A new crop of talents emerges in every generation; the old yields to the new. The Yangtze’s rear waves push the front waves, and the front waves end up crushed upon the shore.

The first line rings true, but whether the second is right or wrong remains a matter of opinion. As the saying goes, you plant flowers with intent and they fail to bloom, yet plant willows casually and they sprout shade.

For the underworld as it stands today, these verses capture the reality perfectly. The Black God Gang now firmly held the reins of power across East China, South China, and Central China, simultaneously launching extensive campaigns into West China, Southeast Asia, and the wider Asian region.

Hong Kong and Macau were already under the Black God Gang’s influence, yet the underestimated backing held by certain minor factions had slightly delayed the gang’s timetable for unifying the entire national underworld. Concurrently, looking across the world—save for the North—Yang Yi had also launched a full-scale offensive.

At this moment, within the Shanghai headquarters of the Black God Gang, personnel were in a frenzy. Information reports from major factions, arrangements for various groups, coordination across regional forces—these matters piled onto Han Zhong one after another.

“Ah, I’m worked to death, worked to death,” Han Zhong muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile as he signed documents. “Steward Han!” Long Yi’s voice drifted in from outside the door.

“Uh, what is it, Long Yi?” Han Zhong asked upon hearing the voice. “The division map for the Central China territories, approximately…” Looking at Han Zhong, Long Yi couldn't finish the sentence.

Han Zhong, having gone without sleep for two days and nights, could hardly have any energy left. “Steward Han, I really think you should get some rest.

If you push yourself to collapse and the Dragon Lord questions me about it, then…” “Sigh, I want to, but you must wait until I clear the paperwork on my desk before saying anything. The Black God Gang is not what it used to be; the workload has increased by thirtyfold!” Although Han Zhong spoke these words, the smile playing on his face betrayed his true intentions.

“Indeed, what the old Dragon Lord hoped for is nearly within reach!” Long Yi stated calmly. “Alright, alright, I’ll busy myself for a while longer.

I’ll have someone send you the Central China faction map shortly!” Han Zhong said, already fully immersed in his work. Long Yi watched, his lips twitching slightly.

“Fine! I’ll be going then.” “Go on!” Han Zhong waved a hand without even looking up.

From this, one could gauge just how frantic the Black God Gang was, and how intricate the factional divisions had become. Moreover, hidden powers operating in the shadows were beginning to surface one by one, and the main figures behind these forces were starting to fix their attention on the Black God Gang.

“Young Master, the Black God Gang has begun its large-scale consolidation, officially becoming the largest triad in the nation.” A middle-aged foreigner reported to a handsome youth. “Heh heh, wasn’t this exactly what we anticipated?” The youth smiled faintly, a deep sense of amusement glinting in his eyes.

“Young Master, with you moving this way, won’t it…” “Jack, how many times have I told you? I have my own plans for what I arrange!” The youth’s brow furrowed, and he spoke coldly before the foreigner could finish.

Hearing this, the middle-aged foreigner shuddered, immediately falling to his knees, hastily apologizing, “Forgive me, Young Master, your subordinate spoke too much.” “Enough, rise,” the youth said, a subtle, strange look flickering in his eyes as he spoke indifferently. “The reason I am doing this is quite simple.

While eliminating the Southern forces is straightforward, the North will present the real test for him. Whether he is qualified to be my counterpart depends entirely on how he handles matters in the North.” “Yes!

The Young Master is sagacious!” The middle-aged foreigner responded meekly, seemingly terrified of the youth. “Come on, come on.

Yang Yi, I truly hope you don’t disappoint my expectations. Heh heh, it is rare in one’s lifetime to find an opponent of equal strength!” For some reason, the youth thought this, suggesting he might genuinely regard Yang Yi as the ultimate adversary of his life.

Meanwhile, across the ocean in Great Britain at this very moment. In the Lese family council hall, Lese Simak, having just concluded a meeting, was smiling contentedly while studying documents on the table, nodding to himself as he read.

“Young Master!” a bald Black man called out, approaching Simak’s side. “En, how are the preparations progressing?” Simak inquired.

“The organization of the Weeping Blood Assassins has already sent word. We can be confident the Mafia won’t dare act against us again any time soon.” “Rn, what are your thoughts on the Black God Gang right now?” “The Black God Gang?” The bald Black man furrowed his brow slightly before asking, “Young Master, why do you ask?” “The Black God Gang is now drawing the attention of the entire world; their strength can no longer be underestimated.

