142: Chapter 143 The Eye of True Sight

The atmosphere in the Council Hall shattered instantly.

Minister Wang Fugui was the first to laugh out loud, slapping his thigh and unable to straighten his back.

Lei Lie held it in for a long time but couldn't help it, almost spitting out a mouthful of tea.

Tieshan shook his head while laughing, and even Strategist Zhu Ge used his fan to cover his face, his shoulders shaking.

Wan'er's lips twitched, but she quickly pressed them back together.

Only Shang Youjun could not see this scene, but hearing the laughter filling the room, he turned his hollow eye sockets toward the Little White Tiger, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Zhou Yun looked at the bristling Little White Tiger and couldn't help but laugh as well.

But after the laughter died down, everyone's expressions slowly grew serious again.

The choice of Guild Master. This was no small matter.

The Mercenary Guild managed a group of people with fire in their chests; whoever served as this Guild Master needed to be able to suppress the situation without crushing the people.

Too soft, and they couldn't be controlled; too hard, and it would be counterproductive.

Tieshan looked at Strategist Zhu Ge, Strategist Zhu Ge looked at Wan'er, but Wan'er didn't look at anyone, instead keeping her head down and writing something in a register.

Minister Wang Fugui opened his mouth, but after sweeping his gaze across the others, he closed it again.

For a long time, no one spoke.

"I'll do it." Lei Lie's voice rang out. It was not loud, but very clear.

Everyone looked at him in unison.

Lei Lie sat there, one hand resting on his knee, his expression somber.

The fiery temper from when he slammed the table earlier was gone, leaving only a hint of bitter suppression.

Minister Wang Fugui was the first to get anxious: "You—you—you—aren't you busy enough as Minister of Military Affairs?"

Wan'er also looked up, her eyes filled with a trace of doubt: "Minister Lei already holds military responsibilities. If he takes on the Mercenary Guild as well, will he be too overwhelmed?"

Lei Lie did not answer immediately. He was silent for two breaths, then the corners of his mouth twitched, forming an awkward smile.

"Overwhelmed?" His voice was a bit hoarse.

"Among the colleagues present, I am probably the idlest one."

The hall fell silent for a moment. Everyone understood the meaning of these words.

The battles that should have been fought in Flower City during this time didn't truly happen; the beast tide was a city-wide defense, and the Heavenly Dao decisive battle was a one-sided rescue mission. Neither time allowed the Military Department to truly flex its muscles.

Furthermore, for matters like military strategy and troop training, Strategist Zhu Ge could handle most of it alone. Lei Lie was more of a banner, a symbol, in the Military Department.

He knew it. They knew it too.

Strategist Zhu Ge looked at Lei Lie, his fan stopping.

Zhou Yun did not let the silence last too long. "Do not trouble two masters with one task." He looked at Lei Lie, his tone calm. "The Mercenary Guild has just been established, and you understand the people inside the best. Let Lei Lie serve as the interim Guild Master of the Mercenary Guild and get the framework set up first."

Lei Lie's eyes brightened slightly, and he immediately cupped his hands: "This subordinate accepts the order."

This time he did not say "this official," but "this subordinate."

Strategist Zhu Ge looked at him, something flashing through his eyes, which was quickly hidden by his fan.

Zhou Yun nodded, his expression naturally withdrawing from the earlier lightness.

"Let's settle the matter of the Mercenary Guild here for now. Next, there is another matter."

Almost simultaneously, everyone in the hall turned their gaze in the same direction. Toward Shang Youjun, who was sitting against the wall.

Everyone present in the Council Hall held a position. Lei Lie of the Military Department, Chief Administrator Wan'er, Tieshan of the Tiangong Department, Minister Wang Fugui of the Trade Department, and Strategist Zhu Ge. He was the only one, a city resident without any position, sitting here.

Shang Youjun felt those gazes. His fingers tightened slightly on his knees, his hollow eyes turned toward Zhou Yun, and he pursed his lips and nodded heavily.

Zhou Yun withdrew his gaze and addressed everyone, "I intend to appoint Shang Youjun as the Minister of the Supervision Department of Flower City."

The hall went quiet. This "quiet" was different from the silence during the discussion about the Mercenary Guild. Before, it was contemplation; now, they were stunned.

Lei Lie's brows knit together. Minister Wang Fugui had his mouth open, words stuck in his throat. Tieshan's hands, rubbing his calluses, stopped.

Shang Youjun himself was also stunned there. This was completely different from what he had expected!

Wan'er was the first to recover. Her gaze shifted between Shang Youjun and Zhou Yun, and she said, "Surely City Lord has his reasons."

Zhou Yun nodded with a smile. "It is indeed not a whim." His tone was steady. "The reason I have this idea is directly related to Shang Youjun's ability."

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but sit up straight.

Zhou Yun continued, "Shang Youjun's eyes can perceive the human heart and see through true thoughts. Even now, he can clearly perceive the extent of a person's good or evil, distinguished by color. The anomalies among hundreds of people in the city were first discovered by him."

As his voice fell, the hall went quiet for a moment. Then Strategist Zhu Ge's voice rang out. "The Eye of True Sight."

He spoke very softly, as if unearthing a very old name from the depths of his memory. Almost simultaneously, Wan'er's voice followed. "The Eye of True Sight."

After the two spoke, they exchanged a glance. Shang Youjun's hands gripped his clothes tightly.

Tieshan looked at Strategist Zhu Ge and then at Wan'er, frowning as he asked, "What is the Eye of True Sight?"

Wan'er shook her head slightly: "I have only seen a few words in ancient texts, with very little record." She looked at Strategist Zhu Ge, "Perhaps the Strategist knows more."

Strategist Zhu Ge put down his fan, his tone deeper than usual. "I only know a little about it." He said, "The Eye of True Sight can perceive the human heart, distinguish good from evil, and observe subtle details. Ancient texts record that those who possess this eye can see things that ordinary people cannot—but at the same time, they themselves cannot speak falsehoods. Whatever they say is the truth; there is no way to disguise it."

He paused. "Because of this, those who possess the Eye of True Sight have always been feared by those in power. They are either killed, imprisoned, or turned into playthings. None have ever had a good end."

Shang Youjun's lips turned pale. He sat there, hands gripping his clothes tightly, knuckles white, his body trembling slightly.

Tieshan's voice broke the silence, his tone filled with stubbornness: "Being able to perceive the human heart and not being able to speak lies—who did they offend? Why did they end up with such a fate?"

Minister Wang Fugui leaned back in his chair and chuckled: "Speaking the truth is, in itself, a crime."

When these words fell, the hall was quiet for several breaths. Lei Lie glanced at Minister Wang Fugui and snorted coldly: "Nonsense!"

Wan'er nodded gently and took over the conversation: "Perceiving the human heart means being able to distinguish right from wrong. Managing penal laws and supervising all anomalies in the city—it is indeed the most suitable position."

Strategist Zhu Ge's gaze fell on Shang Youjun, carrying a touch of gentleness. "Once in the position of Minister, others will not dare to slight him."

He turned to Zhou Yun and cupped his hands: "City Lord, your considerations are thorough."

Zhou Yun looked at the others: "What are your opinions?"