Immortal Dao is dead, I am the mastermind behind it all.

"The deficit in the treasury, the drag on the project, the falsified accounts, the impending execution of the judge... Haha, the heroes of this world are truly as numerous as carp crossing the river."

"Biyang's...Xu Mingxuan, what a Xu Mingxuan."

Shen Moyan was so angry that he laughed.

The key is that he can't run away now, since Xu Mingxuan considers him a member of the Biyang Sword Sect.

Once Shen Moyan's departure from his post is discovered, Xu Mingxuan will immediately try to report Shen Moyan, claiming that he is an undercover agent from the Immortal Daoist lineage.

Shen Moyan couldn't prove his innocence either; his cultivation level was still the "Azure Sun Rising Technique," which was an indisputable fact.

In less than a month, the Department of Justice will come to audit the accounts. Before that person arrives, all departments are prohibited from leaving their posts without permission. Shen Moyan is currently unable to contact Xu Mingxuan and cannot reason with him.

Running away with the money, betraying fellow disciples, and taking the blame for others—are these the disciples of the Biyang Sword Sect? They truly are the stuff of Biyang.

The entire process was meticulously arranged for Shen Moyan. The token from the deputy head of the Construction Department now felt like a red-hot iron, burning Shen Moyan with pain.

Furthermore, Xu Mingxuan was only a deputy head, while the head was Si Xuan Guan, but now he was nowhere to be found. The account books that Shen Moyan had for the past ten years were all written by the deputy head, and the head had disappeared.

For a moment, Shen Moyan had a lot to say but didn't know where to vent it.

"Hmph, do you really think I can't leave?" After thinking for a long time, Shen Moyan snorted coldly.

"There's always a way out; as long as I want to walk, the path is right beneath my feet!"

Shen Moyan suddenly stood up, took the official token, spoke to the other department heads, and turned to leave.

If someone uses their position to leave the Construction Department, can that be considered dereliction of duty?

Moreover, before the one-month deadline, he was a high-ranking official at the Xuan-3 level, and could take kickbacks without restraint.

With the official in office absent, I am the Three Mysteries Incorruptible Official. Who can arrest me? Who dares to arrest me?

Finally, what does He Liang's promise have to do with me, Shen Moyan?

As long as Shen Moyan's original identity remains unexposed and the Nine Songs Seal is removed, he can be free, break free from the official system, and roam the outside world at will.

In short, he didn't lose out.

…………

Kongsang County, Cen family.

An uninvited guest arrived at a renowned merchant family.

"Greetings, Second Uncle." Shen Moyan, dressed in white, was handsome and elegant.

"Zhiyuan, you're not dead? Four years ago I clearly saw your soul lamp go out in the clan hall."

Cen Zhiyuan's second uncle, Cen Gewu, looked at Shen Moyan, whose aura had changed drastically, with disbelief on his face.

How could he have imagined that in just four short years of traveling and trading, Cen Zhiyuan, a mere Qi Gathering Stage 1 cultivator, would actually reach the Transcendent Realm, transforming himself into someone he could only look up to?

Well, it seems his nephew is destined for greatness.

While Cen Gewu's face showed joy, his heart was filled with fear and uncertainty.

He couldn't let Cen Zhihong find out that he had secretly taken Cen's family property.

"Where's your father?" he tried to ask.

"During this trip to Dongshan, we encountered a calamity cultivator, and my father unfortunately perished." Shen Moyan feigned deep sorrow.

"As for me, I encountered a master from the Holy Court while fleeing, and I survived by sheer luck."

"If I had another chance, I would die in battle with my father instead of running away and being a coward."

"Is that so? My condolences." Cen Gewu sighed inwardly. It was fortunate that Cen Zhihong was dead, otherwise the matter of the family property would definitely have been exposed.

"I'm back today because I have a big business deal to make," Shen Moyan said in a low voice.

"Second Uncle, you don't want your secret appropriation of your brother's property to be exposed, do you?"

Shen Moyan has found out in the past two days that Cen Gewu is a good entry point if he wants to make contact with the head of the Cen clan.

Cen Gewu is capable and efficient, managing the business affairs in an orderly manner, making him a strong candidate for the next head of the family.

Therefore, his reputation within the clan is extremely important when electing a new head of the family in the future.

