Qi Yu appeased Jin Yan and Yu Yuan, saying, "Actually, I think these jobs are good for you."
Jin Yan looked at her as if she were coaxing a child. "Who are you kidding? How is this a good thing? This is worse than being a general laborer. This is clearly just ghostwriting! No, this isn't even ghostwriting; it's just stamping."
Ghostwriting at least allowed one to practice calligraphy, but this job didn't even require holding a pen. One only needed to affix the official seal that symbolized the Heavenly Dao's approval.
The work was simple, easy, and effortless, but it was also boring, monotonous, and tedious.
Moreover, because the tasks were all identical, they could be repeated for thousands, even tens of thousands, of years without any change.
What's more, such work couldn't be completed in batches.
This was because, despite its lack of inherent meaning, the content had to be categorized into three levels: large, medium, and small.
Major events were prioritized. After being stamped, they were to be submitted to the inner sanctum of the Main God's Hall.
Medium-level events were usually already processed. After stamping, they were to be stored in cabinets.
Minor matters were all trivial, old news. These, after being stamped, were to be packed into boxes.
Just thinking about it made Jin Yan want to explode.
"...While this job is very simple, and the content is a bit dry and boring, have you ever considered that this job allows you to know all the gossip in the world?"
Qi Yu leaned closer to Jin Yan mysteriously.
"For example, when you're reviewing, you might see something particularly interesting. Or, for instance, through reviewing these documents, you might see something about your good friends. Wouldn't that be ready-made gossip?"
Jin Yan was hot-tempered but rather simple-minded. He hadn't really considered the aspect of gossip before.
Now, hearing Qi Yu's words, he was instantly intrigued. He felt it was indeed a good opportunity and couldn't help but ask Yu Yuan, "Hey, what do you think? Do you think the gossip aspect is interesting?"
Yu Yuan pouted, looking dismissive. "Gossip mainly depends on whose gossip it is. I only care about Yan Hua's gossip, or Chen Xi's gossip. I don't really know anyone else's gossip."
This was a fair point. Apart from a few peers in the Dragon Clan, Jin Yan and Yu Yuan had no contact with the younger generation of dragons or the younger generation of other races.
Therefore, any gossip about them would be meaningless to the two of them.
Even if they knew it, they wouldn't be able to identify the people involved. More importantly, they had no other friends to share this gossip with.
Jin Yan had been undecided, but hearing Yu Yuan's words, he suddenly realized, slapping his forehead in exclamation.
"That's right, Little Heavenly Dao, what you said doesn't make sense. What does this gossip have to do with us? We don't know many friends, and we can't even identify the people. What's the point of us knowing this gossip?"
Yu Yuan fanned himself at the side, rolling his eyes and muttering "idiot" under his breath.
Si Qing felt that they might not be able to fool Jin Yan and instinctively turned his gaze to Qi Yu.
Qi Yu, however, remained unhurried, simply smiling and retorting, "How can you say it's useless? Do you know about a kind of existence in the mortal world called a 'Jianghu Baixiaosheng' (a person who knows everything about the martial world)?"
Jin Yan and Yu Yuan exchanged glances and nodded.
The title of Jianghu Baixiaosheng wasn't a recent invention. As far back as their ancient existence, when humans began wearing simple cloth garments and understood trade, the title of Jianghu Baixiaosheng had already appeared.
"You see, whether it's the Divine Realm, the mortal world, or even the Underworld, none can escape one thing: the network of relationships." Qi Yu placed an arm on Jin Yan's arm with a solemn expression. "Whether it's the Ten Kings of Hell in the Underworld, the High Immortals of the Nine Heavens in the Divine Realm, or humans in the mortal world, even the Four Seas Clan and the Phoenix Clan, everyone relies on the Jianghu Baixiaosheng to get information."
"Once you two release your divine authority, everyone will flock to flatter you and curry favor with you on the 13th Heaven."
"The reason they flatter and fawn over you is because you are close to the Little Heavenly Dao, constantly aware of the Heavenly Dao's situation, and can also uncover many matters that have already been submitted to the Heavenly Dao."
Qi Yu's voice was full of temptation as she spoke these words.
Jin Yan and Yu Yuan's originally firm expressions gradually became hesitant after hearing these words.
"Little Heavenly Dao, what you're saying does have some truth to it. Then I'll keep the position of Guardian General."
Yu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but change his tune. "Then I'll stay too."
"Ah, that's more like it. With such crucial resources in your hands, you two will surely become highly sought-after figures in the Ten Heavens." Qi Yu's expression remained a smile.
It was like an unscrupulous boss who had just painted a rosy future for their subordinates.
Jin Yan and Yu Yuan didn't find anything wrong with this. They happily left, cherishing their positions.
Si Qing held his breath beside them.
Only after the two of them had walked far away did Si Qing let out a long sigh of relief and exclaim to Qi Yu in admiration, "Sister, how did you manage to deceive them twice in front of them without batting an eye?"
"It's simple," Qi Yu narrowed her eyes. "First, I stimulated their fighting spirit, then I dangled some bait. Once they took the bait and were working hard, I'll dangle more promises to keep them hooked. Then, I'll recruit more Guardian Generals. This way, they'll be busy with internal strife and vying for first-hand information, leaving them no time to rebel."
Si Qing looked at her with a complex expression. "Sister, I am truly fortunate that we were not born into the royal family of the mortal world."
"Why?" Qi Yu looked puzzled. "How did you steer the conversation to this?"
"Think about it," Si Qing sighed. "The current royal family in the mortal world seems to have a female emperor. If both of us were born into the royal family, with my simple, kind, innocent, and weak nature, I definitely wouldn't be able to scheme against you. In the end, the position of crown prince would surely be yours."
"I would be the pathetic younger brother you banished after you became emperor."
"Perhaps I'd even be murdered by people you sent along the way."
Si Qing said this while clutching his neck and sticking out his tongue, feigning being strangled.
Qi Yu waved her hand dismissively. "How could that be? If we were truly born into royalty, I would definitely assist you in ascending the throne and regard you as my sovereign."
Si Qing was confused. "Why?"
"I don't want the苦差事 (arduous task) of being an emperor," Qi Yu looked at Si Qing. "Waking up early and sleeping late, doing a lot of work, and not even having the right to choose your own lover. You even have to wait for others to bring you food like a tea egg, and you can't even go out. I wouldn't want to be that."
"As the emperor's elder sister, I would have handsome young men serving me every day, eat whatever I want, go wherever I want to play. If anyone bullied me, I'd use your name to flex my influence, living as an untalented, dissolute, and pampered elder princess. Wouldn't that be more enjoyable?"
Si Qing: "..."
What was going on? He actually thought it made sense?