Taro Iizuka sat in his mansion in Tokyo, rubbing his eyebrows with his fingers.
"What's wrong?"
His wife asked about Taro Iizuka's condition with concern. Her husband's condition hadn't been right since they returned home.
Inexplicable anxiety and annoyance was a common condition for politicians. She had seen this many times since she was a child. After all, her family was a powerful political force in the Island nation and had produced many political powerhouses.
"Nothing, maybe he's tired."
"Work is important, but you must take care of your rest."
"Mhmm." Taro Iizuka frowned and comforted himself not to think too much.
He had only glanced at the Black Impermanence from afar, so there shouldn't be a problem.
Iizuka's family had been passed down for a hundred years, and they were a typical example of a chaebol turning into a political one. His great-grandfather was a commoner who did not even have a surname, let alone the education he received. However, he relied on his lowly life and extraordinary talent and intelligence to first become a local coal boss. After that, he sold women in the country to Europe to engage in the flesh trade and made a fortune.
Then he made a lot of money from the war, using the Morning Goat laborers to death. Because he didn't directly participate in military production, and with some operations, he easily avoided the liquidation after the war.
After making a shocking profit, the Iizuka family hitched a ride with the Yoshida Cabinet and entered the political world through marriage with Shigeru Yoshida. When it came to Taro Iizuka's generation, the marriage network even connected to the Imperial Prince, becoming a true relative of the Emperor.
All of this took only four generations. From a commoner without a surname, he transformed into a behind-the-scenes manipulator in the political world.
Today's Island nation had many geniuses who were better than his great-grandfather, but in a society that had completely solidified, they could only waste their lives as ordinary people.
Talent was important, but the environment was even more important.
But compared to his great-grandfather, Taro Iizuka's level in all aspects was not as simple as heaven and earth.
"Sleep, I still have to go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow."
Why was he so uneasy?
Taro Iizuka closed his eyes. He thought it would be difficult for him to fall asleep, but soon after he closed his eyes, he lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep.
The quality of sleep tonight was surprisingly good. Why was he so tired for no reason?
But when he opened his eyes, his brain felt like it was pricked by a needle, and he couldn't help but scream.
"Ah!!
It hurts! "
Iizuka hugged his head and rolled on the ground. He then straightened his back and looked around. "Where is this place?"
It was a pitch-black sealed world, with only the top emitting a faint light. It was like an underground world that had been excavated, and a familiar figure was standing in front of him.
Iizuka was lying on the ground and looking up at Seiji. His current posture was similar to a Siamese who had an audience with the King of Siam.
The Black Impermanence glanced coldly at Taro Iizuka on the ground. The arrogance of a transcendent was on full display. "Taro Iizuka, what's your name?"
"Black, Lord Black Impermanence."
Taro Iizuka was so frightened that he pushed himself off the ground with his arms and retreated rapidly. He had just met the Black Impermanence last night, and now he was meeting him again tonight. This was definitely not a good thing.
"I'm about to die, and you've come to receive me?
How is that possible? I just had a check-up the day before yesterday. There are no problems in all aspects. It is impossible for me to die while sleeping … Could it be that someone poisoned me? "
Taro Iizuka's mind was filled with all sorts of nonsensical thoughts. The conspiracy theories scared him so much that he broke out in cold sweat.
Seeing the Black Impermanence, coupled with the environment around him, meant that he was definitely dead!
Perhaps the Black Impermanence was here to receive him to the Underworld!
"Don't think too much. You still have a few more years to live. I've entered your dream this time because I have something to ask you."
Not to receive me to the Underworld?
Taro Iizuka's emotions calmed down. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask Lord Black Impermanence when his lifespan would come to an end.
He did not seek to live forever. Being able to predict his lifespan was enough for him to make many arrangements.
However, his authority in the human world was useless in front of the Black Impermanence. In the eyes of the Black Impermanence, his status was probably not much higher than that of the Dongjing citizens who frequently protested on the streets.
"Speak. I will definitely answer all that I know." Taro Iizuka rubbed his hands. There was no sign of a fourth generation aristocrat on him.
"I've heard that you mortals are good at using electricity now?"
"Electricity?"
Taro Iizuka nodded. Why did the topic suddenly change to electricity? This did not match the Black Impermanence's identity as a ghost. "We entered the age of electricity more than a hundred years ago."
"Unbelievable. You can control the power of heaven and earth with a human body without any spiritual energy."
The Black Impermanence praised. Taro Iizuka felt a sense of pride. "What do you use to generate electricity?"
Taro Iizuka did not know what the Black Impermanence was up to. He answered honestly, "Mainly thermal power plants, hydroelectric power plants, and nuclear power plants."
He didn't know much about these things. At most, he could only name a few terms. There were specializations in every field, and he specialized in the art of ruling people. However, as the Minister of Finance, he had seen relevant words several times when he was approving documents.
"I see …"
The Black Impermanence rubbed his chin and fell into deep thought.
