Court.

All personnel matters in the Underworld require my approval.

Sage, bypassing me like this—isn't it inappropriate?

Of course.

If you think my approval doesn't matter, feel free to keep pestering Fellow Daoist Pingxin.

Then just watch whether I give the go-ahead or not.

Without my consent, Ksitigarbha entering the Underworld is disrupting its order.

If I then kill those who disrupt Underworld order, Sage, you'd better not step in to stop me.

Otherwise, you'll need to think about how to explain yourself at Purple Cloud Palace."

At Haotian's words, Jieyin looked reluctantly toward Empress Pingxin.

"Fellow Daoist Pingxin, is what Haotian says true?"

Empress Pingxin nodded. "Indeed."

As the Heavenly Emperor appointed by the Dao Ancestor, Fellow Daoist Haotian naturally holds the Underworld under his command.

That being the case, personnel matters of the Underworld must naturally be reported to Fellow Daoist Haotian.

Otherwise, wouldn't everything fall into chaos?"

With Empress Pingxin's words, Jieyin, no matter how unwilling he was to deal with Haotian, had no choice but to face him.

Because Empress Pingxin's stance had been made perfectly clear.

Either drop the matter, or go negotiate with Haotian.

But thinking of Haotian's venomous tongue, Jieyin couldn't help but get a headache.

And given Haotian's attitude, the hope of reaching an agreement was truly slim.

Since it had come to this, then negotiate it was.

If Haotian absolutely refused, then they would have to wait for another opportunity later.

Having made up his mind, Jieyin turned to Haotian and said, "Fellow Daoist Haotian, regarding Ksitigarbha and such matters of the Underworld, what is your view?"

Hearing Jieyin's words, Haotian replied expressionlessly, "What view could Imperial We have?

Imperial We is naturally sitting here and watching!"

After answering, Haotian couldn't help but secretly mock in his thoughts.

Old scoundrel!

Still trying to get something for nothing?

Dreaming of a free meal, are you?

Without settling the terms first, would Imperial We show a stance?

You come right out wanting Imperial We to agree.

Do Imperial We owe you that?

This old scoundrel really doesn't know how things work.

And upon hearing Haotian's reply, Jieyin felt an immediate surge of agitation in his Three Corpses.

Countless Dao Ancestors!

This Haotian fellow is utterly lacking in propriety.

This Seat is a venerable Saint—is it really appropriate for you to keep speaking to This Seat like this?

But since he was the one asking a favor of Haotian, Jieyin temporarily swallowed his anger.

Giving Haotian a cold glare, Jieyin thought to himself, "Hmph!

Ant!

You have already courted death!

Just wait!

This Seat can endure countless times.

But you can only make one mistake!

The moment This Seat finds an opening, you will be ground to dust!"

Having thought this.

Jieyin calmed his emotions and slowly said, "Then why doesn't Fellow Daoist Haotian state what conditions would make you agree to this matter?"

Seeing that Jieyin had finally caught on, Haotian replied flatly, "So the Saint wants to negotiate terms with Imperial We?

Let it be clear first—this was the Saint's own proposal.

It wasn't Imperial We who demanded it.

Don't come back later saying Imperial We is driven by profit.

Lest it becomes Imperial We's fault in the end."

Jieyin forced down his anger and nodded, "Consider it This Seat's own proposal.

Fellow Daoist Haotian should just state your conditions first!

If an agreement is reached, This Seat naturally won't say another word."

Only then did Haotian speak, "In that case, Imperial We won't hold back.

Let it be clear first—these are merely Imperial We's conditions.

If an agreement is reached, Imperial We will naturally approve this matter according to procedure.

However.

The Underworld's procedure is that Fellow Daoist Pingxin recommends, and Imperial We then ratifies."

"So, Fellow Daoist Pingxin, I will still need to negotiate with the saint later. Otherwise, if the Underworld refuses to recommend it, Imperial We can only express regret."

At Haotian's words, Jieyin couldn't hold back his anger: "You—"

But thinking of his own purpose, Jieyin suppressed his fury.

"Speak first, then."

Haotian nodded at this.

"First, since Ksitigarbha has entered the Underworld, he must act according to the Underworld's rules. Imperial We must warn the saint in advance: if Ksitigarbha later causes chaos in the Underworld, disrupting its order, then by the Underworld's regulations, the severest penalty would be utter annihilation."

Hearing this, Jieyin immediately said in a deep voice: "Impossible! Ksitigarbha is a disciple of my Western Teachings; the Underworld has no right to punish him!"

Haotian spread his hands at that.

"Then there's no way around it! The Underworld's rules are like this—no exceptions for anyone. Even the Witch Clan members who come to the Underworld must follow these regulations. In Imperial We's eyes, since they have accepted their karmic positions, there is no Witch Clan, nor any Western Teachings. All Imperial We sees is a certain divine official. Nothing more! This is Imperial We's bottom line! If the saint wishes to make special exceptions, then there's no need for us to continue this discussion."