"President, what should we do?" CA asked.

"With John Austrie and Los joining us, the Dark Council has become a thorn in both the British royal family's side and Black God Syndicate's flesh," Mark said calmly though his furrowed brow betrayed his unease. "Given that the Vatican has long viewed us as prey, we're inevitably heading toward an unavoidable war. We now have only two paths forward."

CA absorbed her president's analysis while sensing his unyielding resolve beneath the surface. But could they truly afford to make so many enemies at once?

"Either we ally with Black God Syndicate, hand over Austrie and Los to the British royalty, and assist them against the Vatican," Mark continued gravely, "or we abandon everything and fight all three factions simultaneously."

"And which path will you take?" CA asked.

Mark's silence after a moment of contemplation spoke volumes - both roads led inevitably to ruin. Allying with Black God would trigger immediate Vatican annihilation while keeping Austrie and Los alive ensured the same fate through royal and syndicate fury.

"So..." Mark trailed off deliberately.

Back in Shanghai, within Black God Syndicate's command center, Yang Yi smirked as he declared, "So... Austin Mark will choose to collaborate with local Catholic forces."

"Excuse me?" Big Lin and Feng Shi both exclaimed in alarm.

"You're saying two sworn enemies would suddenly cooperate now?" Big Lin asked dubiously.

Yang Yi narrowed his eyes, the flicker of amusement in them impossible to miss. "It's simple mathematics - the Dark Council refuses subjugation, refuses losing Austrie and Los, and refuses becoming everyone's enemy at once. Their only option is to align with the Vatican."

"But would the Vatican even consider it?" Big Lin remained unconvinced.

"Of course," Yang Yi turned toward the window, voice carrying with certainty. "The Vatican also rejects subordination, and they know our connection to British royalty perfectly well."

A slow nod from Big Lin betrayed his half-understanding.

"But there's always an X factor," Yang Yi continued, his entire being exuding enigmatic control. "Mark fears one particular individual right now - someone he must have just realized about. Whether concerning Austrie and Los or our organization itself, he'll choose Vatican alliance because the coming threat surpasses both Dark Council-Vatican animosity."

"Master," Feng Shi suddenly interjected with widened eyes, "do you mean those eight vampires you freed from their castle dungeon?"

Exactly right. By liberating the eight vampire dukes during his last visit to that bloodthirsty fortress, Yang Yi had already set this domino in motion - a strategy both for securing his own dominance and preparing for inevitable conflicts with both factions. He'd known manipulating the Vatican against Dark Council was futile; hence his deliberate silence when Merian Lilies questioned him about it.

Situations involving powerful entities like these required nuanced handling. While he certainly didn't aim to eradicate either faction, Yang Yi sought a perfect equilibrium where both forces remained operational yet subordinated to his will - an ideal solution whose existence itself remained uncertain.

After all, above Dark Council and Vatican stood another shadowy presence both sides feared equally. Though this entity showed no signs of activity beyond sending a single Dragon Rank assassin as challenge letter deliverer, its mere existence maintained the tenuous balance of power.

"All truths will surface at that invitation," Yang Yi murmured, his eyes burning with battle-lust. Human beings all harbored their own fighting spirit - whether driven by desire for forbidden actions or compelled by longing to achieve certain goals. This was survival's fundamental psychology.

Meanwhile within Vatican headquarters...

Pope Kakate sat in his office, gracefully reviewing reports before shaking his head. "Black God Syndicate's expansion is alarmingly rapid, already threatening Britain itself. We must decide soon - the consequences of indecision could be catastrophic."

The legendary leader of Catholic history needed no elaborate deliberations to grasp situations' core implications.

Red Robe Cardinal Nostra entered now, tilting his head with inquiry. "What do you intend regarding this matter, Holy Father?"

"Should we perhaps lower our standards a little?" Kakate mused.

"Are you suggesting an alliance with the Dark Council?" Nostra asked gravely. While they were enemies due to conflicting interests, true death-dealing rivals remained vampires - those repulsive bloodsuckers despised by every Christian soul.

"Precisely," Kakate affirmed, "only through this cooperation can we counter Black God's growing threat."

"Your logic holds water, but there are other factors beyond Black God itself to consider," Nostra cautioned.

"Indeed," Kakate agreed, "which is precisely why I propose this course of action. With eight vampire dukes recently resurfacing and threatening Britain, decisive cooperation becomes even more urgent..."

Though neither faction realized it yet - their alliance would prove insufficient against the Black God Syndicate's current unstoppable momentum across Southeast Asia. The syndicate had cultivated two formidable battalions while securing powerful allies: Eastern Clan, Shangguan Family, Gongsun House, Xuanwu Sect from China's four great doorways, British royalty, Japanese Yakuza, Miyamoto Family - not to mention the eight recently pacified vampire dukes and mysterious figures controlling Chinatown.

Yet one final threat remained capable of toppling Yang Yi entirely: Ye Han, that enigmatic overlord commanding three Dragon Rank warriors, three major martial arts sects, and world's top three assassin guilds. As heir of Jiangnan's Leaf Clan and rumored Tian Gui Sect master from dragon-kin lineage, his power rivaled Yang Yi's own in every aspect - making him their most dangerous rival yet.

"Your decision will be respected," Cardinal Nostra declared solemnly.

"Naturally," Kakate said, "arrange a meeting with Dark Council President Mark tomorrow."

Across the globe in Los Angeles...

"Linke, should we storm the John Clan compound directly or kidnap them for our own brand of hellish justice?" A seductive woman stood atop some skyscraper, tongue tracing her lips as she asked.

"Direct assault might disrupt Young Master's plans," Linke replied with a refined smile, crimson eyes gleaming bloodthirstily. "Instead let's abduct the targets and subject them to our particular brand of torment."

"Wonderful idea!" Allen purred before vanishing from the rooftop in a swirl of movement. The other companions followed suit, their elegant attire concealing the chilling aura radiating from each figure.