Yama Rising

This was a Resentment Crystals Vein, and quite likely a massive one at that. After all, Resentment Crystals were a resource that were generally measured in pounds.

Seizing our Resentment Crystals after we told you about it of our own volition? Hmm?

Adopting such a stance might well shatter their fragile dreams of owning Forbidden Arts and push the Russian Underworld over the edge.

“I haven’t thought about it yet.” Qin Ye’s temples were throbbing, and his veins clearly bulging, “It’s not that I don’t want to delve deeper into these thoughts, but… it’s just that I haven’t quite found the time. You’ve seen the situation here. We’ve only just managed to take Ashmound City about half a year ago, and we’re still developing the industries within. Currently, the only strongholds we have are located here in Eastmount Province and back in Insignia Province. In fact, we haven’t even had the time to regroup and rally our military forces to take Breakwaters Province.”

“The Harken is still recovering from his grievous wounds, and he can only muster a single strike at best. However, I’d rather not have him make a move if I can help it. This is the biggest deterrent force available to us. And even then, the strike of a Yama-class divine beast cannot really be considered much of a deterrent force in the face of a first-rate underworld. Rus alone already has three Yama-Kings. Meanwhile, the works of our Frontier Brigades and construction corps are still in progress, so Eastmount Province cannot truly be considered ours for now. And without Eastmount in hand, there’s no leverage for which I can use in my negotiations with the mortal realm!”

There were a multitude of things to be done, yet, at that very moment, Qin Ye didn’t quite know where to begin.

They could all understand Qin Ye’s plight and predicament, but…

“We’re talking about the potential placement of a top underworld after all! We’re talking about the nuclear weapons of the netherworld!”

“In the ‘60s, Lop Nor exploded with a mushroom-shaped plume. Do you think Cathay would have been named one of the Permanent Five of the United Nations had it not been for that incident that shocked the world? It’s the same in Hell as well. We need the second generation Forbidden Arts. 100 years isn’t a long time by any means. To put things into perspective, a single technical delay might easily give rise to delays lasting well over a decade. Therefore, I sincerely suggest that… we start right now!”

That’s right. Nations with no nuclear weapons would never be given the time and opportunity to develop it at a later date. The international pressure that they would face would be enormous.

“This isn’t something that the few of us can decide alone.” Qin Ye stared vacantly at the ceiling, “At the very least, we’ll first have to wait for news from the other two daolords, as well as the return of Arakshasa, before we decide.”

The Yin spirits exchanged sheepish glances before drifting out with a sigh.

Sigh, truth be told, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We’ve yet to even explore the entire nation. Far be it from that case.

“Doesn’t he understand the importance of nuclear weapons here in the netherworld?”

“Mr Shang, there’s only 148 years remaining! Back when Fengdu first developed nuclear weapons, we practically invested hundreds of billions - in Yin spirit stones at that! Not fiat currency! In other words, we’re talking about the value of trillions of Hel! And back then, despite the wealth of talents we had, it still took us 80 good years to research and develop nuclear weapons. We’re already a step behind in the race to develop the second generation Forbidden Arts!”

Shang Yang sighed, “Both you and Lord Qin are both concerned about reality. But you’re looking at the problem from an academic point of view, while Lord Qin is looking at it from the perspective of the state. Ashmound City doesn’t have any specialty products. In fact, we haven’t even taken Eastmount Province to begin with. How are we going to delve straight into the research and development of Forbidden Arts?”

He cleared his throat, “First, we need soldiers - a mass conscription of soldiers. And then, we’ll have to equip everyone with fine equipment, train them, and then send them out to take control of the entire nation!”

“No--...” Zu Chongzhi was just about to interject when Shang Yang promptly shut him down, “Mr Zu, hear me out. As you would be aware, the change of every dynasty comes with a change of the ecology and geography of the rest of Hell. Are you even sure what materials and resources can still be used in the development of the Forbidden Arts? We’ll need at least 10 years to establish a firm footing in material sciences to ascertain which materials can be used and which ones cannot.”

“Unfortunately, it would be important for the new Hell to dig deep and develop its amenities and infrastructures first. Develop talents, and then education and pedagogy, before stabilizing Eastmount Province, linking back up with Insignia Province and taking Breakwaters Province along the way. And then, we would consolidate our forces so that we have sufficient leverage to commence negotiations with the mortal realm!”

“People!” Shang Yang’s eyes gleamed brightly, “No. To be more precise, souls.”

Silence.

“No.” Shang Yang’s response caused all of them to frown. And then, he chuckled bitterly, “Truth be told… we’re truly caught between a rock and a hard place.”

He gazed deep into the dark canopies of the skies, “After all, who would still remember the former hegemon of the netherworld if Hell remains closed to the rest of the world for yet another hundred years? Look at us now. From what I understand, Nippon has already probed at our borders twice, while the Russian Underworld has also tried their luck with the recent affairs in Daehan. Let things go on for another hundred years, and… I wonder who else might come poking and prodding at us?”

Wu Daozi chuckled, “So… what exactly do you mean?”

“Come on. I see a tavern ahead. Let’s forget about these worries in drunken reverie for now.”

Pearl River City, provincial capital of the Pearl River Province.

But today, the entire city is as good as any other abandoned city. The only lights in the city were located in the north of the city, while the south of the city was completely dark.

A long cordoning tape ran around the darkened districts that were lost to supernatural forces. These tapes were fortified with chains, from which countless yellow talismans hung, rustling uneasily in the night breeze, almost as though they were summoning souls before them.

The other side of the cordons were garrisoned with tens of thousands of soldiers, policemen, as well as investigators from the Special Investigations Department. Everyone gazed intently at the south of the city. Meanwhile, an old man dressed in a monk’s robe situated in the heart of the military garrison hovered approximately ten meters above ground.

Dong… The clock struck twelve. At once, the personnel stationed around the cordon immediately stirred with vigilance.

They were literally walking along the precipice of death.

A soft wind blew.

It was almost as though an invisible funerary procession were just passion through the area.

The researcher paused, and then desperately nodded his head.

It was all too bizarre! Without warning, a Prefect-class Yin spirit had suddenly appeared out of nowhere at a location just 127 meters away from the cordoned-off areas of the city!

The researcher gulped nervously, before whispering, “Should we activate emergency protocols--...”

“So long as I shall live, I vow to keep these lands safe, until my dying breath!”