Chapter 1039: Preventing Fraud

"How can justice be abandoned just because one fears offending a single person?" Empress Wang was deeply displeased.

Zhu Qiyu was also displeased, feeling that Empress Wang disregarded the bigger picture and failed to understand him.

The Emperor and Empress parted in silence.

Yet the entire nation remained joyful.

More than half of the imperial court officials chuckled foolishly along; only a few realized that from this point onward, the heavens had changed.

The power of Xuanxue appeared openly before the people; Pan Yun's prestige reached its peak, and henceforth, she would be a divine presence in Great Ming.

After this, Pan Yun no longer needed to worry about Seeing Miao Zhen and the other two.

With Pan Yun's public Tribulation Crossing, another gate to the world slowly opened before the eyes of all.

Pan Yun's first act was to order the Daoist Registry to produce a nationwide newspaper and compile a handbook.

"Summon officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and the Buddhist Registry. Collaboratively compile an Anti-Scam Handbook—use plain, accessible language so even a seven-year-old just learning to read, or an eighty-year-old with dementia, can understand it."

The Daoist Registry's Chief Seal: "What?"

Pan Yun lowered her gaze and gave him a cold glance: "Do you not know what kind of people we are? As the saying goes, when prosperity peaks, decline follows. To make something perish, first drive it mad. If you do not wish the imperial court to eradicate Daoism, you must now enforce restraint—fraud and deception must be prevented, not merely lamented after the fact."

The Chief Seal swallowed hard: "Master, we lack manpower..."

Pan Yun said: "The Ministry of Personnel has long resented the Daoist and Buddhist Registry for maintaining ghost employees."

The Chief Seal immediately changed his tone: "I'll prepare at once."

Pan Yun stopped him: "Daoists and Buddhists have long been ranked among the lowest classes; public perception of them has always been polarized—many are virtuous, yet many more hide filth and corruption. I have no intention of removing them from the lowest class, but I refuse to let them sink into universal hatred."

"Ultimately, our cultivation is not only about refining the body, but the heart. I can slay demonic evils—and I can slay human hearts."

The Chief Seal felt Pan Yun's threat and immediately pledged he would strictly manage all Daoist temples and never allow anyone to exploit the name of Daoist temples or Daoist Priests to defraud the people.

"But... Daoist arts are unpredictable. Even we ourselves sometimes struggle to distinguish true Daoist arts from false ones—what then?"

"How many things in this world actually require Daoist arts?" Pan Yun said. "Except for the rare cases of capturing ghosts, expelling demons, or eliminating malevolent spirits—which demand great magic power and may cost one's life—all other practices, such as blessing, guiding the dead, or soothing spirits, are mutually beneficial: those who truly expend magic power benefit their patrons and also gain magic power and merit in return. Beyond that, Daoist disciples earn more through psychological counseling and comfort, don't they?"

They were all insiders; no need to hide anything.

The Chief Seal's brow twitched; since Pan Yun had spoken so plainly, he replied frankly: "Master, mental illness is still illness. Our few words are worth more than any fine medicine—and no bitter herbs to swallow. Is that not better?"

Pan Yun nodded: "That's good. I agree with your view, Chief Seal. But among the common folk, Buddhist and Daoist practitioners are mixed—many are frauds. So, when you write the Anti-Scam Handbook, also set a price range."

The Chief Seal stared blankly: "What?"

Pan Yun: "A healthy industry must regulate prices. Feng shui and geomancy vary in difficulty—establish clear price tiers. For blessings, exorcisms, and mental healing, I don't care about private tips or if some Daoist Priests, moved by compassion, give half-price or free services. But if anyone seeks profit, they may only charge within this set range. Most importantly, the public must know the value they receive lies within this range."

The Chief Seal's face lit up with understanding: "Even if they're cheated, there's a limit—they won't be endlessly scammed."

Pan Yun looked at him: "You're clever. Can you then eliminate fraud entirely?"

The Chief Seal grinned: "Only if there were no people—and first to vanish would be the lords above."

That was true—even she would have to vanish.

Pan Yun rose and said: "I entrust this to you, Chief Seal. Inform the Buddhist Registry's Good World Master to restrain the monks and nuns. Aside from the new rules I've added, no new regulations or personnel are permitted for either Buddhist or Daoist institutions. The world belongs to all people—don't force me to advise Your Majesty to eradicate Buddhism and Daoism."