"Back in the day, Golden Spear Master Han was a formidable figure, but it’s a pity he failed to teach his offspring properly. Truly lamentable." Professor Cui shook his head, not having a single good word for Han Chen and Han Li.
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao also laughed, "I wondered what creature this was, turns out it’s a worthless third generation. How dare a mere upstart try to be my equal?"
"Little Yang, these two aren’t worth worrying about, but you shouldn’t provoke them directly either, as maintaining harmony in the bigger picture is key."
"In the future, if you govern Jiangbei, it’s best to secure the Han family’s support, using them to handle matters in the world of martial arts. You understand, it’s much more convenient than getting involved personally." Professor Cui always spoke openly with Yang Xiao.
"I understand, Uncle is right, I’ll follow Uncle’s advice." Yang Xiao stood up and refilled Professor Cui’s teacup.
"My suggestion is that you first attempt to engage with Zhao Jingde. If he’s sincere, that’s best. If he’s not, then we’ll join forces with Hong Anguo and Wu Qingcang to deal with him. Within a year at most, we’ll have him pack his bags and get lost!" Professor Cui swung his hand energetically, full of boldness.
"Little Yang, let me ask you again. If Zhao Jingde is genuinely willing to cooperate with you, what will you do once you get the Deputy Director position?" Professor Cui looked at Yang Xiao and asked again.
"I’ll ensure he leaves Jiangbei safely, with no worries about his livelihood in the latter half of his life."
"Good!" Professor Cui slammed the table excitedly, "Little Yang, I haven’t misjudged you. Whether in officialdom or in the martial world, to stand firm, one must have credibility, and you must fulfill what you’ve promised. If you go back on your word and deal with Zhao Jingde by sending him to prison, although it would keep him silent forever, if word got out, your reputation would be ruined, and no one would ever trust you again."
"Even if your actions are justified, you would still lose many intangible things, and even Chief Commissioner Gu would abandon you."
"Because you are unreliable, and if you gain significant power, you would inevitably become a threat to your allies."
"Don’t worry, Uncle, I know what to do. I’m willing to give him a chance, let’s see if he’s willing to take it." Yang Xiao said seriously.
"Little Yang, breaking Zhao Jingde’s hold isn’t difficult, you have the initiative, and he is the one on the defensive."
"Don’t believe what he says. In short, if you can’t see those families’ dirty secrets, then don’t trust him. If he’s willing to hand them over, then he’s truly cooperating, as those are his lifeline!"
Having been an official in Jiangbei Province for many years, Professor Cui naturally understood the weight of these things. With these in hand, Yang Xiao could call the shots in the world of martial arts in Jiangbei Province.
Looking at the young face before him, Professor Cui felt increasingly satisfied, unable to resist saying, "Little Yang, you’re maturing quickly and starting to show the demeanor of a big figure, understanding the importance of weighing pros and cons and not being impulsive. You’re better than us older folks. I’ve taught you everything I can, and you must tread your future path seriously."
"I’ll walk together with Uncle." Yang Xiao reached out his hand and grasped Professor Cui’s hand tightly.
"Alright, don’t waste time with this old man, Uncle will always be on the same side as you." Professor Cui lowered his voice, "Currently in the Provincial Bureau, your direct forces aren’t sufficient, give more attention to the team below..."
"Understood." Yang Xiao nodded.
He certainly knew Professor Cui was referring to the Evil Cultivation Squad. Initially, Hong Anguo intended for him to lead this squad to do the dirty work, so even if something went wrong, he could put the blame on him. But now, he didn’t dare to do so, and Yang Xiao was intent on developing this Evil Cultivation Squad into his own people.
After all, power in the realm of Angel Envoys ultimately depended on sufficient military strength, and he was quite satisfied with this squad’s combat capability.
When he had enough influence within the Provincial Bureau one day in the future, he would transform this squad into his direct unit, his secret private army.
If they obeyed, Yang Xiao would ensure all their reasonable living requirements were met, besides freedom. If they disobeyed, it would be simple, manage them with severity.
