Chapter 139: Underworld General Assembly (Part 1)

Just a tiny postscript:
First of all, is this book considered a farming/management novel? Well, yes and no... Huh? What am I even saying?
The main storyline of this book, as everyone should have noticed by now, is the reconstruction of the Underworld. I feel that watching cities rise one after another, appointing mayors, detaining wandering souls, and even eventually restoring the former glory of the ancient Underworld—that is immensely satisfying.
Whether it is filled with filler or not is up for the readers to decide. This kind of novel requires a sense of immersion and belonging. As veteran readers all know, the sense of immersion in a novel builds up through tiny details—a single line of dialogue, a particular action, a familiar catchphrase. Writing up to this point, I don't feel the pacing is slow at all; on the contrary, every single chapter is extremely interesting.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, instant-gratification web novel, this book might not be for you. I want to craft a slow-burn, immersive experience where you remember the story, where you find yourself thinking about it even when you're not reading, rather than simply stacking up cheap thrills and rushing to the end. You can count for yourself that, from the beginning until now, there haven't really been many conventional "dopamine hits." Instead, it feels more like everyday life—familiar—while striving to maintain a steady and engaging rhythm.
Likewise, those who like it will naturally like it, and those who don't won't. To each their own. If you don't love it, please don't hurt it; just quietly click away. I will continue writing at my own pace. This book is going to be very long, and I hope it can accompany the readers who love it through a segment of your high school, university, or career days.
A final postscript: I don't think farming novels are bad. *Arcane Throne*, *Release that Witch*, and *Mad Wizard* are all classic farming novels. This genre has its own unique charm. At the same time, this book isn't purely a farming novel, as the readers who have kept up until now surely must have realized.
Last of all: I hope you all will subscribe. A VIP chapter costs only about ten cents, and a lower-tier one costs just six cents... Please respect the fruits of labor and don't take things for granted... I don't want to use anti-piracy measures. Let's put ourselves in each other's shoes: if you spent all your effort creating something, and others felt entitled to consume it for free without a second thought, how would you feel? Especially since subscriptions directly affect the author's income. I hope those who like it will subscribe—two dollars is enough for ten days of reading. I have never begged for tips, as veteran readers all know, I only ask for subscriptions.
I hope a rainstorm of subscriptions crushes me!
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"My first time opening a shop, my first time sharpening a blade, my first time receiving a paycheck, my first time being praised by others..."
He paused, then suddenly chuckled, "Was I a bit too much of a lazy slacker before?"
"I don't blame you." Arsucha unusually refrained from talking back, saying slowly, "When you live for too long, you naturally tend to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages; that is human instinct. Living too long also makes it all too easy to grow weary of life. It is precisely because humans are finite beings that they cherish every single day. But you, with your infinite life, naturally wouldn't cherish it."
"A good day is a day, a bad day is a day; a lazy day is a day, a busy day is a day... You won't die anyway. What others desperately yearn for came far too easily to you... If I were you, I wouldn't cherish it either. However..."
She smiled faintly, "The current you is not bad."
She looked toward the distance where machinery was roaring, "Don't rush. What do these minor accomplishments amount to? The construction of an entire realm—when your very first building and your very first city are completely finished, that kind of sense of achievement will truly be the pinnacle."
Qin Ye nodded. From the very beginning when he accepted this lengthy task, feeling completely at a loss, to now—though still penniless—the first spark had been ignited. At least... everything is getting better, isn't it?
Sitting enthroned in the Hall of Yama, sentencing the evil deeds committed in the mortal world—though that day was still distant, it would definitely not be late.
"No... This prelude is not over yet." He withdrew his gaze and looked at the blueprint in his hand. Turning to Su Dongxue, he said, "Notify all the department heads of the Underworld Construction Bureau. Meeting immediately."
Now that this final anchor of stability had arrived, the prelude could truly be considered complete.
No... Not yet!
Everything is ready, and the eastern wind has arrived. This can be considered the number one major event for the new Underworld this year, or even within the next two years. How could such a matter not be announced to the entire populace?
A government must not only do things well, but it must also know how to put on a show!
Let all ghost citizens know that the currently destitute new Underworld is slowly getting better.
Let all ghost citizens understand that their boss is racking his brains and working hard to ensure they have a better life after death.
Let all ghost citizens realize that although the new Underworld is not big, its future is infinitely bright.
