The only remnants of Blade of Today were already a massive military base, the armies of the three factions interlocked like teeth within the urban sectors, meaning the small contingent of less than a hundred chariots accompanying Gu Xichen attracted absolutely no notice. The convoy sped through, taking less than ten minutes to reach the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Flanking the wide, clean avenue, the rooftops of the antique-style buildings displayed massive light-screens where members of the Federal Upper and Lower Houses appeared in a constant rotation, like a calliope. They denounced, "filled with righteous indignation," the actions of the Papal States and the Gods’ Federation in declaring unilateral sovereignty as crimes against humanity. Forcing two hundred billion citizens of the Federation to relocate to the Thirteen-Connected Stars through violence and threats was, they claimed, a vile, heinous act of kidnapping.

Nearly two thousand assemblymen, whether willingly or under duress, all wore the same expression of fervent outrage, profound anger, and agonizing grief. On their wings of light, they cried out, imploring the "ambitious schemers" of the Papal States and the Gods' Federation to see the error of their ways and turn back from the sinful path against humanity.

Other assemblymen gravely pointed out that certain Federal corporations siding with the "schemers" were secretly transferring—or in the process of transferring—their assets to the Thirteen-Connected Stars. Such actions, they argued, were also criminal, a crime against the five hundred billion citizens of the Federation. Their corporate properties belonged to the entire Federation; this act of moving factories and production lines was despicable "robbery," stealing, or attempting to steal, the public property of the five hundred billion Federation citizens.

Occasionally, scenes of popular uprisings in the underground city clusters of major metropolises flickered onto the screens. Citizens, armed with various weapons, were depicted beating the Federal soldiers and police sent to maintain order until they bled profusely. The soldiers and police shown on the screens truly lived up to the principle of not striking back even when struck, nor verbally retaliating when insulted. They endured the assaults and beatings from the rioters, trying their utmost to persuade the mobs to return to their residences.

At times, frontline reporters interviewed severely wounded soldiers about their views on the riots. The soldiers’ shattered limbs, crushed skulls, and the plasma spurting from their seven orifices vividly demonstrated how cruel, brutal, and savagely barbaric these rioters were; they had lost their last vestiges of humanity.

Several elderly members of the Upper House appeared on the screens. An old man of Western descent mournfully recited a famous poem from the Huá Guó nation: "Born of the same root, why should you rush to destroy each other so fiercely!" Here, we implore those ambitious schemers, who aim to split the Federation for the sake of their own positions, to turn back. We welcome you back into the warm embrace of the Federation!"

Gu Xichen kicked open the hatch of the armored vehicle and stepped out. He glanced coolly at the elderly aristocratic figures on the screen and let out a few mocking, cold laughs.

Last night, these old foxes were staunchly condemning the Federal government, firmly supporting the Papal States' sovereignty, and resolutely backing the Papal States' legal and rightful control over Europe and Africa. Now, they had been instantly turned to charcoal by lightning. Today, they had learned their lesson, suddenly denouncing the high command of the Papal States and the Gods' Federation with such feigned righteous anger. Heaven knew how many fully armed soldiers were aiming rifles at their heads outside the live broadcast studio where they were speaking.

"Bring people over, seal this area. Anyone who dares to defy will be sent directly to the Special Operations Bureau's secret prison." Gu Xichen was truly starting to lose control. The images relayed by his divine sense scan filled him with explosive rage.

In the center of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, near a small fountain featuring a **little angel urinating, was a jewelry store named Jin Guke. This was an established brand with hundreds of years of history, having made its name shortly after the conclusion of the War of Ninety-Three. In Europe, Jin Guke controlled over thirty percent of the jewelry trade. Jin Guke’s most famous characteristic was its consistent ability to procure rare, legendary, top-tier treasures, earning it high recognition in Federal high society.

In front of the Jin Guke jewelry store, whose entrance was discreetly designed to resemble an ordinary dwelling, a group of burly, heavily built men were beating over a dozen sprawled, motionless men with heavy batons. Every time a few men in black suits attempted to shout orders, the attackers would violently kick them in the mouth, preventing them from uttering a single word.

These brawny attackers struck with brutal force, deliberately aiming at joints and vulnerable spots. Several of the men on the ground had already passed out.

Gu Xichen’s expression darkened further.

