Hunting God Era

Chapter 142 The Four First-Class Families (4k)

I walked all the way to the office.

Pan Zhengyang's office layout was not much different from Ning Jiang's, since all his belongings had been moved over.

After inviting Li Ye to sit down, he offered him a cigarette. Li Ye smiled and waved his hand. Pan Zhengyang didn't mind, lit one, and puffed out smoke, saying:

"You know, there are differences between schools, and the gap between top schools is even greater."

“Ordinary top-tier martial arts schools, like our Jianghuai Dragon Martial Arts University, are indeed good, but if you break it down, they can only be considered third-rate top-tier martial arts schools. After all, anyone with enough Qi and Blood can apply, and the principal is worried sick about the number of students.”

Pan Zhengyang thought of something, chuckled, and continued, "Second-rate top-tier martial arts requires a solid foundation in martial arts. When applying for admission, there will be a special test. Only those who pass can enter, and those who fail will be eliminated and placed in the third-rate category."

"Second-rate is the normal top-tier martial arts, while first-rate top-tier martial arts requires training in the Demon Realm. This is a new assessment method that has been established in recent years. Regardless of martial arts foundation, as long as you are from the Seven Dragons Sect and can withstand pollution, you can enter the Demon Realm for training. As long as you can achieve a ranking, you can choose to enter one of the four major universities."

"Zhongshu Tianwu University, Donghai Shenwu University, Kunlun Shengwu University, and Shushan Douwu University are the four top-tier universities. If you are going to Beijing, Zhongshu Tianwu University is suitable for you."

Upon hearing this, Li Ye said, "Back then, you and your master also entered through the Demon Realm?"

"Stop it. We didn't have these conditions back then, and you guys weren't this competitive."

Pan Zhengyang said, "Before the Great Cleanup, we only had second-rate and third-rate people. Those with martial arts skills entered the second-rate category, and those without entered the third-rate category. The Great Cleanup was also an opportunity. At that time, we began to show our talents in the world, and that's when these aristocratic families and sects entered the world."

"Their entry into the world has also brought about many things, such as food. You eat better than we did back then, and we didn't have the experience or mechanisms back then. But this is a good thing. It would be a problem if each generation is not as strong as the last."

"But none of this matters to you anymore. There's a limit to how much you can get involved. You're a top-tier talent, having broken through six levels in the second realm. But even if you're going, you'll still need to go to the Demon Realm first. Getting a good ranking and being sought after will give you better treatment."

"These top-tier martial artists also possess valuable items. If they can help you obtain the necessary seed for advancing to the Heavenly Origin Realm, that would be ideal."

"We'll talk about the rest later."

Li Ye smiled and looked at Pan Zhengyang, "As for that Tian Zhixing, you told me to leave early before because of this, right? You can just say so next time. I'm no weaker than you."

Chen Hualong, who was at the same level as him, was directly defeated. Even if Pan Zhengyang was stronger, he was definitely not as strong as Tian Daoli.

Pan Zhengyang clicked his tongue. "This has nothing to do with strength or weakness. If you're there, things are likely to get out of control. Tian Zhixing... Old Tian helped me before, but he's old, his eyesight is failing, and he's not like a human being anymore."

Li Ye was silent for a moment, then said, "I won't make things difficult for you."

Pan Zhengyang laughed and said, "Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. He's clearly going against us, so there's no question of making things difficult for him. It's just that he's still acting within the rules; otherwise, our Wang Hall would have already called for reinforcements."

The biggest advantage of working within the system is that even if they can't handle something, there's always someone taller to hold it up.

“Wang Ting should have already told you this, and this is what I mean too. There’s no rush. As long as you don’t go to the Primordial Demon Realm, he won’t make a move against you. Besides, he doesn’t even know who it is yet.”

"Alright, if you're free now, help me get some work done."

He took out a stack of documents, handed them to Li Ye, and then took out his phone to send Li Ye a message.

Li Ye's phone was broken before, but it's not like it can't be replaced. He can just get a more durable phone and reinstall the software.

The message sent by Pan Zhengyang was also based on disinfection software, and only the person who received it could see it. Unless that person forwarded it, the information would not be lost.

Of course, this task wasn't as secretive as Li Ye had thought; it was simply a matter of habitually sharing tasks.

Upon seeing the message, Li Ye raised an eyebrow. "Martial Hall? That's quite a reputation."

Pan Zhengyang simply shook his head and smiled, his expression full of disdain.

The information inside was to investigate an organization called 'Martial Hall'. Although it had a grand name, it was actually a joint association of all martial arts schools in Yangcheng City, and it was a privately registered association.

