Chapter 154: Being a Dog Isn’t So Bad

After all, bragging didn’t cost taxes, and that so-called Heavenly Will couldn’t even beat him. In this modern-version arc, the more Lu Yan elevated the status of the Lord of the Underworld, the better.

Lu Yan had long planned it out—once this urban version came to an end, he would arrange for the Underworld to make a perfect exit.

Even if some high-level figures from other versions tried to verify the truth later, as long as they couldn’t find a trace of the Underworld, they’d have no way of exposing the lie.

And once a lower-energy version came around again, he could just patch up the identity and continue maintaining the authority of the Underworld. Even a Nascent Soul Dao Lord couldn’t find fault with such a cross-version patch.

While Lu Yan was plotting all this in silence, the various factions’ representatives were also holding a quick, whispered consultation.

At this point, Lu Yan had spoken so clearly—no matter how unwilling they were, they could only grit their teeth and agree.

Dying in the tomb was better than dying right now.

Besides, the information Lu Yan had revealed about the Lord of the Underworld gave them a bit of reassurance.

In their eyes, even if the plan failed, Lu Yan had a supreme backer, and at least someone would clean up the mess. They wouldn’t end up in the absolute worst scenario.

After some deliberation, the one who spoke up was not the highest-ranking among them—the federal envoy—but Chu Zhuoqun, the Deputy Minister of Personnel from the Archaeological Association.

“To resolve the crisis of the Beimang Forbidden Zone, we are naturally duty-bound,” Chu said with solemnity. “Our only concern is… we are all ordinary people. The weapons we can deploy are all mundane.”

“The tomb at Mount Beimang is undoubtedly perilous. We’re unsure how we can be of help to Your Excellency.”

Lu Yan replied coolly:

“Worry not. I will personally restrain the Beimang Ghost God with a spell. He won’t be able to harm you.”

“Before you breach the tomb, ghost generals and ghost soldiers will escort you to ensure your safety. The true danger lies within the tomb itself.”

“The tomb is the anchor point linking the Forbidden Zone to this world. Its internal space is unstable, the balance of yin and yang in chaos. Neither ghost soldiers nor battlefield specters can set foot inside.”

“But you mortals from the living realm can move within it without interference. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have asked you to destroy the tomb in the first place.”

“The only thing you need to be cautious of are the traps and backdoors the Ghost God has set within the tomb.”

Upon hearing this, everyone visibly relaxed.

What they feared most was having to fight those terrifying ancient battlefield souls—or worse, directly face the Ghost God.

Now that Lu Yan had made these assurances, their hearts settled.

Yes, there were still risks, but building a connection with this Underworld deity and gaining access to the Beimang spiritual vein was worth it.

Chu Zhuoqun immediately bowed and pledged:

“We shall give it our utmost!”

The massive face formed by black mist revealed a hint of satisfaction. Then, the mist gathered into a giant hand and reached deep into the Forbidden Zone.

Moments later, over ten different spiritual herbs and three spirit ores were plucked out by the hand and placed in the plaza before them.

Spiritual light shimmered. The ambient spiritual energy was almost visible to the naked eye, dazzling everyone present.

“This is your advance reward. You have half a month to prepare.”

“In half a month… launch the assault on the Beimang Tomb.”

As the final word echoed, the sky-covering black mist instantly dispersed.

That vast, divine face and the suffocating black hand vanished without a trace.

Li Hao, still kneeling on the ground, slowly rose and resumed his earlier arrogance.

He looked coldly at the representatives and asked:

“So, do any of you still want me to plead guilty?”

After such a spectacle, the various factions understood—Li Hao was now the chosen agent of that Underworld deity.

His status might not be high—just a lowly dog under the Lord of the Underworld—but as the saying went, even the doorman of a prime minister held a seventh-rank title.

And this was no ordinary being—it was a ghost deity from the Underworld.

Forget being a dog. Even if he were a real mutt, they’d have no choice but to treat him with reverence.

Under these new circumstances, who would dare to cross Li Hao?

Chu Zhuoqun gave a kind smile and spoke diplomatically:

“Chairman Li jests. It was all just a misunderstanding earlier.”

The Archaeological Association wasn’t a powerful faction—lacking both wealth and influence. It was a loose, semi-official body at best.

But because this event involved ancient myths and legends, the association held significant authority in matters of historical context. As a result, Chu Zhuoqun’s influence soared.

Even Shi Zhiyuan, the federal envoy, forced a smile and said:

“Since Chairman Li’s development of the Forbidden Zone was sanctioned by that deity, it naturally doesn’t count as any kind of violation.”

He paused briefly, then glanced at the deathly pale Xu Shaolin beside him.

“In terms of managing Luocheng, Chairman Li has always performed excellently.”

“Some of the other councilors, however, have been derelict in their duties. I’ll recommend to the Federation that we reduce the number of council seats in Luocheng. We can discuss the details later, Chairman Li.”

With that, everyone understood—the Federation had chosen a side. Li Hao now had complete control over Luocheng.

No longer would eleven families balance power. Now, it would be one man in charge.

Once he absorbed Luocheng fully and leveraged the spiritual revival from Mount Beimang, it was only a matter of time before he rose even further.

The representative of the Qingwu Group spoke next:

“Since we’ll be launching the assault in half a month, it’s crucial we coordinate closely. With so many spiritual treasures obtained today, we might as well establish a joint research institute to study the secrets of spiritual energy. That way, we’ll be better prepared.”

The Tianyun Group’s delegate added boldly:

“Though the Beimang Tomb is dangerous, it’s also the world’s first spiritual revival zone. Its value is unimaginable.”

“Exploring the tomb isn’t just fulfilling the deity’s orders—it’s a massive opportunity. We must begin preparations immediately!”

Listening to the warm and respectful tones of the various representatives, Li Hao felt himself begin to float with elation.

Sure, he held high status and influence in Luocheng, but at the end of the day, Luocheng was a third-tier city. Its only redeeming quality was a bit of cultural heritage.

Compared to national giants like Tianyun or Qingwu, he was just a bumpkin landlord—unworthy of being taken seriously.

But now, he was receiving unprecedented treatment.

Even the federal government and top-tier corporations were falling over themselves to curry favor, going so far as to offer him a stake in a joint research institute.

And all of this—everything—stemmed from that one choice:

He had willingly bowed to the ghost deity of the Underworld.

In a daze, Li Hao smiled faintly and murmured to himself in his heart:

“Being a dog… isn’t so bad after all.”

(End of Chapter)