Among those being beaten on the ground were eight bodyguards he had assigned to Fu Yaming, all top experts from the Haduowo Defense Company. The others, those in black suits, were agents and liaisons assigned to Fu Yaming by the Poison Wolf faction; these agents held at least the rank of Lieutenant Colonel within the Federal Intelligence System.

The defeat of the Haduowo Company men already infuriated Gu Xichen. But the fact that the agents arranged by Poison Wolf couldn't even speak a single word sent him into an uncontrollable fury.

Glancing at those beside him, Gu Xichen snarled through clenched teeth, "Beat them to death!"

He gave a mighty flap of his sleeve, and an invisible surge of qi roared outward. As the energy approached the brawny attackers, it finally produced a sound like rushing water—huala—as if a monumental waterfall were plunging from the heavens. A white stream of light, both substantial and ethereal, slammed into the group, shattering the bones in all their limbs and severely jarring their internal organs. The men, who moments before had looked menacingly fierce, cried out in agony, spitting blood as they were flung backward.

The assault team members clad in combat armor charged forward, swinging their one-hundred-and-twenty-millimeter light naval cannons and smashing them onto the bodies of the attackers.

Since Gu Xichen had ordered them to beat them to death, the Haduowo mercenaries certainly wouldn't hold back! They knew Gu Xichen had powerful backing, immense strength, and was on friendly terms with the Federation's sole Marshal. If they were to kill them, leaving any survivors would bring utter disgrace upon their cohort of old Hell Angels mercenaries.

The heavy naval cannons smashed directly onto the heads of the burly men. In just a few strikes, the severely wounded attackers had their skulls cracked open, their brains spilling out as they died.

Several transport vehicles sped over. The mercenaries quickly cleared the bodies from the ground, using specialized materials to completely absorb all the blood, leaving the scene spotless. Several field ambulances also rushed over with their sirens blaring, and the beaten Haduowo mercenaries and Intelligence agents were all stuffed into the vehicles.

As one agent was being loaded onto an ambulance, he managed to gather enough breath to hiss at Gu Xichen, "Mr. Gu, the opponents are from the Heaven Star Expeditionary Force!"

Gu Xichen nodded to the agent, gritted his teeth, pushed open the pale brown, chamfered wooden door of the Jin Guke jewelry store, and led the pack of ferocious mercenaries inside.

The ground floor of the jewelry store was a luxurious bar lounge. Several beautiful young women in Western-style court dresses were lounging lazily on sofas, flipping through fashion magazines. Startled by Gu Xichen's sudden intrusion, they hastily stood up and cried out in alarm, "Sir, here we—"

BOOM! Two mercenaries in combat armor rushed in slightly too eagerly, nearly shoulder to shoulder. The faint roar of the power micro-engines on their armor resonated, and a brute force erupted from the armor. The store's front door, along with half the wall, collapsed entirely.

A red-haired girl rushed forward, bravely extending her hand toward Gu Xichen and saying, "We apologize, sir, we only receive our members here."

"Only members?" Gu Xichen laughed with rage. "I never strike women!"

His figure flashed, and Gu Xichen streaked past the young women like a phantom, ascending the spiral staircase leading to the second floor.

The young women were still trying to decipher the meaning of Gu Xichen's statement, "I never strike women," when over a dozen ferocious mercenaries were already upon them. A storm of blows and kicks roared down. The young women shrieked, retreating backward with agility like wild apes, their hands reaching for the sidearms holstered on their thighs. But as fast as they retreated, the mercenaries were a fraction faster. Just as their fingers gripped the gun handles, they were smashed to the ground by a flurry of iron fists.

These Haduowo mercenaries knew nothing of chivalry. They were surprised to see that the retreating movements of these young women carried echoes of military special forces techniques. Thus, they expertly shattered the young women's knee joints and twisted their arms into bizarre, contorted shapes.

The second floor of Jin Guke was a spacious display room. Within display cases made of natural crystal lay priceless treasures shimmering with magnificent light.

Gu Xichen charged onto the second floor with the swiftness of the wind. Several women dressed in tight black leather suits on the second floor spotted Gu Xichen suddenly and immediately lunged at him. One woman drove a knee strike directly towards Gu Xichen's groin, while others attacked his chest, cervical spine, and heart. The attacks from these women were vicious and merciless, clearly indicative of well-trained special forces personnel.

"I don't hit women!" Gu Xichen reiterated his principle. He twisted his body, and a cloud of watery vapor surged beneath his feet, supporting him as he swept towards the staircase leading directly to the third floor.

Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs. The ferocious Haduowo mercenaries charged up. Dozens of them swarmed forward, instantly knocking the four women to the ground. Amidst the sound of tearing leather—chichichi—it was impossible to tell which lecherous rogue took the opportunity to grope, ripping open the leather suit of one woman.

The third floor was an exceptionally large hall furnished with extreme luxury. Fu Yaming and Jin were here.

Dozens of burly men in black clothing, emanating a strong scent of blood, stood with their hands behind their backs against the perimeter walls, watching Fu Yaming and Jin, who were seated on a chaise lounge, with strange smiles.

The two Yafeike female officers attending Fu Yaming were pinned to the ground, several dark gun barrels pressed against the back of their heads. Blood was steadily flowing from the shoulder of one female officer; she appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound. The beautiful faces of both officers were etched with despair, their smooth, long hair soaked with cold sweat, hanging across their faces like thin, wet ropes.

A stunningly beautiful middle-aged woman, wearing an elaborate classical court dress, leaned smilingly against a floor-to-ceiling window in the hall. Her left arm was held across her chest, while the tips of her right fingers held a long, thin ivory cigarette holder, in which was inserted a slender lady's cigar. The air carried the faint, characteristic scent of burning coca leaves.

A slightly stooped young general, nearly one meter eighty tall, pale and clean-shaven, with a cinched waist and narrow shoulders, stood smilingly before Fu Yaming and Jin, looking down at them.

"My ladies, I do not wish to hear any more of your nonsensical lies. Tell me your true identities and names, or your attendants will acquire new holes in their heads."

Fu Yaming’s face was livid with suppressed rage. She clenched her fists tightly and barked, "I am Fu Yaming, Queen of the Yafeike Kingdom—"

Jin snarled, "I am Jin, the young leader of the Broken Hook Collective! I warn you, you are dead!" A clear handprint was visible on Jin’s face; she had clearly just been slapped.

The young general shook his head vigorously, chuckling smoothly. "Oh, still being dishonest, still lying! Hmm, Madam Chalei, would you mind if I borrowed your establishment to properly interrogate them? Two very cute little lambs; I haven't seen such tender lambs on Heaven Star."

Madam Chalei, leaning by the window, chuckled sweetly. "You are my guest, Lieutenant General Xiao. You are my most honored guest; you may use any facility in Jin Guke as you please."

Lieutenant General Xiao nodded with satisfaction. He smiled at Fu Yaming. "Then, respected Your Majesty, if you refuse to disclose your identity, I shall have to resort to... minor measures!"

He laughed a few times, then coldly stated, "Your bodyguards accompanying you are already beaten and useless. You must come from some minor family in the Federation. You cannot possibly be from a noble, aristocratic lineage, or I would surely know you. Given your beauty, if you were from a major family, I would have certainly heard of you."

Fu Yaming sneered, "And you presume to be from an aristocratic family?"

Lieutenant General Xiao held his head high with arrogance. "My grandfather was a Federal General, and my Xiao family holds significant weight in the military. My family controls the military authority of the Federation's Asian Military Region!"

Jin glared furiously at Lieutenant General Xiao and shrieked, "A descendant of a petty warlord family from a backward civilization! I tell you, you and your entire family are finished! Your entire family! Finished! I will have my father mobilize the full might of the Broken Hook Group to destroy your proud Xiao family!"

Lieutenant General Xiao burst into laughter. With a hint of lewd eagerness, he approached Fu Yaming and Jin, chuckling lowly, "Destroy my family? Welcome. Welcome, I welcome you to try. But before that, please allow me to destroy your bodies! Let me destroy your chastity, defile your pure bodies; I am so excited, I can barely hold back!"

Taking a deep breath, Lieutenant General Xiao lunged for Fu Yaming.

Gu Xichen’s figure flashed, and he instantly intercepted Fu Yaming. Lieutenant General Xiao grabbed Gu Xichen's left chest and squeezed it hard.

Gu Xichen’s face turned black. He looked down at Lieutenant General Xiao from above and sneered, "How's the feel?"

Lieutenant General Xiao paused blankly. He cursed softly, "Flat-chested? Impossible?"

