Hector's muscles on his face began twitching uncontrollably, and he was sweating profusely. Nevertheless, his gaze remained steadfast despite the extreme pain inflicted upon him."Well, well! It looks like if I don't up my game, you won't give up the map easily." Vlad was annoyed. He chucked away the boning knife and browsed through the torture rack again. As such, many torture instruments of different sizes and functions began piling up on the table."See these treasures? I will use all of them on you. I hope you don't die quickly!" Vlad sneered, picking up another torture instrument.With that, the endless cycles of physical torment continued.Time ticked by slowly. The secret room stank of blood while things appeared calm and well just outside the room. Kate paced outside restlessly. It had been three hours since they started interrogating Hector. However, they still got nothing. Time was running out as they only had a few hours till the break of dawn. If she didn't have t
At the break of dawn, in a luxurious mansion somewhere. Natasha, who was sleeping, suddenly opened her eyes when she heard something moving. She got up, walked to the window, and opened a slit between the curtains. Under the hazy moonlight, she was shocked to see the bodyguards on night duty lying on the ground."Hmm?" Natasha furrowed her brow. She quickly took out a pistol from a drawer in her headboard. Opening the door gently, she carefully observed her surroundings before going into the room next door."Ruth …" Natasha patted her sister, who was still asleep. When Ruth woke up, Natasha covered her mouth and signaled her to keep quiet. "Don't make any noise. There's an intruder.""Intruder?" Ruth rubbed her sleepy eyes and mumbled, "Natasha, are you dreaming? Our house is surrounded by exceptionally skilled bodyguards day and night. Who would risk their lives?""They have been defeated. It's very dangerous now. Come with me now!" Natasha said with a serious expression.
Kate was impatient as she quickly ordered them to open up the burlap sacks. Very soon, the unconscious Natasha and Ruth were freed from the sacks. "Great, we've got both of them. There shouldn't be any problem now." Kate was pleased about the current turn of events. Hector would definitely surrender the information with his two weaknesses in their hands now."What? It's her!" Vlad was stunned when he saw Natasha."Why? Do you know her?" Kate frowned. If they knew each other, there'd be trouble."I saw her once." Vlad replied solemnly and continued, "I was injured by an ignorant man when I got into a fight at the hotel yesterday. She's with that man."After he was defeated, he sent his henchmen to investigate Dustin. However, he couldn't find Dustin's whereabouts. What a coincidence; they actually kidnapped his woman. Things were really going in their favor now."Vlad, the person who defeated you yesterday, was his name Dustin Rhys?" Kate quickly asked."I think that's his n
"Natasha?" When Hector looked carefully, he was instantly agitated. "Kate Harmon! Don't do anything stupid! She's your cousin!""What cousin? She's just a bitch!" Kate yelled. She added, "She has always liked to compete against me since we were kids. It remains the same even to this day. "Whenever there was something good at home, you always gave it all to her. I could only use whatever that was left. What right did you have to do that? How am I inferior to her?""Kate, I have never been biased toward any of you. Natasha worked hard for her success today. Both of you started with the same resources." Hector said sincerely. In fact, he gave more resources to Kate than he did to his daughter."Nonsense! Do you think I'll believe your bullshit? If you weren't secretly helping her and providing her with all kinds of assistance, how could Natasha be better than I am?" Kate snorted. From her point of view, Hector had used his status as the family's patriarch to pave the way for Na
Suddenly, Kate raised her hand and struck Hector's neck with the knife's sheath. He immediately passed out after that."Now that Dustin has the treasure map, it's time to settle our scores," Vlad said with a sinister grin. He added, "I'll send someone after him."Kate narrowed her eyes. "No need to go through the trouble. Instead of chasing him down, let's make him come to us willingly.""Oh? Do you have a plan?" he asked curiously."Just watch." She approached Natasha and tore her nightgown with little explanation.Vlad's desire intensified as he saw Natasha's exposed skin and alluring lingerie. He found her irresistible."Hang her up. I want to record a video," Kate said and took her phone out. "Oh, and stand beside her for a photo. It'll spice things up.""Sure thing!" He grinned and instructed someone to hang Natasha on a pillar. Then, he grabbed a strand of her hair and sniffed it with uncontrollable desire."Perfect." Kate was satisfied with the video she recorded. Th
The next morning, Zephyr Lodge was bustling with activity. It was Dustin's birthday!Everyone in the Kirin gang was taking it seriously. They had sent out invitations a few days ago for a big party.The Kirin gang had been in charge of the Millsburg underworld for a long time, with Dustin being known as the King of the Underworld. Today, he was receiving birthday wishes from various factions. Even those who weren't on the guest list hurried to send gifts.Meanwhile, Dustin was meditating in the main room of the villa. However, an urgent knock interrupted his mediation. "What's going on?" He opened the door and found Cornelius standing there."Sir Rhys, we've got a problem!" Cornelius said seriously.He went on, "Early this morning, a group of unknown martial artists broke into Ms. Harmon's villa. We had our men for her protection, but they killed all our men. And now, Ms. Harmon is missing. She might have been kidnapped!""What?" Dustin's expression changed. "How did this h
