To Inherit the Underworld or Not

The halberd swung down!

Three heads rolled to the ground.

King Chujiang—or rather, Michael—slowly retracted his weapon.

Though he had just slain three of the Underworld’s great hall masters in a single stroke, there was not a trace of joy in Michael’s eyes.

He had been outplayed by that woman. Or perhaps, his identity as Michael, the supreme leader of Heaven’s twelve SSS-ranked assassins, had already been exposed to her.

Interesting. So King Qinguang, who had always been at odds with Lin Lan, was actually her subordinate all along.

A cold smile curled at Michael’s lips as realization dawned on him.

King Qinguang, the first of the Ten Kings of the Underworld, had always been loyal to the Underworld’s ruler!

Their so-called disagreements? Nothing but an act!

Instead, he had unwittingly become Lin Lan’s pawn, used to eliminate three of the Underworld’s most treacherous traitors with his own hands!

What a masterstroke. What a brilliant move!

Michael sighed and shook his head, his expression darkening further.

Despite all his scheming, he had still fallen into Lin Lan’s trap.

Just how meticulous was this seemingly defenseless woman’s mind?

"Lord Michael, what should we do next?" a warrior stepped forward and asked.

Michael massaged his temples, grimacing. "Let’s go."

The taste of being outmaneuvered was truly bitter.

This debt—he would repay it in full!

"Report! The city gates have been sealed!" another warrior shouted.

"Sealed?"

Michael’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of unease passing through them.

Then, the acrid scent of gunpowder filled the air.

His pupils dilated with fury.

Spiritfire explosives!

The entire place was rigged with them!

Their destructive power could gravely injure even warriors. Knowing Lin Lan, she had likely planted them throughout the entire city.

This woman had set this trap from the very beginning!

"All forces, listen! Break through the gates! Evacuate immediately!" Michael roared, his eyes bloodshot.

Would all his efforts today be reduced to ashes?!

He refused to accept it!

Just then, a swirling portal materialized on the wall.

A middle-aged man in a refined hat appeared before Michael, smiling amiably.

"Long time no see, Lord Michael—the first leader of Heaven’s organization of Asian descent!"

Michael’s gaze turned icy as he stared at the unexpected visitor. "Mo Gu?"

Mo Gu, a renowned high-ranking officer of the Law Enforcement Bureau.

He recognized this man for another reason—he knew his other title.

The leader of the Hundred Ghosts Sect, the foremost of the Eight Immortals—Immortal Gu!

Immortal Gu gestured invitingly, his smile unwavering. "The entire hall has been locked down by Lin Lan, but you can escape through here!"

Michael glared at the dark, swirling portal before stepping through without hesitation.

He had no other choice.

On an island in the middle of the ocean.

In the courtyard of a villa.

Lin Lan, draped in a silk robe, sipped from a glass of red wine, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the glass.

If all went according to plan, the timing should be just about right.

Her gaze turned cold as she looked up at the sky.

"Mom, I’ve got news about Brother!" Qin Yao called out, leaning out the window.

Lin Lan’s icy demeanor melted into a gentle smile. "What is it?"

"The Righteous Faction has been conquered!" Qin Yao exclaimed, carrying her laptop outside and scrolling through the updates. "Who knew that poker-faced guy could be so strong!"

"Don’t call him that. He’s your brother," Lin Lan chided lightly, tapping Qin Yao’s forehead affectionately.

The news displayed on the screen declared Lin Chen’s new title—the God of Death.

Lin Lan’s gaze lingered on his stern face, lost in thought.

It had been so long since she’d last seen him.

"Who would’ve thought… the Asura Sect from back then has grown into a force capable of shaping the world. I can’t afford to fall behind," Qin Yao murmured, her eyes dimming slightly.

She still remembered the boy who once dominated the basketball court, drenched in sweat.

Who could’ve imagined that, in such a short time, he would rise to such terrifying heights?

Now, she could only watch from afar as their figures grew more distant.

She wanted to be useful, but she didn’t know how to help them.

No matter how hard she tried, the gap between them only widened.

Lin Lan studied Qin Yao’s expression, hesitating.

For some reason, she saw a reflection of her younger self in her daughter.

Though naive and kind-hearted, Qin Yao was sharp-witted and tenacious—just like she had been.

A bold idea surfaced in Lin Lan’s mind.

From the beginning, she had groomed Lin Chen as her successor.

But she knew his temperament made him unsuitable.

His burning hatred for the Underworld meant his first act as ruler would likely be its destruction.

And now that Lin Chen had become the Asura Sect’s second-in-command, he could never inherit the throne.

She would never allow the mighty Underworld to become a vassal of another organization.

"Yao Yao, have you thought about your future?" Lin Lan asked softly.

Qin Yao pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "No."

"Then… have you ever considered inheriting the position of Underworld ruler?"

Lin Lan’s question struck Qin Yao like a bolt of lightning, leaving her frozen in shock.

Meanwhile, in the capital.

An Yi lounged in a hammock, secretly watching an educational video.

One benefit of absorbing the bearded man’s memories was that he could now understand the language of the Cloud Country!

The instructors’ words no longer required subtitles—everything made perfect sense.

Even the plotlines had become engaging.

The usually chaotic base was eerily quiet today.

An Yi tugged off his headphones, unnerved. "Why are you all staring at me? Get back to whatever you were doing!"

This was a den of lawless assassins.

Normally, the place was a madhouse—louder and rowdier than a marketplace.

Drinking, brawling, smoking—it was a scene of utter pandemonium.

But today, everyone was on their best behavior.

Not even a single whispered insult about his bald head.

It was unsettling.

"Boss, that actress you’re watching—she’s a friend of mine. Want me to introduce you?" Mikawa Nako asked, massaging An Yi’s shoulders as she glanced at the screen.

"Seriously?!" An Yi blurted out.

This was one of his favorite instructors!

Ahem. "No need. I’m just studying the Cloud Country’s traditional culture. Not interested in meeting anyone in person," he declared righteously.

"Boss, want some wine? I’ve got a vintage bottle!"

"Boss, check out this gun—it’s been passed down in my family since we killed pirates!"

"Boss, my glutes are legendary. Everyone says so—"

Suddenly, everyone was clamoring to please him.

An Yi was baffled. What the hell had gotten into these idiots today?

Click.

The base doors swung open.

Kim Jung-ho staggered in, covered in blood.

"You’re back!" An Yi grinned. This guy, nicknamed the Golden Leopard, had taken down the most assassins.

A true MVP.

"Boss, Kim Jung-ho has eliminated 29 assassins," he announced proudly.

Then, he pulled out a few comic magazines from his coat. "And here’s a little something from home—Secret Lessons, My Stepmom’s Friends, The Pretty Noona—uncensored editions! A humble gift for you, Boss!"

An Yi: "…"