Chapter 941: I Will Shoulder It Alone!
Kunxu, 16th layer.
Inside a small courtyard located on a floating island.
The small courtyard, which appeared to be only a few hundred square meters from the outside, was a whole different world on the inside. With the enhancement of Immortal Dao Spatial Technology, it contained a space of hundreds of thousands of square meters, which Zhang Yu thought was about the size of a university campus.
And this place, named Inner Enclosure Grotto-Heaven, was the Grotto-Heaven on the 16th layer granted to him after he became the Minister of the Effectiveness Review Department.
At the same time, this place had also currently become the future office location of the Effectiveness Review Department.
At this moment, cultivators were going in and out, installing and arranging the equipment that would be needed for the future department.
Magnetic Pole and Old Gao, as Sect Staff who had followed Zhang Yu to the Effectiveness Review Department, had received authorization to work on the 16th layer and were now also setting up the office inside.
Magnetic Pole was responsible for checking the performance, safety, and privacy of various office equipment…
Old Gao, on the other hand, was inspecting and repairing the various spiritual energy circuits and magic power circuits, as well as the connections to the Spirit Realm and Dharma Realm.
Feeling the slightly oppressive atmosphere within the Inner Enclosure Grotto-Heaven, Old Gao thought to himself, “Tomorrow is January 1st, and Zhang Yu will officially begin the Law Edict Pilot.”
As far as Old Gao knew, the starting location for Zhang Yu’s Law Edict Pilot on the 16th layer had already been decided — it was precisely Si Shian’s Four Seasons Minor Realm.
Old Gao could feel that as the date gradually approached January 1st, the atmosphere within the entire Effectiveness Review Department grew increasingly tense.
“The rising wind forebodes the coming storm.”
Meanwhile, in the center of the Inner Enclosure Grotto-Heaven, Zhang Yu was reading a report sent by Si Shian.
Before his eyes, Su Xianchen’s messages of concern and reminders popped up from time to time.
Su Xianchen: “The whole world is watching our next moves, so we must be cautious in our words and actions…”
Zhang Yu understood Su Xianchen’s meaning. Tomorrow marked the first step of the legal reform within the Myriad Laws Sect. Every subsequent step had to be strictly legal and compliant. They absolutely could not afford to let anyone catch them making a mistake, let alone trigger turmoil within the sect.
Fu Ji summarized, “After all, who knows how many people inside and outside the sect are waiting to pick on us. So, for everything we do next… we need sufficient evidence, to handle matters strictly by the book, and the disciplinary process must be transparent, meeting legal and compliance standards…”
Just then, Zhao Tianxing was seen hurriedly crossing the Spirit Realm to report, “Minister! The Dual Cultivation Support Department suddenly descended upon the Former Days Graveyard, saying they’re going to conduct a surprise inspection of the entire Netherworld Assets Department from top to bottom.”
Hearing the name Dual Cultivation Support Department, Zhang Yu’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Intentionally choosing the day before I start the pilot? Is someone unable to hold back and making a move?”
At the same time, within the Former Days Graveyard.
A group of cultivators was seen charging into the Netherworld Assets Department’s office like wolves and tigers.
Accompanied by a surge of spiritual energy, streaks of profound light swept past, and a string of numbers appeared above the heads of the cultivators in the office.
Bei Wufeng stepped forward and shouted, “You dare cause trouble in the Netherworld Assets Department? Do you know the consequences of affecting today’s revenue?”
“Consequences?”
Right at that moment, the entire building seemed to vibrate slightly, followed by a massive figure slowly walking in.
A surging vital energy rushed over, mixed with wafts of foul, pungent odors.
The expressions of everyone in the Netherworld Assets Department changed upon seeing this figure.
Jin Jun stared at the information above the newcomer’s head, shocked in his heart: “Rank 7 Sect Staff? Tribulation Transcendence Profound Monarch?!”
Bei Wufeng’s eyes narrowed: “Pig monster?!”
Yan Qianji was shaken inwardly: “How esteemed is a Tribulation Transcendence Profound Monarch? How much money can they earn per second? Why would one be mobilized to investigate Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators like us?”
Bei Wufeng clenched his fists tightly. “There’s actually a pig monster in the Dual Cultivation Support Department? They actually let a pig monster investigate us?!”
