Chapter 1191: The Talisman Order's Choice
The conflict between the Underworld Office and the Spiritual Masters grew increasingly fierce. Beyond vying for believers, they were also battling over other resources.
As both sides fought heatedly, other forces were far from idle. While some still preferred to observe from the sidelines, their numbers had dwindled significantly. More and more factions, driven by their own interests, had thrown themselves into the fray. Some joined openly, while others, seeking a safer approach, lent their support in secret.
The New Beginning Realm, already chaotic enough, plunged further into disarray with the continuous entry of various major powers. Many, of course, did not wish to see the New Beginning Realm become so fragmented and shattered, yet just as many relished this spectacle. Some even felt the current New Beginning Realm wasn't chaotic enough, for the Apotheosis Platform, which only appears in times of great turmoil, had yet to manifest.
In the Guardian District of the Ninth District, Jingling Continent Underworld Office, Yang Haoran leaned back in his chair, carefully sifting through a stack of documents in his hands. An ashtray sat on the table before him, filled with numerous cigarette butts haphazardly tossed about. On the rim of the ashtray, a half-smoked cigarette was wedged, a wisp of green smoke rising from it as it slowly burned down.
Before the table, Shui Ling stood respectfully. She made no small movements, nor did she utter a sound, waiting in quiet stillness.
Occasionally, Yang Haoran would hold the documents with one hand and take a drag from his cigarette with the other. At times, he would also shift his posture. Despite these minor actions while perusing the documents, his attention remained entirely focused on the papers in his hand.
One cigarette burned down to its end, yet the documents in his hand were still not fully reviewed. Yang Haoran lit another cigarette and continued reading. It wasn't until the second cigarette also reached its end that he finally put down the documents and turned his gaze to Shui Ling, who stood before the table.
"Heh, in the past, they were always so secretive, always trying to hide things. Now, they've stopped concealing anything, ripping off their last shred of pretense."
"The Talisman Order's decision must have been deliberated for a long time. Perhaps they felt the Spiritual Masters were growing increasingly powerful, while our Underworld Office suffered escalating losses. Thus, they ultimately chose to side with the Spiritual Masters."
Shui Ling responded respectfully, articulating her perspective on the matter.
The stack of documents Shui Ling handed to Yang Haoran this time was similarly thick. It contained recent activities of the Spiritual Masters, significant events that had occurred in their Ninth District lately, and, most notably, a shocking piece of news: the Talisman Order had completely severed ties with the Underworld Office, opting to stand with the Spiritual Masters. Although the Talisman Order had not yet officially announced this to the public, the news had quietly spread within their ranks.
Before the great chaos erupted in the New Beginning Realm, the Talisman Order and the Underworld Office, while not staunch allies, were certainly not hostile towards each other. Furthermore, in some regions, the local Underworld Offices and Talisman Orders maintained very harmonious relations, keeping close ties and even assisting one another, much like the former Lecheng Underworld Office and Lecheng Talisman Order.
Owing to the close relationship between Yang Haoran and Wang Yiming, once Wang Yiming became the head of the Lecheng Talisman Order, the ties between the Lecheng Underworld Office and the Lecheng Talisman Order became exceptionally strong. If either party encountered trouble, the other would invariably extend a helping hand.
This situation wasn't unique to Lecheng; other cities experienced similar dynamics. However, this amicable coexistence was confined to the local level and did not represent the relationship between the entire Underworld Office and the Talisman Order. The high-ranking officials of the Underworld Office and the Talisman Order had never declared an alliance; their relationship could only be considered peaceful, free of major conflicts.
After the great chaos swept through the New Beginning Realm, Spiritual Masters emerged in large numbers. They not only launched frenzied attacks against the Underworld Office but also inflicted significant losses, which only grew larger as time passed. Consequently, many factions, including the Talisman Order, adopted a subtle shift in their stance towards the Underworld Office.
At that time, however, the Talisman Order's attitude towards the Underworld Office had merely become subtle. They neither declared support for the Spiritual Masters nor ordered their regional branches to back them and oppose the Underworld Office. Yet, they also refrained from ordering their support for the Underworld Office or action against the Spiritual Masters.
This led to a situation where some regional Talisman Orders, due to good relations with their local Underworld Office Emissaries of Death or having received benefits from them, would extend a helping hand when the local Underworld Office faced difficulties. Conversely, if they harbored animosity towards a local Underworld Office, they would choose to side with the Spiritual Masters, joining forces with them to confront that specific Underworld Office.
Beyond these two categories, the majority of regional Talisman Orders belonged to a third: those who remained neutral, assisting neither side.
Thus, when confronted with the issue of Spiritual Masters versus the Underworld Office, regional Talisman Orders generally adopted one of these three stances. However, these stances represented only the local branches, not the entire Talisman Order.
However, the current situation was entirely different. The Talisman Order's decision to support the Spiritual Masters was not the stance of a single regional branch, but rather that of the entire Talisman Order. This meant that from now on, the Talisman Order would actively assist the Spiritual Masters in opposing the Underworld Office.
The reason Yang Haoran spoke these words now was that, over the past two months, the Talisman Order's attitude towards the Underworld Office had grown increasingly intriguing. Covertly, they had committed numerous acts detrimental to the Underworld Office's interests, yet overtly, they feigned ignorance, maintaining an appearance of not wishing to stand against the Underworld Office.
Through the information Shui Ling had successively gathered, Yang Haoran was privy to some of the inside details of this matter. Hence, he now uttered that the Talisman Order had, of its own accord, ripped off its last shred of pretense.
