Seized by the System

“What use do I have of you if you can’t even propose an idea? I’ll go to Anderson instead.” The System’s voice dripped with disdain.

Fang Ning was filled with unutterable gloom when he realized that he was looked down by an idiotic System.

He immediately said, “These issues were already difficult to handle; you canonly put things right once and for all if you can find the Deity behind the problem and terminate it directly. That was also the only recommendation that Anderson could share with us.”

The System did not answer. It only spoke after 5 minutes had passed.

“Uh, you’re indeed wise, Mr Rich-man. That was what Anderson said too. However, how could we investigate this? The investigation process will take time, and what should we do if the clan below was exterminated by the angry Deity when we are busy with investigations?” The System was troubled.

“Huhu, let me tell you this. There’s no perfect solution in this world, and there will be cruelties that we have no choice but to accept. This is the difference between the real world and the novels. Even if the latter could have a perfect ending, it is usually the opposite in the real world. We could do nothing but to take it with gritted teeth, really,” Fang Ning lectured.

The System finally revealed the purpose behind its question. “Oh, even if whatever you said made perfect sense, I must inform you that unfortunately, it was also a speech that is redundant and useless. Just tell me this – if the clan below us is killed by that deity behind the scenes, will my Chivalry Points suffer a huge drop and cause a System breakdown?”

“Of course that wouldn’t happen. What you did was proper; if these Black Jade People were killed, it’s out of your abilities to stop that from happening. Since they had accepted the task of the deity, they must be held accountable by any consequences that follow that decision.” Fang Ning answered coldly.

“Um, Sir Big Spender, you really have quite a cold heart.” The System was surprised.

“That’s funny. These people were so eager to shout about how they were going to eradicate a clan. Of course, they wouldn’t be deemed innocent when they’re at the shorter end of the stick. Just relax and investigate who was behind this. Rest assured that no matter what happens during that period of your investigation will never affect the stability of the System,” promised Fang Ning.

Sometimes, Fang Ning had a better understanding of the System than the System itself, just like how the onlookers of a game had a better view of the game than the players themselves. Besides, Fang Ning had ample experience with games, and he knew the structure of the core values of these games as clearly as the back of his hands.

“Oh, I have nothing to worry about then. Say, who do you think we should send for the investigation?” The System settled down its worries once again.

After a long period of contemplation, Fang Ning picked his choice from the folder. “Hm, in my opinion, the Yellow Dog is now busy with the Scientific Academy in Morality City. The Sky Eagle, on the other hand, is cultivating the path of godhood with the River God of the Sky River. It’s also highly probable that the Sky Eagle would have a brief understanding of the Gods and Deities of the Upper Realm. It would be most suitable if we were to let it lead the investigation.”

“Since Sir Rich-man has said that, I’ll send it to do it then. Great!” The System said in agreement, “This came at the right time. It’s been a while since we’ve delegated tasks to the Sky Eagle. There is no way that we’re letting it enjoy the worship of the spirits in the Draconic Penitentiary for free.”

“Haha, no wonder you didn’t even hesitate before agreeing with my suggestion.” Fang Ning was slightly speechless by the System’s justification.

“Of course! Look at you, you are always the person that indulge your subordinates, thus causing them to be undisciplined. I must let them work hard to earn the pay that I give them.”

“Can you hear yourself? Aside from Butler Zheng and that Upper Realm immortal maiden that is working as a maid in the mansion, you never gave anyone else actual monetary pay. The most you would give them is their daily meals.” Fang Ning rolled his eyes in response.

“Providing them with their daily meals is good enough, their appetites are all quite big.” The System’s defense seemed plausible.

///

By the side of a cliff so high that it broke the clouds, a gigantic nest of the Divine Eagle was found in the white snowy mountains to the northwest of China.

Below the cliff was several low and steep ridges. On top of the ridges were thousands of eagle nests of different shapes and sizes.

This would never be possible in the past. The appetite of the eagles themselves ruled it impossible for eagles to live in packs over a large area. After all, they were meat eaters, and the food supply was scarce.

