Chapter 23: Things Have Escalated

Once the officers present realized Ryuzhi's identity, they understood exactly what was happening. Several officers who had noticed the situation early on even guessed why Ryuzhi was so agitated.

Most gangsters would only beat people into serious injury; very few actually dared to kill. It wasn't because they lacked the nerve, but because the moment a life was taken, it would attract the aura of the Netherworld, eventually drawing the attention of a Mortician—a fate far swifter and more terrifying than any gang punishment. Only low-level thugs like the one before them would run their mouths, constantly threatening people with being buried in mud pits or planted as lotus flowers. If they happened to cross paths with a serious-minded Mortician, there was no telling what might happen.

The officer who had initially tried to stop Ryuzhi sensed the situation turning against him, yet he still insisted, "You cannot attack him. His backer is Black-Armored Sean."

"Is this Sean fellow the district commissioner?" Ryuzhi retorted.

"Uh, no, but he is..."

"Then is he the chief of the precinct?" Ryuzhi interrupted.

"No, but he is..."

"Then let's just take him out. Is Ralph around? Tell him that I have discovered the presence of a Blood-Servant User. Under my authority, I am permitted to summon my undead troops and servants during the pursuit of a Blood-Servant User, so ask him to file a report explaining the situation."

Ryuzhi loosened his grip on the Staff of Death in his left hand, and it automatically hovered behind him. He pressed his right hand against the man's chin while his left hand touched the Altar of the Underworld Palace at his waist. Amidst a ripple in space, wave after wave of undead emerged from the surroundings, lining up before him.

Leading the charge were the most ornate-looking Gold Skeletons. They carried wooden shields in one hand and iron flails in the other, their entire bodies gleaming as they marched onto the walkway. Following them were the Ritual Skeletons; although they had yet to qualify as fledgling warriors, their combat prowess and equipment were undoubtedly the best in Ryuzhi’s arsenal. Wielding longswords and shields, they immediately formed a protective circle around him.

Next came the skeletons trained in the Dark Night Fencing style. They were equipped with newly forged rapiers, though their movements remained too cumbersome to unleash the full potential of the technique. They were followed by several mutated, hulking zombies carrying weapons that resembled heavy cleavers, though these were merely for show, as they were of little use in actual combat.

Finally, twenty skeleton archers appeared. Ryuzhi knew this battle would require some ranged support, so he had forcibly mobilized them. Of course, his two most powerful assets, Vidnina and the Fate-Weaving Spider, were also summoned.

The moment the Fate-Weaving Spider arrived, she took the man Ryuzhi had been pinning with his rapier, wrapping him in endless layers of spider silk. Ryuzhi pulled a potion from his pack and tossed it to her. "Make him drink it."

Ignoring the man’s frantic struggles, the Fate-Weaving Spider clamped his jaw shut and poured the liquid down his throat. Moments later, the man’s eyes grew vacant, as if his consciousness had been lost.

"Ask him where this Sean is, and where the people buried in the mud pits are located."

At this moment, Ralph came running out of the precinct. He shot a cold glare at the thug held back by the skeletons before smiling at Ryuzhi. "Master Sandro, what brings you here? I was just talking about you today; we were planning to invite you for a proper meal in the next few days."

"I originally came to get those worker files from you, but it seems I have some other matters to attend to first."

"Master Sandro, about that Sean..."

"What about him? Is there something wrong with him?" Ryuzhi glanced at Ralph.

"No, it's just that he has thousands of brothers at the docks. If we move against him, it might trigger social unrest. You know how difficult police-civilian relations are right now."

"I suspect he is a Blood-Servant User, or is assisting one. This is no longer a matter of social unrest; it is a much graver situation. Report this intelligence, and it would be best to notify Lord Wilde of the situation here. Fate-Weaving Spider, have you gotten an answer yet?"

"I have. He says he was lying to you earlier, just bragging."

"Then he has no choice now. Find out where Sean is; we are going there immediately."

Ryuzhi waved the Staff of Death, ordering his undead troops to move out, while telling the Fate-Weaving Spider, "If he can't give us anything useful, finish him."

Just then, the man began to shriek, "I'm going to bury you in a mud pit, throw you all into the abyss of the ocean trenches, hahahaha..."

"Ocean trenches?" Ryuzhi turned to look at Ralph, who was wiping sweat from his brow.

"Do you know where that is?"

"I do. It's a tavern. We usually go there for a few drinks; the seafood is quite good, especially the grilled baby shrimp. We were actually planning to invite you there tomorrow to introduce you to some people."

"It seems they are quite bold. Chief Ralph, I might have to trouble you to lead the way."

Ralph was no fool. Seeing the situation, he knew exactly what choice to make. He shouted his orders: "Everyone, grab your steam rifles! Check your pressure and ammunition! We are moving out—target is the Ocean Trench!"

Ryuzhi nodded and stepped out quickly with his retinue. Several clever officers ran to the front—not to tip anyone off, but to guide Ryuzhi’s troops. At that moment, Ryuzhi felt his badge heating up. He channeled his mental energy into it and heard Wilde’s voice.

"What are you doing? Why have you brought the undead into the city?"

"I encountered a gang that openly boasts about burying people in mud pits. I suspect they are Blood-Servant Users."

Wilde understood immediately. Talk of mud pits was common trash talk among gangs, and most would dismiss it, but for a Mortician like Ryuzhi, such a reaction was entirely reasonable. Even Wilde might have made the same choice in his position.

After a moment of thought, Wilde replied, "I will have them seal off the nearby passages. Handle this matter yourself this time. Do not disappoint me."