I draw cards infinitely in the world of anime.

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Even so, with eighteen claw shadows surrounding a single thorn, he couldn't kill them all, no matter how strong he was.

'Pfft~'

Soon, in a moment of carelessness, a claw shadow left five bloody marks on Thorn's back.

This immediately provoked Thorn, who then launched a counterattack.

Soon, one by one, the claw shadows were killed by Thorn. However, in the end, when there were still twelve claw shadows left, Thorn was already covered in wounds.

Zhi Ciji knew very well that he probably wouldn't be able to leave. These black humanoid monsters weren't human at all; they were killing machines.

'Pfft~'

Sure enough, the last of the four Rakshasa demons, Thorn, was then killed by Claw Shadow, leaving not a single piece of his body intact.

Throughout, Kong Yang's gaze remained calm. In his eyes, the Rakshasa Four Ghosts and the others were nothing but small fry. Since they stood in his way, they were simply destined to die.

Meanwhile, on this side, having just completed their first raiding mission, all the hunters returned to their base.

At that moment, Liva rushed in from outside.

"Lady Esdeath, something has happened."

"what happened?"

"Lord Kong Yang has stormed into the palace, and it seems he's targeting the ministers."

This sentence immediately stunned all the hunters, especially those like Kuroko and Polus who were afraid of the minister.

That was a minister, the most powerful figure in the entire empire. Even the young emperor was just a pawn in his hands. Although he wasn't the emperor, he was more powerful than one.

Kong Yang actually came to the door of such an important person.

"Why? Kong Yang has no conflict with the ministers."

"According to intelligence, it seems that the minister sent the Four Rakshasa Ghosts to assassinate Lord Kong Yang, but they were killed instead, and Lord Kong Yang went to the palace."

Kong Yang was always accompanied by people sent by Liwa, after all, this was the capital, and some things were very troublesome.

If Kong Yang encounters any trouble, he can send his own people to step in. With Esdeath's name on his side, even ministers will have to give him some face.

Now look at him, Kong Yang really doesn't hold back when he makes a move, but when he does, it's a game-winning bomb!

They went straight to the palace to kill the ministers; that's terrifying!

"A minister sent someone to assassinate Kong Yang? Outrageous!"

Esther was furious. Kong Yang was the only man she had ever set her sights on, and before she could even make a move, he was assassinated by a minister.

She naturally understood that the minister did this because he feared Kong Yang would become his enemy.

Although she doesn't care about power and influence, it doesn't mean she doesn't understand them; she just doesn't care.

"Lady Esdeath, what should we do?"

"How can we help? Go to the palace."

"Um, should we go and plead for Lord Kong Yang?"

"No, we're going to get an explanation for Kong Yang. Kong Yang is one of my men. For a minister to dare to assassinate even one of my men is an overreach."

That's Esdeath for you. When conflicts arise, she always sides with her own people, even her own ministers and partners.

However, it is also possible that the minister knew Esdeath was such a person, which is why he was willing to clash with Esdeath to kill Kong Yang.

Esdeath, accompanied by her three beast warriors, headed aggressively towards the palace.

Meanwhile, in the Hunters' war room, the remaining members looked at each other, completely at a loss for what to do.

Even Will, a simple-minded guy, understood at this moment that this was not something a lowly soldier like himself could get involved in.

"Ahem, um, the captain's gone out, what should we do?"

The atmosphere was so strange that Will couldn't help but ask.

"This is a matter between important people, it's not something we can interfere with."

Dr. Fashion raised an eyebrow and smiled at Will.

Being stared at like that by Dr. Fashion made every hair on Will's body stand on end.

This guy definitely likes men, it's disgusting, but since he's a companion, he can't turn against him, so he can only lower his head and keep quiet.

No one else, including Seryu, spoke up; this was something they simply couldn't be involved in.

Most importantly, they were Imperial Arms users who were personally ordered by the ministers to be summoned here from all over the empire.

Moreover, they were unfamiliar with neither the ministers nor Kong Yang and Esdeath, so they had no idea which side to help. In that case, they might as well wait quietly.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Kong Yang had already arrived at the inner palace.

This place was originally the harem of emperors throughout the ages, but now that the late emperor has passed away and the young emperor is still young, it has become the harem of ministers, and all of the late emperor's concubines have become playthings for the ministers.

'Boom~'

Suddenly, at that moment, a bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, blocking Kong Yang's path.

Kong Yang immediately stopped and looked behind him, because there was a person standing there, his body crackling with lightning.

General Bud, the supreme commander of the Imperial Army, commands the palace guards. He is an upright and rigid man who is wholeheartedly devoted to serving the Empire, and he is utterly ruthless even towards his ministers.

Because he followed ancestral teachings and believed that military officers should not interfere in politics, he did not intervene despite being aware of the corrupt behavior of ministers and others. Instead, he used his authority to protect officials who were considered to be of conscience.

This 'pedantry' is what led to the empire becoming so riddled with problems.

She is the user of the Imperial Arms Thunder God's Wrath Admiral, equipped with an armor-type Imperial Arms with iron stakes on her arms to enhance her striking power, and the ability to summon powerful lightning for ranged attacks.

Throughout the entire empire, only Esdeath could rival her; she was one of the two strongest individuals in the empire.

As for who is stronger between him and Esdeath, since they never fought, it is impossible to know. However, his strength is universally acknowledged as formidable.