The Tribulation Transcendence Profound Monarch named Zhu Yan swept his gaze around, having already recorded the numbers above everyone’s heads at the scene. “Our Dual Cultivation Support Department received a report that the Netherworld Assets Department has a long-standing phenomenon of evading and missing dual cultivation. Please cooperate with the inspection.”
In the next moment, Zhu Yan’s fat hand gently waved. “Anyone whose number of times doesn’t meet the standard, take them all away!”
The surging Tribulation Transcendence Pressure swept across the entire scene, pressing down on the many cultivators of the Netherworld Assets Department so much that they couldn’t even lift their heads, let alone resist.
Just as the many cultivators were about to be taken away, a low shout rang out. “Who dares to take people away?!”
Under everyone’s gaze, Yu Xinghan slowly walked out of the office, barely bearing Zhu Yan’s pressure with his Spirit Transformation Realm power. The magic power in his body surged back and forth, shaking him so much that it was difficult for him to move.
Seeing this, Zhu Yan smiled faintly, a trace of malevolent energy revealing itself from his suddenly elongated tusks. “You are Yu Xinghan? You are also a key reported target this time. Not to mention them, you also have to come with us.”
Yu Xinghan said, “Who dares to make us leave our posts without reason? The losses you’ll cause to the Netherworld Assets Department, the Soul Cultivator Company, and the Dharma Realm Service Providers today, can you bear them?”
Zhu Yan sneered and said, “Cut the crap. The Dual Cultivation Obligation is a sect policy. My actions here today are entirely in accordance with the sect laws. Even if there are losses, it’s because you disrespected the sect laws first.”
After saying that, Zhu Yan opened his mouth and spat out a hurricane, seeming as though it would swallow everyone in the Netherworld Assets Department in one bite.
A casual gust of wind blown by a Tribulation Transcendence Realm expert was a completely irresistible attack for everyone present, almost capturing them all in an instant.
Although Yu Xinghan managed to struggle and hold on for a few moves, it only bought a few moments of delay.
Just as Zhu Yan was about to swallow everyone and take them away, a wave of Grotto-Heaven force swept out, forcefully isolating Yu Xinghan and the others from the fierce wind, keeping them in the office.
At the same time, Zhang Yu stepped forward. Looking at Zhu Yan in front of him, the other party’s information surfaced in his mind.
“Zhu Yan, a monster talent brought in from the Celestial Monster Sect. He established the Monsterfolk Human Rights Law and is one of the promoters of bringing monsterfolk into the Myriad Laws Sect.”
“This Zhu Yan, just like the legislator of the Dual Cultivation Obligation, belongs to the monsterfolk. He also holds a position in the Dual Cultivation Support Department…”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “This guy’s Law Edict is in the second batch to be frozen in 20 years. These guys really wouldn’t be so obedient as to wait 20 years to give me trouble…”
Thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning as Zhang Yu opened his mouth and said, “Profound Monarch Zhu, let’s talk things out nicely. Our Netherworld Assets Department has always been a civilized dual cultivation unit. I think there might be some misunderstanding here…”
Zhu Yan said, “Dao Monarch Zhang, it’s not just them. You have also been reported, so you’ll need to come with us as well.
“We just received the newest Dual Cultivation Tester. If you, Dao Monarch Zhang, and the others have truly engaged in dual cultivation on time and fulfilled your sect obligations, the tester will naturally prove your innocence.”
At the same time, Su Xianchen sent a message to Zhang Yu: “Zhang Yu, the new testing equipment at the Dual Cultivation Support Department was developed by Yun Taizhen. It can thoroughly detect all dual cultivation traces from the past five years. Tell me the truth, did you actually fulfill your Dual Cultivation Obligation or not?”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu frowned and thought to himself, “So they targeted this area after all?”
Fu Ji said, “These guys have definitely been comprehensively collecting blackmail material on us for a long time. Now that they think you’re an ancient-style cultivator, they firmly believe you haven’t fulfilled your Dual Cultivation Obligation and want to use this to control us.”
The Sect Examination Clone said angrily, “These bugs! Taking action the day before the pilot project begins — they just want to obstruct our actions tomorrow and hinder the sect’s legal system construction.”
On the other side, Su Xianchen continued to send messages: “Remember, do not force it. Right now, the entire sect is watching us. If we use rule-breaking or illegal methods now, how can we advance the sect’s legal reform?”
