But for all who witnessed it within the pass, the shock and terror were branded into their hearts.
From that point on, all those who had been restlessly plotting because the Guardian Envoy neglected worldly affairs—whether local Cultivation Clans, traveling Commerce Association Stewards, or unruly Loose Cultivators—instantly abandoned their schemes. Those who had been planning to test his limits, feign compliance, or even act in the shadows all became more law-abiding and cautious than ever before.
These people finally understood completely.
That Guardian Envoy of theirs was not incapable of governing, nor was he weak and easily bullied.
He was simply too lazy to bother with such mundane trifles. As long as the annual taxes and tributes were delivered to the Defender's Treasury in full and on time, didn't interfere with his quiet cultivation, and didn't threaten his fundamental control over the pass, he couldn't be bothered to waste his energy dealing with things personally.
