“If you think so, then so be it.” Kaze simply smiled it off. Patrick was struck by a sudden realization. Kaze did not deny it but it was something that should not be made verbal, so he chose to answer vaguely. A moment of silence later, Patrick said, “Reiko Hara was at the Weather family’s last night. My family handed me over. “I was hiding outside but I was deceived by those old bastards. They then handed me to that woman. “They tortured me because I transferred the shares to Sky Ocean Corporation without their permission. Now I realize that the companies and assets Casius ordered me to oversee do not belong to him but to the Ryokanians. “One of the Riverbank Seven is nothing but a dog working for the Ryokanians.” He scoffed and mocked himself with a bitter laugh. If Casius were a dog to the Ryokanians, then Patrick would be the lackey of a dog, making him even more miserable. Kaze barely reacted to Patrick’s emotional speech. He asked, “The Ryokanians forced you to
“I want payback!” Patrick sprung from his bed and dropped to his knees on the floor. With his bones already fractured, the sudden movement sent a jolt of pain through him, leaving him drenched in cold sweat.“The Weathers turned their backs on me, so I want to make them pay!“The Ryokanians ruined me, and I want payback! “But I know I’m defenseless against them. “I can only turn to you for help, Kaze. I know you’re strong. You killed Casius, didn’t you? “You simply choose to remain discreet. That’s why everybody thinks you’re a loser. I used to be one of those idiots. “I can’t give you much. All I can offer is the confidential files about Bronze Sparrow and clues to Casius’ secret assets and overseas accounts,” Patrick said pleadingly, his gaze intense on Kaze. Kaze narrowed his eyes at Patrick for a moment. He did not account for Patrick’s behavior. Patrick was just a show-off, an airhead, and a bully. After the last incident, Patrick would do everything to get b
“Aaron is leagues above Aiden. He became the South River Strategic Department’s chief commander in his early thirties. Still, Aiden holds up on his own among his peers in Westeros.“The Westeros heirs answer to Aiden. He’s one of the leaders of the community. “Aiden must come to some sort of use so that Reiko would be subservient to him.” She, as a woman, felt a natural disgust toward such matters.Snow was resentful of the fact that Reiko plotted to murder her and Kaze. Hence, Snow assumed the worst of Reiko and Aiden’s relationship. By coincidence, Snow was not far off the mark. Kaze read the file and learned more about Aiden. “It appears Aiden is not just an airheaded heir. “He’s not going to stop now if you’re the reason he’s here.“The Ryokanians are using him to get rid of me, but he’s manipulating them to do his bidding too.“The man in the tree is just the appetizer. The Ryokanians are trying to sound us out. Poor thing. He thought he was special. “I think we
Snow was aware of the beef between Kaze and the Tiger’s Cave. Among the four special institutions, only the Viper’s Den thrived in Riverbank. The Tiger’s Cave was not pleased with the situation. Hence, the organization sent Genesis of the Weathers to cover the piece of territory in hopes that her family’s influence would expand the Tiger’s Cave’s connections into the city. All they needed was a big case to solve. To make her mark, Genesis returned to Riverbank and set her sights on Kaze. It was bad enough that the case was a bust, but Genesis got herself killed by Southern Tiger for shooting at two of the Eight Tigers. Consequently, the Tiger’s Cave’s presence could only mean trouble. Sensing Kaze and Snow’s gazes, the young man beamed. “I should introduce myself. I am Reuben Swan, the new commissioner of the Tiger’s Cave South River State Branch.” Despite the modesty in his introduction, the arrogance reflected on his face was for all to see. “Reuben Swan?“The West
“Beep.” Kaze then hung up. “Tsk!” With Kaze ending the call, the people behind Reuben snickered and looked at Kaze in disdain. Kaze sure would not let up on putting up a tough front. The Tiger’s Cave was unlike the local police. Kaze would not be able to shake the Tiger’s Cave off so easily. Snow met Reuben’s gaze and asked, “What is this big case you’re talking about?” Reuben smiled offhandedly at Kaze before putting on a straight face. “Kaze Lee! Snow Frost!” Reuben waved his arm to his people to have the pair surrounded. He narrowed his eyes at the pair and said solemnly, “We received a tip-off that you murdered Hiro Kita while on your way back to the city from Emerald Bull Palace. “Mr. Kita is a newly hired trainer at Refined Blade. The gym has put in a statement with the relevant department. “According to Refined Blade, they will make the matter public to the press if the case isn’t handled fairly. “Your behavior has resulted in a grave situation and has s
