Chapter 650 - 139: Arrangements, Rescue, Official Seal, Interrogation

As Zhang Deming looked at the man, he was kneeling on the ground, head bowed, trying his best to shrink into the crowd. Dominated by some unknown force, he instinctively tried to ingratiate himself.

It was an instinctual attempt to please him, lest a sudden bout of anger implicated him as well. At the same time, because he was unsure of the newcomer’s background and temperament, he didn’t want to stand out. This was the survival instinct of his kind.

So, while trying to curry favor, he hid himself in the crowd. But as if sensing Zhang Deming’s gaze locking onto him, he trembled all over.

When no other reaction came, he lifted his head slightly and met Zhang Deming’s gaze.

The moment their eyes met, he lowered his head as quick as a flash and shrank back again. However, the lack of any punishment seemed to confirm something for him. His courage grew considerably, and he was no longer trembling in fear over the sycophantic words he had just spoken.

Zhang Deming glanced at the man, then paid him no further mind and continued, "So, since we have been forced to mobilize on such a grand scale, it would be best for us to remember the fates of certain people."

As Zhang Deming spoke, he waved his hand, projecting a huge Light Screen in the center of the square. The center of the Light Screen showed a corner of the square, where a specially designated formation stood.

In the image, many people in the special formation looked up as if at a camera. When they realized they were the ones being displayed, that group of special Martial Artists, who were already trembling, began to shake even more violently.

"Ah..."

"Ah..."

"..."

Before they could even beg for mercy, they let out miserable screams, one after another, as all sorts of plants began to sprout from their bodies.

The Mortals filling the square watched the gruesome scene, all of them scared into silence. In that moment, they witnessed both the benevolence and the harsh justice of an Immortal.

"Since I have intervened, I will see it through to the end. First, these Martial Artists will serve as a warning. They will be kept in this square and tortured like this for ten full days. Only then will they be granted the privilege of death.

"Second, all who participated in this riot are to report to the City Lord’s Mansion to register themselves. Because there were reasons for this incident, the matter will not be pursued too harshly.

"Those I intended to hold accountable have already been designated as part of that group of ’Human Fields.’ Therefore, it is best you register yourselves willingly. For those who do not, and force my hand, you will have only yourselves to blame for the consequences.

"Believe me, you do not want to see me under such circumstances.

"Finally, all who have ever held an official post in this city, regardless of rank, are to take one step forward and ascend the smaller platform in this recruitment square. I will take this opportunity to make Jing City—and indeed this entire Mortal realm—run in a new way."

When Zhang Deming finished speaking, he looked toward the one he had spotted earlier, the one he suspected was an Inner Official. He simply stared, saying nothing more.

The man felt Zhang Deming’s gaze, hesitated for a moment, then cautiously became the first to walk up. With the first person leading the way, the others began to follow suit one by one.

After all, although Zhang Deming had acted like a harsh enforcer, he was punishing evildoers. This, combined with the legends of Immortals, meant these people held him in awe, not terror. Some even felt a measure of respect.

In a short while, the small platform was filled with officials of all ranks. ’Well... to be precise, they were all insignificant, minor figures, clerks at best. Any official with even a bit of real authority had already been killed.’

The three highest-ranking individuals turned out to hold positions like personal attendants in the City Lord’s Mansion.

’Hmm, not Guards. You could think of them as junior secretaries?’

’No!’

’Scholar’s Attendants?’

’That’s not it either!’

’The Secretary’s Office types have too much power. Definitely not them! They would have been killed long ago!’

’That’s it!’

’Eunuchs. And low-ranking ones at that—the serving type, not the powerful Chief Eunuchs.’

So, after realizing their situation and looking at this pile of people, Zhang Deming felt a headache coming on. The administrative structure of a major city wasn’t something you could just slap together! He therefore gave up on the idea of handling it himself.

First, he wasn’t familiar with the Mortal administrative systems of Hongmeng, having never looked into them before. If he acted rashly and overreached, it would be a disaster.

Second, he hadn’t studied history in his past life and didn’t understand the operational mechanics of a feudal dynasty. Even trying to improvise would be difficult.

Therefore, Zhang Deming pondered for a moment, then turned his head to look at Qin Shizhong, who was standing quietly beside him. "Are you familiar with the administrative systems of Mortals?"

Qin Shizhong smiled and said, "This is basic knowledge for any Disciple who doesn’t want to be sent out to be a Stallion and would rather manage affairs in the Mortal world. I spent several years studying this very subject.

"I wouldn’t dare claim to be an expert, but without the factional infighting of all these Mortal officials, setting up a rough framework and making appointments should be manageable."

Zhang Deming nodded. "Fine. I’ll leave it to you. Within one day, I want you to use the previous system as a basis to create an effective administrative structure for this city.

"However, the position of City Lord will only be a mid-to-high-level role. Above it, I need to add a Prefecture Governor, a Cabinet, and a Monarch.

"Hmm, you don’t need to worry about those for now. You just need to organize these people into an effective administration based on the system you know. Establish the position of City Lord, but leave the authority temporarily vacant. That will be all."

Qin Shizhong asked with a hint of confusion, "Martial Uncle, are you planning to use the Sect’s upwardly-compatible departmental system to unify the entire Mortal world and establish a comprehensive administrative network?"

Zhang Deming paused for a moment. "Why? Is that not allowed?"

Qin Shizhong said, "Of course not, there’s no problem. In fact, that approach is a perfect fit for the Sect and the current situation. However, the Mortal world has no Arrays, no Sect Protection Array to coordinate everything."