The Cold and Aloof Palace Master's Daily Demon-Slaying Life

Chapter 97 The Two Capitals and Thirteen Provinces of the Ming Dynasty Are on My Shoulders (Fourth Update)

Every day, message slips from elders of various peaks, heads of affiliated families, and lords of directly administered cities arrived like snowflakes, piling up on Jiang Shaoling's large desk crafted from ten-thousand-year-old "Quiet Heart Purple Sandalwood".

The jade slips contained reports of obstacles encountered when taking over properties from the Diluo Sect (potentially from remnants of the sect's demonic cultivators, local demonic forces, or other righteous "allies" seeking a share), descriptions of family achievements requesting rewards, disputes and lawsuits with other families over the ownership of a rich spiritual land, and inquiries about resettlement policies and tax standards for the incoming population.

Jiang Shaoling sat upright behind his desk, dressed in a black robe with cloud patterns that represented the majesty of the sect leader, and wearing a seven-treasure purple-gold crown. His face was refined yet solemn, reflecting the experience of someone who had long held a high position.

He hadn't slept for half a month. Of course, with his cultivation at the peak of the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm, his physical body no longer needed sleep, but the mental processing of such complex and trivial affairs still left a lingering weariness and restlessness between his brows.

His fingertips flickered with spiritual light as he left annotations or directly imprinted his opinions on jade slips. He moved with incredible speed, often understanding the situation and making a decision with just a sweep of his divine sense.

Having held the position of sect leader for nearly two hundred years, his political acumen and decisiveness are beyond doubt.

However, some things cannot be easily resolved simply by having the ability. The distribution of benefits is always the most mentally taxing and the easiest to breed resentment.

"Hmph, the Zhang family is quite the schemer. They want to monopolize 50% of the output from a medium-sized black iron mine? According to the sect's old rules, the maximum is 30%!"

He snorted coldly, a flash of lightning appearing at his fingertips, and left a stern rebuttal and a specific distribution plan on the jade slip.

"Regarding the resettlement of mortals in the seven cities along the Tiger Beard River—priority can be given to constructing flood control arrays and allocating a batch of low-level Bigu Dan (a type of alchemy) to stabilize public morale. Hmm, this matter needs to be coordinated with the Workshop and Dan Hall."

"Dispute over the spiritual land of Tianjiao Valley—A large-scale battle broke out between the Qin family and the Wang family, with disciples from both sides perishing in the battle. Faced with the investigation by the Enforcement Hall, each side sticks to its own version of events and refuses to yield. The head of the Enforcement Hall is unable to make a decision, so he reports it up the chain of command?" Jiang Shaoling frowned. This jade slip contained detailed and tragic accounts from both families, every word filled with tears and grievances. Judging from the description alone, it was indeed difficult to determine who was right and who was wrong.

"Hmph, all talk and no action. In the end, it's just because the Qin and Wang families are among the most famous and powerful families in Taihua Sect. The Zhao family behind the current leader doesn't want to offend either of them, so they're passing this hot potato to me, the sect leader."

He rubbed his temples. Cases involving powerful families are the most troublesome; no matter who is awarded the sentence, the other party will not be satisfied.

After a moment's thought, he wrote with flowing strokes: "Both the Qin and Wang families are loyal and virtuous, without any treacherous officials. Let this dispute be dropped, and may the two families live in harmony from now on. As for Tianjiao Valley, it will be divided into three parts, with the Qin and Wang families each receiving one, and the remaining part going directly to the sect."

Well, as for being a leader, he's become quite adept at it after so many years.

Just as I finished dealing with this matter, another urgent jade slip lit up with a red light and flew to my desk.

It was a message from a Purple Mansion Elder on the front lines, saying that when they were taking over a core secret realm of the Diluo Sect, they were secretly obstructed by unidentified cultivators. The other party's methods were strange and they were suspected to be related to a certain demonic sect in the northern part of the Central Land. They requested that the sect send more forces and clarify the bottom line for dealing with the situation.

