Chapter 48: Fishing

“The Snake Clan’s eight families have already rotted away. Japan’s underworld needs a new beginning; it’s long overdue... for a change of era!”

At the Elysium Hall, when Mito Gen spoke these words, her eyes gleamed with a fiery golden hue, the corners bloodshot from extreme excitement. “It’s time to make those who abandoned us pay the price!”

The assault had begun half an hour earlier. The Snake Clan mobilized every available force. The gates of Genji Heavy Industries swung open, black vans rolled out in succession, and the top executives of the Snake Clan were fully deployed.

They were determined to eliminate the Phantom Gang as swiftly as possible, knowing the Snake Clan’s internal situation was unstable and that the Phantom Gang would inevitably strike.

Since that was the case, they decided to act preemptively to seize the initiative, turning internal conflicts into external ones. Even the restless smaller gangs quieted down, united against a common enemy.

As for what Cassel Academy might think, that had to be put aside for now. They had to overcome the immediate crisis first. After all, if they slipped up, the Snake Clan might cease to exist, let alone worry about branch divisions.

Throughout Japan, from south to north, all gangs loyal to the Snake Clan sprang into action, relentlessly attacking those allied with the Phantom Gang. Surrender or death awaited these gangs, terrifying the inexperienced street thugs.

For a long time, the Phantom Gang believed they had gained the upper hand, maintaining a balance of power with the Snake Clan. But now, they realized that when the family truly rages, the onslaught is almost unstoppable.

Yet the Phantom Gang was no longer a thing of the past; now it was the World Tree organization on the surface, led by Mito Gen but actually commanded by Tang Xi, preparing to seize control of Japan’s underworld.

Tang Xi was determined to crush the Snake Clan. Such a longstanding power surely housed many mixed-bloods—capturing them would be a wealth of experience!

Moreover, merging the Snake Clan and the Phantom Gang would officially doom Herzog’s plan.

Therefore, Herzog would never stand idly by. He would intervene. If he dared to appear, Tang Xi would be ready to expose herself and strike him down—better than having him nowhere to be found.

And if Herzog died, Odin’s century-long scheme would collapse completely. That would be the greatest retaliation.

Of course, Herzog was a cunning fish, and to lure him out, heavy bait was needed.

Watching the fierce battle unfold, “Erii” casually swung her long spear. Though she struck no one directly, the enemies before her were torn apart, blood staining the ground.

The spear Kunqunir’s unerring accuracy combined with the death sentence of Judgment turned the slaughter into a simple, tedious game. Her mere presence was enough to reverse the tide of battle.

***

This was Osaka, where the Phantom Gang controlled ten of the eighteen local gangs. The eight loyal to the Snake Clan had long held back, but once the offensive began and reinforcements poured in, the Phantom Gang’s gangs were crushed one after another before they could organize.

Never before had there been such an efficient underworld war—akin to Hitler’s blitzkrieg through Poland. Without Tang Xi’s arrival, Osaka would have fallen to the Snake Clan overnight.

But with Tang Xi’s participation, the situation changed instantly. She was but one person, yet equivalent to an army.

This was complete domination—not even a battle, but pure massacre. Tang Xi had little interest in killing; she appeared here only to fish.

If Herzog did not want to see years of effort destroyed, he would not miss this moment when Erii was isolated.

Indeed, Tang Xi was fishing—she herself was the bait.

Another spear thrust, Kunqunir exuded a deathly black aura, silver lightning coiling around the shaft, almost sacred, as if even death was a blessing.

Suddenly, her motion paused. She lifted her head as if sensing something.

The serene moonlight had been shrouded by gathering storm clouds. Thick layers rolled across the sky, lightning flashed, and soon rain began to fall, leaving a thin layer of water on the ground. The water mirrored the dark sky, the lightning distorted and twisted.

Tang Xi glanced around, sensing the change. Once again, the world grew silent and warped. Then came the crisp sound of hoofbeats.

Good news: the bait had attracted a fish.

Bad news: it was not the fish she wanted.

Through the mist, an eight-legged pegasus trotted slowly forward. On its back sat a grim reaper, exuding a strong aura of decay. Bandages fell from beneath his armor like tattered burial cloths.

“It’s you again,” Tang Xi sighed. “Why can’t you just disappear?”

“I told you, when we meet again, it will be your death,” Odin’s low, solemn voice came through the rain.

“You cannot escape.”

***

“How amusing. Who said I’m running away?” Tang Xi tilted her head slightly, spun Kunqunir beautifully in her hand, “You’re the one who can’t run.”

“Provoking me is not wise,” Odin said coldly, his voice booming like thunder in the storm. “You will pay for your arrogance.”

“I say the same to you,” Tang Xi shrugged. Her clothes were soaked through in the downpour, but her expression was calm, as if she had everything under control.

“You don’t really believe I’m stupid enough to act alone and come right to you, do you? Haven’t you learned there’s no such thing as a free meal from the sky?”

She tilted her head again, genuinely wondering, “Or are you just brainless?”

“Just you?”

“No, no, no, certainly not.” At last, a smile played on Tang Xi’s lips, full of cat-and-mouse mockery. “Want to see who’s behind you?”

Odin snapped his head around. There, standing quietly behind him, was a pale figure. The rain ceased within a meter of her, leaving her dry amid the deluge.

The girl raised her eyes, revealing deep blue irises, and didn’t bother to speak. Her gaze was filled with unmasked derision.

He finally realized he had fallen into a trap—but it was too late. Behind him, Tang Xi raised her spear, its tip aimed at him. Kunqunir, suffused with the aura of death, had locked onto him.

Tang Xi lazily raised her eyelids, smiling: “I told you, you can’t escape.”

“Next time you want to test me, bring the real one—if he dares show up.”

“As for you... your life belongs to me now.”