Become a king right from the start, beginning with receiving rewards from all the heavens.

Under Zhang Han's leadership, the Shadow Guard has now spread its reach throughout the Great Xia Dynasty.

In terms of intelligence resources, it cannot compare to established institutions like the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Heavenly Punishment Bureau.

However, in terms of internal operational efficiency, it absolutely surpasses all departments of the imperial court.

Zhang Han dared not delay and immediately accepted the order and left!

He knew very well that now was not the time to secretly contend with the underworld.

In fact, both the Underworld and Baiyujing are aware that a limited, clandestine contest is fine, and His Highness is even happy to see this situation.

When the other party truly needs help, you must go all out.

Otherwise, it would be crossing His Highness's bottom line!

When Zhang Han returned to Qilin City, the other three immediately surrounded him and pressed him for answers.

"His Highness suddenly summoned you, what important matter has occurred?"

Zhang Han said in a deep voice, "Last night, all the strongholds of the Northern Barbarian Prefecture branch of the Underworld were wiped out by the White Lotus Sect, almost completely eradicated!"

"His Highness is utterly enraged! The most powerful figures from the Underworld have already marched north!"

"Next, a great war that will shock the Great Xia Dynasty is likely to erupt in the Northern Barbarian Continent!"

"His Highness has ordered me to immediately investigate the White Lotus Sect's manpower situation this time!"

After saying that, he immediately called his subordinates in:

"How's the intelligence we have in the Northern Barbarian Prefecture?"

The assassins who entered were assassins at the Purple Mansion Realm level from the Shadow Guard.

Zhang Han's Shadow Guards are now the main force for intelligence gathering and assassination in Baiyujing.

"Lord Wuhou, we've been working on things in the Northern Barbarian Prefecture for several months now, and we certainly won't let you down!"

"Good! Notify the people over there to immediately investigate everything about the White Lotus Sect last night, leaving no stone unturned!" Zhang Han ordered in a deep voice.

As time went on, all the forces in the North learned of what had happened the previous night.

Some were secretly delighted, while others frowned.

The clash between the two major forces could easily trigger turmoil in the Jianghu of the Northern Barbarian State.

Despite its short history, the Underworld has become an indispensable part of the Northern Jianghu.

In the world of martial arts, who doesn't have a few mortal enemies? This is also why the underworld was able to grow so rapidly.

The Northern Barbarian Prefecture Underworld Branch was originally the headquarters of a small gang.

The reason Shi Zhongtian and his group chose this place was because there were no other forces around, making it extremely secluded.

The underworld was so well disguised that even the imperial court didn't notice; the people in this small gang had long been replaced by the underworld.

Suddenly, the space rippled, and three figures appeared out of thin air in the sky.

Duan Lang released his divine sense!

Suddenly, a wicked smile crept onto his face.

"Heh, so this place has been exposed as expected!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he opened his right hand.

With a grab from afar, a strange figure immediately struggled and "flew" over.

"Uh...uh..." The person was being controlled remotely and struggled desperately.

I felt as if I had fallen into boundless darkness, and even breathing was difficult.

At this moment, Duan Lang's cold voice rang out:

"Don't worry, I just want to see your memories!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a surge of pure and immense spiritual power rush into his mind.

A moment later, Duan Lang casually threw the person on the ground.

He sneered, "This is supposed to be a Grandmaster? He can't even withstand my divine sense!"

He had just finished reading the man's memories of the White Lotus Sect deities when the man's memories completely vanished, and he became an idiot.

A dignified Grandmaster-level expert was turned into an idiot by someone's soul search!

"The White Lotus Sect actually makes offerings to deities!"

Duan Lang's words instantly piqued the curiosity of Xiong Ba and Shi Zhixuan.

They originally thought that the so-called gods of the White Lotus Sect were nothing more than a facade used to win people's hearts.

"Forget it, this has nothing to do with us." Duan Lang waved his hand. "Come on, everyone else should be here!"

The three figures vanished instantly and reappeared in the branch's main hall the next second.

Everyone only saw a flash before their eyes, and three figures had already descended. Although all three were wearing demon masks, everyone knew who they were.

"Your subordinates pay their respects to His Majesty the Dharma King and the two Yama Kings!" the crowd chorused in unison.

After everyone sat down, Duan Lang's immense aura instantly enveloped the entire area, his tone icy.

"I am utterly disappointed in you!"

"The Lord God is utterly enraged by what happened last night!"

Everyone present instantly felt as if a mountain was pressing down on them, making it difficult to even breathe.

"The White Lotus Sect made its move, and none of your branches noticed anything amiss!" Duan Lang roared angrily.

"Are your strongholds just for eating and drinking?"

"Hmph, what a waste of resources, a disgrace to the God's expectations!"

Just then, Duan Lang suddenly stopped, and a token appeared in his hand.

The next second, a majestic voice came from the token.

Everyone stood up abruptly, bowing respectfully to the token and listening attentively.

"Duan Lang, news has come from Marquis Bai Yujing."

"His forces have investigated the personnel of the White Lotus Sect in the Northern Barbarian Prefecture, and the specific intelligence has been sent to you."

"Now it's up to you guys."

As soon as he finished speaking, a detailed intelligence report appeared in everyone's tokens.

"Tsk tsk, the White Lotus Sect's Grand Master has actually come in person?"

"I must say, the Shadow Guards of Marquis Baiyujing are truly formidable!"

Shi Zhixuan said softly, and these last words undoubtedly made everyone present from various branches feel ashamed!

The underworld's intelligence network was built up through its own efforts, while the Shadow Guards were originally dedicated to intelligence gathering and assassination. After being enhanced by the system, their intelligence capabilities became top-notch.

Duan Lang put away the token and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, you are all aware of the God Lord's orders."

"To wipe out the entire White Lotus Cult, we'll lie in wait here!"

"Tomorrow is the day the two sides go to war!"

As night fell, a message spread throughout the northern borderlands in an instant!

The reinforcements from the underworld have arrived!

In a White Lotus Sect branch, the sect leader looked up at his subordinates and asked in a deep voice, "Has the elder we sent to monitor them not returned yet?"

"Reporting to the Grand Master, not yet!" one of the men below stood up and replied.

At this moment, a Dharma King rose and volunteered, "Master, I am willing to go and see what's going on!"

The Grand Master waved his hand: "No need. If you go alone, you'll be playing right into their hands."

"I reckon that Yama, the King of Hell, has already arrived."

"Alright, everyone, get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, follow me and raze the Underworld branch to the ground!"

Tonight in the Northern Barbarian Continent, there are almost no pedestrians on the streets of any of the cities.

Even the brothels that were open all night closed early, leaving a deathly silence.

As the first rays of sunlight appeared on the horizon, hundreds of powerful figures suddenly streaked across the sky in the city where the Northern Barbarian Prefecture's underworld was located.

This scene caused the expressions of all the cultivators in the city to change drastically!

Because those people were all wearing the clothing of the White Lotus Sect!

A clever person immediately realized that the branch of the underworld was located in this city.

The aura emanating from those powerful figures as they passed through the void was so oppressive that everyone in the city could hardly breathe, as if a huge mountain was pressing down on them.

"Hahaha..." A thunderous laugh echoed through the heavens and earth!

"You scum of the underworld, the White Lotus Sect has come to pay you a visit today!"

The sky instantly became overcast, and a thick, murderous aura swept through the entire city, sending chills down everyone's spine.

"It's...it's actually the...the Grand Master of the White Lotus Sect?" Someone in the city trembled with fear.

...

"It's over! This branch of the Underworld is doomed!"