Lighting Tiger was shocked by Kaze’s words. “But the Chapmans would never agree.” The Chapman family had more than a hundred people living in Jade Estate, yet someone they hated wanted to erect a cenotaph next to where they lived. They would never allow it. “Then make the Chapman family move. Since the Jade Estate is ready, I just need to prepare my brother’s cenotaph, and no need to waste time building another tomb for him.” James’ death anniversary was around the corner. Lightning Tiger was completely stunned by Kaze’s self-righteousness. He did not expect Kaze to be this tyrannical. Kaze planned to move the Chapmans away from the estate that they had been living in for generations so that he could use the place to erect James’ cenotaph. It would be a huge humiliation to the Chapman family! Kaze then glanced at him and said, “Bring some people over there to inspect the place and deliver my message to the top three families…” …Belarus, Edward, and Flint, the he
“Cenotaph!? You want to erect a cenotaph in Jade Estate, where hundreds of my family live?! What the hell is this, Lightning Tiger?! I dare you to say it one more time in my face and I will kill you right now!” Even with his wealth of experience, Belarus was seething with anger. If a cenotaph was erected in the estate, then the Chapman family’s ancestors would probably jump out from their graves to hold him responsible. “Master Chapman, you are right. It is exactly what that person meant. I am not going to repeat myself,” Lightning Tiger said. “Oh and since all three of you are here, that person wants me to deliver a message.” The three heads of families frowned and glared at Lightning Tiger. “The message reads: Three days later will be James White’s death anniversary. The Chapman family is to move out of the Jade Estate by then. On the day of the anniversary, all family members of the top three families, men and women, old and young, shall visit James White’s grave and kne
Edward later gave another suggestion. Their hands were tied when it came to Jesse, but they could stir problems for Shangrila Group. Conflict could start from within. Even though they could not do anything to Jesse, the least they could do was give him something to think about. “Sir, Lightning Tiger has conveyed your message to the top three families. “He has surrendered all his personal and company assets. He even volunteered to lead his men to mourn for James on the anniversary of his death.” Reeve updated Kaze at the hospital. “I see. Since he knows his place, I can spare his life for now.” Kaze waved his arm and said, “It doesn’t just stop with the top three families and Lightning Tiger. I want those who were involved in Shangrila Group’s downfall to be there for James’ death anniversary.” “Of course. I will get Shane to uncover them all.” Reeve had been with Kaze to Melrose, so he knew that Shane was one of Kaze’s minions now. It was time for the minion to do h
“It’s understood that your concert is held on the same day as the death anniversary of Mr. James White, the former chairman of Shangrila Group.“We received word that Shangrila Group will organize a remembrance for James to celebrate him. “Are you holding the concert as part of the event, Taylor?” The interview went on. Taylor responded, “My concert is unrelated to that event. It’s just a coincidence.” It was far too much of a coincidence to be written off as chance.“Can I be blunt and ask you about the alleged abuse James committed on you that rocked the community two years ago?” “I have nothing to say about that. I want to leave the past behind. It’s time I move on.” Taylor added with grace, “I have come back to the city where my nightmare first began because I have put the incident behind me.” “Shangrila Group faced public criticism two years ago and finally bankrupted, but the company has been restructured recently.” The journalist asked, “Do you have anything
“The ungrateful girl never picked us up from the airport when we were back from business trips.” Agatha criticized her daughter. Taylor? Talk about a coincidence. Kaze said, “I saw on the news that Taylor has checked into the hotel in the city.” “Rose must be off somewhere then. Just call and ask her. She can’t go missing,” Agatha responded in annoyance. She then carried on chatting with Agnes. Kaze had to go out again. He gave Rose a call when driving out of Skylar View District. “K-Kaze?” Rose mumbled over the phone. She had no qualms about addressing Kaze confidently when they met for the first time. Kaze made a favorable first impression on her family as he came across as competent. However, the incident involving Alan ensued. Although Kaze was later proven to be framed, Rose’s family looked down on Kaze because he was a good-for-nothing. Rose believed Kaze was not good enough for her outstanding cousin, Darcy. On the contrary, Kiev and Darcy were a pe
“I have my ways,” Kaze replied. He sniffed the air and frowned. The air was thick with the stench of alcohol and tobacco in the private lounge. The fan club members were young, but they were working adults with potty mouths. Coming from a strict household, Rose was a Miss Goody-Two-Shoes. She had no experience interacting with the group. Rose was oblivious to the lewd stares from the boys. “It’s time to go home, Rose. Your mom told me to pick you up,” Kaze said. The surprise quickly wore off. Rose figured Kaze found her by asking an employee where she was. She shook her head and replied, “I have something going on later. You should go back. I’ll catch my own ride. I’ll let my mom know.” By the looks of her red face, Kaze was sure that Rose had a lot to drink. She might get herself in a situation if he were to leave without her tonight. “No. You’re coming home with me now.” Kaze made a beeline to Rose and reached his hand out to pull her up. Smack! An arm cut a
