The night passed quickly. The next morning, Dustin was ready to leave after washing up and changing into a set of clean clothes."Dustin, this trip will be dangerous. Why don't I go with you? At least we can take care of each other." Maximus came running after him from his room. There was a sword hanging behind his back as well. He might not be very skilled, but he was still capable of keeping watch for Dustin."It's alright. You stay at home. Protecting Mr. Shaffer is your top priority." Dustin patted Maximus's shoulder. "Remember, if something goes south, leave with Mr. Shaffer. Don't take any risks.""Got it." Maximus nodded heavily. "I'll put my life on the line to make sure that Mr. Shaffer is safe!""Don't say that. I'm just going out for a while. It won't take too long. You guys just need to be careful. I'm leaving now." With that, Dustin left the house. The trip to Quandary Mountain would take around two hours as it was located on the city's outskirts. Due to its spar
A sudden knock echoed through the door. Fenley slowly opened his eyes and asked, "Who's there?""It's me."An old man in white robes entered and pushed the door open. The elder, with an air of otherworldliness, was none other than Alloy Marshall, the guildmaster of the Celestial Alliance."Master Alloy?" Fenley's expression brightened as he quickly stood up. "What brings you here?""Just checking on you." Alloy smiled faintly and asked, "Fenley, how's your progress lately?""I'm now a grandmaster. Just one step away from being an ultimate grandmaster," Fenley replied truthfully."Not bad. Achieving this at such a young age is quite a feat. I wasn't as accomplished at your age." Alloy nodded approvingly."Master Alloy, you're too kind. If it weren't for your guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today," Fenley said, lowering his head."No need to be humble. Your success is the result of your efforts."Alloy smiled and then asked, "Oh, I heard you had a fierce battle last night and
On Breezecrest Peak, near Frosthaven Lake, a young man with a lean physique sat shirtless on the water's surface. His body moved gently with the flowing ripples, resembling a light boat. Overhead, a few birds flew around, carrying twigs and straw in their beaks, preparing to build nests.Under the surface, a group of fish playfully swam around the young man, creating patterns of movement. At that moment, he seemed completely in tune with nature, resonating with the world around him.Out of nowhere, a dark figure descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the lake's surface. The resulting ripples scattered the fish below and startled a few birds into flight."Hey, time's up. Master wants you down the mountain immediately, no time to dawdle," said the dark-clad figure.The young man, still meditating, showed no reaction as if he hadn't heard.The dark figure arched an eyebrow and continued, "You've got a mission to take down Kirin, Logan Rhys. This is your chance to face him."
Simple Ken returned from a night of fishing with nothing but a pile of rocks and wood."Simple Ken, you're too gullible! All your hard-earned catch got swindled by those little rascals the whole night," a passing old man said, chuckling and shaking his head. "Oh, by the way, there was a big wind last night. The roof tiles on my house got blown off. Get some in town and fix it for me, will you?"With his trademark silly grin, Simple Ken remained silent."Ah, what a fool. Go back quickly. Your missus is waiting for you to have breakfast," the old man waved him off.Serene Village wasn't large, totaling just over a hundred residents, and Simple Ken was a unique character. Nobody knew where he came from. In everyone's impression, Simple Ken was just a fool who never uttered a complete sentence. Whether he cheated or was bullied, he always wore a foolish smile.Walking from the village entrance to the end, he entered a plain cottage with a fenced yard. Though it was small and somew
Simple Ken meticulously wiped down the Dragon Sparrow sword before sheathing it. After coming back inside, he cleaned up the plates and cutlery, meticulously tidying the entire house. He then proceeded to chop wood, fetch water, and attend to the chickens and ducks.Once all chores were completed, Simple Ken changed into a fresh set of clothes. He stood at the doorway for a moment and eventually stepped out with the sword strapped to his back.The moment he emerged, a little girl with braided hair hurriedly approached. Aged around five or six, she bore a slightly grimy face with delicate features that hinted at potential beauty. Her cheeks showed signs of recent bruising, and a trace of blood near her nostrils suggested she had just been in a scuffle."Simple Ken!" The little girl, balancing a cluster of fish and a few crabs, reached him and proudly declared, "Look, Simple Ken, I got your stuff back. Aren't I amazing?""Another fight?" Simple Ken crouched before her. "They we
Seth wiped the grime off Hazel's cheeks. He grinned and said, "Remember, Hazel, eat your meals on time and take care. I'm off." Hazel nodded as she watched him leave.Little did she know, many years later, that the book he gave her would become a priceless treasure coveted by many.By the Serene Village stream, women chatted and laughed as they washed clothes by the stream. Their discussions covered family matters and local gossip.A shout drew their attention, "Look, a handsome guy!" A few women turned around, their expressions shifting with slight surprise. "Isn't that Simple Ken?""Simple Ken?"The woman in yellow observed more closely and finally recognized him, exclaiming, "Oh, it really is Simple Ken. But why does he seem different today?""His clothes are clean, his hair is in order, and that goofy smile is gone. I have to admit, he looks kind of handsome.""Blossom, your Simple Ken is here!" yelled the woman in yellow."Huh?" Blossom Dale looked up, perplexed. In
