Marvel: A Portal to the World of Swallowed Star

Chapter 346 346: The Final Struggle

"Senior, I found it!" Rowan excitedly pulled out the hidden storage device. "This is Zack's fatal evidence!"

Emperor Yan took the device and quickly scanned its contents. When he saw the list of founders of the Starline Trade Group, his expression shifted into shock.

"These names… these factions…" Emperor Yan murmured. "So that's how it is. So that's what this is!"

"Senior, what do we do now?" Rowan asked.

Emperor Yan glanced at the unconscious woman on the floor and said, "Zack already knows our identities. There's no point in hiding anymore. It's time to confront him head-on."

"You mean?"

"Go to Lei Ming immediately and hand him all this evidence." Emperor Yan's tone was firm. "With this, it's enough for the higher-ups of the Great Axe Arena to launch a full investigation into Zack."

Rowan nodded. "We leave now?"

"Now." Emperor Yan said. "But before that, we need to deal with this situation."

He pointed at the unconscious woman.

Emperor Yan used his spiritual energy to probe her memories. As expected, she was one of Zack's people, and Zack had already begun suspecting their true identities. However, the good news was that Zack still had not confirmed that Emperor Yan was the supposedly dead Elder.

"When she wakes up, she won't remember anything that just happened," Emperor Yan said after finishing the process. "But our time is running out. Zack will realize soon that she has lost contact."

The two quickly left Red Maple Apartment and headed toward Thunderclap Elder Lei Ming's office. This time, they no longer hid. They were going to directly confront Zack's conspiracy.

On the way, Rowan couldn't help asking, "Senior, do you think Elder Lei Ming will believe us?"

Emperor Yan thought for a moment. "Yes. Lei Ming is an upright man, and we have undeniable evidence. More importantly, I will also reveal my true identity to him."

"And Zack…"

"Zack already knows we are investigating him. Now it's time for him to know who he is really dealing with."

Cold light flashed in Emperor Yan's eyes.

Lei Ming's office was located on the 28th floor of the Great Axe Arena headquarters. The spacious room was filled with rare weapons and historical relics. The sunset poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting golden light over the deep red carpet.

Thunderclap Elder Lei Ming sat behind his desk, frowning as he stared at Emperor Yan.

"Emperor Yan, are you absolutely sure about this?" Lei Ming's voice carried concern. "Once you reveal your identity, there will be no turning back."

Emperor Yan sat opposite him. Although he still wore plain merchant clothing, the aura around him had completely changed. Calm, heavy, and authoritative.

"There is no other choice," Emperor Yan said steadily. "Zack has already discovered our movements. If we continue hiding, he will only have more time to destroy the evidence."

Rowan stood nearby, holding the storage device tightly. His face was slightly pale, still shaken from earlier events, but his eyes were firm.

"Elder Lei Ming, this evidence proves Zack's betrayal beyond doubt," Rowan said as he placed the device on the desk. "The founders of the Starline Trade Group, the financial flows, everything is here."

Lei Ming inserted the device into the holographic projector.

Instantly, data and charts filled the air.

When he saw the list of names, his expression darkened.

"Galactic Pirate Alliance… Bruce Hamilton. Void Hunter Group… Victor Stone. Blood Moon Mercenary Corps… Elia Shadow."

Lei Ming read each name slowly, his voice growing heavier.

"These are all our enemies."

Emperor Yan stood up. "And the timing matches perfectly. The Starline Trade Group was founded just one month before I departed for the Blue Crystal Star mission. That is no coincidence."

Lei Ming continued reviewing the data. When he saw the financial transfers to the Blood Raven Pirates, his fists tightened.

"Damn it… Zack, you traitor!"

Emperor Yan's voice turned cold. "These factions have all suffered heavy losses because of my past operations. Now it seems Zack had already been in contact with them, preparing this retaliation for a long time."

Rowan added, "From the flow of funds, this alliance is not only about revenge against Senior Emperor Yan. Zack has been using it to build his own power network inside the Great Axe Arena."

Lei Ming took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.

"Emperor Yan, this evidence is compelling. But to fully bring Zack down, we need approval from a higher authority."

"You mean…"

"The Martial God Master." Lei Ming's expression turned serious. "Only he has the authority to remove a Council Elder. And this involves the entire security of the Great Axe Arena. He must be informed."

Emperor Yan nodded slowly. "Then let's go see him."

Lei Ming stood up. "Justice must be served."

At that moment, a knock echoed through the room.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A messenger in gray uniform entered quickly, his expression tense.

"Elder Lei Ming, the Martial God Master requests your immediate presence in the Supreme Council Chamber. It is urgent. Elder Zack is already there as well."

Lei Ming and Emperor Yan exchanged a look.

Zack had moved first.

"Do you know what it is about?" Lei Ming asked.

"I'm not sure," the messenger replied. "But the Martial God Master said to bring all related materials."