Despite talking about an arrest, Reuben appeared to have named them the killers. Snow understood that Reuben was quick to take action against them, likely due to Aiden and Reiko. God knew what would happen once Snow and Kaze were taken away. Reuben smiled at Snow. “But since you’re a member of the Frosts, I can give you proof. “Take him here.” Reuben waved his arm. Patrick, still in a hospital gown, was carried in by the neck. A Tiger’s Cave member dumped him on the floor. With the impact ripping his wounds, Patrick let out a harrowing cry. He quickly looked humiliated. First, the Weathers sold him out, and the Ryokanians tortured him. Now, the Tiger’s Cave members insulted him. It dawned on Patrick that without power and influence, he was left without dignity. Reuben pointed at Patrick. “You must know him. He’s Patrick Weather. He pocketed Refined Blade’s two-billion-dollar shares. Mr. Kita was one of the few who went after Patrick.“Patrick is with you, and M
Even though Kaze was enraged that Snow was hurt, Snow held Kaze from fighting back. Kaze stopped and looked at Reuben grimacingly before uttering icily, “You will soon know what you’re in for.” “What? Are you planning to get even with me?” Reuben took a step ahead with a smirk and looked at Kaze in defiance. His intention could not be clearer. Reuben was trying to rile Kaze up, giving himself a reason to order a hit on Kaze. He could then avenge Genesis. “Come on. I’m standing here. Don’t you want to hurt me?” Reuben took another step forward and gave Snow another slap. As a trained fighter, he was incredibly quick. Snow was just a fragile woman. She did not know what hit her. With a smack, Snow had another mark on her other cheek. Withdrawing his arm, Reuben put his hand close to his nose for a sniff. He then pointed his gun at Kaze and said with a pretentious smile, “What? Too scared to fight back? “If only your hands were as tough as your mouth.“You’re just a c
As Buffy, now the president of Gwake Corporation, carried herself with authority, Reuben had a sinking feeling. “We were once friends, Buffy. Your family and mine go way back, but you have no right to tell me how to do my job.” Reuben was aware of the changes Buffy had gone through. Buffy was not just the president of Gwake Corporation, but she was also the head of the Riverbank Gwakes. The Riverbank Gwakes were extended family to the Westeros Gwakes. Now that Buffy wore the pants in the family, she gained massive support from the main branch. Considering Buffy’s position now, Reuben did not feel superior as the Swan heir and the Tiger’s Cave’s commissioner. Sure, the Swans were highly influential within the Tiger’s Cave.However, Buffy’s family was equally powerful within the Viper’s Den. Jude was not the only member with authority in the Viper’s Den. Though it was not clear why the Westeros Gwakes did not support Jude in the power struggle within the South River Stat
Phoenix instinctively moved the phone away from her ears and was stunned for a few seconds before her expression turned ashen. “Kaze Lee broke Shadow’s arm? Crippled both of you? You piece of trash! You can’t even take care of them? What gives you the idea that you still have the right to call me?” She shouted back at the phone, and her voice echoed across the entire ward. “Uh…” Dark had expected punishment of scolding and even abandonment by her master whom she had served for decades, yet she did not expect it to be this quick. “Smash!” Phoenix smashed the phone on the floor. She remained standing and upset. There was a fierce and resentful aura around her as she clenched her fists. Her frosty gaze could send chills down one’s spine. Even Joan’s face paled and her body trembled. She dared not even talk to Phoenix. “Dark, that useless hag! Kaze Lee, that piece of shit! Darcy and her goddamned family! They are all useless! They all should die!” Her anger erupted like
