“Buffy, look at your friend. Is this how he should talk to me if he needs my protection?” Dayton did not know how to argue with Kaze anymore, so he turned to Buffy, putting pressure on her. “With his attitude, why should I use my master’s name to protect or save him? People like him are not worthy of being saved! He’s ungrateful! “My task is to protect you but if you want me to protect him too, I would have to decline! You can find someone else!” He got up from the couch and pretended to leave. Kaze scoffed at Dayton’s pretentious act. “Buffy, just let him go. I can deal with Leron myself.” Buffy got anxious and stomped her foot. “Kaze, just keep quiet!” She then went straight up to Dayton and begged him to stay. “Dayton, wait! Please, for me, help us this one time! Please, I’ll repay you after this is over!” She had no idea that Kaze had already encountered Leron at Wyomspring’s entrance, so she simply assumed Kaze underestimated Leron because he did not understand how
Dayton’s master, Alfonso Longwind, was just the ex-branch chief of Viper’s Den Butterworth Branch. If Kaze revealed his identity, the man would have to kneel before him in fear, let alone the arrogant Dayton. It was clear what he was trying to say. He did not care about Dayton or Alfonso, neither of them was worth his time. “What did you say?” Dayton expected Kaze to get down on his knees, but the words he heard made him question if he had heard correctly. Although the idea of making Kaze an agent of the Butterworth Branch was primarily meant to insult him and to elevate Dayton's status over his—thereby discouraging any competition for Buffy—it still presented Kaze with a great opportunity to improve himself. Dayton’s master, Alfonso, was a respected and prominent figure. His name was well-known across the country. Many young men from powerful families sought to train under him as his disciple, but Kaze did not value the opportunity. “Kaze Lee! How dare you disrespect
His bangs slid right off the left side of his face but it did not conceal his scrawny features. His eye sockets were deep and his lips were pursed, making him look cold and fierce. “Leron?!” Buffy was shocked. Fear instantly shrouded her. Speaking of the devil, the man showed up at her place with men and firepower. If Kaze or Dayton were not around, she dared not even imagine what would happen to her. Kaze calmly stepped up and pushed Buffy behind her. His eyes were fixed on Leron’s hands. After briefly fighting the guy once, he knew how precise and powerful his shots were. Dayton and his friends were petrified on the spot, their hearts were pounding wildly, especially Dayton. Though he had previously boasted loudly and dismissed Leron, he instinctively felt immense pressure when the notorious Sharpshooter actually appeared, and his throat began to feel dry. “Kaze Lee, surprised? We meet again.” Leron scrutinized Kaze with heightened interest. His words shocked
Leron did not only look serious, but he sounded serious as well. It did not feel like he was bluffing. It seemed like, after a brief encounter, the notorious Sharpshooter recognized Kaze’s strength. For those whose strength he recognized, even if he had to take their lives, he would ensure they received a dignified death. Kaze smirked. “That’s enough. You are just a pirate and you’ve taken at least a few hundred lives, so why don’t you do your best and get on with it? Skip the tricks. “I bet Casius is waiting for your good news. I’d like to deliver the news as soon as possible so he can taste defeat once more. “Then, while he lives in fear and torment, I will go to him and break him for good.” The whole room froze when they heard Kaze. It was not the first time he said he wanted to crush Casius, but this time, he said it in front of Leron, Casius’ strongest man. It gave Buffy, Dayton, and the other goosebumps. They had no idea how Leron would react to the provocation
Dayton did not care whether Kaze lived or died. All he wanted was for Kaze to kneel before him, apologize, and watch as Buffy threw herself into his arms. The feeling of superiority was what he wanted. The thought alone excited him. Buffy bit her lips and nodded reluctantly. Things had gotten out of hand and she could no longer afford to hesitate anymore or worry about what would happen to her after this. She just wanted Kaze to live. Kaze never failed her, so she did not want to let him down either. “Buffy, why are you doing this?” Kaze sighed with mixed feelings and a complicated look. He was never afraid of Leron and was prepared for this encounter. Yet even he did not expect Buffy to jump into Dayton’s trap without any scruples just for him. A friend in need was a friend indeed. Kaze felt a mixture of emotions. He was moved that Buffy would sacrifice herself for her but he knew he could not provide for her. “Kaze, are you going to give up without resistance
As he spoke, Dayton walked up to Leron with an intimidating presence, radiating dominance and authority. Even the men in black behind Leron were taken aback by his dominating aura, in awe of his audacity. Based on what they knew, those who spoke loudly in front of Leron ended up dead. Yet Dayton had the nerve to speak so boldly in front of the man. Such audacity! Leron looked at Kaze with a grin. “Kneel, kowtow, and apologize? Kaze Lee, will you do it just to live?” “Why are you talking to him? I’m his master now and he does what I tell him to do!” Dayton said, his displeasure evident. He then turned around to Kaze and said coldly, “Why are you still standing there? I’ve gotten you a chance to live. Get on your knees and kowtow! “Remember, you are able to live because of me, your master! You shall respect me and serve me like a loyal disciple from now on!” Dayton sounded and acted righteously, his demeanor exuded a sense of superiority. Kaze did not ask to be a disc
