These two experts of the Grandmaster Realm were the hidden strength Yang Zecheng had brought from his family. Then, several other Grandmasters arrived; they were Young Master Hu's attendants, four in total. Combined, Yang Zecheng then had eight Grandmasters and two Grandmasters (those of the Grandmaster Realm) under his command. Never mind a small underground city; if plundering the Federation weren't illegal, they would already possess enough power to openly seize one of its cities.

Then, Yang Zecheng indifferently addressed the crowd, giving his orders. "Everyone, since we are here on orders, this mission must be executed flawlessly. Therefore, my requirements are simple: our actions must be open and above board, grand and impressive, for all to witness!"

The crowd was baffled. No diversions? Isn't such arrogance unwise? Although the Underground City is a lawless zone, it's teeming with hidden experts. Who knows if some formidable figure might emerge?

However, Yang Zecheng completely disregarded this potential issue. Seeing the slight confusion on their faces, he merely continued with a sinister smile. "So, follow my orders! Form groups of two, advance in a crisscross pattern. Any expert at or above the Martial General Realm without Federation identification is to be killed on sight, no questions asked! If anyone dares to resist, eliminate them all!"

"What?"

"What?"

It wasn't just a few Grandmasters who exclaimed in shock; even Young Master Hu, accustomed to difficult situations, was taken aback.

Young Master Hu hailed from a noble family and had been raised in opulence. The people he'd killed and the corpses he'd seen had long forged him a hardened heart. But even he found this utterly terrifying! In a city this size, if even one person in a hundred decided to interfere, it would create an enormous scene!

So, Young Master Hu said urgently, "Zecheng, this isn't just a matter of a few lives! Must we really do this? Please, consider my suggestion: let's find their spokesperson, negotiate, and then proceed gradually…"

Unfortunately for him, Young Master Hu's attempt at persuasion was doomed to fail. Yang Zecheng's men exchanged glances, then stepped forward and accepted the order directly.

"Yes, Young Master!" they declared.

They then turned and departed, leaving only Young Master Hu's Grandmasters hesitating, at a loss and unable to decide.

Yang Zecheng then turned his somber gaze upon Young Master Hu. His handsome face, beautiful enough to rival a woman's, looked as venomous as a viper in that instant. "What? Didn't Young Master Yang ask me earlier how to handle the situation? Now that I've told you, are you preparing to defy my orders?"

He scanned the four Grandmasters. Even with no one present to protect him, he remained composed and fearless. It was as if the Yang family still commanded the utmost respect on the field, and all others, regardless of their realm, were as insignificant as clay chickens and pottery dogs.

Young Master Hu was startled. He hesitated, "Young Master Yang, I…"

Clearly, the situation had escalated far beyond Young Master Hu's expectations. He genuinely wanted to withdraw! No matter how many scenarios he had considered, he could never have predicted that Wang Zhan harbored such bloody intentions—and that he would actually dare to conceive of such a plan! It was simply too arrogant, too brutal, too cruel! Even if the Underground City was filled with worthless lives that no one cared about, even if it was populated by criminals abandoned by the Federation, they were still human beings, still members of the Human Race!

However, Yang Zecheng merely looked at him, his expression still grim, and said, "Young Master Hu, I advise you to reconsider carefully. Alternatively… you could kill me, then take your men and flee from here, back to Jing State!"

These were the options Yang Zecheng presented to Young Master Hu. A flicker of struggle and ferocity crossed Young Master Hu's face before a shiver ran through his heart. He immediately waved his hand at his men. "Go, go, go! All of you, go and kill! Didn't you hear Young Master Yang's orders? Or are you planning to disobey them?"

Of course, Young Master Hu's swift change of heart stemmed from a realization. Never mind how his family compared to the Yang family; would Wang Zhan, who issued this insane order, really allow his sole investor to die at his own hands? That fellow wouldn't make such a losing bargain; he must have known someone would try to obstruct them. It was obvious! This man was indeed pressuring him, but he had also left him a path to survival. Defying his orders meant choosing a dead end!

So, despite his bitter smile, Young Master Hu naturally chose the latter option.

At this, Young Master Hu's subordinates exchanged glances, then, with complex expressions, they accepted their orders and departed.

"Yes, Young Master!"

When only Yang Zecheng and Young Master Hu remained, Young Master Hu, with a bitter smile, asked, "Young Master Yang, why must we resort to this? I just want to know, are we truly going through with it? The Underground City may not be under Federation jurisdiction, but it isn't ours either. It has its own masters. As a descendant of the Yang family, you should understand…"

Unexpectedly, Yang Zecheng's gloomy expression instantly cleared, and he laughed heartily. "Haha, Young Master Hu, you jest! What does it matter to us who their masters are? We didn't come here for the Underground City; we're merely here to conduct business."

