Tricking the Demon Race

While the lazy, comfortable daily life in Purple Heaven Palace was pleasant, after a long time, Xiao Kuang's heart, which yearned for some excitement, began to stir again. Lesson preparation? What was that? It had long been thrown to the back of his mind.

"It's so boring to always stay at home. I need to go out and inspect the grassroots work!" He found a high-sounding excuse for himself, his gaze landing on the Demon Race Heavenly Court above the thirty-three heavens. "Didn't Little Di implement some 'Trial Regulations for Double Rest' over there? Let's go see how it's going! And while I'm at it... see if there are any pretty demonesses~"

Without delay, he instructed Xi He and Chang Xi, "Watch the house, especially those purple energy light tubes," and then leisurely rode a crooked beam of light (mainly propelled by his authority) straight towards the Demon Race Heavenly Court.

The current Demon Race Heavenly Court, after the trauma of the last Witch-Demon War and ten thousand years of recuperation (plus Di Jun's initial attempt at the 'Slacking Management Method'), had recovered some vitality. The South Heaven Gate was heavily guarded, the demon soldiers and generals were clad in shining armor, looking quite imposing.

However, when Xiao Kuang's nonchalant figure, dressed in an undershirt and shorts, appeared outside the South Heaven Gate, the guarding demon general almost lunged at him with his spear—this style was completely out of place in the Heavenly Court!

Fortunately, the leading demon general had sharp eyes and recognized this as the Purple Heaven Palace Dao Ancestor who had stopped the great war with a single "Halt!" on the battlefield last time. He was someone unfathomable (and extremely eccentric). The general immediately knelt down with his subordinates, trembling as they welcomed him in.

The news quickly reached the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

Di Jun, who was discussing preparations for the war ten thousand years later (and how to reasonably implement 'Double Rest') with Taiyi, Kunpeng, and others, almost dropped the jade slip in his hand upon hearing of Xiao Kuang's arrival.

"He... why is he here?!" Di Jun's scalp went numb. This Dao Ancestor never showed up for "proper business"!

But since the person had arrived at the door, how could they dare to be negligent? Di Jun quickly led a group of demon gods and rushed out of the hall to greet him.

"Oh my, Little Di, there's no need to be so polite!" Xiao Kuang looked at the grand reception with fluttering banners and banners, waving his hand with satisfaction. "I'm just casually strolling down to inspect the results of your Demon Race's spiritual civilization construction."

Di Jun's mouth twitched, and he forced a smile. "The esteemed Dao Ancestor's visit brings glory to my Heavenly Court. May I ask... where would the Dao Ancestor like to inspect?"

"Just looking around, just looking around." Xiao Kuang walked with his hands behind his back, like an old cadre inspecting the grassroots, and began to wander through the magnificent and beautiful Heavenly Court.

He first visited the Heavenly Soldier Barracks. On the training ground, demon soldiers were practicing, their shouts shaking the heavens, their demonic energy soaring.

Xiao Kuang watched for a while and frowned. "Little Di, isn't this training intensity a bit too much? Look at the brothers sweating profusely, how hard they work! You need to focus on scientific training and a balance of work and rest! In my opinion, training for one hour and resting for two hours would be more effective!"

The Demon Saint in charge of training: "???" Di Jun: "...Dao Ancestor... speaks... with reason?" (Internally: What's the point of training then!)

Next, he visited the Alchemy Room. Several demon race alchemists were carefully controlling the heat, and precious light flickered from the alchemical furnaces.

Xiao Kuang leaned over and took a deep breath, then fanned the air with disdain. "Alas, the chemical smell is too strong and affects health! For high-risk professions like alchemy, you need to pay more attention to protection and rest! Working for four hours a day is the absolute maximum! The rest of the time, drink more tea, watch the clouds, and cultivate your temperament!"

The alchemists' hands trembled, almost causing the furnace to explode. Di Jun's forehead twitched. "...Junior... has noted it down."

Finally, he visited the Heavenly Court's "Cultural Troupe" (the song and dance department formed by the Demon Race). A group of enchanting female immortal beings were rehearsing a dance, their postures graceful and alluring.

Xiao Kuang's spirits immediately lifted, his eyes shining. He slapped his thigh. "Hey! This is good! This unit has a future! Artistic creation requires more inspiration and relaxation! I suggest arranging work hours freely, based on inspiration! Welfare benefits should be increased! It's best to have afternoon tea and snacks every day!"