Thump! Leron kicked Dayton in the face without explaining. He then grabbed Dayton’s hair and slammed his head to the floor. Dayton screamed in agony and continued to curse Leron. “You bastard! My master is Alfonso Longwind…” Bang! This time, Leron responded by shooting at Dayton, leaving a bloody and mushy bullet hole in his arm. “Aaaaaarh!” Dayton cried in agony and pain. He did not understand why Leron would shoot him without explaining. His master was the ex-branch chief of the Viper’s Den Butterworth Branch! How dare Leron shoot him?! “Alfonso Longwind?” Leron lifted his gun and blew the smoke off the barrel. He said indifferently, “Didn’t your master tell you, when he and his men came after me, I almost wiped him out and he was forced to surrender, asking me to spare his life?” “What?” His words shocked everyone, leaving them speechless. Dayton was shocked. “No. Impossible! My master said you asked him to spare your life and he doesn’t want to kill you, t
Buffy had a tingling sensation across her skin. Even she believed Leron would be infuriated by Kaze’s words. To everyone’s surprise, Leron did not get angry at all. He simply scoffed, “Kaze Lee, you are pretentious and it pisses me off, but I have to admit that you are indeed worthy to do that in front of me. “Since I am going to kill you after this, I’ll give you face this one time. In fact, I will let you decide what you want to do to this clown, let you pour out your grievance before you die. “So when you go to the afterlife, you won’t come after me. Frankly speaking, this isn’t personal at all. “Now that I’ve made things clear, you can decide whether he dies or lives. Just give the word.” Leron pointed his gun at Dayton, waiting for Kaze to give the verdict. Dayton’s life depended on Kaze’s answer. He looked at Kaze blankly, his lips and body shaking, afraid to even breathe heavily. Never would he think that the useless Kaze, whom Buffy requested him to protect a mo
The other three experts of the Quints scoffed as they stared at Darcy. Darcy might be more beautiful than them but she would have to lose one of her legs. A beautiful cripple would be an interesting scene for them to enjoy. “What?! One of Darcy’s legs?!” Hector and Agnes were shocked by Dark’s words. Sky stepped up to express his dissatisfaction, saying, “What did Darcy do wrong? Why are you people punishing her? “Even if Darcy did something wrong, breaking one of her legs is too much! Are you people savages? How can you set up such an inhuman punishment in the family—” “Slap!” Before he could finish, Dark darted forward and slapped Sky in the face. “Ignorant boy! Who do you think you are, talking to me like that? Are you deaf? I have already announced Darcy Quint’s punishment! Do you not understand English? “Savage? Who are you calling savage? As the branch head of the Quints, Darcy colluded with outsiders to harm the head of the family. Breaking one of her legs i
The group of five strode into the living room. Looking at Dark, who exuded the same ominous aura as her daughter, Shadow, Agnes, who had been advising Kaze on how to negotiate with Phoenix, shuddered and shrank back in fear. The anger on her face was quickly replaced by a timid and flattering smile. “Madam Dark? What brings you here? Welcome to our humble abode!” Dark served Phoenix, so every member of the Quints in the South River State showed her the same respect as the elder of the family. After showing a flattering smile at Dark, Agnes turned around to her husband with furrowed brows and bellowed, “Hector, what are you doing there? Go prepare tea for our guests! “Madam Dark basically grew up with Madam Quint, they are as close as sisters! If we don’t serve her properly, we might not be able to make a stand in Riverbank anymore!” She then turned back to Dark and said respectfully, “Madam Dark, ladies, this way, please. Have a seat and we’ll prepare the best tea we have
“You’re finally getting brighter,” Hector said with a soft sigh. When Darcy became the branch head of the Quints, Agnes was the happiest because she thought the family had hit the jackpot. She foolishly thought her family’s status would surge, which fueled her arrogance along the way. Now, after what had happened, she finally woke up and saw the truth. “What else do you know other than mocking me in my face?” Agnes glared at her husband. Hector said helplessly, “I just want you to see things clearer and if your demands are too much, Madam Phoenix might not agree to them. She might even forfeit the negotiation. “After all, Sky Ocean Corporation belongs to Darcy and it’s her blood and sweat, not Madam Quint’s. So, even if the company goes bankrupt, she has nothing to lose.” Agnes pondered for a moment and realized her husband’s words made sense. Fear caught up to her immediately. She quickly said, “Kaze, then let’s not make so many demands. Let’s just appoint Darcy as the
