Chapter 1536

Faced with Li Ang's bewildered inquiry, the directors exchanged glances and fell into a brief silence.

That's true enough—we're already mortal enemies, so there's no need to talk about reputation; an ambush is certainly better than open warfare… but it does feel a bit shameless, doesn't it?

"Your moral standards seem a bit too high."

After glancing at the still-hesitant Taurus director, Li Ang couldn't help but mutter:

"The Underworld was the first to break the agreement—the Underworld rulers abandoned the past pact, launched a sneak attack, and seized the Thousand Sails Sea Nation's royal vessel, so our counter-ambush is only fair, isn't it?"

"But only those few from the Flesh-Bound Doe actually took action."

The Pisces director hesitated before reminding:

"As for the Underworld rulers represented by Raven-Eye Granny, though they're somewhat restless, they haven't acted directly; theoretically, the agreement between us and them remains intact, so…"

"So does this agreement have any binding force? What penalties apply if it's broken?"

"Well… when the agreement was first made, the Underworld couldn't match us, and we couldn't move against the Underworld rulers, so it was mainly a verbal understanding…"

"Then it's even less meaningful."

Upon hearing this, Li Ang couldn't help but chuckle:

"An agreement with no cost for breaking it is just a scrap of paper—fit only for wiping one's backside!

Of course, if they honored it, our direct breach would be improper, but since they struck first, we needn't speak of good faith. As for the Underworld rulers represented by Raven-Eye Granny not breaking the agreement—when the Flesh-Bound Doe acted, didn't they also fail to stop them?"

Pausing here, Li Ang turned his head toward the thoughtful Archer director, narrowed his eyes, and continued:

"Moreover, in the terms they proposed to the Archer Excellency, they also demanded we not pursue the Flesh-Bound Doe Underworld rulers—clearly indicating a desire for shared fate.

Thus, my view is: since they refuse to sever ties with those who broke the agreement, they effectively endorse the Flesh-Bound Doe's actions, and discussing honor with such an irreconcilable enemy is undoubtedly a most pedantic… unnecessary act."

"..."

Pedantic, right? You're saying we're pedantic, right?

Confronted with Li Ang's nearly blurted assessment, the Taurus director couldn't help but glare at him, then sighed helplessly and gave a wry smile while nodding:

"I may indeed be a bit pedantic… I have no objection to this plan of ambushing the Underworld rulers in return, but I still hope we prioritize rescuing the captured children."

"On this matter, we can completely exchange hostages."

Having planned this in advance, Li Ang spoke:

"Actually, I've considered this before—our greatest disadvantage when facing the Underworld now is that they hold our people, while we hold none of theirs.

So if we ambush the Underworld rulers coming to negotiate and seize a few of them in the process, then whether we wish to fight or talk later, we'll be far more composed and no longer so passive as we are now."

"Not bad, not bad!"

After hearing Li Ang's words, the Cancer director's oily, round face glistened with sweat as a blissful, greasy smile reappeared—he first patted his rotund belly, then cheerfully raised his arm.

"I want to change my vote to approval—approve action against the Underworld. I've long disliked those Underworld rulers; my earlier opposition was due to the high cost, the losses outweighing gains, but Aquarius's ambush plan satisfies me."

"I agree too."

After rubbing the Pisces pattern on his chest until it glowed, the Pisces director smiled at Li Ang,

"Though this is slightly unrighteous, just as Aquarius said, the Underworld rulers broke the agreement first, so our reciprocal action is entirely justified." "That means unanimous approval."

Ignoring the faint buzzing nearby, the Archer director pondered before speaking:

"I'll now arrange another talk with Raven-Eye Granny and her group; as for the specific location… how about the 【Sage's Graveyard】?"

"Sage's Graveyard? Is that where the three-generation bureau chief stayed?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ang reflected briefly, then nodded first in approval:

"I think it's fine—it's a place created by our Purification Bureau, easier to conceal personnel than other locations, and being within the Underworld itself, it won't easily alert the Underworld rulers."

"That's indeed not bad."

The Cancer director followed with a nod:

"I've been there once before—inside are many coffins capable of blocking soul fluctuations; we can arrange people to lie in them ahead of time, then strike immediately when the Underworld rulers arrive… Right!"

As he said this, the Cancer director seemed to suddenly recall something, then proactively asked:

"How many people are we preparing to deploy for this confrontation with the Underworld? Will all the bureau chiefs of the 87th Division join?"

In a one-by-one look/

"No need for that many."

The Taurus director shook his head:

"Although due to the original agreement, the Underworld rulers' infiltration into the mortal realm is limited, they still have some channels for gathering intelligence; if a large-scale mobilization truly occurred, they might react.

Moreover, bureau chiefs of non-Zodiac divisions, once detached from the Star Palace's support, struggle to directly confront the Underworld rulers located in the Underworld, so in my view, aside from us six directors, bringing only a few Zodiac division bureau chiefs will suffice."

"I think the same."

The Pisces director gave a slight nod:

"The so-called 'neutral faction' represented by Raven-Eye Granny totals only eight; with our six plus a few Zodiac bureau chiefs, we're more than enough even accounting for deliberate or inadvertent factors—regarding specific personnel…"

After frowning in thought, the Pisces director proposed:

"Bai Yang, Scorpio, Taurus, Archer, Capricorn, Libra, Aquarius—let's tentatively go with these seven! What do you think?"

"Very reasonable."

After pondering, the Archer director nodded:

"The Gemini Division bureau is currently vacant—Olivia needs to guard the 【Twelve Ant Nests】 and can't move, Leo Division's Beverly has another assignment, and Cancer and Pisces are still recovering from injuries, so these seven are indeed the most suitable choice."

"Six Zodiac bureau chiefs plus six directors?"

After hearing the Archer director's words, Li Ang reflected on the current situation and nodded along.

I recall our bureau chief once mentioned that the chiefs of major divisions like Bai Yang and Libra are extremely powerful, their strength nearly approaching Pillar God level; adding the Capricorn director who can single-handedly hold Heavenly Mountain, our current lineup is already quite formidable.

Although there's also someone like Edward filling numbers, even if he drops the chain, aren't there still twelve big shots left? Twelve versus eight—this round's advantage is ours!

(End of Chapter)