Leaving Professor Cui’s office, after some preparations, Yang Xiao took the elevator to the underground prison, intending to comfort his subordinates.
Yang Xiao gathered everyone together, planning to hold a meeting.
"Everyone, don’t be nervous. You all know, I, Ming Emperor, am the most reasonable person. I’m also very democratic, we don’t run a one-man show."
"If you have any requests or opinions about life here or about me, feel free to speak up. I’m a person who enjoys hearing feedback." Even with a mask on, Yang Xiao gave off an effort to be approachable.
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a deathly silence below. If they hadn’t known Yang Xiao for a while, they might have believed him.
Seeing Yang Xiao’s body slowly leaning back, clearly dissatisfied, everyone immediately started discussing loudly, saying the Netherworld Emperor Captain treated people kindly, had no airs, and was mainly kind-hearted; it was their fortune of many lifetimes to encounter the Netherworld Emperor Captain, and so on.
"No, you guys..." Yang Xiao suspected these guys were subtly insulting him, but he had no evidence.
"Alright." Yang Xiao raised his hand, "Since you’re not comfortable saying it in person, let’s do an anonymous vote."
Yang Xiao took a notebook out of his bag, tore off a few pages, and handed them out one by one around the round table, ensuring everyone had a page.
"Write with your left hand, expressing your requests and any opinions you have about me."
"I want to emphasize again, the latter part must be included. I know I’m excellent, but even the best have their shortcomings. I hope to blend in with everyone, after all... we’re teammates." Yang Xiao aimed to show his friendliness.
"No opinions, the Netherworld Emperor Captain is so good to us, whoever is ungrateful and dares to have an opinion, I, the Great Monk, will cripple them first!" One-Eyed Monk slammed the table fiercely.
"Yes, the Netherworld Emperor Captain is kind and benevolent, he’s a good person."
"Exactly, exactly."
Seeing those present hesitated to start writing, Yang Xiao had no choice but to move his chair, turning his back.
After all, they knew he had a Space-type Magical Artifact. If he left, they would suspect he hadn’t really gone and was hiding nearby spying, making them hesitant to speak the truth.
This went against his original intention; he wanted to hear the truth.
A minute passed.
Two minutes passed.
Until a full five minutes passed, still, no one wrote anything.
"I’ll give you half an hour. If I turn around within half an hour, then I’m a dog, and such opportunities won’t come often in the future. If you miss this chance, don’t regret it." Yang Xiao put pressure on them.
As soon as someone wrote the first stroke, the next second, everyone started writing furiously on the paper in front of them. The Trickster swore the last time he saw such a scene was during a school morning self-study before everyone copied homework.
Listening to the "swish swish" of writing behind him, Yang Xiao felt a chill in his heart, surprised by the extent of everyone’s opinions.
As time ticked by, Yang Xiao suddenly felt a pang, as he heard the sound of pages turning, more than just one, damn, wasn’t one full page enough for them to write down?
How much dissatisfaction could there be?
Yang Xiao knew he might not be considered good in their eyes, but his reputation shouldn’t be this awful, especially since he had been sincere.
As time drew close, Yang Xiao could barely hold back, urging, "Have you all finished?"
"Wait a moment, One-eyed Monk hasn’t finished writing yet." A crisp voice responded, belonging to the little girl, Chui Mei.
"Damn it!" The next second, there was an outburst, it was One-Eyed Monk, who immediately explained nervously: "I... I didn’t, she’s talking nonsense! Amitabha Buddha, I... I can swear to Buddha, I only have respect for the Netherworld Emperor Captain."
"But you just asked the new sister for half a page of paper!" The little girl Chui Mei replied unhappily.
"How dare a brat insult me!" One-Eyed Monk, shocked and scared, slammed the table and was ready to take action on the spot.
"Enough!" Yang Xiao stopped them without turning back, "No one is guilty of speaking out. Whatever you wrote, no one will be held accountable. We are a team, internal harmony is essential. Last minute, I’m turning around."
As Yang Xiao turned around, an orderly stack of papers was already laid out before him, and looking ahead, it was a sea of loyal faces.