Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

"Congratulations, Taoist. Congratulations, indeed, for slaying the Wutong Demon ranked ninety-seventh on the imperial court's wanted list. Such a meritorious deed truly brings boundless virtue."

"With such a great accomplishment, I believe it won't be long before the court issues a reward."

Having witnessed Yi Chen exterminate the Wutong Demon, Lin Baihu, who had just exhaled a long breath of turbid air, walked over with his four subordinates, all smiling, to offer his congratulations.

Each of them had sweat beading on their foreheads, looking quite exhausted.

After all, maintaining the large formation was immensely draining on their mana, and even with the transfer and sharing offered by the formation, the Wutong Demon's counterattacks exerted tremendous pressure on them.

Fortunately, everything had ended now, with the Wutong Demon reduced to ashes.

However, Lin Baihu's profuse compliments did not receive the response he sought.

Yi Chen, restraining the joy on his face, turned around with a surprised tone and asked:

"Lin Dao-you, where does this joy come from?"

"The Wutong Demon was pursued for many years by Lin Dao-you and your loyal and diligent subordinates, the four distinguished small flag officers, after expending a great deal of effort, finally, his trace was discovered in Ping'an County City."

"I just happened to be there and exerted a tiny, negligible amount of effort. The real heroes should be Baihu and the several small flag officers under your command."

"Lin Qianhu strategized behind the scenes, Lin Dao-you stepped forward, and the four small flag officers served with devotion, thereby slaying this evil spirit."

"It is indeed amusing for Lin Dao-you to come and congratulate me. I dare not claim credit due to heaven."

This time, it was another textbook example of artful verbal expression.

Yi Chen's words were earnest and well-founded, and his tone was so sincere that Lin Baihu, despite being the party involved, began to doubt whether he was misremembering and whether the endeavor was indeed orchestrated by him.

Seeing Lin Baihu's face still showing hesitation, Yi Chen sighed internally. Lin Baihu was ultimately someone with thinner skin who couldn't catch on quickly and needed a bit of guidance.

"Lin Brother, may we step aside for a moment?"

Lin Baihu, Lin Dao-you, Lin Brother.

The relationship became increasingly intimate, and the way of addressing him changed smoothly, as if it had always been natural to do so.

Yi Chen, having reverted from his Yang Polar Transformation, shrank in stature, but still stood out conspicuously among ordinary people.

He sheathed the Dragon-Slaying Sword and hooked his arm around Lin Baihu's shoulder, walking to a corner of the yard.

"Lin Brother, do you want to do something for the people?" Yi Chen's gaze was burning.

"I... of course, want to, but this is not exactly according to the rules," Lin Baihu replied, sounding a bit hesitant.

"Oh, Lin Brother, you hold the wrong view there~"

"If you want to accomplish things, you need to climb higher. Greater power, higher status, so you won't be hindered by others. What can you do with just a minor official post like yours?"

"It's not pleasant being constrained by others, is it?"

Yi Chen gave Lin Baihu a meaningful look and continued:

"As long as you don't forget your initial resolve and sincerely do a few more good deeds for the people once you have climbed higher, then all this is worthwhile."

"I'm not a member of the Stability Bureau, so such a credit on my head is just a few more ordinary treasures from heaven and earth, a few thousand taels of gold and silver at most, not of much use."

"For you, Lin Brother, it's different. Today, let's use the Wutong Demon's head as leverage, coupled with your previous achievements in breaking the Corpse God Cult. With another new victory, you will surely catch the higher-ups' attention."

"Once might be a coincidence, but twice? With this in mind, Lin Brother, you will definitely rise as an important talent targeted for cultivation in the new generation of the Stability Bureau, with divine skills, heavenly treasures, and a grand future all beckoning to you."

Seeing Lin Baihu's face still torn with indecision, Yi Chen decided to administer a stronger dose of persuasion, continuing to admonish: "Lin Brother, a man should be judged by his actions, not intentions. Without actions, no one is a sage."

"As long as you remain just and upright, and perform good deeds, the faster and higher a good person climbs, the better it is for the people."