Seeing the Black Impermanence's expression, Taro Iizuka immediately seized the opportunity. "Lord Black Impermanence, may I ask what you need a power plant for?"
Nodding, Mizuno manipulated the Black Impermanence to pretend to be troubled. "I have a friend who was formed by lightning. He has recently awakened in the human world, but because he has just woken up, his strength is recovering slowly."
"If there is enough lightning, it can help him recover his strength quickly, lest …" At this point, the Black Impermanence stopped abruptly and changed the topic.
"Normally, I, an official of the Underworld, should not be involved in the affairs of these demons. However, this friend of mine has helped me a lot in the past. Since he is in trouble today, I should naturally lend him a helping hand."
"Difficult, difficult."
The Black Impermanence hesitated, as if considering whether he should do this or not.
Taro Iizuka's mind immediately turned. This is the Black Impermanence asking me to do something for him!
He had seen and done this many times. Disregarding everything else, the reason why he was able to climb from the position of Prime Minister to the position of Deputy Prime Minister was all because of the exchange of benefits.
Opportunity!
This was his opportunity. How could there be such a good thing in the world when the Black Impermanence was asking him to do something for him?
Furthermore, there was no such thing as an open and aboveboard request to prove that this was a private matter that should not be revealed to the Judges and White Impermanence. As long as he helped the Black Impermanence complete this task, it would be equivalent to the Underworld official owing him a favor!
The favor of an 'immortal' was in control of the power of life and death. It was even more impressive than being the Deputy Prime Minister of over a hundred million people.
Taro Iizuka was filled with energy at the thought of Junpei, who had been resurrected for seven days. With someone to take care of him after death, he could still do whatever he wanted in the Underworld. He could even live to a hundred years old if his lifespan was slightly altered.
"I understand, I understand, Lord Black Impermanence."
Taro Iizuka smiled calmly. This kind of exchange of benefits was his area of expertise. "A few days ago, I read a report from the power industry. Our country has a serious oversupply of electricity. Many power stations produce electricity that goes to waste. We are currently worrying about how to resolve these wasted resources."
"You came at the right time. These power stations are wasted. Why don't you use them to aid in the cultivation of immortals?"
"This kind of private use … is not good."
The Black Impermanence was not as arrogant as the experts had predicted. Instead, his human-like behavior made Taro Iizuka feel very at ease.
"There's nothing bad about it."
Taro Iizuka extended his right hand. "My family business also has a business related to power stations. As long as you need it, we can immediately set up a power station."
After a moment of silence, the Black Impermanence finally nodded with difficulty. "If that's the case, then I'll have to trouble you."
"When you're ready, I will naturally inform my friends."
With that, the Black Impermanence turned to leave, as if he was not the one asking for Taro Iizuka's help, but merely passing by Taro Iizuka's dream.
His attitude changed extremely quickly, like a sudden bolt of lightning in the sky. He completely disregarded human etiquette.
Seeing that the Black Impermanence was about to leave, Taro Iizuka still had a smile on his face. He believed that the Black Impermanence would not leave just like that. Although transcendents and immortals possessed great power, they were definitely like humans in certain aspects.
As expected, the moment he turned around, the Black Impermanence suddenly shook his right hand. A black light flew towards Taro Iizuka.
"Ha."
Taro Iizuka's eyes lit up!
Before he could see what the black light was, Taro Iizuka suddenly opened his eyes.
"Phew."
The bed, pillows, and floor-to-ceiling windows were all in his room. He had returned to reality from the illusory world constructed by the Black Impermanence.
After taking a few deep breaths, Taro Iizuka used his palm to wipe the sweat off his forehead.
"Hmm?"
Taro Iizuka smiled as he looked at his palm.
The Chinese character for "seal" was hidden under his skin like a curse. Although he did not know what this thing was used for, Taro Iizuka knew that he had been memorized by the Black Impermanence.
That was enough. The government had mobilized countless people to build a bridge for something they had no clue about.
After drinking a few mouthfuls of cold water, Taro Iizuka could not help but laugh in his room.
He had traveled far and wide, only to find what he had found without even looking for it. It was indeed worth the risk to go to Docho!
"What's wrong … why are you laughing in the middle of the night?" His wife, Chikako, was woken up from her sleep. She frowned at her strange husband.
"It's nothing, nothing."
Taro Iizuka crawled under the covers, but his eyes were glued to the ceiling. He could not fall asleep no matter what. His brain was extremely active. Perhaps only the restlessness he experienced when he was forced to step down could compare to this.
There was no time to lose, but he could not appear to be too hasty either. This was his own opportunity, and he could not leave it to others …
First, he had to arrange for his trusted aides to inspect the power station under the family business. He had to have enough trusted aides. Moreover, anyone who could befriend the Black Impermanence had to be someone of extraordinary status!
A black crow flew outside the window. Its red eyes glanced at Taro Iizuka before it flapped its wings and flew away.
"Caw caw."