Lord of the Earth

Inside the mysterious inn, the atmosphere suddenly froze.

The shopkeepers who had been arguing fiercely earlier were now all silent.

All eyes were focused on the two Chinese men who had just stepped into the hall, their gazes filled with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

One scholar, one warrior, walking side by side.

The scholar was dressed in brocade robes and an official's hat, with a thin face and a calm gaze like a deep pool. Yet, he exuded a powerful spiritual force that allowed him to control the whole situation and understand people's hearts. This was the manifestation of his literary cultivation reaching the "divine realm".

Divine thoughts are like a prison, encompassing the universe.

The warrior, clad in crimson-gold Qilin armor and wielding a long spear, moved with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger. Each step seemed to resonate with the heartbeats of everyone in the hall. His unparalleled power of blood and qi, mixed with a sharp, tangible killing intent, formed a divine aura that was difficult to see with the naked eye. This was a symbol of martial arts entering the "divine realm."

Qi and blood are like a furnace, and the physical body becomes connected with the divine!

Two experts at the Divine Realm!
Within this mysterious inn, there are only a handful of god-level experts, each of whom is a strategic force capable of influencing the overall situation.

The two appeared at the same time, instantly silencing all the noise and arguments.

"Uncle! Pengju!"

Zong Ze, seated at the head of the table, relaxed his tightly furrowed white eyebrows slightly. His voice carried a hint of fatigue, yet he forced himself to stay alert.

"You two have come at the perfect time! There are currently huge disagreements within the inn regarding resource allocation and bringing in outside help... Do you two have any suggestions on this?"

Zong Ze's words drew everyone's attention back to the core contradiction.

The middle-aged civil official, whom he addressed as "Uncle," nodded slightly and stepped forward slowly.

His gaze swept calmly across the room; his voice, though not loud, reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying an undeniable penetrating power.

"Just now, while I was outside, I heard a commotion inside the palace. I know that some people are worried about the unfair distribution of resources and are even more afraid that with strong external support, they will lose their power and even become controlled by others?"

He paused, his tone remaining calm.

"I wonder which gentleman has such a brilliant idea? Perhaps you could share it with us in person so we can discuss it together."

Kevin's heart skipped a beat as the gaze of the middle-aged civil official in brocade robes locked onto him; the pressure from the divine realm made it difficult for him to breathe.

But now that things had come to this, he knew that retreating would mean total defeat. He took a sudden step forward, his holy power surging within him to barely withstand the invisible pressure, and deliberately made his tone even more impassioned and forceful:
"Then I'll be frank! The Chinese have taken 40% of the innkeeper positions! Almost half the resources are controlled by you... Manager Timur has hundreds of millions of subjects under his command, yet the healing pills he receives each month are barely enough to treat the seriously injured, leaving him to watch helplessly as his compatriots wail in pain! Meanwhile, it's said that even ordinary soldiers in the Chinese branch inns can buy body-tempering pills! This is utterly unfair..."

"fair?"

This time, it was the divine warrior in the crimson-gold armor known as "Pengju" who spoke.

"Does the fairness that Manager Kevin talks about mean dividing the spoils equally per head, or based on actual merit and achievements?!"

The golden-armored general's tiger-like eyes widened, his piercing gaze seeming to pierce Kevin as if it were a tangible object.

"Last time, the Moon Demon army launched a surprise attack on a branch warehouse, locking the space and making it difficult for reinforcements to arrive! Who led their men to force their way in, using their own flesh and blood to hold out until headquarters reinforcements arrived, saving the lives of millions inside the branch warehouse?!"

His voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap.

"These are the soldiers of our China! Three hundred extraordinary elites! Each one a hero capable of taking on a hundred! They all died in battle, their souls scattered! Manager Kevin, tell me, how do you calculate this achievement, this sacrifice?! Where were your Western Continent Knights at that time?! Were they 'protecting' the looted resources in your branch warehouse?!"

The three hundred extraordinary elite soldiers, belonging to the top-tier "Xuanhuang" level, possessed a strategic value far exceeding that of a million ordinary civilians. Their sacrifice was an unbearable pain for the inn.

Kevin's expression changed instantly, his lips trembled slightly, but he still tried to defend himself.

"General Yue's sacrifice was indeed immense, but... our fellow beings from another world are tormented by those damned gods' seals, their minds clouded, their fighting strength reduced to less than one-tenth. They rarely even have the chance to earn merit! If everything is distributed according to merit, wouldn't they be forever stuck at the bottom, with no hope of ever rising above their circumstances? Is that fair?!"

He then steered the conversation back to the plight of the alien human race.

"Mr. Kevin, you keep talking about fairness. So, do you think we're being unfair, or do you have a better way to allocate resources?"

The middle-aged civil official in brocade robes looked at Kevin, his eyes like an abyss, as if he could see right through him.

