Otherworldly Affairs Office-Chapter 628: Moving In Turmoil (Seeking Subscription)

Gong Xiu Jie smiled with a composed air, saying, "You all might not know, but the plaque upon entering here clearly states 'Three Sages Residence'. This place was constructed by the Immortal Palace to host guests from the other three primary planes, with each plane having its own compound. As for this Keystone Plane, there's never been a precedent of attendance at such gatherings, nor is it known if there will be in the future, hence the absence of an expansion for a separate compound."

"So, does that mean we don't even have a place to stay?" Pei Yan, standing amidst the crowd and scrutinizing the courtyard's layout while tracing the door frame with his hand, leaned over and interjected with a grin.

Even though Gong Xiu Jie internally disdained and was extremely discontent with Pei Yan's audacious interruption in the elders' conversation, given his esteemed pedigree and belief in his superior upbringing, he suppressed the urge to rebuke him directly, forcing a smile as he explained, "How could that be? Since your group has been invited, we've made special arrangements for you."

"Might I ask, Immortal Master, what arrangements have been made?" Pei Yan pressed further.

At this point, displeasure crept into Gong Xiu Jie's expression as his gaze flicked towards the high-ranking cultivators in the inquiry hall. Observing their tacit compliance with Pei Yan's overstepping, he inwardly cursed them as a disorderly rabble, then dropped his smile and replied coldly, "Outside Chongren Square, we have booked an entire inn for your stay."

"Outside Chongren Square?" Pei Yan stepped forward, swaying his head teasingly, "If I recall correctly, we are currently in Chongren Square, aren't we? So, you mean after leading us here to admire the sights, you'll tell us this isn't our lodging and then guide us out the way we came to find accommodations elsewhere?"

"What's the problem with that? Our sect has always adhered to a hierarchy in order, unlike some lesser paths that conduct affairs in a disorderly and erratic manner. The cultivators of the Hell Realm have close ties with us, and so I naturally arranged their resting place first before considering other miscellaneous matters."

Hearing Gong Xiu Jie's unmasked sarcasm, Pei Yan turned to his friends behind him and remarked mockingly, "Look! Listen to that talk about being so close to us! Outsiders who don't know might even think it was the Daoist Realm powers who fought tooth and nail in the Hell Plane these past five years!"

"Hahaha!" Pei Yan's words immediately drew laughter from the inquiry hall members, who gazed at the Guiding Disciples with mocking provocation in their eyes.

"Silence your noise here!" Gong Xiu Jie admonished, his face flushing from Pei Yan's piercing words, as he restrained a junior brother about to lash out, then turned to Elder Lin in the lead with a bow, retaliating, "Honorable seniors of the inquiry hall, I've treated you with respect seeing your profound cultivation, yet your disciples behave so unruly here. Will you not restrain them? Or is the Keystone Plane's inquiry hall truly such a place devoid of rules?"

"Oh dear, resorting to getting the elders involved, are we? No need to rush! Immortal Master Gong, I'm unclear about two things. If you could enlighten me, I'd willingly accept my family elders' punishment. First, you mentioned the esteemed sect always maintains an order of hierarchy, but which value is most esteemed in your plane?" Pei Yan bowed deeply in a salutation, smiling as he inquired. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Ignorant junior, how can you lack such basic teaching, even from your elders? Naturally, it is age, and strength that are esteemed!" a female Daoist behind Gong Xiu Jie sneered.

"Well then, if it's just about age, even combined, we can't compare to these old tortoises." Pei Yan's reply again brought a chuckle from his friends. Before Gong Xiu Jie and others could react, he bowed again, inquiring, "May I ask, Immortal Master, what if we are unwilling to stay at your arranged inn?"

"Hehehe!" Gong Xiu Jie chuckled coldly, nodding, "If you have the capability to make those residing here voluntarily vacate, you may stay! If not, and our arranged place does not meet your satisfaction, then please find your own lodging. However, should the eccentric appearance of you all cause city innkeepers to refuse you and you end up camping outside, do not blame us for not being hospitable enough!"

"This courtyard is quite large. My race doesn't require so many rooms to stay, I'm willing to give up half to share with the inquiry hall's esteemed members." Xila who had been watching, realised it was time to state her position and immediately spoke up in support of Pei Yan, landing a metaphorical slap on Gong Xiu Jie's face.

"This!" Gong Xiu Jie's expression immediately darkened upon hearing this. However, he couldn't find anything unreasonable to say, as the inquiry hall had aided them in battles for years; the Demon Race's gesture could be seen as returning a favor. How could he counter a voluntary offer?

Unexpectedly, Pei Yan smiled warmly and declined, "Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Xila. Unfortunately, I'm used to living alone in a pampered, solitary manner, and I'm unable to change that annoying habit!" Then, looking at Gong Xiu Jie, he confirmed again, "Immortal Master Gong, you said it, right? That it doesn't matter what method we use, as long as those in this courtyard voluntarily make room, we can move in? Surely, you won't renege on your word?"

Feeling the sting of being outwitted and pondering how to regain face, Gong Xiu Jie noticed Pei Yan's stubbornness in not taking the metaphorical olive branch and became intrigued. In a moment of impetuousness, he spoke without restraint, "Naturally, if you possess the strength to convince others to willingly vacate for you, then this place is yours to use."

"Why didn't you just say that earlier and save us all some time! Old Jiang, Brother Wang! Let's go pick a room!" Pei Yan chuckled coldly as he turned around to leave, having gotten exactly what he'd wanted to hear.

Gong Xiu Jie stood there, dumbfounded as the entire group from the inquiry hall, led by an unknown character, turned and headed out. This was the Daoist Plane, home to elite figures from all four destinations, and it was for this reason he dared to engage in witty banter, assuming that the inquiry hall from a weaker plane wouldn't dare stir trouble and had to adhere to his whims.

His actions were not merely personal intention, as his sect elders had silently instructed him to suppress the rising prominence of the Keystone Plane over the years, to teach them the order of seniority and respect among the four major planes.

Yet, after tolerating the earlier provocations, why did they act on this provocation at the last moment when they should have endured? Could it be they truly dared to cause trouble at other compounds?

"Young man, cherish your current peaceful days while they last, as misfortune is about to begin." Samikina walked past the stunned Gong Xiu Jie, feeling an irrepressible schadenfreude, and patted his shoulder, offering this advice before joyfully leaving with her leader Xila to watch the fun.

Something's not right! The intentional leniency from the inquiry hall's higher-ups and the attitude of the Demons aren't right! Even though the Disaster Legion's invasion led to their decline, would any of the four major planes with their high regard for status truly humble themselves to collaborate with a weaker Keystone Plane, or was there something I missed? With this on his mind, Gong Xiu Jie didn't hesitate further, hurriedly leading his men in pursuit.