“Cough, cough!” Raising his head with a clear mind, Head Qi cleared his throat and offered a warm, cheerful smile to set the tone: “Let’s address matters directly. When there are disagreements, we should speak them out. When there are conflicts, we should discuss them. We all sit in the conference room and resolve things together.” For a senior official of this level, strong pressure simply wouldn’t work—especially given the inherent pride of the Qinghe clan. The Westin branch had sent him specifically to act as a mediator. In truth, he didn’t want to get involved at all. The embezzled funds had nothing to do with him; it was the Qinghe branch that wanted those funds. In the eyes of the Qinghe clan, this was a direct seizure of their money. As the most powerful spiritual realm force in the Baigu Province, how could the Qinghe branch tolerate such an affront? Minister Yang of the Yinxin branch calmly remarked, “Who is unwilling to engage? On Qinghe territory, whether you’re a dragon or a tiger, you must show deference. Adhering to protocol is the greatest form of grace we can offer. To act defiant—well, in Baigu Province, To eliminate a single outpost, one must verify the recovered funds, the identities of the offenders, the seized assets, and so on—only after thorough review can an official announcement be issued, with bonuses awarded and merits granted accordingly. "Currently, the funds haven't arrived, so the review process can never be completed. That means the colleagues from the Nanming branch are left with all their efforts going to waste—salaries frozen, criticized in official reports, and now, no year-end bonuses either." At this point, he glanced at the Pursuer of the Drug Offenders: "Pursuer of the Drug Offenders, what do you think? Share your thoughts." The Pursuer responded coldly: "I accept all penalties imposed on the Qinghe branch." He remained unyielding, as if completely unmoved. "Hmm, you..." The head of the office gave him a stern look from above, then turned to Zhang Yuanqing and said, "The colleagues from the Nanming branch have been working so hard. With the year drawing near, they've put in a full half-year of effort—now they're bearing these penalties unjustly. Are they being used as leverage against the Nanming branch? Zhang Yuanqing glanced at The employees in the office were intently focused on this side, all lowering their heads when the door opened. Upon seeing it was him, they promptly looked up again. "As for your unilateral decision to freeze the salary accounts of Nanming branch employees, I'm certain the Nanming branch staff will file a formal complaint with the headquarters. Their visits and strikes are entirely understandable." The supervisor's expression darkened. He could not refute this—what the other had said was both reasonable and compliant with regulations. Of course, he could continue to persuade, but clearly, that would be futile. He had already made it clear that he was determined to push this issue to the end. In contrast, the Nanming branch staff brightened—not because they were about to write complaints, but because someone had firmly stood up for them, advocating on their behalf. The Poppy Department Head scoffed, "The evidence is at Xini Branch. Go ahead and fetch it if you dare." Zhang Yuanqing responded calmly, "I'll provide them with an additional sum of money. If you're capable, then go ahead and take it one by one—see if they rise up in protest, and see if I can't settle you." In the office, someone suddenly roared, "Who dares take my money? I'll fight to the death!" Upon saying this, the impulsive Fire Master was immediately silenced by a colleague, yet the members of the branch began to shift—eyes growing rebellious and resolute, their postures straightening, as if gaining strength. The Poppy Department Head's expression suddenly grew cold, and with a composed tone, he said, "You all go out first." The divine figure and the stir-fried rice noodle representative rose silently and stepped out of the meeting room, while the pursuer hesitated slightly, rising with a soft remark, "I hope you can remain calm." Once the three had left, closing the frosted glass door behind them, the Poppy Department Head waved his hand, and crisp vines sprouted from the wall, concealing the cameras. He gazed steadily at Zhang Yuanqing and said gently, "Didn't you think that, as a senior steward with ties to the Songhai Branch, you could act with complete freedom throughout the Eight-Valued Province?" After all, the Songhai Branch is a provincial-level branch, and as a Senior Steward, you rank only just