Well... political posturing, huh? Although he had never done it before, when it comes to the thickness of one's skin, approximately... possibly... should be... maybe... not inferior to any politician.
Several probation judge-executioners immediately drifted off to deliver the notifications. Yes, Qin Ye could speak up himself, but in the Underworld, he needed to maintain a cold, aloof persona. If the future Yama had to personally shout about everything, what were subordinates for?
Soon, several ghostly figures drifted over. They were none other than the seven department heads of the Underworld Construction Bureau. Their expressions carried some fatigue, but even more of it was an undisguisable excitement.
"Lord!" "Lord, you're back." As the seven of them stood before him, Qin Ye nodded and led everyone toward the side hall.
"The blueprints have arrived. In the upcoming meeting, we will discuss the naming, land area, practical execution, and other directions for our first high-end residential complex. If you have any questions, raise them promptly. I cannot be at the Underworld Administration at all times," Qin Ye said half an hour later, sitting in the main seat of the side hall.
The blueprints were spread out on the table, and everyone began examining them closely. While they were studying the blueprints, Qin Ye was studying them.
All seven of them wore excited expressions; not a single one was slacking off. They kept discussing animatedly, and one could hardly tell they had been rival corporate competitors in life, even though the age gap between the oldest and the youngest was thirty years.
"How is it?" After discussing for a full hour, when the seven of them raised their heads, Qin Ye finally spoke up.
"It looks good," Qian Tianyi mused. "However, a lot of downstream data is missing. Based solely on this blueprint, we cannot yet guarantee that no issues will arise. Still..."
He gave a dry cough and smiled, "Not that we're afraid of trouble, anyway..."
Unconvinced?
The Underworld Construction Bureau is just that badass.
Compensation for human lives?
Non-existent... They've already died once. Right now, even if Qin Ye didn't personally intervene, they wouldn't be able to die even if they wanted to...
Major building collapse accidents?
At worst, they'll just start over... After all, a moment later, the wandering ghosts buried underneath will just pop out like mushrooms and even exchange tips on what it feels like to be buried alive...
As for compensation payouts, those are even more non-existent. Emperor Qin the Great and Legal Department Head Arsucha issue a joint statement: letting you live is the greatest compensation...
Do you think a thick-skinned, black-hearted company that isn't afraid of death and doesn't pay money would be afraid of trouble?
So-called "thick-skinned and black-hearted" means having a brazen face and a ruthless heart. Qin Ye and Arsucha each accounted for half... Tsk tsk tsk, truly a match made in heaven...
Qin Ye thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Then let's proceed according to this blueprint. Furthermore..."
He paused and took a deep breath, "Everyone, I intend to convene the first Ghost Citizens Assembly to announce our two-year policy guidelines to the entire populace."
The eyes of the seven department heads instantly blazed with heat. They all looked at Qin Ye simultaneously, their chests heaving slightly.
This was validation. This was recognition.
"Even though we've experienced plenty of things before—back at Shunda, how many government projects did we handle, and every single time there was a press conference—why are we so excited about this one today?" Hu Feng forced down the excitement in the depths of his eyes, let out a deep sigh, and smiled.
"O-Old Hu, this isn't Shunda anymore. We are now the Underworld Construction Bureau, working for Lord Qin." Song Ming, the oldest among them, actually cupped his fists in salute, smiling so broadly that the wrinkles on his face bloomed. "I never would've thought... we'd one day have a chance to stand up for the government..."
This was completely different from anything they had experienced before.
It was brand new, something they had never felt.
In the past, they represented corporations. But for a single project, how many people did they have to contend with every step of the way? From the initial internal struggles to the subsequent bidding and winning of the contract, and then negotiating with the most difficult government departments... Going through battle after battle, calling it a war wouldn't be far off.
And today, they stood here representing a rising nation, a rising world, announcing the latest decisions to their people!
This feeling of being above others, this sensation of becoming cadres with real power, heavily stimulated their adrenal glands!
"What do you all think?" Although Qin Ye was somewhat dictatorial right now, he still asked out of courtesy.
"Splendid!" Li Chuanyi slammed his hand on the table, and flattery slipped right out of his mouth, "Lord Qin is truly thorough. To not hide it from you, the living atmosphere among the ghost citizens right now is quite worrisome; they don't even know what they should do tomorrow. Ghosts don't even need sleep or food, and they dream of knowing what kind of life they will have in the future!"
