NOVPUBCui Daqi’s words undoubtedly left everyone present utterly astonished.
Wang Ba couldn’t believe it.
After taking a break for over eight years... to be promoted on his first day back at work?
Was that reasonable?
It definitely wasn’t reasonable!
Especially since among the Deacons here, the majority were elders, including not a few in the late-stage of Golden Core, even at the peak of the realm.
Some have been in the Spirit Food Department for more than a hundred or two hundred years.
Wang Ba, who had only been in the Spirit Food Department for a little over a decade, and had taken an eight-year leave at that, by what virtue and ability?
Feeling the gazes from the surrounding Deacons that were originally quite amiable but now complicated, envious, or jealous, Wang Ba felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles in an instant.
He was not quite used to the feeling of being the center of so much attention.
He hurriedly bowed and said, "Minister Cui, could there be a mistake? I’ve only been here for such a short time, Deacon Kong, Deacon Fan, and the others are much more familiar with the Spirit Food Department, and their skills are also extremely exquisite..."
Upon hearing Wang Ba’s words, the expressions on some people’s faces eased slightly in the crowd, but they still looked far from pleased.
Cui Daqi, who had been overseeing the Spirit Food Department for many years, was well aware of Wang Ba’s predicament at the moment, yet his gaze swept over the people below as if he was completely unaware. He chuckled and said:
"What you say... Each division of the Five Elements Division does not place importance on seniority. Everything depends on ability. You, a Spiritual Cook of the Golden Core Realm ranked second in the Baiwen Tower during the Dao-asking Conference, taking the role of Vice Minister—surely no one has any objections to that."
"But my realm..."
"The realm is not the issue, Early Stage of Golden Core is enough. We are not Tianyuan Hall that needs to go out and fight battles. With expertise on your side, it doesn’t matter if your realm is slightly lower."
Cui Daqi directly blocked any rebuttals from Wang Ba, then smiled and said, "Alright, stop being so modest. The appointment and removal decree from Rende Hall should come down in a few days. Come up here and say a few words."
Wang Ba repeatedly declined, but ultimely he couldn’t overcome the order from Cui Daqi, the Minister, and had to pluck up the courage to say a few words.
The reaction from the Deacons of the Spirit Food Department below was not unexpected: they were very lukewarm.
Even Kong Yao, who had a good relationship with Wang Ba, had a somewhat forced smile on his face.
At the moment, standing on the opposite side of the crowd, Wang Ba could see everyone’s expressions and emotions clearly.
He truly felt helpless in his heart.
This situation couldn’t entirely be blamed on these Deacons for not showing friendliness.
If he had been in their shoes, encountering a much younger person with much less experience suddenly rising above him, it would also be difficult to maintain a balanced state of mind.
Moreover, the position of Vice Minister wasn’t just an elevation of status but also involved clearly visible improvements in treatment, merit points, and so on.
This was an important path for ordinary Cultivators to access resources.
And yet, it had been easily taken by Wang Ba, a newcomer to the field... the key point being he’d even taken an eight-year sabbatical.
Where could they even begin to argue the case?
But as the Minister, Cui Daqi had personally announced this appointment in front of everyone; it was clear that he wasn’t giving Wang Ba room for further refusal.
Thinking of this, Wang Ba felt a bit of a headache coming on.
Cui Daqi, who had put Wang Ba on the spot, spoke no further and nodded to Wang Ba, "There’s a meeting in the Diwu Hall today. Come find me later."
With things having come to this, Wang Ba could only, albeit reluctantly, agree. 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑝𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
The subtle gazes from the surrounding Deacons were even more uncomfortable for Wang Ba.
After Cui Daqi left, besides some of the younger officials who weren’t quite aware of the situation, the Deacons returned to their places with cold faces.
"Deacon Kong..."
Wang Ba greeted Kong Yao.
"Congratulations, Deacon Wang, no, Minister Wang now."
Kong Yao squeezed out a smile, barely managing to bow as a formality.
But inside, he felt truly uncomfortable.
While he deeply admired Wang Ba’s cooking skills, the position of Vice Minister was coveted in silence by many Deacons, and naturally, that included him.
Having toiled in the Spirit Food Department for a hundred and seventy-eight years, with an extensive network except for Ministers like Cui Daqi, he was among the most prestigious.
He had not expected that before competing with several other potential rivals, the position of Vice Minister had already been effortlessly taken by Wang Ba.
This gap between expectations and reality was hard to accept in the moment.
Although Wang Ba wasn’t aware of Kong Yao’s thoughts, his natural sensitivity allowed him to vaguely perceive Kong Yao’s emotions.
He quickly stopped Kong Yao’s bow, showing a helpless expression, "Doesn’t Deacon Kong know me? I’m alright at making spirit food by myself, but the role of Vice Minister isn’t just about making spirit food; it also involves organizing everyone’s efforts. For this, no one is more capable than you, Deacon Kong..."
At this, Kong Yao just laughed dryly.
"Minister Wang flatters me, what qualifications or abilities do I have?"
He was no naive youngster, who could be easily coaxed into dropping his displeasure just because someone buttered him up.
Although his feelings were slightly more at ease, he still couldn’t adapt to this reversal.
Seeing this, Wang Ba felt rather troubled.
As a Vice Minister with no subordinates to command, if tasks came down from above, he would be in a real fix.
After a brief contemplation, he hurriedly proceeded to the second floor.
He glanced at the rooms of the big drinker He and the other Vice Minister Xin Zhao, and seeing the doors tightly shut, clearly they weren’t in.
Wang Ba then knocked on the door to Cui Daqi’s room.
He entered after being invited in.
"You’re here, ha ha, take a seat," Cui Daqi said with a smile and then instructed Wang Ba to close the door behind him.