below the Elders—thus, to arrest you, authorization from either the Headquarters or the Songhai Branch is required." "Isn't that right?" Zhang Yuanqing smiled warmly, yet his eyes were ice-cold. The Poppy Branch Chief also smiled and recalled a past incident: "When the Central Court's Master narrowly defeated the Elder, incorporating the Qinghe Clan into the Five-Element Alliance and establishing the Qinghe Branch deep within the Ten-Ten Mountain Range, they publicly claimed it was a conquest, but in reality, it was a matter of self-governance. As long as the Qinghe Clan maintained stability in the Eight-Valley Province and prevented the Spiritual Energy Association from corrupting its governance, the Qinghe Branch would enjoy the highest degree of autonomy. Therefore, the various branches across the Eight-Valley Province had to comply, and we, the Association, never interfered—our actions were limited to buying and selling white-faced rice, occasionally seizing some population, but never daring to encroach upon the political and commercial spheres." "Are you now trying to use the Qinghe Branch to pressure me?" "No, I just wanted to tell you that you have a significant misunderstanding of the Qinghe branch." The Poppy Elder stared at him coldly. "The Qinghe branch operates independently of the headquarters. We are a semi-divine force, and those ten elderly members of the headquarters simply cannot control us. We carry out our affairs without needing their approval—so long as the fundamental principles are upheld, the Qinghe branch is the absolute ruler of the Baiguang Province." "Then?" "Does the ruler of the province need to apply to the headquarters to arrest a senior steward who's been disobedient? Of course not!" The Poppy Elder produced a black seed and gently tossed it into the air. Upon landing, the seed burst into rapid growth, transforming into twisted vines that surged upward, spreading across the walls, the floor, the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the frosted glass doors, sealing off the entire conference room. After completing this, the Poppy Elder removed a black gem and fastened it onto his attire. Instantly, water elements began to swirl around his hair, flowing like aquatic plants, gently swaying. "Since I know you are a Fire Master, I've made every possible preparation." "The Minister of Poppy spoke coldly: 'I've given you opportunities—yet you've never valued them.' 'Do you really think the Qinghe Clan has become the masters of the world? Do everyone else have to yield to you?' Yuan Qing replied with equally cold tone: 'The Headquarters yields to you because it seeks to maintain the broader picture. I, on the other hand, am someone who doesn't care much for that.' ... Outside the conference room. All sounds within the meeting room had faded away. Thick shadows blocked the light streaming through the glass walls, delicate tendrils of new growth extending from the gaps in the glass doors. The leaders of the Qinghe Branch had taken action. 'Ah, why must we go against the Qinghe Clan? Even the elders from outside have to give them a respectful margin.' A deity, raising his head, sighed in resignation. He had done his best, yet the fire master from Songhai proved ungrateful—how could one expect a fire master to be considerate? It would only be a matter of time before he tasted the bitter consequences. In Songhai, the elders would have to formally lodge a complaint with Headquarters, seeking approval before taking any action. The Qinghe clan doesn't need anything—they'll be left untouched as long as they don't rebel. In fact, even if the Qinghe clan does rebel, it wouldn't be within the capacity of the Ten Elders at headquarters to handle it. Though the Qinghe clan's ancestor isn't a half-god, he has fully transmuted the entire Ten-Ten Mountain Range. Within that territory, he can stand toe-to-toe with a half-god. A truly deserving mountain deity! Time passed second by second, and the conference room remained silent. Occasionally, the shadows on the glass walls would tremble violently, as if a climbing vine were caught in a strong wind. After five minutes, even the shadows on the glass walls ceased to move. Finally, the frosted glass doors opened, revealing a plain-looking official of the Sanqing Sect—dressed neatly, though slightly damp. Behind him, the conference room lay in disarray. Tables and chairs had turned to dust, scattered vines lay broken across the floor, and water had risen to the level of his ankles. A distinct smell of burning filled the air. The chief of the Yinghe Clan, the Poppy Chief, lay