"Besides, even if you don't think for yourself, you have to think for your brothers, right?"

Having said this, Yi Chen motioned with his lips toward his side.

Lin Baihu glanced in the direction Yi Chen indicated and felt a chill in his heart.

The four small flag officers under his command were all watching him with searing eyes.

Ha, you are the son of a Qianhu; if you don't want to advance, can you stop your subordinates from progressing?

To block one's path to wealth is akin to killing one's parents.

So, what about ruining someone's prospects?

The act of driving a wedge and undermining loyalty is considered light.

This is an overt plot, akin to a twisted intestine's blatant scheming.

It's a difficult choice rooted deeply in human nature.

"Yi Taoist, what exactly do you want to gain from me?"

"Let me be direct with you, even if I owe you a favor this time, should you commit evil without cause in the future, I won't collude with you, you should know that,"

Lin Baihu's expression turned cold as he couldn't help but speak out.

He was only naive, not foolish.

Seeing Lin Baihu speaking frankly, Yi Chen also responded with straightforward honesty.

His actions were merely impromptu, firstly, to repay the favor of investigating the mastermind behind the scenes, and secondly...

Yi Chen declared solemnly:

"Brother Lin worries too much."

"How could you think so lowly of me."

"I would never expect Brother Lin to shield my Hidden Dragon Temple. What I seek is but one thing."

"You are aware of the situation with my Hidden Dragon Temple; I offer you the great merit only to ask for one promise, which won't require you to betray your morals or the imperial laws."

"What promise?" Lin Zhengyi asked, puzzled.

"It's simple. I want you to swear by your Taoist conscience that, even if one day I perish without care, whether you are present or not, you will exert your Lin family's influence to ensure that Ping'an County's Peacekeeping Department gives extra attention to my Hidden Dragon Temple,"

"If any external force makes a move on my Hidden Dragon Temple, I want the intelligence support from the Peacekeeping Department, to notify us promptly and send aid in times of danger."

"The Peacekeeping Department bears the responsibility for protecting the land and maintaining peace among the people, quieting the world and calming the hearts. Their role lies here."

"Of the over two million residents of Ping'an County, my Hidden Dragon Temple represents one part of those millions. My request is not too much, is it?"

"Brother Lin, my Hidden Dragon Temple... it's tough."

"Being the eldest disciple is hard."

"My teacher lived with unyielding integrity, never yielding or adapting, unaware of how many small-minded people and evil spirits he offended."

"Having been entrusted with the Hidden Dragon Temple by my teacher, I cannot even sleep well at night, constantly filled with worry, tiptoeing on thin ice."

Yi Chen started to emotionally act, contorting his body to appear pitiable.

Little Miao suddenly emerged from some corner, leaped onto Yi Chen's shoulder, and upon hearing this, couldn't help but curl its lips, sticking out its pink tongue to lick its paw.

Hehe, can't sleep? Little Miao didn't believe a punctuation mark of it.

"If that's the case, I'll agree to it,"

"However, the rewards from the Peacekeeping Department are yours. I won't take my share; it will all be passed on to you."

"Deal!"

Lin Baihu was silent for a moment, remembering the task of investigating the mastermind behind the scenes. In the end, he nodded and swore the oath, agreeing to it.

At that moment, smiles appeared on their faces, and their hands clasped together, everything understood without words.

Now with common interests and secrets, the undercover relationship between Hidden Dragon Temple and the Peacekeeping Department was undoubtedly tighter, and the scope of their relationship had broader potential for expansion, establishing a more solid foundation.

The move today was an impromptu strategy by Yi Chen, like a casual move in a game of weiqi, with life resembling the placing of pieces—who knew which casual move would turn out significant in the future?

Yi Chen and Lin Baihu, smiling, walked towards the others together.

The four little officers were grinning from ear to ear, knowing their boss, as immovable as a rock in a latrine, had been persuaded.

Progress!

It was right in front of them!

Except for the deceased Fifth-Demon, they all had bright futures ahead.