Though it was infuriating that Kaze cost Darcy her job at Sky Ocean Corporation, Hector was willing to give Kaze another chance for some reason. He was curious whether Kaze was telling the truth. Hector had been taking the calls since yesterday while keeping Agnes out of the loop. “Kaze was right.” Hector looked at Kaze with a mix of emotions, and there was one thing he did not understand. “I just don’t get how he got Perfect World Group and Mayor Synder to follow through with his instructions.” It was a debt and project worth tens of billions.Even if Kaze had ties to Perfect World Group and Kent, it was a big personal favor to ask. Hector could not figure it out. Agnes’ jaw opened, and she glanced at Kaze before tugging at him. “Have a seat, Kaze. Have you had breakfast? Come. Do you want milk with your cereal?” She was always quick to adapt to the situation. Her attitude toward Kaze took a 180 turn. Agnes was not one to reflect on herself. She did not care what Ka
Phoenix uttered indignantly, “That’s fresh coming from Kent. “Didn’t you tell them that you were there on my behalf?“I’m a senior member of the Ridgesouth Quints. Can’t they just hand the rights to use the land to us?” Dark said resentfully, “According to the Riverbank council, they only answer to Darcy, not the Ridgesouth Quints.” “Oh, brilliant. Just brilliant.” Phoenix smirked furiously. “Kent has no respect for me. The Westeros Synders will pay for this!“What’s the situation like in Lilyrose? What does Perfect World Group have to say about this? Don’t tell me only Darcy can handle the business deals?” Dark grimaced hard. “Ma’am, when I said that I was representing you, I wasn’t even allowed into the premises.” …Humiliated, Phoenix froze. As tension rose, Phoenix jolted to her feet exasperatedly and slammed the table. “That’s pushing it!” With Phoenix seething in rage, some family members had ideas of their own. Phoenix had been acting high and mighty, looki
“The family of ingrates!“They have some nerve to threaten and manipulate me.”Phoenix was livid. She, a senior member of the Ridgesouth Quints, had always been superior and the center of attention. No one would defy her. Phoenix believed Hector’s family would not rebel against her. However, Kaze and Darcy had been nothing but a menace since her arrival in Riverbank. Kaze even put her behind bars for a few hours. Phoenix had never been so humiliated. She had had enough. The other family members in the South River State kept to themselves, not wanting to be at the firing end. Phoenix had dragged two family members out to the corridor to punish them for saying something she did not like. They could still hear the echoes of the slapping sound. Anxiety washed over the ward. Joan and her family were desperate. With Phoenix’s help, Joan finally seized Sky Ocean Corporation for her own, only to be blindsided by Perfect World Group and the Riverbank council. The corpora
Robin fell into contemplation before uttering, “I know what to do. “Bring me Ms. Delmore’s trusty sword.” A member retrieved Hannah’s sword and handed it to her respectfully. “Come on.” Kaze turned on his heel and left River Watcher Inn together with Hannah and Collier. As Kaze disappeared from the building, Robin sighed. “I didn’t expect the Chief to appoint a moocher to be the branch leader.” Robin knew that the revelation of Kaze’s identity would be a total shocker. Kaze took Hannah and Collier to Herbal Spring and wrote them a prescription. Hannah suffered internal injuries from Robin’s attack, and Collier sustained mental trauma from Robin’s music. Though the injuries were not serious, they were not in the best shape. Recovery would take time. Medicine could only do so much. While waiting for the medicine, Collier glanced at his phone and said, “The story is out, Kaze. Siberian attempted to kill Robin, and the Roads died protecting him.“There is nothing abou
Kaze smiled pretentiously. “Are you still trying to recruit me, Chief Hill?”Robin hung his head low in shame and replied, “I wouldn’t dare.” It finally dawned on him why Kaze would not accept his offer. Kaze even kept things hush-hush to spare him the embarrassment. However, Robin mistook Kaze’s intention as arrogance. It was true. Robin was unfit to engage in a fight with Kaze. Kaze was more powerful in strength and rank. “Rise,” Kaze uttered indifferently, not putting the blame on Robin. Robin was taken aback, but he quickly responded, “Thank you for overlooking my mistakes.” He rose to his feet. The members of the execution hall stayed in position, their faces pale. They were scared. Just minutes ago, they taunted and mocked Kaze. They had insulted the branch leader. If only there was a hole in the ground they could sink into. “Slap yourselves ten times before you can get up.” Kaze directed the comment at the execution hall members. He pointed at the
Silence filled the air on the ninth floor of River Watcher Inn. Robin stood frozen, his discolored face carrying a look of shock. The clamoring members of the execution hall looked at Kaze with their jaws dropped too. They did not see how Kaze did it. However, they picked up on the vanishing flicker. Robin’s reaction was all the answer they needed. Kaze delivered a blow when Robin attacked. Kaze clearly deterred Robin from launching another attack. Um… It was impossible. The outcome left emotions running high. While Robin killed Siberian with ease, he was no match for Kaze. Robin looked Kaze dead in the eye, his eyes unreadable. He felt that he was a tiny step away from death when Kaze struck him. It had been many years since Robin was consumed by that feeling. Robin knew from experience what it meant. Kaze could kill him if he wanted to. Robin would end up lifeless just like Siberian. Robin cocked his head back stiffly and glanced at the dagger that sank