Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 321: Seeing Right and Wrong Clearly

On the desolate Gobi Desert, endless yellow sand dunes and weathered, oddly shaped rocks formed a bleak and majestic world. Behind a small slope sheltered by rocks, where half the area was shaded, a middle-aged man and a child leaned side by side against the stone wall.

In the man's hand was a half-empty bottle of Rémy Martin XO, his rough face adorned with stubble, eyes half-closed, the flush from alcohol making him look perpetually on the verge of dozing off.

"Uncle, what style of martial arts are you teaching me? Why is it so amazing?" the boy asked casually, while playing with two stones in his hand. In such a lifeless place, when not training, these small objects were the only diversion.

The middle-aged man chuckled with a sip of alcohol, his voice slightly hoarse from the dryness. "What's so amazing about it?"

"I finished training this morning. Originally, my leg was slashed, but after practicing the technique you taught me, the wound is almost healed now," the boy said proudly.

The man chuckled to himself. "You still have a long way to go. Keep practicing."

"Uncle, what's the name of this technique?" the boy asked curiously.

"I've forgotten its name, and it doesn't matter. In this world, only you and I know it. You can call it whatever you want," the man said nonchalantly.

The boy's curiosity unabated, he continued, "Uncle, what do you think it would be like if I practiced this technique to the ninth level, like you mentioned? How far have you practiced?"

The middle-aged man closed his eyes, seeming a bit tired, and mumbled, "I don't know. I've only practiced up to the seventh level, 'Dust Away'. I haven't fully understood the eighth level, 'Life and Death', let alone the ninth level, the final 'Rebirth'."

Disappointed, the boy said, "Uncle, you're already so old and only at the seventh level. If I want to reach the ninth level, won't I have to wait until I'm an old man?"

"Nonsense. It has nothing to do with age. If you understand it, you understand it. If you don't, it doesn't matter how old you are," the man replied.

"How can I understand it then?" the boy pressed on. The man didn't reply; he had already fallen asleep, snoring loudly.

The boy sighed helplessly, his young face turned towards the desolate Gobi Desert, displaying a profound expression far beyond his years, lost in contemplation.

The sky, at some unknown point, began to drizzle with a gloomy rain. Inside the courtyard, Tokugawa Zang II looked at Yang Chen, who had already ceased breathing, and slowly retracted the Myoujou Muramasa.

Yang Chen's body, unsupported, slid softly from the door frame and collapsed on the ground, staining the tiles red with blood. On the demon blade, the carved dragon motif had turned a sinister crimson after consuming the essence blood, seeming almost as if it could detach from the blade.

A surging wave of murderous intent emanated from the blade, causing several nearby individuals to furrow their brows in concern.

"A fine blade indeed. It's said to be a cursed blade that craves blood, and yet it truly exists," murmured Cardinal Bruno, his eyes flickering with intrigue. "I wonder, compared to the heretical artifact 'Butcher's Knife,' which one is more ferocious."

Tokugawa Zang II didn't respond, only sheathed his blade quietly, gazing at Yang Chen on the ground who no longer moved. A cruel smile played on his lips. "Even a true god can be slaughtered, let alone a mere human who ascended to divinity through 'Godslaying.' He overestimated his abilities."

"Can't say that for certain. Without our developed radioactive drugs, combined with Lady Takama-no-Hara's superb acting and her miraculous 'mind reading' technique, of course, not to mention Tokugawa's understanding of divinity, it was only through our meticulous coordination that we could defeat him. Calling him a god wouldn't be an overstatement," Judith's words seemed complimentary, but her face showed no admiration, only a hint of mockery.

"Regardless, from now on, there won't be another Pluto for a hundred years. As for where he will reincarnate and when he will awaken again, it's no concern of ours. We just need to find the exact location of the divine stone. Without his guard, it won't be difficult to obtain," Tokugawa Zang II said triumphantly. "Even if he seeks revenge later, with the divine stone in our possession, we might still seal his divinity. If we fail to seal it, by then, we'll be gone from this world, and he'll have no one to vent his anger on."

"Leader Tokugawa speaks wisely. But who will go and find the divine stone, and to whom will it belong once found?" Judith asked with a flirtatious smile.

Tokugawa Zang II sneered coldly. "What's this? Does Blue Storm want to dominate alone? Never mind who finds the divine stone first. If I decide today not to let you leave, you won't have a chance to survive."

With that, Tokugawa Zang II's martial arts attire rustled without wind, and the demon blade in his hand began to tremble on its own, emitting a sharp metallic sound akin to wailing ghosts and howling wolves.

Sensing the terrifying killing intent rushing towards them, Judith and the other two Blue Storm members, as well as the three from the Church, cautiously stepped back, their faces filled with horror as they looked at Tokugawa Zang II.

