At those words, Qing Chen's heart abruptly sank. He understood:
This old ghost Yuji was clearly trying to strip me of my authority!
With this arrangement, aside from command within the Battle Hall itself, he would have to surrender all external command authority-the power to mobilize resources from various quarters and direct numerous operations-to Xin Bairen, the Transmission Deputy Hall Vice Lord.
But in a sect with such a rigid hierarchy, where strength reigned supreme, an official one rank higher could crush those beneath him.
As the lord of Tianshu Hall and a Golden Core elder, old ghost Yuji held high office and immense power, with life and death in his hands. How could Qing Chen dare defy his orders?
Qing Chen forcibly suppressed his emotions, his expression remaining utterly respectful.
He bowed slightly and nodded, his voice steady. "I shall obey your decree, True Person."
With that, he slowly raised his hand and unfastened the Tianshu Patrol Warden Token at his waist, the symbol of Tianshu Hall's sweeping authority to patrol, arrest, and wage punitive campaigns.
The token felt warm in his hand. There was only one, yet now he had to surrender it.
Holding the token in both hands, Qing Chen respectfully offered it to Yuji True Person.
Yuji True Person reached out and accepted it, his gaze lingering on Qing Chen's face for a moment, its deeper meaning inscrutable.
Then Yuji True Person passed the token to Xin Bairen.
A barely perceptible trace of triumph flashed across Xin Bairen's face. He hurriedly accepted it and securely hung the Tianshu Patrol Warden Token at his waist.
Qing Chen looked at the Tianshu Patrol Warden Token newly hanging from Xin Bairen's waist.
This was more than a mere command token. It conferred the authority to mobilize disciples from numerous