Chapter 5

Chapter Five

Amidst the chaos, Qin Juan stood unmoved.

The flashing blades and clashing swords illuminated the great hall as if it were broad daylight.

Outside the hall, the disciples listened intently to the commotion within, watching the spiritual light that brightened the sky, some even placing bets on whether their sect leader would emerge alive.

Long Langbai sat trembling in place, wishing he could crawl behind Qin Juan, whose majestic figure surely could protect him. As magical instruments and talisman papers brushed past his scalp, those aware knew the sect leaders were fighting in a fit of rage; those unaware might have thought they intended to kill him out of spite.

Clutching the Palace Lord’s order tightly, Long Langbai held onto his last shred of confidence.

“Qin… Qin Juan… what should we do?”

What to do? Naturally, just watch and see.

This was a pleasant surprise—unexpectedly, it sparked infighting among the higher-ups. The already fragile small faction instantly scattered like loose sand, even stabbing each other in the back.

Qin Juan took a sip of bitter tea, easing her dry tongue. Even though they stabbed each other, they avoided the vital points.

They were putting on a show for her.

The time was right. Qin Juan set down her cup and stood.

“Everyone, please don’t rush. The young master has no intention of pursuing this matter.”

The crowd fell silent.

Then what was the point of the fight? Team-building exercises to loosen up?

Qin Juan said, “Seeing all the sect leaders like a close family, the future of the Demon Palace is certainly promising.”

Which eye had seen them as a close family?

The system asked, “Has the host’s vision still not returned to normal?”

Pei Yan released the grip on Yanyue’s neck, dusting off his sleeve, trying to clear his name.

Yanyue smiled faintly, striking first: “Wasn’t the security of the Y-Class Old Mine last month your responsibility, Pei Sect Leader?”

Pei Yan jumped up in anger. “I was injured! How could I be responsible? That old dog from the Saint Slaughter Sect drugged me and ambushed me when I wasn’t prepared. If not for my brothers, the old mine wouldn’t have been stolen!”

“Young Master! Young Master, please judge fairly! Yanyue! We are sworn enemies!” Pei Yan shouted loudly, about to grab Long Langbai’s arm.

Long Langbai darted swiftly behind Qin Juan, casually slipping the Palace Lord’s order into her hand. “Pei Sect Leader, speak properly. Don’t rush. Justice lies in the hearts of the people!”

The situation in the hall was clear. Pei Yan had been there the shortest time, was closest to Long Langbai, and had average relations with the other sect leaders. He was a loyalist. As for the others—

Some sought to establish their own factions; some freeloaded and wasted time; others had secretive dealings with outsiders…

Such a flat organizational structure of the Demon Palace had been twisted into an imperial harem intrigue by these seven.

“Yes, let’s speak properly,” Yanyue added.

Pei Yan’s eyes reddened with frustration, tears nearly spilling.

Speak properly? How could that be?

He had just made a small scheme, got injured, and sought benefits for himself and his comrades. Now that he hadn’t gained anything, the blame was thrown on him.

Qin Juan averted her gaze, indifferent to the chaos before her, waiting for the overwhelmed Long Langbai to handle it himself.

But Long Langbai was only fourteen—not the man to manage such a scene.

The system said, “Host, I think Pei Yan is telling the truth.”

Qin Juan knew Pei Yan was honest. Born into a humble family, he once earned favor with the Dàróng royal family but betrayed them for unknown reasons. Stranded, he came to the Demon Domain and was taken in by the former Palace Lord.

For the next ten years, he was the Demon Palace’s most diligent dog. Reviewing the palace’s financial records, among seven sect leaders handling ten tasks, Pei Yan was responsible for eight, and likely helped with half of the remaining two.

Talented but low-born, hardworking to prove his worth but often lacking skill. Such people often became pawns for higher-ups, endlessly striving yet never rising, stuck in the middle, taking abuse, blaming bad luck.

A loyal workhorse with no glory but much hardship. The best way to manage such a person was to slap him and then offer a sweet reward; he’d believe his efforts were appreciated and remain grateful.

The system warned, “Host, for your health and safety, be cautious as a newcomer. You’ve lost your cultivation; be careful not to get beaten.”

At this moment, the other sect leaders began siding with Pei Yan. “Young Master, Pei Sect Leader speaks the truth. It was an accident. Please don’t pursue this too far and harm the harmony.”

Qin Juan, the invisible mastermind, nodded seriously, agreeing with them.

Now that the infighting was over, it was time to unite against her.

Long Langbai pushed the Palace Lord’s order into her hand again.

Qin Juan finally spoke. “Everyone, here’s the situation. I’m acting on the young master’s behalf. The issues mentioned are only partial—”

The six other sect leaders fell silent. Only Pei Yan stopped crying and suddenly turned to his colleagues, “Who else is hiding something?”

The others twitched their brows.

Heh! You just spoke for Pei Yan, and now you’re adding fuel to the fire?

Nerves tightened again, fearing Qin Juan would expose something worse.

Qin Juan picked up some papers on the table. “These aren’t important. What matters is, before the Palace Lord returns, we must settle the accounts, at least break even. The young master will take over the Demon Palace and more than anyone hopes it will reach new heights.”

A succession of flattering remarks made Long Langbai almost lose his footing.

“Therefore, the young master has decided to implement reforms in the Demon Palace.”

All eyes turned to Long Langbai.

So it was you, ungrateful brat, wanting to clean house among the old stalwarts? And you brought in this unknown troublemaker to legitimize it?

