Whose heretical cultivator relies on a rich woman to attain enlightenment?

"Master Huang, Master Huang?"

Master Liang's voice startled Huang Zhao from his thoughts.

Suddenly snapping out of his daze, he realized he was sitting in the conference hall, with five hall masters and eight captains staring at him, their eyes filled with worry and confusion. They could tell that Huang Zhao had been spacing out more and more often during meetings lately, probably because he was overworked.

He pinched his brow hard, feeling a bit annoyed. For a moment, he seemed to sense something unusual near the Demon Suppression Tower, but then he thought, how could anyone possibly have gotten close to the Demon Suppression Tower?

Disturbed and troubled, Huang Zhaoxian was burdened by countless matters, both big and small, and even though he was a peak expert in the sixth realm, he still felt somewhat suffocated by the pressure.

"It's alright, you can continue. The general coordination is almost complete. You can discuss how the various departments should cooperate. I'm going out to catch my breath."

The meeting room returned to the main topic.

Many voices rose and fell, mostly concerning how the eight commanders should divide the territory. Everyone's expression was quite serious. The unusual heavy rain in recent days had sounded the alarm for everyone, undoubtedly a harbinger of war.

They dispatched many spies to monitor the areas that Jingnan would inevitably pass through, and were required to report immediately if any experts approached. They even sent messages by carrier pigeon directly to the capital, requesting that experts be sent to provide support, in order to prevent the two sides from breaking off relations.

This is the deterrent effect brought by top-tier cultivators, but it is also a drawback.

Both Ji Xiaoxiao and Susu were like towering trees, while the demon race and the people of Jingnan were like ants under the protection of the trees. For these two eighth-realm cultivators, sparring or fighting was commonplace.

But for these ordinary people, even the slightest sway of the tree could be a catastrophe.

Panic, unease, and rumors spread.

Despite the Demon Suppression Bureau's excellent secrecy, the previous outbreak of demonic energy still caused a stir in the city. Many wealthy individuals began selling their assets and relocating towards the Central Plains. Even within the Demon Suppression Bureau itself, tensions were running high.

"Phew, all this trouble."

Huang Zhao had already picked up his pipe, tapped it a few times, and taken a few deep drags, his expression full of gloom. But before he could even take two more drags, he discovered that Master Liang, who had followed him for many years, had also come out.

"Why are you out here instead of having a meeting inside?"

"Me? Sigh, I'm an old man with no way to help. Besides, I'm only at the second level of cultivation. Let them do their own thing."

An old man's face broke into a wide smile that could crush flies. In fact, he was a few years younger than Huang Zhao, but the difference in their cultivation levels made them look like they were decades apart.

Seeing Huang Zhao's absent-minded expression, Master Liang took the initiative to change the subject.

"Lord Huang, didn't you say a few years ago that Young Master Huang was coming to our Demon Suppression Division? What happened after that? We brothers even made room for him."

"His mind is completely elsewhere when it comes to serving in the court; he's going to be driven crazy by this rebellious son... Why did you suddenly think of asking this today?"

"Hey, isn't it all because of those troublemakers in the Demon Suppression Division? They keep saying that Lu Cheng is your son, otherwise why are you treating him so well? Or has your young master already infiltrated the city and is now hiding his identity? Especially since you even took him to meet those captains alone, it's not something people would think of. Oh, and there's also talk of revealing your illegitimate child."

The two exchanged a glance and laughed, their gloom dissipating, and even the tense atmosphere eased somewhat.

Huang Zhao took a deep drag on his pipe, exhaled a cloud of stale air, and even his tone turned into a mocking laugh.

"Don't worry, I'm not that vigorous. I'm a grown man, why would I want to have an illegitimate child?"

"That kid is good enough to be my grandson."

"And you, you're here to sound me out for them, aren't you?"

Master Liang's old face broke into a smile as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum.

They are all old brothers who have known each other for many years. There is no need to hide anything. Asking openly is more straightforward. Huang Zhao came to Jingnan decades ago and worked his way up from the bottom. After reaching the Sixth Realm, he even served as the head of the Demon Suppression Division.

However, the great war that affected the entire cultivation world broke out later. In order to capture the extraterrestrial demons, many sects joined forces and chased them all the way to the outside of Zhennan Pass. Only then did the cultivation world learn that the Demon Suppression Abyss actually existed in the world.

It was after that that Ji Xiaoxiao was ordered to go to Jingnan to guard the town and take on the position of Director, keeping a close watch on any unusual activity in the Demon Suppression Abyss. However, according to recent intelligence reports, the gate beneath the Demon Suppression Abyss seems to have been completely closed.

"More or less."

"Our Demon Suppression Division isn't as wealthy as it used to be. We only have this much stuff, so how we distribute it is entirely up to you."

"After all, there are three hall masters and seven captains, all of whom you promoted. In the past, our Demon Suppression Division didn't have that many hall masters and captains, so each family naturally received more."

"But things are different now than before. There are more and more people, so the pressure on the border defense is naturally increasing. The number of hall masters and captains is still increasing, but the cultivation resources and salaries provided by the imperial court are not increasing."

"There are too many monks and not enough meat. Now that you plan to support a thirteenth banner, everyone naturally wants to see your attitude."

"Everyone wants to get a bigger piece of meat for themselves, or at least not let others have a piece. Even though Lu Cheng has already become a disciple of Lord Ji, it's a bit too early for him given his current level."

Actually, there was something else that Master Liang didn't say: Huang Zhao's attitude was no longer one of appreciation, but rather one of flattery. Even if Lu Cheng were to become Ji Xiaoxiao's disciple, it wouldn't be right for a peak sixth-realm expert to fawn over a mere youth.

Unless he has something special about him.

He nodded noncommittally.

This basically represents the mindset of the vast majority of the flag bearers and hall masters. Huang Zhao sighed. Now that things have come to this, he should at least give a clear answer.

"I was a bit too hasty. Please tell them to calm down."

"The Thirteenth Hall will be established, but for the time being, no cultivation resources will be allocated from the department to his future Thirteenth Hall. At most, it will only guarantee Lu Cheng's cultivation."

"Just consider it as giving him a nominal title."

Only then did Master Liang reveal a genuine smile. Although his attitude towards Lu Cheng was a bit strange, Huang Zhao was still as shrewd as ever, understanding everyone's inner thoughts clearly. In this way, both sides were happy.

"Hehe, you're the cunning old fox. Don't worry, I'll make things clear to them after the meeting. If all else fails, just say that kid is your illegitimate son, so everyone won't overthink it."

"you……"

He raised his hand to strike, but the elderly Master Liang dodged it with a quick movement. He stroked his goatee, looking like he deserved a beating. Just as he was about to enter the meeting room, Master Liang suddenly remembered something.

"Hey Lao Huang, it's been almost a decade or so since we old buddies have seen your son. Aren't you really considering having him take over your job?"

Huang Zhao remained silent for a few seconds.

"...Let's wait a few more years. The time isn't right yet."