At Zenith Society in the Serenity Hall, a well-dressed, refined man took out a parchment scroll from his treasure chest.The parchment's cover boasted three bold words: Astonishing World List.Zenith Society's Astonishing World List housed the most elite warriors globally. There were no age restrictions, no gender biases, and no discrimination based on age. It was solely based on merit.However, it was a given that those who made it onto the list were celebrated and legendary figures!Breaking the seal, the refined man carefully unfolded the parchment.The contents were concise, listing only ten names.From top to bottom:Top on the list: Arion Foyer of Sacred Wyrm SummitSecond on the list: Alaric Drakon of Dragon GuardThird on the list: Seth Hughes, the Sword Whisperer of West LucoziaFourth on the list: Cyrus Hadley, Guildmaster of Sword UnionFifth on the list: Alloy Marshall, Guildmaster of Celestial AllianceSixth on the list: Penelope Solace, Leader of the Mystic Ar
Grace had never seen Elder Sage so distressed."Grace, something big is about to go down. I just divined the outcome of the Scenic Monastery incident, and the signs are ominous. It might mess with the fate of the nation," Elder Sage said with a heavy tone."Affect the fate of the nation? Does that mean Logan is going to die?" She raised an eyebrow.Last night, she had specifically reminded and even provided a talisman, hoping that nothing would happen to Logan. Because if he were to fall, it would undoubtedly lead to a cascade of battles, turning the land into a river of blood."It has nothing to do with Logan. When I speak of the nation's fate, I'm talking about a vital force," Elder Sage furrowed his brow.He continued, "In this Scenic Monastery incident, someone might disrupt the vital force. If that happens, the nation will be in chaos. A great calamity will be imminent, and the entire Dragonmarsh will undergo a drastic change!""Is it that serious?" Grace's eyebrows tightene
"Get lost! I'm not in the mood for anything right now. If you want to eat, go on your own." Warrick snapped, looking annoyed."I'm not going either," Percival refused flatly. "I'm on a health regimen these days—only tea, no alcohol.""Fine. If you're going to wait, then keep waiting. I won't be sticking around." Huxley forced a smile and acted like he was about to leave.But as he turned, he almost bumped into Boston, who was approaching from the other direction."Sorry, Sir Thatcher! I hope I didn't startle you." Since he was surrounded by so many high-ranking officials, Boston was already on edge. He had momentarily spaced out and almost caused a mishap by running into Huxley, which left him flustered and a bit tongue-tied.Unlike the other generals, Boston didn't come from an influential background or have any powerful connections. He had worked his way up from the bottom, and the last thing he wanted was to offend Huxley and risk losing everything he had fought so hard for.
After parting ways with Boston, Jovian checked into a nearby hotel to await the good news. Boston wasted no time. After changing into a fresh set of clothes, he headed to the castle to deliver a letter of introduction. But when he arrived, he was stunned by what he saw.The gates of the West Lucozian monarchy had already gathered quite a few people, and among them were several figures he immediately recognized. These included Huxley Thatcher, the Commander of the Militia; Warrick Prescott, the Major General of the State Guard; and Percival Wentworth, the Chancellor of the National Academy.These three were first-ranking officials. In West Lucozia, they were nothing short of kingmakers who wielded immense power and influence. Warrick, in particular, was two ranks above Boston. Hence, he felt the need to be cautious in his presence and was eager not to make a bad impression.Alongside these three prominent figures, several second- and third-ranking officials also stood in line at
The following morning, Jovian stood at the entrance of West Lucozia Airport, wearing a sharp suit.Before the trip, he had contacted his comrade with whom he had fought side by side in the military. After earning military merit and with the Ballard family's influence, he was fortunate enough to stay in Oakvale and secure a decent position.His comrade, on the other hand, had moved to West Lucozia to carve out a life for himself. Years of hard work had paid off—he was now a third-rank general with considerable power, influence, and a strong network of connections. Jovian's meeting with the Prince of West Lucozia would depend entirely on his comrade's connections.Just then, the roar of an engine cut through the air as a military jeep pulled up beside him. The window rolled down, and the first thing that came into view was a bald head gleaming in the sunlight like a lightbulb. The glare nearly blinded him.Under that shiny dome was a face that looked ordinary at first glance. But w