"Indeed," Qian Tianyi also sighed with emotion, "The Underworld is a society too... Society today has changed vastly compared to the past. We cannot go on like this; we must give them something to look forward to, let them know that the Underworld will get better and better! That it will be just as prosperous as the mortal realm!"
Song Ming said with deep emotion, "Centuries from now... we will witness towering skyscrapers rising along the Pearl River and the Yangtze River deltas, neon lights piercing the skies, crowds shoulder-to-shoulder across every street and alley... And today is the very beginning of it all."
"Then let's vote," said Arsucha, who had been silent until now. "Although we don't have official bureaucratic staffing yet, this is no longer a feudal society. We must do things formally right from the start. This is a matter for the Underworld Construction Bureau, so let the seven department heads of the bureau cast their votes."
"Begin."
Swish... One hand went up, followed by another hand, and another. Passed, passed, and passed again! In less than three seconds, seven hands stood neatly in the air.
"Good!" Qin Ye stood up, pressed his hands on the table, and looked around at everyone. "Two hours from now, the Underworld's first Ghost Citizens Assembly will commence on schedule! Now, prepare the podium immediately!"
As everyone filed out, Qin Ye looked like a blazing fire at the pitch-black canopy of the sky. No matter how calm he appeared on the surface, the overwhelming sense of accomplishment in his heart could not be faked.
This is my nation.
This is my Underworld.
I am the Yama!
The entire Underworld fell quiet. Qin Ye could see through the window holes that the seven department heads were leading a group of people to start bustling about. He let out a breath and closed his eyes. At that exact moment, Su Dongxue's voice echoed throughout the entire Underworld: "Attention all ghost citizens, we are now broadcasting a temporary breaking news update..."
At the construction site, the wandering ghosts who had been moving trees stopped. Most of them were young and middle-aged adults, looking in astonishment at the pitch-black sky. Even the technician operating the log sawmill shut off his machine.
In the Underworld, while called leisurely, it was actually boring.
No internet, no mobile phones, not even the rise and fall of the sun, let alone playing cards or mahjong. Every single day was the exact same scenery, the exact same people. A day or two was fine, but a week was enough to drive a modern wandering ghost insane.
Different events were always worth looking forward to.
"...The newly appointed Lord Yama, Lord Qin, will convene the first Ghost Citizens Assembly at the Ghost Gate Pass two hours from now. Please note, this is not a representative conference. The Underworld is recovering from devastation, and all affairs are temporarily under the direct control of Lord Qin..."
Beneath a tree that had yet to be felled, an elderly wandering ghost, thin and withered like a skeleton and wearing a hospital gown, breathed heavily as he stood up. Beside him, several other equally elderly ghosts also stood up in astonishment, staring blankly at the sky.
"An assembly?" the old man in the hospital gown muttered. "Is there some new policy?"
"Will it enrich our lives?" "If post-death life is like this, I might as well not have died." "So boring..." "Can we finally have something to do? Right now, as long as you give me something to do, anything is fine!"
The voice in the sky continued: "...The assembly will be personally hosted by Lord Qin. The theme is: The First Five-Year Plan of the Underworld. We hope all ghost citizens will spread the word to one another and attend in full."
A low murmur of discussion began to rise. But soon, these low, wind-like whispers transformed into a monstrous tidal wave. Near the Ghost Gate Pass, the roaring sound of rising and falling tides could be heard!
"A Five-Year Plan?! The Underworld is going to undergo massive construction?" "We finally waited for it. Looks like they didn't abandon us after all..." "Lord Qin... Is that the name of the Yama?" "No matter who it is, if this kind of life goes on, I might as well just die another time!"
"A bit crude, isn't it?" Listening to the roaring discussions, Arsucha sighed, "I'm waiting for the day... when I can hear this sentence on television, with countless ghost reporters surrounding me, countless camera flashes going off, and me announcing this sentence in the spotlight with live broadcasting."
Qin Ye chuckled twice. *My dear, you're thinking way too far ahead...*
First of all, we need to build this village up to the scale of a town... and only then can we talk about climbing the technology tree and developing the Underworld's power grid...
However...
His gaze swept over the crowds of wandering ghosts surging toward the Ghost Gate Pass with faces full of anticipation, and he smiled. "However... first of all, we have to make our Underworld stand up on its own feet."