What I want to know is, can you discern the ambition of the Black God Gang?” Simak asked with a smile. “Yes, the Black God Gang’s ambition is not small, that is all I can say.” “Indeed, their ambition is considerable.

But does the Dragon Lord realize that Britain harbors a Mafia, and America holds a major gang and a grand Church?” “Young Master!” “Heh heh, let’s go, we have matters to arrange. I believe it won’t be long before we meet the Dragon Lord again.” Simak wore a mysterious smile, his mind clearly occupied with untold schemes.

This left the bald Black man riddled with questions, as what Simak was implying seemed utterly beyond comprehension. Simultaneously, within the highest administrative building of the British Mafia.

A middle-aged man and a young man exchanged serious glances before letting out a sigh. “The Black God Gang’s development speed is truly alarming.

In just a few months, they have advanced to become a major triad in China. Now, aside from that Crown Prince faction over there, it’s likely no other underworld power in China dares voice opposition to the Black God Gang,” the young man stated, his eyes narrowed.

“You’re right. Here, the Lese family and the Weeping Blood Assassin Guild have also fallen under the Black God Gang’s influence.

If the Black God Gang decides to move against us…!” “Whether the Black God Gang moves against us is uncertain, but I am more curious about the British Royal Family’s current perception of the Black God Gang!” The middle-aged man’s brow tightened slightly upon hearing this. He moved toward a nearby wine cabinet, opened a bottle of red wine, and poured himself a glass.

“We must closely observe the Royal Family. If they harbor no other intentions regarding the Black God Gang, then we must prepare ourselves accordingly.” The middle-aged man finished speaking and slowly savored his red wine.

The young man beside him remained deep in thought, silent. Likewise, forces that had never surfaced before, or had not appeared previously, were now beginning to manifest.

The middle-aged man—yes, he was dressed in a Glen-style evening suit, possessing a flawlessly tall physique and an air of profound nobility. Yet, there was a very unique aura of high stature about him.

His name was Kakat, the supreme consul of America’s largest church, the Holy See—Pope ‘Kakat.’ He was currently gazing, eyes narrowed, at a piece of documentation for reasons unknown to others. He frowned momentarily during his reading, and a hint of icy chill touched the corner of his mouth, but it was gone in an instant as he casually closed the document.

“Your Holiness, letting things lie like this, is that truly advisable?” A Cardinal in scarlet robes addressed the Pope Kakat. “Hm?” Kakat murmured, glancing at the Cardinal, and replied, “Isn’t this just fine?” “This…” Seeing the deep, blood-chilling coldness in Pope Kakat’s eyes, the Cardinal quickly lowered his head.

“I shall obey Your Holiness’s will!” “You may leave; I wish to be alone for a moment.” Kakat waved his hand. After seeing the Cardinal understand and depart, Kakat murmured after a moment of thought, “This Black God Gang is truly interesting!” At the same time, something similar was unfolding elsewhere, though the individuals here were perhaps less ‘noble’ and composed than Pope Kakat.

“Damn it, this Black God Gang is impressive, actually becoming the number one triad in China!” A middle-aged man exclaimed, alternating between swigging beer and speaking crudely. “Chairman!” An American woman called out with a slight frown.

“Uh! Ha ha, nothing, nothing!” The middle-aged man, the Chairman of the Council of Darkness, the local American gang boss—one must never be fooled by superficial appearances.

While the Pope mentioned earlier appeared noble and steady, who knew how he would react or what expression he would wear when matters truly threatened his interests. This Chairman of the Council of Darkness, however, was thoroughly insidious; the darkness within him ran far deeper than his outward joviality suggested.

“En, CA, send someone to follow this Black God Gang for now. They pose no immediate threat to us, so there’s no need to be overly anxious.

Furthermore, news from Britain confirms that the Black God Gang’s ambition is indeed vast, but whether they have the capacity to stand on the world stage remains to be seen.” “Yeah!” the American woman responded before leaving. The middle-aged man, the Chairman of the Council of Darkness, was named Austin Mark, a genuine American.

After the woman left, he roared, “Drink up, all of you, damn it! We drink until we drop tonight!” “Yeah!” A group of foreigners seated nearby raised their large mugs in cheer.

And so, returning to the present in China, a youth emerged from Shanghai Airport, flanked by two men and two women. The leading youth wore a smile; the moment his foot touched the ground outside Shanghai Airport, it signified the imminent dawn of a new era for the underworld.

[First update done; more tomorrow.]