"exactly……"

Kevin took a deep breath and suddenly said.

"The inn is now beset by crises, surrounded by powerful enemies, and plagued by internal strife! The most urgent task is to temporarily select a 'head manager' who can command respect, oversee the overall situation, and coordinate resources and forces from all sides in order to cope with the great calamity to come!"

"What, Head Manager?"

Everyone was startled upon hearing this.

This is because these mysterious inns use the position of manager, and each inn is strictly speaking "independent".

As a result, each went its own way, and given the current situation, they are bound to be defeated one by one.

If one person can truly command and unite everyone as one, the enemy would probably not be so easily able to invade.

The middle-aged civil official in brocade robes took in everyone's reactions and slowly began to speak.

"What you say, Mr. Kevin, is not without merit."

His words of agreement surprised Kevin and the Western camp, but he continued.

“Indeed, without a leader, orders cannot be obeyed and prohibitions cannot be enforced. Since Lord Kevin also believes that a chief steward is needed, why don’t we take this opportunity to jointly elect a chief steward who is virtuous and capable and can be recognized by all parties?”

"Whether they come from China, the Western Continent, or otherworldly human races, as long as they have sufficient ability, prestige, and achievements, they can run for election. At that time, the head steward will be in charge of all major matters such as resource allocation and the introduction of external aid, which should reduce a lot of unnecessary disputes."

The suggestion seemed fair, and the people in the hall immediately began to discuss it.

Although doing so would "erode" one's authority as manager, it might not be a bad idea to temporarily accept leadership in order to weather the crisis!

"In that case, please speak freely. If you have a suitable candidate in mind, please feel free to propose it for discussion."

Zong Ze spoke up.

Kevin was the first to stand up abruptly and speak loudly.

"I recommend myself! I have served as the manager of the Western Continent region for ten years! I have protected 80 million elemental beings and humans under my command, and we have survived hundreds of major and minor catastrophes. Our branch warehouses have never been breached! In terms of seniority, experience, and achievements, I believe I am qualified for the position of manager!"

"I recommend Manager Wan Sanqian!"

A portly man dressed in a brocade robe stepped forward and spoke loudly.

"As you all know, Manager Wan Sanqian is a powerful figure in the business world, with wealth comparable to that of a nation. He is skilled in everything from resource procurement to material allocation. The Mysterious Inn is currently facing internal and external troubles, with numerous conflicts in resource allocation. It urgently needs someone adept at management and coordination to sort things out. If you, Master Wan, were to become the head manager, you would surely be able to revitalize the inn's resources, ensuring that every resource is used effectively and enhancing overall combat strength!"

“I recommend…”

Representatives from all sides spoke up, either recommending others or volunteering themselves, and the dispute seemed about to reignite.

Just then, the general in the crimson-gold armor spoke in a deep voice, his voice drowning out all the noise: "There is no need to argue. If we are talking about being truly selfless and impartial, there is only one person who can win the hearts and minds of the people of China, the Western Continent, and the Otherworld."

He turned his gaze to the person in the main seat: "General Zong Ze."

The hall fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The golden-armored warrior continued, his voice strong and clear.

"The old general is one of the inn's original elders, highly respected, and possesses a pure heart to protect the people. He prioritizes the inn's survival and the continuation of humanity above all else! Heaven and earth can bear witness to his heart and virtue! If the old general is willing to take on the role of head manager, I am willing to be the first to obey! I swear in my own name that all resources and troops under my command will be unconditionally prioritized for allocation by the inn's headquarters, without any selfish motives or intention to control the inn!"

The middle-aged civil official in brocade robes nodded in agreement and solemnly replied.

"Pengju's words are also my own. I am also willing to give my full support to General Zong and overcome this difficult time together!"

The joint statement from these two Divine Realm experts carries immense weight!

Even within the Western camp, many people showed admiration and nodded slightly.

There's no other reason than that everyone has seen Zong Ze's dedication and sacrifice.

He practically burned his own life and essence to protect this inn, and even in his early years, in order to build a core sanctuary, he did not hesitate to destroy his own companion artifact...

Such an elderly person deserves everyone's respect.

Zong Ze looked at the crowd below the stage, especially the support from the two Chinese Divine Realm experts. A hint of emotion flashed in his eyes, but more than that, he felt heavy-hearted and exhausted.

He sighed heavily, and tapped the ground lightly with the bronze staff in his hand:
"I am grateful for the trust of my fellow practitioners and fellow Daoists."

His voice was hoarse, carrying a deep sense of helplessness.

"However, the position of head steward carries a responsibility heavier than that of the sacred mountain. I am aware that I am old and frail, and my cultivation has not yet broken through to the divine realm. My strength is meager... In this era of great strife and calamity, gods and demons have appeared. I am even afraid of not being able to protect myself. How can I be worthy of shouldering the responsibility of supporting the heavens?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall showed expressions of pity and emotion, and the tense atmosphere seemed to have eased considerably.