In Balerno, Tyler was unmatched among the younger generation. Everyone believed that with him leading the way, the Grant family would become even more influential and ultimately rule over Balerno.When Tyler's engagement was announced, it drew attention from all the folks in Millsburg. Not only that, but important people like leaders, merchants, and the rich from all major cities in Balerno also came to show their respect.As dawn approached, the Grant mansion was bustling with guests.In the meeting room, Tyler sat at the center, calm amidst the grandeur. To his sides were key members of the Grant family — uncles, aunts, cousins — all lowering their status, hardly daring to make a sound.When Tyler became General Lionheart and took over as the family patriarch from Arthur Grant, his grandfather, some elder members of the family weren't happy. They argued Tyler lacked experience and qualifications. But within three days, those who opposed him met unfortunate ends, and none of the
"Tyler! Get your ass out here, now!"A sudden shout echoed through the entire Grant mansion. It was as loud as the thunder that boomed in the sky. The voice carried an intent to harm and endless fury."Who's causing all this commotion?""Someone's causing trouble in the mansion? Catch them!""This is unbelievable!"Following a short moment of quiet, the meeting room burst into an uproar. The Grant family members were furious and upset. Nobody had ever dared to be so bold toward them, especially openly disrespecting Tyler like this. It was unacceptable!"Dustin has completely lost control!" Kate's face turned serious. She knew Dustin was coming. Still, she didn't expect him to be so bold, shouting before he even entered."Kate, is this the problem you mentioned?" Tyler frowned for a moment but quickly composed himself, not showing anger."Ty, honestly, Dustin has the treasure map. Everything will be fine if we capture him!" she said with a forced smile."You're quite daring
"This punk's a real pain in the ass!"Connor glanced over his shoulder and noticed Axel was still hot on their trail.The squad he had sent to intercept Axel was completely outmaneuvered, and they couldn't get anywhere near him.To Connor's dismay, Axel kept shooting off signal flares as he pursued them. Each flare gave away their position. At this rate, it didn't matter which direction they ran—they were bound to be intercepted."Connor! Dave! Make a move and swat that damn fly," Warrick ordered decisively."If we leave, who's going to protect you?" Connor hesitated.Warrick was in bad shape. Without them guarding him, a single attack from an expert could be fatal."If you don't take out that fly, I'll be in even more danger. Get moving now!" Warrick snapped."Yes, sir!"Connor and Dave exchanged a glance before splitting up with their squads to surround Axel.They both knew what was at stake. If they didn't take Axel down quickly, their entire force would be stranded and do
"Kill them all!"At Warrick's command, the Red Legion charged without hesitation. Blades flashed as they stormed toward the elite enforcement unit.This time, nearly a thousand Red Legion soldiers arrived. With their sheer numbers, they launched a pincer attack from both flanks, leaving the enemy with no way to fend it off."Form the Shield Formation!" Axel shouted upon seeing the dire situation. His men immediately sheathed their blades and raised their shields to form a defensive line. Their pursuit had cut them off from the main force. Since they were up against an enemy ten times their size, forming a defensive line was their best option.If they could stall for even a moment, reinforcements from the castle would arrive, and the tide would turn in their favor. Once that happened, the thousand-strong Red Legion would be the ones on the defensive.After a brief charge, the two forces collided.Warrick had personally trained the Red Legion. He selected only the most loyal and
Axel had no time to hesitate. He lunged forward and grabbed the overturned Dragon-Binding Net. Then, he used every ounce of his strength to pin Warrick down again."Get over here! We have to keep him restrained."As the net strained under Warrick's sheer power, Axel let out a roar and pushed his cultivation to the limit. His veins bulged and blood pounded in his ears. He threw every last bit of strength into holding Warrick down.For now, he managed to pin Warrick down, but the elite enforcement unit on the other side wasn't faring well. Warrick thrashed wildly, sending more than a dozen men swinging through the air. Some slammed into trees, while others crashed into walls. Within moments, the Dragon-Binding Net flipped over again.Several elite enforcement units tried to rush in and help, but they barely got close before getting hit by their own airborne comrades and sent flying.Against Warrick's Divine Strength, they were utterly outmatched. The regular guards didn't stand a
