Jiangdong, Dao Court, Tianwu City.
Lu Yang had already walked out of the Tianwu Hall, still holding a sacred decree in his hand. It was precisely the appointment commissioning him to establish the [Imperial City Division] using the Incense Divine Dao.
"Done... Hong Yun in hand."
Lu Yang looked up at the sky. His Incarnation had successfully captured Hong Yun, stored him in the [Myriad Spirits Banner], and sent him to the main body through [Qian Heaven All-Governing Myriad Phenomena Dharma Body].
Really smooth...
Lu Yang sighed with emotion in his heart. The start of this life had been terrifyingly smooth. But he wasn't panicked; False Holding the Golden Position was his greatest confidence.
Rather, it should be this smooth for me. After all, in this life, without the Immortal Spirit identity provoking the Heavenly Lord's layout, I, a dignified Foundation Establishment Great Perfection capable of False Holding the Gold Position at any time, having collected so much intelligence, calculating the unwitting with intention—if it still wasn't smooth, that would truly be against the laws of heaven!
Lu Yang quickly gathered his thoughts.
With the sacred decree, recruiting manpower was a very simple matter. Emperor Jiayou placed no restrictions in this regard, and Lu Yang was happy to make a big fanfare.
One month later.
Under Lu Yang's call, the entire True Dragon branch sent into Jiangdong by the Dragon Lord, along with numerous Demon cultivators gathered in the [One Heart Society], all arrived.
Lu Yang received everyone inside the newly built [Imperial City Division] government office.
Besides the Demon cultivators of the [One Heart Society], there were also many Human cultivators, all selected by Lu Yang from the lower levels of various government offices and transferred into the [Imperial City Division].
However, when these Human cultivators stood together with the Demon cultivators, Lu Yang immediately sensed the deep estrangement between the two sides. Human cultivators looked down on Demon cultivators. Although Demon cultivators held resentment, they also looked down on themselves. Thus, both sides spontaneously grouped together, forming two distinct factions within the entire government office.
Lu Yang frowned tightly seeing this.
Honestly, he was someone who advocated equality. Treating everyone equally, Human cultivators or Demon cultivators didn't matter at all. What mattered was whether they could be used by him.
Those who could be used by him were his own people.
Those who couldn't be used by him were enemies.
Walking onto the front stage.
Lu Yang cleared his throat, then said calmly: "Fellow Daoists, we gather here today all to be loyal to His Majesty and exert effort for the Dao Court."
"First, let us respect His Majesty."
As Lu Yang's voice fell, he took the lead to look towards the direction of the Imperial Palace and bowed.
"Respect His Majesty."
The Dao Court officials below followed suit. For a time, applause thundered, and the tsunami-like sounds of "Long Live" could be heard across half of Tianwu City.
However, most of those exerting effort were Demon cultivators. After all, Lu Yang, now as a member of the True Dragon Clan, was a banner for the Dao Court's Demon cultivators. All Demon cultivators hoped he could improve their status in the Dao Court, so naturally, they were very supportive. Compared to them, the Human cultivators side appeared very perfunctory.
Lu Yang wasn't anxious seeing this. Chuckling lightly, he said:
"I won't say much idle talk. First, let's discuss what everyone values most... that is the treatment issue of the [Imperial City Division], everyone's salary and stipend."
As soon as these words came out, the gaze of everyone below instantly focused.
If you talk about this, we aren't sleepy anymore.
The next second, Lu Yang said calmly: "Currently, the salary of Dao Court officials is issued once every hundred years. One chooses one among cultivation methods, spiritual materials, and comprehension."
"Our [Imperial City Division]'s offerings are the same as Dao Court officials."
As Lu Yang's voice fell, the crowd present wasn't surprised. Meaning the salary remained unchanged... However, immediately after, they heard Lu Yang say:
"Issued once every year."
"..."
Instantly, all sounds fell silent.
Whether Demon cultivators or Human cultivators, at this moment, they all revealed the same expression— Inconceivable, unbelievable, doubting if they heard wrong.
The Dao Court's salary issued once a century, you issue once a year??
