Chapter 709: with translation of chapter title

He Yun scanned the surroundings, found no one else offering advice, and said, "Then the matter of going to Luohuang Zhou to open a mine this time will be handed over to Lian Dan Tang Yan Buji to handle."

"Yes, I will certainly not disappoint the Sect's expectations!"

"Besides that, the Luohuang Zhou mining project will be split into two parts: Yan Buji will handle the mining affairs, and we will select a group of Elders to go over for security. Each Hall should nominate at least one person."

"Yes." The surrounding Elders nodded, likely to scramble again once back in their own halls.

Yan Buji stepped forward and said, "Sect Master, I have a matter to report."

"Speak."

Seeing Yan Buji step forward at this moment, the Hall Masters and Elders around him looked a bit puzzled.

"Yes." Yan Buji clasped his hands and said, "Sect Master, handling the mining affairs is rather complicated; I fear I cannot manage alone. How about having the experienced Elder Li Wan Hua come to assist me?"

Li Wan Hua was taken aback by the words and looked at Yan Buji.

What does he mean?

"If Hall Master Li leaves, who will be responsible for the Wai Mao Tang affairs?"

"The Wai Mao Tang matters now only require a step‑by‑step approach, but the mining task may involve many difficulties. I fear I have the will but lack the strength to fulfill the Sect's mission alone, so if Hall Master Li can assist me, that would naturally be best," Yan Buji said with a smile.

He Yun nodded and looked at Li Wan Hua, "What does Hall Master Li intend to do?"

"I am willing to go! I will spare no effort to assist Hall Master!" Li Wan Hua was startled, then hurriedly said.

He originally intended to vie for the chance to go to Luohuang Zhou to open a mine; just now Yan Buji dismissed him, and now he comes to help, leaving him unable to understand what he really plans to do.

"Since that's the case, Hall Master Li will go to Luohuang Zhou together with Yan Buji. After the others have completed their nominations, the timing will be set for six months from now!"

"I will faithfully follow the Sect Master's command!"

After leaving the Sect's main hall, Li Wan Hua intended to go find Yan Buji to ask about the situation, but he was surrounded by a crowd as he left, making it impossible to find an opportunity.

Elder Long Yuan from the Transmission Hall walked over, looking puzzled at Li Wan Hua, "What are you looking at here?"

"Nothing." Li Wan Hua shook his head, "I just don't know why Yan Buji spoke up."

"You lack ability, but Hall Master has plenty of generosity and intends to take you along," Long Yuan said with a smile.

Li Wan Hua nodded, but suddenly sensed something off: "How can someone at the Nascent Soul stage…?"

"Hahaha, the Sect Master has always prioritized ability; otherwise, among all the Transformation God and Refining Void Elders, why pick Yan Buji? What do you think the reason is?"

Li Wan Hua pursed his lips, "Isn't it because the Ancestor values him..."

"Is that not enough? If the Ancestor values him, the Sect Master can entrust him with heavy responsibilities and he can accomplish them. Honestly, unless you have a life‑and‑death feud with him, what else could you possibly do to him?"

Li Wan Hua sighed and left helplessly.

On the other side.

Having confirmed that Yan Buji obtained the qualification to go to Luohuang Zhou to oversee mining, the Elders and Hall Masters connected to him were naturally overjoyed.

"Everyone, meet at the bustling tavern in Long Qi Cheng!"

"Ohhh!!"

Yan Buji was surrounded and brought to Long Qi Cheng; upon entering the tavern he went up to a private room on the third floor, and it seemed they had already prepared.

Yan Buji naturally knew what they intended: they had already prepared the resources needed for the early mining stage, just waiting for him to allocate them.

At the table, Yan Buji toasted with everyone, drinking heartily.

"Hall Master, may I ask, what is your plan for the mining?"

"The Sect Master has not yet told me about Luohuang Zhou's situation, so we still have to wait. Isn't there still half a year? Everyone might as well start some early preparations," Yan Buji said with a smile.

Zhou Wan'an, well‑informed, flushed after drinking, laughed, "The situation in Luohuang Zhou isn't hard to learn about."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"After the demon‑race war, the local demons of Luohuang Zhou were either killed or captured; only a small fraction are on the run, and they certainly dare not stay within Luohuang Zhou's borders. The demon‑court cultivators will definitely take over Luohuang Zhou's administration, so now we just need to know some of the demon‑court cultivators' habits."

Yan Buji nodded; although demon‑court cultivators can be seen everywhere in Zhong Tian Zhi Yu, he has never communicated with them normally, so he does not know their temperaments.

"It seems Hall Master Zhou has studied demon‑court cultivators quite a bit; could you give some guidance?" Yan Buji said with a smile.

"Eh." Zhou Wan'an waved his hand, "Hall Master's words aren't really a secret; first, their pronunciation and word order are a bit strange, which is understandable since they're demons."

"Secondly, regarding their customs, demons aren't all belligerent; there are many neutral ones. This group basically doesn't want to provoke anyone, living on their own territory and not wishing to be disturbed. Originally, the demon forces in Luohuang Zhou were like that."

It seems the demon court issued some command they couldn't accept, leading to rebellion; but for Yan Buji, just keeping a watchful eye will suffice.

The Sect's affairs keep him so busy that he has no mind to deal with demon matters.

Besides, he lacks the strength and resources.

"Regarding the demon‑court's customs, I recall each great region's demon court differs. The Zhong Tian Zhi Yu demon court coexists peacefully with humans, having festivals similar to human ones, but their festivals are somewhat… primitive."

"Primitive?"

"For example, on the first day of each month they hold a ceremony where demon‑court cultivators from various clans duel, with a high casualty rate. Then on the fifteenth day of the seventh month is the demon‑court's biggest Celebration of Heaven."

"Celebration of Heaven?"

Yan Buji pressed his chin, and as Zhou Wan'an described, the others gained a slight understanding of the demon‑court's customs and culture.

Considering he will go to Luohuang Zhou in half a year and will inevitably deal with the local demon forces, Yan Buji listened fairly attentively.

After the banquet ended, Yan Buji returned to the Sect's Lian Dan Tang.

After a while.

Huang Ji suddenly approached, quietly handed Yan Buji a jade slip, "Hall Master, the information you requested."

"Hmm, well done."

"Hall Master, after you leave this time we will promptly retake control of the Wai Mao Tang affairs," Huang Ji said with a smile.

"Whether you can turn things around depends on how well you manage it yourselves," Yan Buji smiled.

Yan Buji isn't kindly trying to bring Li Wan Hua along to get rich; he has his sights on the Wai Mao Tang.

Although Yan Buji doesn't know what makes Li Wan Hua willingly give up Wai Mao Tang's benefits to run to Luohuang Zhou, since he wants to go, Yan Buji's earlier words were meant to test Li Wan Hua.

It seems he must go.