Emperor Yan's eyes turned cold.

"So he's making his move."

The Supreme Council Chamber was located at the very top of the headquarters. A massive circular hall surrounded by engraved reliefs of past heroes of the Great Axe Arena.

At the center stood a round table.

Only a few people were present, but the atmosphere was suffocating.

At the head sat the Martial God Master, the supreme leader of the Great Axe Arena. Though over sixty, his posture remained straight as a spear, his eyes deep like the cosmos, radiating absolute authority.

On his right sat Zack.

On his left, two other elders.

Zack appeared calm and composed, his expression solemn, as if he were truly acting in the interest of the organization. No one looking at him would suspect betrayal.

Lei Ming entered with Emperor Yan and Rowan behind him.

Zack's eyes flickered the moment he saw Emperor Yan, but he quickly regained composure.

"Lei Ming," the Martial God Master said in a deep voice. "Zack has just reported something very serious."

Lei Ming stepped forward. "What is it?"

Zack stood up immediately, speaking with righteous indignation.

"Elder Lei Ming, I have discovered an impostor claiming to be Emperor Yan attempting to infiltrate the Great Axe Arena!"

The chamber instantly fell silent.

Lei Ming frowned slightly, though he already knew what was coming.

Zack pointed directly at Emperor Yan.

"This man calls himself Yan Huang, a so-called business consultant. But my investigation shows he is highly skilled in combat and has been secretly investigating internal affairs. He is clearly suspicious!"

Emperor Yan let out a cold laugh.

"Zack, you say I am impersonating Emperor Yan?"

"Isn't that the truth?" Zack said loudly. "Emperor Yan is already dead. This is a well-known fact. Yet you dare to impersonate him. This is an insult to the dead!"

The Martial God Master observed silently.

Finally, his gaze landed on Emperor Yan.

"Do you have anything to say?"

Emperor Yan took a slow breath.

Then he reached up and removed his disguise.

The mask fell away.

The true face of Emperor Yan was revealed.

Sharp, resolute, and unmistakably real.

"I am Emperor Yan."

His voice echoed through the entire chamber like thunder.

Gasps erupted instantly.

Except for Lei Ming and Rowan, everyone was stunned.

Zack's face turned pale for a split second, then forced itself into calm.

"Impossible!" Zack shouted. "Emperor Yan is dead! You are using some kind of disguise technique!"

The Martial God Master stood up and walked closer. His eyes narrowed as he studied Emperor Yan carefully.

At the level of an immortal-tier expert, deception could not easily escape his perception.

"It is indeed Emperor Yan," the Martial God Master said slowly, with clear shock. "But… weren't you confirmed dead?"

Emperor Yan bowed slightly.

"Teacher. I failed your expectations. What happened afterward is a long story."

Then he began recounting everything.

The ambush on Blue Crystal Star.

His near death.

The escape.

The Blood Raven Pirates.

Lei Ming's rescue.

Every detail was precise, coherent, and impossible to fabricate.

"So you never contacted us because you suspected internal betrayal?" the Martial God Master asked.

"Yes," Emperor Yan replied. "Only someone inside the organization could have accurately exposed my mission route."

At that moment, Zack interrupted.

"Martial God Master! Even if he is Emperor Yan, his accusations are completely baseless! I, Zack, have devoted everything to the Great Axe Arena!"

"Oh?" Emperor Yan said coldly. "Then explain the Starline Trade Group."

Zack's pupils contracted slightly.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Lei Ming stepped forward.

"We have evidence."

He activated the holographic projection.

The founder list appeared.

Zack Redmond.

The entire room went silent.

The Martial God Master's gaze sharpened.

"That is your full name," he said slowly.

Zack's face turned even paler.

"This is fabricated!" he shouted. "I have never been involved in any Starline Trade Group!"

"Then explain this." Rowan pointed to another file.

"In the week before Emperor Yan's assassination attempt, the Starline Trade Group transferred fifty million star credits to the Blood Raven Pirates. This is an official banking record. It cannot be forged."

Zack's breathing grew unstable.

"I… I don't know. Someone must have used my identity…"

Emperor Yan's voice was filled with anger.

"Zack, how long do you plan to keep lying? These factions are our enemies. You worked with them to kill me. Are you still calling this coincidence?"

The Martial God Master reviewed everything carefully.

His expression grew increasingly grave.

"Galactic Pirate Alliance. Void Hunter Group. Blood Moon Mercenaries…"

He spoke each name slowly.

"These are all factions that suffered losses due to Emperor Yan's operations."

His gaze locked onto Zack.

"How do you explain being connected to all of them?"

Zack realized there was no way out.

His expression twisted.

Then he laughed.

A cold, unrestrained laugh.

"Fine."

"I admit it."

"Yes, I worked with them."

"I was the one who arranged everything against Emperor Yan."

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