Chapter 106

Bobby Ryan passed away peacefully.

Whether it was his bulging, bloodshot eyes or the hatred and resentment swirling within them, they all betrayed a deep-seated satisfaction and happiness… at least, Li Ang believed so.

Before he could utter his final words, Li Ang forcibly tore away the [Heart of Ambition], killing the first heir of the Lionheart Duke, then sat down heavily amid the fallen Ryans, resting his hand on the Black Goat’s head.

It’s… I bled and toiled myself to exhaustion, yet all the biggest gains went to this thing…

Watching the soul fragments surge toward him like a river in his soul vision, Li Ang silently rubbed the Black Goat’s forehead.

【Name: War Antithesis (Corrupted, Wrath, War)】

【Appearance: …】

【Ability: Demon Horns, Amplify Malice, Blood War Without End】

【Cost: Already recognized; no cost required to use】

【File: …】

【Evaluation: Thanks to your careful cultivation, after repairing its shattered authority, this anomaly has once again become a terrifying battlefield weapon.】

【If you bring it into a large-scale war, you will gain temporary immortality and endless stamina until one side collapses completely, ending the war.】

【Corruption Level: 8 (2.5)】

【Your corruption level has increased】

【Current corruption level: 2.5】

Not bad—though it was once a pathetic little thing, after absorbing nearly two hundred evil souls and repairing its shattered authority, it’s finally starting to look like a real demon… but…

“Stop sucking!”

Li Ang, annoyed, smacked the Black Goat hard on the back of its head, knocking it over as it luxuriated in the soul absorption, and snapped:

“Your limit is eight points—absorbing more won’t make you stronger. Don’t overdo it!”

“You?!”

The Black Goat, enraged by the blow to its skull, spun around to curse—but upon seeing Li Ang’s blazing soul-fire, its aura suddenly deflated, and it retorted defensively:

“We can’t get stronger anymore, but we can hoard! Maybe later…”

“Hoarding? Stop right now!”

Li Ang glared at it and explained:

“So many died today—the Bureau will likely send investigators. When they come and see you stuffed full of soul fragments, I won’t be able to explain it!”

“Huh?”

The Black Goat stared in bewilderment:

“Explain what? These are all your… Ouch!”

Li Ang slapped its forehead and said firmly:

“All of this was done by Bobby Ryan. He was trying to extract information about the Cleanup Bureau from me… he went mad… I wanted to stop him… but I was powerless… in the end, I could only…”

“….”

“What’s that look for?”

“Nothing.”

After hearing Li Ang’s “account of events,” the Black Goat stared blankly:

“If he did all this, why did he die and not you?”

“Because of you.”

Li Ang patted the Black Goat’s head firmly and explained calmly:

“Bobby Ryan’s massacre caused you to absorb countless souls, repairing the authority the Director shattered, thus greatly increasing your power. Then, relying on the Holy Pendant, I forced my way to his side and used you to suppress his heart’s dominion, allowing me to kill him in one strike!”

The Black Goat couldn’t help but retort:

“Wait… we don’t even have the ability to suppress its dominion! That explanation is ridiculous!”

“Whether you have that ability doesn’t matter—what matters is that you’re the one who says you do.”

Li Ang, who had already prepared the lie, smiled the same smile as the Red-haired Director, eyes half-lidded:

“The horns and the heart are your body. No one understands your body better than you. So if you say you can, then you can.”

Whether it’s the horn or the heart, both are part of your body; no one understands your body better than you do, so if you say it exists, then it must exist!

“Because they were vying for power within the family, threatening Bobby Ryan’s position; or because the more evil they were, the harder they were to control, so he planned to eliminate rivals; or because your interference and protection made it impossible for him to touch the good…”

Because of internal power struggles within the family, these people threatened Bobby Lane’s position; or because the more evil one is, the harder they are to control, he intended to use this opportunity to eliminate rivals; or perhaps because your interference and protection prevented him from targeting the good…

“Don’t be so rigid. The power of speech is in your mouth—what really happened? You decide! Hmm… but if we say that, there’s one thing we need to handle.”