"What do you mean?" Cen Gewu's heart skipped a beat.

"I want to see the head of the family," Shen Moyan said, enunciating each word clearly.

…………

The Cen family's main hall was magnificent, with gold bricks paving the floor and the reflections of glazed lamps on the pillars.

"Patriarch Cen, the Fire Melting Beads from last time were of good quality."

"Oh, not at all, it's truly an honor for the Cen family to have Master Xu come in person!" Cen Jing, the head of the family, directed his servants to hurriedly brew tea for Shen Moyan.

Shen Moyan was dressed in the official robes of the Holy Court, and the token of the deputy chief at his waist gleamed brightly. The concealment talisman was also constantly operating, making him appear as a seasoned official.

With a flick of his finger, the tea in the cup transformed into a stream of clear spring water, which he then inhaled, filling the air with its aroma.

"Enough with the small talk. I'm here today to deepen our cooperation with your Cen family." Shen Moyan remained calm, trying his best to maintain his aloof persona.

Shen Moyan used his identity as "Cen Zhiyuan" to climb up to "Xu Mingxuan," the deputy director of the Construction Department.

Even if Xu Mingxuan wanted to report it, he would have to first disrupt his shared interests with the Cen family.

"What kind of business is this?"

"The items on the list must be gathered within a month." Shen Moyan placed a scroll on the table and handed it to the other person.

Cen Jing's gaze swept over the scroll. At first, it seemed normal, but then his brows furrowed and his pupils contracted sharply. His palms were soaked with cold sweat.

"Peach wood that has rotted for a thousand years, incense ash carrying the scent of death, an abandoned infant whose resentment has condensed into dark, foul water..."

What does the Construction Bureau need this kind of demonic object for?

"The Demon-Suppressing Division of Kongsang County has damaged its demon-sealing array, and the materials needed for repairs are urgently required," Shen Moyan explained, noticing Cen Jing's confusion.

"If this matter is successful within a month, I guarantee that the Cen family will be a good partner for the Construction Department of Kongsang County. In the future, the Cen family will be the department's first choice for procurement."

"This..." Cen Jing's breathing became rapid.

This is the immense wealth of the Cen family!

"Master Xu, don't worry, I guarantee that within a month... no, within twenty days! Not a single item on this list will be missing." Cen Jing patted his chest, his tone resolute.

"I will have Cen Zhiyuan take it to the Construction and Maintenance Department to make the arrangements."

"Very well, I await your news."

Shen Moyan didn't linger and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the distance.

"Master, how did the talks go?" Cen Gewu rushed in from outside the hall.

"Where is Cen Zhiyuan?"

"He's cultivating in the side room."

"Call him here after we get through customs."

Cen Gewu looked puzzled. Had the negotiations failed? But the patriarch's happy expression suggested the outcome.

"Call him over and reward him! Give him a generous reward!" Cen Jing was overjoyed.

"I want to put a separate page for him in the family genealogy!"

"The Construction Bureau and the Demon Suppression Bureau—as long as we maintain good relations with these two institutions, my Cen family will enjoy a thousand years of good fortune!"

"The Demon Suppression Division?!" Cen Gewu exclaimed in surprise.

The Demon Suppression Division is an organization that only obeys the Holy Court headquarters and has law enforcement power across states. Even a state governor does not have the authority to order them around.

They are the most violent institution in the Holy Court, and they once served under the Xuanhuang Emperor.

The fact that the Cen family could even associate with the Demon Suppression Division is incredibly lucky.

At the same time, using the Turtle Breathing Technique and Concealment Technique, Shen Moyan secretly slipped back into the Cen family's side room and disguised himself as Cen Zhiyuan.

Listening to the sounds coming from the main hall of the Cen family, he couldn't help but smile slyly.

"The plan went smoothly and yielded good results."

He profited from both sides, wielding power through connections with both officials and businessmen, and acting arbitrarily and tyrannically.

Shen Moyan wanted to squeeze out as much residual value as possible before the people from the Department of Justice arrived, to make a little more profit before leaving.

As for the materials needed to repair the Demon Suppression Division, they were naturally in short supply within the division. However, the list was simply expanded to include a tiny amount of items for the Heavenly Demon Ritual that Shen Moyan required.