The Envoy Arrives (II)

At the end of the year.

Amid an atmosphere of harmony and welcoming voices.

Ye Jinyu ascended the Nine Heavens Azure Nether and inscribed their name.

Taking the principal seat of the Ye Clan, overseeing its secular affairs, and commanding the obedience of its Purple Mansion cultivators, Ye Jinyu held an exalted position.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.

The collection of tribute, the rotation of guardians, and Ye Jinyu's new policies and reforms.

The Tianlan Ruin Realm was one of the Ye Clan's five superior Ruin Realms.

(Originally seven, but two had been exhausted.)

This realm stretched nine billion li across, with wondrous mountains and rivers and a concentration of Spiritual Qi comparable to that of a single Cangxuan province.

It had a wind eye from which Clear Heng Radiant Wind could be harvested.

Rich in minerals and spiritual materials, it was one of the Ye Clan's important sources of revenue.

Since coming under the Ye Clan a century ago, it had always enjoyed a high degree of autonomy. The Ye Clan stationed a guardian cultivator there, while the realm's major cultivation lineages and forces governed it jointly and paid tribute each year as agreed.

Superior Ruin Realms had stronger origins, and their Principles of heaven and earth resisted and restricted True Lords to a greater extent.

Naturally, they also had more Purple Mansion cultivators and a wider range of resources, so the means of ruling them naturally differed from those used in inferior and middling realms, where the rulers did nothing but drain the pond to catch every fish and slaughter without restraint to impose their might.

The Ye Clan's relationship with them was more like an alliance and partnership, holding them in loose rein rather than ruling them outright.

In the Tianlan Realm, deep within the Ouyang Clan residence, was a secret chamber.

The clan head, Ouyang Xiong, crushed a communication Jade Slip, his face so dark it looked ready to drip water.

"You all know about the Ye Clan's new policies." He looked around at the other six people in the chamber, all of them at the helm of the Tianlan Realm's foremost lineages.

"This Transport Commissioner has gone too far. Ever since arriving, he's been picking faults all over our realm, levying extra tribute and investigating our holdings. We must report every kind of output in detail and conceal nothing."

"He's gone too far!" The Gongsun household head, seated farther down, slammed the table and sprang to his feet, his Purple Mansion Middle Stage cultivation flashing into view.

"In past years, after paying our tribute, we could still dispose of some things ourselves and obtain some resources. The Ye Clan never interfered."

"And now look! They want control over every trade channel too! How is that any different from treating the Tianlan Realm as a slave realm?"

"Keep your voice down," another person warned. "Walls have ears."

"What's there to fear?" The Gongsun household head sneered. "How many gifts has Guardian Ye taken from us over the years? How many Ye Clan elders have we been feeding? Would they dare burn every bridge?"

Ouyang Xiong raised a hand to stop the argument.

"Guardian Ye has already sent word," he said slowly. "The young master personally gave the orders this time, and even he doesn't dare disobey. Besides... this 'Transport Commissioner Office' is specifically responsible for auditing taxes and tallying resources. Even its performance evaluations are determined by how much tax it collects."

"Presumably, it's after those mineral deposits we've hidden, as well as certain dealings. They intend to investigate illicit trade..."

The secret chamber fell deathly silent.

"That's right." A cold light flickered in Ouyang Xiong's eyes. "As far as I know, the first Transport Commissioner of the Tianlan Realm has already been chosen. He even came from our realm. His name is Ouyang Yu."

"Ouyang? His surname is Ouyang..." The Gongsun household head froze and stared straight at Ouyang Xiong. "Could he be related to you, Brother Ouyang...?"

"We were one family a century ago, but we've long since had nothing to do with each other." Ouyang Xiong sneered. "I know this man. He has a fierce and unyielding temperament and won't listen to reason. He came from our realm, yet became the Ye Clan's loyal hound..."

"He craves power. Now that he's suddenly won the Ye Clan's favor, wouldn't he serve them unto death? If he bites us to death, he can claim credit before the Ye Clan.

"Once he arrives, our hidden mineral veins, medicinal gardens, and private trading channels will all be dug up and turned into achievements to secure his promotion..."

"He means to take our money and make it the ladder to the clouds that he climbs..."

"Then what should we do?"

Ouyang Xiong did not answer immediately. Instead, he took a pitch-black token from his robes and set it on the table.

On its front was engraved the ancient-looking character for "Jin."

"This is..." Everyone's pupils contracted sharply.

"Three months ago, people from the Universal Secret Pavilion of Great Jin's Sima Clan contacted me." Ouyang Xiong lowered his voice.

"They're willing to support the Tianlan Realm in breaking away from the Ye Clan and turning to Great Jin instead. Great Jin of the Cangxuan Ancient Realm is a legitimate imperial court, not an immortal Aristocratic Clan. It must have laws and order."

"Their terms are that we hand over half our output each year. In return, the court won't interfere with us or send any Transport Commissioner."

"As for today's matter, what do you all think? Make your decisions early. I, Ouyang Xiong, would never force anyone."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ouyang Xiong's Purple Mansion Late Stage cultivation erupted, and the atmosphere in the chamber turned delicate.

There was surprise, but even more envy.

Within the Ye Clan's various Ruin Realms, Purple Mansion cultivators were forbidden, without permission, from cultivating a third Divine Ability, breaking through the barrier of the third threshold, and reaching the Purple Mansion Late Stage. It was an iron law.

