"In summary, the Silent Samurai Plan not only failed to benefit the Ghost Sect but instead backfired, causing enormous waste of limited resources. Moreover, many experts were unnecessarily sacrificed to handle the aftermath, which ultimately proved to be counterproductive," said Jiushan Cangxuan.

This comment reminded Yang Xiao of the three individuals, including Water Ghost and Half Ghost, who were high-level Apostles with formidable abilities in life but perished in the paranormal incident at Youjian Mountain Station, leading to the annihilation of an elite squad.

Yet, from the perspective of the Patrol Defense Office, this was absolutely a good thing.

"Due to this incident, the Ghost Sect suffered severe setbacks. After all, they paid a hefty price to seek collaboration with the Black Buddha Mother initially."

Jiushan Cangxuan’s tone shifted to a more formal one as he continued, "But from your recent experience, we still underestimated their determination. I suspect the Silent Samurai Plan is not entirely terminated; someone within the Ghost Sect intends to restart this plan. Only that individual can delegate tasks to a minor branch like the Takeda Family."

"It’s the Master of the Ghost Sect," Yang Xiao realized the severity of the situation.

"Yes, it’s him. His talents surpass previous Ghost Sect Masters, but his terrifying ambition truly defines him."

"He has been blinded by his ambition, and no longer listens to anyone," Jiushan Cangxuan shook his head in regret.

Speaking of this Master of the Ghost Sect, he has deep ties to Jiushan Cangxuan and the Jiu Mountain Family. It can be said that the young man could reach such a high position today largely due to the Jiu Mountain Family’s contributions.

Although they are not officially mentor and disciple, their relationship is essentially that. Jiushan Cangxuan himself brought him back from the streets and kept him by his side, teaching him with care.

It was clear Jiushan Cangxuan felt deep remorse at this moment, but Yang Xiao wisely chose silence on such a sensitive topic.

If not for the ties of incense between Jiushan Cangxuan and the Jiu Mountain Family, given the ruthless nature of the Ghost Sect Master, he would have probably eradicated the Jiu Mountain Family long ago, leaving no one behind.

Yet, no amount of sentiment can withstand a split in standing. The Jiu Mountain Family is now a stumbling block in the Ghost Sect’s quest to unify Japan, and it is only a matter of time before the Ghost Sect Master acts against them.

Yang Xiao only hoped the Ghost Sect would delay their actions for as long as possible, since Jiu Shan Sha Yue had not yet matured and needed more time.

"Senior Jiu Shan, do not worry. The Ghost Sect’s rampant, destructive behavior will not have a good end!"

Yang Xiao initially wanted to criticize the Black Buddha Mother as well, but recalling the Black Buddha Mother’s lineage’s tactics, he swallowed his words, especially after narrowly escaping the pursuit of the Half Compassion Purple Body Buddha, which genuinely frightened him.

Without saying a word, they tracked him through the network and sent out five Netherworld Envoys; who could withstand that?

Luckily, it happened in the Jiu Mountain Family. If it had occurred at his own home, the command level of the Jiangbei Province Office would likely have to be replaced.

Failing to avenge this grudge would be unworthy of a gentleman, so Yang Xiao decided to curse them with straw dolls in secret when he returned home that night.

"By the way, Senior, you mentioned the Takeda Family earlier. Why did you refer to them as a minor branch?" Yang Xiao asked suddenly.

"How much do you know about the Ghost Sect?" Jiushan Cangxuan asked, looking at him.

As an envoy to Japan for the Patrol Defense Office, Yang Xiao was embarrassed to admit he knew nothing beyond the fact that the Ghost Sect Master is a world-class Apostle.

Noticing Yang Xiao’s awkward expression, Jiushan Cangxuan understood and slowly explained, "The Ghost Sect differs from your Patrol Defense Office, with a less rigorous organizational structure. This is also related to Japan’s history. We rely more on family influences for cohesion."

"Is it similar to the Yin Temple Influence, forming a large alliance?" Yang Xiao inquired.

"It’s somewhat similar but not completely the same. The highest command level of the Ghost Sect is called the headquarter, which you can think of as headquarters or a base camp, equivalent to your Patrol General Bureau."

