Yama Rising

“Moving onto the proposal for select partners. We’re in the business for the long haul. And as far as that is concerned, everything is about establishing an identity and status. Looking for a new partner for collaboration each time would be a hassle. Ideally, we want to establish a healthy trade relationship with a few good partners. After all, it’s impossible for a single entity to monopolize all of our supply of wood. Furthermore, as far as I’m aware, it takes quite some time for a company to realize their profits in the furniture market. Otherwise, there’s simply no reason why a raw materials company can’t process and sell the goods on their own. Most of these production companies sell off their raw materials without processing them because they want a quick turnaround in cash. After all, liquidity in assets always beats having illiquid stocks in hand.”

Qin Ye listened to Huang Liangchuan with great interest. When he last saw Huang Liangchuan, he was still the leader of the Radiant Sunset Support Group. But now, he was finally showing what he was truly capable of. But speaking of crouching tigers and hidden dragons, can the mortal realm truly hold a candle to Hell in this regard?

Qin Ye coughed dryly as he shook off the increasingly dark thoughts in his mind. Why does it feel like I’ve begun to look at living people with a different light ever since taking office in Hell?

Huang Liangchuan smiled, “We might still have to trouble Lord Qin to personally handle the affairs with the mortal realm.”

“Arti--...” “I’m not going.”

“I can even tell the kind of fart coming from your butt from the way you tilt your body.” Arthis rolled her eyes at him. Then, considerately salvaging what modicum of face the future Yanluo had remaining, she leaned over and whispered back, “I’m not free. How could you be asking me to run errands for you when I’ve not managed to secure my challenger rank yet? Besides, you’ll sooner or later have to learn to do these things on your own. You can’t appoint any Anitya Hellguards under your charge before you attain the rank of an Infernal Judge, and Anitya Hellguards are the only ones who can travel in the day. Or are you saying that you want me to be your errand girl every time?”

Qin Ye’s temples throbbed violently, “Then what are you going to do?!”

“... I’ll give you three seconds to reconsider your response. I hope you realize the extent of the mistake you’ve made…”

Very well…

Arthis: How dare someone with a weak-ass face ask me to run errands for you?

He knew he couldn’t entrust this task to Arthis. Thus, he gathered his thoughts and tapped on the table with a frown on his face.

“My lord… is there something troubling you?” Having noticed the expression on Qin Ye’s face, Huang Liangchuan asked hesitantly.

Huang Liangchuan’s expressions turned ashen immediately.

For instance, someone like Huang Liangchuan would naturally know of matters that normal citizens didn’t.

Qin Ye rubbed his chin, “I’ll need an opportunity to speak with the representatives of the top merchants in the wood and furniture industry. Perhaps there may be an opportunity to leave the city in the near future, but the window of opportunity probably wouldn’t be any more than three days.”

After a protracted pause, Huang Liangchuan suggested an alternative, “How about the auction?”

Qin Ye’s eyes brightened, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “And what if it’s auctioned off in public?”

“My lord.” Huang Liangchuan explained patiently, “Look at the forest of Southsea Huanghuali. It won’t be possible to cut them down all at once. Besides, what we’re looking for is a source of stable clientele, and… that would lay the foundation for the future.”

Huang Liangchuan was truly deserving of his title as the glass magnate. He was shrewd, and everything was calculated to an exacting standard in preparation for the future. Sure, there may only be the Southsea Huanghuali in Hell right now, but who knew what would come up in the future?

“Guardian Auctions.” Gu Qing responded before Huang Liangchuan could even do so, “There are a total of ten large auction houses in Cathay. Guardian is number one, followed by Poly International, Rong Bao Auction, Duo Yun Xuan, Cathay International, Han Hai, Xiling Seal-Engravers’ Society, etc. Guardian Auctions is presently the largest one of them all, and they pride themselves in their world-class customer confidentiality. Incidentally, it is also the auction house located closest to Insignia Province. There are Guardian branch offices located in both Eastsea or Pearl River.”

Qin Ye drew a deep breath.

I’ll have to find a way to head out of the city at least once.

His expressions turned solemn, “Firstly, Mr Gu shall be in charge of everything in my absence. Mr Gu, I’ll trouble you to do up a drawing design of Hell incorporating all buildings and submit it to me.”

“Secondly…” He looked at Huang Liangchuan and the others around, “Mr Huang, from today onwards, I’ll want you to gather some people under your charge and start making plans for a monetary system.”

“There’s no need to be too nervous.” Qin Ye smiled faintly, “This is a mammoth task that I’m asking of you, and I don’t expect you to be able to get it done with just a handful of people under your charge either. I know that you’re not too familiar with the workings of a monetary system either, but you’re still far more proficient and astute than others who can’t make head or tail of this matter.”

With that, both he and Arthis transformed into a cloud of Yin energy and vanished from Hell.

It was already night. A multitude of constellations filled the skies. He was lying in bed, and all of the appliances in his room were switched off. There was a slight chatter outside his door, as though a discussion were happening in the hallway. He glanced at his watch - it was 1 a.m.

Arthis chuckled softly, “There’s still one hundred and fifty days or so until then… are you sure your patience will hold out until then?”

She wouldn’t make a move.

Otherwise… how could he stand tall against the onslaught of the gods of other underworlds in future?

He didn’t have the patience to wait that long.

There were currently the three daolords within and several gods of underworld outside that were covetously eyeing Hell’s presence. There was the Global Underworld Argosian Arts Festival, and - oh, that’s right - the Harken that was lying in wait right under their asses.

“Is there any way you can get me out of here without being detected?”

“Well, since there isn't, then why don’t we--... Eh?” Qin Ye blinked and sat up abruptly. This isn’t like Arthis! Since when was she that candid and forthright with me?

“You’re lecturing every alternate day. There’s no way of shirking those responsibilities of yours. Might I remind you that Zhou Xianlong isn’t an Anitya Hellguard. He’s a peak Infernal Judge - one that is stronger than even I am. Sure, you can slip into Hell undetected with the aid of King Yanluo’s Seal, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t notice your absence from the academy for a few days on end.”

She sighed wistfully, “It seems like you’ll either have to give up the benefits here at the First Academy of Cultivators, or alternatively bite the bullet and wait patiently for half a year.”

“This is a prison break - something that even I can’t be confident of succeeding in.”

1. Top of the LoL ranking system.