Shang Xingyan said, "Right now, the entire faction of civil officials is in chaos. No one is paying attention to me, so I slipped out."

I casually asked, "What happened to Qiao Gongliang?"

"That's what I wanted to talk about!" Shang Xingyan said, "Qiao Gongliang had already turned to ashes before he even reached Fengdu City. Some say he dispersed his own soul, while others say he was ambushed. However, there's no evidence for either claim."

"The Red-Clad Ghost Official captured by the Black and White Impermanence deities did confess some things. However, all of their direct superiors were silenced before the Yin Division could apprehend them. Besides their confessions, there's no other proof that the civil officials' faction was plotting against the Black and White Impermanence."

"The Ten Yama Kings don't need any evidence. They directly mobilized troops to surround several of the civil officials' old nests. The forces on both sides are deadlocked, and the Ten Yama Kings jointly filed a complaint. Even Lord Yama is hesitant to make a decision."

Shang Xingyan paused and said, "In this regard, the civil officials' faction can't compare to the Yin Division Marshals. Although the Ten Yama Kings aren't all sworn brothers, they're exceptionally united. If one moves, the other nine will surely respond. This time, the commotion they've stirred up is quite considerable!"

"The civil officials' faction seems like a unified whole, but in reality, there are too many factions within it. Don't even mention the large Tang and Song factions; even within the same faction, there are different cliques, each with its own leading figures and its own agenda."

"Now, the big shots above are busy holding meetings, and the small fries below are all keeping their doors shut to avoid trouble. So, no one's paying attention to me."

As Shang Xingyan spoke, he looked at my expression. I knew he was afraid I'd say he wasn't handling things well, and that he didn't even have the qualifications to attend the meetings.

I tapped the table and said, "Old Shang, what do you think will be the outcome of this matter?"

"I think it'll end without a clear resolution," Old Shang said. "Although the civil officials' faction isn't very united, their power in the underworld can't be underestimated. Plus, they have good relations with the Four Judges. I think someone will definitely come out to smooth things over in the end."

"Of course, the civil officials' faction will have to pay some price. As for how much, it depends on the attitude of the Ten Yama Kings, especially the attitude of the two Impermanence deities."

Hearing this, my eyes lit up. "Old Shang, do you want to earn some merit?"

Shang Xingyan's eyes brightened. "What does Master Li mean?"

"Didn't you say that this matter depends on the attitude of the two ancestral masters?" I said with a smile, "The civil officials' faction will have to send someone to negotiate, right?"

"The higher-ups definitely won't show their faces. If the higher-ups have a falling out on the spot, it'll be difficult for them to resolve the situation. So, the civil officials' faction will definitely send someone of moderate importance to negotiate. Do you think the ancestral masters will give them a good look?"

"If you were to negotiate this matter successfully, wouldn't you rise in the ranks?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Shang Xingyan's eyes shone even brighter. "Thank you, Master Li, for the recommendation. This matter..."

I said, "I'll make arrangements as soon as possible. You go back quickly and don't let anyone see anything suspicious. Of course, you have to think of a way to make this matter fall on your shoulders naturally, so no one will suspect anything."

Old Shang smiled. "Don't worry, Master Li. I, Old Shang, have that much ability."

"Go back then!" I saw that Old Shang hadn't left and couldn't help but ask, "Is there anything else?"

Old Shang hesitated and said, "Master Li, there's something I don't know if I should say."

"Speak!" I lit a cigarette and leaned back on the sofa.

Old Shang hesitated for a moment before saying, "I heard rumors that the Coffin Gate suddenly came out to make trouble for you because they were instigated by the civil officials' faction. As for who did it, I haven't found out yet."

"Their original intention was to have a backup plan. In case Qiao Gongliang couldn't take down Liangjie Tang, there was still the Coffin Gate to make trouble for you. But he didn't expect that the two deities would step in and sever the cause and effect with the Coffin Gate."

My expression darkened slightly. "What do you want to say?"

Old Shang gritted his teeth and said, "I'm saying, if it's not necessary, Master Li should try not to have any conflicts with the Coffin Gate!"

"Not to mention that the disciples of the Po Jun Ghost King and the Qi Sha Ghost Marshal who remained in the human world are all outstanding talents and not easy to deal with, their own strength is enough to dominate the underworld. If Master Li were to really clash with them, I'm afraid... I'm afraid the trouble would be endless."

I said calmly, "I know what to do about this matter. You don't need to worry about it."

Shang Xingyan could see that I didn't take his words to heart at all, and he didn't dare to say anything more, so he left in a hurry.

I turned to look at Old Liu. "Old Liu, what do you think, what kind of attitude should I take towards the Coffin Gate?"

"I will not offend others unless I am offended; if anyone offends me, I will offend them." Old Liu said, "The Coffin Gate can be classified as a hidden sect of the arcane arts. Its strength should not be underestimated; its arrogance will not allow them to give up easily."

"I think the Coffin Gate will make another move. When that time comes, Master can settle the score."

"Mm!" I said coldly, "Then I'll wait for the Coffin Gate to come to me."