Do you have this money?
The answer was: He really did.
After all, the Old Dragon Lord just sponsored Lu Yang with a sum. This was money the Old Dragon Lord let Lu Yang use for bribery. Using it to issue salaries was naturally more than enough.
Of course, these were only spiritual materials.
As for Dao Arts, Lu Yang had settled so many people up to now. The divine abilities and Dao arts collected could be described as an ocean, naturally also enough.
The only problem was the comprehension enhanced by the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]. Lu Yang couldn't solve this. But these were Dao Court officials; joining the [Imperial City Division] in the future meant switching to cultivate the Incense Divine Dao. Whatever stature or realm, all depended on incense blessing. What comprehension did they still need?
The next second, Lu Yang waved his big hand.
Spiritual materials from the True Dragon Clan instantly covered the entire government office. The rushing spiritual energy almost formed a visible tide, drowning everyone.
Everyone was dumbfounded!
You really giving it?
Under the staring gazes of the crowd, Lu Yang looked calm: "Everyone is a loyal minister of my Dao Court."
"This portion of spiritual materials is everyone's salary for this year. Consider it a small token of my personal regard; this year's salary is issued to everyone in advance."
Just then, a Human cultivator raised his hand cautiously:
"My Lord... can I not take spiritual materials and choose Dao Arts?"
"Of course."
Lu Yang smiled slightly: "But I've already taken out these spiritual materials, too lazy to take them back. Those who want dao arts find me after the meeting; count it as my subsidy."
Instantly, the crowd's emotions were roused.
Spiritual materials issued in full, and extra subsidy for dao arts?
What was the difference between this and double salary!
One must know they hadn't officially started duty yet. This was only the first day of joining the [Imperial City Division], and they received two hundred years' worth of usual Dao Court salary!
At this moment, everyone's look at Lu Yang changed.
Seeing the atmosphere below the stage gradually heat up, Lu Yang decisively added fuel to the fire: "In addition, considering the [Imperial City Division]'s tasks are arduous and significant."
"So after every mission, there will be an extra allowance, considered a reward for everyone's hard work. The better the mission is completed, the more the allowance."
Lu Yang's treatment of the [Imperial City Division], to put it bluntly, was one sentence:
Not only letting you drink soup, but also letting you eat meat. Not afraid of your insatiable greed; if you are greedy, I will feed you full, stuffing your cheeks full!
Thump!
At this moment, without needing Lu Yang to speak, all [Imperial City Division] cultivators stood up spontaneously and bowed respectfully to Lu Yang.
Among them, the most excited was none other than the Demon cultivator Xiao Shan, who defected to Lu Yang earliest.
He stood up, originally wanting to express loyalty to Lu Yang. However, after seeing Lu Yang on stage and meeting his gaze, he suddenly felt a blessing reach his soul:
"Loyal to His Majesty, to serve the Dao Court with utmost devotion."
After speaking, he was the first to turn around and salute towards the Tianwu Hall:
"Loyalty!"
With someone leading, and Lu Yang not stopping it, the crowd present immediately followed suit. One by one, they went up to receive their salary, and after receiving, saluted towards the Tianwu Hall.
Only then was Emperor Jiayou, spying in secret, satisfied.
Boom!
The next second, majestic incense surged overwhelmingly. In an instant, it blessed all [Imperial City Division] cultivators, beginning to elevate their stature.
This was the greatest grace!
From beginning to end, Emperor Jiayou was spying but didn't take it to heart. Why? Because he asked himself and believed he held the most important interest.
That was cultivation base.
As long as the cultivation foundation of the Incense Gods was in his hands, no matter how much grace Lu Yang bestowed, he was bestowing it on his behalf. Emperor Jiayou would only be happy to see it succeed.
Emperor Jiayou's thoughts were naturally clear to Lu Yang, so he just sneered in his heart.
Although Emperor Jiayou treated him as a tool, he didn't know that Lu Yang actually viewed Emperor Jiayou the same way.
The complete [Seven Luminaries Heaven] is in my hands. No matter how many Incense Gods are created now, who they will listen to in the end is still another matter!