Marshal Yang smiled, but did not rush to respond. "Do not be hasty, little friend. Since you know of the Northern Pole Exorcism Office, you must have heard of the 'One Prefecture, Two Courts, Three Bureaus,' yes?"
"The divine bureaus under the Thunder Department?" Lu Chen nodded. "This minor god has heard a little."
"Good. Then do you know what connection exists between the Northern Pole Exorcism Office and the predecessor of the Divine Empyrean Jade Palace—the Five Thunder Prefecture?"
Lu Chen nodded again. "I have heard some of it. It is said that those two divine bureaus fought for a thousand years over the Heavenly Court's judicial authority. In the end, the Thunder and Dipper Departments reconciled and merged, creating today's 'One Prefecture, Two Courts, Three Bureaus' structure."
Marshal Yang's smile became even more hearty. "It seems little friend is indeed widely traveled and deeply knowledgeable. That saves me much breath. Indeed, the Thunder and Dipper Departments battled for a thousand years, only to end up in a happy arrangement for both sides. Unfortunately—our divine bureaus were the ones who suffered for nothing."
Lu Chen's brows drew together slightly. "What does Marshal mean by that?"
Marshal Yang's tone turned solemn. "Since ancient times, one mountain cannot contain two tigers. Yet few realize that when two tigers fight, the other creatures often find peace; but when only one tiger remains, or when the two tigers become brothers, it becomes a catastrophe that blots out the sky and covers the earth for all other creatures. The same principle applies to the divine bureaus of every department."
"Ever since the Northern Pole Exorcism Office and the Five Thunder Prefecture merged into one bureau, their authority has become the foremost among all Heavenly Court bureaus. Although Yin Marshal, an Orthodox God of our