Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 781 - 780: The Splendor of the Daoist Sect

With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked out of the Inner Warehouse’s main gate. Without guessing, the building with the longest queue was undoubtedly the Allocation Hall, the very place where his presence was needed.

To allocate and distribute — that’s what he was here for, but now he had to ensure everything was brushed off as well.

The queue, comprising over a hundred individuals, consisted mostly of those in the Tongxuan Realm. Those of a higher realm would typically be deemed worthy of cultivation by the Daoist hierarchy and thus, not likely to be found queueing here.

Thus, those who came were generally of lower realms, limited potential, lacking influential backing, and were the struggling lower-class.

Towards these individuals, he bore no fixed attitude and could only act according to Liu Yishou’s temperament; certainly, he couldn’t give everything away, but he would definitely distribute a portion. The discretion involved in this was crucial for him to manage and could potentially be noticed by the observant as unusual.

The Daoists, with complex expressions, watched as Brother Liu, with a puffed chest and protruding belly, swaggered in. Their situation was similar to when Hou Niao had first joined the Dao and faced the Capital Commandant, Li Chuping — the Golden Core was a distant dream, and a Spiritual Realm brother was enough to make them look up in awe.

Most of these individuals could only hope to reach the Tongtian Realm; such was the harsh reality of the Cultivation World. Yet, they still aspired to climb higher, to compete for resources, fortunes, to take risks and struggle — they needed accessible Artifact Treasures, and now, all of that was in the hands of this impersonating Liu Yishou.

In front of a Golden Core Upper Cultivator, he was nothing; but in front of these low-level cultivators, he was the heavens.

He entered the hall and took his place at the main seat, which somewhat resembled a Mortal World government office, just lacking a row of guards with Execution Sticks.

Aside from him, there was another servant from the Inner Warehouse assisting him, which made him uncomfortable, "Are you idling? Standing here like a block of wood? The warehouse is busy; why aren’t you helping there? I don’t need decorations here."

The servant clumsily rushed back to the Inner Warehouse, not understanding why the usually pompous Steward Liu had suddenly changed his temperament.

Slightly aggrieved, yet with no courage to retort in the strictly hierarchical Wu Sect.

Hou Niao internally reminded himself to be more cautious in the future, realizing that Liu Yishou typically cared about appearances. Although it was a trivial issue, such minor abnormalities should not occur too frequently. These Daoists might appear straightforward, but they were actually quite shrewd.

With a clap on the Cloud Plate, the Daoists waiting outside perked up, knowing that the Inner Warehouse Steward had commenced the session. Since it was in session, there was definitely a chance available; otherwise, it would have remained closed.

The first Daoist tidied his appearance and entered the hall with respectful, brisk steps. Bowing from a distance, he performed a ritual prostration every three steps, taking nine steps in total, truly as if treading on thin ice.

"Disciple Huang Baiqu, I still haven’t utilized my entitlement for an Artifact this year. I humbly request a Gold Element Magical Artifact from Brother, to prepare for a long journey."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, just one. Ah, the quality doesn’t matter..."

"Go back, I don’t have any Gold Element Magical Artifacts here; they’ve all been packed up. You’re too late."

"Brother..."

"Hmm...?"

Hou Niao dragged out his response, and the minor cultivator immediately dared not speak further. There was no way around it; the situation favored the powerful, and this Brother Liu was someone these low-level Tongxuan cultivators dared not offend. If not this time, there would be next year. Next year the Inner Warehouse would definitely distribute, but if they offended Brother Liu, who knew what kind of defective item they might receive.

Wu Sect was part of the Great Dao Sect, and it had its unique system of resource distribution to its disciples, offering an annual opportunity to borrow Magical Artifacts for free — a benefit not available in most minor Daoist lineages. However, as it was a privilege, one couldn’t be too picky. To acquire anything better, one would need to forge it oneself or resort to stealing, robbing, or even murder and arson.

Hou Niao didn’t even look at him. He vibrated the Cloud Plate, as there were still over a hundred people outside. They had to hurry up with time. Did this foolish little cultivator think that simply performing a few extra courtesies would gain favor? Not knowing how to respect his senior brother, why does he even seek any artifacts? He wouldn’t give him a single hair.

By now, he had completely immersed himself in the role of Liu Yishou, not allowing personal likes and dislikes to influence his decisions. At this moment, he was Liu Yishou, and Liu Yishou was him.

What came next was very Liu Yishou. If given enough benefits, he would reciprocate, or if someone held letters of introduction from a God Sensing or Natural Realm senior brother, seeking to use connections, he would fulfill their requests.

The former was for the sake of earning Spirit Stones, even though these minor cultivators couldn’t offer much in terms of price, but many a little makes a mickle, sand piles into a tower. The latter, he avoided trouble, not wanting peers of the same realm to come knocking, as after all, he was but a counterfeit, unsuited for tribulations.

A Daoist with resolute eyes stepped forward, bowed deeply, "Xiang Tianxing seeks a Fire Element Magic Artifact, hoping senior brother will grant it."

Hou Niao didn’t think twice, "Forbidden."

Xiang Tianxing glared with bulging eyes, "Senior brother, this is already my third plea. Remember, one should always leave some leeway in human relations, for we may meet again someday."

Hou Niao rolled his eyes strangely, "Oh? I am curious though, if I don’t give it to you, how will we meet again someday? Get out, threatening me, you’re lucky I don’t punish you this time."

Xiang Tianxing stared him down, "Senior brother, by resorting to such means, using your position for personal gain, fattening yourself while damaging public interest, don’t assume everyone is a fool or blind. If word gets out, I fear it won’t look good for senior brother." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Hou Niao actually wanted to back down, not because he was scared, but because as a counterfeit he didn’t wish to stir more trouble. However, the real Liu Yishou wouldn’t be afraid; he would retaliate, relying on his somewhat significant backing, not fearing threats from these little shrimps.

Serving as the Head of the Inner Warehouse for decades, such incidents were too frequent, if he backed down now, how could he mix in this circle again? If everyone dared to threaten him, could he still interest anyone anymore?

"As long as I serve here, you’ll never get what you want!"

Liu Yishou had already refused twice, which must have been for some reason, so he couldn’t yield, absolutely not.

Xiang Tianxing straightened his back, "I’ve said what needed to be said, and bowed when I had to. But since senior brother forces me, do not blame me for disregarding our fellowship."

Having said this, he left without waiting for a reply, leaving Hou Niao feeling uneasy; there was no helping it, not because his heart wasn’t firm, but because there was a traitor within, preventing firmness.

After dozens more had passed, as the session was about to end, a female cultivator with an elegant appearance and an inviolable demeanor entered, bowed slightly,

"Senior brother, this junior sister Zhuang Yating seeks a Water Element Magic Artifact, merely for travel through the clouds."

Hou Niao instinctively wanted to refuse, but the following words from the fairy named Zhuang locked his response,

"Junior sister is willing to serve tea at senior brother’s residence after finishing my duties; please take mercy, senior brother."

Serve tea? What kind of tea? And to privately serve in the evening?

Hou Niao instantly understood her real intentions, somewhat flabbergasted—so it turned out that the demeanor of the Daoist Sect outside was rigorous and upright, but what lay beneath was broken and sordid.

So, should he agree to her request?