KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK... At this very moment, a knocking sound emerged. Jiang Chen got up to open the door. Arlene was standing outside.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Let's talk inside," she answered.

Arlene entered the room, her expression grave. "Jiang Chen, someone wants to assassinate you, and they've already posted a contract. We're in trouble now."

Assassinate me? I haven't offended anyone, have I?

Jiang Chen asked, "Do you know who it is?"

Arlene shook her head. "My brother got the news from the Orc Alliance: someone has put up a 3 billion bounty on you. I've told you before that nothing good comes from going to the black market, and now look. You come back, and immediately someone wants to assassinate you. Did you offend someone there?"

Jiang Chen fell into thought. He hadn't offended anyone in the black market. If he had, it could only have been the Fortune Teller. But that was absolutely impossible. If the Fortune Teller had 3 billion, why would he bother setting up a stall! Wouldn't he rather enjoy his retirement with 3.1 billion? Why would he even think about assassinating me? Aside from the Fortune Teller, it could only be someone from the Wanderers' Tavern. Although it was just a minor conflict, there was still a chance.

But Jiang Chen dismissed the suspicion after some thought. If it were the Wanderers, they would send their own experts, not hire someone else to do it. 3 billion... That would buy a mountain of steamed buns. Eliminating these two, it could only be someone from the Carmen Family. People from the Carmen Family have always wanted him dead but never had the chance. Besides, 3 billion might be a drop in the ocean for them. If not the Carmen Family, then it had to be the League of Defiled Gods. The Orc Alliance is an Assassination Guild, where anyone can post contracts and anyone can take them. I can think of no one else who'd pay such a steep price to have me killed.

Jiang Chen nodded. "I'll be careful."

"Just watch yourself. Your head is now worth 3 billion. If you weren't my subordinate, I'd be tempted by that amount myself—it's not small," she teased.

"Then you might as well take me to the Orc Alliance and claim the reward," Jiang Chen joked.

"They want the head, not the whole person," she retorted.

"Think of it as a half-sale, half-donation," he chuckled.

"I'm heading back. Be careful," she said.

As Arlene left, Jiang Chen lay on the bed, quietly smoking a cigarette. I'm not the slightest bit worried. The only ones capable of assassinating me would have to be at least Fifth-stage Class Experts. And no one would attempt such a thing here and now.

Angelina snuggled into Jiang Chen's arms. "Aren't you even a little bit worried?"

"What do I have to worry about? You should be worried about yourself!" he replied.

"Me?"

"Yes."

"What about me?"

"Worry about whether you can handle the night," he flirted.

With a quick turn, Jiang Chen pinned Angelina beneath him...

Whimpering...

「...」

Son of God, Milton, looked at the information and smiled.

"My lord, what amuses you so?" Roxanne inquired.

"Someone wants to assassinate Jiang Chen. Now that someone has taken up the contract, the kid's head is worth a lot—3 billion. The little guy's in trouble now," he said.

Roxanne exclaimed in shock, "But he's an [Angel Envoy] now! Who would dare assassinate him?"

"Who else but the Carmen Family?" he answered.

"Damn that family, daring to openly assassinate an [Angel Envoy]! Are they intending to betray the Alliance of All-Gods?"

Milton laughed. "Who said they're doing it openly? They've gone into the Orc Alliance, using the Assassination Guild to put out a hit on Jiang Chen. They've always had a grudge against him."

"Shouldn't we warn Jiang Chen? This seems like a great opportunity to win him over," Roxanne suggested.

"No need to tell him. I think he already knows," he said confidently.

"How could he possibly know?" she wondered.

"Don't forget, the Gregory Family is quite capable too. They'll have received the notification, and so will Jiang Chen. We can't win this guy over. For now, there's nothing to be done. Just focus on preparing for battle," he concluded.

Milton thought for a moment. He must be guarding against me.

"He's simply a fool! He actually refuses the invitation of the Great Son of God, preferring to stay within an inconspicuous legion," Roxanne fumed.

Milton smiled without saying anything. After a moment, he said, "I remember when you went to recruit him, he said something."

"What did he say?" Roxanne asked.

"He wished to fight shoulder to shoulder with the Great Son of God."

Roxanne thought it over and nodded. "He did seem to say that. But what does it matter?" She couldn't understand.

"That one sentence reveals two layers of meaning," Milton continued. "First, he is indirectly refusing me, not wanting to become my subordinate. Second, he thinks his status is the same as mine. He won't respect me specifically just because I am the Divine Child."

Roxanne pondered, as if enlightened. Does it have that meaning?

"Even if he outwardly obeys me, in his heart he definitely won't accept it. In his mind, we are equals," Milton continued.

"How dare he think that way?" Roxanne was incensed.

"No, this is key to becoming a great figure."

「The next morning.」

The League of Defiled Gods had retreated. Jiang Chen was stunned. They're retreating just like that? Without even a few battles?

Arlene smiled. "They've finally retreated."

"They were unsure, so naturally they would retreat."

"With Jiang Chen here, even the Son of God, Gresham, is afraid."

"It's time to head back."

Jiang Chen coughed. "Let's just charge over and pursue them. How about that?"

Arlene gave him a look. "You're crazy! Do you know what would happen if you charged over? That's the territory of the League of Defiled Gods. Dashing over there would certainly bring a curse upon you—an irreversible curse. Demonic energy would enter your body, causing you to die without even realizing it."

"We would have acted earlier otherwise," she added.

Jiang Chen smiled. "I was just saying."

[Name: Jiang Chen]

[Legion: Secret Sword Legion]

[Occupation: Swordsman]

[Level: 72]

[Experience: 200,000/6,500,000]

[Constitution: 367]

[Strength: 150]

[Spirit: 385]

[Agility: 86]

Only Level 72. Still a long way from 99 and the Second-stage!

Arlene said, "Jiang Chen, don't forget, you agreed to my conditions."

"Don't worry! We'll activate it once we're back."

Jiang Chen had already reached the First-stage and met the conditions to unlock the Underworld. He could also level up there.

[Ghostly Rune Attributes: Against creatures of the Underworld: Experience +20%, Drop Rate +20%, Attack +20%, Resistance +20%]

Leveling up there would undoubtedly be the fastest way.

After they returned, they entered the Gregory Family's premises. The members of the Gregory Family had all gathered. Unlocking the Underworld would bring great benefits. Jiang Chen stood within the Gregory Family premises, waiting for their discussion.

Gregory Arno and two others walked out of the main gate, looking at Jiang Chen.

Gregory Arno smiled. "This is my father, Roy. Father, this is Jiang Chen."

Roy stretched out his hand, smiling. "Nice to meet you. I've long heard of your great name. A single person holding off a million-strong army! You've become quite famous this time; the councilors of the Alliance of All-Gods all know you."

"We're all heroes of the Alliance of All-Gods. It's what I should do," Jiang Chen replied.

"Not restless or impatient. That's how a young person should be. Arlene, learn well from him."

Gregory Arlin stood aside and quietly uttered an "Oh."

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