Yama Rising

"That's exactly right!" Qin Ye said. "This is the true trump card that Archimedes has been banking on, and we failed to think of this in the past. As a result, all of the scientists would be willing to work with Archimedes and force us to release the new energy resource to the world!"

Qin Ye had been wondering why Archimedes still had so much sway in the scientific world, even though all of the scientists already knew that he had become more a politician than a scientist.

As it turned out, their goals stemmed from the same roots.

"Keeping the energy resource to ourselves creates a very favorable situation for us, but there are drawbacks as well. Due to the fact that our nation is isolated from the rest of the world, we're unable to monitor changes in the outside world. However, once we understand and accept this drawback, we're able to adapt and create changes that we want to see!"

After making this realization, everything had suddenly become clear to him!

A sly smile appeared on his face as he said, "As long as we make the appropriate adjustments, enormous changes will follow!"

He gestured for Zhao Yun to come to him, following which he whispered something into Zhao Yun's ears, and Zhao Yun's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this.

As he stepped back to look at Qin Ye, he was simply in complete awe. How was it possible for a human brain to function like this? Following a single conversation with a pair of scientists, he had instantly devised an extremely devious strategy!

If they were to act according to Qin Ye's plan, even Zhao Yun felt like there was a very good chance that they would succeed!

"I'm truly speechless." He cupped his fist in a salute as he extended a deep, respectful bow. "I am utterly amazed by your peerless intelligence and wisdom, Your Excellency. However, I must point out that we're still yet to secure the support of even a single scientist thus far."

"Is that really important?" A wide smile had appeared on Qin Ye's face. Even he didn't anticipate that the brief conversation with Volta and Faraday would bring about such a game-changing epiphany.

While it was true that he didn't have any support from the scientists, that wasn't important anymore.

"It would be a pleasant surprise if they sided with us, but even if they don't, after making this realization, there's no way that those dogmatic and narrow-minded old geezers would be able to stand against me!" Qin Ye said with a cold smile. "This is not our final opportunity, this is their final opportunity! If they pick the wrong side this time, they'll be completely forgotten by the passage of history!"

Once the new energy resource emerged, massive changes would sweep over the entire world, and the academic world was also going to be dealt an unprecedented blow!

"Just do as I say," Qin Ye instructed as a devilish gleam appeared in his eyes. "I'm looking forward to the day that a complete revolution sweeps through the academic world, but I'm even more looking forward to the closing ceremony two days from now!"

The second day quickly arrived.

As the president and chief secretary, respectively, of the World Energy Resource Research Organization, Archimedes and Aristotle had sufficient reason to check on all of the groups during the group discussions in the morning.

At noon, they enjoyed a "pleasant" lunch together, to which the Cathayan Underworld wasn't invited.

More discussions were held in the afternoon, and dinner was the same story. Even close to midnight, there was still a steady stream of Yin beasts coming and going in front of the hotel. All of the scientists had been invited by the World Energy Resource Research Organization to discuss the future development of energy resources in the underworld in a certain high-end restaurant.

"They're guarding against you," Qin Ye remarked as he stood in front of his window.

It was clear that they had reached some type of agreement during the day, and they were only going to discuss the truly important matters at night. Everything had been arranged on such short notice that there were still people coming and going even at midnight.

They were concerned that they would be eavesdropped upon if they were to discuss these things in the hotel, but in reality, Zhao Yun didn't even have any interest in doing that.

Zhao Yun nodded in response as he said, "However, they haven't managed to cover all of their tracks. There are a total of 57 scientists attending this conference, and all of them have left the hotel."

"Including Volta, Faraday, and Maxwell?"

"That's right," Zhao Yun confirmed.

Qin Ye nodded in response, but didn't display any reaction.

After arriving at that realization earlier in the day, he already had absolute confidence.

Right now, he was looking forward to the closing ceremony to be held the next day even more than Archimedes and Aristotle were!

He couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces when he enacted his plan!

……………………………………………………

It was amid this false atmosphere of peace and tranquility that the third day of the energy resource conference arrived.

All of the seats in the massive conference had already been completely occupied by Yin spirits.

Everyone knew what had happened in the past few days. The commotion seen on the first day didn't arise again, and all of the scientists were looking at the death gods at the front of the hall with complex expressions. However, if any of the death gods looked back at them, they would immediately avert their eyes.

It was clear that they were intentionally avoiding eye contact, which was a sign of guilt and unease.

"Looks like Archimedes managed to convince quite a few of them," Qin Ye said to Zhao Yun in a low voice.

"I supposed that couldn't be helped," Zhao Yun replied. "However, I'm confident that they're definitely going to regret their own decision soon."

Everything was clear to Qin Ye, and he knew exactly where he had to strike, so there was no uncertainty or unease, only a sense of quiet confidence and anticipation.

Qin Ye nodded in response before casting his gaze toward Volta, Maxwell, and Faraday.

The three of them just so happened to be looking at him as well, but as soon as their eyes met, the trio immediately averted their eyes as well.

Qin Ye pursed his lips upon seeing this as he gently massaged his beaded bracelet.

Why are you avoiding my gaze? Did you not choose me in the end? In that case, I hope you won't regret your decision.

Right at this moment, Archimedes stood up on the main stage. "Everyone, after three days of this energy resource conference, everything is going to draw to a conclusion here. During these past few days, we've exchanged some very interesting ideas about new technological developments in the underworld outside of the field of Yin runology, and I found this to be both very intriguing and also extremely eye-opening. Unfortunately, we still weren't able to hear a report from the Cathayan Underworld's new energy resource research and development team."