Kaze remained unfazed even when the group ridiculed him, and a young woman insulted him. Terry did not think Kaze was a threat at all. “I was wondering why it was getting musty here. It must be the unwelcome visitor.” Terry pointed at the door and said with a fake smile, “Please leave us in peace. You are not welcome here.” Kaze did not want to remain in a smoky room anyway. He turned to Rose. “Are you really not leaving, Rose?” “Why are you so annoying? I told you to leave. Just stay out of my business!” Rose shouted angrily at Kaze. She blamed Kaze for embarrassing her. “Alright then.” Without another word, Kaze turned to leave. Since she had made herself clear, Kaze did not intend to interfere with her personal affairs anymore. Rose was eighteen. She was an adult. She should take responsibility for her own actions. Bang! The door to the private lounge opened with a thud. A guy backed into the lounge and fell on his bottoms with a cry. “Are you alright,
“Do you know Lightning Tiger?” the thug asked Terry. “I do.” Terry smiled with relief. The thug gazed solemnly at Terry. Terry appeared rather relaxed in the presence of a gang. Plus, he said he knew Lightning Tiger. The thug suspected Terry was someone important. “Here comes Boss.” The thug in the back shouted. The gang gave way to their leader. A burly man with a fierce look swaggered his way over. “I heard an idiot wants to fight my brothers. Where is he? Step forward and show yourself now,” Lightning Tiger said menacingly. Lightning Tiger fell victim to Kaze today. All his assets had been surrendered, and he had to pay his respects to James three days later on his death anniversary. Sure, he was lucky to be alive but he was upset. So he took his men to enjoy some drinks at Bay Club. Upon learning that one of his brothers got into a fight with a man, Lightning Tiger saw his opportunity to let out steam. The presence of Lightning Tiger sucked the life out
To the young group’s surprise, Kaze pulled through without a hitch. That was not the only thing. Kaze retaliated against Robin and destroyed his beloved harp. The group speculated that Kaze could be stronger than Hannah. They looked at Kaze in horror. Still, it never once occurred to the group that Kaze was more powerful than Robin. Robin raised his arm. The young group got their act together and saluted Robin before taking two steps back. Robin narrowed his eyes at Kaze before uttering, “Not bad.“I didn’t think I’d meet someone of your caliber in Riverbank. “You have a stronger will than most of my men. “Despite your age, you put even the most experienced to shame with that determination of yours.” The young group felt alarmed and ashamed. The members of the execution hall were the elites in the West State Branch. They were the crème de la crème. However, they swayed under the sound wave attack. Though the group was around Kaze’s age, they did not possess h
“Get out!” Kaze gave Hannah the look. Hannah quietly turned around and stumbled her way out. Robin glanced at Kaze as his fingers danced around the harp. “I will behead the general, and once it’s over, tears will fall and fade away.” The tempest of sound took over the room by storm. Kaze felt sent back to his time during the war. He watched his comrades fall. Time lost meaning as the war came to an end. The battle cries subsided, replaced by silence. His brothers-in-arms were no more than a pile of unidentified bones. Even Kaze’s faithful steed whined its farewell. Darkness swallowed the last light over the desolate desert, and he was alone. There was nothing left in the world worth fighting for. No one would remember his death in a faraway land. It was better to die with honor than live in shame. The thought filled Kaze’s head, and emotions overcame him. He was better off dead. Life was not worth living anyway. A voice within tempted Kaze. The craz
Robin did not even look at Collier.Saying nothing, Robin extended his fingers and plucked the harp. “Clang!” A jarring, high-pitched sound wave pierced through everybody’s eardrums. The air was filled with a chilling aura of menace.The serenity on the ninth floor was shattered by the sound of the harp and replaced with malice. Collier and the young group turned pale. Only Robin, Kaze, and Hannah remained unfazed by the attack. “Amid the sweeping wind, the flute’s song echoes in the night. The desert sun descends for the crescent moon above. “To the sound of camel bells, I long for my home. I hold onto my sword, leaving letters where I lay my head.” The wind danced along the melody of General’s Order played by the harp, dropping the temperature down on the ninth floor. Robin’s clothes and hair fluttered against the wind, his face unreadable through it all. His eyes remained cold and distant. General’s Order was a piece known for its unsettling tone. Robin playe