Instead, it was replaced by a sense of tragic grandeur and helplessness.

This is because Zong Ze was injured by a calamity-bringing being at the divine realm back then, and now his lifespan is almost over...

In fact, this is why the Western camp dared to raise the issue of selecting a "head manager"...

"In my opinion, the person who can serve as the head manager must be someone who is both wise and brave, possessing both strength and prestige, so as to command respect both inside and outside the company and lead our human race... to find a glimmer of hope... I think Pengju and Uncle Da... the two of you, one a scholar and the other a warrior, have contributed more to the inn than I have, indeed..."

Changing the subject, Zong Ze spoke again.

"What a brilliant move—a strategic retreat!"

Upon hearing this, Kevin's expression shifted, and he cursed inwardly.

How could he not see that "Zong Ze" was deliberately "stepping down to make way for a more capable person"? He would probably say something about supporting the "scholar in brocade robes" and the "military general in golden armor" to take the throne!

He would not allow this to happen, Kevin took a deep breath and forcefully interrupted.

"General Zong's noble character is admirable. The selfless dedication of both of you is also deeply moving. However..."

Then, the conversation changed.

"The position of head manager concerns the future of the inn and the life and death of every member! How can its selection be decided solely by the managers present? In my opinion, such an important position should be nominated by all members of the inn! All branch inns, whether in China, the Western Continent, or other worlds, should have the right to vote among all those belonging to the inn! Only in this way can the head manager be the most representative, the most convincing, and the fairest!"

He had his reasons for making this suggestion.

Humans make up nearly 80% of the population in this other world, and because they can help them "unseal" their identities, they have a huge advantage in the popular vote.

"A unanimous recommendation?"

The middle-aged civil official in the brocade robe suddenly chuckled, with a hint of mockery.

"Your Excellency Kevin seems to be emphasizing the word 'fairness' the whole time. But I wonder, you keep saying you're speaking up for your fellow beings from another world, how much effort have you actually put into removing the obstructing seals of the gods on them, and the Western Temple behind you?"

His gaze shifted to Timur and the others, whose expressions had subtly changed.

With a wave of his hand, a crystal-clear pill the size of a longan appeared in his palm.

The surface of the pill has faint golden patterns flowing around it, emitting strange energy fluctuations.

"This pill is called the 'Seal-Breaking Pill'."

"It was developed by the medical masters of China, who spent countless efforts to create it. Although I dare not say that it can completely break the mark of the gods, it is enough to temporarily suppress the sealing power, allowing the recipient's intelligence and combat strength to recover at least 70%, and there will be no aftereffects."

“If we are truly talking about fairness and sincerity,” the middle-aged civil official in brocade robes looked intently at Kevin, “our China is willing to provide a thousand Sealing Breaking Pills free of charge to Manager Timur and his fellow aliens under his command to alleviate their urgent needs.”

These words came out like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

Especially Timur and other alien humans, their breathing quickened instantly, their eyes fixed on the broken seal pill.

The Western Temple had also promised to lift the seal for them, but the effect was slow and the cost was high. If China could really provide such a miraculous elixir...

Kevin's expression finally changed completely!
The middle-aged civil official in brocade robes struck him squarely where it hurt.

The reason he was able to win over Timur was mainly due to the Western Temple's "exclusive technology" in breaking the seal, but now the Chinese camp also possesses the "power to break the seal"!
"No!"

Kevin almost shouted in a hoarse voice.

"How could there be such a good thing in the world?"

"This elixir has an unknown origin and its effects are unknown. Who can guarantee that this isn't a means for you Chinese to control your fellow beings in other worlds? Perhaps it contains a hidden, vicious restriction that, once ingested, will control you for life! Don't even think about using such tricks..."

Before he could finish speaking, a shopkeeper from another world stepped forward beside Timur, his voice trembling with excitement.

"My lord! If...if this pill is truly effective...I am willing to give it a try! To pave the way for my millions of compatriots!"

Without hesitation, the middle-aged civil official in the brocade robe flicked his finger, and the "Breaking Seal Pill" transformed into a stream of light in his hand.

"Whether it's true or false, a test will tell. You are all practitioners, you can make your own judgment."

Without hesitation, the shopkeeper from another world swallowed the pill on the spot.

After a moment of silence, a distinct fluctuation of divine power emanated from his body, his previously somewhat cloudy eyes quickly became clear, and the aura that had been suppressed for a long time began to rise steadily.

Although it has not fully recovered, it is much better than before!
"It...it works! It really works! I feel...my mind has never been so clear!"

The shopkeeper from another world was so excited that he knelt down on the spot and kowtowed to the middle-aged civil official in brocade robes.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

This scene was like a resounding slap across Kevin's face. (End of Chapter)