Yama Rising

The arrival of the space exploration era would be a blessing from the heavens for all small underworlds.

They were all complete non-factors when it came to fighting for territory and power in the underworld, but what about space?

Izanami was even beginning to envision a future where the Nipponese Underworld could become one of the four pillars!

Under normal circumstances, Izanami wanted nothing more than to kill Heihachiro Fujii and take all of his wealth, but at this moment, she could kiss the old fox!

A concerning thought appeared in her heart, but she quickly dismissed it. Surely the Nipponese Underworld wasn't going to be so unfortunate that it would experience a demise right on the doorstep of the new era!

Qin Ye continued, "As for investments, we do not require any right now. This is only a plan, and we still have to make extensive preparations. When the time comes, I'll hold another conference to debrief everyone. This is the conclusion of the Cathayan Underworld's report."

He departed from the stage, following which another death god stepped onto it.

Qin Ye didn't listen to any of the subsequent presentations. Instead, he fell into deep thought.

It had only been less than 20 days since he had learned about the existence of supercritical tides from the second King Yanluo, and during that time, he had met with the 12 envoys and assigned them roles in the upcoming space exploration project. The wealth of knowledge and experience that the 12 envoys had when it came to Yin runes were vital in a project like this. Aside from that, he had also summoned all of the scientists from the Yin Mountains Research Center for a discussion, as well as to assign them tasks. There was too little time for him to prepare anything else, and even the panel of advisors had failed to anticipate such a vehement reaction to this announcement.

However, it was only to be expected.

Prior to this point, the rest of the world didn't even know that space existed for the underworld, so they had no right to get involved. Even though Qin Ye's knowledge on this subject was also extremely limited, he was still far ahead of the rest of the world. At the very least, he knew the way to leave this plane.

If he refused to share his secrets with the rest of the world, then everyone else would only be able to stand by and watch as the Cathayan Underworld kept everything to itself.

However, it was unrealistic for the Cathayan Underworld to do this alone, especially considering the fact that the Cathayan Underworld was still very much lacking in the knowledge and expertise required to complete this project.

Perhaps this would be a good time to do away with the Array of the Nine Gods…

He was holding the secret to space exploration, so even if the other underworlds became aware of the fact that the Cathayan Underworld was nowhere near as powerful as it had been in the past, no one would say anything, and there certainly wouldn't be anyone proposing the revocation of the Cathayan Underworld's status as one of the four pillars.

If the array were removed, then countless trading posts could be set up, thereby providing another significant boost to the rate of the Cathayan Underworld's economic development. Furthermore, it would allow the Cathayan Underworld's netherworldly citizens to come into contact with the outside world. However…

His brows furrowed slightly as he shook his head and rejected the idea.

This still wasn't the right time.

He had to take over the Nipponese Underworld, both to fulfill his promise, and so that he could use the Nipponese Underworld as a barrier to the east of the Cathayan Underworld. Kuroyasha and Karasutengu had trespassed upon the Cathayan Underworld's territory in the past, and Izanami had even attacked him through a divine descent. For these crimes, she had to die!

During the conference in Nara and even the Great Revelation Debate, Izanami had always stood resolutely behind the three pillars, and it was time that she paid for her repeated provocation of the Cathayan Underworld.

By conquering the Nipponese Underworld, he would be declaring to the rest of the world that the Cathayan Underworld was not to be messed with!

A consideration also had to be made toward the future. Once Mictlantecutli and Mictetikasiwa met their demise, or the managed to flee to another plane during the supercritical tide, the new continent's underworlds would be ripe for the taking, and a war waged over that territory would be inevitable, unless the Cathayan Underworld could complete the Moon Palace project before that.

If he were to withdraw the Array of the Nine Gods, but the project still wasn't completed by then, and a war over the new continent ensued, then he would have no right to participate in that war with the world already aware of the Cathayan Underworld's lack of power.

As a ruler, he had to be able to constantly see several steps ahead.

