Chapter 254: What Does the Demon Cult Lack the Most?
When Young Master Sang arrived at the branch company at noon, the high-ranking officials were already waiting in the deputy sect leader’s office. Tang Yubbing, Yan Rouwan, and Meng Qiyan had been here early, eagerly anticipating Young Master Sang’s arrival.
The moment Meng Qiyan saw Young Master Sang, her beautiful eyes looked a bit resentful as she mumbled, “Sleeping until noon, huh? Looks like you had a great time playing with Sister Gu and Little Ying last night.”
Young Master Sang shamelessly replied, “There’s a spot for you tonight too.”
Meng Qiyan was left speechless, turning red and quickly averting her gaze.
Tang Yubbing cleared her throat, glancing sideways at the giggling Yan Rouwan before turning to Young Master Sang, “You’re just in time. We’re discussing the next cargo escort and would like to hear your thoughts—”
“How are the injuries of the company staff from the last transport?” Young Master Sang suddenly inquired.
“They’re fine. The Holy Kingdom doesn’t know our true strength, so they didn’t dare to kill. The injuries are just minor expenses,” she replied.
Young Master Sang nodded, “Get the best medicine for the brothers, and the company will cover all costs. Each brother gets an additional bonus—the more serious the injury, the bigger the payout.”
“The Floating Splendor Commerce will transfer the funds to the company account soon. Don’t be stingy; hand it all out to the brothers.”
“This is a good opportunity to expand our Demon Cult’s hospital. Hire a few alchemists and doctors at high salaries; as long as they’re suitable, we can offer treatments based on the level of a deputy department head.”
“Also, communicate with the Heavenly Punishment Department—raise their salaries and profit sharing by 50%. If there’s any casualties during the next cargo mission, the company will cover all expenses. If any brothers unfortunately fall in battle, the company will support their families.”
After hearing Young Master Sang’s lavish talk, Tang Yubbing looked at him in surprise, “How much did you milk from Floating Splendor Commerce this time?”
Young Master Sang thought for a moment and replied, “I didn’t count.”
He really hadn’t counted, but it was definitely more than all of the Demon Cult’s revenue over the past two years combined. The brothers from the Heavenly Punishment Department had slaved for two years, but they could earn more pretending to be playthings for rich women. It’s just unfair!
“But we can discuss this later,” Yan Rouwan said, propping her head up with a dreamy gaze fixed on Young Master Sang. “But in the next confrontation with the Holy Kingdom, we still don’t have much confidence.”
“I know,” Young Master Sang said calmly.
What the Demon Cult lacked the most was still manpower. Not just the basic staff at the Foundation Building and Golden Core stages, but also high-tier cultivators like Meng Qiyan, Yan Rouwan, and even Master Yu Xia.
Currently, the entire Demon Cult had only Tang Yubbing and three Elders at the Harmonization Stage, along with a few exceptional fighters like Meng Qiyan, who could match Harmonization Stage warriors.
If we exclude Master Yu Xia, there wasn’t even a single one at the Crossing Tribulation Stage.
Although Sect Leader Hua Jianglian had reached the Ascendant Stage to help the Demon Cult stand firm, the vacancies for middle to high-level cultivators remained the main issue.
“If it really comes to it…” Tang Yubbing hesitated before saying, “Let me and the sect leader personally step in. Otherwise, we won’t have anyone else available.”
“Not advisable,” Young Master Sang shook his head.
“The sect leader is at the Ascendant Stage. We shouldn’t let her step in unless the other side has an Ascendant Stage peerless cultivator out.
“Don’t forget; they have three Ascendant Stage cultivators. If the sect leader steps in, it would give them an excuse to send their Ascendant cultivators to battle.
“By then, it won’t just be a simple matter of interests; we could spin into the biggest war in the cultivation world in decades.”
“An open conflict would only bring us harm and wouldn’t align with our Demon Cult’s style.”
“What should we do then?” Meng Qiyan frowned, “In the end, we don’t have anywhere to find that many Harmonization and Crossing Tribulation Stage cultivators in the short term.”
“We really don’t have that many high-level cultivators.”
Suddenly, Young Master Sang broke into a smile.
Seeing his expression, Yan Rouwan quickly put her hand over her mouth and giggled, “Looks like our head of the Punishment Department has thought up a mischievous plan?”
“Hey, don’t say it like that! It’s called a clever strategy.”
Young Master Sang explained with a mysterious tone, “Indeed, we currently lack manpower, and our comrades at Floating Splendor Commerce can provide us with useless hired cultivators.”
“But what does our Demon Cult have in excess?”
The three women exchanged glances, confused.
“Enemies!”
Young Master Sang grinned brightly. “Don’t forget, the territory our branch is occupying has a lot of people eyeing it with envy.”
“Sister Yubbing, are the Pond Fish Sect and Floating Feather Temple still causing trouble?”
“Ah?” Tang Yubbing was taken aback by the unexpected question, taking a moment to process before responding, “Occasionally, we still encounter some minor disturbances and friction from those two sects.
“But it’s just petty squabbles. Ever since our Demon Cult was elevated to a holy site, those two have been too afraid to openly confront us. They only try to undermine us with some sneaky tactics on the side, which is annoying but harmless, like persistent flies.”
“But… why do you ask this?” Tang Yubbing looked puzzled.
“Well, naturally, I’m thinking of having our lovely neighbors help share the pressure!” Young Master Sang’s smile radiated sunny optimism.
But those who knew him well understood that whenever he wore such a smile, it usually meant someone was about to have a rough time.
“What do you plan to do?” Tang Yubbing asked curiously.
“That’s a secret that cannot be revealed.” Young Master Sang feigned mystery, “Sister Yubbing, just rest assured. With my silver tongue, I guarantee these neighbors will shoulder at least the pressure from three Crossing Tribulation practitioners of the Holy Kingdom for us.”
“There are only four lines of cargo total. I’ll take charge of the last line, bringing our top cultivators along. Why should we fear a tiny Holy Kingdom?”
Though Tang Yubbing still eyed him skeptically, she was also aware that ever since her little brother joined the Punishment Department, he had never let her down.
It felt reassuring to hear him say, “Sister Yubbing, don’t worry.”
“Okay then…”
“But even so, we still need to plan this meticulously.”
The remaining tasks were merely the specific details.
By evening, a detailed plan was finally laid out.
“Phew… End of the day!” Young Master Sang stretched, yawning as he followed Meng Qiyan and Yan Rouwan out of the office.
Suddenly, Tang Yubbing called him back from behind.
“Hey, do you mind if I tag along for dinner tonight?”
Seeing Tang Yubbing’s hesitant expression, Young Master Sang was a bit confused but nodded.
“Sure! If Sister Yubbing visits, it’ll surely brighten up my humble abode.”
“Thanks, brother~”
Tang Yubbing flashed a sweet and enchanting smile.
Yet hidden in her eyes was a hint of hesitation.