This organization has been going too far lately. Taking advantage of the association's establishment and resource integration, they are forcibly demanding that martial arts schools pay high membership fees, and all martial artists' contracts must belong to the association. Under the guise of mutual help, they are doing utter nonsense.

However, this also has some advantages. Once the resources are integrated, the martial arts school doesn't have to worry too much about student recruitment and resource issues, which is acceptable.

They can accept it, but the martial artists who study in martial arts schools cannot.

Upon entering the Dragon Gate, everyone who wants to learn intermediate martial arts, regardless of whether they pay money or not, must sign a contract.
This is certainly unacceptable, but it hasn't escalated to the point where it needs to be taken seriously by higher authorities. Now, the pest control department has received the news.

"What do you mean?" Li Ye looked at Pan Zhengyang.

"The association was sponsored and spearheaded by the 'Zhuang's Heavenly Craft Group.' The boss, Zhuang Han, is quite something, holding the third realm of Human Origin. His purpose in doing this is to select talent as soon as possible. I guess he has an idea to control martial artists in the future. Right now, it's just a small-scale operation, but to avoid any accidents in the future, let's give him a warning."

Pan Zhengyang said, "I was originally planning to go myself and kill a few people as a token gesture, but since you're here, you can do it for me. You're better at killing people."

Li Ye opened the file, looked at the information, and casually remarked, "In the provincial capital, companies are all the rage. I thought it was some powerful family again."

Compared to Ningjiang, a third-tier city, Yangcheng, as the provincial capital, is naturally more prosperous. Instead of the local tyrants active in Ningjiang, the mainstream here consists of companies of all sizes.

This information reveals the truth: there are no local bullies involved; they only deal with large companies.

“I’ve already told you, the people who meet the standards of aristocratic families nowadays are all very smart. The ones you’ve encountered are not true aristocratic families. The Ren family is half of one, and Chen Hualong, whom you killed, is just a big local bully.”

Pan Zhengyang said, "Back then, during the great purge, a large number of people were eliminated. Those with resources who refused to cooperate died, while those without resources seized the opportunity to take positions, which led to the current situation. More than 30 years ago, apart from those who entered the world, companies were naturally the most powerful."

“In your small city, companies are just so-so. Local bullies and companies are mixed up. It’s not like that in big cities. These companies are shrewd and difficult to deal with. They are the ones we are keeping an eye on.”

Li Ye nodded and continued looking at the documents.

This company's main business is the development of resources in the Demon Realm and the processing of demon materials, but recently it seems to have ventured into a new business, wanting to get involved in martial arts.

Li Ye could roughly understand this.

It's like a middleman from a past life, only it hasn't fully taken shape yet.

"Are they trying to steal our talent? That's going too far," Li Ye chuckled.

In a normal, targeted contract, or in today's world, martial artists tend to prefer large companies with good benefits and relaxed work environments after graduation, rather than departmental units.

After all, there's a lot of work and not much money, unlike a company with a promising future.

From the most basic sheriffs to higher-level security departments, or even the military which encompasses both basic and high-level roles, the company certainly has an advantage in terms of basic capabilities when compared on an equal footing.

At higher levels, that's definitely not an option; the higher the level, the less considerations are things like financial prospects. As for the pest control department...
That's different; this is determined purely by force.

People like Pan Zhengyang and Li Ye live very freely.

In Yangcheng, where Pan Zhengyang is located, the disinfection bureau's work should be progressing smoothly. Judging from the information released so far and Pan Zhengyang's words, although it's not as absolute as Li Ye's in Ningjiang, no one would underestimate the disinfection bureau.

In Yangcheng, the disinfection bureau should be doing quite well in hiring.

Regardless of the circumstances, the fate of martial artists is still within our control, since they have the right to choose. But judging from the current situation, they are not being given the right to choose, and the future martial artists of Yangcheng are being forcibly controlled.

However, apart from that, this company and the association do have positive effects.

As a company, they pay taxes as usual. I wouldn't say they are absolutely law-abiding, but they don't go too far in their actions.

In the field of disinfection, there are some things that do require a certain degree of tolerance. You can't compromise on major principles, but Li Ye himself probably has some blemishes on minor ones, so of course he can't say the same about others.

The association also has a positive effect, as it has integrated resources very well, resulting in a significant reduction in tuition fees for those who go to martial arts schools.

We should look at things dialectically in order to see them comprehensively.

Li Ye has no particular likes or dislikes in this area.
"To what extent should it be dealt with?" Li Ye asked.