Zhu Yan looked at Zhang Yu’s silent demeanor, the confidence in his heart surging even more, and said with a smile, “Dao Monarch Zhang, please cooperate.”
As he spoke, he gently squeezed his right palm. A surging magic power, almost tangible, surrounded the entire area, sealing off the whole office building.
It seemed that in the next moment, if Zhang Yu showed any signs of resistance, he would take him down on the spot.
Logically speaking, with Zhu Yan’s cultivation at the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, suppressing a cultivator like Zhang Yu, who had only entered Void Refinement half a year ago, would absolutely be effortless.
But at this moment, although Zhu Yan looked arrogant and composed, he was extremely careful and cautious in his heart, even feeling a slight trace of nervousness.
Simply because he knew that in Zhang Yu’s hands… was that Ten-Billion Flying Sword capable of bankrupting him completely. “Do you dare to make a move, Zhang Yu?”
“If you make a move, you will be resisting the law with the Ten-Billion Flying Sword. I’d like to see how you promote legal reform in the future.”
“If you don’t make a move, then give up on tomorrow’s operation and come back with me to slowly undergo the investigation.”
At this moment, everyone’s gaze converged on Zhang Yu, seemingly waiting for him to make a choice. The atmosphere in the entire office suddenly became incredibly oppressive.
Just then, someone stepped forward and blocked Zhang Yu: “The dual cultivation affairs within the department are managed by me, and Minister Zhang’s Dual Cultivation Obligation was also outsourced to me. The specific situation has nothing to do with him.”
Yu Xinghan’s vital energy jolted, his muscles abruptly tensing up as he exuded a high-spirited aura: “Today, the Dual Cultivation Obligation of the entire department will be shouldered alone by me, Ghost-Eye Sun-Shoulder. However you want to investigate or punish, just come at me.”
At the same time, Yu Xinghan had already used the Evil God Power to send a message to Zhang Yu: “You’ve helped me block so many tribulations; this time, it’s my turn to help you block one.”
Yu Xinghan understood in his heart that the other party was well-founded and compliant within the sect laws. If Zhang Yu dared to fight back, he would inevitably be attacked by countless people, and his future push for legal reform within the sect would lose its legitimacy, adding countless obstacles.
If he used the Ten-Billion Flying Sword to resist the law, Yu Xinghan felt that would be even worse.
“The Immortal Emperor bestowed the Ten-Billion Flying Sword to promote legal reform. If it is used to defy the Law Edict, I’m afraid…”
And if Zhang Yu were allowed to be taken away, the legal reform would be directly delayed, which would be an even greater blow to future work.
“I will bear this calamity.”
Looking at the pig monster in front of him, Yu Xinghan thought to himself, “Back then, to gather cultivation fees, I could sell my seed for money. What does it matter now to be taken away for an investigation by you?”
And just as Yu Xinghan stepped forward, Shi Yunxiang, Mo Shangjin, Gongshu Jin, Tu Lishan, and the others beside him also stepped forward one by one.
Shi Yunxiang: “Me too! Take me away for investigation as well.”
Mo Shangjin: “Minister Zhang and Divine Lord Yu’s Dual Cultivation Obligations have all been outsourced to me.”
Gongshu Jin: “They’ve been outsourced to me too.”
Tu Lishan silently walked over to Yu Xinghan’s side.
Tu Lishan thought to himself, “Minister Zhang… he is our banner now. As long as he stands tall, we can stand straight. How can we let you guys from the Support Department take him away?”
Looking at the crowd that had followed him, Yu Xinghan thought, “Good, the Civil Engineering Gang will take down this matter.”
Yu Xinghan turned his head to look at the Dual Cultivation Support Department led by Zhu Yan, his eyes filled with a blazing fighting spirit: “Whether it’s one thousand times or ten thousand times, we will shoulder all the Dual Cultivation Obligations today.”
Watching this scene, Bei Wufeng felt a wave of conflict in his heart, “Damn it, even the monsterfolk have stepped up, how can I…”
But looking at Zhu Yan in front of him, he truly found it hard to step forward.
Just then, seeing Ye Xingli, Yan Qianji, and the others about to come up, Yu Xinghan sent a message directly, “Those of you in artifact refinement shouldn’t step up. Your bodies are too precious and not worth wasting here. The few of us have thick skin and rough flesh, making us the most suitable to bear this.”
