Tianwu City, [Imperial City Division] government office.
Knock knock knock
Xiao Shan knocked on the door cautiously. Only when a calm summons came from inside did he muster the courage to push the door open and stride into the room.
What met his eyes was a simple and elegant study. At first glance, it was very unadorned, yet whether it was the Four Treasures of the Study placed on the desk or the desk and chair themselves, all used the highest grade spiritual materials. An ordinary cultivator, just by sitting there, could increase their cultivation speed.
And on the wall behind the desk and chair hung a calligraphy painting.
[Zheng Qing Ren He] (Government Clear, People Harmonious)!
Looking at these four big characters, Xiao Shan instantly tightened his expression. Then, with incomparable reverence, he looked solemnly at the figure sitting upright behind the desk.
"Lord Du Huan... everything is done."
Lu Yang came back to his senses then. He saw Xiao Shan take out a storage bag and place it gently on his desk. Beside it lay a thick account book.
Xiao Shan subconsciously lowered his voice, saying nervously: "Lord Du Huan, these are all the gains from this investigation operation, as well as the corresponding accounts. This subordinate has collected them all. Please review and count them, my Lord. Once my Lord finishes counting, we will send them to the palace..."
Lu Yang, seeing this, didn't pay attention to it but chuckled lightly:
"Xiao Shan... I heard that you fought with Commander Lord Ning at the [Capital Skies Division] earlier. And you even pinched out one of his Innate divine abilities in public?"
As soon as these words came out, Xiao Shan instantly lowered his head, saying with trepidation: "Lord, forgive me. That fellow surnamed Ning hindered the investigation work; I had no choice..."
"That's not good."
Lu Yang shook his head: "If it like this, who will dare to approach the [Imperial City Division] in the future? Pay attention! Is the [Imperial City Division] the lair of the Jiangbei Demon Sect?"
"...I am very sorry."
Seeing Xiao Shan bow his head deeply, looking ready to admit guilt and accept punishment, Lu Yang nodded: "But then again... I can also understand you."
"However, you are only a subordinate official of the [Imperial City Division], having no official position on the surface. How can you fight with the Third Rank [Capital Skies Division] Commander in public?"
"Pay attention next time."
After speaking, Lu Yang patted Xiao Shan's shoulder, then took out a bulging storage bag from his bosom and stuffed it into Xiao Shan's hand casually.
"Hold it well. You did a good job in this investigation work; consider this my personal reward."
Hiss... Xiao Shan sucked in a breath of cold air.
It hadn't been a few days yet, and another allowance was issued?
And looking at the bulging appearance, it was simply thicker than his pillow.
At this moment, Lu Yang didn't even need to activate [Marionette]. Xiao Shan, having received the red packet, was already full of fanaticism. He stomped his foot immediately and saluted with a clasped fist:
"Loyalty!"
Lu Yang nodded with satisfaction seeing this. Then he picked up the investigation accounts brought by Xiao Shan and casually opened the storage bag to scan with divine sense.
Then he was stunned. To be honest, he thought that with the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] monitoring, the so-called corruption and bribery shouldn't be too severe.
However, he was wrong.
As the saying goes—where there is a policy from above, there is a countermeasure from below.
As long as there are people, there will be no perfect system.
Don't look at how the Dao Court's official system seemed perfect and flawless, with upright officials filling the court under the monitoring of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]. In reality, everyone played quite wild in private.
For example, regarding these embezzled funds, although the Dao Court only pays salaries once every hundred years, each new strongman receives a payment upfront. Some officers exploit this loophole, constantly replacing their subordinates to profit from the suffering of others, or simply using inferior goods to cover the salaries of a dozen people.
The variety of tricks made Lu Yang sigh in admiration.
After all, the Saint Sect doesn't have these fancy things. Usually, it's just direct robbery. The [Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion] too, at most being a bit polite when robbing.
Compared to them, the Dao Court was much more "civilized".
Spiritual materials and methods are one thing... there are actually blessing permissions of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]!
Looking at the account book on the desk and the illicit funds confiscated from this operation investigating the [Capital Skies Division]'s corruption and bribery, Lu Yang couldn't help but let out a long sigh:
"It fills me with grief for the country and anger at its corruption!"
Xiao Shan was somewhat at a loss seeing this: "My Lord... now that the great work is accomplished, it's a happy event. Why crying?"
"Bastard!"
Lu Yang slapped the desk: "To think this group of insects in the [Capital Skies Division] scraped so wealth from the people. I am crying for the country, for the people."
