Perhaps sensing Qin Ye's gaze, Section Chief Li turned around and smiled.
It was an ugly smile. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was choked with sobs.
But it was also a bright smile.
"Back when I first joined the Special Investigations Department, my boss told me that we would one day see the light of day."
He sighed wistfully, almost as though he were explaining to Qin Ye, but also muttering to himself, "Who would've thought … that my grandson and I would be able to see the light of day even though my son didn't …"
The entire scene was filled with muffled voices, as well as muffled sobs.
Qin Ye bit down on his lips, and remained silent.
Not only did he not feel it now, he would never feel it again.
He wasn't someone who lived in the mortal realm.
But why did he feel so stifled in his heart?
He wanted to ignore this feeling, but he simply couldn't.
This was supposed to be Hell's responsibility.
If Hell had done its job properly, and the Sixfold Ghost Kings would still be roaming the lands, slaughtering evil ghosts from all over the world, and countless Hunter-class Netherworld Operatives would still be pouring out of Hell's Gate like a flood. There would still be Abyssal Prefects and Infernal Judges in the mortal realm.
Unfortunately, Hell had already been reduced to ashes following Ksitigarbha's ascension.
But!
Granny Meng had given him the shard of King Yanluo's Seal!
He was the only one in the entire world who had the hope of reviving Hell!
These sobs had nothing to do with him, and yet they still made him feel uneasy.
He retracted his gaze and grew taciturn.
Arthis spoke softly, "Perhaps that damned old hag Granny Meng … took a liking to you because of your conscience …"
"Do you know something? You were born in the midst of Cathay's most perilous period of war. You've witnessed the rise of a great nation. You've experienced and seen too much, and you're too slippery. You'll hide whenever you can, and you won't move unless you're forced into a corner.
But you're also immortal, and you're the most likely person to revive Hell. "
"You've seen so many things and people, and yet you're still able to maintain a shred of conscience.
I think I understand why Granny Meng has chosen you … "
Qin Ye grunted softly, but didn't say a word.
He didn't hear a single word that the provincial governor had said.
Arthis remained silent for a few seconds, "What's the point of being sad?
You're not a bad person. You're a coward, but you'll always be tough when you're tough.
Let's just say that you're an idiot. You know better than anyone else what you should be thinking.
It was not that one could only succeed by acting on the spur of the moment … That was Xiang Yu.
And the one who really succeeded … "
"It's Liu Bang, who is as cowardly as you."
"If you're truly unable to live with your conscience, and if you feel that every single day that you hold onto the shard of King Yanluo's Seal is an act of silent condemnation from the soldiers and cultivators who have silently contributed to the mortal realm, then … you should establish Hell as soon as possible …"
Qin Ye sneered and lowered his head, before continuing hoarsely, "I'm an Emissary of Hell … You're a mere Infernal Judge, and you're telling me to shoulder the responsibilities of the mortal realm?
Isn't that too ridiculous? "
Arthis responded with a solemn expression, "You're wrong. Good and evil go hand in hand. Aiding the mortal realm is the true purpose of Hell's existence.
If there's no man, where would the ghost come from? "
Governor Gao's solemn voice reverberated throughout the entire hall, before being transmitted to every household and every place with a screen or a broadcast, "... It wasn't until a few days ago that the Yin spirits in the City of Salvation suddenly began to riot on a massive scale. It was only then that we finally made up our minds … Next, we'll announce the decision of the central government."
Qin Ye's gaze trembled, and he sat up straight.
Every single cultivator in the hall stared intently at the main stage.
This was the highlight of today's event!
It represented the attitude of the mortal realm!
It was the strategy for the future!
Without further ado, Zhou Xianlong announced in a deep voice, "Order No. 1. Within three days, all citizens of the City of Salvation and its subordinate districts and counties are to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Anyone who refuses to sign will be charged with treason and punished.
Anyone who violates the agreement will be charged with treason and punished. "
"After signing the agreement, you may choose to leave the City of Salvation, or choose not to leave.
This is because … the City of Salvation is about to usher in a completely different era! "
He drew a deep breath, "We'll call it … the era of cultivation!"
These four words were broadcasted to all corners of the world through the television and radio.
The era of cultivation was about to unfold!
"In one week's time, the City of Salvation will be under lockdown for the next five years.
All entry and exit will be prohibited. "Governor Gao continued," At the same time, the City of Salvation will become a municipality directly under the jurisdiction of the central government.
Furthermore, the three hundred and fifty hectares of land surrounding the city hall will be demolished and rebuilt. "
"What?!" "Completely rebuilt?
Then, where are we going to stay if we don't want to leave? "" What's this all about? "
At once, the previously quiet city erupted into an uproar once more.
However, there were no conditions to negotiate.
Zhou Xianlong didn't intend to negotiate either.
"This is an order." He glanced coldly at the projection screen, "As citizens of Cathay, we all have our own responsibilities.
Only when there's a nation can there be a home. In the face of national interests, all other small interests have to give way! "
"Everyone can rest assured as to where you'll be staying. This order will be implemented in one year's time. During this year, the Cathay Construction Group will be responsible for building twenty-five high-quality neighbourhoods around the three hundred and fifty hectares of land.
The nation will never allow any of its citizens to become homeless. "
"Thirdly."
