Ma Liang agreed with Senior Brother Xinghe's perspective.
"Senior Brother Xinghe makes a valid point. Isn't the purpose of inspections to see the most authentic situation?"
Yet, the sect's inspections are announced to the north half a month in advance. How is that an inspection? It's like telling the north, 'The Sect Master is coming for an inspection, make sure you're prepared...'
What should be shown to the Sect Master and what shouldn't be—it's wise to have a sense of discretion.
So every year, when the Sect Master inspects the sect's industries, the results are almost always the same. A few outstanding performers are praised and even rewarded by the sect.
A very few who have made mistakes are reprimanded by the Sect Master, and at most, a couple of oblivious ones get eliminated.
Instead of saying the Sect Master is inspecting the sect's industries, it's more like the industries are putting on an annual show for the Sect Master.
Ma Liang had already prepared himself for this. Heading north, he expected a warm welcome from the deacons, who would then guide Senior Brother Xinghe through the sect's various industries, culminating in a grand reception.
In a harmonious atmosphere, this inspection would be more of an entertaining activity.
No problem, Ma Liang was treating this as a leisure activity.But now, understanding Senior Brother Xinghe's thoughts, Ma Liang could only say that Senior Brother Xinghe was spot on. Only this way can we truly see the sect's actual situation.
Senior Brother Xinghe is indeed wholeheartedly devoted to the sect.
This time, changing the northern inspection to a southern one, where there's no preparation at all, is bound to be full of unexpected surprises.
However, amidst the surprises, Ma Liang took out something and presented it to Senior Brother Xinghe.
Is this a mask with rabbit ears?
Chu Xinghe understood the meaning behind Ma Liang's gift.
Ma Liang was fine, as not many people recognized him despite the Ghost Emperor of Fengdu's reputation.
As for Senior Brother An Lan, there was no issue at all...
Only Chu Xinghe had a bit of trouble. After the broadcast of the Millennium Grand Festival, there were few on the Blazing Sun Continent who didn't recognize him.
With this face, he'd be recognized the moment he set foot in the south.
How could he conduct a covert inspection like that?
Chu Xinghe nodded in satisfaction at Ma Liang... Ma Liang, oh Ma Liang... you finally did something right...
But what you did, isn't it a bit off?
You got a mask for Senior Brother Xinghe, and he's pleased, but couldn't you find a more normal one?
What on earth are those rabbit ears?
Seeing Senior Brother Xinghe's speechless expression, Ma Liang quickly explained.
"Senior Brother Xinghe, you've misunderstood... these aren't rabbit ears. This mask is called the Fox Pattern Mask, a treasure obtained by our Grand Sky Sect. It's said to be crafted from a powerful demon fox. Wearing it not only changes one's appearance but also conceals one's aura."
"I went through a lot to... ahem... retrieve this from our sect's treasury!"
As Ma Liang spoke, he handed the Fox Pattern Mask to Senior Brother Xinghe.
Holding the mask, Chu Xinghe asked with a puzzled expression, "When did you go to the sect's treasury? Did the Great Elder authorize it?"
"No..."
"Then how did you get in?"
"I told the elder guarding the treasury that Senior Brother Xinghe sent me, and they never stopped me!"
Chu Xinghe: "..."
Does that even sound reasonable?
What do you mean Senior Brother Xinghe sent you?
That's the sect's treasury... you realize this isn't just trespassing and stealing a sect treasure, but also falsely passing orders...
Any one of these offenses could get you expelled from the sect, you know?
But before Chu Xinghe could recover from his confusion, Ma Liang mentioned that this method was suggested by Junior Sister Ouyang, and he was skeptical at first.
Junior Sister Ouyang assured him that as long as he told the elders guarding the treasury that Senior Brother Xinghe arranged it, they wouldn't even ask a single question.
Junior Sister Ouyang said she had "taken" many things from the treasury multiple times, and no one ever noticed.
Besides, even if someone did find out, wouldn't Senior Brother Xinghe cover for us?
Ma Liang agreed with Junior Sister Ouyang's approach.
Indeed, it had to be Junior Sister Ouyang. Following her method, Ma Liang found it to be exactly as she described.
When Ma Liang told the elders guarding the treasury that Senior Brother Xinghe sent him to retrieve something, they cheerfully nodded and let him in... without even asking what he took.
However, since it was Ma Liang's first time, he didn't dare to be as bold as Junior Sister Ouyang and only took the Fox Pattern Mask for Senior Brother Xinghe.
Chu Xinghe: "..."
Chu Xinghe was at a loss for words... indeed, anything involving Ouyang Ling was bound to be trouble...
