At Qi Tan's funeral, after a minor conflict erupted between Wang Liren and Nie Yi, the entire ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion as planned.
As Qi Tan was cremated and his ashes were placed in an urn, the funeral finally concluded.
The torrential rain had ceased.
Within the Dragon Department's branch base, a somber atmosphere still lingered. However, amidst this sadness, there was also a sense of solemnity and tension.
Everyone knew that after Qi Tan's funeral, a change of leadership was imminent for the Dragon Department's branch.
Next, Nie Yi was to give a speech and temporarily assume the role of department head.
Although it was a temporary appointment, it was clear to everyone that Nie Yi's ascension to department head was a foregone conclusion, requiring only the official appointment from headquarters.
Once Nie Yi took office, he would undoubtedly replace all key positions within the branch with his trusted confidantes, leading to a major reshuffle of the entire branch base.
It was precisely because of this that the employees of the Dragon Department's branch had to curry favor with Nie Yi to secure their own bright futures.
As the heavy rain subsided, the thick clouds in the sky parted, and sunlight once again shone through the dense cloud cover.
A podium had been erected in the base's plaza, and employees gathered there, ready to witness the birth of their new department head.
The high-ranking officials of the Barren Department, after paying their respects to Qi Tan, did not leave. Instead, they took their seats in the front row of the plaza, showing their support for Nie Yi.
At the edge of the plaza, Wang Liren's eyes flickered with a hint of gloom as he saw the high-ranking officials of the Barren Department taking their seats.
He said in a deep voice, "The Dragon Department's branch belongs to our Hua Nation's Dragon Department. The branch head should only be determined after the headquarters issues an appointment order. This Nie Yi, without waiting for the headquarters' order, is rushing to deliver an inauguration speech and has even invited high-ranking officials from the Barren Department. This clearly shows he has no regard for the headquarters!"
Ye Ling, standing beside him, chuckled, "Logically speaking, when the department head dies, the deputy head should succeed him. He's merely skipping a procedural step."
"Moreover, this Dragon Department branch is in Yang Nation. Your Dragon Department headquarters can barely manage affairs in Hua Nation, so how can they possibly hold Nie Yi accountable for overstepping his authority?"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Wang Liren didn't know how to retort. He could only say, "While that may be true, the procedure is incorrect. Nie Yi's haste to take office clearly indicates he has something to hide."
"Once he becomes the department head, all employees of the Dragon Department will have to obey him. I will be completely restricted here. I suspect he intends to use his power as department head to suppress the matter of Qi Tan's death."
"At that time, Qi Tan can easily find a scapegoat to confess, settling the Qi Tan incident. I will have no reason to remain in the branch. Once I return to the country, this branch will completely become Nie Yi's domain."
Ye Ling said, "That's fine too. Letting Nie Yi help me makes no difference."
Wang Liren said plaintively, "Your Majesty... you can't abandon me!"
Seeing Wang Liren's aggrieved expression, Ye Ling couldn't help but laugh, "Hahaha... I was just teasing you. The moment I laid eyes on that guy, I felt irked. If you hadn't stopped me, he wouldn't have left Qi Tan's mourning hall."
Wang Liren replied, "We can't be that violent..."
As Ye Ling and Wang Liren were conversing, Nie Yi also walked onto the high platform, preparing to deliver his speech.
Ye Ling said, "He's about to start. If you want to seize his position, I suggest you go now. Otherwise, after his speech, when all the branch employees have recognized Nie Yi, it will be pointless for you to go up."
Wang Liren immediately said, "Understood! I'll act now."
With that, he took a deep breath and strode towards the high platform.
At this moment, Nie Yi was unaware that an unexpected challenger would appear. He glanced at the employees below, nodded at the high-ranking officials of the Barren Department in the front row, and then took out his prepared speech. He said in a deep voice, "I am deeply saddened by the death of Director Qi, and I know you are all grieving. But no matter how sad we are, our work must continue. This is not only for the Dragon Department but also for us..."
"A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day, and neither can our Dragon Department branch be without a leader. Therefore, I have invited the Deputy Minister of the Barren Department, Mr. Arasaka Choichi, and Secretary Takemura Saburo..."
"Nie Yi!!!"
Just as Nie Yi was spouting a lot of nonsense and about to announce his appointment as branch head, Wang Liren's voice rang out from below the stage, directly interrupting Nie Yi's speech and drawing the attention of everyone in the plaza.
Seeing Wang Liren leap onto the high platform, Nie Yi's eyes changed slightly, and he asked, "Wang Liren, what do you want to do?"
Wang Liren walked straight up, snatched the microphone from Nie Yi's hand, and declared loudly, "The Dragon Department headquarters has issued an appointment order. From today onwards, I will temporarily assume the position of Minister of the Yang Nation Branch. I hope everyone will work together with me to overcome this difficult time!"
Wang Liren's words caused a stir throughout the venue. Arasaka Choichi, seated in the front, his expression changed slightly, while Nie Yi on the platform looked extremely displeased.
Nie Yi stared at Wang Liren and said darkly, "With the current minister dead, it is only natural for me, the deputy minister, to succeed him and continue to lead the branch. On what grounds do you, an outsider, become the minister?"
"And you claim it's an order from the headquarters, Ming Lilu. Why haven't I received any notification?"
Wang Liren replied, "I am an imperial envoy sent by the headquarters. While I am at the branch, my words are the headquarters' words. Is there any problem with that?"
"Or are you prepared to defy the headquarters' orders and forcibly assume the position of branch head?"
Upon hearing Wang Liren's words, Nie Yi clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his hands.
Although Nie Yi had firmly grasped the branch's power after Qi Tan's death, and Wang Liren was merely a figurehead here, no matter what, Wang Liren represented the face of the headquarters.
Nie Yi could subtly antagonize Wang Liren, but if he openly defied the headquarters' orders, it would be tantamount to treason.
Without the backing of Hua Nation, their branch would merely be an ordinary force in Yang Nation, quickly devoured by the local supernatural community.
Nie Yi knew he could not openly defy Wang Liren and could only snort coldly, saying, "Since Envoy Wang wishes to be the minister, then so be it. I only hope you do not disappoint the thousands of brothers below!"
With that, Nie Yi flicked his sleeves and departed.
Seeing Nie Yi leave with a grim expression, everyone below understood that the rift between Nie Yi and Wang Liren had deepened.
After publicly snatching Nie Yi's position, Wang Liren delivered a perfunctory speech, shook hands with the visibly displeased high-ranking officials of the Barren Department, and then sent them away, instructing everyone gathered in the plaza to disperse.
Once the crowd had dispersed, Ye Ling landed on the stage and said with a smile, "I saw Nie Yi's expression just now. He looked like he wanted to drink your blood..."
Wang Liren sighed, "Unfortunately, his reactions only indicate his lust for power. It doesn't mean he killed Qi Tan. With just this information, I can't convict him."
Ye Ling then asked, "What are your plans now? This base is heavily guarded, and it's not easy for an assassin to act."
Wang Liren replied, "I know of a top-tier sushi restaurant. I'd like to invite Your Majesty for a meal, but it's a bit far. I hope Your Majesty will grace me with your presence."
"An invitation for a meal?"
Ye Ling murmured, then smiled, "Alright!"