The establishment of the [Imperial City Division] was like a stone thrown into a calm lake for the Dao Court, instantly causing ripples within Tianwu City.
Because the [Imperial City Division] completely stepped outside the Dao Court's system of official positions. Without official positions, they naturally wouldn't be constrained by the superior officials of various ministries. Not to mention, with the blessing of the Incense Divine Dao, the strongest could reach Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, not weak compared to First Rank officials, which made many people wary.
More importantly, the [Imperial City Division]'s duties.
To put it in one sentence, they were responsible for security within Tianwu City. The prohibitions on entering and exiting the palace city, all matters of the perimeter guards and night watch, and the regulations for opening and closing palace gates were all under their jurisdiction.
This was serious.
Because these were originally all duties of the [Capital Skies Division]. Now they belonged to the [Imperial City Division]. With duties gone, the corresponding power naturally disappeared too.
How could the [Capital Skies Division] accept this?
...
Tianwu City, inside the Grand Preceptor's Manor.
"His Majesty clearly doesn't trust the [Capital Skies Division]!"
The current Commander of the [Capital Skies Division], Ning Haohe, slammed the table with anger on his face: "What [Imperial City Division], stinking overseas folks, coming to our Jiangdong to beg for food."
"That whatever Du Huan, relying on bootlicking and flattery, established a few small merits, pleased His Majesty, and only then begged this position from His Majesty. Grand Preceptor, we cannot ignore this matter. How can the capital of my Jiangdong be occupied by Demon cultivators from overseas? By then, the country will be doomed!"
On the head seat, an old man sat with closed eyes, saying nothing.
At first glance, this was just an ordinary old man. However, as he opened his eyes, the feeling he gave underwent earth-shaking changes.
Like a snake or flood dragon transforming into a dragon.
Every breath he took was drawing upon the omnipresent [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] of Jiangdong. Resonating and coordinating with them, infinite mighty power draped down to bless his body.
He was the current Grand Preceptor, Hu Zhichun. Holding [Gilded Gold Leaf], mastering [Golden Court Supreme Wonder Grotto-Heaven].
Ning Haohe, as his disciple, became the Commander of the [Capital Skies Division] only through his recommendation.
"His Majesty is dissatisfied."
Hu Zhichun looked calm: "The [Capital Skies Division] has always been under the direct jurisdiction of the Son of Heaven. Now that it is led by you, it is very normal for His Majesty to want to set up a separate establishment."
Speaking of Ning Haohe becoming the Commander of the [Capital Skies Division], there were actually factors of backdoor deals between the Three Excellencies and Emperor Jiayou. After all, for the middle-stage Golden Core Emperor Jiayou to break through to late-stage, he needed to utilize at least three elements, and the help of the Three Excellencies was indispensable. The [Capital Skies Division] was merely one of the bargaining chips.
However, Emperor Jiayou was clearly dissatisfied with this in his heart.
That was why he used the Incense Divine Dao as a foundation to establish the [Imperial City Division] separately, and specifically promoted the True Dragon Clan, who had no foundation in the Dao Court, to lead it.
More importantly, the source of the Incense Divine Dao was only in the hands of Emperor Jiayou alone.
In this situation, the [Imperial City Division] would undoubtedly only obey Emperor Jiayou's orders alone, unaffected by the officials... This greatly disrupted the Dao Court's rules.
"Tai'an, what do you think?"
Hu Zhichun turned his gaze to a young man beside him. This person had handsome features, and his gestures carried a noble and graceful air.
This person was the current Junior Preceptor, Li Tai'an.
Given time, after Hu Zhichun's lifespan ended and reincarnated, and the Grotto-Heaven fell, this Junior Preceptor would have to re-support the Grotto-Heaven. The weight of his stature was evident.
"Replying to my Lord, subordinate believe we should remain steadfast in our approach."
Li Tai'an cupped his hands and said in a deep voice: "The establishment of the [Imperial City Division] is His Majesty's will. His Majesty probably also wants to use this to see the officials' attitude."
"If we feign compliance but act in opposition, obstructing in secret, it will only lead to more intense measures. Better to take a step back, let His Majesty vent his anger first. We can restrict it later. His Majesty ultimately needs my Lord. If we give a way out, His Majesty won't force it either."
" What if His Majesty is still not satisfied?" Hu Zhichun said deeply.
Li Tai'an's expression turned solemn instantly, saying: "Then His Majesty is deceived by vile characters. We should present a memorial weeping with blood, requesting to execute the treacherous demon to rectify the order of the court!"