Jiang Shaoling's expression hardened, and he immediately replied, "Secure the entrance to the secret realm and ascertain the origins of the attackers. If it is indeed the work of another demonic sect, issue a warning and drive them away. If they remain obstinate, you may use one talisman of the Lesser Heavenly Divine Fiend Array, but you must control the scope of its effect and avoid damaging the foundation of the secret realm. If the attackers' power exceeds your control, then temporarily abandon the secret realm, return quickly, and reconsider your strategy."

One incident after another, like an endless tide, kept surging in.

He was like a highly skilled surfer, striving to maintain balance and direction amidst raging waves, ensuring that the giant ship of Taihua Gate would not suffer from indigestion or even capsize after swallowing such a behemoth.

The calming incense smoke emanating from the bronze crane incense burner inside the hall could not completely dispel the heavy pressure of government affairs.

Outside the window, clouds drifted and cranes cried, a magnificent scene of immortals that had continued for tens of thousands of years at Taihua Gate, but Jiang Shaoling inside the hall had no time to even glance at it.

Just as they were busy with their work, a respectful announcement came from outside the main hall: "Reporting to the Headmaster, a guest requests an audience."

"

Jiang Shaoling didn't even look up, his voice tinged with impatience: "Didn't I say that all non-urgent matters should be handled by the Hall of Affairs first these days?"

The disciple outside lowered his voice, speaking cautiously: "Reporting to the Sect Leader, the messenger said—his surname is Jiang, he is from the Jiang family, and he has urgent private matters to discuss, insisting on seeing the Sect Leader."

"The Jiang family?" Jiang Shaoling paused slightly, then became even more agitated.

The family members who come to see me at this time are mostly there to get a bigger share of the spoils in the newly acquired territory.

Under normal circumstances, he might have made time to meet with them, as balancing the interests of various powerful families and sects is one of the responsibilities of the sect leader.

But at this critical juncture, with so many things to deal with—

"Tell him that I am too busy with official duties to receive you. As for the matter of allocating the territory of the Diluo Sect, according to the sect's rules, the Contribution Department and the major families will jointly evaluate and make a fair decision. There is no need to seek me out," Jiang Shaoling said coldly.

He knew that if he set this precedent now, other family leaders would flock to the palace, and the threshold of Taihua Palace would be worn down.

The disciple outside hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sect Leader, the person from the Jiang family also said—his name is Jiang Zhoumian, and he is your—great-grandson. He said that there is indeed a very important matter concerning the future of the family, and he earnestly requests that the Ancestor spare some time to meet with him."

"Jiang Zhoumian?" This name caused Jiang Shaoling to slightly deviate from the position where he was about to write on the jade slip.

His long-buried memories were stirred.

I vaguely remember that there was indeed such a person among the younger generation of the family.

As far as I can remember, he was a newly promoted Purple Mansion cultivator in the family more than ten years ago?

It seems that he was one of the faster ones among his peers at the time, which can be considered as having good talent, so the family also gave him preferential treatment in terms of cultivation resources.

However, as the sect leader, he was busy with sect affairs all year round and did not have much contact with the specific younger generation of the family, so his impression of them was quite vague.

Great-great-grandson — Early stage of the Purple Mansion — An extremely important matter concerning the future of the family?

Jiang Shaoling's eyes flickered slightly as he weighed his options.

If it were an ordinary member of the Jiang family, even if the clan elders came in person, he might not be willing to see them at this moment.

But a young descendant of the Purple Mansion lineage, who is expected to become the next pillar of the family, is requesting an audience with such solemnity, claiming to be a "great-grandson" and that it "concerns the future of the family"—

Perhaps, there really is something special?

After a few moments of contemplation, he finally spoke, "Have him wait in the study in the back hall. I will go after I finish these urgent matters."

"Yes!" The disciple outside the door responded and left.

Jiang Shaoling composed himself, quickly finished processing the several urgent jade slips marked in red in front of him, then straightened his sleeves and got up from his seat.

With steady steps, he passed through the side gate of Taihua Palace and walked along a charming corridor toward the private study in the rear hall of Taihua Palace.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting interplay of light and shadow on the hem of his dark robe. The weariness on his face was deeply concealed, replaced by a complex majesty befitting both the sect leader and the patriarch of the Jiang family.