"Dragon Division?"
Hearing Arasaka Shoichi's words, Ye Ling was slightly stunned and confirmed, "You mean... Takamagahara is going to make a move on the Dragon Division branch?"
Arasaka Shoichi chuckled dryly, "Although it's hard to believe, according to the intelligence gathered by Investigator Arabe, members of Takamagahara seem to harbor extreme hostility towards Chinese people. Six of the ten skeletons we found belonged to Chinese people, and they were much more distorted than the others."
"If Takamagahara truly hates China that much, then it's reasonable for them to target the Dragon Division."
"Hate Chinese people..."
Ye Ling murmured the words, and suddenly recalled what Master Randeng had said before.
The founder of Takamagahara, Izanagi, was banished to the mortal world for offending the Heavenly Court. If Izanagi harbored resentment, he would indeed hate the Heavenly Court. Since China was a subordinate territory of the Heavenly Court in the mortal realm, it was logical for Izanagi to transfer his hatred from the Heavenly Court to China.
With this realization, a hint of coldness flashed in Ye Ling's eyes. He said faintly, "If that's the case, then my attitude towards Takamagahara must change somewhat."
Previously, Ye Ling had intended to use Takamagahara as a training target, to let the world recognize the strength of the Demonic Palace, and thus establish its dominance in the world.
However, as Ye Ling's understanding of Takamagahara deepened, he realized that Takamagahara's nature was similar to that of the Hongchen Pavilion. Allowing Takamagahara to remain in the world would only bring more disaster!
As Ye Ling's attitude shifted, Arasaka Shoichi, standing beside him, suddenly felt the surrounding temperature drop significantly. He shivered and quickly asked Ye Ling, "Your Majesty, what do you plan to do next?"
"Although the Mutou family is deeply entrenched in Edo, they are still far inferior to my Arasaka family and the Arabe. If you intend to make a move against the Mutou family, I believe I can offer some assistance."
Ye Ling glanced at Mutou Masao not far away, then said to Arasaka Shoichi, "Have your subordinates secure the land the Mutou family has purchased around the Dragon Division. Inform me of any developments there."
"Yes."
Arasaka Shoichi quickly took the order and then looked at Ye Ling, asking, "Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask... when will you make your move?"
Despite his nervousness, Arasaka Shoichi had to admit that this matter presented a tremendous opportunity for his Arasaka family!
The Arasaka family and the Mutou family were both among the four great families of Kyoto. Edo was a limited space, and the cake was finite. Competition for this cake inevitably led to friction between the two sides.
The Arasaka family and the Mutou family had accumulated considerable grievances over the years.
If Ye Ling were to confirm his intention to act against the Mutou family, Arasaka Shoichi also wanted to seize the opportunity to attack the Mutou family and devour them completely before the other two families could react.
After the demise of the Mutou family, with the Arasaka family taking over their share, the Arasaka family would become the undisputed foremost family in Edo!
Coupled with the Arasaka family's deep roots in politics, once they became the foremost family and gradually squeezed out the remaining two families, the entire country of Yang would fall into the Arasaka family's grasp!
This was the wild ambition that had taken root in Arasaka Shoichi's heart after witnessing Ye Ling's strength.
He wanted to use Ye Ling's hand to swallow the entire nation!
Ye Ling glanced at Arasaka Shoichi, naturally seeing through his ambition. However, Ye Ling was completely indifferent to these matters.
Regardless of who controlled Yang, it had nothing to do with him. As long as Arasaka Shoichi did his job, that would be enough.
Furthermore, if Yang were dominated by the Arasaka family, it would not necessarily be a bad thing for China.
To put it bluntly, Arasaka Shoichi was merely a dog nurtured by Ye Ling.
Sensing Ye Ling's gaze, Arasaka Shoichi felt as if his soul had been laid bare. He trembled and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
He quickly said, "Your... Your Majesty, if I have offended you in any way, please tell me... I am extremely sorry!"