“Madam Quint, it’s going to be alright now. Madam Dark and Shadow are on their way to the Quints and they will surely bring Darcy back.” At Riverbank Prime Hospital, Joan was consoling Phoenix, who was sulky after the incident. Joan wore a face unmistakable of schadenfreude. She was jealous of Darcy from the moment they both met. Darcy, a girl from a distant Quint family from the small city of Lilyrose, had no right to be in the same position as her, the daughter of a well-known and powerful family in Riverbank. Yet Darcy was better than her in every aspect. Darcy was more beautiful, more capable, and was the chairwoman of Sky Ocean Corporation that was worth billions. She became the branch head of the Quints at a young age, where the other family members had to listen to her. Jealousy had blinded Joan to the point that she believed everything that Darcy owned, except for her stupid useless husband, should be hers. She wanted to snatch everything from Darcy. It explaine
“Aaargh! Kaze Lee, I will kill you!” Suddenly, Shadow shouted and dashed toward Kaze. She thought her mother was caught off guard by Kaze’s slaps and got slightly disoriented, hence unable to fight back. Yet she quickly realized that Kaze could kill her mother with slaps. Therefore, without a doubt, as soon as she engaged Kaze, she, too, was sent flying by the furious slaps, crashing into the wall behind her like her mother. Kaze said, “You hurt the executives of Sky Ocean Corporation and broke their arms and legs. Now I’m breaking one of your arms, rendering you useless. Consider it revenge.” Another one was crushed! Looking at Shadow’s broken arm, the other followers turned pale. “You little bastard! I’ll kill you and your family…” Dark slowly regained her composure and began shouting again. She had roamed unchallenged for years, yet now, not only had she been defeated, but she was also crippled. Her daughter also suffered the same fate. To the merciless Phoenix
“You little shit! You’ve done it this time!” Dark shrieked like a witch as blood spewed from her mouth. Resentment quickly consumed her. She tried to channel her energy to counter Kaze’s slap but the slaps were quicker than her response. As soon as she gathered up enough energy to react, the slap on her face would disperse it. “Slap!” Kaze slapped her once more. “Yeah, I’ve done it. So what?” Pain, resentment, grievance, madness, and all kinds of negative emotions drowned Dark from within, yet she could do nothing about them except being slapped relentlessly by Kaze. She was unable to fight back at all. Agnes gasped in shock. The relentless slaps brought back memories of the slap that Kaze had given her. Instinctively, she clutched her face and suddenly felt grateful because Kaze had obviously held back then. Otherwise, she would have ended up like Dark—her face swollen and blood gushing from her mouth. “That’s enough, Kaze! For our sake, stop it!” Afraid that Kaz
“Madam Dark, please don’t mind him! Everyone knows Kaze is not that bright and he speaks without thinking! We can't even hold him back at times!” Agnes turned on Kaze almost immediately. Kaze was not surprised by Agnes’ “betrayal”. She would not be Agnes if she did not sell Kaze out. Seeing the reverence in Agnes' eyes, Dark's expression twisted further with sheer contempt and scorn. Given his position, Kaze was nothing but a fool to challenge her. She looked at Kaze condescendingly and said coldly, “Young Man, break your own arm and step aside and I won’t hold you responsible for what you just said. Or else, I will take both your hands for the irresponsible words that you—” Before she could finish, Kaze’s expression darkened and he bellowed, “Get out of my face!” “What?!” Dark cried sharply, “Who do you think you are?! How dare you say that in my face! Do you know what you are saying? If I don’t break you today, you won’t know how to respect your elders!” She raise
Agnes nodded repeatedly and anxiously. “Darcy is right! Don’t you mess around here, you’re going to ruin the Quints’ reputation!” She still believed that Phoenix needed their help and would not sever all ties at once. This must be just an intimidation tactic. “Slap!” Dark stepped up and slapped Agnes in the face. “Ruin the family’s reputation? Look in the mirror and see who you really are! You think you are in the position to say that in my face? “I’m warning you. Even if I killed all of you here, it wouldn’t affect the Quints’ reputation at all. Don’t waste my time, I have limited patience. I am just here to break one of Darcy’s legs!” She then pointed at Darcy. “You know what we can do. If you don’t want your family to suffer, get over here and receive your punishment!” Agnes covered her face in resentment but she dared not defy Dark anymore. Dark was not just Phoenix’s loyal servant. Dark and her daughter, Shadow, were martial arts experts. If the two of them lost
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