In the Vatican Holy See Church, the world's largest place of worship to God, countless fervent believers considered this their sacred origin. Among them, the Three Great Families of Light were the most powerful, and one of these was the Nuo Deng Family.

There was a time when the Nuo Deng Family was so mighty that the other two of the Three Great Families of Light had to bow their heads and yield. They were the strongest family in the history of the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church, hailed as the beings closest to God's glory. But what about now? Due to the death of Great Emperor Nuo Deng over a decade ago, coupled with a secret internal crisis, the family began a gradual decline and lost its former prestige.

Even so, as one of the Three Great Families of Light of the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church, the Nuo Deng Family's foundation, prestige, and strength were still beyond doubt. After all, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Their heritage remained, so they were still considered one of the top families and forces in the world today, surpassing first-class organizations like Crimson Fang.

Today, an elderly man with white hair and blue eyes emerged from a forbidden area of the family, his expression one of incredible excitement. He walked straight to a solemn and imposing high platform within an ancient castle of the Nuo Deng Family, where a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties with one blind eye was bathing in holy light.

The middle-aged man was tall and burly, with a robust build. However, the most striking feature was the ferocious scar above his left eye, which ran downward as if it had torn his entire face apart.

When this man saw the elder, he was clearly startled. He immediately placed a hand on his chest, performing an ancient rite of the Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church, and spoke solemnly, "Elder Sise… Why have you come out?"

Sise Norton had been one of the Nuo Deng Family's greatest geniuses decades ago, and now he was one of the nine great archbishops of their Holy Church of the Divine Holy Church, second only to the Red Robed Archbishop. Even he, the current Clan Leader of the Nuo Deng Family, would not dare to act presumptuously before such a figure.

"Dagondo, the Holy Artifact is stirring."

The white-haired Elder Sise's next words made the one-eyed middle-aged man, Dagondo, twitch. He looked at the elder with utter disbelief and astonishment. "What!? Elder Sise, you said the Holy Artifact… Could it be!?" His disbelief was plain on his face. The Holy Artifact… it's actually responding!?

Over a decade ago, after the death of their family's greatest king, Great Emperor Nuo Deng, a great upheaval sent the family into a gradual decline with far-reaching consequences. During that time, not only were many of the Nuo Deng Family's elders and protectors assassinated, but even a page of the Book of Glory was lost!

That was the true reason for the Nuo Deng Family's fall from grace. After all, an incomplete Holy Artifact and a complete one were two entirely different things. Their power levels were worlds apart!

And now, the first page of the Book of Glory, which had vanished for more than a decade, had finally reappeared. How could he not be thrilled?

"The Book of Glory was missing for over ten years, and now it has finally surfaced again," Elder Sise murmured, his gaze deep with emotion. "Dagondo, drop everything you're doing and come with me to Italy."

「」

As the Nuo Deng Family began to mobilize, the Italian authorities also seemed to have suddenly discovered what had transpired in the Great Rift Valley of the Alps. Dozens, nearly a hundred people, lay in pools of blood, their bodies mangled and drenched… some were even burned to charcoal. To any ordinary person, this would be a horrific crime committed by heartless, inhuman murderers.

But the Italian authorities clearly thought differently, for they knew exactly who the dead were.

They were members of Italy's largest assassin organization—Crimson Fang. Even on the global stage of the dark Assassin World, it was a terrifying organization ranked fourth. And now, their entire nest had been wiped out overnight. Even the body of the legendary old Assassin had been found there. This was a terrifying event of such magnitude that it made the Italian authorities' scalps tingle.

As for the other gangs and assassin organizations that operated in the criminal underworld, especially those in Italy, they were nearly scared to death when they heard the news. Someone had managed to eradicate an organization like Crimson Fang in a single night. It was a fact that was not only difficult for them to accept but also filled them with a paralyzing fear. After all, if this mysterious force or individual could take down Crimson Fang overnight, then their smaller families and organizations, which were no match for them, would be even easier prey.

For safety's sake, two or three Mafia Families in Italy, along with their subordinate small-scale assassin organizations, announced a temporary cessation of all activities and missions. They planned to lie low for a while, terrified of following in Crimson Fang's footsteps and meeting their own doom.