But there was nothing wrong with Ouyang Ling's method. In fact, Chu Xinghe thought Junior Sister Ouyang could be even bolder. If you're only stealing from the sect's treasury for personal use, what's the point? If you were to sell the items while stealing, that would make Senior Brother Xinghe even happier.
And don't worry, Junior Sister Ouyang, no matter how outrageous your actions, if anything happens, I, Chu Xinghe, will take the blame for you!
Holding the Fox Pattern Mask Ma Liang gave him, Chu Xinghe put it on.
The mask was truly magical. Almost instantly, it transformed according to his thoughts.
Chu Xinghe's face quickly changed to that of a simpleton named Iron Bull.
Not only could the appearance change, but even the aura shifted accordingly. Truly a treasure, even the strongest experts couldn't detect Chu Xinghe's true aura without special means.
This thing is practically a divine artifact for traveling, committing crimes, and causing trouble.
With this to change appearance and aura, if you wanted to spread rumors, you'd be unstoppable!
But here's the question... Ma Liang, did you really bring this out for me, or do you have some secret agenda?
So regardless of Ma Liang's intentions, the Fox Pattern Mask was confiscated...
If Ma Liang used it for mischief, that would be one thing, but if he used it to do good deeds in my likeness, who could handle that?
The three of them arrived in Rong City, the largest city in the south.
At this time of year, the north was already in late autumn, with snow falling in some places, but Rong City in the south was still full of life.
Rong City was under the control of the Grand Sky Sect and had the largest meteorite iron mine on the Blazing Sun Continent, supplying nearly seventy percent of the continent's meteorite iron.
Meteorite iron was essential for crafting various spirit weapons, and it was thanks to this resource that Rong City maintained its position as the foremost city in the south.
The south was already prosperous, and with the presence of meteorite iron, Rong City was incredibly wealthy.
Walking through the bustling streets of Rong City, with merchants and people everywhere, the city was incredibly vibrant.
Soon, in the very center of Rong City, Chu Xinghe saw the massive Grand Sky Firm...
Goodness, you didn't even need to enter the firm to see the bustling crowd outside, a testament to the firm's booming business.
The phrase "making money hand over fist" didn't even begin to describe the success of the Grand Sky Firm.
Besides the firm, the Grand Sky Chamber of Commerce's pharmacy branch in Rong City was also teeming with people.
Ma Liang was puzzled as he watched Senior Brother Xinghe visit both the firm and the pharmacy without any intention of entering.
Chu Xinghe looked helpless in response to Ma Liang's confusion.
Why go inside?
To see how they're profiting immensely?
Your Senior Brother Xinghe's heart isn't in the best shape lately; seeing too much of this might just kill me on the spot in Rong City...
With a troubled expression, Chu Xinghe led Ma Liang and An Lan to the most luxurious private room in Rong City's largest restaurant.
While savoring the city's specialty dishes, Chu Xinghe pondered where to start.
The Grand Sky Chamber of Commerce and Grand Sky Firm were off the table; he knew well enough that they were trouble-free.
Though Rong City had many sect industries, finding the one with the most issues to tackle was challenging.
After much thought, Chu Xinghe decided that if he was going to make a move, it should be on the largest scale possible.
And what was the largest in Rong City?
Naturally, it was the meteorite iron mine.
The meteorite iron mine controlled by Rong City not only supplied the sect but also sold large quantities externally every year. With such large-scale transactions, if there weren't any shady dealings, Chu Xinghe would be surprised.
So, he'd start with the meteorite iron mine.
Let's see how many shady dealings are hidden within the meteorite iron trade...
And all these shady dealings, he promised to expose them clearly, ensuring the sect wouldn't lose any assets, but would suffer a blow to its reputation.
Which major sect doesn't have industries?
Which major sect's industries don't have some shady dealings?
Even if a major sect knows about them, they usually handle them privately. After all, exposing such matters only invites ridicule.
But I, Chu Xinghe, am not afraid of ridicule. In fact, I dream of being ridiculed. You all profit immensely, right?
I can't make you lose assets, so I'll start with the sect's reputation and see how you lose!
After the meal, Chu Xinghe wasted no time and led Ma Liang and An Lan straight to the meteorite iron mine in Rong City to check the accounts. As they stepped into the mine, Chu Xinghe ordered Ma Liang to use the Wan Ghosts Formation to surround the entire mine.
With ghosts running rampant, the mine turned into a ghostly realm in an instant, and all the Grand Sky Sect members in the mine were controlled by fierce ghosts...
The deacons of the meteorite iron mine were dumbfounded by the sudden ghostly invasion.
Who had the audacity to mess with the Grand Sky Sect's meteorite iron mine?