Looking at the [Heart of Ambition], forcibly removed and now resting on Bobby Ryan’s corpse, Li Ang frowned and asked:

“What’s the state of your heart now? After swallowing Bobby Ryan’s soul, does it still have self-awareness?”

What’s the current state of your heart? After Bobby Lane’s soul was swallowed, does it still retain self-awareness?

Hearing Li Ang’s question, the Black Goat replied uncertainly:

“This is the first time I’ve been split into seven pieces—I’m not sure what’s going on… why don’t you ask it?”

This is the first time I’ve been split into seven pieces—I really don’t know what’s going on… Why don’t you ask it?

I shouldn’t have asked you.

Li Ang gave the Black Goat a disbelieving look and, relying on his [I Am the Demon] ability, reached out and seized the [Heart of Ambition]. Just as he was about to speak, a proud tenor voice rang in his ear—strikingly similar to Bobby Ryan’s.

After giving the black goat an unimpressed glance, Leon, emboldened by his 【I Am the Demon】 ability, reached out and seized the 【Heart of Ambition】. Just as he was about to speak, a proud tenor voice rang in his ear—its tone bore a striking six-tenths resemblance to Bobby Lane’s.

With a hint of anger, the [Heart of Ambition] sneered through the soul:

『I heard your conversation. So you came to beg me to keep your secret?』

“Not a beg. A demand. And you can refuse.”

Touching the Holy Pendant on his chest, Li Ang remained calm, having anticipated this:

“But if you refuse, I’ll use this to weaken you to the strength of the [Antithesis], then let it erase your consciousness to prevent you from leaking secrets to the Cleanup Bureau.”

But if you refuse, I’ll use this to weaken you to the strength of 【Opposite】, then let it erase your consciousness to prevent you from leaking secrets to the Cleanup Bureau.

Hearing Li Ang’s threat, the [Heart of Ambition] erupted in fury, pulsing violently as it shouted:

『If not for your recent slaughter being somewhat entertaining, you, a dog under the Cleanup Bureau’s control, wouldn’t even be worthy to speak with me! Especially with your vulgar, weak heart…』

Clearly, there was no room for negotiation.

Listening to the furious scolding, Li Ang shook his head and gripped the Holy Pendant.

But just as he prepared to act, the voice suddenly softened. The [Heart of Ambition], moments ago brimming with rage, hesitated and said:

『Your heart… hmm… is actually not so bad…』

Piercing through Li Ang’s mental defenses, it glimpsed the vast, unimaginable ambition buried deep within—and fell silent for a moment. Then, it lowered its tone slightly and proposed politely:

『How about… you let me be your heart? I’ll keep your secret from the Cleanup Bureau… is that acceptable?』

How about… you let me become your heart, and I’ll keep the Cleanup Bureau quiet for you… Deal?

No matter how you looked at it, the greatest beneficiaries of this event were the Black Goat and Li Ang who controlled it. Agreeing to the [Heart of Ambition]’s offer now would be like inviting the Cleanup Bureau to investigate. Li Ang would never accept.

Regardless of anything else, the ones who benefited most from this incident were the black goat and Leon who controlled it. Agreeing to the 【Heart of Ambition】’s terms would be like issuing an invitation for the Cleanup Bureau to investigate—Leon would never agree.

『How dare you refuse me?!』

Having lowered its pride to offer a truce, only to be rejected outright, the [Heart of Ambition] flew into a rage and roared:

『You!… Couldn’t you at least think about it?!』

You!… Could you at least reconsider?

“???”

Damn it! I’ve never been this humiliated in my life!

Seeing Li Ang and the Black Goat’s stunned expressions, the [Heart of Ambition] throbbed with shame, wanting to retract its words and kill everyone who heard them.

But after secretly peering through Li Ang’s defenses and witnessing the unshakable arrogance, the colossal ambition that dwarfed even ruling a kingdom, the [Heart of Ambition] could not bear to abandon this perfect vessel—and made its third, proud offer:

『Please! Let me be your heart! I swear I’ll obey you in everything!』

"Please, let me be your heart! I promise I'll obey you in everything!"