However, this was no longer the case now. These eagles had already obtained sapience. With the guidance of the leading Sky Eagle, they learned to exchange food with hard work and were no longer confined to the ancient lowly norms of hunting.

Two eagles were now resting within their nests and were chatting across the ridges. Their conversations were in Chinese. ” Ying Er ¹ , which cities have you been around this week? How many food deliveries have you completed?”

” Ying Da ² , I went to the Devil City, a city so big I have sent more than a thousand food deliveries in a week. So many human deliverymen threw in the towel because of that, haha… We couldn’t help but be efficient; we’re a fuel-free air force!” Ying Er boasted with glee.

“Your experience cannot compare to mine! Last week, I delivered over two thousand orders. Even though I might not have higher cultivation than you, nor can fly faster than you, I am unfortunately more handsome than you are. It’s so much easier for me to communicate with the humans! I’ll only need thirty seconds for your three minutes.” Ying Da gloated, its nose pinned high and proud to the sky.

Ying Er was indignant after listening to Ying Da. “D*mn it! I don’t believe this. How could the humans be able to differentiate the handsome from the ugly among us eagles? The humans all look the same to me, so I think we also look the same to them.”

“Huhu, look at my wings! They are golden and lovable by all humans at first sight. I have received extra tips just because of these wings! Look at you, you’re almost grey entirely. I almost couldn’t believe we’re brothers from the same nest,” declared Ying Da proudly.

“Ah, I got it! I’ll go and dye myself gold next time. I will no longer let you lead the race with your beauty! When that happens, I’ll definitely deliver more orders than you, and thus receive more tips than you would receive!” Ying Er quickly thought of an idea and was very proud of itself.

“Uh, you really did pick up quite some crooked ways from the humans huh? You even know about the wicked practice of plastic surgery…” Ying Da grumbled petulantly, lamenting about how it would lose its only strategical advantage from now on…

At this exact moment, a long hoot was suddenly heard in the area.

“Oh no, Lord Divine Eagle is calling for us. Let’s quickly go to him.” Ying Da flapped its wings and got out from its warm nest.

“Is it the collection time of this month already?” Ying Er asked as it got out of the nest as well.

“Are you stupid? Lord Divine Eagle does not have the time to care about menial matters as such.” Ying Da immediately flew towards the highest cliff in the area.

After an hour and 45 minutes, thousands of eagles perched around the highest cliff to listen to a giant eagle’s lecture.

“Listen, all of you. In the next month, pay the highest attention to all matters within your area of governance. Observe if there are any strange fluctuations of Divine Power, and inform me immediately if you find anything. I have already taught you the methods to detect fluctuations in Divine Power before this.”

“Yes, Lord Divine Eagle.”

“Alright, you can disperse yourselves now. These are my final words to you – you must sustain this arduous style of living by the sweat of your own brow. Remember, we Divine Eagles will only sell our labor and never our bodies. Never imitate the ways of certain clans that assist the evildoer to perpetuate their evil deeds like how a pair of claws help a tiger attack its victims. If I were to find out, I will immediately expel you of your identity as an eagle and send you to hell.” The giant eagle stressed greatly upon its words.

“Yes, Lord Divine Eagle.”

Then, the few thousand eagles flew away in unison, and it was such a breathtaking sight that even the skies and the sun were covered by their wings.

The giant eagle was deep in its thoughts. “Mm, once this instruction is passed down, I’ll probably be able to get some information within these few days. I can probably complete this task given by the Venerable Dragon God just in time. Judging from how it had continued the norms in the Upper Realm, this cruel unknown Deity was probably new. It most likely had no idea about the situation in this realm. With that Dragon God around, acts as horrendous as such will never succeed.”

It nodded silently as it gazed at the departing eagles. Not only did these eagle subordinates possess sapience, but they also start their cultivation as a Bucket-level or even higher. With these subordinates, the future of the clan would be bright and limitless.

If more manpower was needed, they could just go to the Land of Heritage to get more eagles over. Now, the concentration of vitality outside of the Land of Heritage has greatly improved. The difference between the Land of Heritage and the external world was less significant than before.