Let us turn back the clock a little.
Demon Capital, the Jade King's Residence.
Cheng Yu stood before Mirror Lake, his aura deep and unfathomable. Behind him, Jin Yang was delivering a summary of the Heavenly Martial Directorate's affairs over the past year.
Only after Jin Yang finished his report did Cheng Yu quietly ask,
"Why has the Heavenly Martial Directorate's Southern Continent branch still not been established?"
At this, Jin Yang lowered his head and said solemnly,
"I have failed in my duties. Please punish me, Prince!"
Cheng Yu continued in the same tone,
"You do deserve punishment, but not over the Southern Continent branch. It is how you address yourself. There is only one person to whom you owe allegiance: His Majesty the Monster Emperor."
Jin Yang bowed his head even lower.
"This minister misspoke!"
Cheng Yu waved a hand.
"Do not let it happen again."
Cheng Yu continued,
"Besides, I doubt you came to see me solely to report on the past year's affairs. Speak. What do you have in mind?"
Jin Yang cupped his hands and continued,
"During the Blood Corpse God incident in the Demon Capital, I discovered a promising talent. I believe he could be stationed in the Southern Continent."
Cheng Yu waved a hand.
"You are the one in charge of the Heavenly Martial Directorate. If someone catches your eye, simply recruit them. Remember to register them with the Ministry of Personnel. There is no need to report every little matter."
Jin Yang lowered his head.
"Yes, Prince."
After a moment of silence, Cheng Yu suddenly asked,
"Do you know why, even after sending Kuang Cang to the Southern Continent, I still wanted your Heavenly Martial Directorate to intervene?"
Jin Yang pondered briefly, then asked tentatively,
"Are you concerned that another form of