Yang Haoran nodded in agreement with Shui Ling's analysis. The Talisman Order's decision must certainly have been the result of careful deliberation, for such a matter was no mere child's play. An erroneous decision would lead to unimaginable consequences, and without profound consideration, who would dare make such a choice?
As for why the Talisman Order made such a decision, Shui Ling's analysis also held a degree of truth. Had the Spiritual Masters not displayed formidable strength and inflicted considerable losses upon the Underworld Office, allowing the Talisman Order to foresee the Spiritual Masters' potential for ultimate victory, how could the Talisman Order have placed such a heavy wager on them?
Of course, in addition to this reason, Yang Haoran believed there must be other factors at play, unknown to him for now. Yet, one thing he could be certain of was that enormous interests were undoubtedly involved.
If enormous interests weren't involved, why would the Talisman Order risk so much to meddle in this affair? What was wrong with remaining neutral and observing from the sidelines, simply profiting once both sides were mutually exhausted? There was no need for them to participate at all.
Since they decided to get involved, it indicated that the benefits they stood to gain from participation must far outweigh any advantages they could reap by remaining neutral.
"Man dies for wealth, just as a bird dies for food," Yang Haoran said. "This is a truth that remains constant everywhere. As long as there are enough benefits, even with immense risks, someone will always gamble. Moreover, given the current situation, the Talisman Order choosing to side with the Spiritual Masters doesn't seem to carry too great a risk. After all, the Spiritual Masters alone have already left our Underworld Office overwhelmed; we haven't managed to defeat them yet. If we add another enemy in the form of the Talisman Order, heh heh. . ."
Yang Haoran offered a faint smile, not elaborating further. But Shui Ling understood his meaning perfectly, her brows furrowing slightly, a touch of worry involuntarily appearing on her face.
"There's no need for the Guardian to be overly concerned," Shui Ling said, trying to reassure him. "After all, this news is currently only circulating internally within the Talisman Order; their high-ranking officials haven't officially announced it. Perhaps there's still a chance for things to change."
Shui Ling knew what Yang Haoran was concerned about, so she offered words of comfort. Yet, even she didn't fully believe her own words, for she was the one who had collected the information for Yang Haoran, and thus she understood the veracity of these documents better than anyone. Although the matter was only circulating internally within the Talisman Order for the time being, based on the intelligence she had gathered, it was nine times out of ten irreversible. The hope of a change in circumstances was slim; it was merely a matter of time before the Talisman Order made an official announcement.
Though she understood this truth inwardly, she naturally couldn't voice it directly to Yang Haoran. This news was already far from good; if she were to reveal her deepest, most honest thoughts, she worried it would only add to Yang Haoran's psychological burden.
"Heh heh, you don't need to console me," Yang Haoran said with a chuckle. "I'm not as fragile as you might think. While this matter indeed has a significant impact on our Underworld Office, it's not entirely without solutions. Our Underworld Office hasn't reached the point of utter desperation yet. Besides, when the sky falls, there are always taller people to hold it up. It's not yet my turn, as a Guardian, to worry about this."
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile, and Shui Ling likewise understood his underlying meaning.
However, unlike just a moment ago, the worry in Shui Ling's heart had considerably lessened. Before, she hadn't been concerned for her own safety; rather, she had been worried that Yang Haoran might be putting too much pressure on himself. Through Yang Haoran's current words, coupled with her understanding of him, she knew that Yang Haoran hadn't deceived her; he truly didn't seem to be burdened by excessive stress.
While she felt significantly relieved inwardly, Shui Ling dared not comment on the implicit meaning behind Yang Haoran's words. Responding to the literal surface meaning, however, would have no ill effect.
"The Guardian is right," Shui Ling said respectfully. "This matter is not entirely without a solution. Please, Guardian, rest assured. Your subordinate will redouble her vigilance regarding this issue. Should there be any change whatsoever, I will report it to you immediately."
Shui Ling spoke with a respectful expression, and Yang Haoran responded with a smiling nod.
"Mm, your increased attention to this matter will naturally only benefit us, not harm us. But you also needn't be overly nervous. Before me, Yang Haoran, there is a taller person, and before you, there is also a taller person. If the sky truly were to fall, I would certainly stand before you to bear the brunt."
Yang Haoran's words were spoken lightly, yet Shui Ling found them deeply moving. Ever since she began serving Yang Haoran, he had treated her exceedingly well. Not only did he place great trust in her and give her important responsibilities, but he also provided her with numerous Soul Pills for her cultivation. Yang Haoran's benevolence towards her could truly be described as kindness as heavy as a mountain. Thus, she harbored no doubts about the sincerity of his words; her heart was simply filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, Guardian! " Shui Ling declared. "If that day truly comes, even if your subordinate isn't as tall as the Guardian, I will leap up to shield the Guardian from the falling sky, even if it means being utterly shattered!"
Shui Ling's words were utterly sincere and resolute, making it impossible for anyone to doubt their truthfulness.
"Heh heh, in a situation like this, I think it's better if we don't speak such inauspicious words," Yang Haoran said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "It's unlucky. Perhaps the sky won't fall at all. I, for one, have never seen the sky fall, nor do I believe it truly will."
To lighten the atmosphere, Yang Haoran made a small joke, and his jest brought a smile blossoming onto Shui Ling's face. But then, Shui Ling suddenly recalled something, her smile fading, and she spoke to Yang Haoran.
"Oh, Guardian," Shui Ling began, "recently, something quite strange occurred in the Seventh District. Since it's not within our Ninth District and bears no relation to it, your subordinate didn't spend time gathering information on it. Would the Guardian be interested in hearing what it was? If the Guardian is curious, your subordinate can immediately investigate the matter."
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