It's best to wait until after second-generation forbidden arts are developed. Otherwise, if we have both the Moon Palace project and the new energy resource, but no means to protect them with, then we would be asking for trouble.

With that in mind, Qin Ye heaved a forlorn internal sigh.

This was a brilliant opportunity, and if the array could be removed, then the Cathayan Underworld would benefit immensely.

As for the Moon Palace project, it was indeed something that the Cathayan Underworld wouldn't be able to complete on its own. Thus, he had to recruit the power of the entire world to work on the project, and it had to be completed in the Cathayan Underworld. That would allow the Cathayan Underworld's Yin expertise in Yin runology to improve rapidly!

Right at this moment, Yamaraja joined his palms together and put on his most friendly voice as he asked, "Yanluo Qin, pardon me for having my doubts, but is this information reliable?"

"It is as long as the second King Yanluo hasn't lied to me," Qin Ye replied with a faint smile.

Yamaraja took a deep breath as he involuntarily leaned toward Qin Ye from behind his table, then said in an urgent voice, "I know that there have been some misunderstandings between us in the past, but on the international stage, everyone has to look out for the interests of their own underworld, isn't that right? In contrast with this monumental revelation, all of our past differences are completely inconsequential, wouldn't you agree?"

Inconsequential? You've been plotting against our Cathayan Underworld ever since its return to the world stage, yet you're saying that's all inconsequential? Are you trying to suck up to me now? You can act friendly all you like, but I don't have to agree to anything you say!

While it was true that the Cathayan Underworld couldn't keep the Moon Palace project all to itself, he was in charge and could dictate whether the three pillars would participate in the project, and to what extent they were able to participate.

Thus, he merely gave Yamaraja a faint smile and remained silent.

The three pillars were also aware of this. The Moon Palace project was going to contain countless patents, and it was a massive patent in itself!

If the Cathayan Underworld decided to keep this project to itself, then any nation that had space exploration aspirations in the future would have to issue the Cathayan Underworld massive sums worth of patent fees. The phone chip patent fee in the mortal realm was 15%, if the Cathayan Underworld were to set a 20% patent fee for space exploration, then the entire world would be at their mercy!

Thus, it was only natural that Yamaraja was desperately trying to make amends now.

As long as they could reach space, they would have endless land to conquer, and they could perhaps even find intelligent civilizations! That was far more important than anything happening in the underworld!

Thus, Yamaraja was doing his absolute best to make his smile and voice as amicable as possible as he continued, "I think that the four pillars should let bygones be bygones and work together to make this a project a reality, what do you think?"

On this occasion, Qin Ye finally responded. "Surely it's not a good idea to just keep out all the other underworlds."

"With our joint powers, the four pillars can achieve anything!" Yamaraja replied with a smile. "And we're the only ones with sufficient power to contribute to this project in a meaningful way, wouldn't you agree?"

Once again, Qin Ye merely smiled and offered no response.

Yamaraja's frustration was growing, but he made sure that he didn't show it at all as he continued, "The Hindustani Underworld would like to invite you for a visit. When would you be able to come to our nation, Yanluo Qin?"

Qin Ye raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

Oh? Are you conceding to me? You're not going to make threats anymore? You're not going to try and screw me over anymore?

Even the new energy resource wasn't enough to make three pillars extend an olive branch, but the Moon Palace project had already convinced the Hindustani Underworld that it was time to make amends with the Cathayan Underworld.

This was the first invitation for a visit that Qin Ye had received from one of the three pillars since his inauguration!

This also meant that the Hindustani Underworld was beginning to try and accept the Cathayan Underworld. It was clear that Yamaraja was extremely tempted by the opportunities that this project could provide, and it was a project that one could only participate in if the Cathayan Underworld allowed it.

Thus, Qin Ye was even more convinced that he had made the right decision. He hadn't even produced concrete evidence to support his claims yet, but one of the three pillars was already extending an olive branch toward him. If he were to try and keep this project all to the Cathayan Underworld, he really would be asking for a world war!

