"How much does this cost?"

In the end, he found it too expensive and, with a heavy heart and much reluctance, chose to leave. He had only casually glanced at those seemingly mighty Martial Artists.

Regrettably, no one could perceive the starry brilliance hidden deep within his heart.

「Half an hour later.」

"Run, run, run!"

"Who is it? Who dares cause trouble here? Show yourselves, come out!"

"Don't scatter! Kill them! When paths are narrow, the brave are victorious! Charge!"

In the corners of walls, under the eaves, a large group of experts of Martial General level or higher had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. They witnessed the emergence of a group of men in black and their song of death. These intruders moved like black flames, stirring not even the slightest ripple in the shadows.

Thus, the defenders' anger flared, and their urge to kill intensified.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

However, they had not expected what happened after the first clash.

"We can't beat them! Run! We must leave some seeds for our future, protect our descendants!"

"Run, run, run! Call for help! Call for help! Don't engage them any further!"

Even a madman, even a villain, will eventually fear death. That moment comes when they truly face its abyss.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, these individuals had just experienced that moment; they were on the verge of death.

「At the same time.」

Those fleeing in all directions, screaming and calling for backup, frantically darted into the surrounding streets, desperate to avoid capture by the men in black.

These assailants were too ruthless! When others killed, there was at least room for negotiation; when these men killed, a mere glance was all it took.

However, they were oblivious. While they were desperately escaping and calling for help, outside the restaurant, a chubby man was hiding his head in a trash can at a corner, his entire body trembling as he cowered on the ground. He was constantly observing them with his mental energy, his gaze fixed and silent.

But no one was alerted to his presence. Eventually, everyone simply regarded him as part of the ongoing turmoil, a storm unimaginable for this Underground City.

Only then did the chubby man quietly mutter to himself, 'God' has matured. With him, at least we won't die so easily...

No one knew his name, nor his origins. But unquestionably, having personally accepted Wang Zhan's command and chosen to lead the team from the shadows, he was destined to become a tide that would sweep through the underground world!

All that remained were those riddled with anxiety—calling for aid, desperately trying to rally support, seeking reinforcements, or fleeing and hiding—scattered everywhere like stray dogs.

It was all because, in the Federation, only those with the strongest fists had the right to speak.

Moreover, a powerhouse at the level 8 Grandmaster Realm! He had died so dramatically in his own restaurant, right before their eyes, and even his woman had followed him in death.

Too ruthless! Too utterly heartless!

And those who had escaped from the restaurant, having witnessed these scenes firsthand, were completely disheartened and lost in a daze.

"Someone, help! Help!"

"Mister Shi is inside! Quick, quick, come and save him!"

"They're too ruthless! That was such a delicate woman; how could they strike such a brutal blow?"

Unexpectedly, even if they painstakingly managed to summon Grandmasters and top-tier Martial Generals who rushed to their aid, as long as there remained undetected corners or places so obvious they were overlooked by everyone, failure was their only destiny.

It was just like the chubby man, trembling visibly but inwardly as rational and cold-blooded as a computer, issuing commands. Danger lurked right beside them.

"...Southwest! Two level 3 Grandmasters, five Martial Generals..."

"Northeast! Nine Martial Generals..."

"Due south! One level 6 Grandmaster, four low-level Grandmasters, eight Martial Generals... Kill them!"

Silently, the calm and indifferent voice, accompanied by the howling wind and the scattering of figures, disseminated commands that permeated everywhere.

And so, the slaughter continued, the ghostly figures remaining concealed.

"Who is it? Who dares to come to our Ying State Underground City and wreak such havoc?!"

"Hide! Hide! Go tell the Federation we need their support! Tell those detestable bastards in the Internal Affairs Department that if we die here, when the next Beast Tide descends, none of our Underground Cities will step forward!"

They resisted, they struggled. But undoubtedly, after Wang Zhan had crushed their core strength, these once-unfettered individuals had lost their most powerful voice. Now, like dogs, they could only turn to their masters for help—those influential figures in high positions within the Federation who clearly only cared for their own interests.

Regrettably, not a single one of them managed to escape the city.