in a broad, flat position on the ground, eyes wide open, fixed on the ceiling—his once cold, haughty expression now replaced by a simple, dazed wonder. Everyone's gaze was now fixed on Zhang Yuanqing, their faces stunned and filled with awe. The leadership of the Yingshe Branch had clearly been prepared, yet still fell to the official of the Sanqing Sect—how strong was he, truly? At this moment, the employees of the Nanming branch realized they had no clear idea just how formidable this steward truly was. What they knew might have been only a small fraction of his actual power. The Pursuer, however, remained remarkably calm—almost as if he had anticipated this very scenario. The phrase "I hope you can remain composed" was not directed at the Three Pure Ones, but specifically at the Senior Saint of the Qinghe Clan, the head of the Poppy Department. Heads lifted, gods rushed into the office, knelt down to inspect the scene, their faces pale with alarm, exclaiming, "What have you done to him?! Have you erased the spiritual intelligence of a senior Saint from the Qinghe Clan? The Qinghe Clan will hunt you down—your headquarters won't be able to protect you!" "Just caused him some mental strain for a few days," Zhang Yuanqing replied. "Go back and inform the Qinghe Clan representatives—whenever their salary cards are deactivated, that's when you come to me to resolve the spiritual imprints." Then, turning to the group, he offered his signature fiery, bold smile, characteristic of the Fire Master. "Each of you, receive an additional 100,00 Everyone stared at him, as if frozen in place. For a brief moment, they almost decided to use the money to leave Nanzheng City and go to Songhai to seek out this steward. The deity raised his eyes and gazed deeply at Zhang Yuanqing before turning to carry the Poppy Elder away from the office area. "You'd better move out of the Public Security Bureau. Don't stay there—Qinghe Clan won't let this pass," the Xilu Fan whispered. "Qinghe Clan? I haven't even given them a thought, not even their ancestors," Zhang Yuanqing replied, imitating Xuehou Aotian by lifting his chin. How commanding! The employees were deeply impressed. Indeed, a true fire master—self-assured and proud... Xilu Fan shook her head and followed her companion's retreating figure. "Regarding everyone's work, I'll have my subordinates deliver the money shortly," Zhang Yuanqing nodded to the group before briskly departing. He rushed down the corridor, tapping his fingers sharply in a quiet spot, and then vanished into the star-dream. In the employee dormitory, Zhang Yuanqing stepped out from among the dreamlike streaks of starlight, immediately picking up his phone and dialing Fu Qingyang’s number: “Boss, I’ve offended the Qinghe Department—come save me!” Fu Qingyang’s voice came through the speaker, cold and detached: “Go find your paternal uncle—I can’t help you.” “What’s that supposed to mean? My paternal uncle is just polite formalities. You’re the one who’s been my lifelong ally.” “Finish in three minutes.” Zhang Yuanqing then laid out the full story, ending with a pure outburst of frustration—his grown-up male pride completely shattered—fervently trying to impress everyone with his grand gestures! Not even the ancient ancestors of the Qinghe Clan could make him kneel and sing praises; even with the imminent campaign to capture the King of the Underworld, he simply couldn’t afford to offend the Qinghe Department. Fu Qingyang listened silently and said, “Go see your cousin.” Zhang Yuanqing was first taken aback, then it clicked: “You mean, use my cousin—my cousin who is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, unparalleled in her elegance and grace—to pressure the Qinghe branch?” "She's not with me, so there's no need to be so persistent," Fu Qingyang said. "I'm either going to give in, or you'll make it back." "Got it. Um, what does Auntie like?" "Sweet foods and manga." "Seriously, don't tease me anymore." "I've got other things to attend to," Fu Qingyang remarked. Seeing that it wasn't a major matter, he lost interest in lingering and simply hung up. Zhang Yuanqing furrowed his brows, looking deeply concerned. The Marshal had promised to support him, but who knew if it was just empty words—after all, no one could expect such high-profile figures to follow through on their commitments. Sweet foods and manga? The elder was clearly becoming more playful—where had the cool, composed demeanor of the money heir gone? Zhang Yuan清 mused to himself, then opened the chat group and clicked on the profile picture of the white-haired beauty.