Yama Rising

The door was gently closed, and Qin Ye sat down behind his own desk. This was the temporary King Yanluo's office.

It was a spacious room with no windows, as if it had been constructed underground, and there were bright palatial lanterns hanging overhead. Qin Ye was seated on a timber nine dragon chair, and behind him was a screen in the typical Cathayan style, on either side of which was a pair of incense burners constructed in the shape of a crane, standing at around the height of an adult human. Directly ahead of him was a Yin energy clock that was around half a tall as an adult human with enamel patterns on its surface, and it would chime with the passing of each hour.

On either side of the Yin energy clock were four chairs and a table, and aside from those things, the only things in the room were bookshelves full of different books, covering all types of topics.

It was often the case that bookshelves like these were only for show, and the books on them were never actually read. However, that wasn't the case here. Every single one of these books had clearly been pulled out at some point, and many of them hadn't even been put back properly, still protruding around an inch past the edge of the bookshelf.

Qin Ye spread open his palm, upon which sat a messenger bird, then closed his hand again, and the messenger bird dissipated into a gust of Yin wind as Zhao Yun's voice rang out.

"Your Excellency, Kunlun Mountain is on the move."

Kunlun Mountain is on the move?

Qin Ye's brows furrowed slightly with befuddlement upon hearing this, but his eyes then immediately lit up with a hint of enlightenment.

He had forgotten all about Kunlun Mountain.

Following his ascension to the throne, the second King Yanluo had told him that Kunlun Mountain was going to open up in five years, and that Heaven would become connected with the underworld again. Thinking about it now, it was about time.

"Kunlun Mountain falls under the jurisdiction of Wanjiang Province, and I've already instructed the administrative commissioner of Wanjiang Province, Gao Fu, to bring you the relevant documents. Don't underestimate this event, Your Excellency, Heaven has its own unique properties that you need to take note of. Just as the underworld is the realm of reincarnation for the mortal realm, while the mortal realm is the foundation of the three realms, the unique thing about Heaven is that it's able to connect with any one of the other two realms! If the power of the mortal realm is known as true energy and the power of the underworld is known as Yin energy, then the power of Heaven should be known as immortal energy. All beings, objects, and arts formed by immortal energy can connect with the mortal realm and the underworld, but that's been strictly prohibited."

Qin Ye rubbed his own chin with a thoughtful expression upon hearing this. It was no wonder that all of the legends he had heard about deities descending from the heavens involved them doing so in secret. Furthermore, things that are brought down from Heaven never remained in the mortal realm.

"It's quite a pity," he sighed in a forlorn manner. "If it isn't for the situation we're currently in, I really would be interested in exploring Heaven."

………………………………………………..

Time flew by very quickly.

Three days later, Secretary Jiang quickly made his way into the room before offering up a document. "Yanluo Qin, all of the administrative commissioners have arrived."

Qin Ye gave a slight nod, and Secretary Jiang left the room. Shortly thereafter, the door was opened again, and four middle-aged men and women wearing Mao suits strode into the room. Mao suits were worn in place of normal suits for high-end public servants of Hell.

"Take a seat." Qin Ye made an inviting hand gesture as he spoke. Cups of tea had already been placed onto the four tables, and the four men and women exchanged a glance before taking a seat. Only after a full five minutes had passed did Qin Ye raise his head and brandish a document to the four men and women. "Who wrote this?"

The title of the document was "New Plan for the Economic Development of the Second Region's Three Provinces".

Three months ago, Qin Ye had issued an order for the Cathayan Underworld to be split up into several major regions. The old Hell's administration method was used with seven regions in total being established, making it more convenient for future Abyssal Prefects to manage the nation.

"It was me," a middle-aged woman said as she adjusted her own glasses. "Our Cathayan Underworld has finally emerged from quite a rough period. This year, the GDP of our second region was seventeen million Yin spirit stones, which is over 10% of the Cathayan Underworld's total GDP. However, this economic system is not a healthy one."

Qin Ye picked up his teacup and took a sip as he nodded in response, then indicated for the woman to continue.

"With the rise in domestic production, our sea trade with the Alkebulan Underworlds during the past few years, and the reparations paid to us by the Russian Underworld, we can basically ensure standard quality of life and recreation for all netherworldly citizens. However, due to the shortages in resources, the products that we receive from sea trade are mostly purchased as soon as they reach the coastal cities, meaning that very little of it makes it inland. Also, our economy is primarily relying on the real estate sector for growth, stemming from the increasing demand for housing from netherworldly citizens, but I'm concerned that if things continue like this, a housing bubble like the one seen in the mortal realm several years ago will take shape."

The other administrative commissioners all nodded in agreement with this sentiment.

The second region belonged to the western part of the Cathayan Underworld, and it consisted of four provinces, including Westriver Province and Wanjiang Province. Resources and information were shared, so this report didn't just reflect the thoughts of a single administrative commissioner. Instead, it represented the opinions of all of the administrative commissioners present.

Qin Ye set down his teacup and asked, "In your opinion, what are the other prime drivers behind the economy at the moment?"

"There are a lot." The administrative commissioner of Westriver Province was a chubby Yin spirit who had worked at the provincial level back in the mortal realm for close to 20 years, and he said with a serious expression, "I think disaster relief work sits first and foremost on this list. The natural disasters of the underworld are extremely terrifying, and even wind and storms can erase netherworldly citizens out of existence at any moment if they didn't have houses. This has also directly stimulated the real estate market, but I don't think this should be our main point of focus."