Long Langbai forced a smile. If he didn’t discipline the old guard, when his grandmother returned, it would be him who got disciplined.

...

Silence. Still silence.

In the past six months, Grandmother Long often secluded herself in meditation, and Long Langbai spent more time managing the Demon Palace. But no matter how he managed, it was all for show. Why the sudden push to work?

In the Demon Domain, most leaders were absentee managers; various forces were scattered, only caring for their own interests. The Demon Palace had mines and resources, attracting people solely for that. Nobody wanted to work seriously.

As for those brought here?

Just don’t cause trouble. The Demon Palace offers a path to leave, but in five centuries, how many have truly escaped and cleansed their names?

Those who come to the Demon Domain are doomed never to have a clean future, not even knowing how long they have to live.

Here, everyone is just killing time. Why work so hard? One day at a time, uncertain of tomorrow, death is just a rotten life. Who cares about rotting away in this hellish place?

Such was the mindset of everyone here.

What was Qin Juan planning?

“According to the young master’s instructions, reforms in management, increasing production efficiency, innovation, and creative output must be prioritized to secure a foothold in the increasingly fierce market competition. Now, I ask all sect leaders to align their granularities and form a simple consensus to prepare for next quarter’s tasks.”

Long Langbai wanted to deny saying this, but recalling his unfinished tasks, he could only nod through tears, admitting he was the ruthless, despicable boss.

The system asked, “Host, what is granularity?”

Qin Juan ignored the system and continued, “Of course, the young master also devised a series of wise and powerful reward and promotion systems. In seven days, the management will hold the next weekly meeting to review your reports on past work and plans for next quarter and establish detailed Demon Palace management regulations.”

“This includes business line understanding and analysis, talent team building concepts, business ideas and strategic predictions, as well as your next quarter’s business directions and performance expectations. I will assess performance based on your OKR completion—that is, comparing your report content with actual achievements—as the basis for annual ratings. Those rated A will receive benefits including but not limited to mining dividends, spirit stone rewards, and magical artifact prizes.”

“Any questions? If none, meeting adjourned.”

Pei Yan: “I have a question.”

The first time Qin Juan saw an employee raise a question at the meeting’s close.

Qin Juan: “…Speak.”

She glanced at the time, hoping Pei Yan wouldn’t waste her precious moments. Given the current state of this makeshift team, she reluctantly allowed a little leeway.

“What happens if we don’t complete the tasks you mentioned?” Pei Yan asked.

“It won’t matter,” Qin Juan said.

The system pressed, “So what exactly will happen?”

A cold glint flashed in Qin Juan’s dark eyes. “Nothing will happen,” she said again.

It was just that, under the system, next quarter’s performance targets would double, and year-end bonuses would halve. Nothing significant. Nothing at all.

Yet Pei Yan sensed an ominous aura, feeling doomed. Still, considering the other leaders’ years of slacking, he had a good chance to come out on top this round. If he could become the young master’s confidant, his future would be much smoother.

But Qin Juan’s words weren’t the final say, even if she was the young master’s specially appointed expert.

He would never let this parachuted-in outsider threaten his future!

“Qin Juan! The young master is the true future of the Demon Palace. What right do you have to boss us around here?” Pei Yan sneered, pretending to give the young master face.

Long Langbai wished someone else would handle affairs for him. Now that his goddess was managing things, if it weren’t for his grandmother forcing him to stay, he would have left in style long ago.

Clearing his throat, Long Langbai stood like an adult before Qin Juan. “She’s my appointed special expert, not an outsider.”

Pei Yan: “?”

Wasn’t that just blind obedience? Almost handing over the Palace Lord’s order too—

Pei Yan: “…”

He looked closely and saw the Palace Lord’s order already in her hand.

Before Pei Yan could speak, Yanyue suddenly struck. “The Palace Lord’s order is not for you to take!”

Yanyue’s move was swift, like a bird swooping straight for Qin Juan’s vital point.

Qin Juan didn’t even dodge.

System: “Oh no! Oh no no! I told you this wouldn’t work. We finally found a qualified host; don’t mess it up!”

Qin Juan smiled faintly, forming a hand seal with her left hand’s middle and index fingers crossed.

Tiny bolts of lightning appeared from the scar on her left hand, like silver-purple flying snakes, suddenly illuminating the dim hall. The rushing figure froze mid-air, crashing to the ground with electric light flowing over him, unable to move.

“Workplace infighting disturbs company morale and causes serious negative effects. Demotion by one rank and one month’s salary suspension. Young master, remember to include this in the weekly report,” Qin Juan said rapidly, her face pale.

Long Langbai pointed at himself with his mouth agape. “...Why me again?”

“That’s exactly who it should be!” A cheerful voice descended from the sky as an elderly woman with silver hair and a dragon-headed cane entered through the main hall doors.

Her voice was aged, but her posture remained upright.

“Long Langbai, remember everything she said.”

“Grandmother!”

“Palace Lord!”

This silver-haired, kind-faced old woman was none other than Grandmother Longxin, the feared figure in the Demon Domain.

She walked to face Qin Juan, looking up carefully at the beautiful young woman. “Xiaobai, she’s right. Infighting disrupts morale and must be punished.”

Yanyue wanted to speak but saw it was Grandmother’s decision and willingly stepped back.

“Xiaobai, you have much to learn. From today, Miss Qin Juan is the acting Palace Lord of the Demon Palace, managing it on my behalf.”

“This is my Palace Lord’s order. Keep it safe.”

Qin Juan took the palm-sized jade token, a rare crack appearing in her usually composed eyes.

Acting?

...Damn.

A worker again.