Gu Xichen raised his foot and kicked Lieutenant General Xiao in the lower abdomen. The general let out a miserable howl, flying backward more than ten meters in a sprawling posture, crashing into the wall behind him. The entire building shuddered. Lieutenant General Xiao carved a massive concave pit in the wall upon impact, yet he staggered back to his feet.

Clutching his agonizing abdomen with both hands, Lieutenant General Xiao glared menacingly at Gu Xichen and shook his head. "You are dead. You are truly dead. Do you know who I am?"

Gu Xichen glanced at him coldly, then turned his gaze toward the stunned Madam Chalei.

"Countess Chalei?" Gu Xichen snorted coldly.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Madam Chalei cried out irritably. "Who are you? Who gave you the authority to harm my honored guests in my establishment?"

Gu Xichen frowned. He said coldly, "Honored guests? Are my girlfriend and her friend not your guests? I see what kind of person you are. Tell Vagri that our past cooperation is terminated."

"You, you!" Madam Chalei was dumbfounded. Anyone who knew she was Admiral Vagri's mistress was either a friend of Vagri or a figure of even greater importance than Vagri—neither was someone she could afford to offend, nor someone she wished to provoke.

The expression of anger vanished instantly. Madam Chalei's face was covered in a brilliant smile, and she said gently, "Honored sir, this is a misunderstanding!"

"It is not a misunderstanding!" Lieutenant General Xiao roared hysterically, shaking with fury. He pointed at Gu Xichen and yelled, "You are dead! You are dead! You dared to hurt me? You dared to strike me? I don't care who you are, you are finished! In the Earth Federation, no one dares treat me this way!"

With a great shout, Lieutenant General Xiao opened his mouth and spat out a streak of brilliant red sword light, over ten feet long. As the sword light emerged, a sharp, ghostly wail echoed from within it. A pitch-black spectral mist surged up from the floor of the hall. The piercingly cold black mist rapidly enveloped the surroundings. Lieutenant General Xiao’s figure and the sword light were concealed within the glow, only an occasional flash of red light piercing through.

The sharp ghostly wail grew increasingly unpleasant. In addition to the red light, eight streams of grayish-white cold light flashed successively from within the black mist, causing the chill in the hall to intensify.

"Nine Sons Mother Yin Spirit Sword. Whose lineage are you from?" Gu Xichen's brow furrowed, his three vital spirits agitated with anger.

The boss of the East Asian Military Region? The Xiao family? That was headache enough.

And this Nine Sons Mother Yin Spirit Sword clearly belonged to the secret evil sword lineage of the Nine Nether Dao Ghost Cultivators.

Just now, Gu Xichen had assumed this Lieutenant General Xiao was merely an ordinary Xiantian expert, so he hadn't observed him with divine sense. It was only when he unleashed the Nine Sons Mother Yin Spirit Sword that Gu Xichen realized this fellow was actually a cultivator at the Golden Core level. Although only at the initial stage of Golden Core, it was enough to shock Gu Xichen.

Back on Heaven Star, Little Daoist Zhang, the future leader of the Zhongnan lineage, was only at the Qi Pill stage. What was the background of this Lieutenant General Xiao to possess such high cultivation?

"You actually recognize the secret immortal sword of my Nine Nether Dao?" Lieutenant General Xiao was surprised. "Hmph, hmph, perhaps you are also a cultivator? Do you not know the Nine Nether Dao Ghost Cultivator lineage’s 'Evil Sword Ghost King'—"

Gu Xichen let out a long breath. It was just as he suspected!

Of the Nine Great Masters of the Nine Nether Dao, the Corpse Emperor was the sect leader of the Corpse Cultivation lineage and the overall head of the Nine Nether Dao. The Evil Sword Ghost King, nominally the Corpse Emperor's senior brother, controlled the Ghost Cultivator lineage of the Nine Nether Dao.

"So we are fellow sect brothers!" Gu Xichen sneered. "Remember my name. I am Gu Xichen, a disciple under the Corpse Emperor, the current leader of the Nine Nether Dao!"

Gu Xichen struck the sword case with the back of his hand. With a boom, a flash of black and white intense light appeared, subtly revealing hints of seven-colored radiance within the black and white glow. Lieutenant General Xiao's Nine Sons Mother Yin Spirit Sword exploded into a shower of black and red toxic fluid falling like rain. An invisible sword qi struck his chest, carving a through-and-through wound over a foot long in his right breast.

Blood splattered. Lieutenant General Xiao shrieked as he was sent flying by the sword qi.