My Monster-Derived Skills Are the True Power
Chapter 27: A Great Benefit to the Nation and Its People

Finally, it was my turn.

Wei Mingze subconsciously straightened his posture.

Earlier, when Li Ye took it upon himself to suggest implementing an official football lottery during the match, Wei Mingze felt this young man was audaciously presumptuous.

Even if Li Ye truly possessed the skills of a Grandmaster, Wei Mingze had been prepared to knock him down a peg.

So what if he was a Grandmaster? The court also had Grandmasters, and even the ones from the Scarlet Flame Sect or the Heavenly Dao Alliance knew to behave themselves.

Breaking the rules, even as a Grandmaster, would lead to collective backlash.

What’s more, when they arrived at the reception hall, Li Ye outright ignored him and first attended to Gongsun Jie. This made Wei Mingze simmer with rage.

After all, he was a regional governor. Could his status really be considered inferior to that of a mere sect leader?

At that point, Wei Mingze had already resolved to give Li Ye a harsh lesson.

But then, Li Ye and Gongsun Jie’s conversation took an unexpected turn, veering toward topics like spiritual energy, cultivation, and advanced civilizations. These mystical concepts left Wei Mingze utterly baffled, yet everyone in the hall played along as though it was serious business.

Had Wei Mingze not known that Gongsun Jie couldn’t possibly conspire with Li Ye and Shi Xiang, he might have suspected this was an elaborate setup against him.

Taking it a step further, if Gongsun Jie had truly sacrificed his dignity to cooperate with Li Ye in this charade, the implications were even more alarming: a new, suspiciously skilled Grandmaster, alliances among sects like Xuanguang Sect, Scarlet Flame Sect, and even the rival Qingcheng Sect...

These sects, which were usually at odds with one another, suddenly uniting—just the thought of it was enough to make Wei Mingze’s position untenable. It could even destabilize the entire kingdom.

So Wei Mingze dared not maintain an air of superiority. He smoothly joined the conversation, chuckling:

"All these things you’re discussing, I find utterly bewildering. Master Li, if you want my cooperation, at least make me understand what you’re trying to accomplish!"

"Governor Wei," Li Ye said with a smile, fixing his gaze on him, "I am not of this world. I come from a more advanced civilization, the Galactic Federation. Due to an accident, I fell into your world. To put it in terms you might understand, I was a deity in the heavens, banished and sealed of my power, then cast into the mortal realm."

Nonsense!

Wei Mingze snorted internally but outwardly smiled and asked, "Since Master Li claims to hail from the celestial realm, could you demonstrate some celestial techniques to enlighten me?"

Li Ye shook his head. "Governor Wei, the deity analogy is merely a metaphor. I am just someone from an advanced civilization. While what you call ‘celestial techniques’ do exist, they require more sophisticated equipment to execute."

"Governor Wei, I can vouch that every word Li Ye says is true," Gongsun Jie interjected, now a staunch believer in Li Ye. Seeing Wei Mingze question his guide, Gongsun Jie’s expression darkened. "I am the leader of Xuanguang Sect. Do you doubt my integrity?"

"We can also attest to this," Zhong Wenhao and Zhu Zhirou said in unison.

Physical transformations couldn’t lie; without celestial techniques, there was no other explanation.

Zhu Zhirou’s eyes were already sparkling as she looked at Li Ye, even entertaining thoughts of switching sects and becoming his disciple.

Wei Mingze frowned, his gaze sweeping the reception hall as he pondered the veracity of Li Ye’s claims.

Deep down, he didn’t want to believe in the existence of advanced civilizations. Yet the events before him defied common logic, leaving him at a loss for a reasonable explanation.

Li Ye saw Wei Mingze’s hesitation and smiled. "Governor Wei, if you truly don’t believe me, why not report my case to the emperor and let His Majesty decide?"

D*** it! He’s setting me up!

Wei Mingze shot Li Ye a glance, an inexplicable anger flaring in his heart.

Without tangible evidence, reporting such an absurd matter to the emperor could cost him his position. But not reporting it posed its own risks. If the situation escalated and spun out of control, his position would be in jeopardy all the same...

Wei Mingze was caught in a dilemma.

"Governor Wei, it seems you don’t trust my identity," Li Ye said with a smile and shook his head. "In that case, let’s set aside identity and talk about mutual benefits instead."

