A heretical cultivator in Bureau 749, I'm the fiercest at pulling out tendons and skinning peop

Ji Zhengdao's eyes lit up, and without any hesitation, he pointed to the surrounding gray, barren, rocky wasteland:

"Director Zhang, look at this place... isn't it a bit too desolate? There's nothing here, it'd be uncomfortable to live in."

"Could you... perhaps send some building materials from outside? Bricks, tiles, timber, cement, steel bars, etc., I'm not picky. I want to do some basic construction to improve our living environment."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yucheng did not refuse and nodded:

"Okay. Before, with fighting every few days and everyone living hand to mouth, nobody was in the mood for infrastructure work here, so it's a bit desolate. Materials are easy to get; I'll have someone arrange it when I get back. Do you need any manpower transferred over to help?"

"manpower?"

Ji Zhengdao blinked, a sly smile playing on his lips, as if to say, "You really reminded me." He lowered his voice slightly.

"Hey, Director Zhang, there's really no need to trouble our brothers in the bureau with manpower."

He pointed to the place where the inner demons had disappeared in the distance, then pointed to himself, and said mysteriously:

"Those guys aren't going anywhere even if they die. I've detained them, and the resurrection authority is with me, isn't it? Once I've straightened out the rules of this area, I can bring them back anytime."

He became more and more excited as he spoke, gesturing to indicate the name:

"By then, we'll have plenty of strong laborers! They can work 24/7, no wages, no meals needed. Exhausted? No problem! We'll recharge, get back to work, and keep going! As long as you can supply the building materials..."

Ji Zhengdao slapped his thigh, his heroic spirit soaring to the heavens:

"I can build you an Epang Palace here so you can play around with it!" Zhang Yucheng was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting such a "sustainable development" approach to personnel management.

Then, as if he had imagined some particularly delightful scene, a wide, undisguised, even somewhat wicked smile spread across his face, and he burst into laughter:

"Great! Great! That's a great idea! Use it freely, use it all you want!"

He emphasized his words, adding meaningfully:

"Especially my husband, he's always so arrogant... Use him to the fullest! Don't hold back! I'm waiting to see when your Epang Palace will be completed!"

"Alright! With your words, I can use it with complete confidence!"

Ji Zhengdao beamed with joy, as if he could already see the spectacular scene of countless hardworking "free inner demon laborers" sweating profusely on the construction site.

At this moment, Ji Zhengdao seemed to suddenly remember something, and his expression became slightly more serious:

"By the way, Director Zhang, there's something else I need to report to you."

"explain."

"When I was digesting that core weirdness, I managed to find some clues from the remaining fragments of its consciousness."

Ji Zuodao carefully considered the wording.

"This thing should be considered a 'second-generation' anomaly. It should be the inner demon of the Zhao family Qi cultivator who caused chaos in this area back then."

Zhang Yucheng's eyes flickered slightly: "Oh?"

"Back then, that Qi cultivator from the Zhao family seemed to be thinking of using the special rules of this place that could draw out inner demons, to bring out his own inner demons, and then take the opportunity to completely eliminate them in order to achieve a clear mind and an unobstructed path to cultivation. The idea was good, but unfortunately..."

He shrugged:

"He messed up. Somehow, the primal eeriness inherent in this place and the inner demons he had been drawn out unexpectedly merged together. The two combined and went berserk, which led to what happened later."

Zhang Yucheng remained silent for a moment, a complex expression flashing across his face, which ultimately turned into a soft sigh:

"I see... Never mind, these are all old grievances. People die and debts are settled. There's no point in discussing right and wrong anymore."

He glanced at Zhao Shanhe, who was talking to several elders of the Zhao family not far away, and lowered his voice:

"Don't mention this to Lao Zhao. He's a sensitive and loyal person. If he finds out, he'll probably feel guilty towards 749 and won't be able to hold his head up high."

"Understood." Ji Zuodao nodded knowingly.

"Alright, you've confessed everything you needed to."

Zhang Yucheng looked up at the sky, which was still gray but seemed less oppressive, and stretched his limbs.

"You brothers can discuss and handle the remaining finishing touches yourselves. We'll take care of things here and then... head home."

Come back home.

He spoke those two words softly, yet they carried immense weight and warmth.

Ji Zuodao and Ji Zhengdao exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of a smile in each other's eyes.

"Alright, Uncle Zhang, take care!"

Zhang Yucheng waved his hand, turned around, and walked towards the group of investigators and Qi cultivators who had already begun packing their belongings and whose faces were filled with eagerness and anticipation.

In the corner, Ji Zuodao continued to count his spirit palaces, while Ji Zhengdao had already begun planning his Epang Palace project by counting on his fingers.

The pinball game between two 7s has been given a new twist.

The sound of Dog's snoring gradually grew louder.

For the first time, the gray and white landscape was filled with a lively, vibrant atmosphere, a sign of life.

The surviving investigators and Qi cultivators gathered in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, some crying, some laughing, cleaning up the battlefield and also composing themselves.

Ji Zuodao and Ji Zhengdao knew it was time to part ways, so they stood side by side with their backs to the commotion.

Ji Zuodao stretched, his joints cracking softly, and then naturally stretched out his arm and put it on Ji Zhengdao's shoulder, pulling him closer to him.

"Brother."

He gazed at the distant gray horizon, clicked his tongue, and spoke with a tone that was hard to describe.

"You know, we're about to go our separate ways... why do I feel so empty and reluctant to leave?"

Ji Zhengdao was watching the crowd of survivors, helping each other walk back. His clear profile, with its distinct black and white features, appeared somewhat blurry in the dim light.

Upon hearing this, his body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and a soft spot in his heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something.

A complex mix of bittersweet emotions slowly welled up inside me.

He opened his mouth, his throat tightening, just as he was about to compose a similarly profound farewell speech—

"Ugh."

Ji Zuodao sighed to himself, patted the hand on his shoulder, his tone melancholy, but his eyes began to wander.

"Since you won't be staying in the Spirit Platform anymore, where will I find fun after I finish my daily cultivation?"

"You have no idea. Over the years, watching you write, direct, and act in your own shows, 'The Return of the Dragon King' could run for eight hundred episodes, 'The Strongest Son-in-Law' could take on ninety-nine different ways of being bullied, and 'The Immortal Doctor Descends the Mountain' even took care of the old sow on the next mountain who was having a difficult birth..."

He smacked his lips, his face showing a mixture of lingering enjoyment and regret at losing such an important form of entertainment.

"The plot, the lines, the female lead's looks... wow, so dramatic and exciting! It's really a bit strange that it's gone now."

Ji Zhengdao: "...?"

The little bit of emotion that had just begun to build up in his heart deflated with a "poof".