「Rome, Italy…」

Amidst this oppressive atmosphere, inside a high tower within the Brad Family's castle, Brad III, a Caucasian dwarf, stood dumbfounded before Old Brad, his expression one of utter disbelief.

"You… you're saying that Crimson Fang was really wiped out by that Eastern Lad?" he finally stammered, looking up at Old Brad, whose own expression was a strange and complex mixture of emotions.

Clearly, this was an outcome he had never anticipated. That was Crimson Fang, after all! They were considered a top-tier assassin organization not just in Italy, but globally. Furthermore, that legendary old monster had personally presided over it. Even he, Brad III, a Grand Duke, was extremely wary and wouldn't dare to cross them lightly.

But now? What am I hearing? The… The Crimson Fang was really taken out by that kid?

"Yes, Your Grace Brad III. If neither of us is dreaming, then it should be correct. Crimson Fang is no more. Furthermore, our men found his… body in that area," Old Brad murmured with a grave expression.

"His body?" Brad III's face twitched as he asked instinctively.

"Blade-sharp Jack!" Old Brad finally said after a long silence.

"Damn it!"

Hearing this, Brad III cursed fiercely and subconsciously touched the scar on his neck, an inexplicable chill running down his spine.

"Your Grace Brad III, we should now…" Old Brad was about to speak when he suddenly froze.

The phone at his waist had started buzzing. Frowning, he pulled it out and saw it was a call from Kendo, the head of the Brad Family's secret guards. He had just seen the man before coming up to the castle tower. He answered the call and said slowly, "Kendo, what is it? I'm currently…"

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the sound of the person on the other end swallowing nervously. "Clan… Clan Leader, Mr. Chen is here."

"Mr. Chen?" Old Brad stiffened, then sucked in a sharp breath, his expression turning solemn. "Hiss… Kendo, you mean!?"

"That's right! It's him. I've already shown him to the banquet hall," the voice replied from the other end.

"Wait for me. I'll be right there."

Old Brad responded without hesitation, then hung up. He turned his gaze back to Brad III and said slowly, "Your Grace Brad III, it seems that… the esteemed Mr. Chen has visited our Brad Family again. What are your thoughts?"

"You mean him?"

Even a powerhouse of Brad III's caliber, a Grand Duke, couldn't help the slight tremor in his eyes. After a long silence, he shook his head. "He doesn't know I exist, so it's better if I don't go. I'll leave the hospitality to you. You must ensure he enjoys divine treatment in our Brad Family! At the very least, we need to make him feel some goodwill toward us."

"I understand."

Old Brad nodded slowly, then bowed and turned to leave.

The moment he was out, he took out his phone again and dialed the number of Syria, the family's Chief Steward.

"Respected Clan Leader, what are your instructions?" a moment later, an exceedingly respectful voice came from the phone.

"Syria," Old Brad said after a brief pause. "I need you to immediately prepare a banquet of the absolute highest caliber to welcome an honored guest of the Brad Family. I trust you understand what I mean."

"Yes, yes… Respected Clan Leader, rest assured, I will prepare everything," the Brad Family's Chief Steward stammered. Hearing the Clan Leader emphasize "highest" so many times, he was stunned and then immediately grew tense. Even a fool could tell that any person who warranted such serious treatment from their esteemed Clan Leader had to be someone of immense importance. How could he dare to be negligent?

"Good. It will be night in three hours. So you have only three hours… That's all, I'm hanging up." With that, Old Brad ended the call and quickly departed from the high platform in the ancient castle.

A short while later, Old Brad, dressed in the traditional attire of an ancient Italian nobleman, appeared outside the entrance to the Brad Family's most prestigious guest hall. He took a deep breath before pushing open the door and walking inside.

"Esteemed Sir Chen, hello. It is an honor to see you again." As he entered, he saw a young figure sitting inside, listlessly playing with his phone. Old Brad immediately walked over with a warm smile.

"Oh, respected Old Brad, you've finally arrived," the young man said, standing up with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. This young man was, of course, none other than Chen Fei, who had just accomplished a major feat.

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