This is one of the reasons why the empire has not collapsed yet, because its continued existence is itself a deterrent.

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Death of Bud!

In the capital city, Bude is like a pillar of stability, the last bastion of justice in this country.

As for Esdeath, she is a sword, a sword that terrifies countless nations and powers.

"You are General Bude?"

"That's right, thief. State your name."

"Kong Yang".

"Very well, judging from your appearance, you are not a bad person. Why did you trespass into the inner palace?"

"Well, there was no other way. The minister sent someone to kill me, so I naturally responded. But he was staying in the palace, and I couldn't come in. I had no choice but to fight my way in."

"So that's how it is. It was the ministers who committed evil deeds again. Although there are extenuating circumstances, trespassing into the palace is a serious crime."

"General Bud, I am not a member of the Empire."

"Whether it is true or not, as long as you are within the territory of the Empire and violate the laws of the Empire, you are guilty."

"Hahaha, all guilty? The capital city is now rife with evil spirits, especially the treacherous ministers led by high-ranking officials who control the government. I've seen them and they're quite carefree."

Kong Yang laughed and said this, to which Bude sighed. He knew all this all too well.

However, ministers are civil officials, and he is irrelevant to them. Ancestral rules stipulate that military officials are not allowed to interfere in politics, and he is powerless to change this.

“Ancestral precepts stipulate that military officers must not interfere in politics.”

"You're so outdated. The empire is riddled with problems. General Bud, you also bear responsibility. Although you're not complicit, you're turning a blind eye to it."

"Hmph, my crimes are not for you, a sinner, to judge."

"A sinner? That's a term I've never heard before."

With a slight smile, Kong Yang looked at Bu De. He had no ill feelings towards him, but since you're blocking my way, then, sorry, I have no choice but to kill you.

"Humph!"

Bud snorted coldly, stretched out his right hand and aimed it at Kong Yang, a thick bolt of lightning shot out from Bud's palm.

This was the power of the Imperial Arms Raijin's Wrath: Admiral. The speed of lightning instantly wrapped around Kong Yang's body, and the dazzling lightning illuminated the surrounding area.

Unfortunately, this level of lightning couldn't shake Kong Yang in the slightest.

It couldn't even break through the defenses, let alone cause damage; the level difference was too great.

"Is that all? General Bud?"

"The thief is arrogant."

Bud was a hot-tempered man to begin with, and he immediately became enraged after being provoked by Kong Yang.

Immediately afterwards, lightning slowly gathered on the two iron rods on Bud's arms. The lightning flickered continuously, filled with powerful energy, and the surrounding area was tinged with color.

'Boom~'

Then, Bud slammed the iron bars on his arms together, and the lightning gathered into a ball of lightning, which grew larger and larger.

Kong Yang watched all this quietly from a distance, waiting for Bud to launch an attack on him.

A moment later, the lightning ball had grown to about the size of a person. Then, under Bud's control, it sped toward Kong Yang, shattering the surrounding ground with the power of the lightning.

'Snap~'

However, reality is cruel. With just one hand, Kong Yang shattered the ball of lightning with a single slap.

The Insulating Claw is the nemesis of all techniques. This ability is not a technique, but more like a talent. Once acquired, it will not weaken even if magic power decreases.

"How is that possible?"

Seeing his move shattered instantly by Kong Yang, seemingly effortlessly, was unbelievable to him.

"Bud, don't really think you're invincible. This world is a very big place."

"It's not your place to lecture me."

Without further ado, he took action, his body crackling with lightning, and launched an attack on Kong Yang.

As a military commander, and the empire's most powerful general, Bud's strength is not only due to his Imperial Arms; his own combat power is also extremely strong. Although Imperial Arms are powerful, they still require a person to use them.

However, he chose the wrong opponent. Kong Yang's close combat skills were already almost godlike.

Heaven-given martial arts are Kong Yang's inherent ability. This skill grants Kong Yang a level of martial arts that is close to that of a god, and in such a world, it is naturally even more terrifying.

'Boom~'

Upon first contact, Bud stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

A true expert's skill is immediately apparent.

Before Bud could react, Kong Yang retaliated and knocked him back. But it didn't end there; Kong Yang's attacks came down like a storm.

Without using any other abilities, relying solely on physical skills and martial arts techniques, Kong Yang completed the hanging hammer attack on Bude.

'Boom~'

Soon, after losing interest, he shattered Bud's Teigu with a single punch and then kicked him away.

"Pfft~ cough cough~"

Bud coughed up a mouthful of blood and knelt on the ground, feeling more disheveled than he had ever been in his life.

His Imperial Arms was destroyed, and he was brutally beaten by this young man with overwhelming power. If the other party hadn't shown mercy at the end, he might be dead by now.

"Why don't you kill me?"

"I just feel it's pointless. What difference would it make if I killed you or not? You're already useless now."

"I am no match for your skills and have nothing to say. However, I am a general of this empire, and as long as I live, I will not allow you to act recklessly here."

He forced himself to stand up, but it was clear to anyone that he had reached his limit.

Needless to say, even if Kong Yang hadn't made a move, he was already nearing the end of his life. Although he hadn't been killed immediately, he had already suffered a fatal blow and was about to die.

"Your loyalty is admirable, but blind loyalty is utterly foolish."

"I have received the late emperor's imperial favor, and I should dedicate myself to the empire, even unto death."

“You are utterly ignorant. Since that’s the case, then I’ll send you on your way.”

'Swish~'