Qin Ye thought about this for a moment before replying, "Disaster relief is an ongoing driver of the economy that's outside of our control, so we won't mention that for now. Are there any others?"

Before anyone had a chance to reply, he smiled as he suggested, "Education, perhaps?"

All of the administrative commissioners' eyes lit up in unison upon hearing this. Was the education industry about to be established?

Qin Ye gently stroked his own teacup as he continued, "As all of you are aware, education in the underworld is completely different from education in the mortal realm. Yin runes, Yin energy, cultivation… These are all completely unique subjects. Education isn't just mandatory for children in the underworld, it's something that's compulsory to everyone."

He reached out and drew several Yin runes in mid-air. They seemed to have a mind of their own as they morphed into all types of different shapes, then drifted through the air before slowly vanishing into a flurry of white butterflies.

"If we don't educate our people, then we're going to fall behind everyone. Thousands of Yin spirits are being injected into the underworld from the mortal realm every single day, so education is a sector that will never incur losses. It can also act as a pathway for disposable income to be invested in a worthwhile manner. After so many years of development, I'm sure there are many netherworldly citizens who have already saved up some funds, so we should be encouraging them to spend. Also, after three to four years of study, some people will be able to reciprocate society. Only with sufficient knowledge of the underworld will they know what the underworld truly needs, thereby telling them what areas they should improve and develop in."

None of the administrative commissioners said anything.

Was it really that simple to establish the education industry?

The fact that Qin Ye was staying in the Yin Mountains in person was a clear indication of just how seriously he was taking this research and development project. Was he of the opinion that there was insufficient skilled personnel working on the project and wanted to replenish these stocks as quickly as possible?

"Where should the first cohort of graduates be sent for internships?" the administrative commissioner of Jianghan Province asked. "Our Cathayan Underworld currently doesn't have corresponding workplaces…"

In raising this question, he was trying to probe for Qin Ye's true intentions.

Qin Ye smiled as he replied, "The Yin Mountains Research Institute is sorely lacking in skilled personnel, is it not? As for how these students should be developed, it's very simple: we'll employ a system of survival of the fittest. Underworld emissaries must have sufficient knowledge of the underworld to succeed in their roles. During these past few years, they didn't have time to study as they were prioritizing the development of their respective cities, but now that they finally have the spare time, they need to develop other skills. If they do well in their studies, then they can return to their original roles. If they don't, then they'll be sent back for further study. Make sure that all students' marks are strictly supervised and implement a zero-tolerance policy on fabricating marks and results. Also, we need to abolish the practice of exam-oriented education. The students aren't studying in order to do well in tests, they're studying for the sake of their own personal development! We should be encouraging them to make their own choices and actively innovate!"

The education industry really is about to be established… The four administrative commissioners nodded in response.

"Secretary Jiang is waiting for you in the Tian Kui conference hall with some further information. All of the other administrative commissioners are also there. Have a good discussion with everyone, and I'll be listening to all of your opinions and ideas tomorrow. You can go now."

"Lord Qin," the administrative commissioner of Wanjiang Province suddenly interjected. "I have something to tell you."

The other administrative commissioners left the room so the two of them were the only ones left, and Qin Ye cast his gaze toward the administrative commissioner as he asked, "Your name is Gao Fulai, right?"

"That's right, Your Excellency." Gao Fulai extended a slight bow as he said, "Lord Zhao has a message for you."

"Go ahead."

Gao Fulai nodded in response before relaying the message. "Lord Zhao is of the opinion that you should go to Kunlun Mountain and take a look there if possible."

"Alright," Qin Ye replied before continuing to read through the documents on his desk, and under normal circumstances, that would've been Gao Fulai's cue to leave, but he didn't depart on this occasion.

Gao Fulai took a moment to muster up some courage, then said, "Lord Qin, the mortal realm has already requested reinforcements through the City God Temple, asking for assistance from the underworld."

Qin Ye raised his head upon hearing this.

How interesting! The mortal realm has requested reinforcements, and Zhao Yun wants me to go and take a look as well… What heavenly official could possibly deserve an audience with King Yanluo in person? Surely it's overkill for me to pay them a visit… unless they're an extremely important figure…

With that in mind, he smiled as he prompted, "Tell me the details."

"Yes, Lord Qin." Gao Fulai heaved an internal sigh of relief as he said, "Half a month ago, an extremely powerful burst of Yin energy suddenly erupted in the southwestern part of Wanjiang province. This Yin energy is completely different from anything we've ever seen before. There's no way to describe it with words, it's as if… a passageway to another world has been opened up, and all Death Inquisitors have been forced out of Kunlun Mountain as a result!"

Qin Ye gently drummed his fingers on the surface of his desk as he asked, "What's the exact location?"

"Kongur Tagh," Gao Fulai replied. "The tallest peak in the Kunlun Mountain Range."

Qin Ye nodded in response before waving a dismissive hand, and Gao Fulai immediately departed from the room.

Following Gao Fulai's departure, Qin Ye set down his pen as a reminiscent look surfaced in his eyes, and after a long while, a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

It had only been several years since his last visit to the mortal realm, so why did it feel as if an entire lifetime had passed by since then?

"It must be you, right?" he murmured to himself. "Otherwise, General Zhao wouldn't have spoken so ambiguously on this matter. I truly didn't think that there would come a day when we would meet again. If it really is you, then I wouldn't mind paying you a visit in person. No other heavenly official is worthy of this honor…"