"Grandfather, I understand why you sent Uncle Jonathan and Uncle Jensen to the Spanner and Fallon families to gather information," Natasha began. "But West Lucozia is thousands of miles away."She shook her head slightly. "They've always stayed out of the government's political matters. Sending Uncle Jovian there wouldn't achieve anything. He'd likely just be turned away." Oakvale and West Lucozia were worlds apart. The fight for the Oakvale throne didn't really affect the West Lucozian monarchy. Both sides had long adhered to an unspoken agreement to avoid meddling in each other's affairs."I know, but it'll be different this time. The royal throne is at stake, and every faction will do whatever it takes to secure West Lucozia's support. If the West Lucozian monarchy picks a side, the balance we've maintained for years will collapse. That's why I need to be ready for whatever happens," Simon replied.It would be best if the West Lucozian monarchy stayed out of the political strug
At the Ballard estate, Dustin was warmly welcomed to stay after dinner. This was the first time Natasha had brought her boyfriend home, so the Ballards made a big deal of it.Simon personally accompanied the young couple and invited them to the study to chat over tea. With his sharp eye, Simon could tell Dustin was no ordinary martial artist. His manners, speech, and broad knowledge set him apart from most people."Dustin, I fully support your relationship with Natasha. Your background or status doesn't matter. What matters most is that you two are happy together." Simon paused and said earnestly, "I want you to understand that she's been pampered all her life and hasn't faced much hardship. Now that she's with you, I hope you'll take good care of her.""Don't worry, Mr. Ballard. I would never let her down," Dustin replied sincerely.Though they had known each other for some time and hadn't yet taken their relationship to the next level, they had already made their feelings clear
After hearing Nathaniel's words, Tristan's expression darkened. His brow furrowed as he sank into deep thought.It seemed he had underestimated the situation. He had assumed it was just a simple rivalry between brothers; he hadn't anticipated Seamus seizing the chance to further his own agenda.Seamus already wielded considerable influence. Under the guise of supporting Matthias' ascension to the throne, he had been forming alliances and recruiting talents. His influence had grown to rival the royal family's.If Seamus really supported Matthias' ascension, he'd overshadow the king, and no one would be able to stop him. The worst-case scenario would be Seamus using Matthias as a puppet to overthrow the House of Linsor."Nathaniel, is everything you said true?" Tristan frowned."Absolutely. Every word," Nathaniel replied solemnly. "Of course, if you don't believe me, you can send someone to investigate.""I believe you. But… taking down Seamus won't be easy. Do you have a plan?" Tr
An hour later, Nathaniel quietly entered a private mansion wearing a disguise.Inside the living room, Tristan had already prepared tea and refreshments. He looked as if he had been waiting for a long time."Sorry to have kept you waiting, Tristan." Nathaniel took off his coat and walked forward with a smile."No need to apologize. I'm happy that you made the effort to arrange this. A few extra minutes are nothing, especially since it's rare for us to meet." Tristan gestured for him to sit while he poured two cups of tea and handed one to his brother.Nathaniel accepted the cup and discreetly set it aside. Whenever he was out, he was always cautious about food and drink—this wariness had become second nature."You asked to meet me on short notice. Is this about official matters or something personal?" Tristan took a sip from his cup and got straight to the point."Both," Nathaniel replied, still smiling."Oh?" Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it, then.""Given how things
In another luxurious mansion in the Inner City, a female spy dressed in black, cloaked in a hood, was reporting the results of her investigation to Nathaniel."Your Highness, the Moseys have been particularly active recently and are rallying allies. Many of the eight great families and other influential factions have already allied with them. If left unchecked, they'll pose a serious threat to us," she said, kneeling with her head lowered slightly."So the Moseys are backing Matthias, huh?" Nathaniel sat quietly, his expression unreadable."The Moseys have grand ambitions. While they claim to support Prince Matthias, they're merely setting him up as a puppet to rise to power and expand their own influence," she revealed.She had been infiltrating the Moseys' mansion for years and had gained a deep understanding of their operations, from the smallest details to the key players.Though Seamus appeared as a benevolent philanthropist, it was all a façade. Behind closed doors, he was r
That night, two young men sat playing chess inside a secluded mansion in the Inner City. On the left was Anders, who had visited the Ballard estate earlier. Across from him sat Matthias, a broad-shouldered man dressed in richly adorned robes.The game was intense, with fast moves followed by moments of deep thought. About ten minutes later, Anders finally conceded defeat."Anders, you've really improved since we last played. You almost had me there," Matthias said, stroking his beard in mild surprise."You flatter me, Your Highness. My chess skills are nothing compared to yours. If you hadn't gone easy on me, I wouldn't have lasted half as long," Anders replied with a modest smile."You're as smooth with words as ever." Matthias let out a hearty laugh with a look of smug satisfaction. Winning was in his nature—whether in war or on the chessboard, defeat was not an option."Well, we've eaten, and we've played. Let's get to business." With a wave of his hand, he signaled his men t