In the dead of night, Netherworld Manor lay shrouded beneath a pitch-black curtain of sky. Only a few lamps remained lit, like Ghost Fire flickering in a graveyard.
The fragrance of crabapple blossoms drifted through the air.
Minister Tian sat within a spacious hall, wrapped from head to toe in a black robe, with only half of his aged face exposed.
"'Weapon Ranking Chart'! Ning Xiaochuan's idea is truly exquisite. With a single ranking chart, he intends to control the world—ordinary people could never have conceived of such a thing. Heh heh!" Minister Tian held a roll of beast hide in his hand as he studied it, occasionally lifting his head to glance at the hourglass before him.
With Meng Ying's Martial Dao cultivation, she would likely bring Ning Xiaochuan's head back very soon. That was what he thought.
A black-clad guard entered from outside the hall, dropped to one knee, and said, "Reporting to the Netherworld Envoy, Sword Servant has returned."
"Oh! Let her in at once." A curve appeared at the corner of Minister Tian's mouth. Meng Ying was indeed efficient.
Ning Xiaochuan! Ning Xiaochuan! Do not blame me for being too ruthless. Blame only this world for being filled with cruelty and malice.
A woman clad in a black robe and golden armor entered the hall, gripping an iron chain in her hand. The other end of the chain was bound around Ning Xiaochuan.
She knelt on one knee and bowed to Minister Tian. "Reporting to Master, this disciple has captured Ning Xiaochuan alive. Please decide his punishment."
Just as Minister Tian was about to rise, he sensed something was wrong. He stared deeply at the woman, suspicion in his eyes, and said, "Rise!"
Without changing expression, Minister Tian walked step by step toward Ning Xiaochuan as