Banri and Lixi had seen their leader's strength before—now at the pinnacle of Earth Shinobi, one step away from the legendary Heaven Shinobi level, a super powerhouse beyond ordinary comprehension.

For them, reaching Human Shinobi was already extraordinary combat power, but the higher they climbed, the more they felt the immense gap between Human Shinobi and Earth Shinobi, how difficult it was to surpass.

As for Takama-no-Hara's Nine-Tailed and the short-haired girl, they had retreated early to a corner, watching the scene unfold with anticipation, seemingly unfazed by Tokugawa Zang II's murderous intent.

"Leader, we two are enough to handle them," Banri bowed respectfully.

Tokugawa Zang II snorted coldly. "Useless. Killing or not killing makes no difference. Today, Pluto is dead. You two will depart shortly to search for the 'Divine Stone' in Enshu. This time, you must find it."

With these words spoken directly in front of Blue Storm, the Church, and Takama-no-Hara, Tokugawa Zang II clearly stated his stance: anyone who obstructed him would face the blade of his demon sword without hesitation.

Judith and the others felt infuriated by this blatant dismissal, but they could only seethe silently. They had never imagined that Tokugawa Zang II, at Earth Shinobi level, possessed such terrifying strength. While the Eightfold Society might not have more elite fighters than some other organizations, they excelled in numbers and had a wide array of ninjutsu and illusion techniques—making them formidable adversaries not to be trifled with.

Now that Pluto was deceased, the biggest obstacle to seizing the Divine Stone had been removed. The one with the strongest fist would emerge as the ultimate victor.

The Eightfold Society headquarters in Sakuramoto, adjacent to Enshu and boasting a large number of members, coupled with Tokugawa Zang II's unfathomable strength, made them virtually unstoppable by these supernaturals. Clearly, the Eightfold Society had a greater chance than any other organization to seize the Divine Stone.

What made them even more unpredictable was Tokugawa Zang II's understanding of divinity and the Divine Stone. As a core member of Zero during the acquisition and experimentation with the Divine Stone, his knowledge far surpassed that of others.

Yet amidst these concerns, Judith and the others were more focused on surviving this moment. If Tokugawa Zang II decided to kill several of them right now, they would find it extremely difficult to escape.

"Leader Tokugawa, we came only to assist you in slaying Pluto, not to vie for the Divine Stone. The Church fights only against heretics. Now that Pluto's physical body is destroyed, we shall take our leave," Bruno saw the situation turning unfavorable and decided to leave first, regardless of future disputes over the Divine Stone.

However, before they could turn to leave, two ghostly figures blocked the doorway.

Lixi and Banri stood on either side, brandishing sharp shurikens, ready to strike at any moment.

"Why must we be at such odds?" Bruno frowned deeply, his nerves on edge, while the two Temple Knights at his side subtly prepared to draw their swords.

Tokugawa Zang II sneered disdainfully. "Banri, Lixi, let them go." "Yes!" The two immediately stepped aside.

"Leader Tokugawa's judgment is clear," Bruno sighed with relief, feeling the tension ease slightly.

"Judgment? I couldn't care less about the lives of ants," Tokugawa Zang II scoffed. "Once I obtain the Divine Stone, I can ascend to godhood. By then, your organizations, flaunting their names in the name of gods, will be nothing more than ants."

"You—" Bruno wanted to rebuke him but immediately thought better of it. Knowing he was still in the lion's den, he understood that even with two Temple Knights at his side, they wouldn't stand a chance against such terrifying killing intent. Perhaps only the leaders of the two Crusader Legions of the Church could spar with him briefly, but defeating him would be another matter entirely, even with the Church's secret techniques.

With these thoughts, Bruno angrily brushed his sleeves and turned to leave. Judith and the other three members of Blue Storm also knew it was dangerous to stay. Seeing the Church, their closest allies, tactically retreating, they hurried to leave as well. At the very least, they couldn't afford to stay and be humiliated by Tokugawa Zang II.

Both groups had the same thought: let Tokugawa Zang II revel in his madness for now. Once they gathered enough strength, if they could plot to kill Pluto, surely they could kill him as well!

But at that moment, a chilling voice that made their scalps tingle and their hearts skip a beat echoed from behind.

"I haven't said you could leave..."

Simultaneously, the six members of the Church and Blue Storm abruptly turned around, their faces drained of color. Even Tokugawa Zang II seemed taken aback, his face contorting strangely as he stepped back hesitantly, staring fixedly at the doorway.

As for Takama-no-Hara's two powerful demonesses, they too were half-open-mouthed, as if they had witnessed a terrifying sight.

There, lying on the ground motionless moments ago, Yang Chen, who had ceased breathing, had somehow resumed breathing. His body trembled unsteadily, like a suppressed willow branch about to straighten up. He staggered to his feet from the ground, then stood upright again, albeit weakly!