“And Ying Xin, you shouldn’t step up either. The department’s finances can’t do without you.”
At the same time, Shi Huaiyu transmitted her voice, “I just mortgaged my internal organs a couple of days ago, so I can’t use them recklessly now and have no way to go up and fight. You guys take this money, and take good care of your health when you get back.”
With that, she transferred a sum of Immortal Coins over.
Having just sent the money, Shi Huaiyu’s heart was already bleeding, “My newly won Immortal Coins…”
Seeing Shi Huaiyu sending the money, Ying Xin, Ye Xingli, Bei Wufeng, Jin Jun, Yan Qianji, and the others were all visibly moved. In their eyes, this act of giving money was completely on par with the courage Yu Xinghan and the others showed by actively taking on the fight.
Seeing that Ye Xingli and the others were also eager to send money, Yu Xinghan hurriedly stopped them, “Alright, don’t transfer anything for now. Wait until we come back.”
Watching this scene, Fu Ji nodded repeatedly and said, “Great, this is exactly what subordinates should be used for. Having them shoulder the burden is a great deal.”
Immortal Slayer said with gratification, “Zhang Yu… Yu Xinghan and the others have unwittingly been changed by us as well. Ordinary cultivators would never step forward at a time like this.”
Fu Ji snorted coldly, “That’s because we gave them enough benefits and fed them well! We made them feel that stepping forward and shielding us is their optimal choice!”
Just as the streams of consciousness were rapidly communicating in Zhang Yu’s mind, Zhao Tianxing looked at the consistently silent Zhang Yu and reminded him, “Minister, just let Yu Xinghan and the others go.”
“President Su Xianchen has already sent the intel. This Zhu Yan has maxed out his loans and spent all his money. If you use the Ten-Billion Flying Sword, he never intended to return rich anyway. He came with the resolve to go bankrupt; he’s determined to plunge into poverty, Minister.”
“Right now, the whole world is watching you. You absolutely must not act recklessly at a time like this.”
Zhang Yu did not speak, simply watching all of this with a deep, profound gaze.
At the same time, Zhu Yan had already snorted coldly, “You guys are going to shoulder it? Zhang Yu’s share… can a bunch of low cultivation trash like you even withstand it? Today, I will have everyone in the Netherworld Assets Department bearing children!”
“Take them all down and execute them on the spot.”
A surging pressure swept out, instantly pinning Yu Xinghan and the others firmly to the ground. The numerous cultivators of the Dual Cultivation Support Department had already pounced on them like ravenous wolves and tigers.
“Wait a moment.”
Right at this moment, following Zhang Yu’s soft words, everyone came to a halt.
Zhu Yan also looked at Zhang Yu nervously yet expectantly, as if waiting for his reaction.
At the same time, Le Mulan’s projection surfaced beside Zhang Yu, saying, “The Dual Cultivation Obligation of the Netherworld Assets Department has already been completed by Minister Zhang and me.”
Zhu Yan asked in disbelief, “Just the two of you?”
He tried to probe Le Mulan’s information, only to be surprised to find that she was actually classified personnel of the Heavenly Surveillance Hall; with his rank, he couldn’t even view her specific details.
The next moment, a streak of sword light tore through the sky, descending from above with a vast Sword Intent.
Bai Zhenzhen’s voice came from within: “Zhang Yu and I have already completed the Netherworld Assets Department’s quota for the next ten years. If you want to investigate, submit an application to the Heavenly Sword Sect.”
Zhu Yan was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself: “Are you trying to say that you overfulfilled your quota and even promoted inter-sect exchange?”
Just as he was tracing the source of this message, rows of fine notices suddenly appeared before him.
“Where did these fines come from?”
“Is it because… an Immortal Clan member is pressing my head down?”
“Wait, why would my head be pressed down by an Immortal Clan member? When did this happen?”
Three consecutive questions pierced through Zhu Yan’s mind like lightning. The next moment, he saw Bu Yingshu saying to him, “Do you want to investigate my dual cultivation records with Zhang Yu, too?”
Watching this scene unfold, Zhang Yu was shocked and thought to himself, “How did three of them show up all at once?”
“I only called for one!”