Chapter 111: Border Official
To prevent others from eavesdropping,
Jiang Shan used his Ghost Domain to transfer himself and Cao Yanhua to an abandoned villa outside the suburbs of Dachang City.
Because the impact of this matter was truly too significant, he covered the entire area with his Ghost Domain throughout.
A Ghost Domain of Fifth Level Strength was enough to isolate most supernatural phenomena. As long as it wasn’t people like the Seven Elders taking action, even if Wang Chaling brought his whole family, Jiang Shan was confident he could hold out for a few seconds.
As for leaks, that was also almost impossible.
“I know what you’re worried about. This appointment has already been issued, and you still want to keep hiding it from me?”
Looking at Cao Yanhua’s hesitant expression, Jiang Shan lit a cigarette and walked to the balcony, looking into the distance calmly as he said:
“I’m just a high school student who hasn’t even taken the college entrance exam, yet now Headquarters wants me to manage three provinces and ensure the personal safety of nearly 100 million people. If this were ancient times, it could be called a Border Official.”
“This Branch Minister identity is just a hot potato. I have no intention of ‘claiming the mountain as king,’ nor do I want to manage the life and safety of these 100 million people—after all, what does their life and death have to do with me?”
“I just want an identity that’s convenient for me. A selfish Ghost Wielder—his most important thought in his heart isn’t just to ensure he stays alive? Don’t you think so, Cao Yanhua?”
Taking the cigarette Jiang Shan handed him, Cao Yanhua let out a long sigh and replied:
“An 18-year-old ‘Border Official.’ You know, when I first heard this news, I didn’t sleep well for three nights—that’s the lives of 100 million people. Though that’s what I say, without you all, Headquarters would probably already be a figurehead by now.”
He paused, exhaled a puff of smoke, and continued in a hoarse voice:
“I already guessed you wouldn’t want to be this Minister. What you said is indeed right—staying alive oneself is what most people think. Who would be willing to work for Headquarters?”
“Civilian Ghost Wielders can earn billions in half a year by forming a club or something, and joining the Supernatural Forum can even get them protection. But joining Headquarters to manage a city seems glamorous, do you know how many working days the average Person in Charge lasts?”
“61 days.”
“I’ve said long ago that Headquarters’ system has huge problems, but.”
Cao Yanhua didn’t continue, just stared blankly at Dachang City in the distance, lost in thought for a moment.
Until his finger was burned by the cigarette butt, he snapped awake, then looked at Jiang Shan with a desolate expression and said:
“There are too many things inside Headquarters, many that can’t be said or explained. I can only tell you that your Branch Minister identity is an important attempt by Headquarters. Although it’s a special plan independent of the Captain Plan, Headquarters values it more than you imagine.”
“Even if you don’t want to be this Minister, there will be Fang Shiming, Wang Chaling, Li… these people becoming Minister. Do you know Old Qin? It was precisely some of his words that made Headquarters issue this document in the end.”
“The purpose of issuing this document—Headquarters said it was to cope with an unimaginable situation. Just how unimaginable is it?”
Ever since becoming Headquarters’ Vice Minister,
Cao Yanhua learned of far too many Supernatural Events every day.
Because of the global Supernatural Revival, countless people died because of “ghosts” every second and every minute.
On the files sent back to Headquarters, behind those cold numbers were vibrant lives one after another.
If not for his duties being too important, he would have resigned and gone home long ago.
The burden in his heart was truly too heavy.
So heavy that he had nightmares every night, so heavy that he could hardly breathe.
“Headquarters should send some people to assist the Branch Minister in management, right?”
Jiang Shan’s abrupt question stunned Cao Yanhua, who replied somewhat puzzled:
“Normally, there is one. Headquarters has many candidates here, you…”
His voice cut off abruptly,
Hearing the implication, Cao Yanhua’s eyes narrowed, he frowned tightly and looked at Jiang Shan as he said:
“Have you really thought it through? Let me tell you a secret—not really a secret. Today, Tong Qian’s troublemaking was someone fanning the flames behind the scenes. Otherwise, with the Person in Charge’s authority, she couldn’t possibly know such specific death tolls in Dachang City. Someone doesn’t want you to become this Branch Minister.”
“Heh, of course I know all that, but precisely because of this, I must accept this appointment. But I have a condition: you must come to my branch to handle some things for me. As for other demands, I’ll go to Dajing City myself later to ‘discuss’ with those people.” Jiang Shan said coldly.
He truly hadn’t had the idea of taking this so-called “Minister” position before.
But after hearing Cao Yanhua’s words, Jiang Shan changed his mind.
If he gave up this identity,
Then there would be Minister Fang, Minister Wang, or even Minister Yang.
In this world that severely deviated from the Original Work,
Even with his current strength, Jiang Shan didn’t dare say he was completely safe.
Once the unimaginable Unexpected Change that Old Qin mentioned truly appeared in the future, facing a chaotic and fragmented situation, Jiang Shan alone would absolutely not be in a good position.
Not to mention he had already made an enemy of Fang Shiming from the Circle of Friends, and based on his personality alone, he wouldn’t allow himself to be constantly under a “dangerous wall.”
Even if he needed to manage three provinces next.
But Headquarters’ document made it very clear: the Branch Minister did not need to forcibly participate in Supernatural Events.
Success.
And he could control the resources of three provinces and build his own team.
Failure.
Would just mean requesting aid from Headquarters and being dismissed and stripped of power.
He would always remember that phrase:
“Ghost Wielders fear authority, not virtue.”
So Jiang Shan expressed his idea to Cao Yanhua: he not only wanted this Minister’s power, but also assistance from a Vice Minister at Headquarters.
With his current team.
Apart from Zhang Dongxing who had already returned to Dachun City, he could say he had no influence whatsoever.
What he wanted was not just Cao Yanhua himself, but the connections and political power behind Cao Yanhua.
“I still don’t plan to attend this meeting. Since those people want to understand me so much, let them. I need to arrange some things. Tonight, I need you to help me arrange it.”
Jiang Shan was the first to break the quiet atmosphere between the two. He glanced at the puzzled Cao Yanhua and continued:
“I’m going to Dachun City tonight. Send me all the intelligence on Dachun City and Person in Charge information later. The sooner the airplane, the better.”
“Okay, though I don’t know what you’re going there for, on a personal note, I hope you can do one thing.” Cao Yanhua said.
“What is it?”
“Dachun City’s former Person in Charge was the Minister’s own daughter. Although Headquarters has already sent people to rescue, I hope you can step in. As for why, I don’t need to say more—I think you’ll understand.”
