129: Choice

Although new Inner Sect Disciples can freely choose which hall to enter, it is also for this reason that the Outer Affairs Hall has the fiercest competition among all the halls.

But given that Han Yi has already been favored by Elder Li, wouldn't it be easy for him to enter the Outer Affairs Hall and be assigned a lucrative position?

However, although the Outer Affairs Hall offered many benefits, Han Yi had troubles he couldn't express. He knew full well that Elder Li was a ticking time bomb, so how could he possibly jump into such a fire pit!

At the same time, he had no evidence to accuse a powerful and influential Elder, so if he couldn't afford to offend him, he could only hide!

Of course, he definitely couldn't say any of this to Huang Ze...

“The Outer Affairs Hall is good, but my ambition isn't there. I just want to find a place to Cultivate properly...”

Han Yi smiled slightly and casually found an excuse.

“......”

Huang Ze didn't speak for a moment, instead looking at Han Yi suspiciously. Then, as if he thought of something else, he said, “That's true. Since Lao Bai values you so much, I suppose you shouldn't lack cultivation resources. Finding a place to Cultivate steadily is indeed the right path...”

“Don't be like that person before, and disappoint Lao Bai again, Han Boy!”

As he said this, Huang Ze seemed to have triggered a memory, a look of regret appearing on his Face as he mumbled to himself.

When Han Yi heard this, a thought sparked, and he wanted to inquire further about the matter. But seeing the expression on Huang Ze's Face, he knew that he had already sunk into some painful memory, and it must be a sad affair.

Thus, with the words on the tip of his tongue, Han Yi still held back.

“Han Yi, I don't care why you want to come to the Inner Affairs Hall, but since Lao Bai sent you, I will definitely help you with your matters!”

Han Yi paused, and in that moment of hesitation, Huang Ze had already broken free from his memories.

“Although the various matters in the Inner Affairs Hall are not as numerous as those in the Outer Affairs Hall, there are still things that need to be done...”

Without waiting for Han Yi to speak, Huang Ze continued.

“Please enlighten this junior, Master Huang!”

Han Yi bowed respectfully.

“Hmm...”

Huang Ze paused and said, “The Inner Affairs Hall primarily handles matters within An Yan City and the territory of the Crimson Flame Sect. Generally speaking, there are four categories: official matters, patrol inspection, open market, and Black Market...”

“Official matters go without saying. It's about wearing official attire and handling the government's affairs within the Crimson Flame Sect's territory, such as collecting taxes, managing relations with the common people, and so on.

“The yamen runners appointed by our Inner Affairs Hall are also recognized by the County Yamen over in Rui De Ward, but don't even think about promotions. The County Yamen will only promote those who are from their own ranks and have proper backing.

“Then there's patrol inspection. Patrol inspection is about maintaining public order in the city, guarding during the day, and patrolling at night. With your Lianxue Stage cultivation, if you go there, you can be a Pushi and lead a few people.

“The open market mainly consists of various shops such as restaurants, gambling houses, and taverns. The main task is to guard them, prevent disturbances, or deal with those who try to cause trouble in a timely manner.

“The Black Market's duties are similar to the open market, also involving tasks like maintaining order. However, some rules in the Black Market are different from the outside. If you want to go to the Black Market, I'll explain it to you in detail later...”

“Han Boy, which one do you want to go to?”

“Master Huang, I wonder what your opinion is...”

Han Yi was silent for a moment, still preparing to ask for Huang Ze's opinion.

“I see, let me think...”

After Han Yi's careful questioning, and Huang Ze spoke for a while longer, he gained a deeper understanding of these few tasks.

Official matters and patrol inspection can be said to represent the imperial court's work, except that one is responsible for 'civilian' affairs and the other for 'military' affairs.

In the Crimson Flame Sect's territory, it was inconvenient for people arranged by the imperial court to handle some matters. Coupled with the fact that the Crimson Flame Sect Sect Leader was the Registrar of An Yan City and also under the imperial court's jurisdiction, they simply let the Crimson Flame Sect Sect Leader arrange people to manage these affairs properly.

Therefore, these tasks were placed within the Inner Affairs Hall. Of course, the Registrars and yamen runners appointed by the Crimson Flame Sect themselves were only useful within An Yan City and would not be effective elsewhere.

Thus, these tasks were impressive, but they could only show their power within their own small territory. Moreover, they often had to report for duty every now and then even when there was nothing wrong, making them quite busy.

Han Yi immediately ruled out these two options.

As for the open market, it was actually similar to what he called 'watching the turf' in his previous life, which was acting as a 'protection Big Brother'. Places like gambling houses and brothels were mixed with all sorts of people. If no one was stationed there, people would cause trouble every few days, making it impossible for you to operate.

Therefore, maintaining order in the open market not only came with Sect rewards, but also occasional offerings from the Bosses, making the benefits much more substantial!

Conversely, maintaining order in the open market inevitably meant being busy with all sorts of things, either fighting with others or on the way to a fight. Not to mention, there were often banquets and such. Han Yi thought to himself that if he went there, his cultivation time would likely be greatly reduced.

As for the final Black Market, it was also equivalent to maintaining order, but unlike the open market, most people who went to the Black Market were those trading in illicit goods or hiding their identities. At such times, no one was willing to provoke trouble.

Furthermore, the Black Market was located in the heartland of the Crimson Flame Sect, not far from Shan Zhong Ward, so there were even fewer reckless troublemakers.

Therefore, the task in the Black Market was actually the most leisurely job. But even so, the Inner Affairs Hall Disciples were unwilling to go maintain order in the Black Market.

Nothing else, just too little benefit!

If one went into official matters or patrol inspection, they would transform, put on an official uniform, and become a high and mighty Official Master, instantly feeling superior to others by a good measure.

Furthermore, although official matters and patrol inspection were busy during the day and required running around, the salary was considerable. During holidays and festivals, people would also seek connections, offer gifts to curry favor, and ask for help with matters. This made them look very prestigious!

Even if this status was only recognized within An Yan City, it was enough. These two places were usually where many Inner Affairs Hall Disciples faced the fiercest competition.

In the Inner Affairs Hall, there were fewer Disciples who wanted to go to the open market. It wasn't that the open market was bad; it was mainly because if you wanted to maintain order there, you truly needed some solid skills!

Otherwise, if you couldn't maintain order and were beaten up by others instead, what Face would you have left to continue asking for others' offerings?

Of course, if you managed to gain a foothold in the open market, with dozens of people under your command shouting orders, you could do whatever you pleased in the establishments. Wielding power and influence in your own district, that kind of life was much more enjoyable than being a mere yamen runner!

As for the Black Market...