501: Current situation in Xizhou, Skynet launched

West Prefecture, Demon Suppression Division.

Inside a secret room, over a dozen Demon Suppression Guards, dressed in Centurion attire, stood with solemn expressions. Leading them was the Pacification Envoy of West Prefecture, Bathed War.

The former Pacification Envoy had died mysteriously after secretly investigating the Bing Shen Plan and vigorously suppressing demons and eliminating diseases within the territory. The West Prefecture Demon Suppression Division and the West Prefecture Tusi Yamen formed a joint investigation team, which ultimately concluded that he had been injured by a demon, suffered fundamental damage, and eventually succumbed to Qi Deviation.

Many subordinates of the former Pacification Envoy demanded an explanation and even tried to report the matter further up, requesting an investigation.

However, the information could not leave West Prefecture, and those troublesome Demon Suppression Guards were successively killed by demons during missions in the following years.

It was highly unlikely that there was nothing fishy going on.

Although what they did wasn't too obvious, as several years had passed.

But those with discerning minds would still connect the dots.

So, the Imperial Capital parachuted in a new Pacification Envoy.

Bathed War was powerful; ordinary methods were useless against him. He even rallied a group of loyal followers, bringing the originally neutral Demon Suppression Guards into his camp.

However, he couldn't openly confront the Tusi Yamen. He could only bide his time, waiting for an opportunity, as the Tusi Yamen had the backing of the Saint Mountain Elder Council.

Therefore, they could only control the situation from collapsing while trying not to offend the Tusi Yamen, as long as they didn't go too far.

Among the Three Prefectures, only the West Prefecture Demon Suppression Division was barely considered normal.

Bathed War had comprehended the Law Domain, making him the top Pacification Envoy in the Three Prefectures. Even a Cave Master-level expert would have trouble dealing with him for a while.

That's why he was able to barely maintain the situation.

“Pacification Commissioner Mu, these people from the Tusi Yamen are getting more and more out of hand. They oppress the common people, making their lives miserable. Now they won't even issue our salaries. The Demon Suppression Division has already owed three thousand Demon Suppression Guards eight months of wages.”

Luo Shan, Bathed War's first Centurion, said with a grim expression.

The Miao Territory Three Prefectures Demon Suppression Division was different from other states. In other states, funds were submitted to the imperial court, and then the resources were uniformly allocated from above.

Here, the local government was responsible for 40%, and the imperial court for 60%.

So they could insert people into the Demon Suppression Division, which was actually a form of surveillance.

Initially, the Three Prefectures did not agree to the establishment of a Demon Suppression Division branch in the Miao Territory. But thousands of years ago, the Demon Suppression Division was still that colossal entity that got its way. If there was no agreement, they would just keep killing.

That's why they reluctantly agreed. At first, the Demon Suppression Division could form a supervisory and checks-and-balances relationship with the Tusi Yamen. Later, as the Demon Suppression Division declined, it gradually became a structure dominated by the Tusi Yamen.

The imperial court's salaries had never been delayed, but local delays were common, usually for one or two months. This time, it had been a full eight months.

“It must be that Gao Changlin fellow. Just because we stopped him from forcibly snatching a civilian girl on the street last time, he's been holding a grudge and had his godfather withhold our salaries.”

A Demon Suppression Centurion said, his eyes cold.

This Gao Changlin was a bad apple in the Demon Suppression Division, committing all sorts of evil. He was also a spy planted by the Tusi. Any action by the Demon Suppression Division would immediately be leaked.

Withholding pay, no matter where, was a huge deal.

Especially for the border army and the Demon Suppression Guards, these two large groups. One dealt with external threats, deterring foreign tribes, and the other with internal affairs, slaying demons and bringing peace to the people. Neither could afford to have problems.

Demon Suppression Guards generally lived on the edge of a knife. Although their treatment was higher than ordinary officials, their casualty rate was even higher than the border army's.

After resources were allocated, except for a very small portion kept for emergencies, they were mostly used to improve cultivation, and then for a few days of leisure.

A long-term deficit of 40% in pay, lasting eight months, had already slightly shaken morale. If the Demon Suppression Guards couldn't even feed themselves, how could they talk about saving the country and bringing peace to the people?

No one was a Saint.

You pay the salary, I do the work, it's that simple.

Of course, this doesn't exclude truly passionate individuals who would still slay demons even without a single penny of salary, but they were a minority.