"Below the headquarters, there are several divisions, similar to your key provincial affiliates, with the highest commander of a division called the Branch Chief."

"Additionally, there are several high-spec combat general units, led by the General Commander."

"These divisions and general units are directly subordinate to the Ghost Sect and represent their readily deployable combat forces, though limited in number, incredibly elite."

"Then there are the forces reliant on the Ghost Sect, mostly family forces entrenched across Japan, ranked into several tiers based on scale and strength."

"The highest tier is called a grand branch lodge, rare within Japan, with each one being a famous family powerful enough to control a region."

"The Heimu Family is considered a grand branch lodge by the Ghost Sect," Jiushan Cangxuan noted.

The Heimu Family, or Black Wood Society, was Yang Xiao’s starting point for understanding Japanese forces.

Back in the day, President Heimu Zhenyi of the Black Wood Society led an attack on Ru Lin Academy, killing Yang Qianhe, the only son of Dean Yang Yunluo, and rescued their top nemesis, the former Sect Master of the Yu Yuan Sect. This vile act shocked the entire Huazhu Clan’s Apostles Group and nearly triggered a war between the two countries.

President Heimu Zhenyi himself is also a top-class expert, renowned as the Blade of Japan, capable of exchanging blows with Iaido Slash Jiushan Shunyu in over a hundred moves without contest.

Even back in the Esoteric Sect, Dean Elder Sheng openly admitted that this President Heimu Zhenyi was no easy opponent and even at his peak, he only had a 60-70% chance of victory against him.

The Heimu Family’s grand branch lodge title, led by Heimu himself, is well-deserved in Yang Xiao’s opinion.

"The Heimu Family ranks at the bottom among the grand branch lodges, and reaching this position relies more on loyalty and ruthlessness," Jiushan Cangxuan perceived Yang Xiao’s thoughts and added.

Hearing this, Yang Xiao couldn’t help but take a deep breath; the Heimu Family’s overall strength is similar to that of Ru Lin Academy, as they left some forces back in Japan during their attack.

Ru Lin Academy, being an Upper Three Bookshop, is a top-tier force within the domestic Apostle Circle, which speaks to the value of this so-called grand branch lodge title.

"Below the grand branch lodge are minor branch lodges, with the Takeda Family you mentioned earlier belonging to this category."

"This branch holds significant influence within the Kantou Region, with its patriarch, Takeda Nobuaki, being a very renowned Onmyoji in Japan."

"Be they grand or minor branch lodges, they are regional-level forces, differing only in scale, territory, and what the Ghost Sect values most: the quality and quantity of high-level Apostles within the family, reflecting their true combat power."

"The grand and minor branch lodges operate independently, lacking direct subordination, akin more to allied relations with the Ghost Sect rather than strict affiliation."

"Below the branch lodges are the Inner Families, with the sphere of influence of an Inner Family roughly equating to a city, and the Family Head known as the Master of the Inner House."

"The overall strength of each Inner Family varies, but they typically don’t have Netherworld Envoys; at most, they might have a Half-step Nether Realm occupant."

"Below the Inner Families are the Branch Lodges, serving as the most basic outposts, which you can consider akin to a branch team, a fully-fledged combat squad."

"The number of personnel in a Branch Lodge ranges from a dozen to several dozen, typically without notable fighting power present."

"The highest commander of a Branch Lodge is known as the Lodge Leader, or what you might call a team captain, responsible for leading the squad in executing missions."

Seeing Yang Xiao deep in thought, Jiushan Cangxuan prompted, "Have you realized the problem with the Ghost Sect’s organizational structure?"

"Their direct forces are limited, with only a few divisions and general units under the direct jurisdiction of the Ghost Sect headquarters, while the other grand and minor branch lodges, including the Inner Families, have relationships akin to allies rather than strict subordination. The Ghost Sect Master appears more as an elected leader among them."

"Such a loosely organized structure cannot withstand significant setbacks. I think they are primarily considering reaping benefits under the Ghost Sect Master’s wing, given his evident prowess, though each harbors their ulterior motives."

"In favorable conditions, this poses no issue, but once the situation turns adverse, especially if anything should happen to the Ghost Sect Master, no one can control the situation, and all families would scatter in chaos like birds and beasts."