"The association's positive functions should be retained, but its directional functions are out of the question; let them be canceled," Pan Zhengyang said.

"Okay, I'll handle it. You just need to prepare a document?"

"Why bother with documents? Just transfer me here directly. I'll have the department issue a transfer order for you to Yangcheng. It'll be legally sound. I'll also handle the paperwork for Jinze for you at the same time. Otherwise, if things get serious, we won't be in the right if you're directing us remotely," Pan Zhengyang said.

Upon hearing this, Li Ye frowned and asked, "Jinze doesn't have a bureau chief?"

"The director of the pest control bureau is there to keep things in order and get things done, while the deputy director is there to give orders and carry out the work. The problem now is that you are the one who can keep things in order the best."

Pan Zhengyang said, "You have a great reputation in Jianghuai. Yangcheng may not be afraid of you, but the other fifteen cities will definitely be afraid when they hear your name. You've already interfered in Jinze, so let's be straightforward and just consider it a temporary transfer for joint investigation."

"We'll second you over and give you a half-level promotion while we're at it. You'll be working in the same office, which will be equivalent to the deputy director of Yangcheng Bureau, making things easier for you."

"What's so special about me? Am I worthy of holding the seals of six kingdoms?"

Li Ye laughed, "I've never heard of one person in the disinfection department holding multiple positions. You're practically splitting me into three parts!"

"Just tell me if you're going to do it or not."

"Will you get a raise?"

"Raise my ass! You haven't earned enough, have you? We put you in charge of Jinze, all for the sake of those mines. Don't think I don't know. Those who go in and make money, you're guaranteed a share. You also have a fiefdom, and you get dividends from the Ningjiang industry. You've earned more than me!"

"Boss, cultivation costs money!"

Li Ye spread his hands, "You say I earn a lot, but I haven't received a single penny in cash yet. The only cash I've seen is the one-time buyout from the school. I've been listening to how much I should get every day, but in the end, it's not as good as the school giving me real money. I've been living off this pie for months, but I haven't seen any money. It's really hard for me."

He now considers himself a genius among geniuses, but even the most talented person can't live on air.

The three realms are settled for now, but what about the path from the three realms to the four realms?
Is the cultivation of true essence just a matter of pure cultivation?
Even when it comes to farming, after getting the seeds, you still need to cultivate the land carefully, use better fertilizers, and harvest it with a combine harvester once it's grown.

Farming requires costs, so how could he possibly cultivate without any?

He has reached his current level without spending much money, but the ground beneath his feet is littered with corpses and demons.

It's like one is spending money, and the other is robbery.

But you can't keep fighting forever; there are some things he won't be able to get.

Upon hearing this, Pan Zhengyang rolled his eyes. "At most, two allowances. Normal secondment and collaboration is supposed to be supplementary allowances. Five thousand, two would be ten thousand, no more."

"Something is better than nothing."

Li Ye shrugged, picked up the document, and said, "Okay, leave it to me."

Procedures can be slow or fast, depending on the person.

Just as Li Ye stepped out of the disinfection bureau, his phone beeped. He then saw two documents sent by Pan Zhengyang, which were about temporary transfers to Yangcheng and Jinze.

In other words, from now on, Li Ye has jurisdiction over the disinfection bureau in Yangcheng and control over the disinfection bureau in Jinze.

Judging from that, Jinze doesn't seem to be planning to appoint a director for the disinfection department.

"I should have let Zhong Chang stay in Jinze."

Li Ye rubbed his temples and shook his head, saying, "That won't work either. Ningjiang is even more short of people. Let the higher-ups worry about Jinze. Anyway, we'll definitely have to fill the gaps in manpower."

Li Ye hopped on his motorcycle, turned the handlebars, and headed towards his destination.

There's no need to look for the association; basically, all the contracts signed were at the behest of this company. The priority and dispatch rights in the contracts are just a pretext for this company to avoid trouble, so that even if something really happens, they can escape.

Normally, that would be the case, but the disinfection bureau is an exception.

Legally, they've cleared themselves of any involvement; aside from sponsorship, they have nothing to do with it anymore.

However, Li Ye did not act according to legal principles.

Just go straight there.

As for the current president of the Martial Hall, he is nothing but a puppet and of no use. Li Ye will not go after him. Once the mastermind is found, the rest will fall apart on their own.

As soon as Li Ye arrived at the company building, he saw a teenager being pushed out.

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; never underestimate a young man's potential!"

The young man's face was resolute, and the famous quote he uttered startled Li Ye.

(End of this chapter)