Moreover, the higher-ups couldn't let people work for free, could they? What kind of situation would that be? Without even the most basic guarantees, what kind of superior would they be?

The West Prefecture Tusi Yamen was doing this on purpose, withholding salaries for various reasons, trying to indirectly dismantle the Demon Suppression Guards' fighting will.

Bathed War picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and said in a deep voice, “The time has come. Activate the Skynet. The Flood Plan can begin!”

Upon hearing this.

All the Centurion present, including Luo Shan, stood up in unison, their expressions changing.

“Pacification Commissioner Mu, isn't it a bit early to activate the Skynet now?”

A Centurion asked.

Skynet was the West Prefecture Demon Suppression Division's counter-infiltration against the Tusi Yamen. After many years of development, it had begun to show results.

The Flood Plan was to swiftly apprehend key figures of the Tusi Yamen and Advanced officials from various counties for whom the Demon Suppression Division had already gathered criminal evidence.

“Lord Shao Si has already begun a slaughter in Lei Prefecture, killing over a dozen members of the Alliance, cleansing the Tusi, the Demon Suppression Division, and the military of their cancerous elements... If we continue to wait, does Lord Shao Si need to personally come and pacify it?”

Bathed War said indifferently. He didn't want to leave the impression that his West Prefecture Demon Suppression Division was like those scoundrels in Lei Prefecture in front of Lord Shao Si.

“Your Excellency is wise!”

Several Centurion immediately understood. Now, Chu Jiang held an imperial decree, ostensibly inspecting the Three Prefectures, but in reality, he was clearing out the Miao Territory's rebellious elements.

Now was the best time. With Lord Shao Si as their backing, let alone the Tusi Yamen, what could even the Miao Territory Elder Council do?

They could also gain some favor in front of Lord Shao Si.

“Tonight at midnight, we act!”

“Yes!”

Over a dozen Centurion nodded slightly.

...

Night, dark and without light, with only the flickering street lamps, alternately bright and dim.

From a luxurious mansion, sounds of singing and dancing drifted out.

“Centurion Gao, in the future, your subordinate will still need your promotion. This is a grand gift I've prepared for you, the Amitabha Buddha, symbolizing eternal life.”

A Demon Suppression Centurion said with a fawning expression, presenting a gift.

“Centurion Liu, you are thoughtful!”

Gao Changlin laughed heartily, appearing extremely pleased.

“It's all what your subordinate should do. Three years ago, if I hadn't pledged allegiance to you, I wouldn't be where I am today. Perhaps I'd be like those under Bathed War, not even getting my salary!”

“Those pedantic people, they don't recognize the signs of the times, they deserve their misfortune!”

Centurion Liu sneered.

“The smartest thing I've done in these three years is promote you. You've brought me over a dozen Centurion from Bathed War's faction. You deserve the primary credit. That old geezer probably doesn't even know they've become our people!”

Gao Changlin mocked, always opposing us. We'll dismantle all your people, leaving you a lone commander. Let's see what you'll use to fight my godfather.

One person trying to change a centuries-old established order in West Prefecture is a pipe dream.

He toyed with the Amitabha Buddha, becoming increasingly engrossed, a red glint flashing in his eyes. He couldn't put it down. After a few cups of wine, his vision gradually blurred.

He was startled and said, “Centurion Liu, why can't I see clearly anymore!”

He instinctively circulated his Qi, only to find that his magical power flowed more than ten times slower than before, and his whole body felt weak.

“Liu Sanpao... this wine is problematic, what are you trying to do!”

Gao Changlin suddenly realized and quickly shouted. Bang!

He forcefully pushed the dishes on the table, sending them shattering to pieces.

“Guards, guards!”

Outside the door, dozens of Demon Suppression Guards instantly flooded into the room.

Each drew their Demon Suppression Blade, shielding Gao Changlin.

Gao Changlin finally let out a sigh of relief, his eyes gradually turning cold: “Liu Sanpao, I trusted you so much, yet you dared to poison me. You're looking for death... Kill him!”

His words fell.

After a long moment.

Not a single person stepped forward.

Only to see.

Two Demon Suppression Blades quietly placed against his neck from behind.

“Rebellion, you are rebelling!”

“I am a Demon Suppression Division Centurion, and my godfather is the Xizhou Xuanwei Envoy. How dare you be so presumptuous...”

Gao Changlin was furious, utterly lawless. What made him even more frustrated was that none of the people he valued stood on his side.

Was his judgment really that bad?