As a high-ranking member of the Ordinary Alliance, Wang Chen was responsible for this particular branch and all the personnel, strongholds, and businesses in its surrounding area.
After meeting the annual quota, he could pocket thirty percent of the net profit, while the remaining seventy percent went to the headquarters. Of course, with power and benefits came responsibility.
Routine matters could be handled by Deacons at the Soul King or Soul Emperor level, but major issues required his direct involvement.
The reason he had joined the Ordinary Alliance was simple—Wang Chen needed manpower.
As a branch leader, his status was like that of a regional governor. Within this territory, he wielded tremendous authority.
Leveraging that power, Wang Chen secretly recruited many underground thugs in Mingdu to work for him. These people had no idea who their ultimate boss was; everything operated on a one-way chain.
That meant Wang Chen knew them, but they didn't know him.
The purpose was clear: once the scandal of Crown Prince Xu Natural's impotence broke, no one would be able to trace the trail back to Wang Chen.
In fact, even his name and identity in the Ordinary Alliance were fabricated. His appearance was altered through facial muscle control techniques, turning his features fierce and sinister.
So even if someone managed to follow the clues to his false identity one day, it would be useless—by then, Wang Chen would be long gone.
Over these three years, Wang Chen had thoroughly prepared for his family's crisis, whether in terms of strength or influence.
Rising from his office chair, Wang Chen infused soul power into the golden soul tool ring on his right hand.
In the next moment, the six black spirit rings around him shifted into a standard sequence: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
This golden soul tool ring had no offensive or defensive power; its sole function was to project illusions, making it easier for Wang Chen to hide his identity.
Straightening his black robe and adjusting the mask on his face, he strode out of the office.
Outside, a beautiful female Deacon, about thirty years old with an elegant figure, anxiously approached.
"Milord, the Evening Water Alliance is making trouble again," she said quickly. "This time, their branch minister came personally—Soul Saint Zhang Ming.
He's blocking our entrance, demanding an explanation. He claims that his guests have defected to us and insists we compensate him for his losses. He even had the gall to demand five million gold soul coins."
Wang Chen's expression chilled. Does Zhang Ming think I'm an easy target? Five million? That's nearly our branch's entire annual profit.
Currently, Mingdu's underground was dominated by three major forces: the Ordinary Alliance, the Oduo Chamber of Commerce, and the Evening Water Alliance.
The Ordinary Alliance was backed by Mingdu's great nobles, the Oduo Chamber of Commerce by the Sun Moon Empire's military, and the Evening Water Alliance by the Holy Spirit Cult.
The Evening Water Alliance had only risen in recent years, but with the strongest power and most aggressive expansion, they constantly devoured smaller underground groups.
Thus, the Ordinary Alliance and Oduo Chamber of Commerce had tacitly united to resist them.
Though displeased, the Evening Water Alliance couldn't do much. Their backers, the Holy Spirit Cult, were indeed powerful and sinister, but Mingdu's nobles and the military were formidable as well.
Besides, the Holy Spirit Cult operated within the Sun Moon Empire under a cooperative relationship. Crossing the nobles and military outright would only cause endless headaches.
As such, all three powers—the Holy Spirit Cult, the nobles, and the military—mutually allowed their "dogs"… no, their three underground forces, to fight only within limits.
There was conflict, yes, but no killing wars. Competition, but not malicious destruction. The pie was divided in tacit agreement.
Because of this, Wang Chen didn't fear the Evening Water Alliance. As long as the chaos didn't escalate, their backers wouldn't intervene.
"An explanation?" Wang Chen sneered. "Zhang Ming isn't worthy. If he can't make money with his own ability, he thinks he can just swagger into my territory? Ridiculous."
The female Deacon's face clouded with worry. She whispered, "Milord, Zhang Ming is extremely powerful. Even the previous minister wasn't his match. You must be careful."
"I want to see just how strong he really is," Wang Chen replied coldly.
Striding forward, he left the hall, the female Deacon hurrying after him.
At the branch entrance, a tall, lean middle-aged man stood with a group of subordinates in white robes, blocking the doorway with aggressive postures.
When Zhang Ming saw Wang Chen emerge, his eyes narrowed.
This new branch minister of the Ordinary Alliance, Song Yu (Wang Chen's false identity), had brought fresh ideas that revitalized the branch's business.
As a result, his own Evening Water Alliance branch suffered—customers flocked to Song Yu's side, leaving his coffers bleeding.
It was infuriating and humiliating, but the worst part was that, as a branch minister, he had quotas to hand over to headquarters every year.
Failure meant punishment.
The thought of those domineering, twisted, and sadistic evil spirit masters behind him filled Zhang Ming with dread.
If it weren't for the soul restriction branded onto him when he was young, he would have fled long ago.
But since running was impossible, he could only try to survive as best he could.
Forcing a friendly smile, Zhang Ming said, "So you're Song Yu, the new branch minister of the Ordinary Alliance. I'm here today to reason with you.
Though we belong to different forces, we all share this territory. We see each other often. If you take all the profits, how am I supposed to report back?"
He was about to continue speaking when Wang Chen cut him off impatiently.
"Zhang Ming, spare me the nonsense. You want money, right? If you can beat me, I'll hand over five million gold soul coins with both hands.
But if you lose, I'll take every soul tool on you!"
Zhang Ming's expression darkened. As a Soul Saint, the soul tools he carried were incredibly valuable.
The cheapest was worth tens of thousands of gold soul coins, and his most expensive piece was worth a full million. If he lost, the price would be disastrous.
Wang Chen looked at Zhang Ming's hesitation with disdain. "If you're scared, then hurry up and get lost. Don't stand here being an eyesore."
Zhang Ming's temper flared instantly.
Sure, he feared the evil spirit masters behind him—but did that mean he had to fear some no-name branch minister of the Ordinary Alliance?
He knew every top Soul Saint in Mingdu. This Song Yu was nobody, most likely just a newly advanced Soul Saint.
I treated him politely, and he dares to act arrogant with me?
His soul power had reached Level 76, placing him in the upper ranks of Soul Saints. Unless facing an evil spirit master, a top martial spirit wielder, or a genius-level soul engineer, he feared no one at the same level.
Who gave you the courage to be arrogant before me?!