"Benefits?" Wei Mingze was taken aback.

"Remember the football lottery I mentioned earlier?" Li Ye asked.

"It’s just gambling," Wei Mingze snorted.

"Gambling establishments make money, don’t they?" Li Ye inquired.

"Of course," Wei Mingze replied. In his position, he knew full well that many aristocrats secretly owned gambling dens and brothels—industries that were the most lucrative and required no capital.

"The house always wins. So why can’t the Kingdom of Chu become the house?" Li Ye smiled.

"Ridiculous! Gambling is a shady business; how can the court..." Wei Mingze’s face darkened as he scolded.

"Private gambling dens are indeed disreputable, but it’s a different story when run by the court," Li Ye replied. "The wealth amassed by private establishments lines individual pockets. If the court operates it, the funds can be used for disaster relief, aiding the poor, and replenishing the national treasury. Taking from the people to give back to the people—it addresses the kingdom’s most pressing needs. Governor Wei, your perspective is too narrow."

"..." Wei Mingze frowned.

"I’ve even thought of a name: Charitable Football Lottery," Li Ye said with a smile. "Set pricing by the court and provide official backing, ensuring every participant feels secure. Even if they lose, they’ll know their money contributed to the public good. It’s an act of charity."

"You must have seen the enthusiasm of the people today. This has great potential!"

"But..." Wei Mingze started to protest.

Before he could finish, Li Ye interrupted, "Governor Wei, isn’t the Kingdom of Chu’s fiscal situation rather poor? Are you truly uninterested in advancing your position?"

"..." Wei Mingze was momentarily speechless.

Li Ye signaled Shi Xiang with a glance. Shi Xiang respectfully handed over a booklet.

Li Ye gestured for Wei Mingze to take it.

Wei Mingze reached out and opened the booklet. On the cover were the words: Football Lottery Implementation Details.

He instinctively flipped through it, quickly becoming engrossed. Page after page, his expression grew more and more animated.

The lottery’s operations involved economic principles that couldn’t be easily explained in a brief discussion. Li Ye had compiled them into this booklet, detailing how it worked and how it could generate revenue.

He didn’t even need to think much—it was all adapted from his original world.

While Gongsun Jie was curious about the contents of the booklet, his focus remained on spiritual energy cultivation. If not for wanting to uncover more secrets from Li Ye, he would have rushed back to Xuanguang Sect to rebuild his club by now.

About a quarter of an hour passed.

Wei Mingze finally finished the booklet. Closing it, he looked at Li Ye with a complex expression, then sighed after a long pause: "Master Li, you are a rare talent. This truly is a strategy that benefits both the nation and its people."

"Can it be done?" Li Ye asked.

"It can," Wei Mingze replied. "But to make it work, it will need to rely on the league. And the league involves numerous martial sects. Can you ensure their compliance?"

"Governor Wei, haven’t you noticed Gongsun Jie’s attitude?" Li Ye smiled and gestured at Gongsun Jie.

"Master Li truly hails from an advanced civilization?" Wei Mingze returned to the topic.

"Does it matter?" Li Ye pointed to the booklet in Wei Mingze’s hand and asked in return.

"..." Wei Mingze frowned.

"The martial world and the court have been at odds for ages. Surely His Majesty has long been troubled by these sects," Li Ye said with a smile. "Now, a disruptor has emerged in the martial world. If utilized well, isn’t this an opportunity?"

Wei Mingze was startled. He looked up at Li Ye, then at Gongsun Jie and the others.

Gongsun Jie snorted.

"There’s no need to look at him. His focus is already on spiritual energy cultivation. He doesn’t care about martial world affairs anymore," Li Ye said with a smile, glancing at Gongsun Jie. "As long as he keeps the club, he wouldn’t even mind disbanding Xuanguang Sect."

"Master Li is absolutely correct," Gongsun Jie quickly added with a flattering smile.

"Spiritual energy truly exists?" Wei Mingze asked.

"Of course it does. Governor Wei, consider this: if, in the future, everyone in the martial world practices cultivation, then when I fully regain my powers, I’ll take all accomplished cultivators with me. Won’t that resolve a major concern for the court?"

Li Ye smiled. "Governor Wei, the matters at play here are far too intricate for you to decide alone. My suggestion is to report the events in Weining City, along with this lottery booklet, to the emperor. If His Majesty is wise, he will send someone to negotiate with me."