"Hey! Derek is fighting someone inside the city!? Is he insane? What if the Union catches them?" one of the spectators exclaimed.
"You still don't know?" someone replied. "Derek's grandfather, Elder Johnson, is now the Chief Elder of the Union's Punishment Department! There's no way he'll be held accountable!"
"What!? When did that happen?" the first person asked in shock. "I was outside the city on a mission, so I had no idea. Wasn't Elder Johnson only the Deputy Elder before? What about Chief Elder Eric?"
"Chief Elder Eric is old," the other replied. "He announced his retirement. Since he was on good terms with Elder Johnson, he nominated him for the position. Even though Johnson was only a Deputy Elder, political maneuvering took place, and he was appointed as the new Chief Elder of the Punishment Department."
"How is that even possible? That goes against all logic!" the first person exclaimed.
The Union's governing system was extremely complex.
At the top stood the Branch Patriarch, the supreme authority of a Union branch. Beneath him was the Deputy Patriarch, similar to a vice president—second-in-command of the entire branch.
Under the Union were numerous departments:
Punishment Department, Profession Department, Martial Arts Department, Administration Department, Military Department, and more.
Each department had its own hierarchy.
The Chief Elder was the highest authority within a department. Below him was the Deputy Chief Elder, followed by Deputy Elders.
Logically, when a Chief Elder retired or stepped down, the Deputy Chief Elder should inherit the position. A mere Deputy Elder becoming Chief Elder was unheard of—unless one thing was involved.
Political manipulation.
No one knew exactly how Elder Johnson secured the position, but everyone understood it was tied to internal power struggles.
Ever since Elder Johnson became the Chief Elder of the Punishment Department, Derek—already arrogant—had become completely unrestrained. With his grandfather controlling punishments, nearly all of Derek's actions were overlooked.
However, there was still one person Derek dared not offend.
Young Master Robin.
Robin was the son of the Union's Deputy Patriarch. No matter how arrogant Derek was, he would never dare challenge someone of that standing.
"Then what about Deputy Chief Elder Gareth?" the first person asked again. "Shouldn't he have become the Chief Elder? What was his reaction?"
"As far as anyone knows, Gareth opposed the decision," the other replied. "But shockingly, the entire branch supported Elder Johnson. Gareth was humiliated and eventually resigned. He left the city afterward—no one knows where he went."
Ethan heard every word of their conversation. His expression turned serious.
He had entered the city early that morning—and now he was about to clash with someone backed by the Union's Punishment Department.
No matter who won or lost, no matter who was right or wrong, the person with the stronger background would always prevail.
Even if Ethan defeated Derek, the Punishment Department would still arrest him.
Who would be labeled the troublemaker?
The answer was obvious.
Ethan felt a headache coming on. No matter how this ended, he would be the one punished.
Derek noticed the change in Ethan's expression and smiled maliciously. He loved this feeling. Using political power to suppress others was intoxicating—far more satisfying than killing them outright.
"Let's go!" Derek barked.
Fearing that Ethan might hesitate or try to back out, Derek didn't give him a chance to negotiate. He immediately charged forward.
Ethan wanted to resolve the situation with words—but Derek clearly had no intention of allowing that. The fight was inevitable.
No matter what happened next, the Punishment Department would pin the blame on him.
How do I get out of this?
How do I survive this mess?
These thoughts raced through Ethan's mind as Derek closed in.
"System!" Ethan cried internally. "Give me the most feasible solution to escape this situation!"
He had little hope the system would help.
But then—
A system notification appeared.
Ethan froze for a moment as he read it. Then, a bright smile slowly spread across his face.
"So that's the plan…" he murmured. "Let's do it."
Derek didn't notice the smile. In his eyes, Ethan was already finished.
He wanted to use Ethan as an example.
I am the grandson of the Chief Elder of the Punishment Department. Anyone who dares to cross me will suffer.
That was the message he intended to send.
With his grandfather's rise in power, Derek's status had skyrocketed. The fear he inspired had to match it.
His hands blurred as he poured Inner Energy into his fists. Wind energy spiraled violently around them, sharpening into deadly currents.
"Fiery Fist!"
The crowd gasped.
"Is Derek trying to cripple him!?" someone shouted in disbelief.