When Ghost Lady’s furious words fell silent, the puppets waiting nearby raised their heavy white longswords. They launched a fierce assault on Baiyi.

“Annoying pests. Scum is scum. No matter how many come, it’s all the same.”

Baiyi watched the armored puppets charging toward him. His brows furrowed slightly. Disgust and aversion flashed in his eyes for these controlled dolls.

“Attack!”

Seeing that expression on Baiyi’s face, Ghost Lady felt a blazing fire ignite in her chest. Her amethyst-like pupils gleamed with vicious intent. Her crimson, alluring lips parted slightly, revealing pearly white teeth. That furious look seemed desperate to unleash the roaring flames trapped inside her.

“Trash… you think these things can stop me?”

Baiyi swatted the weapon from the lead puppet’s grasp. It flew aside effortlessly. In one swift motion, he seized the puppet’s half-masked face with his other hand. He lifted it easily into the air—using just one arm.

“I told you. Useless.”

Baiyi stared at the puppet thrashing in midair. A crimson glint flickered in his eyes. He felt no pity or mercy for the wretched thing struggling in his grip. This puppet had aimed to kill him the moment it charged. Now, Baiyi wanted to crush its skull instantly. Make it pay for its stupidity with its life.

“Dad… Dad!”

!!

Just as Baiyi’s killing intent surged, Qiu Qiu’s cry cut through from behind. The terrifying crimson in his eyes vanished instantly. Her voice shattered his rage. He turned to see Xiao Ling hugging Qiu Qiu tightly. She kept her head down, refusing to look at him.

Baiyi clearly saw her delicate frame trembling slightly. Her pale, tender hands shielded Qiu Qiu’s eyes from his brutal side.

“Qiu Qiu, hush. Don’t talk.”

*She’s scared. But I had no choice. These things attacked first.*

“Stithian.”

“Huh? General Baiyi!?”

Stithian, still watching from the sidelines, hadn’t processed how easily Baiyi subdued the puppet.

“Take them away. Somewhere safe.”

*Take them?* Stithian followed Baiyi’s gesture. Xiao Ling clutched Lian Ye close, shivering violently. She’d been terrified by the scene.

“Take them. Afterward, we’ll discuss military authority.”

Baiyi casually tossed the struggling puppet aside. His hand rested on the worn hilt of his old curved saber. Crimson light flooded his eyes again. A faint, chilling smile curled his lips.

To Ghost Lady, that smile was pure mockery.

Fury gripped her. She tightened her hold on the amethyst magic staff and swung it again. The puppets surged forward, attacking Baiyi fiercely.

“No matter how much trash struggles… it’s pointless!”

A blinding white light erupted from his waist. Baiyi’s curved saber flashed among the dozens of puppets surrounding him. Its icy blade sliced through their hardened armor like cake.

“I said it’s useless. You’re too weak!”

Stripped of their armor, the puppets became lambs for slaughter. Black, foul-smelling blood gushed from their cleaved bodies.

“Ahhh!”

As the blade cut them, a devouring energy amplified their pain. A severed arm’s agony exploded across their entire bodies. It was unbearable.

“You bastard, stop!”

A faint spatial ripple brushed Baiyi’s back. He spun instantly, slashing his saber through a spot in the air. A blue-purple energy ball shattered on impact.

“Having fun? You Beast Rat Street rats love sneaking attacks, don’t you?”

Baiyi eyed the shimmering, seductive figure before him. Utterly boring.

*Controlled high-tier puppets?*

*The black market’s priciest amethyst staff?*

*Their attacks can’t even withstand one slash. Are you mocking me?*

*Ridiculous!*

“Scum. Get lost!”

Baiyi stomped the ground. His body shot forward like a cannonball, aiming straight for Ghost Lady.

“Magic shi—”

“To hell with your stupid shield!”

Before Ghost Lady could raise her staff, Baiyi’s kick slammed into her slender frame.

Boom!

The force shattered her thick magic shield. The impact embedded her defenseless body deep into the crumbling black wall.

“Cough… cough!”

Stripped of magic, Ghost Lady was powerless against Baiyi’s strength.

“Still want to fight?”

Choking dust swirled around her. The stench of puppet blood mixed with grime, clogging her throat and chest. But deeper pain gripped her heart.

She’d sacrificed hundreds of lives from the slums. Cultivated this elite puppet army with endless effort. Yet against Baiyi, they fell in a single exchange. She knew she’d lost.

*Foolish. Thinking brute force could keep him here.*

*Heh… I’m nowhere near his level now.*

“Silent? Hmph…”

Baiyi pressed his curved saber against Ghost Lady’s pale, fragile throat. A mocking grin spread across his face.

“So weak. Trying to threaten me?”

*You couldn’t take one hit, yet you wanted me in your crew?*

*Are you joking?*

He nudged the blade lightly. It sliced her delicate skin. Warm, crimson droplets trailed down the saber’s edge, pooling at the hilt.

*Dead. I’m dead…*

The cold steel on her neck killed her will to resist. Not because she couldn’t cast spells—she couldn’t even summon magic from her staff. To Baiyi, she was just a flick away from death. Fear was all she had left.

“…”

Baiyi stared at the figure curled into a trembling ball in the corner. Too scared to lift her head. He had nothing more to say.

Why did Ghost Lady, so confident moments ago, now cower like this?

“Boring…”

*Always the same.*

Baiyi remembered facing an entire army alone. Slaughtering every soldier. That defeated general’s face had worn this exact expression.

*Pathetic.*

“Let’s go.”

He glanced back at the ruined, blood-stained street. His brows furrowed slightly. Then he turned away, heading off to find his foolish daughter.