Chapter 869 Bu Yingshu’s Prudence, Zhang Yu’s Suppressed Salary
In a seclusion room, Bu Yingshu had taken the initiative to sever all channels of information exchange and was wholly focused on practicing a cultivation art.
As the Vice Pavilion Master of the Martial Arts Pavilion, Bu Yingshu was not a leader who washed her hands of all affairs and had no assignments.
She also frequently had to study and research some of the cutting-edge martial arts being developed within the pavilion to understand the latest directions in the martial dao.
It was just that in the past… Yingshu’s martial dao performance was less than ideal.
But now, as Bu Yingshu’s innate talent successively improved, and after her Dao Seed Myriad Laws Immortal Clan reached Level 5, her efficiency in comprehending martial arts and researching martial arts also grew increasingly higher. She had delivered stellar performances in the high-level meetings of the Martial Arts Pavilion on several occasions.
This elevated Bu Yingshu’s right to speak in the Martial Arts Pavilion and boosted her substantial power, which consequently led her to take on more tasks and responsibilities within the pavilion, making her much busier than before.
Whenever this time came, Bu Yingshu felt incredibly fortunate that she had discovered Zhang Yu and used him to stimulate her own world-shocking innate talent. Otherwise, she did not know how much longer a bright pearl like herself would have remained covered in dust, nor how much longer she would have been looked down upon by others.
And on this day, after she came out of seclusion, she saw several messages sent by Xiao Yunhe.
Because Bu Yingshu had been continuously studying in seclusion and was in the Martial Arts Pavilion, she still didn’t know the news about the Limitless Salary Increase Authority at this moment.
Looking at the messages sent by Xiao Yunhe, Bu Yingshu’s heart was full of doubts: “Show mercy? What does that mean?”
On the other side, Xiao Yunhe initially waited for a long time without receiving a response from Bu Yingshu, and couldn’t help but sigh in his heart: “Is she deliberately leaving us hanging?”
“That’s true, with Bu Yingshu’s foresight and strategy, it’s only natural that she saw through our current predicament.”
“Just like how she had made all the preparations before the great battle of the Soul Cultivators started in the Former Days Graveyard, her layout often begins long before everything starts.”
“Using this method to suppress us before the official negotiations have even begun is probably her usual tactic.”
And a long time later, just as Xiao Yunhe was watching the stock price continuously fall to the point where even he was losing his composure, he finally saw Bu Yingshu’s response.
Bu Yingshu: “What do you mean? I just came out of seclusion, I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Seeing this reply, Xiao Yunhe’s heart jolted. “What a Bu Yingshu, clearing herself completely with just one sentence. Right, is she preventing me from tricking her into revealing herself and exposing her as the mastermind behind the salary increase? This woman doesn’t want to be tainted by the stigma of the salary increase at all.”
Xiao Yunhe sighed and continued to analyze, “Moreover, asking why right off the bat is clearly to make me state the situation myself, further suppressing me so she can take the initiative in the subsequent negotiations.”
“I can’t just follow her lead, I must do the exact opposite…”
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yunhe replied, “The world thinks Zhang Yu is the great general sent by the Myriad Laws Sect to the Former Days Graveyard, the head of the Netherworld Assets Department and the Soul Cultivator Company, and the driving force behind this incident. But I know he is nothing more than your dog.”
Bu Yingshu looked at the message Xiao Yunhe sent and thought to herself, “What nonsense is this guy spouting? Who doesn’t know that Zhang Yu is under my protection?”
Bu Yingshu: “Tell me something that people don’t know.”
Xiao Yunhe was slightly taken aback, his heart full of confusion. “Wasn’t she just distancing herself? Why did she suddenly admit it?”
“What on earth is this woman thinking?”
“I can’t figure it out… Bu Yingshu, oh Bu Yingshu, I really can’t figure out what on earth you are thinking in your heart.”
Xiao Yunhe felt that the depth of the other party’s thoughts was something rarely seen in his entire life. Looking at the still plummeting stock prices, he decided to stop beating around the bush with her.
Xiao Yunhe: “As long as you make Zhang Yu stop continuing to increase the salaries of the Soul Cultivators, we can negotiate any conditions.”
Seeing this message, Bu Yingshu was slightly taken aback. Then, after doing a bit of searching and browsing on the Spirit Realm, an expression of disbelief appeared on her face.
Limitless Salary Increase Authority? Only the Immortal Emperor could approve this, right?
The Immortal Emperor approved the Limitless Salary Increase Authority for Zhang Yu?
Waves of shock surged in Bu Yingshu’s heart, triggering intense contemplation in her mind.
