Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

Chapter 233 - 178: Promotion and Congratulations

’Temporarily replace Zhao Liangde as the head of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak?’

When Fang Qingyuan heard what Lechuan said, his immediate, subconscious reaction was to refuse. He spoke with sincere earnestness,

"I thank you for your high regard, Master, but the position of head of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak is a matter of great importance. My qualifications are still shallow, and my prestige is insufficient. I’m afraid I won’t be able to command respect. Moreover, I’ve spent all my years on Yuanling Mountain and have rarely returned to the sect. I don’t even recognize many of my fellow disciples. How could I possibly take on the role of head of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak?"

Lechuan listened quietly as Fang Qingyuan made his case. When he was finished, Lechuan said,

"I know your experience is limited and that it will be difficult for you to command respect. But I have my reasons for choosing you over the other veteran Foundation Establishment disciples. You are young and driven. You took a desolate place like Yuanling Mountain and made it thrive, establishing an academy to enlighten the masses and a Marketplace to set down rules. A feat like that is truly dazzling compared to what’s been happening here on Celestial Gate Mountain.

Moreover, you are humble and lack the foul habits of these disciples from Zongshan. The people I brought with me are arrogant because they came from the main sect. Their ambition outstrips their ability, and they look down on the disciples from the original branch. Influenced by them, even the newly initiated disciples are filled with a fickle and snobbish attitude. This is not good. It must be changed.

And as for you saying you’ve rarely been here and don’t know many of the disciples, that’s actually one of your strengths. You’re free from the constraints of personal relationships. You can use my name to establish new rules for the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect. Liangde, while loyal, is far too greedy. Considering he served me faithfully for so many years, I’ve always turned a blind eye.

But now we must face off against the Spirit Wood Alliance, and Liangde’s methods will no longer work. If rules in the sect can still be broken with money and Spirit Stones, in the long run, who will take the sect seriously? How can we possibly unite?

This is one of the reasons I’m having you take over temporarily. In the ten years before this war of expansion begins, you must turn the culture of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect around."

Lechuan said a great deal. Clearly, these words had been weighing on his heart for a long time. Although he was a revered Golden Core Ancestor, the very sky of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect, there were some things even he couldn’t force.

Zhao Liangde had cultivated under him since childhood, evolving from a brilliant young talent into the avaricious man he was today. Lechuan felt he himself bore some responsibility.

Around the time he achieved his Golden Core, he had neglected the discipline of disciples like Zhao Liangde. By the time he realized it, the problem was already too deep-rooted to fix.

Now, with Fang Qingyuan, his Closed-door Disciple, Lechuan felt he had to cultivate him seriously. Fang Qingyuan’s Lifebound Talent increased his lifespan. Even if Fang Qingyuan never formed a Golden Core and only served as the Vice Sect Leader, he could keep the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect on the right track for two hundred years. As long as Fang Qingyuan didn’t stray onto a crooked path, with the Talent he had shown so far, the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect was bound to stand out among all the branch sects.

After speaking, Lechuan looked at Fang Qingyuan with fervent eyes. At this, Fang Qingyuan couldn’t bring himself to refuse any further. With Lechuan holding him in such high esteem, to continue refusing would be simply obtuse.

’And this is the head of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak, the foremost of the Three Peaks. Aside from Lechuan, who rarely manages affairs, I’ll be the Vice Sect Leader! The Southern Border Beast Taming Sect’s thousand-plus Qi Cultivation disciples, dozen-plus Foundation Establishment cultivators, and several million mortals—such a massive force would be under my command.’

’Of course, whether or not I can command their respect and get these old-timers to actually obey me will depend on my own abilities.’

’But since I have Lechuan’s support, what’s the harm in taking the seat of Vice Sect Leader for a while? Even if I do a poor job, the worst that could happen is returning to Yuanling Mountain to continue being the king of my own little hill.’

At this thought, Fang Qingyuan finally nodded and said,

"Since you hold me in such high regard, Master, I will try my hand at temporarily serving as head of the Miscellaneous Affairs Peak and ease your burdens."

Lechuan laughed heartily and clapped Fang Qingyuan on the shoulder in encouragement.

