Chapter 560 - Chapter 560: Chapter 508: The Burden of Reputation, Adding Sand

Chapter 560: Chapter 508: The Burden of Reputation, Adding Sand

Although Pei Xuanjing is the Imperial Advisor of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, the leader of the Taoist School and the head teacher of the Shenxiao Sect with his direct subordinates, the Taoist Academy he newly established is a force that overlaps with the Shenxiao Sect, Taoist School and Great Ming Divine Dynasty but can be regarded as a completely independent entity.

At this moment, joining the Taoist Academy would mean becoming one of the original members, avoiding the dispute of being new or old. No one will exclude them there; they are all equals.

The most important aspect, a supreme expert bestowing protection and advice, presents a scenario that is too tempting for countless people to resist.

“Is this simple tactic enough to have such an impact?” Yu Yiyao voiced shock in her gaze after hearing her master’s explanation.

Although she had already maintained enough awe for Pei Xuanjing, the underlying purpose of his tactics revealed by her master left her in continued astonishment.

Is this the approach and method of the top individual in the world?

An act that seemed casual on his part captured the hearts of countless martial artists and cultivators by inducing a longing in them.

“Of course, there’s more!” Zhao Baiyang laughed lightly, but a flicker of apprehensive color flashed unintentionally in his eyes.

He seriously told his disciple, “Brother Pei achieved such a great influence not because of this method. This tactic is simple but, in the world, only he can execute it.”

Attracting independent practitioners under one’s command, providing them guidance and protection in their cultivation practices, and then gaining their obedience are things every power leader wants to achieve.

However, maintaining the distinction between insiders and outsiders, and the perception of social distance is not something that can be rooted out in a short time.

Moreover, the fear of taking in those of unknown origin, hastily assigning them important tasks, giving more than average trust, and suffering the potential impacts of a possible betrayal are issues many organizations can’t afford to bear.

Even if the Great Ming Divine Dynasty continuously recruits experts, it can hardly achieve much effect. After all, both the Great Ming Divine Dynasty and those independent practitioners face difficulties in establishing mutual trust.

However, if it is Pei Xuanjing doing it, then those troubles vanish.

Though Pei Xuanjing is known for his ruthlessness with countless martial artists and cultivators having been killed by him, no one would accuse him of being fickle.

He first promoted the Great Ming Divine Dynasty to send troops outside the border, then gifted a military city to independent practitioners before establishing the Taoist Academy. By introducing a point contribution plan, he provided countless martial artists and cultivators with a possible ascent.

All these actions and events were known to the world. His name was deeply engraved in the hearts of countless martial artists and cultivators. Even three-year-old children knew about the current Imperial Adviser of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, the leader of the Taoist School, the Head Teacher of Shenxiao – the Longevity True Person, was regarded as a virtuous and benevolent sage.

So when he made these commitments, nobody doubted that Pei Xuanjing would go back on his words. This guaranteed trust from everyone.

Similarly, his reputation for ruthlessness and his exceptional strength assured everyone that he could execute this arrangement. Many understood that if there was any betrayal, the punishment would be severe.

With a glance, countless experts would take action to deal with the problem in order to please him, let alone if the punishment was from such a powerful individual.

Under the attention of such a universally dominating supreme character, nobody would be so foolish as to choose betrayal.

“This is one of the reasons why I admire him,” Zhao Baiyang confessed with a complex expression.

He was not extremely cruel, but he absolutely couldn’t be classified as a good person either. His reputation in Jianghu was half good, half bad, which made him extremely troubled recently.

The previous Zhao Baiyang plotted to overthrow the Great Ming Empire. For this goal, he used every means, unfazed by any possible consequences or backlash. Contempt and slander were irrelevant to him as he did not need the adoration or praise of ordinary martial artists, just their awe, and obedience.

Now, when Zhao Baiyang truly wanted to expand the alliance of heretical paths, he suddenly realized the negative impact of his unscrupulous past actions.

His alliance is presently expanding rapidly. Zhao Baiyang did not mind the joinings of experts, and if the independent practitioners were willing to join, he would treat them equally – something he could completely guarantee. His colleagues in the Diamond Gate and the Underworld could testify to this.

However, unfortunately, even with such a promise offered, all the strong independent practitioners and martial artists, except those with no choice, declined his invitation and refused to join the alliance of heretical paths upon being given the slightest latitude of choice.

The reason was reputation.

What is a heretic?

Isn’t it a devil not tolerated by the Righteous Path?

Even some strong practitioners wouldn’t want to bear such a reputation because, given the possibility, nobody wants to be born as a villain or an evil person.

Yu Yiyao remained silent on this, because, as someone handling more practical matters of the alliance, she was all too aware of it.

“But we are not the most unlucky, the Demonic Cult is in the hot seat!” Zhao Baiyang suddenly appeared pleased, his worries swept away.

Sometimes, seeing others in a worse state makes one realize their own situation isn’t that bad.

In the current world, their alliance and the Demonic Cult were considered by many to be of the same ilk. In fact, there existed a loose alliance between both sides indeed.

But alliances didn’t guarantee complete intimacy. Apart from cooperation, there were frictions and competition.

Now, with all these things happening to the Demonic Cult, Zhao Baiyang found some joy in their misfortune.

“Arrange some people to take part in the selection for instructors in the Taoist Academy,” Zhao Baiyang ordered Yu Yiyao.

Given an opportunity like this, how could he miss it? Not taking advantage of the situation to plant some seeds in the Taoist Academy would be out of character for him.

In Zhao Baiyang’s opinion, not just him, but all forces in the world, regardless of their impression of the Taoist Academy, would certainly seize this opportunity to infiltrate the institution.

…

Of course, in regards to Zhao Baiyang’s plan for exploiting the opportunity to plant seeds in the soon-to-be-established Taoist Academy, Pei Xuanjing was not clueless. He discussed it with Qingyang Zi as well.