Especially upon seeing Zhang Yu calmly revealing the Limitless Salary Increase Authority in front of the crowd of Upper Cultivators, shouting about the Immortal Emperor’s special permission, and then waving his hand to stir up a storm in the Former Days Graveyard and cause a massive uproar, Bu Yingshu’s feelings at this moment could be described as exceptionally complex.
And the first thing she thought of was naturally Zhang Yu’s relationship with her, as well as the impact this matter would have on herself.
Why did the Immortal Emperor suddenly want to give Zhang Yu such great power? Could it be that he also saw Zhang Yu’s usefulness? Does he want to subjugate Zhang Yu? Snatch him away?
Is this a deliberate suppression of me? To prevent my world-shaking talents from continuing to improve?
Bu Yingshu instantly became deeply worried: Although I have absolutely stunning talents, I am limited by my Immortal Clan identity. I cannot Ascend and become an Immortal, and can only silently accumulate and wait for the right opportunity. But my recent performance in the Martial Arts Pavilion has been too outstanding. Has it already attracted the attention of someone with ulterior motives in the clan, who then reported it to the Immortal Emperor?
Now, the tallest tree in the forest will surely be destroyed by the wind. Was I too hasty? Is it because I failed to hide my clumsiness?
Thinking that Zhang Yu might slip out of her control, that her talents might be suppressed, and adding that Zhang Yu held the secret of her being the Great Sage’s Heir… Bu Yingshu couldn’t help but grow more anxious the more she thought about it.
So she hurriedly went to her father, Bu Yuangui, wanting to ask this Rank 10 Ascension Realm cultivator about the inside story.
Bu Yingshu asked with a trace of hope: “Dad, did you help Zhang Yu get the Limitless Salary Increase Authority?”
Bu Yuangui was originally feeling somewhat emotional about Bu Yingshu’s recent achievements in the Martial Arts Pavilion, but upon hearing his good daughter’s first words, he helplessly sighed: “Yingshu, do you think your dad looks like the Immortal Emperor?”
Bu Yingshu observed him carefully and said earnestly, “There is still a tiny bit of resemblance…”
Bu Yuangui could not hold back a laugh. “You… sigh, Zhang Yu’s Limitless Salary Increase Authority has nothing to do with me.”
Bu Yingshu also sighed and thought to herself, Sigh, sure enough, how could I count on my useless dad for this kind of thing?
Then Bu Yingshu pressed on, “Dad, why do you think Zhang Yu was able to get the Limitless Salary Increase Authority?”
“I paid attention to this matter immediately,” Bu Yuangui analyzed. “According to the reliable intelligence I have gathered, it was initially Fa Liuyuan of the Reformist Faction who applied for this salary increase authority on Zhang Yu’s behalf.”
“They must have seen through the Immortal Emperor’s intentions, using Zhang Yu as the blade to expand the Dharma Realm while treating the Former Days Graveyard as a testing ground for reforms.”
Hearing this, Bu Yingshu suddenly heaved a sigh of relief in her heart and secretly rejoiced, “So that means the Immortal Emperor isn’t suppressing me?”
Then a trace of anger flashed through her heart, and she spoke up, “How could they use Zhang Yu as a weapon? Did they even ask me?”
“And this guy Zhang Yu as well, why didn’t he ask for my opinion at all about such a big matter?”
“Now that his Promotion Accelerator has grown stiff, does he completely disregard me?”
Thinking of this, Bu Yingshu sent a message to Zhang Yu, intending to question him.
Bu Yuangui, who was at the side, understood his good daughter’s temper and said, “Yingshu, Zhang Yu’s status is different now. You can no longer treat him as the lower cultivator he used to be.”
“He was already highly supported by the Reformist Faction, established as a model of reform, and a role model for lower realm cultivators taking the exam to enter the sect.”
“Now he has even been delivered into the hands of the Immortal Emperor by the Reformist Faction, becoming the vanguard of the Dharma Realm’s expansion in the Former Days Graveyard.”
“This time, with his Spirit Transformation cultivation realm, he fought against a group of cultivators including Xiao Yunhe and Xie Lanyin, completely holding his own in a face-to-face confrontation. He pushed the Limitless Salary Increase Authority in his hands to its absolute limit, eventually becoming famous everywhere and a pivotal existence in the Soul Cultivator Industry.”
Bu Yuangui sighed, “Such a talent, especially when he now holds great power, everything he does represents the Immortal Emperor’s will to expand the Dharma Realm. He is a divine sword used by the Immortal Emperor to tear open the Soul Cultivator Industry.”
