Chapter 640: A New Twist (2)

It was an unexpected moment of dazzling inspiration. Furthermore, after a cursory discussion, they discovered that… it was actually plausible!

What the Russian Underworld desired was a nod from Hell. So long as Hell gave the go ahead, they wouldn’t mind even if Hell didn’t send a single soldier to lay waste to the Mongol Empire. In other words, the Russian Underworld would do all the hard work, and then offer up half of the territory of the Mongol Empire as tribute to Hell, while keeping the Resentment Crystal Vein and the other half of the Mongol Empire for their own use. It was a tacit deal.

They were truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

We can acquiesce to your seizure of the Resentment Crystals, and we’ll take a step back and watch your grand performance at the Mongol Empire. But as soon as you lay your hands on the crystals and gain full control and possession of them…

The entire hall was filled with only sounds of ragged breaths. The Harken’s first thoughts were that it was possible. It was absolutely possible!

That said, this was only a preliminary postulation. Furthermore, the result that they desired would only occur in the best case scenario. Therefore, it was still important to discuss the specifics of this plan in order to maximize their chances.

“Three steps.” Qin Ye responded with a burning gaze in his eyes, “First step. We’ll enter into negotiations with the Russian Underworld and agree to their conditions.”

The Harken immediately leapt to the ground and began to pace about. After some time, it responded, “These are the main steps. Let’s leave aside step one for now. Step two, contact the Coalition of Alkebulan Underworlds - how are we supposed to do that? Hell has been in seclusion for the last 100 or so years. There’s simply no means of reaching out to them anymore. And then, there’s still the third step of convincing them. They’re not stupid. Although this is a topic that presses on their pain point, it’s still quite something else to have them mobilize so many Yama-Kings!”

“Granted, it doesn’t matter whether they’re trying to research and develop the first or the second generation of Forbidden Arts. That said, we’ll still need something more than what we currently have on hand. Yama-Kings aren’t entities that underworlds would mobilize frivolously after all! This is going to be an inordinately difficult plan to execute. Not only would we have to play all our cards right so that Hell doesn’t have to mobilize a single troop, we’d even have to fully convince the Mythic Spirits of Alkebulan of our claims…”

Qin Ye slowly unraveled the scroll and ran his finger along its contents, “Suppose I make a request in my capacity as an Emissary of Hell for an audience with one of the Mythic Spirits in Alkebulan. Do you think they would grant me access that way?”

“So… We’ll just have to figure out a way to get in touch with them through other means!” Qin Ye’s finger finally paused on a name.

“This is the last piece of the puzzle.”

His thoughts spun rapidly, and sparks of inspiration flew everywhere. However, the Harken knew it was better to address all of the loopholes as early as they could. Thus, it continued, “How do you know whether he’s still alive? This is a scroll from a hundred years ago.”

“Then, how are you supposed to locate the key point of contact?” The Harken continued to play the devil’s advocate, “We’re talking about the Pearl River Delta! That’s the territory of the Daolord of the Hungry Ghost! Pearl River Delta is currently one of the darkest spots in Cathay, so how do you expect to go about with this business of yours?”

The Harken continued, “And then, even if you manage to pinpoint the point of contact’s exact location, how are you supposed to enter the Pearl River Delta? We can’t be said to be on good terms with the Daolord of the Hungry Ghost…”

The Harken drew a deep breath, “Last question, who do you plan on sending to Alkebulan to negotiate with the Mythic Spirits over there?”

Naturally, this left only one plausible candidate.

The Harken sighed softly, “None.”

Qin Ye nodded. His mind was slightly worn out from his thought processes earlier, so he massaged his temples as he responded softly, “Well then, time is of the essence. Let’s head back to Ashmound City right away. Once the preparations are done, I’ll immediately depart for Pearl River. Ah, that’s right, do have Assistant Wang help Arakshasa sort through and organize the information once she’s back. As soon as my trip to Pearl River bears fruit, I’ll be heading for Alkebulan in the quickest possible time.”

It wasn’t long before the arrival of the new year. That was the deadline on which Hell had to give the Russian Underworld a response. Any further delays… would be hard to explain away.

Rather, it had everything to do with the attitude that the master of a region should carry itself with - if you come to me with a request, I’ll naturally respond as quickly as I can.

………………………………………………

“More importantly, reports have shown that the number of Hellguard-class Predatory Zones have been vanishing at a rapid pace. At the same time last year, Insignia Province reported 24 such Predatory Zones. But today, we have only 17 such Predatory Zones remaining. The exact reason for this phenomenon is unknown…”

The First Academy of Cultivators had undergone an expansion in the last semester, and its efforts have been rather well received thus far. It was also for this reason that Zhou Xianlong had been incredibly busy, so much so that he had to make time in order to tune in to the important conferences. After all, he was still in title the Head of the Faculty of Combat.

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Just then, the lights suddenly flickered, and then went out with a snap.

“Who goes there?!” Zhou Xianlong’s eyes narrowed slightly. He could sense that the uninvited guest was emanating powerful Yin energy even though he was clearly already suppressing it. There was no way the uninvited guest was weaker than Zhou Xianlong in any way!

Qin Ye…

Unfortunately, Qin Ye had his back to the bright ambient lights of the campus grounds that were shining in through the window, and he couldn’t see Qin Ye’s appearances no matter how hard he tried. Just then, Qin Ye spoke softly, “Hell has a request to make of the mortal realm, and I wonder if the Special Investigations Department would be willing to consider such a request?”

Five seconds later, Zhou Xianlong finally responded, “Please tell us your request.”

Perhaps… this was something that had been a long time coming…

“The former chef of Abra Alkebulan Restaurant in Pearl River City. Hell wants to know his exact location. But do not alarm him. May we know when we can expect a response?”

But it was also laced with indifference and distance, so much so that it was impossible to tell that the two had once used to work closely together.

“That’s too long.”

After several seconds, Qin Ye finally responded, “Then, I’ll have to trouble you with our request. Hell will most certainly remember the assistance that you’d rendered. Please text me as soon as you have news.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ye’s form and figure vanished without a trace.

Emissaries of Hell weren’t visible to human beings. Thus, he’d chosen to take a little stroll around the once-familiar campus, taking in the unfamiliar sights and faces around him. He also saw Zhou Xianlong run up to the window, open it and look around.

Is this… a messenger bird?

Is this… an evil ghost?

In other words… a Prefect-class Yin spirit?