He extended a slight bow of apology toward Qin Ye, then cast his gaze toward all of the scientists again. "Everyone has gathered here for the sake of the world's development. However, there can be no greater development for the entire world than the birth of a new energy resource. It would be as bright and eye-catching as the sun, and most, if not all of you, have come here to see the rise of this sun."

Is he cutting straight to the chase already? Is he afraid that unexpected circumstances will arise if he delays for too long? Is he feeling uneasy in the face of my calm display from yesterday?

Qin Ye gave him a friendly smile.

At the same time, Archimedes's gaze fell upon Qin Ye, and he was trying to find any signs that suggested that Qin Ye was forcing a smile, but his efforts proved to be futile in the end.

Could it be that this was a genuine smile?

Archimedes withdrew his gaze as a hint of befuddlement welled up in his heart.

This didn't make sense! There was no way to hide the news of who had met who during the conference.

He should be aware that I invited all of the scientists for a meeting yesterday, so why is he still so calm? Does he still have a trump card up his sleeve? Could it be that he's already seen through my plan and devised a solution?

For some reason, a chilling sensation welled up in his heart.

Archimedes looked down at the script that he was holding, and he had a feeling that if he were to continue reading according to this script, he would only be bringing humiliation upon himself, but he simply couldn't think of how that could be the case.

No, surely not... Without access to everyone's patents, as soon as they release the patent for their new energy resource, they'll immediately be met with an international lawsuit. In the end, it would be adjudged that they had infringed everyone's patents, and as a result, the new energy resource would be distributed to all of the scientists. In that case, what would be the point even if they could develop the new energy resource?

Furthermore, there was no way he could back down now! The Argosian Underworld had to remain at the center of the academic world!

With that in mind, he gritted his teeth as he continued, "Here, I must announce a very unfortunate decision. Due to the Cathayan Underworld's repeated infringement of international laws, the World Energy Resource Research Organization must impose some sanctions upon the Cathayan Underworld."

His breathing was beginning to accelerate as he continued, "The Cathayan Underworld and its energy resource research and development team have been found to have infringed up the 17th clause of the third section on the sixth page of the world energy resource bill, as well as all of its subclauses. The imposed sanctions will include the following."

In this instant, all of the scientists took a deep breath and involuntarily sat up straighter.

The storm was finally coming, and the suspense had reached a peak. Every single one of the scientists in attendance could feel their own skin crawling with anticipation and tension!

The entire hall was completely silent, and Qin Ye had even made an inviting hand gesture. Archimedes gritted his teeth as he prepared to announce the sanctions. At this point, there was no longer any possibility for retreat, nor did he want to retreat!

Thus, he cleared his throat and declared, "Firstly, the sanctions will be imposed a month from now. The Cathayan Underworld must release the 10 progress reports on the new energy resource that it has refrained from releasing thus far. On top of that, progress reports must continue to be released in a timely fashion until the new energy resource is developed. Secondly, the Cathayan Underworld must pay a fine of five hundred billion Yin spirit stones for its infringement of international regulations. Thirdly, prior to completing all of its rightful duties, all scientists will withhold their patent usage rights from the Cathayan Underworld. Fourthly... Fifthly..."

His voice was like rumbling thunder ringing out across the entire hall, and all of the scientists' souls were trembling as they listened with bated breath.

Only after a full 10 minutes had passed did Archimedes finish reading out the sanctions before turning to Qin Ye with a sympathetic expression. "It's very unfortunate that these sanctions must be imposed, but your nation must act in accordance with international regulations. If you have any questions, Chief Secretary Aristotle can answer them for you, and we also have five professional legal advisors here as well. We look forward to seeing your nation turn over a new leaf."

"Hold on a minute." Qin Ye finally broke his silence. "Who decided on these sanctions?"

"The world did, Yanluo Qin."

"Which world is this?" Qin Ye rose to his feet, and his Yin energy began to slowly seep through the entire hall like a puddle of ink. The netherfire in the eyes of all of the scientists flickered slightly upon seeing this. They were being struck by a sense of instinctive fear in the presence of an apex predator. At the same time, Archimedes had also released his own Yin energy in case Qin Ye did anything out of line.

"Is this a world that even the Cathayan Underworld doesn't know about?"

The Yin energy from the two of them quickly intertwined with one another, and none of the scientists in the entire hall dared to utter a single word in the face of the confrontation between the president of the World Energy Resource Research Organization and the ruler of the Cathayan Underworld.

"As the subject being sanctioned, we had to take measures to keep the proceedings a secret from the Cathayan Underworld."

"Who agreed to these sanctions? Why am I not seeing anyone raise their hand in support of these sanctions?"

"My apologies, but the Cathayan Underworld's spokesperson in the World Energy Resource Research Organization was withdrawn over 100 years ago, and you didn't send a new spokesperson to replace them. Do you expect the entire world to wait for your nation alone?"

Archimedes wasn't backing down in the slightest, and it seemed as if this confrontation could be escalated at any moment.

All of the scientists present were gripping tightly onto their armrests while the netherfire in their eyes flickered erratically.

Very rarely did they participate in conferences that facilitated showdowns between major nations, and they would remember this conference for the rest of their days in the underworld!

A cold smile appeared on Qin Ye's face. "Do you really think you can run a dictatorship as the president of the World Energy Resource Research Organization? Either you hold another vote now or you scrap the proposed sanctions altogether, and we'll move on as if nothing ever happened!"

Archimedes's brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this.

He wasn't opposed to holding another vote, but at this point, how could Qin Ye not be aware of the fact that another vote wasn't going to change the final outcome?

Before he had a chance to ponder this matter any further, Qin Ye continued, "However, prior to the vote, I need five minutes to deliver an address."