"Do a good job. I’ll back you up in everything. Qingyuan, don’t let me down!"

...

The next day, at a hastily convened court assembly, Lechuan announced Fang Qingyuan’s appointment. An uproar immediately erupted among the many Foundation Establishment Cultivators below, who were clearly bewildered by Lechuan’s decision.

But Fang Qingyuan remained calm, simply stepping forward to receive the Dharma Seal and robes of the head of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak bestowed by Lechuan.

Lechuan barked a few angry rebukes, forcibly suppressing the other disciples’ dissatisfaction and confusion. However, Fang Qingyuan knew this was merely a superficial peace. ’When it comes time to actually get things done, I’ll be severely constrained.’

’But it doesn’t matter. With Lechuan’s support, these fellow Foundation Establishment Disciples can only refuse to cooperate in secret. They wouldn’t dare make any big moves openly.’

After settling the matter of Fang Qingyuan’s temporary appointment as head of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak, Lechuan went on to explain the conflict with the Spirit Wood Alliance. This immediately stirred everyone’s fighting spirit.

Fang Qingyuan was just an internal issue, whereas the Spirit Wood Alliance was an external enemy. These people could still tell which was more important.

’Even so, I can’t expect these fellow disciples to hold any goodwill toward me. I’ll have to rely on my own abilities to win over these proud and arrogant peers.’

After the court assembly dispersed, two Foundation Establishment Cultivators proactively came forward to offer their congratulations: Zha Shaoyang, who managed the Spirit Fields within the sect’s territory, and Zou Yu, who managed the various Spirit Beasts.

Although these two held a higher status than other Foundation Establishment Cultivators and were able to attend the sect’s court assemblies, they were still a far cry from the standing of Qu Jianyan, head of Instructor Peak, and Ling Ziqing, head of Precepts Peak.

Elder Long Shuhong, who managed the library of Cultivation Techniques, was one of Qu Jianyan’s people. Shi Boji, on the other hand, was the head of the Law Enforcement Hall and controlled the main fighting force of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect. He had always taken orders only from Lechuan, kept his distance from everyone, and was a lone courtier.

This time, with Fang Qingyuan temporarily replacing Zhao Liangde as the peak head, Shi Boji likewise showed no reaction.

Looking at Zha Shaoyang and Zou Yu, who had approached him of their own accord, Fang Qingyuan understood. ’These two don’t necessarily have faith in me. They’re just coming over to build some goodwill and leave a good impression. After all, they are nominally my subordinates.’

The reason Miscellaneous Affairs Peak was the foremost of the Three Peaks was mainly due to its vast authority, especially its control over finances. At the end of every year, the other stewards in the sect and the leaders of the mortal population all had to curry favor with Zhao Liangde to get him to approve more Spirit Stones for them.

In addition, Miscellaneous Affairs Peak also had to manage external affairs and internal politics. Beyond the Southern Border, it handled the reception of and relations with various other sects. Within the Southern Border, the millions of mortals and hundreds of small sects and Cultivator Clans were all to be managed by the Ministry of Affairs.

Only after truly sitting in this position did Fang Qingyuan begin to appreciate the difficulties Zhao Liangde had faced.

After thanking Zha Shaoyang and Zou Yu, Fang Qingyuan politely declined their suggestion to hold a banquet to celebrate his promotion. He went alone to Miscellaneous Affairs Peak and, within the sprawling Ministry of Affairs, summoned everyone.

In the Ministry of Affairs, there were two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and the rest were all disciples at the Late-stage of Qi Cultivation. But all these Cultivators together numbered no more than twenty.

Just as Fang Qingyuan finished gathering everyone and was about to give his inaugural speech, he caught sight of a familiar face out of the corner of his eye.

A Female Cultivator with a somewhat familiar face was staring at him in utter shock. She wore a set of short robes and a long skirt, exquisite but in muted colors, nothing ostentatious.

Like her robes, the woman’s features couldn’t be called stunning, but upon closer inspection, she had a gentle, pearlescent beauty and exuded a quiet, intellectual aura.

Seeing her, a thought flashed through Fang Qingyuan’s mind, and he remembered the lonely girl from all those years ago, huddled on Yinbao’s back.

’Zhan Zhi’er... we meet again.’