“As a member of the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan, at this moment you absolutely must not treat him as your subordinate anymore, let alone question him about why he didn’t discuss the Limitless Salary Increase Authority with you…”
Just as Bu Yingshu finished listening to Bu Yuangui’s words, she had also received Zhang Yu’s reply.
Zhang Yu: “Dao Monarch, I originally wanted to report this matter to you immediately, but time was too tight, and my superiors also told me to keep it confidential, which is why I didn’t tell you.”
Zhang Yu: “I will always remember the Dao Monarch’s grace of promotion. If it weren’t for the fact that you, Dao Monarch, are not in the Former Days Graveyard department, the first thing I would have done upon obtaining the salary increase authority would definitely be to increase your salary.”
Looking at the message she sent on Zhang Yu’s behalf, Fu Ji said, “Don’t worry, Zhang Yu. I’ll handle the remote bootlicking of Bu Yingshu for you from now on, guaranteeing to keep her firmly under our control.”
Seeing Zhang Yu nod in satisfaction, Fu Ji sighed in her heart, This kid Zhang Yu, now promoted to the Fifth Rank, holding the Limitless Salary Increase Authority, with the Void Refinement Realm in sight, is no longer the Zhang Yu of the past. I’m afraid he won’t be able to settle down and lower his posture to bootlick Bu Yingshu like before.
But this is exactly my, Fu Ji’s, opportunity. The authority to control Zhang Yu’s account for replies starts right here with Bu Yingshu! Zhang Yu can replicate the Immortal Emperor’s power, and I, Fu Ji, will also replicate Zhang Yu’s power.
Thinking of this, Fu Ji hurriedly asked the Auspicious God, “Auspicious Guy, haven’t you finished writing the message to be sent to Bu Yingshu next?”
The Auspicious God hurriedly sent it over, “I’m done, I’m done, see if this works.”
Fu Ji said, “It still lacks a bit of sincerity, a bit of ingenuity, and a bit of neatness, write ten more examples for me to see.”
Hearing Fu Ji’s words, the Auspicious God didn’t feel tired at all, but rather full of enthusiasm, and he thought to himself, Hehe, who would have thought? Part of the messaging rights of Zhang Yu, who now holds great power, has already fallen into my hands?
Zhang Yu looked at the conversation between Bu Yingshu and his account, and thought to himself, Although my current status is incomparable to the past, Bu Yingshu… still needs to be continually won over.
Zhang Yu knew that this wasn’t just to continue raising his Dao Seed with the other party in the future, but also to borrow Bu Yingshu’s channels to continue enjoying the Immortal Sect Technique testing brought by the Martial Arts Pavilion.
Through this benefit, he could master one or two Immortal Sect Techniques every year, which was a very important and useful benefit for him.
In addition, Zhang Yu understood that Bu Yingshu believed he had grasped the secret of her being the Great Sage’s Heir. If their relationship deteriorated, it could easily lead to unpredictable consequences.
On the other side, Bu Yingshu looked at the messages Zhang Yu replied with one by one. Under the continuous coaxing and flattery of Fu Ji and the Auspicious God, a hint of a smile couldn’t help but appear on her lips.
“Dad is just useless, his analysis is completely wrong,” Bu Yingshu thought to herself. “Zhang Yu was just forced into this. In the end, his heart is still towards me.”
So Bu Yingshu thought about it and simply told Zhang Yu about Xiao Yunhe approaching her for a negotiation.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunhe, having not received a reply from Bu Yingshu for a long time, thought to himself, “Is she giving me the cold shoulder again?”
Just as he was thinking about how to break the stalemate, Xiao Yunhe suddenly realized that he had been pulled into a group chat by Bu Yingshu. In the group, besides the two of them, there was also Zhang Yu.
Bu Yingshu: “You guys talk, I will just watch.”
Xiao Yunhe’s heart stirred: “Letting Zhang Yu step up and negotiate on her behalf? Hmph, if there is credit, it goes to Bu Yingshu. If something goes wrong, it’s all because her subordinate Zhang Yu acted on his own and brought it upon himself. She truly deflects all the blame.”
Zhang Yu: “President Xiao, if you want to talk, please lift the ban first.”
“No problem,” Xiao Yunhe said. “The Former Days Alliance’s ban can be lifted today. This is our sincerity.”
Xiao Yunhe knew very well in his heart that the joint ban issued by the many enterprises of the Former Days Graveyard was already useless against Zhang Yu and the others at this stage. Instead, it was encouraging the Soul Cultivators to stay under Zhang Yu’s banner. This was no longer a joined blockade order, but a suicide order.
Therefore, Xiao Yunhe had already planned to stop the ban, and naturally had no objections to Zhang Yu’s proposal.
