Internal Strife in the Underworld

The death of Sadokiel sent shockwaves through the entire base.

The leader of Heaven, one of the twelve SSS-ranked powerhouses bearing the title of Angel, had fallen!

This was a massive blow to the entire world of assassins.

Under the cold, silvery moonlight, a bald head gleamed as the light draped over it like a thin veil.

The man stood there like a war god, a black sword gripped firmly in his hand.

Mikawa Nako licked her fingers, her eyes filled with a sickly obsession.

This man wasn’t just charismatic—his strength was downright terrifying!

An Yi, holding the Dragonfang Demonic Sword, glanced at Mikawa Nako out of the corner of his eye, feeling a headache coming on.

He was almost certain his cover had been blown.

During his fight with Sadokiel, the techniques he’d displayed had nothing to do with the Ninja Alliance—absolutely nothing!

Now, how was he supposed to deal with this woman?

"Is Ito Jiro really that strong?" a killer couldn’t help but whisper.

Silence fell over the crowd.

Ito Jiro?

No, absolutely impossible!

No one believed that the utterly unremarkable bald man from Izumo could possess such overwhelming power.

Slaying the leader of Heaven single-handedly?

That was the pinnacle of combat prowess in the world!

The gunslinger Kevin smirked.

Then, he slammed his palm on the table, drawing everyone’s attention, before sweeping up all the cash spread across it.

"Since I was the only one who bet 2,000 on the Boss, all this money is mine!"

In an instant, the deathly silent hall erupted into chaos as the crowd went wild.

"Bullshit! You never bet on the Boss!"

"Fuck off! This is my money, mine!"

"Pin him down!"

"I propose we use this as the Raksha fund—for booze!"

"Go to hell, you didn’t even place a bet!"

Netherworld.

The scent of blood—thick, pungent—filled the grand hall.

"Ahhh!"

A one-legged, blood-soaked gatekeeper screamed as a halberd pierced his throat, its icy tip protruding from the other side.

With a flick, blood sprayed through the air.

The gatekeeper fell dead.

A tall man with short gray hair and a crimson cape stood at the forefront of the hall.

His cold, murderous eyes swept the room as he strode inside.

Behind him, a group of fighters clad in Netherworld’s distinctive uniforms filed in, lining up in formation.

"King Chujiang, this is the Lord’s territory. What is the meaning of this?"

An elderly man, gripping a staff, glared at the towering figure and demanded answers.

"Judicial Officer, are you truly ignorant, or are you feigning ignorance?"

King Chujiang stared at him coldly.

The Judicial Officer’s eyes dimmed.

The power struggle within Netherworld had been ongoing for years.

Ever since Lin Lan had seized the throne, King Chujiang had been the most vocal in his dissent.

Thus began over a decade of covert and overt conflict.

But he never imagined King Chujiang would actually resort to an open coup.

"King Chujiang, have you lost your mind?! These are troubled times—do you truly wish to destroy Netherworld?"

The Judicial Officer’s aged face was lined with wrinkles, his entire hand trembling with fury.

King Chujiang remained indifferent. "Lin Lan, a woman with no real power, has held the reins of Netherworld for years. Do you really think our people can tolerate this?"

"The Lord’s achievements speak for themselves! Time and again, she has turned the tide, guiding Netherworld to where it stands today. And now you question her worthiness?" the Judicial Officer roared.

A middle-aged man with a gaunt face and a crimson cape chuckled. "How amusing! A scheming woman has no right to rule. If King Chujiang were in charge, he’d undoubtedly surpass her."

The Judicial Officer’s expression darkened when he saw the crimson cape.

It was the mark of the Ten Yama Kings.

On the back of this man’s cape, two characters were embroidered: "Samsara."

One of the Ten Yama Kings—King Wheel-Turner!

Before the Judicial Officer could react, two more men in crimson capes appeared at the hall’s entrance, stepping forward with casual greetings.

"Judicial Officer, long time no see."

"King Songdi… King Biancheng…"

Horror flashed across the Judicial Officer’s face. "You… You have no right to bear the titles of the Ten Yama Kings of Great Xia! You disgrace five thousand years of our legacy!"

Four Yama Kings staging a coup—they had come prepared!

Gripping his staff, the Judicial Officer snarled, "As long as I live, I won’t let you pass—"

Slash!

A halberd swept horizontally, and a grizzled head tumbled to the ground, blood splattering.

The Judicial Officer’s body collapsed with a thud.

King Chujiang retracted his halberd, gazing at the grand, ancient-style palace. "Kill them all. Whoever captures Lin Lan will be richly rewarded!"

Netherworld fighters drew their blades and charged into the hall.

King Chujiang smirked, polishing the ring on his finger.

Ten years.

A decade of meticulous planning had led to this moment.

Finally, it was time to reap the rewards.

King Songdi grinned. "It hasn’t been easy, enduring that woman’s oppression for over ten years. But now, our time has come."

"Hah! I’ve been lusting after her for a decade. When we catch her, I get first dibs!" King Biancheng licked his lips with a cruel grin.

"Report!"

A Netherworld fighter rushed forward, voice trembling. "My lord… the main hall is… empty!"

"Empty?!"

King Chujiang’s eyes turned icy as he stared at the Judicial Officer’s severed head.

Lifting his foot, he stomped down.

Crunch.

The skull shattered, blood splashing.

"King Chujiang, this wasn’t part of the plan!" King Songdi’s gaze turned hostile.

He knew Lin Lan’s methods all too well. If they didn’t eradicate her completely, she would return with vengeance—and it would mean their doom.

The Ghost Marshals, Ghost Kings, and Netherworld’s elite forces were all under her command.

They had taken this risk only because King Chujiang had assured them of success.

Yet this was the outcome?!

"Lin Lan… you cunning witch."

King Chujiang’s eyes narrowed, his expression growing increasingly ruthless.

She had seen through his coup and orchestrated a silent retreat.

"King Chujiang, you owe us an explanation!" King Biancheng roared, his voice laced with fury—and fear of Lin Lan.

In an instant, the halberd reversed its swing!

King Biancheng’s pupils contracted as he leaped back, a gash splitting his cheek.

As a late-stage Void Realm expert, such a sneak attack wouldn’t kill him.

"What the hell are you doing, King Chujiang?!" King Songdi drew his twin tridents, glaring in outrage.

King Chujiang turned, his lips curling into a devilish smile.

"Call me… Michael."

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