No one would want to see another underworld's space station hovering right above them unless they could also build space stations of their own!

Qin Ye considered the situation momentarily before deciding that an olive branch from one of the three pillars wasn't something that he could turn down. Thus, he replied, "I have to go and visit the second King Yanluo to confirm some things about space. After that, I'll pay the Hindustani Underworld a visit with my representative team."

Yamaraja immediately clapped his hands together with glee upon hearing this. "We are very much looking forward to our visit! Once this conference is over, we'll extend an official invitation in the form of a diplomatic letter."

Thanatos and Anubis were looking on with furious expressions at their conversation.

You fucking traitor! We only asked you to probe out the attitude of the Cathayan Underworld on behalf of the three pillars, why are you inviting Yanluo Qin to your nation? We haven't even extended an invitation yet!

However, they were seperated from Qin Ye by Yamaraja, so no matter how eager they were to participate in the Moon Palace project, they had to exercise self-restraint in order to keep up appearances. After all, they couldn't just stick their heads around Yamaraja to speak to Qin Ye while another underworld was still delivering its report!

Thanatos gave a cold harrumph as he cast a disdainful gaze before turning to Qin Ye.

As soon as their eyes met, Thanatos's expression immediately made a complete 180 as he put on the warmest and most amicable smile he was capable of.

……………………………………………………

"Turn down all requests for an audience with me. I'm not meeting anyone aside from the ruler death gods of the three pillars."

Following the morning meeting, letters of invitation came surging in like snowflakes in a snowstorm, but all of them were rejected by Qin Ye.

These were all letters submitted by underworlds outside of the three pillars that wished to see Qin Ye. They couldn't see Qin Ye anytime they wanted, so they had to try and take advantage of this opportunity to meet him.

However, the three pillars were different as they could officially request an audience with Qin Ye through a state visit.

A state visit was an international invitation of the highest order, and once one was submitted, it was rarely ever turned down. The four pillars were constantly competing with one another, but they were always open to collaboration on the truly important matters.

After giving that instruction, Qin Ye quickly made his way into a conference hall, where Zhang Ting, Ye Yun, Shi Xiangyang, Tao Guoqiang, Li Dongming, and several other advisors were already waiting for him.

"There's been an unexpected turn of events," Qin Ye said with a serious expression as he sat down on the main seat. "The rest of the world is far more interested in the Moon Palace project than we anticipated, and I don't think this is a project that we can keep to ourselves. The current circumstances simply don't allow for that. We've just released the new energy resource, and now, we're proposing the Moon Palace project as well. If another nation had brought out both of these things, they would've most likely already been conquered by the three pillars before this conference was even held. By the way, Yamaraja has already extended an invitation for a state visit to me, and I didn't refuse."

Shi Xiangyang nodded in response. "This is what we expected. This future development of the entire underworld hinges on this project, and it would be far too difficult for one nation to keep it to themselves, not to mention the fact that our nation currently isn't powerful enough to do that. Thus, we might as well go with the flow and establish a global research and development organization, and distribute patents based on contributions. Of course, we can manipulate this process a little. After all, the project will unfold in our nation, and we provided everyone with the idea and all of the required information. That alone should be enough for us to secure 30% of the patents."

30% wasn't a lot. What the Cathayan Underworld wanted was at least 50% of all of the patents!

Zhang Ting nodded in Shi Xiangyang's direction, then turned to Qin Ye with a solemn expression. "In addition, the Moon Palace project isn't even underway yet, and Yamaraja has undoubtedly extended this invitation to you to examine our progress. We'll need to release progress reports on the Moon Palace project. We can't just keep everything a secret like we did with the new energy resource as the pressure from the rest of the world would crush us. Thus, when the time comes, we'll need to bring out some things of substance."

Qin Ye raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "For example?"

"For example, we need to be able to determine how far away the next supercritical tide is, as well as what signs will arise to signify its commencement, and where it's going to appear!" Zhang Ting replied. "For this purpose, you'll most likely have to pay the new continent another visit."