Not until the strongest lone warrior in Ying State Underground City had been utterly killed by these men in black did this Underground City—after a day and a night that saw all its mid-to-high-tier forces swept away—finally welcome a long-lost tranquility. Or rather, it was filled with an atmosphere thick with terrified silence.

No one dared to venture out anymore.

"Who... who on earth are they...?"

"I saw it! I saw it! Those madmen, those madmen actually beheaded Mister Ling!"

"A Grandmaster... a true Grandmaster was no match for them! Who are they? Why did they bloodbathe our Underground City?"

After this battle, the entire Ying State Underground City seemed thoroughly weakened. For a time, not a single true expert could be found to take command.

All the powerful individuals were dead. Killed by that elusive chubby boy, killed by that swift team in black.

Yet, while these overlooked people were still gripped by fear and trepidation, not knowing from which direction the enemy had come, those people of unknown origin had already chosen to depart in silence.

Even the chubby boy, at some unknown point, had crawled up from the filthy pile of rubbish. After cleaning himself up, he took one last look at Ying State Underground City and chose to turn and leave.

He continued until he reached a secret passage leading out of the Underground City.

「At this moment.」

At the edge of the passage, a seemingly ordinary and unnoticeable man was waiting quietly. He waited until the chubby boy, who looked much like a student, passed by.

"Mister Chubby!" a Martial Artist suddenly transmitted his voice into the chubby boy's ear, his every action filled with deference.

The chubby boy nodded nonchalantly, walked over from a distance, passed by the Martial Artist, and turned a corner.

The Martial Artist glanced back at his surroundings, waited for a moment, and then chose to depart.

"Mister Chubby!" Not long after, the Martial Artist rejoined the chubby boy.

The chubby boy smiled at him. "Mister Qing Shu, you are a Grandmaster expert. There's no need to be so polite to me."

Just as no one knew the chubby boy's background, no one knew the origins of this Grandmaster, Qing Shu.

But Qing Shu didn't feel superior just because he was a Grandmaster. Instead, he smiled and said, "I am indeed a Grandmaster. But since the Young Master himself asked the young lady to find you and put you in charge of this mission, that alone is enough to prove your capabilities, Mister!"

There was something else Qing Shu didn't say. This chubby boy before him held a significant place in the Young Master's considerations. Otherwise, why would he, Qing Shu, have been assigned to protect the chubby boy during his operations, ensuring his absolute safety without the slightest mishap?

The chubby boy grinned. I don't know about the Young Master's arrangements. However, since the Young Master gave me this mission, I naturally had to complete it. My task in this city is now finished. Next, I'll have to trouble you, Mister Qing Shu, to continue escorting me...

Qing Shu, of course, nodded. "Alright!"

And so, by the time the true masterminds behind it all had successfully completed their work and retreated, still no one could discern their departing figures.

Only a few astute individuals noticed that after this invasion, the martial arts scene in Ying State Underground City had not declined; instead, it seemed to be faintly simmering, on the verge of erupting.

It was exceedingly irrational.

To the point that some began to sense it. This world is too strange. Whose scheme have we stumbled into?

「On the other hand.」

After Qing Shu escorted the chubby boy to the next city, he felt a momentary daze, knowing clearly the fate that awaited this new Underground City.

It was only as he watched the chubby boy's figure recede down the narrow passage, growing faint and distant, that he realized, It seems I returned to the Young Master's side too late... Otherwise, why would a Martial Artist who is merely a level 3 Martial Master be able to stand above me?

However, after a moment's thought, he could only offer a self-deprecating smile. That fellow at least has an inherited bloodline talent. But apart from my Grandmaster cultivation, I really have nothing else. Besides, the Young Master was willing to accept me and even entrusted me with such an important mission; that in itself shows his trust.

Though he also didn't understand why, in such a short period, the once kind, pure, and cheerful youth had now silently cloaked himself in a layer of the most sinister darkness. So much so that Qing Shu could see that those responsible for the "cleanup," apart from executing the Young Master's orders by constantly killing, didn't even dare to relax for a moment.

But... Forget it, why dwell on it so much?

Qing Shu laughed freely. Since Young Master Wang wants me to break through to Martial King as soon as possible, I suppose once I truly achieve that, I'll have a place of my own sooner or later!

He was already very close to the Martial King realm. And though he looked young, it was merely because his body was still in its prime.

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