Zhou Xianlong knew that the people sitting in front of their televisions were in an uproar right now. However, the most important thing right now was to carry out the order, and not think about anything else.
Because … the next order was even more explosive!
He paused for a moment, "Starting in one week's time, the City of Salvation will implement a pilot classification system for the citizens."
"Cultivation … isn't just a sentence."
He gazed at the crowd, "Cultivators are completely different from ordinary people. They are the strong shield of the ordinary people, and the last and first line of defense for the nation against the outbreak of Yin spirits!
In one week's time, the assessment of aptitude will begin.
Those with cultivation aptitude will be classified as Grade 2, ordinary citizens as Grade 3, and official cultivators as Grade 1. "
"All resources and expenses of Grade 1 and Grade 2 cultivators will be guaranteed by the nation from the moment of their cultivation until the moment of their death!"
"Furthermore, the relocation will be completed in one year's time, and the first academy of cultivators will be built in the current main city district!
All students will be given priority to the best of the Grade 1 and Grade 2 citizens in the City of Salvation! "
A series of orders reverberated throughout the hall, and Qin Ye sighed with emotion.
Truly … extravagant.
Millions of people and a prefecture-level city could be built and dismantled at the drop of a hat. It was clear how much importance the nation attached to this pilot program!
If they wanted policies, they would give them!
If they wanted manpower, they would give them!
If they wanted resources and buildings, they would give them back!
As long as they could return to the nation a holy land of cultivation!
Everyone had already thought of the same thing.
As everyone's breathing quickened, Zhou Xianlong continued, "This academy is the country's first pilot project.
It occupies a large area, and all of the supporting facilities around it are related to cultivation.
All of the instructors are cultivators with rich experience in dealing with Yin spirits.
And this academy … will be recruiting students from all over the country after the winter holidays! "
"Everyone, let me reiterate that this isn't a novel.
You may not take it to heart, but the strongest weapons against Yin spirits, the strongest cultivators in the entire nation, the latest information on Yin spirits, the most accurate locations of supernatural outbreaks, and all of these are gathered here!
As long as you can enroll, your lives will be forever changed. "
"I can guarantee you right now that as long as you graduate from this academy, your future … and your children's future … will be limitless!"
Qin Ye's heart was surging with excitement, while the eyes of all the cultivators around him gleamed brightly.
They're getting serious …
The outbreak of supernatural incidents in the City of Salvation had already made it clear to the mortal realm that things couldn't go on like this.
You want war, and we'll give you war!
"What extravagant efforts."
Su Feng sighed wistfully, "I'm afraid only Cathay is capable of razing an entire city to the ground and getting millions of people to obey their commands."
Qin Ye nodded his head, "I didn't expect the nation to be so bold this time. The Academy of Cultivators, huh … I'm getting more and more interested in it."
Su Feng glanced at him, and then turned to Qin Ye and whispered, "Brother, let me tell you something. As far as I know, this academy isn't going to be easy."
"Almost all S-class Hunter-class experts will be taught there without exception.
These people are all barbarians, and none of them are willing to submit to anyone. Furthermore … "He squinted his eyes," Even the youngest among them is 25 years old … "
！！！
Qin Ye stared at Su Feng with widened eyes. The despicable gleam in Su Feng's eyes was self-evident!
"... No room for discussion?"
Su Feng laughed heartily, "Of course … not.
Who wouldn't want to know the standard of the youngest Hunter-class expert?
There are already four or five people in the group who have decided to come, and all of them are quite displeased with your looks … "
Everyone was already in the middle of their twenties, so how could they possibly be happy when an eighteen-year-old Hunter-class expert suddenly popped up out of nowhere?!
Governor Gao continued, "... Number eight: The City of Salvation shall be exempted from taxes from today onwards for three years.
All companies, employees, factories, employees, and self-employed individuals shall receive a unified subsidy from the city government, which shall be increased by 500 RMB.
At the same time, citizens who establish companies related to cultivation shall be exempted from taxes for ten years! "
"Number nine …"
Qin Ye listened with half an ear. By this point, the bombs had already been dropped, and all that was left was to make up for the rest.
Just as he was chatting with Su Feng, an electrifying feeling suddenly surged up his spine!
"What's wrong?" Su Feng noticed the change in Qin Ye's expression and asked in astonishment.
Qin Ye didn't respond. Instead, he silently arched his back as beads of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. It's too terrifying … Just a moment ago, a bone-chilling sensation had abruptly swept through his entire body!
There were at least four Infernal Judges in the City of Salvation right now. One of them was assigned to guard the entire city, three of them were present, and … there was one more in his arms!
Just like that, not a single person was able to tell how the Yin energy had appeared.
It had happened without any warning. It had happened just a moment ago, almost as though a cold hand had been caressing his back.
Every single hair on his body stood on end!
Ghost …
There's a ghost here.
Such terrifying Yin energy meant that this ghost was definitely extraordinary. And he wasn't the only one who felt it. In fact, he could even hear Arthis' teeth chattering from within the soul sphere!
"It's … stronger than you." He spoke through gritted teeth.
Arthis' voice trembled, "What terrifying Yin energy … This … is definitely at least ten million Yin energy!
This must be the thing that the kid beside you detected … It must be it!
But who exactly is it?
How can there be such a powerful Yin spirit in the mortal realm? "