Of course I'm sitting here watching

Haotian saw Empress Pingxin's actions and sent her a voice transmission. "This matter isn't that simple.

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

Even if we manage to deal with him for now, that fellow will find a way to interfere again in the future.

Rather than that, we might as well agree to let Ksitigarbha enter the Underworld, but set some conditions first.

If we negotiate the conditions now, we can put Ksitigarbha—

or the Western Teachings' reach—under strict control, leaving them no room to make further moves.

Even if we can't completely block their future maneuvers, we can use this opportunity to make the cultivators from the Western Teachings abide by our rules.

As long as they're bound by our rules, no matter how many disciples the Western Teachings send, they'll just be working for us.

If you agree, I'll handle Jieyin in a moment.

Of course.

If you don't agree, I can refuse Jieyin later.

But if we do that, when Jieyin finds an opportunity in the future, I'm afraid we won't be able to refuse him again.

We might not even be able to set any conditions then."

Hearing Haotian's voice transmission, Empress Pingxin's expression darkened further.

She had intended to use Haotian's status to keep the Western Teachings out.

But it seemed the matter wasn't that simple.

There was one thing Haotian had said that was true.

If Jieyin was determined to interfere in the Underworld, the situation would indeed be troublesome.

Even if the two of them joined forces this time and drove Jieyin away,

what about next time?

It was true that Haotian and she usually made the decisions for the Heavenly Court and the Underworld.

But the existence of Zixiao Palace—

that was the exception that could upset the balance.

If things escalated to Zixiao Palace in the future, who could say which side the Dao Ancestor would favor?

And once things reached that point, how could the other Sages sit back and let the Western Teachings interfere in the Underworld alone?

The six Sages would surely divide up the Underworld among themselves.

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

For now, Haotian's plan seemed pretty good.

Although she didn't quite understand what he meant by "working for us,"

it probably wasn't a compliment.

Still, if they could first bind Ksitigarbha to the rules she had laid down,

then with Ksitigarbha as the precedent, even if the other Sages tried to interfere later, they would have to follow those rules too.

That way, although they would lose some authority,

they could at least retain most of their benefits.

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

signaling for him to negotiate.

Seeing that he and Pingxin had reached an understanding, Haotian stopped holding back.

He immediately spoke up. "What is the meaning of this, Saint Jieyin?

Pingxin already made it very clear just now: the Underworld has been incorporated into the Heavenly Court.

All personnel matters in the Underworld must have My approval.

Isn't it rather inappropriate for a Sage to go behind My back like this?

Of course.

If you think My approval doesn't matter, then by all means, keep pestering Pingxin.

Then we'll see whether I approve or not.

Without My approval, Ksitigarbha's entry into the Underworld would be a disturbance of its order.

If I kill anyone who disturbs the order of the Underworld, Saint, you'd better not step in to stop Me.

Otherwise, you'd better think about how you'll explain yourself to Zixiao Palace."

At Haotian's words, Jieyin looked at Empress Pingxin unwillingly.

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

Empress Pingxin nodded. "That's right!

As the Heavenly Emperor appointed by the Dao Ancestor,

Haotian naturally has authority over the Underworld as well.

In that case, personnel matters in the Underworld must naturally be reported to him.

Otherwise, wouldn't that throw everything into chaos?"

After Empress Pingxin said this, Jieyin could no longer avoid dealing with Haotian, no matter how much he wanted to.

Empress Pingxin's position was already perfectly clear.

Either they could drop the matter, or he could negotiate with Haotian.

But just thinking of Haotian's poisonous tongue gave Jieyin a headache.

And given Haotian's attitude, there was little chance they'd reach an agreement.

Things had come to this, so he might as well negotiate.

If Haotian really refused, he could only wait for another opportunity.

With that in mind, Jieyin turned to Haotian. "Fellow Daoist Haotian, regarding Ksitigarbha entering the Underworld—

what do you think?"

Hearing Jieyin's words, Haotian replied without expression, "What do I think?

Of course I'm sitting here watching!"

After replying, Haotian couldn't help grumbling to himself.

You old bastard!

You think you can get something for nothing?

Dream on!

If we haven't agreed on the terms, why would I state my position?

You just expect Me to agree right off the bat.

Do I owe you something?

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

Hearing Haotian's answer, Jieyin's Three Corpses immediately stirred.

Dao Ancestor above!

Haotian was being utterly unreasonable.

I am a dignified Sage. Is it really appropriate for you to keep speaking to Me like this?

But Jieyin was the one who needed something from Haotian, so for now he forced down his anger.

He shot Haotian a cold look and thought, *Hmph!

Miserable ant!

You've earned your own death!

Just wait!

I can endure this any number of times.

You only need to slip up once!

The moment I find an opportunity, I'll grind your bones to dust!*

With that,

Jieyin calmed himself and said slowly, "Then why don't you tell me what it would take for you to agree?"

Seeing that Jieyin had finally caught on, Haotian replied calmly, "So the Sage wants to negotiate terms with Me?

Let's make one thing clear first: the Sage was the one who brought this up.

I didn't ask for it.

Don't turn around later and say I'm greedy.

I'd rather this not become My problem too."

Jieyin suppressed his anger and nodded. "You could say I was the one who brought it up.

Fellow Daoist Haotian, go ahead and state your conditions.

If we come to an agreement, I certainly won't object."

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

To be clear, these are only My conditions.

If we reach an agreement, I'll approve the matter through the proper channels.

However,

the Underworld's procedure is for Fellow Daoist Pingxin to make a recommendation, and for Me to approve it afterward.

So, Saint, you'll still have to negotiate with her later.

If the Underworld doesn't recommend him, I can only say I'm sorry."

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

But when he thought of his objective, he reined in his anger again.

"Go on."

Haotian nodded.

"First, since Ksitigarbha is entering the Underworld, he'll have to follow its rules.

I should warn the Sage: if Ksitigarbha causes trouble in the Underworld and disturbs its order,

the harshest punishment under its rules is complete annihilation."

Jieyin's expression darkened at once. "Impossible!

Ksitigarbha is a disciple of the Western Teachings. The Underworld has no authority to punish him!"

Haotian spread his hands.

"Then there's nothing I can do!

Those are the Underworld's rules. No one is exempt.

Even the members of the Witch Clan who come to the Underworld have to follow them.

In My eyes, once someone has accepted an official position from Me,

there's no such thing as the Witch Clan or the Western Teachings.

All I see is an official of the Underworld.

Nothing more!

That's My bottom line!

If the Sage wants special treatment, then there's no point in continuing these negotiations."