The female immortals covered their mouths and chuckled, their beautiful eyes darting around. Di Jun was already numb. "...Dao Ancestor... is wise..."

After a tour, Xiao Kuang offered "high praise" and "valuable opinions" on Di Jun's "management level," with the core idea being just one: slack off to the max, welfare to the max!

Di Jun listened, a mix of laughter and tears on his face, breaking out in a cold sweat. The Dao Ancestor's philosophy was practically undermining the foundation of the Demon Race's ambition to dominate the Primordial Era! But the other party's status was too high, he couldn't fight, he couldn't scold, so he could only meekly agree.

Returning to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, they took their seats as host and guest (Xiao Kuang unceremoniously took the main seat). Xiao Kuang, with his legs crossed, sipping immortal tea, suddenly asked, "Little Di, how is the follow-up practical experience report for the ideological report I asked you to write last time? Have you started the 'Double Rest' yet?"

Di Jun quickly replied respectfully, "Replying to the Dao Ancestor, the regulations have been preliminarily implemented, and the response... is acceptable." He didn't dare to say that the demon gods below had initially cheered, but soon discovered that work efficiency had plummeted, official duties piled up, and things became somewhat chaotic.

"Acceptable? That means it's not good enough!" Xiao Kuang put on an "I understand very well" look. "It seems the effort is not enough! Here, I will teach you a more advanced 'Fortune Management Method'!"

"Fortune?" Di Jun, Taiyi, and Kunpeng beside him all perked up their ears.

"That's right!" Xiao Kuang said, spittle flying. "You need to tell the demon race citizens that being able to work in the Heavenly Court is their fortune! It's to realize the great rejuvenation of the Demon Race! Although the pay is low and the work is much... ah, no, although the work is busy, this is an opportunity to temper you and achieve you! You must know how to be grateful!"

"You need to draw more 'pie'... talk more about visions... let them voluntarily work overtime... no, let them voluntarily strive for the future of the Demon Race! This way, they won't complain, and they will even thank you! This is called 'fortune'!"

Di Jun, Taiyi, Kunpeng: "..." They listened, dumbfounded, their worldviews once again severely impacted! This... isn't this just fooling naive youngsters?! You can play it like this?!

However, upon careful consideration... it seems... there's a bit of twisted logic? If operated properly, perhaps it could indeed enhance a little cohesion (by fooling them completely)?

Di Jun's eyes flickered, and he seemed to be genuinely considering the feasibility of this "Fortune Management Method."

Seeing them fall into thought, Xiao Kuang smugly took a sip of tea, feeling that he had once again made a significant contribution to the advancement of Primordial Era management theory.

Just as he was about to impart a few more tips on "how to elegantly pass the buck" and "how to efficiently slack off in meetings," his gaze inadvertently swept over a row of female officials from the Demon Race standing in attendance below the hall.

Among them, one female immortal, dressed in a feather robe, with a cold demeanor but a hint of wildness in her eyes, was particularly striking.

"Oh?" Xiao Kuang's eyes lit up again. He pointed at the female immortal and asked, "Little Di, who is that...?"

Di Jun followed his gaze and quickly replied, "Replying to the Dao Ancestor, this is one of my subordinate Demon Saints, and also the leader of the bird clan, named... Qin Yuan."

Qin Yuan stepped forward and bowed neither subserviently nor obsequiously. "This humble immortal Qin Yuan greets the Dao Ancestor."

Xiao Kuang looked at her cold yet aggressive aura and found it very novel. She was unlike any goddess he had seen before. His "love for talent (and beauty)" began to stir again.

"Qin Yuan? A good name! A good demeanor!" Xiao Kuang said with a smile. "Serving as a Demon Saint in the Heavenly Court, you must be busy, right? Are you interested in developing in my Purple Heaven Palace? The work there is easy, the benefits are good, and you even get Heavenly Dao Merit!"

He was openly poaching again!

Di Jun's face instantly turned green! Taiyi clenched the Chaos Bell. Old Ancestor Kunpeng's eyes darkened.

Qin Yuan was also slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting the Dao Ancestor to be so... direct. She frowned slightly and did not answer immediately.

The atmosphere in the Lingxiao Hall instantly became somewhat awkward and tense.

Xiao Kuang, however, was oblivious, still smiling at Qin Yuan, waiting for her response.

This time, was his hoe for digging up talent perhaps swung a little at the wrong time?