If Warrick had been at his peak, Axel might have been more cautious. But with Tranqurin coursing through his vein, Warrick had barely a fraction of his usual strength left. His power was still fading, and Axel wasn't about to waste the opportunity. He had to capture Warrick while he had the chance."Get the hell out of my way!"As the enforcers closed in, Warrick let out a furious roar and slammed his massive fist into the floor.With a loud explosion, the earth shook violently. The ground within dozens of yards cracked and caved in, splitting apart like a spiderweb. A powerful shockwave tore through the air, sending dirt flying and walls shattering. The entire meeting room collapsed into ruins.The elite enforcers, caught in the blast, were flung backward like ragdolls. They crashed to the ground, disoriented and battered. Even Axel was thrown back more than ten yards.Warrick panted heavily, his face pale and drenched in sweat. Forcing his internal energy into action had only
Austin's words were strong and commanding, each one landing like a thunderclap.Warrick felt the weight of his presence. His brow furrowed for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. He glanced at the so-called evidence on the floor, showing no sign of panic or guilt. Instead, he said indifferently, "Your Highness, these dead men were nothing more than ants. Is this really worth making such a fuss over? I doubt you haven't killed anyone before."As the old saying went, the higher one climbed, the heavier one's purse. Warrick had clawed his way up, risking his life at every step for the sake of rising above the masses. Everyone had their own desires—some sought fame, others fortune. Some were greedy for money, some for power, and others reveled in the adoration of the masses. To achieve those things, one inevitably had to engage in shady dealings. It was an unspoken rule among officials, and Warrick saw nothing wrong with it."Ants?" Austin sneered. "Without these 'ant
The ashen-faced Huxley was dragged away. With his crimes exposed, his fate was sealed. His entire family would be implicated, and their assets would be seized.Those guilty would be punished, and even those who had merely benefited from his corruption would be held accountable. To put it bluntly, Huxley's entire family was about to be annihilated.Austin issued his next order once the bloodstains were cleaned up. "Axel, it's time to bring in the mastermind."With Huxley dealt with, the next step was to confront Warrick. Unlike Huxley, Warrick wouldn't be easy to deal with. After all, he commanded a large number of troops. If backed into a corner, he could become a major threat."Understood!" Axel responded respectfully, then turned to his subordinates. "Gather more men and come with me."Warrick had earned his prestigious position through years of fierce battles. On the battlefield, he was a one-man army, a warrior capable of taking on thousands. His strength was beyond what mos
"You bastard! With all this evidence in front of you, what do you have to say for yourself?" Austin barked."Your Highness, please let me explain…" Huxley broke out in a cold sweat, his voice trembling with panic."This is a lie. Someone's trying to frame me! I've always followed the law—how could I possibly be involved in something so vile?""The evidence is right in front of you, and you're still trying to weasel out of it?" Austin shot back. "Looks like you won't confess until death is knocking at your door."He raised his hand and ordered, "Guards, throw him into Grimhold Keep. Use whatever means necessary—let's see how long he keeps up this act.""Yes, Your Highness."A squad of enforcement team members rushed in and surrounded Huxley.Cornered, Huxley finally lost his nerve. He dropped to his knees with a thud and begged, "Your Highness, I admit I made a grave mistake."His voice cracked as he continued, "I wasn't thinking clearly at the time. Please, for the sake of my y
Night had fallen. Austin sat in the meeting room, quietly reading a book as he waited for the results of the investigation.After successfully turning Percival against his allies, it was only a matter of time before they uncovered solid evidence of Warrick and Huxley's crimes.For years, the castle had turned a blind eye to their shady dealings. After all, corruption among officials was nothing new.But this time was different. The two had secretly orchestrated Jovian's murder, a direct challenge to the authority and dignity of the royal family. Such defiance couldn't be ignored. If Austin didn't set an example, others would surely follow."Your Highness!"Axel burst into the meeting room, panting heavily. He had clearly run the whole way to avoid any delay.Austin set his book aside and asked calmly, "Well? How did it go?""Your Highness, we've completely shut down all of Warrick and Huxley's illicit operations. Every hidden network they had built over the years has also been d
At that moment, Percival truly panicked. Earlier, he had only worried about being implicated. But now, faced with such a serious accusation, he was completely caught off guard."Hmph! The evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare deny it? Do you want me to torture the truth out of you?" Austin barked."Your Highness, I'm innocent!" Percival was so terrified he was on the verge of tears. He raised his hand and swore, "If I had anything to do with Jovian's death, may I be damned for eternity.""If swearing oaths proved innocence, we wouldn't need an enforcement team," Austin said coldly. "Out of respect for your years of service to West Lucozia, I'll give you a chance to come clean and receive a lighter sentence. Tell the truth now, or I'll throw you into Grimhold Keep."At the mention of Grimhold Keep, Percival began to shake uncontrollably. Tears and snot ran down his face as he wailed, "Your Highness, I swear I didn't do anything. Who's the bastard making up these accusations?