Ye Ling looked deeply at Arasaka Shoichi, then smiled and said, "It's nothing. You may go and attend to your own affairs."
"Yes..."
Arasaka Shoichi replied nervously, no longer daring to inquire about Ye Ling's plans. He didn't even dare to meet Ye Ling's eyes, retreating with his head bowed.
He had just harbored the thought of using Ye Ling, and now he felt as if he had been seen through by Ye Ling. At this moment, his heart was filled with extreme fear.
He feared that Ye Ling, in his anger, would kill him!
Ye Ling then said, "Stop."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Arasaka Shoichi trembled, stood rigidly, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I was wrong!"
Seeing Arasaka Shoichi's terrified expression, Ye Ling shook his head and smiled, saying, "If you wish to devour the Mutou family, I believe you can begin now."
"Now?"
Arasaka Shoichi was stunned for a moment, then realized what Ye Ling meant and was overjoyed!
Before he could confirm with Ye Ling, he saw Ye Ling walk past him towards Mutou Masao, who was surrounded by a crowd.
Watching Ye Ling's retreating back, Arasaka Shoichi swallowed and shakily took out his phone from his pocket, dialing his confidant. He said excitedly, "Hello, it's me... Inform the Arasaka family to seize all of the Mutou family's resources with all their might, regardless of the cost! That's right, you heard correctly, it's the Mutou family, one of the four great families. Act immediately!"
By the end of his statement, Arasaka Shoichi was almost shouting, his eyes bloodshot, his entire being filled with excitement.
If he had made the right choice this time, the era of the Arasaka Empire would soon arrive, and the entire country would be in his hands!
Even if the plan failed, the Mutou family would suffer a severe blow. While the Arasaka family would face retaliation from the Mutou family, it would not cripple them.
This operation was an opportunity for their Arasaka family!
They needed to harvest before the other two great families could react!
However, amidst his excitement, Arasaka Shoichi did not forget the task Ye Ling had assigned him. He quickly went to arrange for the Arabe personnel, striving to fulfill Ye Ling's instructions perfectly.
Arasaka Shoichi knew clearly that to realize his ambitions, he had to rely on Ye Ling.
He also understood that Ye Ling had no interest in Yang. Even if his Arasaka family took over the country and was controlled by Ye Ling, as long as they did not provoke China, Ye Ling would not interfere with Yang's affairs.
In this way, their power in Yang would not be affected in any way!
Under Arasaka Shoichi's command, the Arasaka family began to act, stirring up a bloody storm in Edo.
A python, coveting Yang, began to reveal its fangs.
Meanwhile, Ye Ling, who could orchestrate all of this, paid no attention to the Arasaka family's actions. His attention was entirely focused on Mutou Masao.
Ye Ling slowly walked towards Mutou Masao, quickly drawing the attention of everyone at the banquet.
The incident of a casually dressed young man striking Mutou Yorinobu at the hotel entrance had already spread among the elite.
Now, as Ye Ling walked to the center of the banquet and appeared in the spotlight, everyone recognized him.
The banquet became noisy.
A guest stared at Ye Ling and exclaimed, "Isn't that the person who hit Mutou Yorinobu at the entrance? He still dares to come here to wish Mutou Masao a happy birthday?"
Someone beside him whispered, "Look at how he's dressed. Does he look like he's here to wish Mutou Masao a happy birthday?"
"Heh! Look at Mutou Masao's face, it's already turned dark!"
For a moment, the guests in the banquet hall whispered amongst themselves, and the atmosphere suddenly became strange.
Mutou Masao noticed Ye Ling's appearance. He politely smiled at the guests beside him, then looked at Ye Ling who was approaching. Suppressing his anger, he faked a smile and said, "Forgive my poor eyesight, I don't recognize you, sir. May I ask who you are..."
Ye Ling arrived in front of Mutou Masao, narrowed his eyes, smiled, and directly asked, "Are you from Takamagahara?"
As soon as Ye Ling uttered these words, Mutou Masao's pupils contracted sharply!