The Dark Association operates under a hierarchical system, composed of four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang.
The lowest-ranking Huang level members are typically recruited by Xuan level powerhouses.
Xuan level members, also known as stewards, form the mid-tier of the Dark Association. In addition to executing actions based on directives from higher-ups, they are authorized to recruit subordinates.
For instance, if Xuan Yi recruits ten subordinates, these ten Huang level members will use sequential numbers in place of names, such as Huang Yi, Huang Er, Huang San, and so on.
This means that Shangguan Yun's designation of 'Huang Thirteen' was assigned by a Xuan level steward.
Xuan level stewards are also referred to as Silver-Faced experts within the Dark Association.
Therefore, Shangguan Yun having connections within the Dark Association naturally implied that person was a Xuan level steward, a Silver-Faced powerhouse.
After hearing the explanation, Ye Cangtian couldn't help but exclaim, "I never imagined there would be undercover Silver-Faced powerhouses within the Dark Association. Then, are all the Huang level members under your Silver-Faced powerhouse also undercover?"
Shangguan Yun shook his head, "Of course not entirely. While the Dark Association's higher-ups may not know the details of every Huang level member, if there are too many undercover agents, they will eventually be exposed."
That makes sense!
If all the subordinates under a Silver-Faced expert were undercover, and the Dark Association found out, it would be a complete annihilation.
Ye Cangtian nodded, then furrowed his brow again. "Heaven, Earth, Xuan, Huang – four tiers. If Xuan level members are already this strong, what about Earth level? And Heaven level?"
Shangguan Yun rolled his eyes, clearly displeased.
"How would I know? I've been in the Dark Association for so long, and the most I've seen are Xuan level Silver-Faced experts. Earth level members are practically legends! I've never met one!"
"Heaven level is probably the ultimate boss of the Dark Association! Someone like that would surely be the most deeply hidden."
Perhaps the Earth level powerhouses in the Dark Association are comparable in strength to the Green-Clad man from the Hidden Guard. Ye Cangtian mused.
The number of Earth level powerhouses in the Dark Association is likely only known to those who have ascended to its highest echelons. However, there should be at least a dozen or so Xuan level Silver-Faced experts.
This was Ye Cangtian's estimation based on the designation Xuan Sixteen.
This evil organization seemed even more powerful than he had imagined.
Of course, there was also the Hidden Guard. It now appeared that although the Dark Association was powerful, it consistently feared the Hidden Guard, indicating that the Hidden Guard was also exceptionally formidable.
With this thought, Ye Cangtian glanced sideways at Shangguan Yun. "Are you from the Hidden Guard?"
Shangguan Yun blinked, shaking his head. "How could I possibly be from the Hidden Guard? My strength isn't up to par!"
"Then why can you invite a Hidden Guard expert to help?"
"That's because that person is from my Shangguan family!"
Shangguan Yun gave Ye Cangtian a smug look, then continued, "It's fine to tell you another secret. Among the eight great families in the capital, at least six have members in the Hidden Guard."
"Not just anyone can join the Hidden Guard. Firstly, you need strength. Once your strength is sufficient, you also need a clean identity and someone to recommend you."
"Our Shangguan family made significant contributions to Hua Xia in the past, so as long as one meets the strength requirements, they can directly enter the Hidden Guard."
This meant that as long as Shangguan Yun reached the strength threshold, he could become a member of the Hidden Guard.
Ye Cangtian hadn't expected this fellow to know so much, nor that the Hidden Guard was connected to the eight great families.
These prominent families in the capital were indeed deeply rooted, possessing immense heritage, with even the powerful Hidden Guard having their people.
Shangguan Yun looked at Ye Cangtian and said with a smile, "Brother Ye, why don't you first join Group B of the Dragon Group? As long as you achieve merits, if your strength eventually meets the Hidden Guard's threshold, someone will naturally recommend you for the Hidden Guard assessment." Su Dan Novel Network
Ye Cangtian had considered joining the Dragon Group last night but hadn't made a decision yet.
There was no rush for this matter!
He looked up and asked, "Does the Yuwen family also have someone in the Hidden Guard?"
Shangguan Yun nodded. "Naturally. The Yuwen family has someone in the Hidden Guard and also in Group B. The captain of the first squad in Group B, Yuwen Chengji, is Yuwen Hao's elder brother."
Ye Cangtian's eyebrows twitched. Does that guy have such powerful backing?
Shangguan Yun chuckled, "But don't worry. The Yuwen family won't interfere in the affairs of their younger generation for minor squabbles. As for Yuwen Chengji, he's currently in a probationary period. He certainly won't help his brother deal with you!"
"Probationary period? The Hidden Guard assessment?"
"Yes, his strength has already reached the threshold for entering the Hidden Guard. Although he qualifies for direct entry, at least a basic probationary period is necessary to follow the procedures."
Shangguan Yun sighed. They were both scions of the eight great families in the capital, and this other person's strength was already sufficient to enter the Hidden Guard.
Ye Cangtian lit a cigarette and exhaled a ring of smoke.
He wasn't too worried about that brute Yuwen Hao, but Yuwen Chengji was a formidable individual. As the captain of Group B's first squad, his strength should be considerably higher than Zhang Liang and the others.
The other party was currently under observation, so it was highly unlikely he would deal with him.
Of course, he wasn't afraid either.
No matter how strong the other party was, could they be stronger than that Green-Clad man from the Shangguan family?
…
After chatting with Shangguan Yun for the entire morning, Ye Cangtian gained much insight from him.
Whether it was the Dark Association's hierarchical system or the connection between the Hidden Guard and the eight great families, it was all very useful to him.
After all, he had no prior understanding of these two mysterious organizations!
At noon, he ate a simple takeout meal at Tang Xinwan's branch company. She was too busy, even discussing details with the company's key personnel during meals.
Ye Cangtian felt as if he had returned to his days in Yangzhou.
…
In the afternoon, he took a taxi directly to the Cadre Compound.
Xu Weiwei seemed to be out. The old man was still sipping clear tea under the grape trellis, arranging a chessboard.
Ye Cangtian was now a frequent visitor to this siheyuan. The guards at the entrance no longer stopped him.
"You brat, you haven't been here for two or three days. This old man thought you'd gone back to Yangzhou!" the old man said with a smile.
Ye Cangtian made himself at home, poured himself a cup of tea, and rolled his eyes.
He didn't believe what this old man was saying. He suspected that the old man already knew everything he had been doing for the past two days.
"Does Grandpa know about the Saudi princess's assassination last night?"
"If I hadn't accidentally infiltrated the Dark Association as an undercover agent and leaked the information to the Dragon Group in advance, how could the Dragon Group have set up an ambush?"
Ye Cangtian downed the tea in his cup and poured himself another.
The old man smiled broadly and raised his eyebrows. "What do you want to say?"
Ye Cangtian cut to the chase, "I want to join the Dragon Group, but I have three conditions!"
Three conditions?
The old man couldn't help but smile. He retorted, "Why the sudden thought of joining the Dragon Group?"