Zhang Yu continued, “Then I’ll state the second condition. The White Bone Cult, Netherworld Palace, and the other three major sects must lift their sanctions against us and allow our Soul Cultivators to work.”
“This is not something I can handle,” Xiao Yunhe replied.
“Then report it higher up,” Zhang Yu said. “As long as the sanctions don’t end, we won’t stop increasing salaries. I will keep raising them until all your Soul Cultivator Companies go bankrupt, until you kneel down and beg me to stop.”
“Zhang Yu, don’t be an alarmist here,” Xiao Yunhe retorted. “I don’t believe you can really keep raising salaries indefinitely. You can’t scare us. Moreover, the Immortal Dao Technology barriers we have accumulated in the Soul Cultivator Industry over the years are not so easily broken. Many positions can only be filled by the Soul Cultivators on our side!”
While the two were negotiating, the great war in the Soul Cultivator Industry was still ongoing.
Both Zhang Yu and Xiao Yunhe understood that the negotiations couldn’t possibly yield results in a short time. Fighting while negotiating, and negotiating while fighting, would be the reality moving forward.
At the same time, in order to reduce the loss of their own Soul Cultivators, Xiao Yunhe not only lifted the ban but also stated that they were looking into the possibility of a salary increase, causing many Soul Cultivators who had originally planned to jump ship to temporarily halt their steps.
Especially for the many Soul Cultivators who still had contracts and were already worried about penalty fees, hearing that there was a possibility of a salary increase on Xiao Yunhe’s side, they all waited in eager anticipation.
Aside from this, although the public opinion offensive in the Former Days Graveyard had failed, outside the Minor Realm, Xiao Yunhe and the others hardly had to exert any effort. The public opinion uproar caused by the Limitless Salary Increase Authority was already overwhelmingly disadvantageous for Zhang Yu.
Various sects almost universally held a critical attitude towards Zhang Yu’s wave of salary increase operations.
“Privilege Operations Cause Thousands of Stocks to Plummet? When Will the Barbaric Salary Increases Stop?”
This was from the upper cultivators of the White Bone Cult and the Netherworld Sect, discussing the industry turmoil caused by the salary increases and condemning this behavior.
“Standardized Salary Adjustment is the Bottom Line of the Sects.”
This was cultivators from Vajra and Immortal Soldiers criticizing the Limitless Salary Increase Authority itself.
Even within the Myriad Laws Sect, countless cultivators had many complaints about this round of salary increases.
Of course, the countless Soul Cultivators in the Former Days Graveyard were also trying to put in a good word for Zhang Yu in their own ways.
“When Zhang Yu came, the Soul Cultivators got a salary raise! The Salary King has arrived, and salary suppression is gone!”
“Minister Zhang really treats Soul Cultivators as brothers!”
“Minister Zhang is the incarnation of the Immortal Emperor! The salary raise is the Immortal Emperor’s will!”
But obviously, it was very difficult for the words of these Soul Cultivators to gain an advantage in the arena of public opinion among the major sects outside the Minor Realm. In fact, the more they spread the news of the salary raises, the more it triggered the resentment of many Sect Staff towards Zhang Yu.
At the same time, various impeachments and reports regarding Zhang Yu drifted into the Myriad Laws Sect like snowflakes.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Surveillance Hall’s Vice Hall Master Dugu Ming had already descended upon the Former Days Graveyard at this moment to inspect the situation of Zhang Yu’s salary raises in the Former Days Graveyard.
Dugu Ming knew that although the Immortal Emperor had granted Zhang Yu the Limitless Salary Increase Authority, it did not mean Zhang Yu was free from control, could truly do whatever he wanted, and would not face any consequences.
“The Limitless Salary Increase Authority must still be under the surveillance of the Immortal Emperor.”
Dugu Ming understood that whatever he investigated next in the Former Days Graveyard could become the basis for a future reckoning against Zhang Yu.
“Zhang Yu… is, after all, a cultivator who climbed up from the First Layer of Kunxu. Having been impoverished for many years, suddenly holding the great power to increase salaries, I’m afraid he has more or less gotten himself quite a few benefits.”
As the Vice Hall Master of the Heavenly Surveillance Hall, Dugu Ming knew all too well how strong of an attraction the Limitless Salary Increase Authority could generate under the Aspiration for the Immortal Dao.
Especially since Zhang Yu was able to climb up from a place like the First Layer, his obsession with climbing the Immortal Dao went without saying.
“Only those with a constant salary can climb to the apex of the Immortal Dao.”
“Zhang Yu, let me see what your accumulated thirty years of suppressed salary has erupted into.”