Speaking of this, Lu Yang wiped away crocodile tears, gritted his teeth, and clenched his fist: "Damn it, how did the Dao Court become like this!"
"I will enter the palace now and report the matter to His Majesty!"
After speaking, Lu Yang put away the account book and storage bag. With a sweep of divine sense, he only privately detained three tokens symbolizing the blessing permissions of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws].
...
Tianwu Hall.
Looking at the account book submitted by Lu Yang and that storage bag stuffed full, releasing a rush of spiritual energy upon opening, Emperor Jiayou's face was incomparably gloomy.
This outrageous!
Although as the Dao Court Son of Heaven and a Golden Core Perfected Lord, he didn't lack this bit of spiritual materials. The problem was that those embezzling these spiritual materials were the [Capital Skies Division] under his direct rule previously.
This was already at the foot of the Son of Heaven, yet they actually embezzled so much. What about other places? What about the Six Ministries? The [Capital Skies Division] was already rotten; other places in the Dao Court would only be worse! The embezzled spiritual materials would be ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times more! Not a bit fell into his hands!
Thinking of this, Emperor Jiayou glanced at Lu Yang again.
Actually, he also had an account book in his hand, investigated privately by the inner court and given to him. Comparing it with Lu Yang's, he found no major discrepancies.
Spiritual materials, Dao Arts—none missing.
Only three blessing permissions of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] were missing. Yet this didn't matter at all to Emperor Jiayou, who could invoke the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] at any time.
With this thought, Emperor Jiayou was greatly satisfied.
Although this little dragon is also greedy, he ultimately understands the rules, knowing what can be taken and what shouldn't be taken... Instead, he is more useful than some blind ones!
However, the more it was so, the angrier he became.
Damn it, Demon cultivators from overseas understand propriety, yet these embezzling officials don't understand, and still pretending to be loyal and devoted all day long on the surface.
Taking my money, and still want me to thank them?
"...Speak. How do you think this matter should be handled?"
After a moment of silence, Emperor Jiayou spoke. Although anger blazed in his heart, his tone remained very calm, as if he didn't take it to heart at all.
However, Lu Yang cried:
"Your Majesty... these officials of the [Capital Skies Division] are directly under Your Majesty, taking money from the inner treasury, yet they are betraying Your Majesty!
"This is intolerable! A thorough investigation is necessary!"
Speaking of this, Lu Yang clenched his teeth and hissed: "Your Majesty, please give the order! I guarantees to restore a clean and honest [Capital Skies Division] to Your Majesty!"
Emperor Jiayou: "..."
Undeniably, for a moment just now, Emperor Jiayou was somewhat moved. But soon he recovered his composure, feeling Lu Yang was still somewhat extreme.
Cleaning up the [Capital Skies Division] would break the tacit understanding between him and the Three Excellencies.
And for him to break through to late-stage Golden Core, he still needed the cooperation of the Three Excellencies; he couldn't have a falling out... This was also why he let Lu Yang investigate corruption.
If it succeeded and the Three Excellencies acquiesced, that would naturally be best.
If it didn't succeed and the Three Excellencies and officials reacted fiercely, he wouldn't mind throwing Lu Yang and the [Imperial City Division] out as abandoned pawns to appease the officials' anger.
Although he indeed looked favorably upon Du Huan and felt he was loyal, loyalty couldn't be eaten as food. Moreover, since you are loyal, helping him take the blame and shield him also a matter of course. Anyway, True Dragons are everywhere. As long as someone wants to progress, he won't lack loyal ministers under him.
However... this little dragon's heart is still good.
Emperor Jiayou didn't care how much acting was in Lu Yang's performance. The key was he dared to state his position directly, willing to investigate the [Capital Skies Division] thoroughly for him.
Willingness to act— this is loyalty.
Otherwise, keeping loyalty on the lips all day, but having no actual action when encountering matters—what use are those? Might as well go raise pigs!
At least you can eat fat pigs .
Meanwhile, Lu Yang was constantly paying attention to the changes in [Unwilling to be Subservient]. Seeing that the bonus of this Golden Talent had already increased to eighty percent.
Just a little short of reaching the maximum 100% enhancement.
Just then.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Lu Yang looked up, sensing a massive karmic fluctuation. On the other side, Emperor Jiayou also raised his eyebrows slightly and began to calculate on his fingers.
Soon, Lu Yang understood the source of this fluctuation—
Martial Uncle Chong Guang... has started Seeking Golden Core!