Hu Zhichun nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this: "Good."
Then he looked at Ning Haohe again: "Heard that? The [Imperial City Division] is His Majesty's decree. Since His Majesty asks you to cooperate, you just cooperate properly."
Just then, footsteps came suddenly from outside the door.
"My Lord, bad news, my Lord..."
A [Capital Skies Division] Strongman walked in quickly, looking panicked: "That Du Huan from the [Imperial City Division] brought people to our [Capital Skies Division] office!"
"What?"
Ning Haohe stood up instantly upon hearing this, then asked to leave. After getting Hu Zhichun's permission, he quickly left the Grand Preceptor's Manor, flying with a beam of light.
Soon, he arrived at the [Capital Skies Division] office.
However, with this glance, he only saw soaring incense divine light, and that upright figure surrounded in the center like stars arching around the moon.
"[Capital Skies Division] Banner Officer Wang Xue, embezzled the salary of thirteen Strongmen under his banner camp, evidence conclusive, execute immediately!"
"[Capital Skies Division] Banner Officer Chen Dao..."
Accompanied by the loud announcement, [Capital Skies Division] officials were pushed out one by one, kneeling on the ground. Their former ruddy faces had long turned snow-white.
Seeing this scene, Ning Haohe hurriedly transmitted his voice:
"Hold the blade..."
Clang!
Almost at the instant the voice came, the executioners responsible for the execution had already raised and dropped their blades, chopping off the heads of the group of officials kneeling on the ground.
"...Bastard!"
Seeing this scene, Ning Haohe was outrageously angry!
However, facing Ning Haohe's anger, the group of executor of [Imperial City Division] didn't take it seriously. After all, they weren't paid for by him.
Why should they listen to him?
Leaving aside that most of them were Demon cultivators who already found Ning Haohe unpleasant.
Even the Human cultivators, after receiving a full two hundred years' worth of salary from Lu Yang's hands, would only listen to Lu Yang, and the Son of Heaven's orders!
Seeing this, Ning Haohe's anger grew even more. Immediately pushing the official hat on his head, the official position of [Capital Skies Division Commander] emerged. His divine ability rose like a rising sun:
[Sun-Rising Earth]!
This was a Xu Earth divine ability. Xu is the warehouse of the great furnace, the earth of burning plains, a place where noblemen do not visit. Not only did it have offensive wonders, it could even damage fortune!
However, the next second, a large hand completely gathered from incense energy inserted from the side, blocking between Ning Haohe and the group of executioners. Rolling incense was like a tide; as one wave was refined away, a new wave surged in. Actually pinching out Ning Haohe's divine ability directly like pinching out a candle flame!
"How is it possible..."
Such a scene was instantly like a basin of cold water poured into Ning Haohe's heart, extinguishing all his anger and waking him up instantly.
The next second, a black-robed Demon cultivator walked out, holding his head high.
"Oh, isn't this Lord Ning."
Xiao Shan was simply triumphant at this moment. As the Demon cultivator who defected to Lu Yang earliest and an elder of the [One Heart Society], he naturally received Lu Yang's heavy use.
Besides salary, there was the Incense Divine Position.
Lu Yang was not stingy about this at all. He allocated a full one-third of the incense from the newly established [Imperial City Division] to him, allowing him to obtain the Incense Stature of Foundation Establishment Great Perfection!
With such blessing, Xiao Shan looked at Ning Haohe again and instantly felt that this Lord Ning, who was formerly unattainable and whose servants at the manor gate dared to give him attitude, was actually nothing more than this. The official position of [Capital Skies Division Commander] was only Third Rank, not even a Late-Stage Grand Perfected One!
Sure enough, only by following Lord Du Huan do we Demon cultivators have a future...
Xiao Shan's heart became increasingly firm.
On the other side, Ning Haohe forced a smile on his face. After all, since he couldn't beat them, he naturally couldn't bring out the prestige of a superior official.
"What exactly... do you want to do?"
"Do what?"
Xiao Shan smiled coldly: "His Majesty has already passed down the decree, appointing Lord Du Huan as General of Valiant Cavalry, in charge of the [Imperial City Division], to investigate the embezzlement matters of the [Capital Skies Division]!"
"In short— what the [Capital Skies Division] can manage, my [Imperial City Division] will manage. What the [Capital Skies Division] cannot manage, my [Imperial City Division] will manage even more! Execute first and report later—a special privilege of imperial authority."
"Does Lord Ning understand clearly?"