The man’s hypocrisy was sickening. No one stood up for Kaze when Naomi and Rhys slandered him and their fighters tried to end him. When Kaze fought back, there were voices standing on high moral ground to reproach him. “You…” The middle-aged man twitched and breathed his last. The crowd was scared. Kaze was one mean killing machine. Sure, Kaze eliminated the Roads. The Roads were not going to rest until he was dead anyway. However, one man died because of what he had said. It was a clear message not to upset Kaze. Kaze had the taste of blood. He would not stop now. “Get Boris’ head.” Kaze tilted his head at Collier. “Bring it to Robin.” As the crowd watched on with a mix of emotions, Kaze carried the broken sword, the tip dripping with blood, and strode over Boris’ body and into River Watch Inn’s park. Collier led the way, taking Kaze to the ninth floor of River Watcher Inn. The furious wind and swirling clouds added to the building’s height and presence
Boris stumbled back and crashed into the door. The metal door ripped from its hinges and hit the ground. Once the dust settled, the crowd was horrified to find Boris lying limp on the floor. Kaze stood right in front of Boris, his foot on his chest.“Do you have any last words?” Kaze looked down on Boris amusedly, his tone carrying no arrogance. The victory over Boris was no big deal. Boris looked at Kaze in a daze. Kaze was stronger than he could ever imagine. Given another chance, Boris would never upset Kaze at Four Ocean Auction. Boris would not try to retaliate against Kaze even when his son lost his legs. It was a shame that he could not press the reset button. Even if Boris could turn back time, it was highly unlikely that he would show mercy to a moocher. “Ugh…” Boris coughed out blood and said with a struggle, “Kaze, I saved the Godfather before. If you kill me, you will be dead—” “Slash!” Kaze cut Boris off with a stab in the heart. Blood spur
Following the clash of metal, Kaze moved away several feet. The sword in his grasp broke in half, and the tip fell off. Boris grunted, his composed face turning crimson. He staggered and fell back tens of feet too. The crowd was shocked at the thirty-feet shallow pit under Boris’ feet. It was impossible. Twenty years ago, Boris basically had Riverbank in the palm of his hand. Yet, Kaze pushed him back. Anyone could tell that Boris was on the losing end. Boris was in utter disbelief because his wired gloves were splintered by the seams. Reminded by Kaze’s attack at Four Ocean Auction, Boris finally realized how terrifying Kaze was. “I underestimated you, Kaze. “But you killed my wife and son. There’s no going back. You must die today.” Boris looked Kaze dead in the eye and hissed through clenched teeth, “I will kill you!” Kaze raised his sword. The broken sword was still a powerful weapon to Kaze. The air was thick with tension. Boris scowled and flung his
Kaze looked up to Boris barging through the door with his trusted aides. The crowd shied away, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire. The deaths of his son and wife had driven Boris into insanity, and he was out for blood. Anyone would go crazy in the same situation. Boris stared at the bodies of his son and wife menacingly. His eyes turned red at Naomi’s headless corpse.Kaze killed his son, murdered his wife, and beheaded her right in front of Boris. Boris would not stop until Kaze was dead. “Kill him! Kill him!”Boris pointed at Kaze and shouted maniacally, “I don’t care what it takes, but I want him dead!” The deaths of his wife and son were infuriating enough. Boris was aware that Naomi and Rhys would go to Kaze, looking for trouble. He deliberately stayed behind the scenes, giving his wife a chance to punish and kill Kaze. To buy his wife some time to take care of business, Boris stayed on to have drinks with Robin. However, Naomi and Rhys were killed
The security team recoiled in screams and dropped their weapons. Before the musclemen knew it, Kaze raised his sword and inched closer. The blade flashed, its motion a blur.“Slash!” The menacing blade flickered across the throats of the musclemen. A dozen Roads’ fighters fell limp amid the high-pitched squawking. Blood spewed out of the thin slits of their throats. One dozen men breathed their last. The bodies on the floor scared the crowd stiff. No one expected Kaze to be so strong. Kaze was able to come on his own despite the siege. “Get him! Kill him!” Naomi had completely lost it. She yelled at the veteran bruisers, “Kill the asshole! Avenge my son!” The senior fighters were so eager to frame Kaze before. Now, they were scared stiff. Naomi’s order put them in the spot. While they hesitated and even released their grip on their weapons, Kaze struck. “Swoosh!” Kaze swung the sword at the senior fighters. The fighters collapsed to the ground, wailing
Rhys lay limp on the floor, his face forever frozen in disbelief.The crowd was stunned, feeling chills down their spines. One minute ago, Rhys was alive and kicking. However, Kaze took his life with just one squeeze. Kaze’s aggression and hostility when ending Rhys scared them. “Ah! My son!” Reality sunk in after a brief pause. Naomi plunged toward her son’s body with a pale face. Despite shaking Rhys, Naomi shuddered to find that he was no more. She fell on her bottom. It was every parent’s worst nightmare. Besides, she was there to witness the death of her son. The feeling could drive her over the edge. Moments later, Naomi lifted her head, bloody tears running down her eyes. She yelled at Kaze hysterically, “You did this, Kaze! You did this!“Kill him! Kill the jerk!“I want his life for taking my son’s!” Losing her head, Naomi commanded the Roads’ musclemen. The crowd backed away so as not to be caught in the line of fire. “Kill him!” The Roads’ secu