NOVPUB"Disciple Wang Ba of Myriad Laws Peak, greetings to Master Song."
In the solemn and dignified hall, wisps of blue smoke rose from the incense burner, diffusing between the gilded beams adorned with painted dragons.
A somewhat deep voice quietly echoed within the hall.
At the far end of the hall, the figure hunched over the desk did not stop reviewing documents, glancing at the scrolls in front of him while casually greeting the visitor as if meeting an acquaintance:
"Ah, you’ve arrived, sit."
At the entrance of the hall, a figure with a respectful expression walked in quickly and silently.
That figure, with an unremarkable appearance and around twenty to thirty years in age, radiated a calm and composed aura; it was Wang Ba.
He walked to the center of the courtyard and bowed deeply.
His gaze swept across the room and promptly moved to kneel and sit behind a desk to one side of the hall.
"Sit closer."
At the far end of the hall, behind the broad desk, the figure still hadn’t looked up.
Wang Ba hesitated slightly but dared not delay, quickly getting up and walking to a closer position before sitting down.
He had just sat down
when he suddenly heard a voice devoid of any emotional ripples:
"What do you think about the monthly resource consumption records submitted by each department?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Ba inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Indeed, as Martial Uncle Cui said..."
He raised his head slightly, looking at the figure behind the desk whose eyebrows were slightly furrowed, focused on the scroll, and after quickly pondering, he started to speak slowly:
"Master, the disciple is unaware of the whys and wherefores of this matter and dares not to speak recklessly."
The hall quickly returned to silence.
Just as Wang Ba was beginning to feel a bit nervous,
that voice sounded again, this time with a hint of satisfaction:
"You are quite composed."
Then Wang Ba heard the sound of the other party putting down their pen and paper.
And the voice slowly continued:
"However... you may be a bit too composed."
"Qi Yan and Cui Daqi both said you easily handled the monthly records of the two departments."
"I don’t believe that with your intelligence, you wouldn’t see the significance of these records."
"Let’s not beat around the bush; tell me what you think."
Wang Ba looked up and saw the other party sitting behind the desk, looking intently at him.
With a trace of hesitation in his heart, he still spoke softly:
"Master, I am unsure of what aspect you are inquiring about, please enlighten me."
Hearing Wang Ba’s words, a smile couldn’t help but appear on Song Dongyang’s face:
"Heh, you are completely guarded, unlike your teacher..."
As if recalling something, his voice paused briefly before continuing naturally: "Unlike Senior Brother Yao."
"Then talk about the uses of these records for the Sect," he continued.
Seeing the persistent questioning, a trace of helplessness flashed in Wang Ba’s eyes.
He knew well the principle that the more one talks, the more mistakes one makes, so facing a high-ranking senior of the Sect who had unpleasant dealings with his Master Yao Wudi, he certainly did not dare to speak rashly and risk provoking gossip.
But under the current circumstances, unless Master Yao Wudi himself jumped out to protect him, it was clearly impossible for him to remain silent about everything.
After quickly pondering the situation, he spoke cautiously:
"Master, I believe that the monthly submissions of these records by each department can aid the Sect in maintaining control over the overall situation within. I’ve heard that the Sect intends to build the ’Tribulation Crossing Raft’ and I assume it is for this reason."
Hearing Wang Ba’s words, Song Dongyang’s brows relaxed slightly, yet they did not completely smooth out.
This was because, while Wang Ba wasn’t wrong, his answer was too generic and not what he was hoping to hear.
However, waiting for more, he realized that Wang Ba had once again fallen silent.
"Is that all?" he asked, somewhat astonished.
"The disciple is dull and could only think of this much," Wang Ba responded respectfully with a bowed head.
Seeing Wang Ba’s respectful demeanor, Song Dongyang felt a wave of irritation brewing within him.
His recent embarrassment at the hands of Qi Yan, Cui Daqi, and Ma Shengxu was still fresh in his mind.
For someone who could navigate the dynamics between two department ministers like Qi Yan and Cui Daqi and even get them to actively seek advancement for him, it would be odd if he were truly dull-witted.
"I’ve secured such favorable treatment for you, and here you are playing dumb with me?" Song Dongyang thought irritably to himself and couldn’t help but say:
"Then do you think the records submitted by each department have achieved their objective?" 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
"The disciple has only dealt with the Spirit Food Department and the Beast Control Department, and I dare not make unwarranted comments about the others, but I believe that the records from these two departments should already meet the Sect’s requirements," Wang Ba maintained respectfully.
Song Dongyang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Knowing that he would not get the answer he wanted from Wang Ba, his thoughts raced and he no longer beat around the bush, saying firmly:
"The purpose of the departments submitting records is to accurately gauge the consumption and attrition of each operational aspect, to prepare in advance, so as to avoid incalculable losses due to a shortage of resources when a great disaster strikes."
Hearing Song Dongyang finally speaking straightforwardly, Wang Ba’s expression became serious, and he listened attentively.
"Although this matter is unrelated to cultivation and seems to handle no resources, appearing insignificant, it is of great importance to the Sect, and careful scrutiny is necessary. This is also why Master Xi and I have gone against many opinions to appoint you as Vice Minister for both departments."
"It’s because we value your ability."
"Do you know that holding the position of Vice Minister for two departments is an unprecedented honor since the establishment of Diwu Hall... such glory has never before occurred, and it’s likely to be unparalleled hereafter."
