Si Bingwen remained calm, likely having learned the relevant information beforehand.
"I have already dispatched Family Martial Artists to rescue your Commander."
"However, to immediately begin the reconstruction of the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division, it is not something I can achieve alone."
"You still need to win the support of the other Halls."
"After all, suffering from demon attacks and incurring huge losses is not limited to just Pei Prefecture."
Family Martial Artists... win over...
Li Xuanxiao keenly noticed the details in Si Bingwen's words.
Rescuing a Prefecture Commander should be the responsibility of the entire Demon Slaying Hall. Why would Si Bingwen need to specifically dispatch his own Family Martial Artists?
Similarly, rebuilding the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division is for maintaining the stability of Pei Prefecture and the stability of Great Feather. This should also be part of their duties, yet Si Bingwen used the word "win over."
Even if multiple prefectures suffered losses, the Demon Slaying Division should proactively rebuild as quickly as possible. Why would they still need to win support?
Si Bingwen's words were thought-provoking, and Li Xuanxiao remained silent in contemplation.
The Demon Slaying Division Headquarters did not seem as united and cooperative as he had imagined.
Instead...
It felt somewhat like numerous Gangs standing opposed to each other?
"Please enlighten me, Sir. Rebuilding the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division should be the responsibility of the Demon Slaying Division Headquarters. Why is it still necessary to win support?"
Li Xuanxiao could not figure it out, so he bowed again and asked.
"The waters in the Royal City are deep. The Demon Slaying Division Headquarters is stationed in the Royal City, with many high-level Martial Artists, and rarely do demons cause trouble..."
"People of different classes, different levels, and different backgrounds all gather here, but they lack a common enemy."
"Everyone fights for their own interests and does not pay much attention to what happens below."
"The tragic state of Yu Prefecture and Pei Prefecture is a major loss in the eyes of some people, but in the eyes of another group, it is a welcome event."
At this point, Si Bingwen glanced sideways at Li Xuanxiao: "The Martial Artists seeking aid from Yu Prefecture arrived even before you did."
"Furthermore, Yu Prefecture has always been known as the 'Granary of Great Feather,' indicating its importance."
"But even so, the progress of rebuilding the Yu Prefecture Demon Slaying Division has been extremely difficult and slow."
"If you do not proactively fight for it, the reconstruction of the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division will be greatly delayed."
"Yu Prefecture is relatively better off. After all, grain is the foundation of people's livelihood. Even if it is slow, it will at least advance steadily."
"But Pei Prefecture, that is not certain."
Li Xuanxiao listened silently, and a surge of anger gradually rose in his heart.
Indeed... No matter which world it is, those in high positions always prioritize their own interests first.
What do the lives and deaths of those at the bottom matter to them?
Authority is only responsible to its source. When needed, they spout hypocritical, nice-sounding nonsense about the people being most important, the state next, and the ruler least.
When not needed, they discard it like worn-out shoes...
Li Xuanxiao's face showed sorrow, and he silently closed his eyes.
In his mind were city after city destroyed, displaced commoners, and children crying helplessly.
Liu Gelin, nailed to the outer wall, unwilling to rest in peace.
The Patrol Hall Master, impaled like a hedgehog, dead for a long time yet still tightly gripping his blade.
Too many, too many...
Li Xuanxiao only felt a surge of frustration rush to his forehead.
At this very moment while they were talking, countless Martial Artists in Pei Prefecture were still fighting demons, desperately protecting the common people.
"Sir, the Martial Artists of Pei Prefecture... are dying right now."
"To protect the common people of Pei Prefecture, for Great Feather, for those high and mighty superiors..."
"They are having their heads severed, pierced by ten thousand arrows, or becoming the rations for demons, dying tragically."
"And now, I still need to beg for the support of these superiors, to plead for their mercy?"
Li Xuanxiao's eyes reddened slightly; it was not tears, but suppressed rage.
Si Bingwen remained silent, not daring to look into Li Xuanxiao's eyes.
He was merely one of the eight Halls of the Demon Slaying Division, and because he disliked conflict, he held almost no real authority within the Division.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to rely on Family Martial Artists to rescue his own younger brother being hunted by the Demon Emperor...
Li Xuanxiao reined in his emotions. Anger could not solve problems; without sufficient strength, it would only lead to being ridiculed for impotent rage.
As things stood, Si Bingwen was not an enemy. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been reduced to needing to send Family Martial Artists just to rescue his own brother.
Li Xuanxiao took a deep breath, calming his agitated state of mind.
"Sir, please inform me exactly what I need to do and how I should go about winning support?"
Li Xuanxiao humbly sought guidance. Such a complex place must have its own set of operating rules.
If he acted rashly like an inexperienced youth and offended someone he shouldn't have, not only would he fail to get aid, but he might even lose his own people.
Therefore, despite his anger, he maintained his composure, prioritizing getting things done first before considering anything else.
The situation in Pei Prefecture could not be delayed, but what he could achieve alone was extremely limited.
To save the entire Pei Prefecture, he had to borrow the power of the Royal City!
Si Bingwen looked up at the youth before him: "I regretfully have to tell you a fact."
"From the moment you stepped into the Demon Slaying Division Headquarters and presented your identity jade token..."
"You have already been targeted by countless people."
"And the instant you were brought into my Demon Slaying Hall, whether you wanted it or not, you were already labeled and sorted into a faction."
"This is both a good thing and a bad thing."
"For the Halls friendly with our Demon Slaying Hall, winning their support will naturally be much easier."
"Conversely, for the Halls opposed to us, or those with direct conflicts of interest, winning their support will become exceptionally difficult."
Li Xuanxiao listened quietly, pursing his lips: "Sir, is there another way?"
The thought of having to humble himself and beg these superiors made him feel physically ill.
Compared to winning their support, Li Xuanxiao would rather hold a blade against their necks!
Si Bingwen glanced at Li Xuanxiao: "There is certainly a way."
"There are always exceptions. There is a way to bypass all the man-made obstacles and rules."
"As long as you have enough strength!"
Li Xuanxiao's eyes lit up. Relying on strength?
That would be truly wonderful!
Li Xuanxiao dared not boast about much else, but when it came to strength, he had never admitted defeat to anyone!
With the System as his backing, if he still couldn't defeat these people, he might as well go find a crooked tree and hang himself.
Li Xuanxiao immediately asked: "How does one rely on strength?"
Si Bingwen's expression turned solemn: "You need to think clearly. The Demon Slaying Division Headquarters is not like the various Prefecture branches below!"
"The Martial Artists here are the most elite, the strongest group in the Royal City, no—in all of Great Feather."
"It won't be easy for you to take them all down!"
As Si Bingwen finished speaking, he felt a vast Aura surge forth.
Li Xuanxiao held nothing back, fully circulating his True Essence: "Sir, just tell me what to do. I will handle the rest!"
The Mystic Lotus Art was circulated to its extreme, and the boundless True Essence surged like giant waves!
The indifference on Si Bingwen's face instantly vanished, and his eyes involuntarily widened.
Mystic Realm!
And not just the initial stage of the Mystic Realm!
At least... it was the Middle Stage of the Mystic Realm!
When did the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division produce such a Prodigy?