They had not expected Ouyang Xiong to have broken through. If he were discovered, death might be his only path.

Besides, now that he had said all this, wouldn't there be infighting on the spot if they refused to cooperate...?

Such affairs succeeded through secrecy. If anyone refused,

they would probably die here today.

"Brother Ouyang, you're asking a tiger for its skin," an elderly lineage head said gravely. "How could we possibly get involved in the grievances between the Sima Clan and the Ye Clan, powers of the upper realms?"

"If we side with the Sima Clan, how could the Ye Clan let the matter rest? When their army bears down on us..."

"That's why we need the right moment." Ouyang Xiong put the token away.

"Ye Jinyu's new policies have only just been introduced. The superior Ruin Realms must be filled with complaints. The Universal Secret Pavilion must also be working to turn them. As long as we join several superior Ruin Realms in resisting, the law cannot punish the multitude, and the Ye Clan won't dare launch a massacre in earnest."

"After all... they also need the output of these Ruin Realms to support their lineage." He paused, his voice growing colder. "Besides, the Ye Clan itself isn't a single piece of iron."

"I've received word that quite a few Ye Clan elders are said to be dissatisfied with Ye Jinyu's reforms and new policies. Too many people's interests have been affected. As long as we withstand the first wave of pressure, there should be people within the Ye Clan who will speak up for us."

"Wasn't this what we spent money for all these years, befriending and currying favor with so many Ye Clan elders?"

"If we fall, they won't get off lightly either. At worst, the fish dies and the net tears. I'll throw the account books out and see just how this young master ends up!"

Said to be? Should be? What do you take everyone's lives and fortunes for?

The others exchanged looks, each weighing the matter.

At last, the Gongsun household head was the first to declare himself. "My Gongsun Household will stand or fall with Brother Ouyang."

"The Sun Household as well."

"The Li Household agrees."

All seven great lineages nodded.

A look of satisfaction flashed in Ouyang Xiong's eyes.

"In that case, let us settle on three things. First, we'll outwardly comply with the new policies while secretly defying them, reporting only half our output.

"Second, we'll join forces with the other superior Ruin Realms and keep each other informed.

"Third, once that Transport Commissioner Ouyang arrives, we'll send him a generous gift and see whether he knows what's good for him."

"And if he doesn't?"

Ouyang Xiong smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in his smile.

"Then we'll let them know that our Ruin Realm isn't so easily bullied. Once things descend into chaos, a man like him, who values power as dearly as life, will be at the end of his official career as Transport Commissioner..."

"Presumably, that guardian won't dare do much either... Besides, we have the court behind us..."

The Tianlan Ruin Realm.

Ouyang Yu wore a blue-gray robe and held a Nine Heavens Azure Nether decree.

Standing before the newly established Tianlan Transport Commissioner's residence, he frowned slightly at its rather dilapidated signboard.

After a century away from home, he had finally advanced to the Purple Mansion. Though only at the Purple Mansion Early Stage, he had cultivated the life Divine Ability, Clear Heng Radiance.

He had also happened upon the young master's reforms and sweeping promotions, and had been selected as a cultivator from this realm.

Among the Ye Clan's cultivators of other surnames, he was known for his integrity and also called an officialdom fanatic.

But whatever the case.

Now that he had gained power and returned to his home realm in glory, yet had not the slightest welcome or display of prestige, wasn't it like parading in embroidered robes at night?

Looking at the residence, where sparrows could be caught at the deserted gate!

Ouyang Yu felt a surge of irritation.

"Ouyang Yu, come."

Ye Wenting, the Tianlan Realm's guardian cultivator, who was at the Purple Mansion Middle Stage, stepped out of the void and spoke.

There was a trace of a smile on his face, but a barely perceptible distance in his eyes.

Ye Wenting had served as the Tianlan Realm's guardian cultivator for fifty years, and his ties with the local lineages had long since become tangled like gnarled roots.

The young master's new policies had harmed his interests most of all. The shares of profits he had previously received in private now had to be brought into the open, and he would even be subject to the oversight of a Transport Commissioner of another surname. He could not help feeling resentful.

"Guardian."

Ouyang Yu cupped his fists in return and went straight to the point.

"The main family has ordered an inventory of all the Tianlan Realm's resources to be completed before the end of this month. I ask for your cooperation, Guardian. Summon the heads of each lineage here in three days, so they can be assessed one by one."

Ye Wenting's face involuntarily turned cold. I'm a dignified Purple Mansion cultivator of the Ye Clan's direct line, and you, a man of another surname, dare speak to me like this?

Waving a chicken feather as a command arrow. If the main family hadn't given strict orders, I'd kill you.

His words carried a chill. "Naturally. But since you've returned to your home realm, Ouyang, you might as well rest for a few days first and reacquaint yourself with the surroundings."

"The situation in the Tianlan Ruin Realm is complicated. Some things... can't be rushed."

"The young master gave us three months. Everything must be ready before the expedition to the Wind Abyss." Ouyang Yu's tone was calm.

"I don't want to delay over this."

A trace of displeasure flashed in Ye Wenting's eyes, but he nodded nevertheless. "Very well. I'll make the arrangements at once."

He then stepped into the void and crushed a jade pendant.