Young Master Hu's heart tightened as he racked his brains, trying to decipher Yang Zecheng's meaning. But then he saw Yang Zecheng get straight to the point, looking at him meaningfully as he spoke. "Of course, Young Master Wang knows many people will be displeased with his venture. So, on the day we parted, he told me: if they don't want to see it, then ensure they *can't* see it. It doesn't matter who the masters of the Underground City are. Since all seventeen noble families are present, even if we represent the lesser echelons of our families, they cannot afford to underestimate us. So now, do you understand my intentions?"

Young Master Hu looked conflicted, wanting to speak but hesitating. If they don't want to see it, they might obstruct. If they might obstruct, they might cause complications. In that case, it's better to just eliminate them directly!

The real issue was that he hadn't expected Yang Zecheng to wholeheartedly stand with Wang Zhan, to kill so readily on his behalf. Wasn't he worried about future repercussions? Moreover, he himself was now thoroughly implicated—aboard a pirate ship, so to speak. If this matter were exposed, forget the minor Underground City; even the upper echelons of the Federation would raise objections. One should know that although the Underground City was a lawless zone, it served, to some extent, as a reserve force for the Federation. Wang Zhan's current actions were tantamount to betraying the Federation.

In reality, however, it wasn't just Tie Xiuqing and Young Master Hu; nearly all the scions of the noble families, even Boss Chen, were oblivious to Wang Zhan's true intentions. And Wang Zhan's true purpose was to seize control of those seventeen relatively safe Underground Cities, completely unopposed. Therefore, his methods had to be outrageous, even bordering on insane. Only then would others be awed by his apparent strength and not dare to act recklessly. As for who the masters of the Underground City were, Wang Zhan couldn't care less, and neither could Yang Zecheng, who was now fully committed to Wang Zhan. They paid no heed whatsoever to which influential figure in the Federation might consider the Underground City their private reserve!

The Federation belongs to the Human Race, and so does the Underground City. So what if some people's plans were ruined? Would the Underground City, once in Wang Zhan's and Yang Zecheng's hands, cease to belong to the Human Race? What an absurd notion!

Thus, after their meeting, Wang Zhan and Yang Zecheng had revised their plan once more. This time, their intention was to completely purge those who occupied the majority of the Underground City's resources and might rebel at any moment. After all, there were no innocents in the Underground City, especially not among those reigning at the apex of its pyramid-like power structure.

「Meanwhile.」

While Wang Zhan, Boss Chen, Tie Xiuqing, and other key figures were still methodically carrying out their plan, having ordered a bloody purge that was steadily progressing into widespread chaos.

「Another new battlefield.」

It, too, formally began to act in accordance with Wang Zhan's desires, carrying his will into decisive action.

This was a force loyal only to Wang Zhan. It had already gathered stealthily, poised to unleash havoc upon the Underground City at any moment.

「At a certain moment.」

「In the Underground City.」

An inconspicuous portly man slowly made his way down a street teeming with people. He coldly observed the myriad scenes of the Underground City around him: the struggling and the suffering, the indulgent and the extravagant.

Then, as his lips moved almost imperceptibly, a sentence laced with killing intent was silently transmitted to a location where operatives already lay in wait.

"The leader of the Four Feet Gang is inside entertaining guests. He's a level 8 Grandmaster and quite formidable. Young Master is still engaged in battle and cannot provide support, so it's all up to you. You must eliminate him within five minutes, or you will all die here!"

The portly man then quietly vanished into the crowd, seen no more. After he was completely gone, several figures clad entirely in black, hidden around a corner, solemnly cupped their fists to the empty air.

"Understood!"

They had never met, and there were at least three kilometers separating them. Yet, upon receiving the portly man's command, this unit began to move in absolute silence. They wore black attire, concealing blades beneath their garments; and beneath those blades lay the intent to kill. Silently, they began to advance through the shadowy corners of the Underground City.

If anyone had chanced upon the portly man who issued the order, they would have discovered that this seemingly greasy fellow possessed extraordinarily bright eyes, as if they could ignite the very stars in the sky! Yet, he acted like an ordinary idler, blending into the crowd and strolling through the Underground City. Whenever he came upon a decent-looking food stall, he would inquire about the prices, just like any ordinary food-loving young man.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.